Scanning 800mhz trunk with MTS or HT's ?

[jdcmix]

I'm in process of restoring vintage fire apparatus and want to use authentic radios instead of a Bearcat to receive fire communications on the truck. My question is : Can I use an MTS2000 model III or HT1250 to scan 800mhz trunked systems in my area? They all use Smartzone Type II, and although they do simulcast on VHF 136-174, I can only receive dispatch (no fireground). Can either of these portable be programmed for RX only in the 866mhz range to scan the entire talk group of the departments I want to monitor? If so, how can I get this done?

Thanks in advance for any input!!

 

[bezking]

Certainly not an HT1250. That will work for VHF but /\/\ never made one for 800. It is possible but not easy to get an MTS to monitor a TRS. You will need to make sure you program it EXTREMELY carefully otherwise the operator of the TRS will send a kill command to your radio, turning it into a brick.

Honestly, use a scanner. It will be so much easier.

 

[jdcmix]

Thanks for the response. Would that "kill" signal be sent even if the radio is programmed for RX only? I wouldn't want to take that risk even if the unit won't transmit.

 

[Skypilot007]

The problem with Moto systems is there is no RX only for talk groups on a trunked system. You have to very carefully program the radio so it doesn't "talk" with the system and then it will be a receive only radio. Doable but very difficult for someone who doesn't know much about trunked systems.

 

[davidgcet]

to add to that you have to create a copy of the system key or get your hands on lab software so you don't need a key. either case can get you in major trouble if you get caught with it. so if you do it, be quiet about it. you will need to know the TGID of each desired group, and i hope you don't need to scan more than 8-10 of them, because the MTS is limited to that in the scan list.

i agree it would be easier to use a scanner. maybe just set the MTS in there as adummy radio for looks only?

 

[b7spectra]

If the radio is an ANALOG system, yes the radio (MTS2000) CAN be used on a TRS and not be discovered (but if it is and they catch you with it, there can be hell to pay). On a DTRS, the radio CAN be used on it, BUT you have to be very, very careful in the way you do it. Regardless what anyone says, it CAN be done, but I do not advocate it. Get a scanner and save yourself lots of heartache.

Please don't spam me with your personal opinions on this subject. Yes it can be done, NO I do not advocate it.

 

[lucas2121]

Certainly not an HT1250. That will work for VHF but /\/\ never made one for 800. It is possible but not easy to get an MTS to monitor a TRS. You will need to make sure you program it EXTREMELY carefully otherwise the operator of the TRS will send a kill command to your radio, turning it into a brick.

Honestly, use a scanner. It will be so much easier.

Could the MTX8250 work?
Just wondering.

 

[jdcmix]

Thanks to all of you for your expertise and input. Given my limited knowledge of exactly how these systems work, and my new found knowledge of the pitfalls that MAY be encountered, I'll follow the advice of using the scanner with the actual portables programmed for VHF simulcast of the TRS.

Thanks to everyone !!!

 

[ssd]

The mtx8250 will not work if the cc go higher then 866. That at the end of the frequency range of that radio. The mts2000 will work but u will need to get rss or cps. And a ribbox and cable. U are looking at 600$ right there and then u need a system key to program the cc and talkgrups. In the mts. The system key maker on batlabs is feck I tried to make 1 and every key would come out wrong. So u want to make it work good luck u will need it.

 

[bezking]

If the radio is an ANALOG system, yes the radio (MTS2000) CAN be used on a TRS and not be discovered (but if it is and they catch you with it, there can be hell to pay). On a DTRS, the radio CAN be used on it, BUT you have to be very, very careful in the way you do it. Regardless what anyone says, it CAN be done, but I do not advocate it. Get a scanner and save yourself lots of heartache.

Please don't spam me with your personal opinions on this subject. Yes it can be done, NO I do not advocate it.

The MTS2000 wouldn't work on a P25 System or decode P25 TGs on a Type II system anyway.

 

[djgrooven]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.602 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I'm in process of restoring vintage fire apparatus and want to use authentic radios instead of a Bearcat to receive fire communications on the truck. My question is : Can I use an MTS2000 model III or HT1250 to scan 800mhz trunked systems in my area? They all use Smartzone Type II, and although they do simulcast on VHF 136-174, I can only receive dispatch (no fireground). Can either of these portable be programmed for RX only in the 866mhz range to scan the entire talk group of the departments I want to monitor? If so, how can I get this done?

Thanks in advance for any input!!

I believe with the MTS2000 you can enable or disable the side ptt with RSS.

 

[RKG]

To add to all of the other issues when trying to make a working Motorola 800 radio look like a scanner is the fact that the scan list will be limited to 10 + 1 channels in the MTS2000/MTX8000 series (goes to 15 + 1 in the XTS series).

 

[Skypilot007]

"The system key maker on batlabs is feck I tried to make 1 and every key would come out wrong. So u want to make it work good luck u will need it."

You must have done something wrong because that little peice of code is a jem!

One could also spend a few minutes searching the web and fine the actual motorola system key generator file and use that. Or if you're really slick you will figure out how to aviod the hole system key mess and make it work with out one. It is possible on this particular system.

But then again if the system is simulcast on VHF just make life simple on yourself and listen in on that.

 

[lucas2121]

What ya could do is plug a scanner into a motorola external spreaker, then have your MTS just for looks. Maybe program a fake channel names into the MTS to be more realistic.

 

[lucas2121]

I was thinking the MTS was a mobile, either way get a Motorola mobile and program it just for looks