XTS5000 freq help

[SCPD]

I have a BC246T and I listen to SDFD(154.3100Mhz) on it; it is a non digital scanner.

I have a XTS5000 VHF and i needed some help to patch up the holes, i want to be able to listen to SDFD on my motorola... it is a FPP radio.

I will list the options, and what i have inputted, the **asterisks** is where i need help.

Tx: 154.3100
Rx: 154.3100
Tx PL: 103.5 1A
Rx PL: 0 CSQ**
Tx DPL: #BLANK**
Rx DPL: #0 CSQ**
Tx NAC: $293**
Rx NAC: $293**


EDIT: If anyone can help explain what i have marked with an asterisk means id appreciate it.

 

[FFPM571]

Its an analog frequency with PL then you dont need to worry about any of the other stuff. DPL is Digtal PL and NAC is like a Digital PL for P25

 

[W2NJS]

If you've got the channel frequency correct then the 293 NAC should enable the radio to receive P25 on that channel...unless it's encrypted...in which case you're out of luck. The other stuff doesn't matter but I would set the DPL and CSQ to off for both RX and TX unless you're allowed to TX on the channel. And are you sure they use only one channel for the P25 transmissions and that it's not a trunked system?

 

[NCFire11]

He didnt mention that its P25, looks like its just conventional

 

[jim202]

If your only using the radio to only monitor with, then you should enter "blank" into the TX frequency. This way it will not transmit. Also in the personality, you set the frequency to RX only. Been a while since I programmed this radio, so you might have to use a personality for this channel that is RX only.

 

[SCPD]

heres the thing about SDFD... it is a VHF dispatch channel of 154.3100 but it links to an 800mhz trunked... any more input?

EDIT: Yes, it is a conventional channel

Edit: It is a P25

 

[SCPD]

If you've got the channel frequency correct then the 293 NAC should enable the radio to receive P25 on that channel...unless it's encrypted...in which case you're out of luck. The other stuff doesn't matter but I would set the DPL and CSQ to off for both RX and TX unless you're allowed to TX on the channel. And are you sure they use only one channel for the P25 transmissions and that it's not a trunked system?

one other thing...

my little beatcat scanner is not 'encrypted-enabled' and i have everything correct as it seems...

so i have both radios next to each other, and only the scanner is receiving the SDFD dispatch calls...my xts5000 remains silent (sound IS turned up) so i dont know what else is wrong in thr FPP programming really.

 

[W2NJS]

There is no such thing as an "encrypted enabled" scanner. If the transmission is encrypted you can't receive it, period.

Tx: 154.3100 - Set this to Blank
Rx: 154.3100 - This is okay
Tx PL: 103.5 1A - Not applicable, ignore it
Rx PL: 0 CSQ - This is okay
Tx DPL: #BLANK - Not applicable, ignore it
Rx DPL: #0 CSQ - Not applicable, ignore it
Tx NAC: $293 - Not applicable, ignore it
Rx NAC: $293 - Good setting in the event the transmission IS in P25

Now, one other thing. Set the receive mode to MIXED MODE.

If the FD is actually on 154.31 you should hear it with these settings. After you hear it with the receive set to CSQ, you can go back into the FPP mode and set the receive PL to 103.5 or whatever it is if you wish.

 

[SCPD]

forgive me, i am a total n00000b...

what is the PL and what does it accomplish? i figure it has something to do with the digital settings?

 

[SCPD]

There is no such thing as an "encrypted enabled" scanner. If the transmission is encrypted you can't receive it, period.

Tx: 154.3100 - Set this to Blank
Rx: 154.3100 - This is okay
Tx PL: 103.5 1A - Not applicable, ignore it
Rx PL: 0 CSQ - This is okay
Tx DPL: #BLANK - Not applicable, ignore it
Rx DPL: #0 CSQ - Not applicable, ignore it
Tx NAC: $293 - Not applicable, ignore it
Rx NAC: $293 - Good setting in the event the transmission IS in P25

Now, one other thing. Set the receive mode to MIXED MODE.

If the FD is actually on 154.31 you should hear it with these settings. After you hear it with the receive set to CSQ, you can go back into the FPP mode and set the receive PL to 103.5 or whatever it is if you wish.

I set the Rx Mode to Mixed, and the Tx Mode to Analog


i am STILL not receiving transmissions on my motorola, i am on my scanner though....

 

[KG4INW]

forgive me, i am a total n00000b...

what is the PL and what does it accomplish? i figure it has something to do with the digital settings?

