G-5 version recommendations ? North Virginia / DMV

[ascoltone]

I own and SDS-100 and was looking for another equipment as I am not that good in programming the trunking systems with UNIDEN (which is a good piece or receiver anyway). By chance this evening I discovered Unication's G-5 and I'm thinking of getting it. I understand that it is possible to import from the Radioreference database onto this model too and I have read very favorable reviews. What does anyone reading this who has migrated from receivers like UNIDEN or AOR think? And what version do you recommend for Northern Virginia / DMV area ? I'm thinking of version C, from 400-470 / 763-776 / 851 -870 including DMR. However, something is lost in the spectrum but it seems to me to be the most balanced version. Suggestions are welcome and I thank you in advance

 

[KB4SHP]

I have both and I will tell you the G-5 is harder to program. What software are you using with you sds cause proscan lets you import ?

 

[Enjoi19]

It's a great receiver, great audio and reception in a small package. However, just know at it's core it is not a scanner and does not have the same features as a scanner. The biggest limitation to many scanner users is only scanning 1 system + 1 site at a time, no more than that. You must use the software for programming, and you are limited to what is within the selected frequency bands of the receiver.

There is a much steeper learning curve for programming as well, since this is a commercial product and not necessarily geared to scanning hobbyists. If this seems like a fit for what you want to listen to, it's great. But it's definitely not for everyone.

 

[jtwalker]

The two posts above gave you great advice. If you are stuggling with SDS100 programming, you’ll really be in bad shape with G5 programming.

I believe the G5 with UHF-D is the most popular. If you decide to proceed, look at frequencies in your area and decide which band split works best for you.

 

[ascoltone]

I have both and I will tell you the G-5 is harder to program. What software are you using with you sds cause proscan lets you import ?

Thank you for the feedback, I am using Sentinel but in Europe the trunk systems are less complex than here in the US so I am not so skilled in programming by myself

 

[ascoltone]

It's a great receiver, great audio and reception in a small package. However, just know at it's core it is not a scanner and does not have the same features as a scanner. The biggest limitation to many scanner users is only scanning 1 system + 1 site at a time, no more than that. You must use the software for programming, and you are limited to what is within the selected frequency bands of the receiver.

There is a much steeper learning curve for programming as well, since this is a commercial product and not necessarily geared to scanning hobbyists. If this seems like a fit for what you want to listen to, it's great. But it's definitely not for everyone.

Thank you for the reply. I realized the difference. Appreciated.

 

[ascoltone]

The two posts above gave you great advice. If you are stuggling with SDS100 programming, you’ll really be in bad shape with G5 programming.

I believe the G5 with UHF-D is the most popular. If you decide to proceed, look at frequencies in your area and decide which band split works best for you.

Yes, the choice came after a spectrum review and remains a compromise, of course. Thank you.

 

[hill]

If your in Virginia only one real choice for a G5 and that is VHF since your Statewide system STARS is VHF. VSP are reported to go encrypted.

With other band of 700/800 you can monitor the local counties TRS.

I have a G5 which I use when in Virginia for work and works well.

Programming isn't too bad if your a premium subscriber to this site and you can just download the systems into the software to be entered into the pager.

 

[maus92]

If your in Virginia only one real choice for a G5 and that is VHF since your Statewide system STARS is VHF. VSP are reported to go encrypted.

With other band of 700/800 you can monitor the local counties TRS.

I have a G5 which I use when in Virginia for work and works well.

Programming isn't too bad if your a premium subscriber to this site and you can just download the systems into the software to be entered into the pager.

UHF is commonly used by local systems - particularly in western VA, so it going to be a compromise depending on where one lives and what they want to hear.

 

[ascoltone]

If your in Virginia only one real choice for a G5 and that is VHF since your Statewide system STARS is VHF. VSP are reported to go encrypted.

With other band of 700/800 you can monitor the local counties TRS.

I have a G5 which I use when in Virginia for work and works well.

Programming isn't too bad if your a premium subscriber to this site and you can just download the systems into the software to be entered into the pager.

Thank you !

 

[ascoltone]

Finally I did it ! Arrived on friday and was able to populate some P25 systems of different conties, learning some lessons on the structure of network (in Europe P-25 is not that known).
I was able to customize several things, even removing the annoying Tone that was too high to bear at night when I was practising the first programming. I am happy of my slow progresses. For the time being my concern is that I am not able to organize a know handling the scan of some DMR channels, actually I was not able to listen to any DMR channel at all (the radio is equipped with the extra feature). Tried to make a confrontation with some pps downloaded in a repository but still not able to achieve the result. Any suggestion ?