New to this all ( edmonton)

[Cubic250]

I am a EE student and am starting to focus my degree more towards RF/ DSP and to aid in my practical knowledge I am looking to get into scanning ( and this summer I intend to start some Ham stuff ) .

Currently I have no related hardware and I was wondering how much ( $$) it would take to get setup to listen to public works ( notably police , ETS , EMS , ect ) .

From my reading I was seen that for the Edmonton public works systems that they are EDACS , and my focus has been reading how that system works ( and then looking up the terms used in describing how it works....).

Right now I am still learning all the jargon used in RF systems ( SDR sticks are looking interesting ) . However I am looking for advice on base models of scanners that will get me up and listening . I would prefer models that I can program quickly via computer.

thank you for your help , I have only been looking at this for 2-3 days .

[edmscan]

You should be good with any EDACS scanner ... and there are several models to choose from.

I would recommend checking out a retailer like Scanner master as they would carry all the models and are considerably cheaper than buying locally.

Something like the Uniden BC346XT (about 200$ US) would work nicely for local scanning (based on what you listed above). This is an analog model .. as compared to a more expensive digital model (about $440 US - Uniden 396XT).

Unless money isn't an issue, I think an analog model may be better as it is cheaper and would give you what you need to get started.

You can check out the following for all the scanners currently on the market: Scanner Master - Police Scanners by Uniden Bearcat, AOR and Radio Shack.

As far as software .. I would go with something like Freescan for Uniden scanners. (which is free) which you can find here: Downloads - Sixspot Software

GRE scanners would use different software .. and there are several to choose from.

I personally would recommend a portable scanner as it tends to be more versatile.

Hope this helps a little, and of course there are always lots of people here on RR to offer you advice and assistance.

[harryshute]

I agree generally with Kevin but you did specify base models so I would suggest a BC 996XT which is $449 at ScannerMaster. I wouldn't suggest the 346XT as it would not cover P25 which I'm sure you will be studying or 700 MHz the new Provincial P25 system now being installed that will cover police, Fire and EMS. It would be to bad if your studies go there quickly and your scanner could not keep up.

As far as EDACS you will be set up well for EMS and Fire and police so far. They do use Provoice on some channels and may move dispatch there. If you learn more about Provoice in your studies I would be interested. Currently no scanners cover this type of digital modulation.

You may want to wait until the Black Friday scanner sales are announced but most companies will offer price protection.

[gerardhabs]

I have an ICOM R-7000

[Cubic250]

Thanks for all the recommendations ; I will probably wait 2 months and get a Digital P25 capable scanner . For the time being my friend has given me radio-shack Pro-95 that his father used . So my current project is to get it to function with the ETS system and then I will move on from there.

[harryshute]

Hi gerardhabs welcome to Radio Reference. Yes Icom makes a very good product as well.

[edmscan]

Originally Posted by gerardhabs

I have an ICOM R-7000

The R7000 is my favorite radio of all time. I used to have one .. but I sold it. (yes I am still kicking myself for it).

Originally Posted by Cubic250

Thanks for all the recommendations ; I will probably wait 2 months and get a Digital P25 capable scanner . For the time being my friend has given me radio-shack Pro-95 that his father used . So my current project is to get it to function with the ETS system and then I will move on from there.

The Pro 95 will get you going at least. For the long term a P25 scanner of some sort will serve you well, but of course you are looking at more money.

[owais818]

Originally Posted by Cubic250

I am a EE student and am starting to focus my degree more towards RF/ DSP and to aid in my practical knowledge I am looking to get into scanning ( and this summer I intend to start some Ham stuff ) .

Currently I have no related hardware and I was wondering how much ( $$) it would take to get setup to listen to public works ( notably police , ETS , EMS , ect ) .

From my reading I was seen that for the Edmonton public works systems that they are EDACS , and my focus has been reading how that system works ( and then looking up the terms used in describing how it works....).

Right now I am still learning all the jargon used in RF systems ( SDR sticks are looking interesting ) . However I am looking for advice on base models of scanners that will get me up and listening . I would prefer models that I can program quickly via computer.

thank you for your help , I have only been looking at this for 2-3 days .

I am in the same boat as you, my experience is to get a Cheap Radio (public service, like Wouxun Handheld Two-way Radio with Dual band Dual frequency Dual display + FM radio + tourch, 136-174&420-520MHz (RX/TX) - However make sure you do not interfere with the public service channels as this is a offense under law) and get a Ham License, its fun way to learn (scan) and when you are ready you can transmit on 2 meter and 70 cm and of course APRS (with additional hardware) . these radio's are pretty straight forward to program using computer, they has 5 watt TX power. However there are other radios/scanners that will work as well. Hope this helps

[EdmontonFireRadio]

Originally Posted by owais818

I am in the same boat as you, my experience is to get a Cheap Radio (public service, like Wouxun Handheld Two-way Radio with Dual band Dual frequency Dual display + FM radio + tourch, 136-174&420-520MHz (RX/TX) - However make sure you do not interfere with the public service channels as this is a offense under law) and get a Ham License, its fun way to learn (scan) and when you are ready you can transmit on 2 meter and 70 cm and of course APRS (with additional hardware) . these radio's are pretty straight forward to program using computer, they has 5 watt TX power. However there are other radios/scanners that will work as well. Hope this helps

While a nice suggestion, the Wouxun will not let the original poster listen to the Edmonton radio system.

