800mhz and digital code help.

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 6:07 pm

i want to listen to freq 855.7125 for CA state parks system. i believe they are running a reapeater. it says "All repeater outputs are tone guarded with digital code D115" so what kind of radio do i need? can i just get a cheap motorola mtx handheld? then program it in there w/ a rib. is this a digital system? or a trunking system? thanks for your help. -Ryan

OX · Post by OX » Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:25 pm

"tone guarded" is a measure to prevent unauthorized people from transmitting on their system. If all you want to do is monitor the channel, then you can program the channel to CSQ (Carrier Squelch) and monitor it that way. Without being from that area, I can only assume that they are using a conventional repeater because DPL 115 is valid for that use.

The official opinion of the board on which radio you should get would be "go get a scanner". This is so that when you buy a radio and RIB and download the RSS from some warez site, program said radio onto that channel, transmit on that channel then get arrested for "obsruction of public service" or maybe even "computer theft", no one on the board would be held liable for your actions.

I thought I should at least post that in hopes that someone else doesn't post it quite rudely instead. There is a tendency for people to be that way.

Good luck.

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:38 pm

thanks. ya, i have a pro-95 scanner right now, can i listen to it on this? i just dont want to spend 500 dollars on a pro-96 digital if that is what i need. if i do get a mtx, i will only rib the input d115, and not use any of the transmit functions. i just wont do that w/ the rib. i dont care to talk on the station, just monitor. if my pro-95 will work, then great, if not, tell me what i need. i used to listen to it on the pro-95 with just 855.7125 typed it, nothing else, but now i need to either change somethin, or get a new radio. thanks! -Ryan

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 7:45 pm

btw, all the programming would be done w/ a rib owned by a local radio business using legal software,etc. this isn't some hacking operation, im just a kid who wants to listen to the local CA offroad park.

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:14 pm

appears this may be a DCS code, digital coded squelch?

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:48 pm

i would have to say i got a much better response on eham.net. either there aren't many people on this board, the people on here dont know abotu the information, or they dont care to help. not sure, just a comment.

Post by Pj » Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:22 pm

It really goes to how you phased the question.

If you are just going to monitor the system with a scanner, no problem

DCS, Dxxx, DPL is all the same -> Digital PL.

Same goes with PL tones: PL, CTCSS, Channel Guard. All are the same, just different ways of expressing it.

If your using a scanner and it supports PL/DPL, enter the code. All that is going to do is filter out any other repeater on the same frequency with different PL tones.

If your looking to program your own two-way radio on how to access the system, your not going to find too much help here. Based on how some posts are worded, it can be very obvious if someone is trying to get information on how to get onto a radio system that they are clearly not authorized for. That's where we unoffically draw the line.

Most people on eham, qrz and other places don't take into account that there are loonies out there who are just trying to cause problems on the airwaves, and the liability involved for the people here trying to help out.

Also, as a side FYI, two-way radio's are generally not a good idea to use as scanners. Most are limited to 10-16 channels to scan, and you cannot change the programming "on-the-fly." If you happen to end up talking with police, they are going to see your radio and ask some more questions. Most cops can actually tell the difference between a two-way and scanner. It just saves some hassel.

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:40 pm

i understand there are some loonies. sorry, like i said, i am more than happy to use a scanner, i just dont want to have to spend 500 bucks on a pro-96, hence the 2 way which is cheaper. plus, it wont matter if the cops catch me if they try my 2 way and find out it wont transmit. 2 way is just cheaper. i know a 2 way only has 1 channel, but thats all i want to listen to. sorry if i phrased the question bad, i guess if you guys think im a hacker, go for it, im not.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 2:35 am

Also note that this site is generally somewhat quiet on weekends. A large majority of the people who post and answer questions on this forum are M-F 0800-2100 EST. Not there aren't people around on weekends and bored overnight, but the place is much more active on weekdays.

And yes, that is simply just a DPL, nothing fancy. You can monitor the frequency with any old scanner that can accept the 800Mhz frequency.

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:35 am

thanks nmfire10, i'll keep that in mind. appreciate the help guys.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 12:54 pm

I use motorola radio's for scanning simply because i'm ruff on my radio's. they get dropped, etc. and the audio that come out punches through the background noise better than a scanner. I have bad hearing. also the motorola radios are less susceptable to out of band interference. better front ends. I know post 9/11 arguments but if the radio is programmed not to transmit, then i don't see adifference between a good quality radio and $500.00 peice of junk from crap shack. if manufacturers would take the hint and design quality heavy duty radios with good audio for scanning then most people would not mind using a scanner. oh another thing motorola batteries last a whole day as opposed to a few hours for average scanner.

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:25 pm

You said you used to listen to this with your Pro95 so if nothing has changed, there's no reason you can't listen to it now.

The DPL is what is needed to transmit to the system. That doesn't affect you, so you're good to go.

A final note. I'm not a moderator or administrator here or anything like that. Those guys have a tough job and I don't think I'd do it well. So I'm speaking for myself, not as a representative of the board. And mods, if this is out of line, I apologise.

But Ryanerb, if you come here telling us how much better an answer you got on eham or qrz.com or someplece, you may well find yourself being invited to go back there and stay there. Gotta be careful about stepping on toes here. Most of these guys are professionals in the business and give freely of their time from which we amateurs benefit. They don't like hearing that someplace else is better.

Good luck with your scanner, it should do the job for you just fine.

ryanerb · Post by **ryanerb** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:37 pm

wa2zdy, i agree. I was simply making a statement that i got a better response over there. Is there anything wrong w/ that? i was trying to be mean, just making an observation. I didn't say "they were better" , i said "i had a better response." maybe their responses are wrong, and since there are more professionals over here, maybe just one response will be all it needs on here. not sure, but dont want you guys to get mad at me over a small comment taken wrong. -Ryan