City of Houston Project 25 TRS

[KevinC]

Since I've been monitoring site 1-52 on my trips to the area, my 396XT is having a hard time picking up the data channel for the system. Every time it returns to the system after scanning the other frequencies/systems I have activated, it skips it entirely as if there is no data channel, but the signal strength indicator will briefly blink on and off showing the scanner is picking up some sort of very strong signal. When it does (eventually) pick it up, it's 100% signal strength. Just FYI, I usually travel in the US290/I-610/Galleria area. In fact, I've never been able to really monitor the system for any extended length of time, it just goes in and out even when I'm stationary.

Do you have the most up to date firmware? It greatly improves simulcast reception...or did in my case anyway.

 

[mfn002]

Do you have the most up to date firmware? It greatly improves simulcast reception...or did in my case anyway.

I'll try that, but the last time I used the USB cable my computer wouldn't "see" the scanner for some reason.

 

[KevinC]

I'll try that, but the last time I used the USB cable my computer wouldn't "see" the scanner for some reason.

OT, but did you graduate this semester?

 

[mfn002]

OT, but did you graduate this semester?

Yep. Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communications).

Anyway, I attempted to update the scanner, but, despite doing everything I could think of, all I got was a "could not detect scanner" error, which is exactly what happened last time. The software "sees" the cable and gives the appropriate USB port, but won't actually connect to the scanner.

 

[loumaag]

Anyway, I attempted to update the scanner, but, despite doing everything I could think of, all I got was a "could not detect scanner" error, which is exactly what happened last time. The software "sees" the cable and gives the appropriate USB port, but won't actually connect to the scanner.

Did you try and slow down the scanner serial speed? It probably is set to 115200, try slowing it down to 57600 and see.

 

[KevinC]

Yep. Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communications).

Anyway, I attempted to update the scanner, but, despite doing everything I could think of, all I got was a "could not detect scanner" error, which is exactly what happened last time. The software "sees" the cable and gives the appropriate USB port, but won't actually connect to the scanner.

Congratulations!

When are you coming to town next? I could possibly assist you in updating if you can't get it going.

 

[mfn002]

Congratulations!

When are you coming to town next? I could possibly assist you in updating if you can't get it going.

Doctor's appointment on the 13th, but I don't think I'll have time to meet. I'll try adjusting the data speed.

UPDATE: The data speed was set to 9800 bps, but I tried 57600, but still no luck. I'll try it on my other laptop tomorrow, and see what happens then. Updating it isn't all that urgent, since I only go to Houston once a month or so. What baffles me is that the updater did connect to the scanner once, but failed to load the update for some reason.

 

[OLAG89]

I apologize for the double posting, but I asked the following on the PRO-18 thread, but apparently that thread has gone silent.

06-02-2013, 2:10 PM
OLAG89
* *
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Kingwood, TX
Posts: 1

So as you can see by my profile, I'm a "new" member to the forum, although I've been a listener since the 70's. I've been using a PRO-43 the entire time.

After reading what I thought was good information, I just purchased a PRO-18 scanner hoping I could get back up and running.
After a large amount of information on the site, I wonder if the scanner can even monitor the new systems now deployed in Houston area?

I have no idea what trunking and PH II is. So be gentle.

Can anybody tell me if the PRO-18 is capable for monitoring the public safety channels now in use in Houston area?

 

[teknishun]

No. If you are taking the raw audio then it goes into the audio input of the computer, not the USB. If you are taking the data dump from the 800 (just like the 500/600) then you use the USB port on the radio and the computer. The PSR800 can supply either.

Thanks. I have a data dump, several of them, from one of the Alvin towers. So far all I can make sense
of is that it is SysID=1A7 WACN-ID=BEE00 and RFSSID=03. This really does not tell me anything
that I don't already know, that this is the TxWARN Project 25 Digital Trunking System. You can read
that info directly from RR.

Along with RFSSID=03 there are references to all 11 sites under that. I am not sure why all 11 sites,
in different messages of course, would show up coming off the Alvin tower. Many of those are way
to far away from me to be received.

I have several data dump files and in each of those files these three frequencies are the ONLY ones
that come up in a message. 762.00625 MHz 851.00625 MHz and 851.01250.

May I assume that these are the frequencies used by the Alvin tower?

