Is there software that will mimic a hardware scanner?

[gregma]

Especially for trunked systems, but even conventional. Using at most 2 RTLs. It scans through the list of channels and switches the control channel along with the talkgroup type thing. Scanners have only one receiver, I would think that we would be able to mimic that with only one RTL dongle?

-Greg

 

[NebraskaCoder]

OP25

 

[redbeard]

DSD+ will trunk track with one dongle (or two) and you can scan analog frequencies as well.

 

[Com-Tech51H8]

unitrunker

 

[fire42man]

PiScan might be worth a look. It can do conventional scanning, but trunking isn't supported yet.

 

[bdp278]

Try SDRtrunk, very easy to setup & works with RTL-SDR & Airspy receivers extremely well.

 

[gregma]

Unfortunately SDRtrunk will not scan multiple control frequencies will it? I thought you needed at least one for each trunked system you wish to scan. I have 7 trunked systems. I care not about simultaneous reception, and I'm ok with missing calls. I do that now with my older BR330T.

-Greg

 

[bdp278]

SDRtrunk is designed to scan multiple C/C frequencies per system, unfortunately there is a bug in the software that doesn’t allow capture of alternate C/C frequencies when the system goes into a channel rotation. However, SDRtrunk can handle multiple systems depending on the ability of your receivers to handle the bandwidth of the frequencies of each system. I was able to scan 2 different P25/P1 systems using a combination of Airspy & RTL-SDR receivers, but the number of USB ports & processor speed & RAM will really determine how well your PC can handle multiple systems. Covering 7 different trucked systems would require at least 1 receiver/ USB port per system, as the Airspy receivers don’t work on a USB hub, whereas the RTL-SDR receivers can perform OK on a hub.

 

[gregma]

That's the issue with SDRTrunk, it won't mimic a normal scanner. There is only one receiver in a normal scanner, so it can scan multiple trunked systems. That's what I'm trying to replicate. Basically an SDS100 but with one or maybe two SDRs.

-Greg

 

[boatbod]

That's the issue with SDRTrunk, it won't mimic a normal scanner. There is only one receiver in a normal scanner, so it can scan multiple trunked systems. That's what I'm trying to replicate. Basically an SDS100 but with one or maybe two SDRs.

-Greg

Op25 can scan multiple trunked systems with just a single RTL. The downside is that all the flipping between trunk control channels inevitably means you miss traffic you would rather have heard.

 

[gregma]

Well, for one thing, there are 7 trunked systems I'd like to monitor. 3 P25 digital, 4 Motorola 2, and many conventional frequencies.

-Greg

 

[lwvmobile]

I've mentioned this once before, but I think its worth stating that there is no setup of dongles and software that can replace a full blown digital scanner. To be honest, dongles can park on channels, and they can SLOWLY, and I do mean, SLOWLY, move between preset frequencies without errors. On the other hand, an actual scanner has hardware built inside of them to allow them to VERY QUICKLY change between frequencies in a matter of milliseconds.

In short, SDR Dongles are great for single systems or limited mixed dichotomy. They aren't great for trying to scan like a conventional or digital scanner, i.e., you can't load up your channel banks with analog, DMR, P25, NXDN, all mized together and have any combination of hardware and software blitz through them all and land on a dime the moment it pipes up.

 

[boatbod]

Well, for one thing, there are 7 trunked systems I'd like to monitor. 3 P25 digital, 4 Motorola 2, and many conventional frequencies.

-Greg

Good luck! Either those systems are really quiet or you don't care whether you actually hear the complete traffic or not.

 

[gregma]

@lwvmobile Well, thank you for the info. Looks like it will be a no-go for me then. Have to stick to full scanners. Shame! Sure do appreciate the info though! Already $100 into this, and you probably saved me quite a bit more!

-Greg