Does anyone know if Dallas Layers 1 & 2 carry the interop talkgroups? (Specifically, TG5495 Law IO Call and TG34051 GMRS Law Call patch). I am able to listen to those talkgroups on broadcastify calls platform, but I have yet to hear them at home on my actual scanners. I would imagine they do carry them as I have heard Dallas SO and Dallas PD on the calls platform.
Dallas Fire - Trunked System Rollout 2022
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Yes for NTIRN Law IO Call. I don't have any recent hits for GMRS Law Call. I think that would have to be patched in on demand.
As for the other NTIRN IO talk groups(I.C. 1 & 2, and 1-13, I think at least one radio would have to be affiliated(on the channel) and on Dallas Layer 1 or 2, for example to hear Law IO 7 if it was being used in say, Johnson County.
rpowell9973
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Does anyone know if my BCD996P2 scanner has become obsolete or "old technology" for monitoring the Dallas FD/PD and Kaufman County SO in the North Texas Interoperable Radio Network? I have owned it since 2017 and have never figured out how to monitor the P25 Phase II systems since the county I worked in (and monitored) is still VHF.
I am also considering a handheld for the same systems but don't know where to start. Do you have any thoughts about both?
I am also considering a handheld for the same systems but don't know where to start. Do you have any thoughts about both?
BCD 996P2 is totally capable of monitoring anything on the NTIRN system, it is a Phase II scanner, hence the P2 in the model number. That said it is highly susceptible to Simulcast Distortion. Depending on your location between antenna sites and with the right antenna set up it would be possible to monitor the Dallas Public Safety on NTIRN with this scanner. Cannot speak to Kaufman Co, they are well out of my monitoring range and not part of NTIRN.
As Harold has already noted, the 996P2 is capable of monitoring both NTIRN and Kaufman's system. Both of these systems are classified as P25 Phase II, but both the Kaufman County site, as well as the Dallas Layers 1 & 2 sites, are noted as simulcast.
Simulcast can be extremely location specific. If you are far enough from the system (but still able to get a usable signal), then it might not be an issue. Various factors, such as hills and clusters of taller buildings might result in the signal you can receive is only one of the transmit sites.
In some cases, you can move the scanner around in your house. A move of the scanner of only a foot or two might be the difference between hearing the system, and only gearing garbled transmissions due to simulcast.
The best scanners, when dealing with simulcast problems, are Uniden's SDS100 handheld, and the SDS200 base mobile. While not as effective as the SDS scanners, the x36HP scanners may do the job in some cases; the portable is the 436HP, with the 536HP being the base/mobile. The 996P2, and it's handheld sibling the 325P2, are much ,ore susceptible to simulcast problems than the other models. If, because of the cost difference, you decide to try a scanner other than one of the SDS models for use on a system that has one or more simulcast sites, be sure to purchase from a dealer that does not hit you with a large restocking fee if you have to return it because it is ineffective.When returning because the model had issues with simulcast, remember that you must return the unit with all original packaging and other items shipped with it (like antenna and the power supply), and you would need to pay the freight to return it. That could be $20 or more, to return via UPS or FedEx ground, so that you have a tracking number.
I can hear the Kaufman system from my residence in S/W Dallas without and external (rooftop) antenna.
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