Help me help a Motorola programmer...

[Carney]

I am trying to program an Astro Spectra to pick up an 800mhz P25 trunking system and I am having a hard time explaining what I need to the authorized dealer that has agreed to program it. Mainly because I am not very knowledgeable with the concept of the P25 system. Or any trunking system period. Can someone tell me what information I need to have in order to have these guys program successfully?

 

[cmdrwill]

I think you need a different authorized dealer. One who knows trunking, and P25.

There are probably some here that can program what you need better than the 'so called dealer'......

 

[Carney]

You have no idea, I thought going to an authorized dealer would help answer some questions, yet I found myself trying to explain how a trunking system worked...

 

[W8RMH]

You may need an authorization code from the system administrator.

 

[Carney]

I am going to be using the radios to listen only, they will be set to work in scan mode only and I BELIEVE they will be on the P25 phase 1 system that Houston PD and FD is currently simulcasting along with the phase 2 system

 

[KD2DLL]

That authorization code may be needed even if you want to receive only. In order for the radio to follow the trunked system, it needs to have it's radio ID from the authorization code.

I could be wrong, so someone please correct me if needed.

 

[Carney]

Well, I know that it is possible to listen in with these radios, there are quite a few in Houston that are successfully doing it, so if an authorization code is something that is impossible for a civilian to acquire, then it does not need it

 

[jim202]

Well, I know that it is possible to listen in with these radios, there are quite a few in Houston that are successfully doing it, so if an authorization code is something that is impossible for a civilian to acquire, then it does not need it

I would suggest that you do some homework on just how a trunking system works. Pay attention to the section that talks about how Motorola does the programming and what is required. Motorola software requires a systems key be used with the programming software. The system key is available from the radio systems administrator only. Without the system key, the software will not allow you to change any trunking system setting in the radio.

In a few simple words, when your trying to listen to a P25 trunking system with a trunking radio, the P25 standards require the radio to affiliate with the trunking system in order for the radio to follow a talkgroup conversation. In doing this, the radio your trying to use as just a receiver "WILL TRANSMIT" it's programmed radio ID. The trunking system controller will then check that ID against the database to see if it is an authorized user. If your in the database, it will allow you to follow the conversation. If your not in the database, the radio will not open up the audio path or follow the talkgroup conversation.

If your radio does send it's programmed ID, you have just broken the law. You could end up in jail for the simple attempt of just trying to listen to the trunking system. There is a case where a well meaning fire chief wanted to save his community some money. He went out and bought some used radios. Had them programmed up and used them for fire department use. Problem was he didn't go to the radio system administrator for permission. The fire chief ended up in jail.

With that said, there are people who say there are software ways to trick the radio into receiving the trunking system. But you can get yourself into some real hot water real fast if this is not done correctly. Your much better off staying out of any legal issues by just using a scanner.

 

[Carney]

Thanks for the advice, it is advice that I have received multiple times. I am not a recreational listener, I depend on these radios to make a living, I have learned more about trunking systems and radios and scanners then I ever realized was possible in the last two weeks. I have spent many hours researching, reading, talking to radio enthusiasts about this question, yet I have not received a straight answer. I understand the risks, the FBI has visited multiple shops in my area that are selling and programming these motorola radios, and the shops are still selling them. So, that being said, if there is anyone that can actually help me, I would love to hear from you.

 

[KevinC]

I would assume you went to either Bearcom or Houston 2-Way??? Neither of those will do for you what you want. No "Authorized Dealer" will.

I suggest you Google "no affiliate scan" and see what you find. What you want to do can can be done, but like others have said, if not done correctly can lead to trouble or at least your radio being inhibited.

And there are members here that would be more than willing to inhibit it for you.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[davo51]

Your heading says help a Motorola programmer, but your message says an authorized dealer, are you dealing with a Motorola dealer? or someone who can program Motorola radios? I cannot believe that any authorized Motorola dealer would not have a programmer that thoroughly knows and understands trunking, I also do not believe any Motorola dealer, without authorization from the system administrator, would program a trunking system that belongs to someone else. If the programmer has to be told how to program a trunking system, you need to find someone else, giving them instructions would not be a good idea.

