Bluetail newbie

[EMwaves54]

I haven't scanned in years. I am looking to get back into it so I just purchased an RX-II. I want to support the guy working to give us open source subscription free capability. I am excited to see where this product and its creator takes us.

Please post more videos for us newbies. It would be greatly appreciated to walk us through the setup, the basics of using the software, and how exactly to set up the first trunking system.

 

[btt]

Thank you sir! This video is a couple years old, but I think it should help with getting started. This shows how to configure for monitoring a trunked P25 system. This assumes you are running the current stable version of the software that the receiver shipped with.

 

[MStep]

I haven't scanned in years. I am looking to get back into it so I just purchased an RX-II. I want to support the guy working to give us open source subscription free capability. I am excited to see where this product and its creator takes us.

Please post more videos for us newbies. It would be greatly appreciated to walk us through the setup, the basics of using the software, and how exactly to set up the first trunking system.

I found that some patience and a little experimentation is the order of the day. I have to admit that there are some seemingly simply functions that have thus far escaped me, but I know that when I am ready for more help, BTT will be here to offer support.

The reception and decoding of digital signals is either on-par, and in some cases, significantly better than results I am achieving with my Uniden x36 and SDS series radios. The coming addition of NBFM and AM capability will greatly enhance the flexibility of the RX series.

My reaction to getting the unit interfaced with the Blue Tail software on my Windows 10 laptop, and then suddenly hearing voices after about an hour of fiddling around was much akin to Dr. Frankenstein's reaction after the electrodes were removed following the great lightning storm...... "It's Alive, It's Alive....."!

 

[Mophead]

Another great device to Velcro to the side of my computer desk....excellent.....

 

[FreqNout]

I have found that all p25rx/rx-II users are a helpful/friendly group here willing to help answer newbie questions.

 

[MStep]

I have pretty much mastered working with P25 trunked systems. One of the more "simple" activities is how to monitor one solitary DMR frequency. For example a 440 DMR ham repeater. Is any action required on the first tab of the software, are is the second "DMR" tab all I need to work with?

 

[goldmyne99]

One of the more "simple" activities is how to monitor one solitary DMR frequency. For example a 440 DMR ham repeater. Is any action required on the first tab of the software, are is the second "DMR" tab all I need to work with?

@Vermonster has done a lot of the DMR testing on both the P25RX and P25RXII. He may be one of the best users here to help you out with DMR settings.

 

[EMwaves54]

My P25RX-II arrived within one week from prepay. I used the config video, pdf manual, and tips and tricks webpage to get running in under an hour. Its Alive! Talk groups all have names now. I am very pleased with this affordable receiver and Todd's support.

 

[MStep]

I must admit that I have a love/hate relationship with my P25RX-II. I have teetered on invoking the use of my 30 day return privilege, but the damn thing works so well on those P25 Phase 1 and Phase 2 systems. As many have mentioned, DMR is difficult, if not impossible, with the current firmware, and I trust that the folks at BTT will remedy those issues with the next firmware release.

I was also assured by Todd that the accomplishment of other modes, particularly NBFM and perhaps AM Air band are in the works, and this could be accomplished with the current P25RX-II hardware, and at no additional charges would be incurred for that, Three cheers to Blue Tail for that.

I find some portions of the software in Blue Tail bit a confusing. I can "scan" (or "roam") different P25 systems--- hopefully this will also integrate into more seamless DMR and NBFM intermingling as well. It appears through Todd's testing, and some of his posted demonstration tests, that these modes are doable with the current hardware and that some simplification and updating of the current software program will help move things along more easily. But I also understand that they were made to tweak and improve the operation of the unit, so some should stay and folks like me slowly encouraged to experiment with their use.

I had a request in the AOR DV1 forum asking for The Authority On Radio to concentrate some efforts into P25 Phase 25 II channel decoding without trunking, and was met with some technical and philosophical resistance. According to some, it can be done sans trunking. I was also looking at the AOR 2300 Black Box receiver (admittedly a different animal from the P25RX-II, but with some similarities) and at about $3,900 USD, their APCO P25 mode is a paid optional upgrade. Choke. Boo for AOR.

Continued success to Todd at BTT. The hardware seems very solid, a few add-ons with those additional modes and concurrent software updates, and if all goes well, we should expect quite an uptick in sales for Todd and his company. Just hope his supply of parts can hold out should that on-rush in sales come to fruition.

 

[btt]

...
I had a request in the AOR DV1 forum asking for The Authority On Radio to concentrate some efforts into P25 Phase 25 II channel decoding without trunking, and was met with some technical and philosophical resistance. According to some, it can be done sans trunking. I was also looking at the AOR 2300 Black Box receiver (admittedly a different animal from the P25RX-II, but with some similarities) and at about $3,900 USD, their APCO P25 mode is a paid optional upgrade. Choke. Boo for AOR.
...

I believe I may have been the first one here to point out that trunking for P2 was not needed as long as you know the WACN, SYS_ID, and NAC in order to initialize the scrambling matrix for P2. Of course you need to figure out what to do with the dual slots. I will be adding this ability in the next release, but I don't know why anyone would use it. I'm sure there is probably a reason. Maybe if you are able to receive the traffic channel and not the control channel for some reason?

