CTCSS Logging Software

[cwb212001]

Please Help!! I have a situation where there are a handful of CTCSS tones being used on a frequency. I need someway to decode which ones are being used and keep a log of them with a time stamp. There are a few software titles that will decode a pl tone but I have yet to find one that will keep a log. Any (even hardware) ideas on how to accomplish this? I am very familiar with Wintone (it does not log PLs, only audible tones) and I found WinCTCSS ( fireguy810 said it creates a log - http://forums.radioreference.com/general-scanning-forum/94755-mdc-scanner-recorder-ctcss-logger.html - but I can't find it and the author hasn't responded to my emails yet ) to no avail. So any help would be greatly appreciated. 73s Chris

 

[ka3jjz]

You forgot to mention what scanner you are using. There are numerous scanner control programs that will do this....73 (best regards)...Mike

 

[Mike_G_D]

It may be overkill for you but I believe it should do what you want - try IDTracker II or III. Here is the link: Baton Rouge Area Scanning - ID Tracker.

-Mike

 

[cwb212001]

Thanks for the input

I will definitely take a look at ID tracker II or III. Nothing is overkill at this point. As far as the receiving equipment goes. . . I was planning on using a Kenwood two way radio and feeding the audio into the sound card. This is not going to be used at my residence and I don't want to give up my personal scanners for this project, but if thats what it comes down to I will. If that be the case I have a RS Pro-83 that is computer controllable. . . I've never looked for the software that will serve that purpose nor thought to see if those titles would do what I am looking for. If you think that they might or know of some titles to look at I appreciate any ideas you can give. Thanks to both Mikes

 

[cwb212001]

ID Tracker

Thanks again for the info Mike. After checking out the website I don't see any mention of the software decoding CTCSS/PL tones. It only talks about trunked talkgroup IDs. If you have first hand experience with it decoding and logging CTCSS tones, maybe a screenshot of the log, I'd give it a try in a heartbeat. Right now it just doesn't look like what I'm looking for. By the way, the system I intend to monitor does not use digital PLs, only subaudible. Thanks

 

[WayneH]

After checking out the website I don't see any mention of the software decoding CTCSS/PL tones.

I've never known it to so I'm not sure why it was recommended. It would be nice if it did.

 

[cwb212001]

ID Tracker

Actually Wayne, I found a mention of IDTrackerIII v1.1.2 adding ctcss to the log here - http://forums.radioreference.com/sc...re/172771-id-tracker-iii-v1-1-2-released.html At any rate I would need to use this software in conjunction with a supported trunking scanner (which I do not have access to at the moment), correct? I got all excited when I found WinCTCSS because it was audio into a soundcard but no log that I can see. So the search goes on...

 

[WayneH]

Hmm, I thought I've tried it since then but I'll give it another whirl.

You would need to have one of the following to use IDTrackerIII: PSR-500/600, PRO-106/197, BCT8, BCT15, BCT15X, BC250D, BC296D, BR330T, BC346XT, BCD396T, BCD396XT, BC780XLT, BC785D, BC796D, BC898T, BCD996T, or BCD996XT.

 

[cwb212001]

After several hours of looking I stumbled on exactly what I was looking for, ScanScope ScanScope . Funny thing is I had been to there website a few years ago looking for a solution to another project and had already seen this. But anyway, it does exactly what I need and works great so far, although the log file looks like it can get a little large. Thanks to all those who offered their help.

 

[Mike_G_D]

Wayne - I helped with beta testing and debugging some CTCSS/DCS functionality on IDTracker II way back when and I thought it would log detected CTCSS/DCS tones. However, upon reflection, now I am not so sure. I haven't used the program for quite some time now so my memory of its functionality is a little fuzzy; I do know that it will show CTCSS/DCS with the signal as programmed in the radio, log the hits and record the audio but I am now not sure if it will show tones from random signals. Also, I didn't realize the OP didn't have a suitable radio model to use with it. My apologies to the OP for my oversight and possible poor memory!

Anyway, it sounds like he found a good solution that works for him so I hope all is well!

-Mike

 

[RKG]

You can accomplish your objective with a CD-2 Communications Decoder Unit from Connect Systems, Inc., connected to a printer or computer. It will log each hit with the PL or DPL and a time stamp. The CD-2 must be connected to unfiltered audio output from a receiver tuned to the frequency of interest.

Untitled Document

 

[cwb212001]

CSI Decoder

Thanks RKG. That definitely looks like it will do what I'm looking for as well. I did find a software solution which I will be testing over the next few weeks, but if that falls through, this will be my backup plan. Thanks again to everyone for the help.