RPM NIFOG UPDATING

[RichardTurner]

Hi all!
I'm assuming NIFOG frequencies will change over time. Does one start from scratch to rebuild a current NIFOG frequency list or can one edit/update the existing plan with any hope of success? I'm leaning to update from scratch and have been advised to NEVER edit an existing plan (reason given: mess gets made) but I'm looking for a thorough explanation and some sage wisdom from the Harris retirees.
Thank you in advance,
R

 

[ecps92]

Honestly, not much has changed for the V/U/8 NIFOGS since they came out originally
Some slight name/alpha tag reformats but still the same freq/PL's

https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nifog-programming-template-for-interoperability-radio-channels.xls

Hi all!
I'm assuming NIFOG frequencies will change over time. Does one start from scratch to rebuild a current NIFOG frequency list or can one edit/update the existing plan with any hope of success? I'm leaning to update from scratch and have been advised to NEVER edit an existing plan (reason given: mess gets made) but I'm looking for a thorough explanation and some sage wisdom from the Harris retirees.
Thank you in advance,
R

 

[KK4JUG]

Honestly, not much has changed for the V/U/8 NIFOGS since they came out originally
Some slight name/alpha tag reformats but still the same freq/PL's

https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nifog-programming-template-for-interoperability-radio-channels.xls

He's right. The frequencies have hardly changed. The evolution is in the technology using those frequencies.

 

[RichardTurner]

Ah, but when I scan within NIFOG, say VHF I-OP, I receive INVALID CHANNEL IN SCAN LIST. This leads my noob mind to believe there might be an edit in order. On the other hand, scanning within WEATHER renders no "hit" although NOAA is clearly broadcasting, but there is no INVALID CHANNEL error. Not a show stopper. I've actually never received a "hit" scanning anything in this radio, (xg100p) so I may not have a grasp of the process. I really appreciate the guidance.

 

[Ravenfalls]

Only changes in past year is that encryption is allowed on some of the channels. Read the last edition for more information.

Always rebuild! I couldn't imagine making new files each year.

 

[RichardTurner]

I'll let the NIFOG alone for now. I really appreciate the responses.
Regarding XG100P:
Anyone feel like guiding me through setting up a personality to monitor trunked Cobb County, Georgia? Very few FM/FMN easy tune frequencies down here. I'll be studying up on this over the weekend.

 

[ecps92]

Sounds more like your issue/issues is your scan list not the NIFOG

Ah, but when I scan within NIFOG, say VHF I-OP, I receive INVALID CHANNEL IN SCAN LIST. This leads my noob mind to believe there might be an edit in order. On the other hand, scanning within WEATHER renders no "hit" although NOAA is clearly broadcasting, but there is no INVALID CHANNEL error. Not a show stopper. I've actually never received a "hit" scanning anything in this radio, (xg100p) so I may not have a grasp of the process. I really appreciate the guidance.

 

[RichardTurner]

Noted. Thank you.

 

[BMDaug]

I built my NIFOG set from scratch, but I just retain the personality file and modify as needed. I’m always adding things, changing options, making scan lists… I mostly use the XG100P for monitoring the Colorado DTRS and use the XG100M as my primary comms, but I have a mission plan for the 100P with systems for business (narrowband), amateur (wideband), P25, weather, GMRS/MURS monitoring, and a system called ‘My P25’ that I use for simplex between the 100P and 100M. I’ve been adding iCall sets so I can have one radio ‘ring’ the other… point is, the ‘personality’ (100M) or ‘mission plan’ (100P) is constantly being developed and I’ve never had issues with it! Next is voice annunciation. I have my audio files all ready and am creating the VA Configuration file today!

 

[RichardTurner]

I built my NIFOG set from scratch, but I just retain the personality file and modify as needed. I’m always adding things, changing options, making scan lists… I mostly use the XG100P for monitoring the Colorado DTRS and use the XG100M as my primary comms, but I have a mission plan for the 100P with systems for business (narrowband), amateur (wideband), P25, weather, GMRS/MURS monitoring, and a system called ‘My P25’ that I use for simplex between the 100P and 100M. I’ve been adding iCall sets so I can have one radio ‘ring’ the other… point is, the ‘personality’ (100M) or ‘mission plan’ (100P) is constantly being developed and I’ve never had issues with it! Next is voice annunciation. I have my audio files all ready and am creating the VA Configuration file today!

Yes, this is where I am heading with my unit. I travel constantly, I get a lot of downtime. Tuning a radio from city to city keeps my mind sharp. Now that I have a better grasp of the capabilities (thanks to some very kind souls on the forum) I can inch forward. I didn't create any search zones or groups or anything within the NIFOG I received, so when I began poking around the SEARCH button on the radio I scratched my head at the error message on some searches and lack of on others. The plan works, just gave me errors on search attempts. I'll figure it out eventually. Not having a radio or pal with a close unit (beside the full force of NYPD) to bounce off of, I'm a little in the dark. I will prevail. It's the American way. Again, thank you and everyone at RR for guidance, allowing me to work it out and learn something new. I'll be on the move again soon, hope to meet some of you.

 

[TDR-94]

You can edit a mission plan, stored on your computer, as much as you like. What you don't want to do is download the mission plan out of the radio, edit it, load it back into the radio, edit it etc... That can result in errors that corrupt the mission plan data and can cause all kinds of weird issues.