G2 - RX prevents change of zones

[Simcomm]

Hi all - Ive received my first G2 VHF and it's awesome.

I have an issue where if listening to a busy site (Trunk TG Scan) I can't change zones until the unit stops receiving. RX/display of the TG and UID info takes priority over other menu/software functions. I start the process and if someone talks I lose the function.

It's a pain when trying to switch from dispatch to local ops channels for example.

Is there a way to overcome this?

Thanks

 

[Astrak]

Hi all - Ive received my first G2 VHF and it's awesome.

I have an issue where if listening to a busy site (Trunk TG Scan) I can't change zones until the unit stops receiving. RX/display of the TG and UID info takes priority over other menu/software functions. I start the process and if someone talks I lose the function.

It's a pain when trying to switch from dispatch to local ops channels for example.

Is there a way to overcome this?

Thanks

Program a knob position with a frequency or talkgroup that isn't ever used, then change to that knob position so you're not interrupted.

 

[W8RMH]

I program a TG that is not often used, like a SWAT or event channel. With only 8 knob positions per zone I hate to only have 7 positions.

 

[Thunderknight]

This is a really annoying thing with the G series (G4/G5 have it also) and I don't know why Unication hasn't fixed it.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Because its not an issue.

This is a really annoying thing with the G series (G4/G5 have it also) and I don't know why Unication hasn't fixed it.

Because its designed for public saftey individuals who are relying on using the pager for receiving calls. So they dont need to change channels as they are listening to a call.
its only annoying to people who use it as a scanner and have lots of TG and lots of activity. Thus its hard to get those buttons working because the user is using it in a non designed fashion.

 

[Thunderknight]

Because its not an issue.

Because its designed for public saftey individuals who are relying on using the pager for receiving calls. So they dont need to change channels as they are listening to a call.

I disagree. Even if it is being used in a PS activity, the user may have received a page and is trying to operate a menu to change zones for operational reasons (e.g. to get from a paging TG to a TAC TG). In fact, one might argue that those users REALLY need it to operate...they may have a specific operational reason to be changing zones NOW.
(And if you argue what PS need is there to change zones?, then why did they put the zone feature in at all!

IMHO, if the user is taking deliberate action to do something, the device (pager or anything) should be responding to the user's input.

 

[IAmSixNine]

I stand by my statement of it needs to be an alerting device first. Public safety people stay on one channel until they need to go to the next channel. Most Police, Fire, EMS tend to stay on one zone for their primary needs. So if that user needs to go to a different channel he can.
Public Safety users and scanner listeners have the devices programmed in completely different ways. Its operating normally for its intended target audience.

 

[Simcomm]

Thanks for the replies guys. I already have a quiet TG on the side to 'work around' the issue.

I see both sides of your arguments BUT... from a usability perspective.. no matter how the thing is used.. it's an issue.

I hope Unication at least puts some consideration into the fact their market has grown and the use cases expanded... and we all use it differently. The will if they want to continue to make money and keep getting better. Who doesn't?!

 

[Citywide173]

I disagree. Even if it is being used in a PS activity, the user may have received a page and is trying to operate a menu to change zones for operational reasons (e.g. to get from a paging TG to a TAC TG). In fact, one might argue that those users REALLY need it to operate...they may have a specific operational reason to be changing zones NOW.
(And if you argue what PS need is there to change zones?, then why did they put the zone feature in at all!

IMHO, if the user is taking deliberate action to do something, the device (pager or anything) should be responding to the user's input.

You may disagree, but the pager is designed to be an alerting device that is on a subscriber system, programmed by a system manager. It is operating in the EXACT way it was designed. You may be confusing zones with knob positions. If the radio is receiving, you can change knob positions without any problems. I can't think of any system managers that would put TAC TG's that are necessary for the end user to have immediate access to in another zone, as that would be both counter-intuitive and counter-productive. On the other hand, when the unit is receiving a signal on a channel that the system manager intended for the user, why would they want them to be able to inadvertently change zones away from that message?

I understand your view about the deliberate action, however, you are looking at it from an end-owner's perspective. These pagers were designed to be issued equipment and the end-owner in most cases is the department. The system manager is the de-facto owner, not the user.

 

[Simcomm]

So much passion from all!

People and things can change... where a tool fits (even if it's not the original intended use) and works well, then why not make use of it?!?!

These closed minded people that come along and say "It's a pager and that's it".... those who appear to be closed to innovation and change.... are disappointing.

I and many more have a legitimate use case for the issue presented.... even if you don't want to know about it.... it exists!!! The tool is right there and is great!! Why not ask about improving it?!?!

No argument can change that.

 

[bob550]

.....why would they want them to be able to inadvertently change zones away from that message?

The process to change zones involves multiple key activations, and is therefore quite deliberate. It can't be done accidentally. On the other hand, there are multiple simpler methods to interrupt an emergency page such as switching knob positions, or accidentally lowering the volume. Anyway, perhaps the ability to change zones during a transmission will eventually be an option in the "scanner firmware" being developed by Unication.