PL is Motorola's term for CTCSS or continuous tone-coded squelch system and is only used for analog. It's a way of silencing the receiver so that it only opens on a signal with the proper PL tone. For transmit, the system will only pass your traffic if it hears the proper tone. See here: Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Since you're trying to listen only, set the channel for receive only but if you leave it in carrier squelch (CSQ) it'll be able to hear everything, even if there is a tone in use.

 

[rescue161]

If you still aren't hearing anything, then you may have the wrong NAC or you may just be programming your radio the wrong way.

Or you may not have the right frequency at all...
I suppose this is the same "Trunked VHF" system from this thread? http://forums.radioreference.com/motorola-forum/212246-top-line-motorola-q.html

 

[PeterGV]

NAC code $293 is the "universal NAC" code... it means "receive any NAC."

IIRC, it doesn't work properly on radios with older f/w revs... On those radios you MUST set the "Digital CSQ" check box.

Peter
K1PGV

 

[N4KVE]

NAC code $293 is the "universal NAC" code... it means "receive any NAC."

IIRC, it doesn't work properly on radios with older f/w revs... On those radios you MUST set the "Digital CSQ" check box.

Peter
K1PGV

Not quite. NAC 293 is the default, or most common NAC code. NAC F7E will decode any NAC code. So if you want to listen to a digital freq, & don't know the NAC code, set the radio to F7E, & your radio will decode the transmission. GARY N4KVE

 

[SCPD]

If you still aren't hearing anything, then you may have the wrong NAC or you may just be programming your radio the wrong way.

Or you may not have the right frequency at all...
I suppose this is the same "Trunked VHF" system from this thread? http://forums.radioreference.com/motorola-forum/212246-top-line-motorola-q.html

Yes rescue, I had went in and looked up our frequencies, but since its my personal radio the radio tech wont program it unless i pay a moderate fee...

being only 18 i have ALOT to learn about radios, and i had misinterpreted something out of my field manual.

have any other thoughts on why it is just the SDFD channel that i am not receiving? it works on my scanner but not the xts... its mind boggling


EDIT: SDFD dispatches on 154.3100 and links to a trunked 800Mhz channel, I just dont know... I am not looking for tuning data, but just more information like step by step things that I can do to correct this problem.

 

[rescue161]

1) If you're hearing the dispatches on a BC246T scanner, then they are not P25. They are transmitting in analog FM.

2) Since they are transmitting in analog, then you'll want the mode on RX to be analog.

What version of firmware is in the XTS? Do you have access to CPS?

Does the LED on the XTS blink when the scanner unmutes? Are you sure you have the right frequency programmed into each one? Which part of San Diego are you trying to listen to? Are you trunk-tracking with the 246 and trying to listen on VHF with the XTS?

I looked up 154.310 on the FCC website and found a few licensees that are affiliated with the fire department in San Diego.

KMA357 - Analog only - Fire Communications Ctr 1222 1st Ave - City of San Diego - They have 5 transmitter sites and all of them are fixed bases with no other transmitters or pagers listed.

KMA229 - Analog & Digital - North County Fire Protection - City of Fallbrook - They have 5 transmitter sites which are fixed bases with 100 pagers assigned to those sites. There are also 55 mobile stations that are licensed to operate within 40km of the 5 fixed bases.

WNZA560 - Analog & Digital - San Diego Fire Dept 3750 Kearney Villa Rd - City of San Diego - They have 2 transmitter sites listed for 154.310, both are fixed bases with no other transmitters or pagers listed.

If I were you, I'd just listen to the TRS on your scanner and be done with it. The database on rr.com shows that all fire general operations are on the San Diego City TRS, not anywhere else.

 

[mikewazowski]

Without knowing how the conventional personality is setup, it's pretty hard to troubleshoot.

For all we know, the conventional personality could be setup to only unmute when the correct mdc or quick Call tones are received.

I'm curious, why did you buy an xts5000?

With the complexity of the radio and all the problems you're having, it seems to me you would have been better off sticking with your scanner.

 

[FFPM571]

If your 18 how can you work for San Diego fire?

 

[SCPD]

If your 18 how can you work for San Diego fire?

What's it to you? How is this on-topic?

 

[mikewazowski]

Yes rescue, I had went in and looked up our frequencies, but since its my personal radio the radio tech wont program it unless i pay a moderate fee...

I think it would have been money well spent considering the problems you're having accomplishing what should have been a 5 minute task.

You might want to save a copy of the codeplug, take it in and have it programmed and then reread the radio.

Compare what you had with what the tech programmed in and learn where you're going wrong.