Control Channel 'Garbage'

[maxtek16]

Question about the control channels. I've been monitering some local utilities which use Moto and EDACS analog for their comms. Not very active groups, however I notice that there is always the 'clunk' sound on the control channel. Question is what exactly is this clunking sound carrying? If I'm not picking up any voice comms is it some sort of 'garbage data'?

 

[SCPD]

That sound is the control information sent to the mobile radios. It's a digital signal that carries short commands indicating which channels are active, who's talking on them (and to whom).

-rick

 

[mdulrich]

Question is what exactly is this clunking sound carrying? If I'm not picking up any voice comms is it some sort of 'garbage data'?

If you are hearing the control channel and no voice you don't have your scanner programmed properly for trunking.

Mike

 

[INDY72]

Hmm clunking?? Umm dropped scanner?? LOL Sorry I could not help it.


***Clunks off****

Seriously, never have I heard a clunking sound, except for the "I'm done talking now" tones at the end of a canversation...... Usually on a CC, you get a buzzing....., maybe a fax type of sound,... but clunking??? Thats a new one on me.

 

[LarrySC]

The older TYPE I Motorola systems were/are bad to "clunk" There are 4 Motorola Type I systems near me and they all "clunk" They are Bob Jones Univ, Pickens County, Communications Service Center site one and two.

 

[WayneH]

If you listen well you can hear the system id sent every three seconds. Maybe that? You could also be hearing affiliations. It's real strange how certain background status OSWs can create different sounds (eg., IntelliRepeater compared to a 6809). As Larry mentioned the older systems were real clunkers (litterally) as there wasn't that much of a mix of OSWs so a system id announcement or something else would create a definite audible change.

-Wayne