From this page you will be able to read general frequently asked questions as well as submit your own question. We will respond to them as soon as possible.
Questions We’ve Answered:
- Can scanners listen to BRICS?
- How do I talk to other counties?
- How do I talk to medical helicopters?
- How long will my battery last?
- How many talkgroups can I put in my scan list?
- What talkgroup can we use for a special event?
- Where do I take a radio for service?
- Will BRICS municipalities ever be offered for scanning on this internet site?
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Can’t find the answer on our Guides or Policies menu?
Ask us a question and we may add it to our FAQ; below.
The Answers
- Can scanners listen to BRICS?
Sometimes. BRICS is a digital, trunked 800MHz radio system. There are only a few scanners capable of monitoring digital, trunked 800MHz radio systems and they are fairly expensive.
A properly equipped scanner can monitor unencrypted (or “clear”) talkgroups on our system. Encrypted (or “secure”) talkgroups can not be monitored by a scanner.
Visit the scanning page to learn more.
- How do I talk to other counties?
See the “How do I talk to?” guide for more information.
- How do I talk to medical helicopters?
See the “How do I talk to?” guide for more information.
- How long will my battery last?
The Motorola Impres battery provided with Butler County’s XTS-5000 radios have an excellent battery life – typically 14 to 16 hours depending on usage and its age. Click here to learn more about batteries.
- How many talkgroups can I put in my scan list?
The short answer is 15. See the Scanning guide for the full explanation.
- What talkgroup can we use for a special event?
We recommend using a Mutual Aid talkgroup, located in Zone B. They are labeled BC MA. You should ask your dispatch center to assign one and let them know what you’re using it for.
It will allow you to communicate within your own agency at the event, or bring in other agencies and disciplines (police and EMS, for example) at the same event.
If the incident escalates, your event staffing will already be on a talkgroup that other responders can switch to easily to assist you.
We will be happy to assist you with communications pre-planning for your event. Use the ‘Contact Us’ link at the top of the page to get in touch with us. We can assist with planning, ICS forms and securing additional resources.
- Where do I take a radio for service?
The Communications Division of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will perform or coordinate service for all radios on the Butler Regional Interoperable Communications System. Click “Contact Us” on the top menu for directions.
- Will BRICS municipalities ever be offered for scanning on this internet site?
We don’t currently have any plans to offer a “live feed” of BRICS radio traffic via the internet. The services we provide are geared towards what our user agencies need for their daily business, and that type of need hasn’t come up as of yet.