PSR-800 Software - Allows only 32 Frequency Input?

[drkatzjr]

My primary scanner which I use is the PSR-800. I noticed, that when attempting to program the scanner
with its software, the software only allows 32 frequencies per site (for Trunked Systems)

I was going to update it, with our new state's rebanded frequencies, which I assume are not yet available for download yet
(as it is showing the latest available database update was made Dec 1st.

So...when trying to input them to GRE's software it only allows 32, as is for all sites.

What am I doing wrong?

[KevinC]

You're doing nothing wrong, it only allows 32 CC frequencies...per site. You need to make each site it's own "site" in the software.

[KC0CSE]

Originally Posted by KevinC

You're doing nothing wrong, it only allows 32 CC frequencies...per site. You need to make each site it's own "site" in the software.

Can you show me how you make or program "It's own site"....are you using Win500?...thanks Mike in KCMO

[drkatzjr]

They really need to change this..to allow more freq per site.

[WayneH]

Originally Posted by KC0CSE

Can you show me how you make or program "It's own site"....are you using Win500?...thanks Mike in KCMO

Only program in the frequencies which the RR database lists a "c" or "a" next to them. Any other frequencies will cause the scanner a delay in locating an active control channel, which is all it's looking for.

[rbrtklamp2]

maybe I missed something in the thread but win500 will not program the psr800, the 800 has to be programmed through the EZSCAN software.

Bob

[krokus]

Originally Posted by drkatzjr

They really need to change this..to allow more freq per site.

Most sites have maximum of three control channels; one primary and one or two alternate(s).

Modern scanners only need the control channels, as the scanner tunes to the voice channel, based on the information provided by the control channel. (Except for LTR or ProVoice systems.)

[drkatzjr]

Originally Posted by WayneH

Only program in the frequencies which the RR database lists a "c" or "a" next to them. Any other frequencies will cause the scanner a delay in locating an active control channel, which is all it's looking for.

My site is Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the state's "OKWIN" Trunked Network. Site; 03 Tulsa, OK

I reviewed the Tulsa site frequencies, and of the aprox 35 listed, only 1 or two have a c or a.

I know that in order to listen to our system, obviously...-all- frequencies must be programmed.




To the other inquiry, I use GRE'S EZ Scan Digital software.

[detroit780]

Oklahoma Wireless Interoperability Network (OKWIN) Motorola Trunking System, Various, Oklahoma - Scanner Frequencies

You will want to program the red and blue frequencies only in the are you want to listen to. Most people break up a large system like that into separate V-Folders. You don't need all of the system in one folder since you can't listen to all towers at one time. You can only monitor the towers the radio can hear. I have a home folder which only has the red (Control) and Blue (Alternates) programmed in. On my way to work I bring up my work folder which has a few towers close to work.

The scanner only needs the control channels to operate. It is suggested to also program the alternates in case they switch to them like they do from time to time. That way you won't miss anything. My work and travel folders contain several tower sites that I drive past to and from work. So there are a few tower sites control and alternates in many of my V-Folders. The radio reads the control channel and tunes your scanner to the frequency the control channel assigns.

Originally Posted by drkatzjr

My site is Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the state's "OKWIN" Trunked Network. Site; 03 Tulsa, OK

I reviewed the Tulsa site frequencies, and of the aprox 35 listed, only 1 or two have a c or a.

I know that in order to listen to our system, obviously...-all- frequencies must be programmed.




To the other inquiry, I use GRE'S EZ Scan Digital software.

[drkatzjr]

"The scanner only needs the control channels to operate"


Are you 100% percent sure about this--that the scanner only needs the control channels.
I have always thought all the frequencies associated with a system/site must be programmed
to follow --effectively-- a trunked system.

[IowaGuy1603]

Originally Posted by drkatzjr

"The scanner only needs the control channels to operate"


Are you 100% percent sure about this--that the scanner only needs the control channels.
I have always thought all the frequencies associated with a system/site must be programmed
to follow --effectively-- a trunked system.

1000% sure

[drkatzjr]

thanks.

[mlmummert]

The scanner only needs the active control channel (singular). It gets the voice channel from the information on the control channel and a predefined list of channels. On any system there are multiple control channels listed so you want to program in all of those because the control channel in use can change to any one of those listed.

