MTX800 as a trunked scanner?

[njh621]

I have a box of MTX800s sitting in my basement, and I figured I'd try to use them for something other than parts. Is there anyway I might be able to turn one of these into a trunked scanner? Particularly, I'm trying to put something together so I can listen into some of the radio chatter on campus (see http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=661). According to radio reference, we are using a 800mhz Type II Smartnet trunked system. I'm an amateur at this stuff, so can this be done or no? I have all of the necessary equipment to program the MTXs so that's not an issue. However, something tells me that because we are using Smartnet, the MTXs won't be able to listen in.

[tvsjr]

The MTX800 won't do type II. It won't handle rebanding. And you still need a system key, which the sysadmin will have. Forgetting all of those, it's a great plan.

Suggestion: Sell those doorstops at your local hamfest for a buck a piece and buy a scanner. Plenty of cheap scanners out there that will do Type II analog.

[njh621]

The MTX800 won't do type II. It won't handle rebanding.

Understood.

Suggestion: Sell those doorstops at your local hamfest for a buck a piece and buy a scanner.

I'd rather just hold onto them and use them for parts, if I can't do anything else with them. My understanding is that the MTX820/820S, however, can do Type II. If I were to get one of those, would it work? Could any of the information provided on that radio reference page be used to create a system key?

[com501]

You are better off buying a scanner. Seriously. If you don't have the technical skills to create a system key and modify your radio so it doesn't TX at ALL, you are asking for serious problems with the law.

This is not a recommended path for anyone planning any type of career in the future, other than institutional cook.

Read the thread entitled "Why we tell people to buy a scanner". Seriously. Then re-read it. Seriously.













Did I mention I was serious about this?

[Pj]

What Terry said is good advice. Offload them now while you can get $$ for them. Once rebanding is finished nationwide, they are nothing good except for door stops and show pieces.

[njh621]

You are better off buying a scanner. Seriously. If you don't have the technical skills to create a system key and modify your radio so it doesn't TX at ALL, you are asking for serious problems with the law.

I understand the serious consequences and legal issues at hand here. I have the resources to create system keys, it's just been a while since I've done it. However, I understand that the whole point of a having a system key is to restrict the network to those who are authorized to use it. With regarding to modify the radio so it doesn't TX, that's something I can easily do. The whole point of my asking was to simply inquire IF it could be done with the hardware that I have on hand, instead of having to buy other hardware.

By saying all of this, I'm not blowing off the advice previously given, as that would make me a fool and a very bad engineer. What's a good trunk scanner that would work for this application that isn't going to cost a couple hundred bucks? I did my homework and found that a few of the Radioshack and Uniden scanners won't work after rebanding is complete.

Now, without going into the politics of whether it's a good thing or not, could someone elaborate on rebanding? I've been out of the loop for a while, but my understanding is that the FCC is placing greater restrictions on channel spacing, limiting it to 12.5kHz. Is this affecting 800mHz radios only (as I have some MTX810s I use on conventional freqs), all radios, or what? Basically what I'm asking is if I should ditch all of the MTX800s and 810s I have, and can I still use my MX300s?

[ai4ui]

In a nutshell the FCC is reorganizing the 800 SMR band to end the interleaving of public safety and ESMR (NEXTEL) due to the interference caused to the former by the latter. Doing so changes the channels from what is programmed into the radio's firmware. See this for all you need to know about it.

[Pj]

Not being 100% familiar with that radio, but your NOT going to be able to scan more than 10-15 talkgroups at a time...whereas a scanner can. Scanner made in the last several years (at least starting with the 796? from Uniden) will work on the rebanded channel plan.

[wazzzzzzzzup]

the standard radios, aswell will be useless as trunked units when the rebanding is complete, and being standard as it was back then, is out of business, i doubt vertex standard will support them 12 years later.

[tvsjr]

Yes, you technically can - for monitoring purposes. Still, if the OP doesn't have enough of a clue to know the basics of trunked systems, he needs to purchase a scanner.

[njh621]

I'm not a total amateur; I understand the basics of a trunking system, I'm just not all that familiar with the specifics of each type of trunking. It doesn't take an expert to know that transmission to an unauthorized system is a serious offense. That, and I had a very thorough plan to physically, and permanently, disable the TX abilities of the radio. Software wise you leave the TX fields blank and set it to NOT associate with the system on startup. Again, the point of this is make use of hardware on hand, and to avoid having to buy additional hardware.

[Pj]

I guess the point that some of us are making...is that...why go thru all that trouble when even a 10 year old scanner that you can get for $20 will do that (and more) right out of the box?

Other than that...have at it. Again, I haven't played with that radio, but I don't recall seeing a field to actually put in the TX freq's on any Motorola 800 trunking radio. Since Motorola used a standard channel numbering scheme (hence part of the rebanding problem for them) TX freq's were not needed. The software saw the RX freq's and took over from there.

[tvsjr]

Nope, the MTXs program just like later radios - no spot to enter TX frequency.

For the OP, here's another thing to think about. Not only would there be criminal issues, but you're also a student. Do you live on campus? If so, you probably aren't afforded due process of law - meaning university officials can walk into the dorms whenever they want. Even still, if they get wind of it, maybe you don't get hosed criminally, but you might get suspended or expelled.

In my mind, the cost/benefit analysis just doesn't work out.

Perhaps you should do what I did - I got involved with the emergency management group at my university. Before long, I had a number on their radio system (800 conventional) along with the surrounding departments' systems, and I carried a Visar (piece of junk radio, but a little less big than an XTS or MTS) on my belt whenever I was on campus.

[com501]

Sys Admins are VERY protective, and have less humor than the Church Lady....

[JPOPatents]

If anyone wants to discusss what the law really is, then PM me or we can start a new thread. Short of that, my advice is that, if you don't know the law or what you are doing with a trunking radio, go buy a scanner.

[com501]

Having been on the receiving end of several Engineer visits with their little badges and big guns, it doesn't really matter WHAT the law is, unless you have unlimited funds. Best to avoid any problems and err on the side of conservative interpretation.....

Agreed.. Buy a scanner.

This horse is dead, Jim.....

[njh621]

Point taken, so scanner it is. Now hopefully I haven't made anyone's sh*t list ...