EOT data bursts, decoding with SoftEOT issues

[oaktree_b]

So I've recorded audio of what I'm certain are data bursts from an EOT device; I've tried to decode them with SoftEOT, and it doesn't seem to work. New to the scanning hobby, so not using the best equipment. Basically this was recorded outside, from the speaker on my BC125AT scanner using the voice recorder on my cell phone in front of the scanner. It records them as mp4, I converted them to 44.1khz 8 bit mono (later stereo) files, as this is what the SoftEOT uses... I can't get them to be decoded by the software.

I'm not really sure what the issue is. I've asked in the SoftEOT message boards and I get audio engineers talking about things that don't make sense to me... I've attached a few copies of the files here. Any ideas? How can I pull data from these, are they not clear enough, too soft, too loud?

https://soundcloud.com/brian-barker-1%2Fsets%2Feotd-recordings

What's the best way to record with the BC125AT? I have the Scan125 software on my laptop, I think it can record audio from the scanner. Try that instead? Help please!

 

[wa8pyr]

So I've recorded audio of what I'm certain are data bursts from an EOT device; I've tried to decode them with SoftEOT, and it doesn't seem to work. New to the scanning hobby, so not using the best equipment. Basically this was recorded outside, from the speaker on my BC125AT scanner using the voice recorder on my cell phone in front of the scanner. It records them as mp4, I converted them to 44.1khz 8 bit mono (later stereo) files, as this is what the SoftEOT uses... I can't get them to be decoded by the software.

I'm not really sure what the issue is. I've asked in the SoftEOT message boards and I get audio engineers talking about things that don't make sense to me... I've attached a few copies of the files here. Any ideas? How can I pull data from these, are they not clear enough, too soft, too loud?

https://soundcloud.com/brian-barker-1%2Fsets%2Feotd-recordings

What's the best way to record with the BC125AT? I have the Scan125 software on my laptop, I think it can record audio from the scanner. Try that instead? Help please!

I use a stereo patch cord between the earphone jack on the scanner (either BC125 or Pro83, both work just fine) and the mike/line jack on my laptop; once you get the levels set it works just fine.

With a setup like this you can decode directly, no need to record and play back (although you can record if you want).

 

[RRR]

One of those sounds like the tones between DPU’s, though they can be similar. DPU’s are usually of a longer duration, though.

 

[KC9LQV]

An audio recording probably won't get the job done... possibly because the signal isn't strong enough, or passing it through the filters and compressors in the recording software of your phone are degrading it.

With that said, SoftEOT and SoftDPU are pretty forgiving of audio input. I used to play with it by simply running a direct mono audio cable from the speaker mic jack of a P1225 straight into the audio in of my laptop. Didn't even need to bother with an iMic.

I think if you go to any manner of direct audio input, you'll start getting good results.

 

[UPCoffeyvilleSubMain2]

SoftEOT is usually fairly forgiving to most flaws in a recording.

I played the first file on my phone and I'm sure SoftEOT would be able to decode.

You have a little background noise which shouldn't hurt.

But, one of the very obvious, clear EOT packets sounded like the scanner didn't quite lock before the data burst started.

Are you scanning or holding on the channel?

What is squelch set to?

Things work better with this in my experience when
squelch is zero and
the channel is held,
plug in to the laptop with a stereo patch cable between the laptop mic and the scanner earphone jack as previous posters have already said ,
tell the SoftEOT config to treat it like mono.

But the first time I had success with the BC125AT, it was set up like previously described except not with a patch cable, it was BC125AT speaker out to the room, sitting a few inches from the laptop mic. Still worked. I even tried to break it by talking loudly while it was receiving the audio of a packet, didn't faze it a bit

Another thing that works better sometimes if you're adventurous, buy a couple SDRs (which would be cheaper than buying another BC125AT), plug them into the USBs on the laptop, acquire vcable software , use vcables to send the audio out from the SDR controller application (I use CubicSDR but it can be cantankerous) into two running, separately installed Soft EOT processes on the laptop (different directories), one tuned to EOT, one tuned to HOT and again squelch zero and held on the channel, the packets pour out in a flood here because there seems to be a repeater on the EOT channel. Works like a champ if the cubicsdr installation doesn't lock up, which it frequently does

Good luck.

 

[UPCoffeyvilleSubMain2]

This is something I was trying to remember before my previous post, a brand new fresh SoftEOT load does come with a File->Process WAV file option.

Expand the distribution file into a new directory, click the SoftEOT app in thqat directory, pull down File, the Process Wave File choice is the first one at the top.

If you can record a .wav file, you should be able to run it in there. I have tried it and it does work well.

I was going to try running the .wav you put up on Soundcloud but I'm not familiar and could not see a way of downloading from there.

Let us know if that helps