Question about rebanding

[69Mopar]

Am I to understand that existing frequencies that fall into the 809-824/854-869 MHZ are to remain spaced at 25 khz even if they are Motorola trunking? Or will everyone be made to go to 12.5 thus causing the problem with older scanners? I have read all the threads and I did not really see an answer to this question. My local PD operates the Motorola format but uses 854-860. I know their frequency will remain the same but will the spacing be changed is really my question.

 

[Raven95150]

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Rebanding

 

[69Mopar]

I've already seen that page. If your trunking scanner can scan 25 khz and 12.5 what's the problem? Why does the Uniden 870 XLT, which does both 25 and 12.5 need to be replaced as a chart shows? I'm just confused.

 

[Raven95150]

The problem comes when the voice channel info is transmitted by the control channel. Each frequency is assigned a channel number. The channel numbers are currently set with a frequency spacing of 25 khz, so when the control channel transmits the voice channel info, your scanner knows what frequency to monitor. After rebanding, the frequency spacing will be cut in half at 12.5 khz, thus allowing twice as many voice channels and changing the channel numbering system. When your scanner recieves the voice channel info that is transmitted by the control channel, it will monitor the wrong frequency and you wont hear anything, or you may hear something if that frequency is in use, but not what you want to hear.

EDIT: The 870 will not work after rebanding because the firmware cannot be upgraded. A firmware update will be required on scanners that can be upgraded. This firmware update will change the calculations the scanner makes in order to monitor the right frequency.

 

[Raven95150]

OK I just thought of a way to explain this that might be easier to understand. Lets say you have had cable TV for the last 10 years. You would know what all the channels were. Now one day, the cable company changes all the channels around. You turn on a channel, but it is not what you want because it has changed, so you now need to know the new channels. Usually they would send you out a little card with the new channel listings. Well, think of your scanner the same way, in this case, the "cable company" is the FCC. Your scanner doesnt know which channel to go to because they have all changed. It now needs to know the new "channel listings" (firmware) in order to monitor the right channel. Unfortunately older scanners cannot be programmed with the new firmware, so only newer scanners that can be programmed with new firmware will work for trunked systems after rebanding takes place.

 

[69Mopar]

The problem comes when the voice channel info is transmitted by the control channel. Each frequency is assigned a channel number. The channel numbers are currently set with a frequency spacing of 25 khz, so when the control channel transmits the voice channel info, your scanner knows what frequency to monitor. After rebanding, the frequency spacing will be cut in half at 12.5 khz, thus allowing twice as many voice channels and changing the channel numbering system. When your scanner recieves the voice channel info that is transmitted by the control channel, it will monitor the wrong frequency and you wont hear anything, or you may hear something if that frequency is in use, but not what you want to hear.

EDIT: The 870 will not work after rebanding because the firmware cannot be upgraded. A firmware update will be required on scanners that can be upgraded. This firmware update will change the calculations the scanner makes in order to monitor the right frequency.

Just what I needed to know. Thanks for the answer and making it clear.

 

[69Mopar]

OK I just thought of a way to explain this that might be easier to understand. Lets say you have had cable TV for the last 10 years. You would know what all the channels were. Now one day, the cable company changes all the channels around. You turn on a channel, but it is not what you want because it has changed, so you now need to know the new channels. Usually they would send you out a little card with the new channel listings. Well, think of your scanner the same way, in this case, the "cable company" is the FCC. Your scanner doesnt know which channel to go to because they have all changed. It now needs to know the new "channel listings" (firmware) in order to monitor the right channel. Unfortunately older scanners cannot be programmed with the new firmware, so only newer scanners that can be programmed with new firmware will work for trunked systems after rebanding takes place.

Boy there's gonna be some upset people in the scanner world. I explained this to a friend who just bought a 870xtl and he said all the scanner folks ought to file a class action lawsuit against NEXTEL. Also Uniden and Radio Shack should not manufacture new models that won't be able to be reflashed. This really stinks.

 

[DickH]

Boy there's gonna be so upset people in the scanner world. I explained this to a friend who just bought a 870xtl and he said all the scanner folks ought to file a class action lawsuit against NEXTEL. Also Uniden and Radio Shack should not manufacture new models that won't be able to be reflashed. This really stinks.

Don't blame NEXTEL. It was the FCC who assigned the frequencies in the 800MHz band and intermixed NEXTEL and others with Public Safety. That's what caused the interference problems that rebanding will correct (hopefully). Try suing the FCC. LOL
Uniden's new models can be re-flashed, but we're still waiting for GRE.

 

[69Mopar]

Don't blame NEXTEL. It was the FCC who assigned the frequencies in the 800MHz band and intermixed NEXTEL and others with Public Safety. That's what caused the interference problems that rebanding will correct (hopefully). Try suing the FCC. LOL
Uniden's new models can be re-flashed, but we're still waiting for GRE.

This fellow is convinced it's NEXTEL at fault. Oh well, 6 is one half dozen the other.

http://www.wpascanner.com/wiki/index.php/800Reband

 

[JoeyC]

This fellow is convinced it's NEXTEL at fault. Oh well, 6 is one half dozen the other.

http://www.wpascanner.com/wiki/index.php/800Reband

I usually read the first sentence of stories like this and close disregard the rest. The company name is NexTel, not Nexhell. The author can't stand the fact that NexTel is successful and making money. Just like the M$ for Microsoft or Motorola. Anticapitalism.

 

[loumaag]

Closed, duplicate information.