Questions about using a Motorola radio is a police scanner

[Jakeportland]

Questions about using a Motorola radio is a police scanner
Motorola XTS 3000 III ASTRO
I didn’t know if there’s a way I can program it without transmitting

 

[RBMTS]

Hi Jake. Long time no talk to. Yes the XTS3000 can be programmed for conventional frequencies to receive only (no transmit). I'm assuming that you are talking about listening to either the PD or Sheriff for the Union County area.

The largest factor is that Motorola radios can be very difficult to program. They require that you add everything from scratch. Then you need to program the scan groups and associate them with the personalities (channels) you create. It's not as easy to program as a scanner is.

The other thing to consider is that the XTS3000 is a single band radio only. So if you wanted to listen to the sheriff, you'd need a UHF version of the radio. You would not be able to program the frequencies for the FD since they are VHF. Also you will only be able to have 10 scanning channels (as I remember).

Another thing to consider is that you can't change them on the fly. You'll be locked into the frequencies you program into the radio.

Finally you'll need a specific software, and RIB or special program cable, and a certain level of PC that can accept the CPS software for that generation.

Honestly Jake, your best bet is to stick with a scanner. While it may be "cool" to have a Motorola, they can be awfully complicated, and not nearly as flexible as a scanner. But I know you like learning new things and it can be a fun project for you as long as you have the patience to learn.

 

[RBMTS]

Jake -
I see that Union County sheriff and the FD has talkgroups on the NC VIPER statewide system. I don't know if they use the VIPER system as their primary radio system or if they use the conventional UHF and VHF channels as listed under the county.

I will add this to my comment above. If they use the VIPER system, I would strongly suggest that YOU NOT attempt to try to program up a radio on a trunking system. If done wrong, your radio will affiliate with the trunking system the moment you turn it on. You can get yourself into trouble for trying to connect with a statewide public safety communications system, even with having the most innocent intentions. It's just not worth the risk. So stay with a scanner if you want something to listen to VIPER.

I hope this answers your questions.

 

[Jakeportland]

Thank you for helping me out

 

[Giddyuptd]

Unication g4/g5 for trunking. No affiliating and good signal.

 

[hardsuit]

Jakeportland - any 2 way radio or DMR radio makes for a pretty bad Scanner, you are better off using an SDR at Home or a Whistler scanner when Mobile or Outdoors. Modern scanner Today program with PC software and download National Frequency lists to a SD card inside the Scanner. the Scanner also Scan faster than any Hand Held radio and can operate from 25 - 1300 MHz with some gaps missing but still way better than a Hand Held radio. some Receivers like the ICOM R30 can receive from 100 khz - 3.4 Ghz continuous coverage (cell blocked) whereas most scanners have Gaps in Coverage.
also your Hand Held radio may only Demodulate just ONE type of Digital transmission but a Modern scanner can Demodulate DMR, P25 (I) (II), NXDN and other Digital modes as well as Analog AM-FM signals.

 

[Jakeportland]

I am using bcd436hp for my city As simulcast issues

 

[philipparks68]

I was having simulcast issues as well. Unication G4/G5 solved all my simulcast issues.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[djeplett]

I am using bcd436hp for my city As simulcast issues

Go with a Uniden SDS100. Your program from Sentinel will work without changes. (Except for changing the model in Sentinel before you upload.) It's a chunk of change but it works and is a proper scanner that has features meant for scanning unlike the G4/5.

Don't get me wrong, the G4/5's are excellent at simulcast P25 phase 1 & 2, but they're pagers, not scanners. Also, you already have a program in your 436 that's ready to go.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Did you fail to notice the sticky topic about this, tacked to the top of the list?

Read it. It's just for people in a situation like yours.

https://forums.radioreference.com/m...ou-want-monitor-trunked-system-moto-read.html

 

[Jakeportland]

Yes

 

[kjl13]

Another thing to consider is that you can't change them on the fly. You'll be locked into the frequencies you program into the radio.

You can change frequencies on the fly with FPP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[radioman2001]

A few things first if you are trying to receive Viper you have very few options other than conventional scan, and without talk-groups, so in other words you will receive everyone. Unless the radio has the P-25 trunking option the radio won't work with NAS. Next the radio is limited to 800mhz, now i don't know if there are any 700mhz in your area, but you won't be able to listen to them. Next the XTS-3000 doesn't do FPP.

Foremost don't listen to all the naysayers about using a real radio to monitor, if you are willing to learn by reading and trying it can be done.

 

[Jakeportland]

Can I program UHF in the radio?

 

[Giddyuptd]

Unication g4/g5. Buy a couple of those, make multiple codeplugs you could write at anytime depending on needs no worries of affiliation.

 

[Jakeportland]

How much is the cord plugs

 

[philipparks68]

Unication pagers come with data/power cords. Also includes free software.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jakeportland]

The only thing I’m worried about is absolutely transmitting I didn’t know there was a block button on the radio 4P 25 systems and UHF radio system?

 

[kruser]

Unication pagers come with data/power cords. Also includes free software.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think he's talking about codeplugs which are a Motorola term for a profile amongst other things.
People that don't use Motorola CPS or RSS usually have no clue what a "codeplug" is.

 

[KE4ZNR]

Folks: Jake is a good kid but has severe learning difficulties. Please remember that when discussing advanced programming options.

Jake: stick with your scanner or buy a Unication pager.

Marshall KE4ZNR