Batboard

I have a MTS2000 that is programmed with the coverage type disabled giving 4 control channel options. If I change it to WAC AMSS to gain the 4 additional control channels is that the same as smartnet.

Also what are the risks, I originally had the radio programmed by my local FD and I have since added more talkgroups and I now what to get better coverage.

Thanks

Essentially, Type I only systems were called "Privacy Plus". Any systems installed in the last 10-12 years have generally been at least a hybrid system, or Type II only, referred to as "SmartNet". If your radio is currently set-up as Type II, it is already SmartNet. Changing it to AMSS allows you to add 4 more control channels, but it's still SmartNet trunking. The next step up would be SmartZone trunking.

Todd

The options I get are type I, II & IIi. The radio is currently set for type II, what benifits or options do you get with a type IIi?

Also, I understand that with a smartzone radio, whenever you roam into a another system, the radio will auto affiliate, if so can I expect the same thing when WAC AMSS is activated?

I guess what I am getting at is with WAC AMSS activated do I stand a better chance of being scene so to speak (radio transmit is disabled as is auto affilliation) and have the radio inhibited?

The Type IIi setting would be used in a hybrid system where the radio would need to talk to Type I radios. "Type II only" radios will not talk to Type I radios.
Setting your radio to WAC AMSS would not allow it to be "seen" any more than the regular 4 control channel set-up, so long as you keep the "auto affiliate" disabled. The radio will not roam in the same fashion as a SmartZone radio would, it will simply lock onto the first valid control channel it sees & hold onto it until it becomes too weak to use, then search for another.

Todd

One last question on this topic, if I add more talkgroups then what was originally programmed, is there any way they can tell without reading the codeplug??

What I don't understand is why do you want to program more control channels? A single site system and/or multiple site simulcast system only has 4 control channels anyways.

A multiple site system that has AMSS or WAC AMSS has up to 8 control channels and a Smartzone has up to 4 control channels for the home site (then if you're out of your home site upon powerup the radio scans for the active control channel with the same system id---I think, I don't get to program any Smartzone).

Adding more control channels won't improve reception at all. Maybe I don't understand the question. All that's required to make your radio work is a valid system key for the system you're on, up to 4 valid control channels and valid talkgroup programming. It sounds to me like you have all of that.

If you're having reception problems, maybe you're near a CDMA tower or Nextel tower and you're not close to the repeater. These towers are known to risk the lives of public safety personnel I mean cause interference. If it's where the person(s) you are monitoring are switching to another channel, you may be completely out of luck as one could switch to private call, another Tg that you don't have programmed or even switch over to conventional talkaround.


Unless I missed it completely, be a little more clear. You can't get in trouble for receiving...

When the radio was originally programmed there were 2 control channels, a primary and a secondary. What I want to do is add the control channels for the other 2 simulcast sites (2 control channels for each of the 3 sites total) to get better reception. Or do only need to have the 4 primary control channels.

If it's a simulcast system, the frequencies will be identical at all sites, there are no other frequencies to put into your control channel list, assuming there are indeed only the primary & back-up channels for control. Many systems have gotten away from the 4 control channel set-up, since continuous duty repeaters such as MSF5000/Quantar/MTR2000 have proven to be very reliable.
As far as SmartZone goes, the radio can be programmed for up to 32 control channels, which the radio scans through everytime, there is no "home site", the entire system is it's home. You CAN set it up to prefer or not prefer certain sites elsewhere in the programming if you wish.

Todd