help w/ stars

[Detjohnc]

I have a GRE500 and two RS PRO96's and I am trying to figure out how to go about setting up a "bank," or a TSYS for the Commonwealth of Virginia. I have both PSR EDIT software and WIN 500 and 96 software.
That being said, my problem is that I do not understand how to "fit" all of the control channels and alternate control channels in the spaces provided. Someone once suggested that I set up a North VA TSYS and a South VA TSYS, but I am not familiar enough with the state to know, for example, whether Franklin, Pinnacle Knob, and Hogback Mountain, just to name a few, would be North, or South. And then, where do all of the one's just labeled "Site" go? In both the North AND South systems? And what about the DVRS? And do I enter all TG's into both systems? I would like to be able to set everything up in both the 500, and one of the 96's, so that if I travel throughout the state, I miss as little "action" as possible. It all seems so daunting. I have been scanning since the days of "crystals," so I am not new to this, but if anyone has the time to explain to me how to go about setting this up, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
John Crupi
DetJohnC@aol.com

 

[ka3jjz]

There's another tidbit that needs considering, if you didn't already know it - the PRO-96 requires a custom table to hear STARS correctly, as defined here...

Trunktrackers and STARS - The RadioReference Wiki

HTH 73 Mike

 

[Detjohnc]

Yeah, I am familiar with that, as I had to set one up for DC's police department. But it is something else to remember when setting up a STARS system. It all just seems so complicated.
john

 

[fmon]

In STARS database, click on Site name for a map of the site. Example, Franklin is between Suffolk and Emporia off US-58 bypass at 30010 Camp Pkwy. (State Police Area Office). Click back button to return for another site look up.

Win500 or PSREdit import will both set STARS TSYS Type to P25 Auto and the first acquired CC will auto set T-Tables.

Win96 will not import tables for VHF/UHF P25 systems, thus set tables according to Mike's Wiki link. Pro-96/2096 do not work as well on STARS as does it successor scanners. BTW, It's not a problem with Win96 but instead Database pages aren't set for P25 trunking tables.

 

[shumadine]

As you noted, there's no way to fit all the control channels into one TSYS. There is a google map of all the STARS towers here that gets updated every now and then when new sites are confirmed:

STARS - Google Maps

I would maybe suggest you use the virtual scanner feature to take advantage of building a statewide network. Others have discussed this very topic on these forums so I'll let them chime in...

 

[Ghstwolf62]

Something like you want sounds like the easiest solution would be to use PSREdit500 which is the only software which has true multi-site trunking functionality. Go to import from RR trunking. Select STARS and select all sites then all freqs or CC/Alt only depending on what you want. I find that all freqs covers any changes in channel usage a lot of times. Anyway select all TGs, exclude encrypted and select wildcard along with private and click import. Mikey's software will do all the rest automatically including creating as many TSYS as needed and assigning all the TGs to each one also automatically.

That way you will have everything in the scanner no matter where you go in the state. Before someone else mentions it, this way does use up memory but then again it's the simplest way to do it. PSREdit500 does all the work for you and makes it real easy.

Someday the DB will get a bit better updated with site locations like 221, 222, and 223 which all are out in Western VA off 64 near WV line but for now this should work best for you especially if you do not know the state all that well.

Also you might need to tweak it afterward as to Roam, STAT or Off in each TSYS depending on what works best for you.

 

[tglendye]

As for the DVRS, I have mine entered into a separate scanlist. That way I can turn it on/off as desired.

Todd

 

[tglendye]

Something like you want sounds like the easiest solution would be to use PSREdit500 which is the only software which has true multi-site trunking functionality. Go to import from RR trunking. Select STARS and select all sites then all freqs or CC/Alt only depending on what you want. I find that all freqs covers any changes in channel usage a lot of times. Anyway select all TGs, exclude encrypted and select wildcard along with private and click import. Mikey's software will do all the rest automatically including creating as many TSYS as needed and assigning all the TGs to each one also automatically. .

Alright, you just talked me into PSREdit. I've seen Mikey on the board a lot and like his effort at helping people. I've used the "Win" products since the Win95 freeware. But I am liking the PSREdit500... did just what you said in just a couple of minutes.

