dcs ctcss use RR freqs?

[UPCoffeyvilleSubMain2]

There's probably a FAQ about this somewhere already but here goes...

Suppose I have a BC125AT and/or an SDS100 and I know of an interesting channel that's fairly busy, is there some way for me to know or determine the DCS or CTCSS configuration of said channel so I can program said scanners?

Thanks

 

[IStebleton]

There's probably a FAQ about this somewhere already but here goes...

Suppose I have a BC125AT and/or an SDS100 and I know of an interesting channel that's fairly busy, is there some way for me to know or determine the DCS or CTCSS configuration of said channel so I can program said scanners?

Thanks

There is a CTCSS/DCS Search option that you can select on the scanner, or on the software.

 

[doctordialtone]

determine the DCS or CTCSS configuration of said channel so I can program said scanners?

It's in the manual.

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/BC125ATom.pdf

Page 39.

 

[UPCoffeyvilleSubMain2]

It's in the manual.

View attachment 118577

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/BC125ATom.pdf

Page 39.

Thanks, I had seen that.

My question has to do with knowing how to respond to the bullets

. CTCSS - the scanner prompts the user for the appropriate tone. Squelch will open for this channel only if the tone matches.

and

. DCS - etc etc

Thanks

 

[a417]

Thanks, I had seen that.

My question has to do with knowing how to respond to the bullets

. CTCSS - the scanner prompts the user for the appropriate tone. Squelch will open for this channel only if the tone matches.

and

. DCS - etc etc

Thanks

Third bullet has what you need.

 

[UPCoffeyvilleSubMain2]

Third bullet has what you need.

I have all of the RR channels set to search, but it seems to make no difference.

 

[a417]

I have all of the RR channels set to search, but it seems to make no difference.

Try sitting on one channel and watching it. If it is programmed for search, and there is a CTCSS tone broadcast - it should blink and display the tone in use.

You either may be missing the screen out put, or the tone is not being sent on the transmission

 

[UPCoffeyvilleSubMain2]

Try sitting on one channel and watching it. If it is programmed for search, and there is a CTCSS tone broadcast - it should blink and display the tone in use.

You either may be missing the screen out put, or the tone is not being sent on the transmission

Thanks, I will soon try that

 

[chief21]

I have all of the RR channels set to search, but it seems to make no difference.

If you're talking about RR (RailRoad) frequencies, there are very few instances where CTCSS or DCS tones are used. While some yard channels, special-purpose channels, or short lines might use tones, road channels almost always use carrier squelch.

 

[wtp]

i second what chief21 said.
i believe they want it like the air band, if someone calls for help they want everyone to hear it.

 

[kg6nlw]

Railroads don't use tones 99.99% of the time. As mentioned, only in certain yard applications and even then it's usually through a repeater.

Regards,

-Frank C.

 

[NS9710]

CSX as of late has begun using CTCSS tones on their base units and handhelds, but the locomotives do not have such tones implemented, I do not suggest programming one because if you have more than one railroad, and one uses a CTCSS, you won't hear anything NOT using that specific tone

If you're talking about RR (RailRoad) frequencies, there are very few instances where CTCSS or DCS tones are used. While some yard channels, special-purpose channels, or short lines might use tones, road channels almost always use carrier squelch.

 

[kb1kvd]

Generally when you see a CTCSS tone on a base and portable radios and not on locomotives is for satellite receivers or tone knockdown of other base radios that are on the same frequency. Road radios generally do not use CTCSS tones for the sake of interoperability with other railroads that they may interchange with.

 

[cr8054]

CSX as of late has begun using CTCSS tones on their base units and handhelds, but the locomotives do not have such tones implemented, I do not suggest programming one because if you have more than one railroad, and one uses a CTCSS, you won't hear anything NOT using that specific tone

I would not program it in either. You might not hear radios that do not use the tones. The only way I would program a railroad radio channel's CTCSS tone in is if another railroad that is close by is interfering with the railroad you want to listen to. That is IF all the radios on that railroad are using CTCSS. From what I am seeing, most railroad radios do not. NJTransit for example does not use CTCSS at all.,

 

[wa8pyr]

Generally when you see a CTCSS tone on a base and portable radios and not on locomotives is for satellite receivers or tone knockdown of other base radios that are on the same frequency. Road radios generally do not use CTCSS tones for the sake of interoperability with other railroads that they may interchange with.

Conrail used to have CTCSS 100.0 hz on their defect detectors; as it was explained to me this allowed them to pass through a muted base radio so they would get recorded in the dispatch office.

I don't know about Conrail Shared Assets areas today, but around here since Conrail is (unfortunately) gone the PL is gone from the defect detectors.

 

[cr8054]

Conrail used to have CTCSS 100.0 hz on their defect detectors; as it was explained to me this allowed them to pass through a muted base radio so they would get recorded in the dispatch office.

I don't know about Conrail Shared Assets areas today, but around here since Conrail is (unfortunately) gone the PL is gone from the defect detectors.

That makes sense. I know Conrail wished they had CTCSS back in the 1970's on the River Line. Back then, The River Line and Dock Tower were both on 160.800. Amtrak had Dock Tower's radio running so much power that it would interfere with trains trying to talk to the dispatcher and vice versa. I think thats why Conrail migrated the River Line to 160.980.