Audio Options Question

[BOBRR]

Hi,

Have been trying to pick up our local PD in Sudbury, MA (Middlesex) without any luck.
Most likely explanation is that they have gone encrypted most of the time. Have a SDS 200.

Not sure if this might be related to my inability to pick them up, or not, but I realize that I
don't have a good understanding of the Audio Options that are selectable in Sentinel prior to downloading to the unit..

e.g., it seems that I can use either for the P.D. on 852.9125 when putting in the freq. for the Sudbury PD.

NAC 443
Or: CTCSS/DDCS Search

Might someone please if they have a spare few minutes outline the audio
options for me.

Differences, when to use which, etc.

"Generally," and for the Sudbury PD specifically ?

Much thanks,
Bob

 

[tvengr]

Sudbury

Frequency	License	Type	Tone	Alpha Tag	Description	Mode	Tag
852.91250	WPPU806	RM	443 NAC	Sudbury PD	Police Operations	P25e	Law Dispatch

If you look at the Mode, P25 is digital. The lower case "e" means it is partially encrypted (not all of the time). A capital "E" means fully encrypted in which case you will not be able to monitor it at all. If you see a Mode of FM or NFM, that is analog. A Mode of P25, DMR, or NXDN is digital. If you click on Audio Option in Sentinel, you will be given a choice of Audio Type (All, Analog, or Digital). If All is selected, you will not be able to assign any codes. If Analog is selected, it will show CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System)/DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) Search. CTCSS is also known as PL for Motorola's Private Line. GE used CG for Channel Guard and RCA used QC for Quiet Channel. DCS is also known as DPL for Digital Private Line. If left on search, you will receive all transmitters using that frequency and the scanner will display the CTCSS or DCS code, if there is one, when the transmitter is active. If you click on the down arrow in the Search box, you can select a CTCSS or DCS code (CTCSS codes have a decimal point, DCS codes do not). If several transmitters are on the same frequency, you will receive only the ones with that particular CTCSS or DCS code. If you select an Audio Type of Digital and leave it on Digital Code Search, you will receive all transmitters using that frequency and the digital codes, if any, will be displayed on the scanner. If you select P25 NAC, you will be able to select a NAC (Network Access Code). If you select DMR Color (Color Code), you can select the color code. If you select NXDN, your can select a RAN (Random Access Number). If you have a digital code enabled, you will receive only transmitters using that code. In the case of Sudbury PD, select an Audio Type of Digital, P25 NAC, click on the down arrow of the NAC Box and select NAC 443.

 

[BOBRR]

Hi,

Great explanations.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write it all out
for me. Very appreciated.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[tvengr]

My Pleasure! Please let me know if you have any other questions.