The only thing I am having a problem w/ now is how do I center justify my alpha tags? I see it at the bottom of the screen, but cannot select the TG's to justify them.

Todd

 

[fmon]

KJ4KFW,

Current PSREdit using select all towers for import turns out to be 64 unique CC/AltCC's...32 per TSYS. Thus two TSYS in one scanlist though as Todd stated, TGRP objects can be modified at users discretion to other scanlist settings.

 

[Ghstwolf62]

KJ4KFW,

Current PSREdit using select all towers for import turns out to be 64 unique CC/AltCC's...32 per TSYS. Thus two TSYS in one scanlist though as Todd stated, TGRP objects can be modified at users discretion to other scanlist settings.

Okay I'm not sure your point and it is "Select All Sites" if that was it. There are 63 sites and 64 CC/Alt. as you said but again PSREdit500 lets you do it all at once rather than separate operations. I'm confused.

I run a bank with "Select All Sites" and "All Site Frequencies" and that is 126 frequencies which comes out to 4 TSYS. All with one click import basically instead of 4 separate operations of import.

I also have 3 banks set up labeled Site 221, Site 222, and Site 223 with just the CC, Alt, and voice channels for each of those sites in each bank. So each bank is it's own site with it's own unique frequencies to that particular site.

Sorry again I'm not sure what you're meaning with this post.

 

[Ghstwolf62]

Alright, you just talked me into PSREdit. I've seen Mikey on the board a lot and like his effort at helping people. I've used the "Win" products since the Win95 freeware. But I am liking the PSREdit500... did just what you said in just a couple of minutes.

The only thing I am having a problem w/ now is how do I center justify my alpha tags? I see it at the bottom of the screen, but cannot select the TG's to justify them.

Todd

It looks like you select the TG first then pick left, center or right. Either individually or Control A or Highlight one then pressing shift highlight the last of what you want if less than all. It changes accordingly.

 

[fmon]

Okay I'm not sure your point and it is "Select All Sites" if that was it. There are 63 sites and 64 CC/Alt. as you said but again PSREdit500 lets you do it all at once rather than separate operations. I'm confused.

I run a bank with "Select All Sites" and "All Site Frequencies" and that is 126 frequencies which comes out to 4 TSYS. All with one click import basically instead of 4 separate operations of import.

My post above is

Current PSREdit using select all towers for import turns out to be 64 unique CC/AltCC's...32 per TSYS

Unique is same word used in software.

 

[Ghstwolf62]

My post above isUnique is same word used in software.

Okay I guess. It keeps frequencies from being duplicated when imported so keeps down the number needed to cover everything.

 

[Detjohnc]

Thank You

Thanks to all for the advice, tips, etc. I am going to set up a VA talk system tomorrow, and see how it goes. I am in lower southern MD, and on the first STARS system I had set up for VA, prior to all of the new control channels that have come online recently, I could pick up Richmond, Culpeper, and Chesapeake. I will set one up with everyone's advice in mind, and hopefully it will work as I travel throughout VA.

Thanks again everyone!

John Crupi
DetJohnC@aol.com

 

[Detjohnc]

Ok, so....

Using the PSR EDIT software, I programmed my GRE500 with the VA CC's and alternates, as well as the talkgroups. The frequencies took up three TSYS's. Am I correct in assuming that if I leave all three systems on, and assign the TG's of interest to me to all three systems, that I will have VA "covered?" Anyone?

Thanks,
John

 

[fmon]

Using the PSR EDIT software, I programmed my GRE500 with the VA CC's and alternates, as well as the talkgroups. The frequencies took up three TSYS's.

Should be two TSYS because 64 Unique freqs are in system. If all freqs are checked four TSYS will import. CC's only has 41 Unique freqs thus two TSYS required also.

Am I correct in assuming that if I leave all three systems on, and assign the TG's of interest to me to all three systems, that I will have VA "covered?" Anyone?

Thanks,
John

Yes, edit TGRP's as needed. Edit each TSYS frequency listings to determine how you imported three TSYS rather then two or four.

 

[fmon]

John,

You may have used two imports,
1. with CC's & alts for two TSYS which has 32 freqs/TSYS
and
2. with ALL frequencies in last 5 sites which do not list controls yet which has 26 freqs.

Total TSYS=three