Analog Signal Chasing

[VK3YMML]

Hi all

In a prominent Digital Signal World I am chasing Analog signals, which still exist. Other than using the Avoid Key is there any other way to make a scanner ignore P25, NXDN and DMR frequencies to then only chase Analog signals.

Google searches and some Forum posting show changing the Modulation from AUTO to NFM or AM pending the frequency range. I have been checking out the manual on a few off the scanners I own however wonder if there is an easier process.

Scanners on offer to use for the exercise are:
Uniden SDS100, 160DN, 436PT, 996XT, 325P2, 73XLT, 9000XLT
Whistler WS1010
RadioShack Pro, 95, 107
Yaesu FRG-9600
Icom IC-R30

Is there a scanner that could make this activity easier I would be interested to hear more

Brett - VK3VSN

 

[richardbritt]

In my opinion the fact of the nature of what an analog signal is, I think it will stop on any of the common digital emissions. It's fairly easy for a digital scanner to ignore analog signals, but not the other way around. Lots of finding out from scanning where the digital frequencies are then manually blocking each one

 

[VK3YMML]

In my opinion the fact of the nature of what an analog signal is, I think it will stop on any of the common digital emissions. It's fairly easy for a digital scanner to ignore analog signals, but not the other way around. Lots of finding out from scanning where the digital frequencies are then manually blocking each one

The issue there with some scanners is they have limited ability to avoid multiple frequencies.

I would have thought there be an option or filter of sorts

 

[sonm10]

Someone may have to correct me, but doesn't Whistler TRX-1/2 have this feature? which i assume is why not on the Unidens.

 

[richardbritt]

I have unidens mostly, older Radio Shack scanners, and a unication G5, plus assorted minitor pagers, amateur radios etc. And a couple of WS-1040 Whistlers. Not familiar with the TRX series. But I know it's easier to block an analog signal on a digital scanner. I don't know of a way to do that other than blocking individual frequencies. Someone else might have figured it out.

 

[pb_lonny]

I use ProScan to log and then review. If just searching on the radio itself, I just review and see what has logged a CTCSS /DCS on the AutoStore group.

 

[bearcatrp]

Would think a pure analog only scanner would work for you. Or an analog receive.

 

[wtp]

but then he would still hear the digital signals. he want no interruptions.

 

[bearcatrp]

A analog scanner shouldn't stop on a digital signal. Should scan right past it. My RS pro 26 never stopped on any digital signal.

 

[cg]

Depends what settings the analog signal is programmed for, scan, search, PL/DPL decode, etc.
If the scanner is doing a search with PL/DPL search enabled, it will stop on every signal, digital or analog, and decode the PL/DPL on analog traffic that have those tones. If you program the analog channel in with a PL/DPL tone, it will skip the digital signal and stop and open for the analog traffic with the matching tone.
It is possible that even with PL/DPL tones on a programmed channel, you will hear a brief burst of digital noise after each transmission if both signals are present.

 

[wtp]

i have a pro 2035 and it has a sound squelch button and i cant' find a manual to say exactly what it does.
maybe it skips past digital ?
gave it a couple of minutes and no, it did not work.
so the old analog scanner lets you hear digital.
at least this one.

 

[ecps92]

i have a pro 2035 and it has a sound squelch button and i cant' find a manual to say exactly what it does.
maybe it skips past digital ?
gave it a couple of minutes and no, it did not work.
so the old analog scanner lets you hear digital.
at least this one.

from faulty AI/Google but..

Sound Squelch button on the RadioShack PRO-2035 scanner keeps the radio from stopping on empty carrier waves so you only hear actual voice transmissions.

 

[bearcatrp]

What frequencies should I do a scan to see if my RS 26 Pro stops on digital frequencies? Could do 700-900 MHz since that’s mostly digital up there.

 

[EAFrizzle]

from faulty AI/Google but..

Sound Squelch button on the RadioShack PRO-2035 scanner keeps the radio from stopping on empty carrier waves so you only hear actual voice transmissions.

That's what it's supposed to do, but the one on my 2042 never did anything at all. Were dead keys or Russian-style channel markers really that big of a problem back then? Didn't seem like it to me.


Analog scanners receive digital signals just fine, they just can't decode them. It's just another FM signal to them.

 

[EAFrizzle]

What frequencies should I do a scan to see if my RS 26 Pro stops on digital frequencies? Could do 700-900 MHz since that’s mostly digital up there.

Everything 700 MHz is all P25, 800 will be mixed. If you're near a big city, there's probably a lot of UHF DMR in the area. 450 to 470 should cover most of that but there might be high band stuff in your area as well.

 

[rbrtklamp2]

Why not just buy an old analog only scanner and then you dont have to worry about digital. I still have my pro 2006 and love it.

 

[racingfan360]

I occasionally have scenarios where i need exactly this functionality. If the target signal has a known ctcss or dcs, then the only receiver that I know of that will filter analog from everything else is the icom r30. Its the only one that I know of that can search with a tone enabled

 

[wtp]

on the 325, 996, it can do it but it is limited to the channel in a system.
Set Audio Type (conventional/Motorola only)
Analog Only - The scanner will receive the channel only if it is carrying analog audio.
it is not the AGC setting.

 

[K2RNI]

Someone may have to correct me, but doesn't Whistler TRX-1/2 have this feature? which i assume is why not on the Unidens.

Yes for both programmed channels and the search modes you can press the menu button and then scroll down to choose modes to exclude like shown here during limit search. Wish it could work the opposite way as well to only search for certain digital modes. Such a great radio held back by pretty mediocre firmware whistler barely touched on after adding the missing TUNE mode back years ago.

 

[RichardKramer]

Everything 700 MHz is all P25, 800 will be mixed. If you're near a big city, there's probably a lot of UHF DMR in the area. 450 to 470 should cover most of that but there might be high band stuff in your area as well.