DMR Public Release

[RadioComm]

I have updated my 436 with the DMR Key and programmed the scanner via Sentinel with the systems I want to hear. The scanner appears to be tracking them but does not show DMR on the lower right corner and is not picking up any talkgroups.
I've been through all the settings and I don't see anything about DMR - can someone point me in the right direction?


Thank you.

 

[RadioComm]

I have updated my 436 with the DMR Key and programmed the scanner via Sentinel with the systems I want to hear. The scanner appears to be tracking them but does not show DMR on the lower right corner and is not picking up any talkgroups.
I've been through all the settings and I don't see anything about DMR - can someone point me in the right direction?


Thank you.

Problem solved. I needed to update my database in the Sentinel Software from a P25 System to MotoTrbo. The scanner is working perfectly now.

 

[bravo14]

I have notice on the 536hp I don't hear DMR Simplex. I have updated my psr800 to DMR and school is back in from their 2 week break and I hear the school on Simplex on the psr800 with a 800mhz antenna on it. While I lock on that same channel on the 536hp with a outside antenna but it is inside due to were I live in a complex. I even used my 436hp around the house with different antennas not go. I wonder if Uniden will fix the problem?

 

[JamesO]

I have notice on the 536hp I don't hear DMR Simplex. I have updated my psr800 to DMR and school is back in from their 2 week break and I hear the school on Simplex on the psr800 with a 800mhz antenna on it. While I lock on that same channel on the 536hp with a outside antenna but it is inside due to were I live in a complex. I even used my 436hp around the house with different antennas not go. I wonder if Uniden will fix the problem?

What is the behavior of the 436/536 with simplex DMR?

Does the scanner just hear digital noise? Does the squelch not break at all??

Just curious as to what the exact behavior is.

 

[bravo14]

What is the behavior of the 436/536 with simplex DMR?

Does the scanner just hear digital noise? Does the squelch not break at all??

Just curious as to what the exact behavior is.

I don't hear no noise not even a peep. I have put the color code in and still nothing. I was reading somewhere people are having that problem on simplex won't decode the signal.

 

[kd7kdc]

Have you updated to the newest firmware release through sentinel?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[racingfan360]

What is the behavior of the 436/536 with simplex DMR?
Does the scanner just hear digital noise? Does the squelch not break at all??
Just curious as to what the exact behavior is.

I've undertaken quite a bit of testing of a 436 with DMR simplex. In simple terms, it's as if the 436 is simply lacking the sensitivity to detect/consistently lock onto the single-slot TDMA signal. I emphasize the word consistently - sometimes it's fine, other times running the exact same test then it's completely deaf, and operates as if the signal simply isn't there at all. I have reason to believe that Uniden's last firmware update improved UHF sensitivity that helped with DMR simplex decoding in this band, but it did so to the detriment of VHF sensitivity/decoding. There is night and day difference between a 436 and a TRX1 when it comes to DMR simplex decoding.......the TRX1 is fantastic in this mode of operation, and IMHO as good a real transceiver.

I don't hear no noise not even a peep. I have put the color code in and still nothing. I was reading somewhere people are having that problem on simplex won't decode the signal.

For best results, try adding the frequency as a Quick Frequency Save. Make sure Modulation is set to FM (FUNC+CHAN/MOD until it cycles through to FM). Then go to MENU > Srch/CloCal Opt > Digital Wait time set to 400ms, Digital Threshold set to Manual, Digital Threshold Level set to 5. Does that help? What frequency is the simplex signal on (VHF/UHF/800)?

 

[jonwienke]

Scanners are always going to have some issues finding TDMA simplex signals--they are only there to find 50% of the time.

In the case of DMR, a simplex transmission is on for 33ms, then off for 33ms. If the scanner happens to check the freq during the 33ms "off" period, it will see no signal and move on. The odds of the scanner seeing a signal during any given check of the frequency is only about 50%. The only solution to this is to slow scanning speed down so that the scanner loiters more than 33ms on each frequency to guarantee a detect. If the channel loiter time is 50ms, that means you can only scan 20 channels per second, which is much slower than normal.

 

[racingfan360]

Scanners are always going to have some issues finding TDMA simplex signals--they are only there to find 50% of the time.

I agree with all that, but the problem with the 436 isn't just about finding an active DMR simplex channel when scanning or searching, but actually decoding it. I can sit on the right frequency all day and it will still give inconsistent results. I contrast that with several discrim tapped scanners (used with dsd+) and a TRX1, which simply don't have that problem.

 

[Phillipsc84]

Here's a scenario I have found that could be a LOT better with some firmware changes. NOTE this is not me saying this is not a great product. Just customer feedback to start meaningful conversation.

