January 2009

January 2009 Meeting

Date: January 22, 2009
Time: 5:45pm
Place: Commuterlink TOC
Note: Please be ON TIME. The doors will be locked. After our group is let in, it will be difficult to gain access. Because this occurs during rush hour, you may want to arrive a little early. Anyone arriving early can meet by the doors, and we can share/swap scanner stories.

Details

Our meeting this month will be a tour the Commuterlink TOC (Traffic Operations Center). We would like to get at least ten people to sign up. If you can come, please sign up below.

We have told them the nature of our group (adults interested in public saftey radio systems as hobbyists). They indicated they would make a note that the questions may be technical. We will have an opportuinity for some Q&A, so please come prepared with some questions so we can represent our hobby in the best light.

Sign Up

1. --RyanSimpkins 23:47, 30 December 2008 (UTC)
2. --Rolfman
3. --UtahApocalypse
4. --Lee McAllister 22:51, 31 December 2008 (UTC)
5. --gldavis 03:24, 01 January 2009 (UTC)
6. --2alpha56 19:09, 1 January 2009 (UTC)
7. --n7vvw
8. --David wall --Highwire1 05:14, 13 January 2009 (UTC)
9. --Tom_AF7J 18:21, 15 January 2009 (UTC)
10. --Dan KE7OVX

Follow Up

We had a great time, and a good turn-out. Here is a summary of what we learned:

• They use RS scanners to monitor agencies not on UCAN. Each desk has one. They looked old. The One was a Pro-2055 Older Desk Model
• There are two levels for the operators.
  • The bottom level is where the sign/camera operators sit.
  • The upper level is where 911 dispatch sits. They handle dispatch for Salt Lake and Utah County UHP, as well as the Division of Wildlife Resources.
    • We were not allowed to see this section.
• Andre, a Sys Admin for the TOC, is a Ham. Did anyone catch his call sign, and remember his radio setup? He has an interesting set up in the building.
  • He hook up the base Unit at a location, then connect to the head end via the CAT-5 Ethernet. He can that way set up the radio anywhere in the building.
• Chris was our guide. Did anyone catch is last name?
• Nearly all the cameras are connected via fiber optic. Distant cameras dial in via POTS.
• They do not have the capability to record more than a few cameras at a time, and they do not use it often.
• The TOC is not staffed 24/7 except in special cases.
• Cameras will some times be shut off due to security reasons.
• The UDOT weather people are also in the same building, and have extended hours for staffing.

Pictures

Outside the TOC	Plow	Plow Plaque	Radio Tower
Lobby	Lobby Display	Utah Radio Group	TOC Control
TOC Control	TOC Control	TOC Control	TOC Control
TOC Control	RS Scanner