I will attempt to run those data dumps into UniTrunker but thus far have not had any luck
making that work. I am using the USB cable. The files still reside on the scanner micro SD card.
I guess it is time to go back and read the destructions again!

 

[loumaag]

...
After reading what I thought was good information, I just purchased a PRO-18 scanner hoping I could get back up and running.
After a large amount of information on the site, I wonder if the scanner can even monitor the new systems now deployed in Houston area?

I have no idea what trunking and PH II is. So be gentle.

Can anybody tell me if the PRO-18 is capable for monitoring the public safety channels now in use in Houston area?

Well, to be honest I have no idea how you program a PRO-18. I mean I know it has the RR Database in it, but how you would alter it or set up something else is a complete mystery to me. It is a P25 scanner so although it will not (AFAIK) do the Phase 2 stuff, it will do the rest of the system including the HPD and HFD simulcast MA channels. You can read how to do that part here; however, how to do it on a PRO-18 is something you will have to ask in the RS forum (where you asked already) or elsewhere.

 

[loumaag]

Thanks. I have a data dump, several of them, from one of the Alvin towers. So far all I can make sense
of is that it is SysID=1A7 WACN-ID=BEE00 and RFSSID=03. This really does not tell me anything
that I don't already know, that this is the TxWARN Project 25 Digital Trunking System. You can read
that info directly from RR.

Along with RFSSID=03 there are references to all 11 sites under that. I am not sure why all 11 sites,
in different messages of course, would show up coming off the Alvin tower. Many of those are way
to far away from me to be received.

I have several data dump files and in each of those files these three frequencies are the ONLY ones
that come up in a message. 762.00625 MHz 851.00625 MHz and 851.01250.

May I assume that these are the frequencies used by the Alvin tower?

Since I don't know where you are reading that, I would say no, that is not a safe bet.

I will attempt to run those data dumps into UniTrunker but thus far have not had any luck
making that work. I am using the USB cable. The files still reside on the scanner micro SD card.
I guess it is time to go back and read the destructions again!

Instead of running the dumps into UniTrunker, why don't you just hook the radio up to UniTrunker and let it run? Is the PSR800 your only radio?

 

[teknishun]

Can't Make Unitracker Work with PSR-800

Since I don't know where you are reading that, I would say no, that is not a safe bet.

Instead of running the dumps into UniTrunker, why don't you just hook the radio up to UniTrunker and let it run? Is the PSR800 your only radio?

I will have to go buy a male-male mini-jack stereo cord then. Don't have one !!!!!

I am reading that directly out of the data dump from the radio. Also, the PSR-800 is the ONLY P25
radio that I have.

2013-06-05 01:29:51
2013-06-05 01:29:51 Power up!!!
2013-06-05 01:29:51
2013-06-05 01:29:51 BattLevel: 507 507 507
2013-06-05 01:29:51 IconState: 15
2013-06-05 01:29:56 BattLevel: 507 507 508
2013-06-05 01:30:02 BattLevel: 507 506 506
2013-06-05 01:30:07 BattLevel: 507 506 507
2013-06-05 01:30:12 BattLevel: 507 506 507
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:09 90 0C 80 00 00 00 00 00 00 8C F3
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC05:Q:100%, CCs:0000, CCi:05, CCf: 772.656250, Th:N, Df:N, Qh:00%, Qs:0000, Qi:00
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:3A 00 00 31 A7 03 0E 16 A8 70 59 2B : SysID:1A7 RFSSID:03 SiteID:0E
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:30 00 00 04 6A 1A C5 33 C5 00 72 F9
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:BB 00 00 BE E0 01 A7 16 A8 70 0C 99 : SysID:1A7 WACN-ID:BEE00
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:05 90 40 00 00 03 45 05 00 00 F0 E8
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:33 00 23 38 40 64 0A 25 15 84 48 4B : IDEN_UP_TDMA: ID=02, Slots= 2, ChanType=03, Base= 851.012500, Offset= 45.000000, Spacing= 12.500
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:B3 00 33 A5 80 64 09 15 75 62 91 C8 : IDEN_UP_TDMA: ID=03, Slots= 2, ChanType=03, Base= 762.006250, Offset= 30.000000, Spacing= 12.500
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:39 00 03 0E 16 14 04 16 80 04 F7 80
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:09 90 0C 80 00 00 00 00 00 00 8C F3
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:BC 00 00 31 A7 03 10 16 90 70 FB 61 : SysID:1A7 RFSSID:03 SiteID:10
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:16 00 00 40 FF FF FF FF 00 01 5F CB
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:3A 00 00 31 A7 03 0E 16 A8 70 59 2B : SysID:1A7 RFSSID:03 SiteID:0E
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:B0 00 00 04 6A 1A C5 33 C5 1E 65 32
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:3B 00 00 BE E0 01 A7 16 A8 70 E8 AD : SysID:1A7 WACN-ID:BEE00
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:05 90 40 00 00 03 45 05 00 00 F0 E8
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:BD 00 03 22 D0 32 0A 25 10 A2 87 94 : IDEN_UP: ID=00, Base= 851.006250, Spacing= 6.250
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:3D 00 13 25 E0 32 09 15 75 62 1B 36 : IDEN_UP: ID=01, Base= 762.006250, Spacing= 6.250
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:39 00 03 0E 16 80 04 15 F0 04 09 05
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:89 90 0C 80 00 00 00 00 00 00 68 C7
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:3C 00 00 31 A7 03 0B 15 A0 70 46 28 : SysID:1A7 RFSSID:03 SiteID:0B
2013-06-05 01:30:16 P25:T00000079:S0000:CC0525TSBK:16 00 00 40 FF FF FF FF 00 01 5F CB