Mixing analog and digital is limited. Meaning that I cannot create a "system" with both analog and digital conventional "channels" and have the ability to limit by group/slot. I can enter DMR conventional but can only set the color code and not what group or slot to look for. It just scans everything with the color code set.

DMR One frequency systems are still setup like trunked systems and not conventional channels. Which creates a problem with missed communications while it scans all the frequencies. And can also be prone to errors if you have a setup like this:

450.100 CC1 SL1 TG2 "Channel 1"
450.200 CC1 SL1 TG2 "Channel 2"

The scanner will scan those two frequencies and then see that all the filters (group/slot/color code) match and see both as the same "channel'" since it scans all frequencies instead of being setup like true conventional DMR channels.
This could be fixed by making provisions in the conventional system type for all the DMR options so you can sit on frequency X and just listen to one slot/group/color code.

Does this make sense to anybody else?

 

[jonwienke]

No. The scanner sees "channels" in a trunked system (even a "one channel" system) based on talkgroup ID, not frequency.

If you want to scan conventional DMR, create a conventional system.

 

[buddrousa]

We are trying to hear 20 to 50 systems. When in fact the the systems we are listening to use ONE CHANNEL and do not scan 99% of the time. By the time it scans 100's of channels stops listens then decodes the signal we miss part of the conversation yes I know the SDR does it well your scanner does not have the CPU your PC does running the SDR. From reading what others have posted you can have REAL TRUNKING or CHANNEL SCANNING LOOKING FOR TG's

 

[Phillipsc84]

No. The scanner sees "channels" in a trunked system (even a "one channel" system) based on talkgroup ID, not frequency.

If you want to scan conventional DMR, create a conventional system.

Not quite. In a conventional system you cannot set anything beyond color code. So you can't limit what you're hearing. You get anything on that frequency that matches the color code. That's not always going to work when you only want to hear one slot or group at a time.

 

[genemalet]

This may have been answered, I have a TYT MD-380 DMR radio that I use on the amateur bands. I keyed up my radio on DMR, turned on the close call feature on my 436HP and the close call feature picked up nothing. My buddy has a whistler scanner and he used their version of close call and it did pick up my DMR signal clearly. Am I doing something wrong or doesn't close call pick up DMR signals with the uniden scanners. The radio was keyed for quite a while and the 436hp received nothing.

 

[racingfan360]

This may have been answered, I have a TYT MD-380 DMR radio that I use on the amateur bands. I keyed up my radio on DMR, turned on the close call feature on my 436HP and the close call feature picked up nothing. My buddy has a whistler scanner and he used their version of close call and it did pick up my DMR signal clearly. Am I doing something wrong or doesn't close call pick up DMR signals with the uniden scanners. The radio was keyed for quite a while and the 436hp received nothing.

Discussed here:
http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-tech-support/345226-close-call-dmr.html
You can't close call single slot DMR on the Uniden. The Whistler just does a fast band search....it's not the same technology as Close Call.

 

[genemalet]

That's no fun, the close call should be able to pick up any signal close to the unit. Especially when I paid 100 dollars for two radios to receive DMR. Just doesn't make sense, either the radio can or cant receive DMR, period. Looks like I will invest in a whistler too.

 

[buddrousa]

I would say you need to look at all the complaints about Whistler as it has its problems also. They Whistler and Uniden are both called scanners but operate very different. Each has its plus and minus and you need to find out what works best for you.

 

[gary123]

That's no fun, the close call should be able to pick up any signal close to the unit. Especially when I paid 100 dollars for two radios to receive DMR. Just doesn't make sense, either the radio can or cant receive DMR, period. Looks like I will invest in a whistler too.

The CC on DMR issue has been discussed numerous times. The technical format of a DMR signal simply is not compatible with one of the basic requirements of CC. I have used both whistler and Uniden. I have found the Uniden to be superior to the whistler in my applications. If you what to CC DMR I highly recommend a SDR and SDRSharp I use this and once your familiar with it it is an exellent way to locate new DMR freqs.

 

[bravo14]

For best results, try adding the frequency as a Quick Frequency Save. Make sure Modulation is set to FM (FUNC+CHAN/MOD until it cycles through to FM). Then go to MENU > Srch/CloCal Opt > Digital Wait time set to 400ms, Digital Threshold set to Manual, Digital Threshold Level set to 5. Does that help? What frequency is the simplex signal on (VHF/UHF/800)?

I have done those settings last night and sat on the freq and still nothing

 

[genemalet]

I would say you need to look at all the complaints about Whistler as it has its problems also. They Whistler and Uniden are both called scanners but operate very different. Each has its plus and minus and you need to find out what works best for you.

I just picked up a TRX-1 and the DMR signal picks up DMR now. Thanks for the help guys.