Motorola MTS 2000

[k-9policexj]

Anybody use one for monitoring 800Mhz type two systems? Is it possible, and would the reciever quality be better then a trunktracking scanner. More then anything im looking for the best scanner/reciever on the market. Been a radio head for many years and have had some pretty decent scanners in the past. Any information is helpful. Thanks

 

[mikeATtleccdotnet]

I am using a MTS2000 for control channel decoding with the UniTrunker app. I then have the UniTrunker 'Drive' a Uniden BC796 to do the Audio decode. Works Great! If you want to program the 2000 up to monitor the Moto system, you woul need a System Key for the RSS, chances are, you would not have access to this based on your system.

Long live Motorola...
Mike

 

[scanfan03]

I have 2 MTX 8000s (an MTS 2000 without the flashport thingy) and they are way better than any scanner.

 

[mikeATtleccdotnet]

They at least are not as expensive, but yes, they have about 6-10db better SINAD then the Uniden receiver on 800 but will not do 700 freq's. I've just setup my unit conventionally on the control channel and have a great decode rate. With the UniTrunker running the 296, I have very good control over what I hear. The flash port does not matter as the control channel can be decoded via the discriminator output, no tap needed...

Mike

 

[Astro25]

An MT/MTS will beat any current Uniden/RadioShack/GRE scanner any day as far as RX goes - and they're cheaper to buy and better built, too.

Yes, you can use them to passivly monitor 800MHz trunked systems (without the possibility of it affiliating or getting inhibited!!).

 

[scanfan03]

They at least are not as expensive, but yes, they have about 6-10db better SINAD then the Uniden receiver on 800 but will not do 700 freq's. I've just setup my unit conventionally on the control channel and have a great decode rate. With the UniTrunker running the 296, I have very good control over what I hear. The flash port does not matter as the control channel can be decoded via the discriminator output, no tap needed...

Mike

I just added that to imply that the only difference between an MTS 2000 and an MTX 8000 is the flashport meaning the MTS can have it's firmware updated.

 

[Astro25]

If you're feeling ambitious, you could play around with Lab a little and make that MTX into an MTS - obviously this doesn't add any of the physical features such as being able to handle Securenet, but it adds MDC options.

 

[scanfan03]

If you're feeling ambitious, you could play around with Lab a little and make that MTX into an MTS - obviously this doesn't add any of the physical features such as being able to handle Securenet, but it adds MDC options.

naaahhh, I'm good, I'm not touching Lab. I don't want a door stop for a radio. hehe :lol:

 

[rescue128]

naaahhh, I'm good, I'm not touching Lab. I don't want a door stop for a radio. hehe :lol:

c'mon now, thats no fun. live dangerously.

 

[scanfan03]

c'mon now, thats no fun. live dangerously.

Can I use your radio first? We will see if it works or not.

 

[rescue128]

i might have a spare one we could play with.

 

[BigLebowski]

It's hard to permanently kill a radio with Lab.

FWIW MTX8000's are very good for monitoring 800mhz systems, MTS2000's (later versions) can be toolproofed (bricked) with Lab fairly easily. If you want a Jedi for Trunking, go with an MTX8000 or MTX838. The only drawback is they will only scan 11 talkgroups.

 

[ElroyJetson]

The drawback to Motorola radios is that they all can scan only 10 talkgroups at a time.

But they can scan trunked talkgroups via scan lists that are connected to CONVENTIONAL personalities.


I use Astro Sabers as scanners. So long as you play by the right rules, they're quite safe for use as scanners on trunked systems.

Access? Hand-crafted system keys. Directions on how to make them are at batlabs.

NEVER let the radio transmit in trunked mode. Follow the directions to the "hidden talkgroups" setup procedure.

The procedure applies to any Jedi or Astro radio.


Elroy

 

[nosoup4u]

Actually, there 2 ways to get the radio to scan more than 10 talkgroups. This works with other Motorola Trunk radios too.

Method 1:

For each System you setup, set the announcement talkgroup as a talkgroup you want to monitor. If you scan anything in that system, you will hear that talkgroup as well. The only drawback is that you won't see the display change and cannot text tag that talkgroup.

Method 2:

Setup your system and make the announcement talkgroup the same as one of the talkgroups in the system. Now when select that talkgroup, you will hear all the talkgroups in that system. Again, the text tag won't change (the only drawback). You can also program your scan list too, so in addition to the 15 talkgroups in that system, you can scan 10 additional.

If you combine both method's, you can really scan a good number of talkgroups. I have used this method on Maxtrac's, STX's & MTX8000's.

 

[mikeATtleccdotnet]

Or, just setup the UniTrunker app to drive a second radio to decode the audio. Works great for me with no issue's with limiting out on the number of TG's to listen to. It also allows priority to work correctly. My setup at home is a MTS2000 and a Uniden 796 as the driven radio. I monitor both a P25 system and a EDACS system with this setup.