 

[teknishun]

Screen Shots for external data input to Unitrunker ????

I have several data dumps in text format that were created by the PSR-800.
This is the exact same process the PSR-500 and PSR-600 can do.

Can someone send me the Unitracker SCREEN IMAGE of how to configure Unitrunker to read these
existing external files instead of having to hook the radio up to Unitracker directly?

The directions are clear as mud on how to import files like this. I found just ONE little cryptic
note that says to "Click the LOGGING option in the Decode section of the signal receiver."

I did. Doesn't work. Unitracker doesn't work. Total and complete waste of time tonight!!!

I need a screen shot from someone who has actually made Unitracker read
these text data dumps INSTEAD of using the live radio feed.

The reason I like to use the raw data text files is because I am usually sitting right in the
driveway of the tower at hand to be sure I capture that tower and ONLY that tower.

 

[loumaag]

I have never used an existing data dump file to feed into UniTrunker.

Next, why do you need an audio cable since UniTrunker can read the data directly from the USB port? That is what the Inline option is for.

If you were going to feed UniTrunker base band audio, you don't need any special radio. As long as you are feeding it base band audio, UniTrunker has no idea what kind of radio is hooked to it. I have, in the past used a Pro-2067, it works just fine. As long as it can tune the frequency and it is tapped (for base band audio), it works.

But this UniTrunker conversation would be better served in the Trunked Radio Decoding forum.

 

[KevinC]

Thanks. I have a data dump, several of them, from one of the Alvin towers. So far all I can make sense
of is that it is SysID=1A7 WACN-ID=BEE00 and RFSSID=03. This really does not tell me anything
that I don't already know, that this is the TxWARN Project 25 Digital Trunking System. You can read
that info directly from RR.

Along with RFSSID=03 there are references to all 11 sites under that. I am not sure why all 11 sites,
in different messages of course, would show up coming off the Alvin tower. Many of those are way
to far away from me to be received.

I have several data dump files and in each of those files these three frequencies are the ONLY ones
that come up in a message. 762.00625 MHz 851.00625 MHz and 851.01250.

May I assume that these are the frequencies used by the Alvin tower?

I will attempt to run those data dumps into UniTrunker but thus far have not had any luck
making that work. I am using the USB cable. The files still reside on the scanner micro SD card.
I guess it is time to go back and read the destructions again!

I would imagine the reference to the other sites you are seeing is because those are in the "Adjacent Channel List" of that site. That's what lets the real radios know what other sites are out there. You have to balance the ACL against what sites are close to the broadcasting site, but having all the zone 3 sites in the list gives the radios a better chance of finding a good site if they are in a bad coverage area.

The 3 specific frequencies you listed look like they are from the broadcasted "Band Plan".

Doing a raw dump without a secret decoder ring is almost useless. Much better to let Unitrunker or Pro96Com do the work for you.

But, like Lou said, this discussion would be better served elsewhere.

 

[SCPD]

Can someone send me the Unitracker SCREEN IMAGE of how to configure Unitrunker to read these existing external files instead of having to hook the radio up to Unitracker directly?

