- Joined
- Jan 1, 2017
- Messages
- 36
I'm new to scanning and confused as to why I periodically hear morse code signals over police frequencies. I thought it might be Ham operators, but that doesn't seem likely. Can anyone explain?
Is your scanner an older model? Typically, since most scanners produced within the past decade or more have CTCSS encoded squelch, these id's are usually not heard. For example, I will hear these id's on my 25 year old RadioShack PRO-2006, but not my newer RadioShack PRO-163 or Uniden BCD996xt.
That depends on how the repeater is configured. A small percentage are set up so they broadcast CTCSS/DCS during voice traffic, but not during ID morse code or FTO paging tones. But most repeaters either do not use CTCSS/DCS tones or broadcast them whenever the repeater is keyed, regardless of whether it is voice traffic or not.
With a proper Tone Board/Identifier, the Morse ID is sent CSQ.
It would be nice if the repeater dropped the CTCSS during ID and FTO, but that's actually a pretty rare.
Every repeater I've monitored that has a tone and an IDer sends the tone during the ID and voice traffic. The same is true for FTO pages. It would be nice if the repeater dropped the CTCSS during ID and FTO, but that's actually a pretty rare. So we hear a lot of IDs and fire tones when scanning.
My scanner is a brand new Uniden BC125AT, but it runs on 2012 software, version 1.04.02. The manual doesn't say anything about upgrading it. I don't really understand CTCSS codes. My understanding was that if I didn't program them into my scanner, I'd receive all transmissions on that frequency. I don't hear the morse code on all frequencies, just a couple.
Most Motorola repeaters & base stations automatically encode the CWID (Morse Code) without PL (CTCSS), though other manufacturers (Vertex, etc.) don't support CWID without PL. It varies manufacturer to manufacturer.
The FCC requires transmitting stations to broadcast their callsign on regular intervals. Every 10 minutes for ham radio operators and every half hour for commercial stations like what you hear on the car radio. I believe they have relaxed this rule, but a lot of stations will repeat their callsigns more frequently. Especially true for FM stations who play music, talk or sports. It's self promotion for them.
Station identification used to be required by voice in English or Morse code. I believe ethnic stations are still held to this rule, no matter what language their format is. Helps a lot to identify distant stations on the AM band at night when the propogation changes.
I don't find the short burst of Morse code annoying. I can tune it out with my ears by not paying attention to it, or quickly try to read the callsign. I used to be able to copy 15 wpm comfortably in my head.
Now at a hamfest, when someone tunes in code on a radio they're selling and the volume is too high, then it becomes a problem. Just more 'noise' in the room which impedes a normal conversation between the vendor and a customer. Continuous dits and dahs at high volume serves no purpose. Same for the loudspeakers announcing prize winners or other information. You have several hundred technical guys all around you, but they can't get the PA system to work properly. Pretty ironic.
Back on topic, try learning to read Morse code. It's tough, but a lot of fun!
Cheers,
Mitch
And to add...(might have changed) but the ID is only required on the Lowest output Frequency(Repeater) for a TRS....if memory serves me...which was what Trunker always reported