 

[MStep]

I believe I may have been the first one here to point out that trunking for P2 was not needed as long as you know the WACN, SYS_ID, and NAC in order to initialize the scrambling matrix for P2. Of course you need to figure out what to do with the dual slots. I will be adding this ability in the next release, but I don't know why anyone would use it. I'm sure there is probably a reason. Maybe if you are able to receive the traffic channel and not the control channel for some reason?

I don't believe this should be a high priority feature for the P25RX-II. The only reason I suggested it to AOR was that lots of folks "tune around" the bands with the DV1, and it's nice to be able to decode a digital signal when you hit on one with the AOR. Provided of course that the signal is just digitized, and not encrypted. I always like to know who is using the frequency and the nature of the traffic. I see the Blue Tail product as a different animal--- it's definitely more "scanner" than tunable receiver.

Not to knock the available but limited scan functions of the AOR. Not sure if you own an AOR Todd, but it's something more in the "philosophy" of the radio and of the AOR company. It seems that whole Tetra GSSI thing did not work out well, at least here in the states.

The only analogous comparison I can make is the deficiency of DMR coverage on the Icom 8600. Their official statement (cop-out???) can be found here:

News Release - Icom America

www.icomamerica.com

In any event, getting back to the P25RX-II, I'm fairly competent that if if there is something that can be done with the BTT hardware, Todd will find a way to do it. Adding that NBFM mode and getting DMR operating more effectively is definitely a step in the right direction. And the BTT decoding of P25 Phase 2 is certainly as good as (and more often better and "cleaner") than Phase 2 on the SDS series.

With all the usual FWIW and IMHO added for good measure.

 

[Mophead]

As far as P25 phase 1 goes, I am more than happy with the P25RX-II. Setup was very simple and to all the doubters who stated this would not be a "good" first choice for me, I must say you were incorrect. This device compliments my Icom R75 and SDRplay, plus I have a small antenna farm growing on my roof lol.

 

[btt]

As far as P25 phase 1 goes, I am more than happy with the P25RX-II. Setup was very simple and to all the doubters who stated this would not be a "good" first choice for me, I must say you were incorrect. This device compliments my Icom R75 and SDRplay, plus I have a small antenna farm growing on my roof lol.

Thank you for the update. I'm glad to hear it is working well for you!

 

[FreqNout]

all the doubters who stated this would not be a "good" first choice for me, I must say you were incorrect.

Great to hear you are enjoying your radio.
My comment about it not being a good choice for you was responding to your expectation of Tech Support AFTER Death of a one person company. My comment had NOTHING to do with the excellent performance of the btt rigs.

 

[kb8q]

Great to hear you are enjoying your radio.
My comment about it not being a good choice for you was responding to your expectation of Tech Support AFTER Death of a one person company. My comment had NOTHING to do with the excellent performance of the btt rigs.

I have multiple P25RX receivers and have no concern about continuing software and hardware support in relation to lightning. The risks for lightning strikes are highest in the SE and lowest in the NW. Oddly enough, Pennsylvania is in the top 10 states for lightning risk according to the CDC. You're also at higher risk in a home with metal plumbing. I would have had no idea about these details if someone hadn't mentioned lightning.

 

[wmlovell]

The risks for lightning strikes are highest in the SE and lowest in the NW. Oddly enough, Pennsylvania is in the top 10 states for lightning risk according to the CDC. You're also at higher risk in a home with metal plumbing. I would have had no idea about these details if someone hadn't mentioned lightning.

You know there are meds for this...

 

[kb8q]

You know there are meds for this...

I think I'm good. I got my 4th shot of Moderna last week.

 

[kb8q]

As far as P25 phase 1 goes, I am more than happy with the P25RX-II. Setup was very simple and to all the doubters who stated this would not be a "good" first choice for me, I must say you were incorrect. This device compliments my Icom R75 and SDRplay, plus I have a small antenna farm growing on my roof lol.

I have 8 P25 capable radios in addition to the P25RX receivers. The Bluetail radios are my favorite radios and have capabilities the others do not. And, I live in a condo with no outside antennas.

 

[scannerboy02]

I believe I may have been the first one here to point out that trunking for P2 was not needed as long as you know the WACN, SYS_ID, and NAC in order to initialize the scrambling matrix for P2. Of course you need to figure out what to do with the dual slots. I will be adding this ability in the next release, but I don't know why anyone would use it. I'm sure there is probably a reason. Maybe if you are able to receive the traffic channel and not the control channel for some reason?

A great use for this would be the ability to monitor all voice channels simultaneously on a small site.

In my area we have a P2 countywide simulcast site that uses 6 frequencies, 1 control channel and 5 TDMA traffic channels. With 5 devices it would be possible to monitor the voice traffic off each frequency on each device allowing one to monitor all the traffic on the entire site at one time.

 

[btt]

A great use for this would be the ability to monitor all voice channels simultaneously on a small site.

In my area we have a P2 countywide simulcast site that uses 6 frequencies, 1 control channel and 5 TDMA traffic channels. With 5 devices it would be possible to monitor the voice traffic off each frequency on each device allowing one to monitor all the traffic on the entire site at one time.

I really like that idea!