Sorry teknishun. It does not work that way. This may help.

UniTrunker | PSR-310 | PSR-410 | PSR-500 | PSR-600 | PSR-700 | PSR-800

The SD card does not come into play when using your PSR800 with the program.

 

[teknishun]

Unitrunker and the PSR-800

Sorry teknishun. It does not work that way. This may help.

UniTrunker | PSR-310 | PSR-410 | PSR-500 | PSR-600 | PSR-700 | PSR-800

The SD card does not come into play when using your PSR800 with the program.

Thanks for the info but I already had that part of the info about the PSR-800 setup.
I found it by poking around in the instructions and on the Unitrunker website.

The PSR-800 can create its own raw data dump to the SD card in the scanner by turning that
feature on with the EzScan software. The feature works great -- I have the files on the SD but
Unitrunker will not read them. Unitrunker has the correct COM port (COM 6) for the PSR-800.
I verified that via Control Panel and Device Manager.

The problem is Unitrunker does absolutely nothing when I tell the program to "run".
It just sits there - no sound - no action - no colors - no error messages - nothing!

The scanner is setup as "inline" and at N 8 1. I am not sure what the baud rate should be
set at. I tried 9600 and also the fastest rate shown but neither works.

Today I bought an audio cable so I can feed the raw data audio from the earphone jack of the
scanner directly into my sound card on the pc. Thus far nothing works. I get no response at
all from the Unitrunker program.

 

[teknishun]

No Unitrunker with PSR-800

I have never used an existing data dump file to feed into UniTrunker.

Next, why do you need an audio cable since UniTrunker can read the data directly from the USB port? That is what the Inline option is for.

Because it doesn't. It won't. It doesn't do anything at all. The program just sits there like a
bump on a log. No output. No colors, no sounds, no action, no error messages. Nothing !!!
The program says it is running but nothing at all happens even after waiting several minutes. It has the right
COM port (COM 6) because I verified that with Device Manager.

So today I bought the audio cable from RS and will attempt to feed the IF/discriminator output
from the earphone jack into the sound card of the pc. What else can I try?

 

[teknishun]

Unitrunker! Not sure what I did, but it WORKS!

I turned off the data dump to SD card feature in the PSR-800 and reloaded the scanner.
I changed the baud rates one by one until I got to 2400. That seems to work.
I also had to check P25 for the protocol. When I powered the scanner ON while
connected to the USB port I am now getting live data from the scanner out the USB
port and into Unitrunker. Not much happening this time of night but at least Unitrunker
is finally responding to something!

For first time users of this program I have to say the documentation sucks. You are on your
own to figure out what to do to make it work. And, once it does work, there is no explanation
of what the tabs at the bottom do or what the column headings mean and what the data is
that you are looking at. There is no explanation of the buttons along the top of the screen.
You just sorta have to "guess." The help you need is just NOT there.

ANYWAY - I have the data for the Alvin tower on Highway 6, which is site 003-14 of P25.
It has 5 channels. The confirmed control channel is 772.65625 MHz and the other channels
that are marked by Unitrunker as control but NOT confirmed as control, are
771.15625 MHz 771.50625 MHz 771.73125 MHz and 772.40625 MHz.

I really wish the Unitrunker would read the data files directly from the scanner's SD card.
I do not have a laptop that I can lug from site to site. I want to go to each site and let the
scanner build its data files on the SD card one at a time at each site. That way I can be sure
that I have only data for that site and no other. It is not desirable to scan these different sites
from home because I am too far away in most cases for that to work, and I might pick up data
from the wrong site. Once I have all good data from each site I will submit it for inclusion into
RR. I can capture screen shots as jpeg and submit them as documentation.

I sure wish Unitrunker would read the data files directly from the scanner SD card out over the
USB port.

 

[loumaag]

teknishun:
Well I am glad you got it working. I was going to comment that I have used a PSR800 in both modes (audio and usb) in the past and it worked just fine. The key is I don't use it at all to feed UniTrunker.

That said, I will remind you, once again, this is not on topic for this thread or even this forum. If you want to discuss the way UniTrunker works or how to interface it, etc., please take that discussion to either the Trunking Control Channel Decoding forum or join the Unitrunker Google Group. Thanks for understanding that this has nothing to do with a discussion of the City of Houston Project 25 TRS.