 

[eorange]

I've also unscrewed the antenna to make a change, especially when I'm down deep in the menus.

 

[bob550]

I've also unscrewed the antenna to make a change, especially when I'm down deep in the menus.

Wow! That's an act of desperation!

 

[Citywide173]

So much passion from all!

People and things can change... where a tool fits (even if it's not the original intended use) and works well, then why not make use of it?!?!

These closed minded people that come along and say "It's a pager and that's it".... those who appear to be closed to innovation and change.... are disappointing.

I and many more have a legitimate use case for the issue presented.... even if you don't want to know about it.... it exists!!! The tool is right there and is great!! Why not ask about improving it?!?!

No argument can change that.

The privately owned pagers constitute less than 1% of all sales according to Unication. I am one of those end users and I understand that I am a minority and that the departments buying hundreds or states buying thousands of pagers have much more clout with Unication than I do. I am very happy that they are developing firmware that will meet my needs and are listening to the minority. This is a change that didn't look like it was going to happen based on Unication's statements on this very board.

I am a fire scene photographer and utilize the pager to monitor the RISCON sytem. I'm sure my legitimate needs are similar to yours so please do not think I don't want to know about it. I also work full time for a major city's EMS in the training department and understand the concept that issued radio equipment has to be as simplified as possible while still providing the needed communications-a problem that many system managers have to deal with. The fact is that if this was a problem for the system managers, it would have been addressed. Since it hasn't, it must be something that works for them. Until a separate firmware is developed and released, what the people spending the big bucks want will be what the firmware carries and claiming that it is not right because it doesn't meet the needs of a small minority is an argument that will not be acted upon. Realizing where you are in the Unication pecking order is very important-they're working with the small percentage to develop unique firmware for them. Complaining about multiple "problems"-ones that are part of the design-could result in them once again ignoring the minority owners.

 

[dcr_inc]

Bottom line... If it beeps.. GO TO THE STATION AND RIDE THE PIECE.. Pagers have KILLED the volunteer system.. Pick and Choose is the end of the fire service.. Oh and by the way, ITS A PAGER not a scanner.

 

[eorange]

I have no idea what you just said, except for the last sentence.

 

[radio3353]

Thanks for the replies guys. I already have a quiet TG on the side to 'work around' the issue.

I see both sides of your arguments BUT... from a usability perspective.. no matter how the thing is used.. it's an issue.

I hope Unication at least puts some consideration into the fact their market has grown and the use cases expanded... and we all use it differently. The will if they want to continue to make money and keep getting better. Who doesn't?!

Yup, bottom line right there. The Unications are such top notch radios that they have found a new market. In spite of the "it's only a pager" mentality that persists with some people, Unication has seen the expansion in the use of their radios and the market potential of scanning capability (as well has TG Hold, Nuisance Skip and other features) and is responding. I am so happy about that because I believe in using commercial radios over the current state of consumer radios (scanners.) And it looks like Unication is doing it without affecting the needs of first responders. Win-Win.

 

[IAmSixNine]

So much passion from all!

People and things can change... where a tool fits (even if it's not the original intended use) and works well, then why not make use of it?!?!

These closed minded people that come along and say "It's a pager and that's it".... those who appear to be closed to innovation and change.... are disappointing.

I and many more have a legitimate use case for the issue presented.... even if you don't want to know about it.... it exists!!! The tool is right there and is great!! Why not ask about improving it?!?!

No argument can change that.

Its not closed minded or not open to change.
Someone is using the device in a non intended way. As a result they are complaining about it not operating properly because they cant change zones while someone is talking. It was designed that way.
Would you fill the trunk of a car with dirt or would you use a truck? That car owner is now complaining they cant operate the vehicle properly or it wont hold enough dirt . Does it hold dirt, sure, was it intended to be used that way? Not really.
I am one of those people who are using the G4/G5 as a scanner. I know its limitations and in almost every zone i have 1 channel set with a very inactive TG. WHY? Because i know if i want to change zones or listen to recordings or get to the menu its inaccessible while there is active traffic on it.
So yes i still say, Its a Pager, but im not closed minded at all. I realize the intended use of the device and have made programming changes to suit my scanner use needs. Darn thing works great and i own several.
Proper fore sight and planning in programming this device will overcome the issues this user is having.

To add to this, is my BCD436HP flawed because every time i am in the menu it wont pass any audio. Its the exact opposite of the G4.
The G4 stays on the channel your on when your in the menu. Its purpose is to alert those first responders if they get a call and thats what it does well.
The BCD436 works as intended and the G4 works as intended. Is it an annoyance to some users, yes, but its a preference of that user who doesnt like it. I dont like it interrupting me when i am listening to recordings, and as a result i go back to that 1 channel in each zone with rarely used TG so i know i wont be kicked out of the menu or while listening to my recordings.