DCFD Encryption Update

DC Fire will unencrypt some of their talkgroups at 7 AM tomorrow morning, according to a Scan-DC post. The DC Project 25 system page at RadioReference has been updated with the talkgroups.

Uniden BCD996P2 Releasing Soon

A new scanner from Uniden, the BCD996P2, will be released in early March. The scanner is an updated version of the BCD996XT, adding Project 25 Phase II capability and a USB front port for updates and programming. Universal Radio has added a page about the scanner.

Spotsylvania Sheriff Will Probably Encrypt

When Spotsylvania switches to a Project 25 system, the Sheriff's talkgroups will probably be encrypted, according to posts in this RadioReference thread.

The system may use Phase II talkgroups, although earlier information stated only Phase I talkgroups would be used. (The current number of 800 MHz frequencies is probably adequate for Phase I operation.)

Weekend Events

• The Wizards play Saturday at 7 at Verizon Center.
• The Caps play Sunday at 7 at Verizon Center.

Sunrise Montgomery Village FCC App

Sunrise Montgomery Village, a retirement community, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for a DMR repeater on 461.7500, and DMR simplex on 467.4250, 468.2125, 468.8625, and 469.1250.

DC Testing P25 System in Metro

DC is testing the P25 system in the Metro system again this morning. Talkgroup 1619 is being used. This follows previous testing, during which talkgroups 1617 and 1633 were used.

Venable FCC App

Venable, a law firm located at 575 7th St. NW in DC, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 461.6750, 461.7250, 461.7750, 461.8750, 461.9250, 462.0500, and 464.6250.

Weekend Events

• The Wizards play Friday at 8 PM at Verizon Center.
• The Capitals play Saturday at 12:30 PM at Verizon Center.
• Georgetown plays Saturday at 8 PM at Verizon Center.

Nordstrom Rack (Springfield Town Center) FCC App

Nordstrom Rack, which opens at Springfield Town Center on April 16, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for analog and DMR simplex on 463.8375, 464.2625, 467.8750, 464.0875, and 467.4125.

MWAA Switches to P25

According to a RadioReference post, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has switched to their P25 system.

Several DC P25 Talkgroups Identified

Thanks to the DC Scanner software-defined radio project, I've been able to identify several new services talkgroups on the DC Project 25 system. Most of these talkgroups have migrated from the Project 16 system over the last several months.

Fairfax County P25 Converting to Phase II

In the coming months, Fairfax County will convert the Project 25 system to allow for Phase II (TDMA) talkgroups. The extra capacity is needed because the users of the Project 16 system will migrate to the P25 system. When the migration is complete, the P16 system will be shut down. The two licenses for the P25 system have been modified recently to add an emission designator for TDMA operation. Having all county users on the P25 system should improve reception for the services users, as the P25 system has more sites than the P16 system (12 versus 8).

Fairfax County Fire Encrypts Some Talkgroups

Fairfax County Fire has encrypted several talkgroups on the Project 25 system, but none of them are used for routine operations.

McLean Bible Church Modifies License

McLean Bible Church recently added a frequency to its license, and also added emission designators for DMR. The church was previously found on these two frequencies, which were received relatively weak at Tysons Corner Center:

451.4625 [ d251] (R)
464.5250 [  82.5] (R)

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP Switches Frequency

The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park has switched frequencies from 166.9500 [ $4F9] to 172.4750 [ $4F9].

Alaska Airlines (IAD) FCC App

Alaska Airlines at Dulles Airport has a modification pending to its license for an analog and DMR repeater on 452.2250.

DCFD May Not Remove Encryption Until March

Contrary to a report that DC Fire would remove encryption on Friday, it now looks like the encryption may not be removed until next month. (The DC Scanner software-defined radio project is not showing unencrypted fire talkgroups.)

DCFD Will Remove Encryption on Friday

The encryption used on most of the DC Fire talkgroups will be removed on Friday morning. This decision apparently comes from the mayor's office, and was being studied even before the January L'Enfant Metro incident.

CUE Buses Using DMR

CUE buses, which serve the City of Fairfax and George Mason University, are using DMR on 494.9875. The license is active, but does not indicate DMR.

Weekend Events

• The Capitals play Friday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• The Wizards play Saturday at 7 PM at Verizon Center.
• The Capitals play Sunday at 3 PM at Verizon Center.

Hilton Garden Inn Woodbridge FCC App

The Hilton Garden Inn Woodbridge, which opens in March, has an application pending before the FCC. The app calls for simplex on 457.4125, 457.6375, 456.7375, and 457.8125.