Control channel Only

[paulrrulon]

I am new to scanning trunking systems and was wondering the pros and cons of only scanning with the control channels verses programing in the voice channel freq also. Seems alot easier to just put control channels in. This is with regards to scanning in Colorado apco 25 system. Thanks for any help.

 

[stevecubfan]

control channel

correct all you need to program are the control channels.

 

[UPMan]

On the BCD396T, if you want to use the Trunking Indicators you will need to input all channels. However, the scanner uses only the control channel for actual trunking on P25 systems, so leaving out the voice channels will not affect how it scans the system.

 

[rpowley]

I am new to scanning trunking systems and was wondering the pros and cons of only scanning with the control channels verses programing in the voice channel freq also. Seems alot easier to just put control channels in. This is with regards to scanning in Colorado apco 25 system. Thanks for any help.

I would verify if possible that the Primary Control Channels are true since there are quite a few Alternate Control Channels on the sites listed. In the past I have run into Multi - Site system's that had wrong or missing Control Channels.

 

[paulrrulon]

Thanks for the help . Mr Rowley how would i go about determinig that those control channels were in deed the true control channels. If I entered all red and blue channels that would make sure I was covered wouldnt it. Thanks again to all. The more I use the scanner the more i am learning about it and trunking, but boy this is one complicated radio. But I sure like it and its nice to get help from all you folks. Its not very often you recieve help from the bigshots inside a Company like I have here from Uniden great Customer service thanks Mr. Uphman and also thanks for the data you sent me on organising the scanners data banks from the article you wrote. Thanks for responding.
Respectfully
PR

 

[loumaag]

Thanks for the help . Mr Rowley how would i go about determinig that those control channels were in deed the true control channels. If I entered all red and blue channels that would make sure I was covered wouldnt it. ...

Indeed the blue and red frequencies are the frequencies identified as control or alternate control channels in all of the systems in the database. The problem is of course that those indicators are based on user reports. Individual system administrators can change the channels and we (RR) would be unaware of such changes until users (like you) reported the changes.

 

[car2back]

I had some major problems using the "control Channel only" mode on my UBC-3300XLT...... It would track TGs to the correct freq but there was no audio. Once I took the time to program in all the trunking freqs, I had no trouble. I never figured out what the problem was; maybe it was just the scanner I was using!

 

[JoeyC]

I had some major problems using the "control Channel only" mode on my UBC-3300XLT...... It would track TGs to the correct freq but there was no audio. Once I took the time to program in all the trunking freqs, I had no trouble. I never figured out what the problem was; maybe it was just the scanner I was using!

Sounds like what happens when you don't select a control channel only PLAN on a uniden scanner.

 

[loumaag]

I had some major problems using the "control Channel only" mode on my UBC-3300XLT...... It would track TGs to the correct freq but there was no audio. Once I took the time to program in all the trunking freqs, I had no trouble. I never figured out what the problem was; maybe it was just the scanner I was using!

My overseas model numbers are a bit fuzzy, but I think that is the same as a BC250D. However, my first question would be: Is the channelization plan the same for the European models as it is for the US models? My first guess (I don't know this for sure) is that it is not. If you want to use a radio that relies on internally stored (ROM) channel plans, you should have a radio that is made for the region it is to be used in.

 

[Navycop]

To: paulrrulon
Just make sure you put in the talkgroups in the trunk section. Unless you like listening to the school bus drivers and the garbage collecters. You will hear everyone on the control channel :0)

 

[paulrrulon]

Thanks for all the tips. I will put all the freq in the scanner. It isint that dificult when RR alows you to cut and paste. RR is a great site that makes using the radio much easier. it also is a wonderfull learning site. Tons of info here. I could not have figured this 396 out without RR . the radio shack pro 96 was much easier to figure out. However it does not even come close to all the technology of the uniden. Oops , off topic sorry thanks again.

 

[car2back]

My overseas model numbers are a bit fuzzy, but I think that is the same as a BC250D. However, my first question would be: Is the channelization plan the same for the European models as it is for the US models? My first guess (I don't know this for sure) is that it is not. If you want to use a radio that relies on internally stored (ROM) channel plans, you should have a radio that is made for the region it is to be used in.

I think that was the case.... It works great though with all the channels programmed so no worried!

 

[Deziel0495]

I have a question regarding trunked systems. I have a scanner, that is not trunk tracking, but is able to pick up 800mhz frequency. If i put in the main control channel (red) for my area, will i still be able to listen to it, even though my scanner is not trunked?

 

[UPMan]

Yes. But all you will hear is BrrrBrrrBrrrGrrrGrrrGrapBrrrBrrr.

If you program the frequencies other than the control channel, you wil hear all the traffic on the system (assuming this is an analog trunked system), but every reply will happen on a different frequency, making following any one particular conversation difficult on even a moderately busy system.

 

[RKG]

I have a question regarding trunked systems. I have a scanner, that is not trunk tracking, but is able to pick up 800mhz frequency. If i put in the main control channel (red) for my area, will i still be able to listen to it, even though my scanner is not trunked?

No. If you dial up the control channel on a conventional receiver, all you will hear is data noise.

You can, if you like, program the voice channels as conventional channels, and you will hear such voice as they repeat. However, one of the attributes of trunked radio is that the voice channel assignment shifts, usually on each press of the button, so doing it this way will not enable you to follow all components of a communications exchange.

 

[WayneH]

I have a question regarding trunked systems. I have a scanner, that is not trunk tracking, but is able to pick up 800mhz frequency. If i put in the main control channel (red) for my area, will i still be able to listen to it, even though my scanner is not trunked?

Please find the applicable forum for your scanner's manufacturer and post your question there. Also, most communities frown upon digging up three year old threads to post your question (referred to as "hijacking"). It's not recommended on these forums.

Thanks.