[Cubic250]

Originally Posted by Cubic250

Thanks for all the recommendations ; I will probably wait 2 months and get a Digital P25 capable scanner . For the time being my friend has given me radio-shack Pro-95 that his father used . So my current project is to get it to function with the ETS system and then I will move on from there.

Ok so I have gotten the 20 System Frequencies from system 1 pluged in and I am currently hearing fire,ems,south-side eps and some ets ( lrt track ) .
What terminology would it be for just having the ETS radio show up . I am following this guide ( Easier to Read Pro-93/95/2053 Scanner Manual ) , what numbers on the RR site correspond to the LCN?

[brechtd]

Originally Posted by edmscan

The R7000 is my favorite radio of all time. I used to have one .. but I sold it. (yes I am still kicking myself for it).



The Pro 95 will get you going at least. For the long term a P25 scanner of some sort will serve you well, but of course you are looking at more money.

I agree with edmscan that the r7000 radio is one fine radio but, not trunk capable but wait! Connected to a laptop running etrunker it's one heck of a trunk scanner radio
Yes I kept mine Kevin,

[edmscan]

Originally Posted by brechtd

I agree with edmscan that the r7000 radio is one fine radio but, not trunk capable but wait! Connected to a laptop running etrunker it's one heck of a trunk scanner radio
Yes I kept mine Kevin,

I really wasn't commenting about the R7000 in the scope of this thread, but rather just making a general comment. I do agree that it would work well with Etrunker in that sort of environment. I personally use a Uniden BC780XLT for that purpose.
I do agree that the Wouxun radio would be a poor choice for the OP as it cannot do Edacs as desired.

[Cubic250]

I see that A4 RCMP is listed but only has one freq listed . I have few questions ; first are there any laws concerning what services you can listen to . The second is since my current hand-me-down scanner ( a pro 95 that im still learning to use ) can go to 155.79000 is that the only freq I would need to listen?

also my last post got sandwiched in-between a conversation due to the delay of my first few posts . I am still not quite getting how I can program "lists " . I am trying designate say one list for EMS/Fire/EPS , then say if I was using public transit and wanted to listen while I rode ( because im cool like that, scanner could go in my backpack.... ) I could have a separate list with just ETS related channels .

One last question is the auto-voice dispatch thing for Fire or EMS ( or both) .

[EdmontonFireRadio]

Originally Posted by Cubic250

One last question is the auto-voice dispatch thing for Fire or EMS ( or both) .

Voice lady currently is only on fire dispatch 1. EMS uses a live dispatcher for the pre alerts and then hands them off to EMS Dispatch 2 for an update. If the event is strictly a medical they will stay on EMS 2 unless it is assigned an update channel if fire is assisting, or a working channel if it is an alarm or structure fire call.

[harryshute]

The tone for RCMP A4 is 123.0. It's missing from the Edmonton data base.

No laws on what services you can listen to.

From Edmonton you may also monitor A2 Fort Saskatchewan, A5 Leduc and Beaumont, A7 County of Strathcona, A13 St. Albert, A14 Devon, A15 Enoch, B4 Morinville and B5 Stony Plain/Spruce Grove.

They can be found in the Alberta database under RCMP K-Division.

I have a Pro95 that I haven't used for awhile. I seem to recall you can set up multiple banks or lists. You may want to make 1 for police, one for Fire, one for EMS and a fourth for ETS. I'm sure it can do 10 lists and am not sure how many talk groups you can put in each list. The transit peace officers are interesting to listen to especially when riding the bus or the train.

[Cubic250]

So to program a list I am just going to enter the corresponding ID's contained within it ? So for example a pure ETS list would have Just the DEC/AFS numbers programed in (01-001,01-007 , 00-133 , 00-122 ect ... ) do they have to be in numerical order or can I just go to town typing them all in ?.

[harryshute]

To be sure program the DEC values. Not sure if the Pro 95 is capable of AFS. I see from the manual you have 10 banks with 100 talk groups per bank. They do not have to be in numeric order. You have already entered the LCN's correct?

[Cubic250]

I think I have , my current understanding is that LCN's are the same thing as the 20 System Frequencies on the top of this page ( Edmonton Public Safety & Public Works Trunking System, Edmonton, Alberta - Scanner Frequencies ) . The 20 frequencies is all I currently have in my scanner.

[harryshute]

Yes you have the 20 LCN's entered so are ready to go ahead with the talk groups.