First bus W&N Yorks.

Scanning radio frequencies in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

Just a heads up that next month First West and North Yorks will switch to GSM radios and tracking.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
radtech
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 282
Joined: 09 May 2010, 20:22
Call Sign: Rich
Location: Notts.

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by radtech »

The Sheffield control channel has been switched off too so I imagine First South Yorks and Stagecoach have stopped using it.

I'd be surprised if there's no voice replacement as they've gone from being in contact with every bus, to nothing in one swoop. They had a multi operator control room and everything in Sheffield.

The Stagecoach ticket machines are capable of sending template SMS messages but not ideal for explaining complex issues.

I do know that in Oxford, Stagecoach are using small Android tablets in buses for VOIP using an app similar to Zello, not sure if something similar is happening here.
Rich
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

First West and North Yorks will have voice, keeping the mics and foot pedals that are used now.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
radtech
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 282
Joined: 09 May 2010, 20:22
Call Sign: Rich
Location: Notts.

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by radtech »

thelad wrote:First West and North Yorks will have voice, keeping the mics and foot pedals that are used now.
I've had 178.1 (Birkenshaw main site) on Trunkview since 17:30 and the only calls were three from Arriva.

Nothing from First at all.
Rich
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

EE simcards going in the TX boxes with the looks of it.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
radtech
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 282
Joined: 09 May 2010, 20:22
Call Sign: Rich
Location: Notts.

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by radtech »

Stagecoach have the advantage of having GPRS/GPS built in to the machines and use the ACIS/ERG VIX platform anyway. The ACIS boxes were designed for GPRS so should work for First.

I imagine it costs the PTE's tens of thousands a year to a maintain the current system, just a shame if voice loses out as it's an important tool.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Rich
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

Above are what they are doing away with. The new Tx are just flat like a hard drive.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

The new gear.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

Vix gear
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
radtech
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 282
Joined: 09 May 2010, 20:22
Call Sign: Rich
Location: Notts.

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by radtech »

thelad wrote:Vix gear
Very good. Just found a press release about the roll out of these.

_____________________________________________________________________________
VIX TECHNOLOGY BRINGS INTEGRATED VOICE SOLUTION TO
FIRST YORKSHIRE

November 2016, United Kingdom - Vix Technology has signed a contract to provide an
integrated voice solution to over 1300 vehicles for First Yorkshire buses. Based on national
infrastructure utilising GSM networks rather than dedicated PMR (professional mobile radio)
systems, the new technology deployment will provide AVL (automatic vehicle location)
tracking, combined with advanced live fleet management software, significantly improving
bus fleet communication.

Embedded into the Horizon platform, the new communication
solution will integrate seamlessly into First Yorkshire’s business operational processes,
allowing operators live access to where vehicles are located, as well as providing a direct
voice link with drivers at all times. The system will address a number of communication
coverage issues faced with the incumbent PMR system in Yorkshire.

The integrated solution will be delivered via the Vix Technology DT421 onboard computer across the entire First
Yorkshire fleet, with rollout to be completed in April 2017. Alongside the deployment with
First Yorkshire, Vix is also carrying out additional pilot exercises across the UK and Ireland,
with a view to larger deployments over the next few months.
ENDS
Rich
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

Thats why they are rushing to fit them before April, thanks.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
phillmobile
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 619
Joined: 23 Jun 2009, 03:05
Location: Bridlington
Contact:

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by phillmobile »

How does the driver call for help? how does the driver deal with technical issues, this is crazy the demise of 2 way radio continues.
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by thelad »

Used the new system today, alot better and more clear than the old one, group calls seem to cover West Yorkshire as one area.
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
radtech
Super Member
Super Member
Posts: 282
Joined: 09 May 2010, 20:22
Call Sign: Rich
Location: Notts.

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by radtech »

The three main issues with the Band 3 system:

- A group call would only go out from the site that the control radio was registered too, if the bus was on another site it would miss the message.

- Group calls should have been configured as Broadcast calls to stop half a dozen drivers pressing their foot pedals and blanking out control.

- Inter site audio was very poor quality. The South Yorks side of the system was worse, almost unintelligible.
Rich
phillmobile
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 619
Joined: 23 Jun 2009, 03:05
Location: Bridlington
Contact:

Re: First bus W&N Yorks.

Post by phillmobile »

The three main issues with the Band 3 system:

- A group call would only go out from the site that the control radio was registered too, if the bus was on another site it would miss the message.
Either they didnt use taitnet or wrong settings
- Group calls should have been configured as Broadcast calls to stop half a dozen drivers pressing their foot pedals and blanking out control.
Wrong settings
- Inter site audio was very poor quality. The South Yorks side of the system was worse, almost unintelligible.
Should have used cisco routers
Post Reply