Data Slicer (bell zone 1)

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Inssomniak

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Is there any use for a data slicer in bell zone 1 and zone 2 fleetnet? (for "trunker" software)

I want to build one for fun,. but not if I cant use it for anything.

Thanks for any replies!
 

Jay911

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Most of the trunker programs now don't need a data slicer; they can work off standard discriminator audio thru a computer soundcard.

I would suspect if you have any systems - Fleetnet or otherwise - in your area, you will find lots of use for trunker. :)
 

DaveH

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There are a bunch of control-channel decoding programs, some which
require a slicer and others that don't. My recommendation is to go ahead
and build it. I've been using mine since 1998 for Trunker, Etrunk, DEMO88/
Trunk88, Treport, T4Win, LTRTrunk etc. It's the best $5 in parts I ever spent.

Dave
 

Inssomniak

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What kind of data can you expect to see?

Id like to see whats going on on the local OPP (cayuga), and Hamilton areas. Thanks!
 

DaveH

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With most of these programs you will see a real-time display of
which frequencies are active, with talkgroup and radio ID(s) as well.
The type of call (group, private, patch, multi-select (Moto)) etc.
is also displayed,and also whether the call is digital/analog, encrypted,
and other details.

For Moto systems you will see the System ID and site number for
multi-site systems; similar for EDACS but its system IDs are not unique.
The flavour of system usually comes up. Some Moto systems (Fleetnet
Zone 2 only that I know of) transmit a Site Alias, a 6-character string
that identifies site location by name (Treport and Trunk88 decode this).

Dave
 
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jellotor

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As I was telling someone the other day, I don't think I've used a scanner *normally* at home to monitor Fleetnet in a couple of years. Trunker programs actually enhance my listening experience on a large and somewhat complex TRS like Fleetnet because as Dave said I can see real-time which talkgroups are active on which voice channels and choose what to listen to based on that.

I've got three computers running trunker on three different systems in Hamilton. None of them use data slicers. Most of the trunker variants have now come around to using the DSP in a soundcard rather than a slicer...
 

Inssomniak

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So to make it simple I could use the sound card in a Laptop instead of building a slicer? I would like to use it on a laptop's built in sound card (it has line and mic inputs).. A simple cable is all that is required?

Thanks!
 

DaveH

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Inssomniak said:
So to make it simple I could use the sound card in a Laptop instead of building a slicer? I would like to use it on a laptop's built in sound card (it has line and mic inputs).. A simple cable is all that is required?

Thanks!

A simple cable yes, but you'll need to tap into the discriminator of your
receiver (even for soundcard-based decoders). I was once able to get
some very marginal decoding from a particular receiver straight from
the earphone jack, but it's very unreliable.The only exception I've found
so far is Tronquito (Trunkito) which decodes MPT-1327, which is 1200bps
MSK (I think...).

Discriminator taps are easy unless you lack basic soldering/mechanical
skills, and/or are squeemish about drilling a small hole in your receiver.
I've done four, without problems.

Dave
 

DaveH

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slipslope said:
Can I build a discriminator tap for my BCD996T?

You can of course do it on a new expensive radio, invalidating the warrantee
if you really want to...or find an older, less capable and much cheaper radio
to do it on. You won't tie up the 996 on a menial task either. HH scanners are
harder to work on though people have done it successfully. I stick to base/
mobile-sized ones.

Dave
 
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