 

[KevinC]

I understand the risks, the FBI has visited multiple shops in my area that are selling and programming these motorola radios, and the shops are still selling them.

Urban legend.

 

[Carney]

Urban legend.

Yeah, I figured, but this business is like a bunch of superstitious old ladies

 

[Skypilot007]

No affiliate scan programming is what you need. The only way you will get it is to learn the methods and do it yourself. Any authorized motorola deraler will laugh you right out the door of their shop most likely if you ask for programming such as this. Then again you may get lucky and find someone willing to do it for you. I suggest a few quality hours of reading over on www.P25.ca. Everything you need to know is there. Just make sure you read and read and read some more before asking any questions. They have a low tolorance of lazy folks unwilling to do the leg work themselves. Good luck.

 

[RodStrong]

I am not a recreational listener, I depend on these radios to make a living,

I am guessing you are either a wrecker driver or mercenary photographer. If a wrecker driver, isn't the city supposedly coming up with a way to GB for wreckers on the new system?

 

[KevinC]

I am guessing you are either a wrecker driver or mercenary photographer. If a wrecker driver, isn't the city supposedly coming up with a way to GB for wreckers on the new system?

They did, all the "main" HPD dispatch TG's are also in FMDA on site 03-005 (system 1A7).

 

[captaincab]

sounds to me like a wreck chaser wants a new radio trust me take this advice from an ex philly chaser buy a scanner kid much easier and a lot less bs involved.

 

[com501]

No authorized Motorola dealer would risk their dealership doing what you request. At the best, they would show you the door. If you are unlucky, they will give your details to the sysadmin of the system you are inquiring about.

Either do it yourself or buy a scanner.

 

[WA9TED]

No affiliate scan programming is what you need. The only way you will get it is to learn the methods and do it yourself. Any authorized motorola deraler will laugh you right out the door of their shop most likely if you ask for programming such as this. Then again you may get lucky and find someone willing to do it for you. I suggest a few quality hours of reading over on P25 Forums. Everything you need to know is there. Just make sure you read and read and read some more before asking any questions. They have a low tolorance of lazy folks unwilling to do the leg work themselves. Good luck.

I would agree with this. Most people don't know this but, no affiliate scan is a great way to monitor a trunk system with a Motorola. I've only been able to do this with P25 systems so your in luck. Essentially what you do is program all the trunk channels as conventional receive only personalities in the radio as its own zone. Make sure to include the control channels as well.

Then in your CPS under the ASTRO TALK GROUPS settings menu, enter in the talk groups in which you wish to monitor. I usually make each talk group a zone, but there is different ways to go about it.

Then back in your conventional personalities, you want to select the ASTRO tab and look at the squelch settings. Find the drop down menu and select "Selective Squelch". You have to excuse me if I'm not as detailed as I can be, as I don't have the CPS in front of me and I'm doing this by memory.

Then, you might get the red letter "I" on that tab and that's because you need to enable the talk group settings on another tab. (I'm sorry I can't remember the tab name, PM me if your need more information, I'll look at my codeplug to double check)

Then your going to want to create a scan list for your zone with every single trunk channel that you put into the conventional personalities. Make sure to include the same channel name to all scan list channels (I.E. Houston PD) Then you can program.

Listening is real simple, just select your talk group zone and push which ever button you programmed to scan and sit back and monitor the P25 system with the most fancy scanner you can have!

Like I said PM me with any questions you may have, I'm happy to help!
Good luck!

 

[gjhamilton]

Problem with the method that you describe is the tower has a lot of voice channels and the radio cannot scan through them fast enough. You WILL miss some stuff using that method. I am sure it works great on towers with fewer voice channels.