Control channels

wacker13 · Post by **wacker13** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 5:36 am

I know for a UHF trunked system you need to enter all the frequencies not just the control channels--is the same true for 800 mhz trunked.

Also your opinion which is a better coverage type option so your radio doesnt affiliate---disabled or wac-amss

Thanks for your help and info

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:04 am

You only need to enter the control channels for the 800MHz units, no other freqs needed. WAC-AMSS is fine as long as you choose 'on PTT' instead of 'auto' for affiliation type. If you are only monitoring a standard single site 4 control channel system, then go with 'disabled' for coverage type.

Todd

wacker13 · Post by **wacker13** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:03 pm

Ok thanks, that clears up the 800mhz. Other question is how about a 500mhz system that has 32 channels and the only way to enter them is to choice coverage type of smartzone and automatic affiliation type, is there anyway around that?

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:09 pm

wacker13 wrote:Ok thanks, that clears up the 800mhz. Other question is how about a 500mhz system that has 32 channels and the only way to enter them is to choice coverage type of smartzone and automatic affiliation type, is there anyway around that?

Enter the 32 control channels into the radio while set to SmartZone. Once they are all entered, change the coverage type to WAC AMSS. The 32 control channels should remain, and you can then choose 'on PTT' for affiliation. Several members have reported this to work well.

Todd

wacker13 · Post by **wacker13** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 1:33 pm

I went into my saved data and just changed the coverage to wac-amss and looked at the obt control channels and only eight were there. Should I try the method you stated by starting from scratch instead of doing it from an already saved record. Thanks for all your help..

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 2:23 pm

wacker13 wrote:I went into my saved data and just changed the coverage to wac-amss and looked at the obt control channels and only eight were there. Should I try the method you stated by starting from scratch instead of doing it from an already saved record. Thanks for all your help..

So you're saying there was originally 32 channels in there, and only 8 remained after switching to WAC AMSS? The info I gave is based on 800MHz radios, perhaps the OBT units don't have this little 'bug'.

Todd

wacker13 · Post by **wacker13** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:09 pm

yeah I was working with a 500mhz trunked system with 32 channels--I suppose that trick only works with 800mhz radios. Any other ideas?

Post by **wavetar** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:49 pm

Well, you could leave it as SmartZone, and then depending on the radio model, you can set it to inhibit transmit with a switch setting...but then the radio doesn't work on a system properly since it can't affiliate. It'll just keep scanning control channels continuously...at best you'll get bits & pieces of conversations.

Another option is to fully program it (like you do now, it appears), then set it to scan trunked talkgroups from conventional channels. That will allow you to catch whatever conversations you want, without affiliating. There's a lot more info on that set-up here:

http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.p ... 42&start=0

Todd

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:57 pm

I can't understand why you want to make life so difficult. If you can't legally TX, as I assume is the case, why don't you just get yourself a PRO-96? It sounds every bit as good as our XTS5000's (especially in IMBE mode---it sounds even better than our XTS5K's, especially with its magnificent digital AGC), and it is actually more convenient and flexible to use for monitoring the old legacy analog FM stuff and the new P25 digital than the best Motorola portable out there (XTS5000). It's got most of the big trunked systems in the US pre-programmed in, and for others, you just need to pump in a control channel, and it finds the rest. And, at less than $500, it's a lot cheaper than a Motorola. Word is that it is supposed to dramatically nose dive in price by June, if you can wait.

larry

spareparts · Post by **spareparts** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:01 am

ASTROMODAT wrote:I can't understand why you want to make life so difficult. If you can't legally TX, as I assume is the case, why don't you just get yourself a PRO-96?

I'm in a slightly different situation as my employer is a legitimate user on the system - I am not & do not want to cause "an issue", either with senior management or the system owner. The scanner route has not worked for me so far.

Maybe I received 2 Pro-96's that were duds, but I had 2 of them fail completely I carried them in my truck. They seem to have a problem with being in proximity to VHF / UHF transmitters.

The odd thing is the Motorola AMPS cellphone is quite happy in that environment.

See http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=38157 for the details.

Martin

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:15 am

It sounds like it is nevertheless the case that you are not allowed to TX on the trunked system (unless you want a problem explaining yourself to the boss, etc.). I have never heard of another case involving problems with near field interference from other radios with a PRO-96. The selectivity spec on the 96 is excellent. You should return it for a new one. We have high powered radios in our vehicles, and our typical scenario is to lay the PRO-96 on the fromt seat. We haven't had any problems. I can't say that the XTL5000 sounds/performs even as good as the PRO-96 in the IMBE mode, and I haven't noticed any selectivity issues.

larry

spareparts · Post by **spareparts** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:02 am

[quote="ASTROMODAT"]It sounds like it is nevertheless the case that you are not allowed to TX on the trunked system (unless you want a problem explaining yourself to the boss, etc.). I have never heard of another case involving problems with near field interference from other radios with a PRO-96. The selectivity spec on the 96 is excellent. You should return it for a new one. [/quote]

That's exactly the situation :D I went out & bought the scanner, rather then mess with a trunking radio.

The problem is both of the Pro96's I have had so far have died within a week. They were not wired to the truck's electrical system, simply sitting in cupholder in the console.

I'm on my third scanner, which is from a different batch accoring to the store manager.

Martin

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:36 pm

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience, Martin. I'm pretty sure you will find the third time to be a charm! Enjoy!

larry