[brian]

You may read on these forums many people recommending programming "all" system frequencies "just in case." The "just in case" applies to the possibility that the system control channel could change to a frequency that the RR database doesn't identify as a possible control channel. This certainly happens in some cases - the accuracy of the database is dependent on the quality of information we receive from listeners. But the point is that, at any given time, the only frequency required for current scanners to track a Motorola or P25 trunked system is the active control channel. In most cases, those frequencies are identified in red and blue in the RR database. But they can and do change at times, hence why some will recommend that programming all system frequencies, while not necessary for a scanner to track a trunked system, is a good idea.

[drkatzjr]

That is my opinion as well. Thank you for your assistance!

[cwb212001]

I have a follow up question (with no intention of hijacking the thread). Can you determine which frequencies are control channels by looking at the system's FCC licenses?

In my area they are implementing a multi-site P25 Moto 700/800 system. At one time there were primary and alternate control channels listed in the RRDB but they have since been unmarked... if I remember correctly it was after the admin added some sites & freqs. I haven't seen any traffic on the system using the control channels that were originally marked. I guess I could add as many of the system freqs in as will fit with the hope of finding them, or using software (Unitrunker?) to find them.

I'm using PSR-600 and the system is SRECS (Spokane Regional Emergency Communications System Trunking System, Spokane, Multi-State - Scanner Frequencies)

Thanks

[Spitfire8520]

Originally Posted by cwb212001

or using software (Unitrunker?) to find them.

I'm using PSR-600 and the system is SRECS (Spokane Regional Emergency Communications System Trunking System, Spokane, Multi-State - Scanner Frequencies)

Thanks

I believe most logging is done by using Pro96Com and the data cable that came with your PSR-600. By the looks of the database, it's possible that no one is in the area to log the information and therefore the database for that system is empty in terms of information. You can basically go through a public safety search to find a control channel (grinding sound) and let Pro96Com do its job by decoding the control channel and then exports a text file which will then tell you what the primary, alternates, and voice frequencies are for the system.

Once it decodes, I believe it will also tell you information such as neighboring sites and their primary control channels so that you basically keep on decoding until you find everything you can monitor. It can also be used to find talkgroups that haven't been listed on the system. There are a few people who have a few spare digital scanners that continuously log well documented systems to discover new talkgroups as they pop up on the system.

[Halfpint]

Originally Posted by brian

You may read on these forums many people recommending programming "all" system frequencies "just in case." The "just in case" applies to the possibility that the system control channel could change to a frequency that the RR database doesn't identify as a possible control channel. This certainly happens in some cases - the accuracy of the database is dependent on the quality of information we receive from listeners. But the point is that, at any given time, the only frequency required for current scanners to track a Motorola or P25 trunked system is the active control channel. In most cases, those frequencies are identified in red and blue in the RR database. But they can and do change at times, hence why some will recommend that programming all system frequencies, while not necessary for a scanner to track a trunked system, is a good idea.

*IF* there *is* a sudden change with what is the Control, or Alternate Control, channel all one has to do is look up the other freqs, load them up as a `conventional freq' and take a quick listen to see which one is busy chugging along making Control Channel sounds and then replace the `dead' freq with the new one *if* one is truely desperate. Using the EZScan DG software makes it fairly `easy' even though they don't allow `cut-n-paste' operations. (Now... If you already have a `printout' of the CC data that you have copied off of RR you *can* speed it up quite a bit because you can do `cut-n-paste' from that into the EZScan DG software easily if you are putting them into the `Conventional Freqs'. Unfortunately you will have to `grab' the `new' freq from the RR downloaded CSV file to put it over in the Trunked System you need it in.)

IE: There is more than one way to skin a cat. {GRIN!}

Just an `Olde Fart's' 2¢ worth. {CHORTLE!}

[Jay911]

Originally Posted by drkatzjr

They really need to change this..to allow more freq per site.

Most, if not all, trunked system designs support a maximum of 32 frequencies per site. If you have more than 32 frequencies listed for a given site, either you have multiple sites showing as one, or some other kind of erroneous data.

A system can have more than 32 unique frequencies, but each site within that system will never have more than 32 frequencies.

The only systems which require all frequencies to be programmed in are LTR and EDACS, and VHF/UHF Motorola systems. Motorola 800/900 and P25 systems can get by with only the primary and secondary control channels.

[mikey60]

Originally Posted by Jay911

The only systems which require all frequencies to be programmed in are LTR and EDACS, and VHF/UHF Motorola systems.

Actually Motorola UHF/VHF systems only require the control channels as long as the trunking tables are correct.

Mike