Question about scanning a trunk system

rcimmino1996 · Sep 25, 2015

I know little to nothing about trunk systems. My question is could I monitor a trunk system with a portable radio. I know it's a UHF Motorola Type II Smart Zone trunk system. I want to be able to scan the Ocean County Fire/ EMS trunk system using a radio instead of a scanner since I already have a uhf radio that I think might be capable of doing it. Was hoping to save money instead of getting a scanner.

KK4ELO · Sep 25, 2015

Look for the sticky at the top of this forum about using Moto radios to monitor trunked systems. It'll tell you everything you need to know.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

mmckenna · Sep 25, 2015

rcimmino1996 said:
I know little to nothing about trunk systems. My question is could I monitor a trunk system with a portable radio. I know it's a UHF Motorola Type II Smart Zone trunk system. I want to be able to scan the Ocean County Fire/ EMS trunk system using a radio instead of a scanner since I already have a uhf radio that I think might be capable of doing it. Was hoping to save money instead of getting a scanner.

It can be done, but there are many reasons not to do it.

There are some work arounds using the scan function, but I've never done it, someone who has could probably help you.

The reasons not to do it:
Unless you know exactly how to do it, you run the risk of your radio affiliating with the system. If this happens it raises some major red flags with the system administrators, and can lead to them "bricking" your radio.
Accidental affiliation can take resources away from the public safety professionals that really do need access to the system.
Programming SmartNet/SmartZone systems isn't easy. If you haven't done it before make sure you get some experienced help. It's not impossible to do, but the programming software isn't very intuitive for the average user.

You'd need to have a system key to access the system, and you won't get that from the system administrator. You can "hack" your own, but then they can nail you on some legal stuff for illegally accessing their system.

rcimmino1996 · Sep 25, 2015

i definitely don't want to interfere with the system or mess it up. I have heard of programming it to not affiliate itself with the trunk system but I have no clue at all how to program it and I don't have the software to do it. I have an HT 1250 as a scanner for the county Fire/ EMS conventional VHF frequencies. But it sounds like hooking one up to scan the trunk system would be really complicated without getting caught or screwing up the system. I thought it would be a little easier because I don't want it to transmit

maybelater9181 · Sep 25, 2015

Buy a scanner. This radio is not even capable of being used on a Trunked Radio System.

rcimmino1996 · Sep 25, 2015

I know the ht1250 isn't capable of trunking. I said I use that to scan the VHF conventional channels. I have another radio that Is UHF and trunking capable.

mmckenna · Sep 25, 2015

rcimmino1996 said:
I have an HT 1250 as a scanner for the county Fire/ EMS conventional VHF frequencies. But it sounds like hooking one up to scan the trunk system would be really complicated without getting caught or screwing up the system. I thought it would be a little easier because I don't want it to transmit

HT-1250 won't do SmartNet or SmartZone trunking, so no need to be concerned. There are many radios that will do what you want, but by the time you purchased the radio, battery, charger, programming software and cable, you'd be better off purchasing a suitable scanner. It'll be much easier to program.

ElroyJetson · Sep 25, 2015

You could program your HT1250 to monitor the individual transmit frequencies of the system but you won't be following many conversations that way. Particularly when the system is at high utilization.

To follow a trunked system you need a radio or scanner capable of handling that particular trunking format.

Otherwise, you'll pretty pick up random transmissions instead of complete conversations.

The exception is when the system is very quiet, not busy at all. Then you might hear both sides of a conversation.

Skypilot007 · Sep 26, 2015

rcimmino1996 said:
I know the ht1250 isn't capable of trunking. I said I use that to scan the VHF conventional channels. I have another radio that Is UHF and trunking capable.

What model UHF radio do you have and what is the flash code. That is how you can tell if the radio is trunking capable. I have an XTS3000 all set up for Ocean county conventional system and non-affiliate trunking for their trunk system. Works great !

mmckenna · Sep 26, 2015

Skypilot007 said:
What model UHF radio do you have and what is the flash code.

He has an HT-1250, which should do LTR, if I recall correctly, but it's not going to do SmartNet/SmartZone:

rcimmino1996 said:
I have an HT 1250 as a scanner for the county Fire/ EMS conventional VHF frequencies.

rcimmino1996 · Sep 26, 2015

mmckenna said:
He has an HT-1250, which should do LTR, if I recall correctly, but it's not going to do SmartNet/SmartZone:

The HT 1250 is for the old VHF Conventional system that is being phased out. Trying to scan the 500 MHz uhf system with a mts 2000

davidzimmerman · Sep 26, 2015

only a HT1250 LS can do LTR Systems

N4KVE · Sep 27, 2015

rcimmino1996 said:
I have no clue at all how to program it and I don't have the software to do it.

