DMR scanning

[nmar0390]

I'm looking to make my teen's hospital stay a bit less boring. He has recently gotten into scanners and radios. I have radios but only my work radio and GMRS... Used to have a lot of radios and scanners. Anyway, can the Radioddity GD77 operate as a scanner to pick up DMR or just enter the frequency and it do the rest? If not can any other affordable radio do this?

I'm trying to avoid paying for SDS100 then DMR upgrade.

He is only interested in DMR because that his immediate world.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the RR forums. The Radioddity GD77 can pick up conventional DMR (see range here) but it can't trunk track MotoTRBO as in CAP+ DT3, etc. Have you confirmed said hospital operates conventional as opposed to trunked? Encryption or RAS not a factor? Personally I'd advise against getting an amateur radio if your teen isn't a licensed ham. Wouldn't want any accidental key ups interfering with hospital ops. They'd be better suited with a DMR capable scanner radio.

 

[nmar0390]

Thanks! Their system is trunked so the radios are out of the question. We will get him the SDS100.
I didn't think about him potentially keying up! Good point. SDS100 it is ordering one right after this. Thanks for you help!

 

[EAFrizzle]

You picked a great scanner for digital modes that's about as future-proof as a scanner can be. Don't forget to register your scanner at Uniden and get the DMR upgrade.

Audio from the SDS100, especially on DMR, can be a bit piercing, so you may want to grab some headphones for him.

Best wishes for a good outcome and scanner experience!

 

[dave3825]

All Uniden upgrades are the cheapest directly from Uniden.

 

[rgchristy]

I would order a 3D printed scanner stand with rubber feet, a 10 foot USB A to mini cable for charging/playing and a good 2 port Anker charging block (1 port for the scanner and 1 port for the phone).

Scanners have a tendency to fall off a hospital rolling tray very easily and it's a long way to the hard floor. You might even want to bring a piece of two-sided tape for the scanner stand.

The 10 foot cord is because it's a long way from the wall to the bed or tray.

I guess you can tell that I spend a lot of time in the hospital.

Oh, and I almost forgot earbuds...

 

[nmar0390]

Scanners have a tendency to fall off a hospital rolling tray very easily and it's a long way to the hard floor. You might even want to bring a piece of two-sided tape for the scanner stand.

The 10 foot cord is because it's a long way from the wall to the bed or tray.

I guess you can tell that I spend a lot of time in the hospital.

Oh, and I almost forgot earbuds...

Great! My boy recommended using some pedal board tape. I ordered the stand too so this works out.

 

[tvengr]

I'm looking to make my teen's hospital stay a bit less boring.

May we ask the hospital? We may be able to create a favorites list for you to program the scanner.

 

[rgchristy]

Most importantly, and I think that I can speak for everyone here, we hope that your son is and/or will be ok. You've got a lot of support on here.

 

[nmar0390]

May we ask the hospital? We may be able to create a favorites list for you to program the scanner.

He was at Flag medical center but was transferred to Phoenix Childrens. SDS100 will be delivered Monday and he swears he wants to program it. He just started coding so he should be able to figure it out.

Most importantly, and I think that I can speak for everyone here, we hope that your son is and/or will be ok. You've got a lot of support on here.

Thanks
He's a-ok if all goes well he will be back on his feet soon. As he said at least his dirt bike is ok.

 

[dave3825]

Programming can be a challenge so that should help pass his time there.

Have him read this as it will tell everything about the scanner.

Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

 

[rgchristy]

He was at Flag medical center but was transferred to Phoenix Childrens. SDS100 will be delivered Monday and he swears he wants to program it. He just started coding so he should be able to figure it out.



Thanks
He's a-ok if all goes well he will be back on his feet soon. As he said at least his dirt bike is ok.

In that case, I would purchase ProScan, make sure you have the correct cable and bring a laptop to do the programming.

The hospital trays make great laptop desks and programming on the laptop and transferring to the radio, will be a great learning experience and kill some time while recuperating. Although it can be done, hand programming can be pretty tedious.

Like Dave said, the easier to read manual is really helpful and it can be brought up on the laptop.

