At least eight false Mayday calls since the start of the year have the U.S. Coast Guard’s Los Angeles/Long Beach command center concerned, and the public’s help was sought Thursday to find the man who’s been making them. The false distress calls date back to Jan. 3, according to the Coast Guard, which reports that […]
Fake ‘Mayday’ Calls to Coast Guard Under Investigation, Public’s Help Sought Read Post »
In the minutes after the false missile EAS alert was delivered in Hawaii, there was a great deal of general confusion — a lack of communication, general perplexity about the next steps, and phone call after phone call that didn’t get through to the right recipients. But one group, in particular, said it knew exactly
How Amateur Radio Played a Role in the Hawaii EAS Emergency Response Read Post »
By Rich Carlson, N9JIG So what does Signal Strength really mean? Most scanners these days have a Signal Strength indicator, usually with up to 4 or 5 bars to indicate a strong signal. How are these calibrated? Is 4 bars twice as good as 2? Do I need a full-scale signal to hear my local
Signal Strength – It Is All Relative Read Post »
Drill rigs and concrete trucks crawl up mountaintops at the break of dawn, forming silhouettes along LA basin and northern desert hillsides. Delivery trucks loaded with tower steel and heavy earth moving machinery mark the start of 2018 in grandiose fashion for the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) construction throughout LA County. “Construction activities over the last month have picked-up
LA-RICS Radio System Construction Update Read Post »
The following is a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department: Effective February 1, 2018, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department radios will switch from analog to an encrypted digital communication system. The improved communication platform is vital to the safety of our first responders. It will enhance coverage throughout the county, improve the
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Radios Now Digital Encrypted Read Post »
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighter flight paramedic Greg Sanderson has retired after 32 years of service, with 18 years assigned to the Air Operations Section. During Sanderson’s time at Air Operations he interrogated many skills, equipment, and rescue techniques from his time as a U.S. Navy CSAR Corpsman. When asked what some of his
Senior Los Angeles Fire Department Aircrewman Retires Read Post »
In a continuing effort to efficiently work with partnering governmental agencies, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, through January 22, 2018, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) will be providing resources to assist current mudslide recovery and clean-up efforts in Santa Barbara County as part of a mutual aid request from the California Governor’s Office
LASD Prepares to Assist with Mudslide Operations in Santa Barbara County Read Post »
A fire that damaged a 129-year-old Episcopalian church Saturday morning (1/13/18) in Pasadena has prompted an arson investigation. Authorities said the cause of the non-injury fire at Church of the Angels, which was reported at 2:20 a.m. at 1100 N. Avenue 64, just east of the Los Angeles city limits, is being investigated as suspicious. The Los
Arson Suspected in Overnight Fire at 129-Year-Old Church in Pasadena Read Post »
It looks like they are getting encryption right in Nebraska. We hope the So Cal PD’s will follow suit and not lock out scanner listeners from all PUBLIC safety communications. COLUMBUS NE — Columbus Police Chief Chuck Sherer is changing course when it comes to restricting the public’s access to information shared between officers and dispatchers.
Police Department Changes Course, Will Use Both Public and Private Radio Channels Read Post »
The nation’s Wireless Emergency Alert system (WEA) needs improvements that are long overdue, according to a coalition of public safety organizations that are pushing for action by the Federal Communications Commission on the issue. In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and the other commissioners, six leaders of regional and national public safety organizations are urging the government
FCC Must Upgrade Wireless Emergency Alert System, Public Safety Organizations Say Read Post »
