I understand Tracking somewhat, but still need help.

[RedPenguin]

I bought a Uniden BR330T radio scanner not that long ago. We basically use no trunking systems at all here in Cambria County, PA, USA, so I have basically gotten little to no experience trying to program in any trunking systems. I once in a while travel to New York, New York, and would like to be able to pick up some trunked systems. For example this one,

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=128

I know that you have to put in channels in thier order, but do I just type in the channels in that order or do I have to type the control channels in a certain way?

I tried reading the wiki and other sites on how to monitor trunks but it's like, woah, what are you talking about, kinda stuff, it's like, I know scanners but I feel like a complete newbie or something when it comes to trunking.

Any advice I should know when entering trunking systems? I want to get to know trunking systems as well as I do conventional, but it's like they make me have a mental block or something, lol.

 

[SCPD]

You'll want advice from someone that owns a '330. I suggest posting a similar question in the Uniden scanners forum.

As for gaining a good understanding of trunking ... just keep asking questions. Mentally speaking - after enough bits and pieces get filled in - the whole concept falls into place.

-rick

 

[DickH]

I bought a Uniden BR330T radio scanner not that long ago. We basically use no trunking systems at all here in Cambria County, PA, USA, so I have basically gotten little to no experience trying to program in any trunking systems. I once in a while travel to New York, New York, and would like to be able to pick up some trunked systems. For example this one,

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=128

I know that you have to put in channels in thier order, but do I just type in the channels in that order or do I have to type the control channels in a certain way?

I tried reading the wiki and other sites on how to monitor trunks but it's like, woah, what are you talking about, kinda stuff, it's like, I know scanners but I feel like a complete newbie or something when it comes to trunking.

Any advice I should know when entering trunking systems? I want to get to know trunking systems as well as I do conventional, but it's like they make me have a mental block or something, lol.

For the Motorola system you want to monitor you do not have to put the freqs. in order.
I don't have a 330, but this is a simple explanation about trunking that should help you understand it. Follow the step by step instructions in the manual.

OVERVIEW:
The object of trunking is to allow many users to share a relatively few frequencies.
A trunking system is controlled by a computer. Information (data) is exchanged between the system radios and the computer on a control channel, sometimes called a data channel. It sounds like a strong buzz.
A large system can have up to 28 freqs., 4 of which may be used as control channels. The control channel may be changed once a day or as often as the programmer decides. Some scanners need only the control channels to track the entire system Just put in these 4 Control Channels, 859.3875, 859.41250, 860.38750, 860.41250 for that system you referenced.

Each group of users (Fire, Police, etc.) is assigned TALK GROUPS. In a Motorola Type II system, the most common type, TGs are usually in 32 number steps starting with 16 and going up to 65536; 16, 48, 80 --- 4656, 4688, 4720 --- 28944, 28976, etc. System radios can have more than 100 TGs programmed into them.

Use the Talk Group numbers in the DEC column, not in the HEX column.

When a user pushes the talk button on his radio, data is sent to the computer. The computer chooses an unused freq. and sends that data to all the radios using the TG of the originating unit. This all happens in a fraction of a second and it happens EVERY time a radio is used.

EXAMPLE:
Fire Dispatch calling Engine 4 (TG 4528 on 856.7125)
Engine 4 answering Dispatch (TG 4528 on 867.2625)
Respond to 73 Elm Street (TG 4528 on 855.9625)
Engine 4 responding (TG 4528 on 858.4375)

If you have entered TG 4528 into your scanner, it will decode the control channel data and change your scanner freqs. to follow the conversation on TG 4528.

This should get you started, but you should read the manual carefully. You may need to read it several times.

 

[DickH]

... Any advice I should know when entering trunking systems? I want to get to know trunking systems as well as I do conventional, but it's like they make me have a mental block or something, lol.

If you read the information I sent, I would appreciate the courtesy of some sort of reply.

 

[RedPenguin]

Hmm

Oh my apologizes. I defiantly appreciate your reply and it cleared up a fair amount for me. I understood how trunking works and what it is, just how in the world to program them in to a scanner and probably track them was confusing. Also trying to search for trunking seems very difficult, it seems like you need to really have the system laid out for you. Trying to get the LCN without knowing them seems like a nightmare almost, LoL.

 

[hankv]

Trying to get the LCN without knowing them seems like a nightmare almost, LoL.

You used this system as an example. It does not use LCN's.

This one DOES use LCN's, and they are shown as small numbers by each frequency.

 

[mciupa]

Deleted

 

[RedPenguin]

Hmm

When I said LCNs, I meant for trunking in General, it seems EDACS and LTR both use them, and it doesn't seem easy to track those two systems if you don't know the LCNs or the order.

 

[DickH]

When I said LCNs, I meant for trunking in General, it seems EDACS and LTR both use them, and it doesn't seem easy to track those two systems if you don't know the LCNs or the order.

Oh, that's right. Fortunately the RR database usually shows the LCN for EDACS systems. I haven't looked at any LTRs.

 

[RedPenguin]

Hmmm

deleted

 

[DickH]

deleted

I have read of a way to do it using two scanners, but that may be for LTR systems only.
I have only 4 large Motorola systems here, so I don't keep up with EDACS & LTR.