Baofeng New operator, need help

[TheHighClimbs]

So I’ve got. a Baofeng UV-5R. I believe this is a decent radio to scan my local law enforcement dispatch but I’m running into some issues with just being inexperienced. I think I need help with DCS/CTCSS, but like I said I’m not overall sure. Any help would be great.

 

[belvdr]

What system are you trying to monitor? Post the system link from the database. If it's the one below, the UV-5R will not work, as it cannot decode DMR.

 

[TheHighClimbs]

Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference I’m in Wilkinson county ga

 

[TheHighClimbs]

Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference I’m in Wilkinson county ga

What system are you trying to monitor? Post the system link from the database. If it's the one below, the UV-5R will not work, as it cannot decode DMR.

What exactly does DMR mean and what capabilities do I have with a UV-5R?

 

[belvdr]

What exactly does DMR mean and what capabilities do I have with a UV-5R?

I won't regurgitate it here, but this is an article on it:

Digital mobile radio - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The UV-5R only does FM, just like your car radio, only with some minor modifications and the ability to scan other frequencies. FM is analog and DMR is digital.

 

[TheHighClimbs]

I won't regurgitate it here, but this is an article on it:

Digital mobile radio - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The UV-5R only does FM, just like your car radio, only with some minor modifications and the ability to scan other frequencies. FM is analog and DMR is digital.

So with that being said, can I still partake in the radio community by connecting to repeaters if it is not digital? Do I run the risk of stumbling into any FCC channels I’m not supposed to be on? If I’m on the frequency for my local dispatch can I still interfere with their channel even if I can’t decode the DMR?
Sorry for the mouth full

 

[jaspence]

It is also possible (or likely) that encryption is also being used, which is not legal on HAM use and usually only found on higher cost radios.

 

[belvdr]

It is also possible (or likely) that encryption is also being used, which is not legal on HAM use and usually only found on higher cost radios.

Surprised the database doesn't have an encryption column for this.

 

[ecps92]

Surprised the database doesn't have an encryption column for this.

it does indicate
E = Full time
e = Part time

 

[belvdr]

it does indicate
E = Full time
e = Part time

Not for the system in question. There's not even a column for it. I hovered over each header and encryption isn't mentioned either.

Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA)

www.radioreference.com

 

[belvdr]

So with that being said, can I still partake in the radio community by connecting to repeaters if it is not digital? Do I run the risk of stumbling into any FCC channels I’m not supposed to be on? If I’m on the frequency for my local dispatch can I still interfere with their channel even if I can’t decode the DMR?
Sorry for the mouth full

Do not transmit on anything other than the ham bands, and only then if you have an amateur radio license. It's up to you to stay within the rules.

For your second question, it is possible to interfere with that system if you transmit on the same frequency.

 

[ecps92]

Not for the system in question. There's not even a column for it. I hovered over each header and encryption isn't mentioned either.

Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA)

www.radioreference.com

Considering much is missing still for this one, (Note the use of the asterisk *) for SLOT and TG's - it is uncertain then

 

[belvdr]

Considering much is missing still for this one, (Note the use of the asterisk *) for SLOT and TG's - it is uncertain then

I had no idea what that meant, as it wasn't in the description when hovering over the column. Thanks!

 

[sallen07]

Not for the system in question. There's not even a column for it. I hovered over each header and encryption isn't mentioned either.

Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Wilkinson County, Georgia (GA)

www.radioreference.com

It's not a separate column. If encryption is being used then that information appears in the "Mode" column. In this case, the mode would be "DMRE" if that frequency was encrypted full-time.

The same is true with trunking systems ... "DE/De" vs D or "TE/Te" vs T in the mode column.

 

[belvdr]

It's not a separate column. If encryption is being used then that information appears in the "Mode" column. In this case, the mode would be "DMRE" if that frequency was encrypted full-time.

The same is true with trunking systems ... "DE/De" vs D or "TE/Te" vs T in the mode column.

My point was it's not labeled in a column in any of the hints.

 

[RaleighGuy]

My point was it's not labeled in a column in any of the hints.

What @sallen07 was saying is on a DMR system it would be listed in the mode column as he explained above. If it isn't it is either unkown, not yet reported or in the clear.

So with that being said, can I still partake in the radio community by connecting to repeaters if it is not digital? Do I run the risk of stumbling into any FCC channels I’m not supposed to be on? If I’m on the frequency for my local dispatch can I still interfere with their channel even if I can’t decode the DMR?
Sorry for the mouth full

You shouldn't be on any FCC frequencies with that radio unless you either hold a valid license for the frequencies/repeaters for ham repeaters. The radio is not approved by the FCC for use on FRS/GMRS/Commercial frequencies. Will you get caught or in trouble, probably not unless you don't have written permission, valid license, or are causing interference for others and someone files a complaint with the FCC.

 

[TheHighClimbs]

What @sallen07 was saying is on a DMR system it would be listed in the mode column as he explained above. If it isn't it is either unkown, not yet reported or in the clear.



You shouldn't be on any FCC frequencies with that radio unless you either hold a valid license for the frequencies/repeaters for ham repeaters. The radio is not approved by the FCC for use on FRS/GMRS/Commercial frequencies. Will you get caught or in trouble, probably not unless you don't have written permission, valid license, or are causing interference for others and someone files a complaint with the FCC

So these frequencies that I’m seeing under all of these licenses are FCC channels. Illegal to transmit, but not to listen correct? Do I run the risk of stumbling across unknown FCC frequencies? What would be my consequences if I got caught? I’m not trying to be arrogant, I’m just genuinely curious.

 

[belvdr]

What @sallen07 was saying is on a DMR system it would be listed in the mode column as he explained above. If it isn't it is either unkown, not yet reported or in the clear.

I get that. However, there's nothing in the tooltips when you hover over the columns.

 

[sallen07]

I get that. However, there's nothing in the tooltips when you hover over the columns.

You are correct about that, and I noticed it as well when I looked at that county in Georgia. Interestingly enough, it *does* appear in the tooltip for mode on a P25 system. I never checked that before since I knew what "P25E" or "DMRE" meant.

Perhaps no one ever added it since encryption on conventional channels isn't that common?

 

[TheHighClimbs]

You are correct about that, and I noticed it as well when I looked at that county in Georgia. Interestingly enough, it *does* appear in the tooltip for mode on a P25 system. I never checked that before since I knew what "P25E" or "DMRE" meant.

Perhaps no one ever added it since encryption on conventional channels isn't that common?

So all this radio talk is way above my knowledge, but have y’all tried to listen in on my county from wherever y’all are located? If so that’s cool as hell. And secondly, I stand absolutely ZERO chance of hearing the **** y’all are hearing on my UV-5R right?