Do you want to monitor a Trunked system with a Moto? Read This!

[bezking]

Here are the key facts that you need to know about monitoring a TRS with your /\/\otorola radio:

• Programming of Motorola Radios is done with software called CPS - see the sticky in this forum for info on how to legally obtain it - it's actually quite easy; Motorola is glad to sell it to you. Do not ask here for someone to send you a copy.
• Normally, to even program the radio to sit on the TRS, you need a software file or hardware object called a System Key, which is provided by Motorola to the operator of the system only. Who is allowed access to it is at the discretion of the System Operator - unless you have been personally authorized, there is no chance that you will be able to obtain the system key. Do not ask here on how to generate a System Key or for someone to generate and/or send a System Key to you.
• Assuming the radio is programmed correctly, there remains a hurdle to be cleared: Affiliation. When the radio is placed on a Trunked system, it sends an announcement to the system controller containing its Radio ID (which you must define in the programming) to let it know that it's there. If the system administrator notices that your radio is unauthorized, s/he can send a command over the air to kill your radio, turning it into an unusable brick. There is a method of monitoring a trunking system that does not require affiliation. Many people have written how-to's on how to accomplish non-affiliation monitoring. There's a link below with more information on this method. Search and study these methods very carefully as one false step can lead to a bricked radio and/or a visit from law enforcement.
• If you do program your radio and it does affiliate with an ID number that matches a legitimate radio's ID, you put the operator in serious danger of missing critical communications or being unable to call for help - this can lead to injury or death!
• System owners, Motorola and Law Enforcement Agencies consider monitoring a TRS using the non-affiliation method (or by affiliation) illegal. You could be charged with accessing a computer system like these folks: Men charged with hacking into MPSCS - RadioBanter. RadioReference will not delete your posts asking how to access a system and will fully cooperate with law enforcement if presented with a valid request.

In the end, it is possible to use a Motorola for monitoring a trunking system. But before you drop several hundred dollars on it, ask your self - what's the risk vs the return? The return is slightly better audio quality from a Motorola Radio. However, you risk committing a federal offense, endangering Emergency Services personnel, and having that $700 radio taken away from you. Is it really worth it?

If you need to ask here how to program a Motorola radio for receive-only on a trunked system, you probably aren't qualified to be doing it.

If your questions show that you obviously don't understand what you are doing and haven't thoroughly researched the non-affiliation method, the response you will most likely get is to buy a scanner. These threads tend to get closed quickly.

Many members here administer trunking systems and are in contact with other system admins. They are all highly protective of their systems. You could suddenly find yourself on the radar of the system admin of the trunking system you are trying to monitor.

If you still want to pursue the non-affiliation method, here are two resources:

Here is the existing thread on Radio Reference.

Here is thread from another site: No Affiliate Trunk Scan Instructions.