 

[tvengr]

I see 2 conventional repeater output frequencies for Phoenix Children's Hospital licensed for DMR:
WQUZ343
453.0125
462.1250

 

[lamarrsy]

I don’t know for your area, but people hospitalized getting their personal things stolen is frequent in some places.

At the price an SDS100 is, I would make sure your son has a secure locked place to store his scanner when not in use 😉

 

[BinaryMode]

You don't need an SDS for DMR. A BCD325P2 can decode DMR at a cost savings. Battery life has been reported not to be so great though. I never used mine on batteries so not sure. You can however use a small battery bank like one of these...

Also, you may be interested in this website: Digital Frequency Search

Due note that hospitals may use encryption. They do in my area.

 

[IC-R20]

I don’t know for your area, but people hospitalized getting their personal things stolen is frequent in some places.

At the price an SDS100 is, I would make sure your son has a secure locked place to store his scanner when not in use 😉

Often by staff too. I used to hear calls like for my local hospital all the time on the police dispatch and still do while listening to their internal Security repeater.

 

[hiegtx]

You don't need an SDS for DMR. A BCD325P2 can decode DMR at a cost savings.

For that matter, the BCD996P2 can also decode DMR with the upgrade in place.

However, one note of caution here:
While the 325P2 & 996P2 can receive DMR, they cannot determine the LCN's used on a trunked system. As long as the DMR system is documented in the RRDB, that's not an issue. However, if this is a "new" (undocumented) system, neither the 325P2 nor 996P2 have the ability to determine the LCN's used on an undocumented system. The SDS series scanners, as well as the x36HP models, do have that ability. As long as the system frequencies are scanned conventionally, or as "One Frequency Trunked", the 325 & 996 will both work. But if it is a true DMR trunked system, with several frequencies used, neither of these scanners can correctly monitor the system without the LCNs. Those details could also be determined with one of the SDRs using downloaded software, but without the correct LCNs, neither the 325P2 nor 996P2 will track the system correctly.

Also, you may be interested in this website: Digital Frequency Search

That website can be useful for finding new systems, that are not in the database, it focuses on who is licensed to use the selected signal format (DMR, NXDN, or P25), with no determination as to whether or not that mode is actually in use. You'll find a number of licensees that are authorized to use one of those digital modes, but at present, they are not in use.

Battery life has been reported not to be so great though. I never used mine on batteries so not sure.

Short battery life has often been discussed as a drawback to using the 325P2. Either keep one or more sets of extra, charged, batteries, or use one of the power bricks such as used for charging cellphones or some tablets.

You can however use a small battery bank like one of these...

I have that same item, and at times, use that on my SDS100 to maintain power in my vehicle when the ignition is off. (The power port/cigarette lighter is only usable when the ignition is on.)

 

[RRR]

Don't overlook Whistler's TRX portable. For DMR, they are solid, scans much faster than an SDS, and also out performs on DMR, NXDN and Analog.
For simulcast. an SDS would be advisable.

 

[nmar0390]

Thanks for a ton of info! Hopefully we don't run into any theft problems. Fortunately during the days there is always family in the room. Anyway, he's been enjoying the SDS100 and already has a favorites list. Hopefully he will make an account on here if he hasn't already. The first hospital he was at was on DMR I think it's different at Phoenix Children's.
This is a great forum.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Thanks for a ton of info! Hopefully we don't run into any theft problems. Fortunately during the days there is always family in the room. Anyway, he's been enjoying the SDS100 and already has a favorites list. Hopefully he will make an account on here if he hasn't already. The first hospital he was at was on DMR I think it's different at Phoenix Children's.
This is a great forum.

Praying for his quick recovery! Glad he has found a hobby he enjoys while in the hospital.

Phoenix Children's appears to be DMR as well, here are the links for you.

FCC Callsign WSCW438 (PHOENIX CHILDRENS HOSPITAL)

FCC Callsign WSCW438 (PHOENIX CHILDRENS HOSPITAL)

www.radioreference.com

FCC FRN: 0006996920 (Phoenix Childrens Hospital)

FCC FRN: 0006996920 (Phoenix Childrens Hospital)

www.radioreference.com