For these 2 reasons you need to quit while you are ahead. There are excellent scanners where you simply enter your postal zip code, & you're listening to what's in that area.

Skypilot007 · Sep 27, 2015

I had no clue when I started out. No software, no cables, nothing. If you burry your head into all the information out there on the web regarding this topic one can usually figure it out. The thread at the top of the forum has useful information as mentioned and most certainly should be read over several times if needed. Also goggling "non-affiliate trunk scan" or "hidden talk group scan" will yield even more helpful information. I suggest both to the original posted here. If you don't have the time to research this stuff you'll need a scanner. Its interesting stuff if you're in to it. Happy reading !

hitechRadio · Sep 28, 2015

Your best bet,,in my opinion is as stated in the sticky. is the simple conventional scanning of the site frequencies.

" it's possible to scan a TRS by programming the channels in as conventional with an RX only personality using CQPSK modulation and the unmute rule set to "Digital CSQ"

This is if you are unsure or lack of understanding advanced setup. And is the safest way to get your foot in the door to listening to the system. Without danger of causing issues to the system, make sure RX only is set.

I use this method on our system, I am a valid user. So if my radio gets Bricked/stunned I fix it.LOL I use the easier method to monitor our system of all users, from time to time. And find it very useful, for different reasons. You may find it will work for you just fine.

I do not recommend the advanced scanning of a system to any one that is just starting out, System administrator/s get a joy out of bricking radio's, ( I am talking high fives and stuff in the office, when we see a passive set go through,,LOL) so far I have 3 golden stars on the wall for invalid users. I assume setting up there radios to scan the system TG's incorrectly.

Skypilot007 · Sep 28, 2015

Can I get some gold stars for every radio I used to passively monitor a system with out getting bricked ?

hitechRadio · Sep 28, 2015

Skypilot007 said:
Can I get some gold stars for every radio I used to passively monitor a system with out getting bricked ?

Sure!!!!!

I don't have a problem pass mon a system with a actual radio that has I/Q and designed for the systems being monitored and programmed correctly. If done correctly I won't no about it.

Most people would just stick with scanners. But due to the HUGE design flaw in them. I can see why people would want a REAL radio to monitor, Especially for simulcast.

If the Scanner companies would come out with a decent scanner,,,THAT WORKS! At a reasonable price. Then a scanner would be the way to go for most people.

ElroyJetson · Sep 28, 2015

Skypilot007 said:
Can I get some gold stars for every radio I used to passively monitor a system with out getting bricked ?

The only time I ever had a radio inhibited, it was when I got one from a county auction that had been condemned as unrepairable.

So of course I fixed it in about half an hour.

It was a M/A-Com era P7100IP and it had been run over by a fire truck. But the PC board itself,
the important part, was undamaged.

I had plenty of scrap radios of the same type to use as spares so I transferred the good board to a new set of everything.

I then had a perfectly good radio that was live on the system.

Being, fundamentally, very much on the side of law and order and doing everything properly, I
contacted the agency that used to have the radio and explained the situation and requested that they
assist me in getting the radio deprogrammed so it could be used for receive only.

Really I was just testing them.

They stunned the radio within a few minutes.

And I programmed it right back up with my usual scanning file. Which had more in it, of course.

Skypilot007 · Sep 29, 2015

hitechRadio said:
Sure!!!!!

I don't have a problem pass mon a system with a actual radio that has I/Q and designed for the systems being monitored and programmed correctly. If done correctly I won't no about it.

Most people would just stick with scanners. But due to the HUGE design flaw in them. I can see why people would want a REAL radio to monitor, Especially for simulcast.

If the Scanner companies would come out with a decent scanner,,,THAT WORKS! At a reasonable price. Then a scanner would be the way to go for most people.

I agree 100%. There was a discussion on these forums a few years back throwing around the idea for a company to step forward and make a professional grade scanner with just public safety bands in it. Something commercial grade and robust and now days something that can handle LSM on phase II systems properly. Obviously Uniden wasn't listening because they're still manufacturing crap.

Question about scanning a trunk system

rcimmino1996

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KK4ELO

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mmckenna

I ♥ Ø

rcimmino1996

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maybelater9181

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rcimmino1996

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mmckenna

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ElroyJetson

I AM NOT YOUR TECH SUPPPORT.

Skypilot007

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mmckenna

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rcimmino1996

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davidzimmerman

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N4KVE

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Skypilot007

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hitechRadio

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Skypilot007

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hitechRadio

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ElroyJetson

I AM NOT YOUR TECH SUPPPORT.

Skypilot007

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