Broadcast to Broadcastify?

[scottct1]

My local public services are moving to P25 Phase II next summer, and I got a nice bonus at work so I am looking for a scanner to replace my 996XT which I use to broadcast our local services here to Broadcastify.

I have been looking for a new P25 Phase II scanner, and my choices are between the HomePatrol 2 and the SDS200.

While the HomePatrol 2is cheaper looking around it feels like it has been abandoned with updates. I have a HomePatrol 1 and while it works great it seems like it is no longer supported with updates. But the Homepatrol 2 has a line output jack, I like having a line output so I can still listen to the scanner while I am sending audio to my Broadcastify encoder.

I notice the SDS200 does not have a line output (or record output) but looking around it appears you can send audio out from the SDS200 over ethernet, I am guessing I will still need an encoder PC to send it to Broadcastify. (It would be cool if I could just have it stream from the scanner.)

So using the ethernet port what do I need to broadcast to broadcasting?

Am I better off buying the HomePatrol 2 or a SDS 200? Which would you get?

Thanks!

 

[werinshades]

My local public services are moving to P25 Phase II next summer, and I got a nice bonus at work so I am looking for a scanner to replace my 996XT which I use to broadcast our local services here to Broadcastify.

I have been looking for a new P25 Phase II scanner, and my choices are between the HomePatrol 2 and the SDS200.

While the HomePatrol 2is cheaper looking around it feels like it has been abandoned with updates. I have a HomePatrol 1 and while it works great it seems like it is no longer supported with updates. But the Homepatrol 2 has a line output jack, I like having a line output so I can still listen to the scanner while I am sending audio to my Broadcastify encoder.

I notice the SDS200 does not have a line output (or record output) but looking around it appears you can send audio out from the SDS200 over ethernet, I am guessing I will still need an encoder PC to send it to Broadcastify. (It would be cool if I could just have it stream from the scanner.)

So using the ethernet port what do I need to broadcast to broadcasting?

Am I better off buying the HomePatrol 2 or a SDS 200? Which would you get?

Thanks!

Probably should find out if they plan on encrypting their communications before purchasing.

 

[scottct1]

Probably should find out if they plan on encrypting their communications before purchasing.

Nope. I am working with them on the conversion. Only encryption will be for Sargents when needed. Our Chief wants the public to listen. If officers need privacy they can use their cell phones.

 

[tweiss3]

The SDS200 is nice since you can connect it to the network via the front network port (cat5e/cat6) and still use Proscan with audio over network.

 

[werinshades]

Nope. I am working with them on the conversion. Only encryption will be for Sargents when needed. Our Chief wants the public to listen. If officers need privacy they can use their cell phones.

That's good to hear

 

[jeepsandradios]

I have had good luck with the 996P2 as long as you dont have simulcast issues. I'm 1 mile to the local site and run the rubber duck with no issues.

 

[GTR8000]

Frankly, you should save your money and use software and dongle(s) instead. Why tie up a $600+ scanner for a live feed, when you can instead buy a few $30 RTL dongles (or an Airspy/Airspy Mini for much less than a scanner), and use freely available software such as SDRTrunk or OP25?

SDRTrunk is great software in that it can decode every transmission at the site simultaneously, feeding all of that audio to both Broadcastify Calls as well as to traditional feeds.

I run a setup of SDRTrunk that decodes up to 18 TDMA traffic channels simultaneously using 2 RTL dongles, feeding all talkgroups to both Calls as well as being selectively broken out into multiple traditional feeds (Fire, EMS, etc.). The modest PC hardly breaks a sweat in doing so, and no action is missed because it's not actually scanning anything, rather it's decoding the entire site's visible spectrum (2.4 MHz of contiguous spectrum per dongle).

 

[ProScan]

So using the ethernet port what do I need to broadcast to broadcasting?

My free RadioFeed or paid ProScan can utilize the Ethernet port. Ethernet offers the highest quality audio as the audio is PCM digital.

 

[scottct1]

I run a setup of SDRTrunk that decodes up to 18 TDMA traffic channels simultaneously using 2 RTL dongles, feeding all talkgroups to both Calls as well as being selectively broken out into multiple traditional feeds (Fire, EMS, etc.). The modest PC hardly breaks a sweat in doing so, and no action is missed because it's not actually scanning anything, rather it's decoding the entire site's visible spectrum (2.4 MHz of contiguous spectrum per dongle).

Is there a guide or video showing how to set that up, I would love to send out to my regular feed and Broadcastify Calls at the same time. I have about 6 SDR USB dongles laying around over here. I have played with SDRTrunk about a year ago as it was supposed to do LTR trunking, but it did not work correctly on my towns LTR system.

Thanks for any light you can shed on this!

 

[scottct1]

My free RadioFeed or paid ProScan can utilize the Ethernet port. Ethernet offers the highest quality audio as the audio is PCM digital.

Thanks I was wondering about the sound quality and was thinking it would be the best quality since its all digital, no hiss or hums.

 

[tweiss3]

Is there a guide or video showing how to set that up, I would love to send out to my regular feed and Broadcastify Calls at the same time. I have about 6 SDR USB dongles laying around over here. I have played with SDRTrunk about a year ago as it was supposed to do LTR trunking, but it did not work correctly on my towns LTR system.

Thanks for any light you can shed on this!

Mine is run with an Airspy R2. You need to verify your hardware can cover the bandwidth of all the frequencies the system (simulcasts or single site) that will be used. The R2 covered all 25 here.

1) Install a fresh download of v0.5.0 alpha6
2) Start it and setup/build the JMBE Audio library
3) Build the "channel" in playlist editor. You can use only the primary control, or add all the alternate control frequencies if you want. No need to add all frequencies.
4) Hit run, make sure your "Max Traffic Channels" is high enough for the system. Remember P2 is TDMA, 2 channels per frequency of the system.
5) Hit start, and you are running.
6) Apply for calls and any regular feeds
7) After approved, go to the RR tab and login.
8) under the streaming tab, each calls and feed will be shown under the new button.
9) for "feeds" make sure to filter the aliases to only include the content for that feed.

Mine is setup for 25 channels, but I've only ever seen 16-18 at one time.

 

[scottct1]

Mine is run with an Airspy R2. You need to verify your hardware can cover the bandwidth of all the frequencies the system (simulcasts or single site) that will be used. The R2 covered all 25 here.

Thanks for the instructions! I have two Nooelec NESDR SMArtee XTR SDR devices sitting here, so I should be able to do it.

Now I need to figure out what to spend my money one now Lol.

 

[stwings]

If they plan to build out a simulcast system the SDS200 would be the way to go. If not a 996P2 should work perfectly, plus the learning curve would be minimal since you already own the XT.

 

[scottct1]

This is the system they will be moving to in the summer. I don't believe it is simulcast but not 100% sure.

Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN) Trunking System, Statewide, Connecticut

Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network (CLMRN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[JimD56]

Most Sites within the CLMRN System are SIMULCAST states it clearly.

 

[u2brent]

Note the name of those sites.. 🎄

 

[scottct1]

Looking at the list, seems only the State Police are SImulcast, none of the individual member towns are shown as Simulcast.

But I could be wrong, I am new to this P25 thing.

Hopefully by he end of February they will order the new radios and consoles needed. They want to be on the new system by the start of Summer.

 

[JimD56]

If even ONLY One site is listed as SIMULCAST, do not sell yourself short. Future expansion could be in play. Go with the SDR, SDS100/200, or a Unication G4/G5.

 

[stwings]

Looks like most of it will be in the clear too!!