Burlington County began testing a $35 million Motorola Type II APCO 25 Digital Trunked Radio system in early 2004 and simulcasting some conventional analog frequencies began in August that year as part of the conversion to digital. By August 1, 2005, the conversion was completed with all Public Safety agancies using the system. Since this is a trunked system, there are no assigned frequencies for different channels like the former system used-users share groups of frequencies that can change as decided by the trunking control. A digital-capable trunking scanner is needed to monitor this system. Conventional scanner radios and trunk tracking units only receive and track analog signals and are unable to receive the digital transmissions of this system.
However, even these scanners will not be able to receive the encrypted (private) transmissions that the digital systems sometimes use. It is said that Burlington County's new system will use encryption for the Special Responce Team and Prosecutor's office. Whatever part of the system that is encrypted will be impossible to monitor even with a digital capable scanner. The digital capable scanners are very costly, both the Radio Shack and the Uniden models cost around $500.
The Burlington County F-1 Fire and EMS Dispatching channel, 154.220, will continue to be used for toning and dispatching when the new system goes into operation. Central is now transmitting on 154.220 using all its towers with F1 repeaters at the same time instead of individual towers in the area of the dispatch. This project, which improves signal coverage, was completed in 2003.
Police agencies were the first users of the trunked system, at first being patched, then switching to 100% digital as the radios were programmed and the patches cut. The County's Fire and EMS agencies went online after the police conversion, using "Responce" talkgroups which are announced when the stations are dispatched.
The county is now divided into eight zones, with each zone having its own tower and groups of trunked frequencies along with a set of talkgroups. Each zone's tower also simulcasts communuications from the other zones.
Burlington County's former analog emergency radio system dated to the mid 1970's, when towns in the county began to go from being self-dispatched to joining the county central system (a few towns still have thier own police dispatching). As New Jersey's largest county at 819 square miles, getting signals to its far reaches has long been a problem and the new system with towers around the County solves this. Deficincies with the dated analog system were uncoverd during a disaster drill in 1995.
Digital radio systems are now a trend in communications. Locally, Philadelphia uses Digital Trunking and Bucks and Montgomery Counties in PA also have digital capable systems.
Burlington County has a Central Communications Website...
Burlington County Central Communications Online
Burlington County Fire Chiefs Association
RadioReference.com (Database-N.J.)
ebook: Phila. Area Communications Guide-there is a fee for this but this guide has the most info available on Burlington County's Trunked System.
Since this system uses multiple tables of base frequencies, you will need to program your scanner using a PC program. WIN 96 is recommended for the RadioShack PRO96 scanner and is available at starrsoft.com.
Audio clip of P8 on Digital System
Audio clip of F2 on Digital System