How Do You Use The Trunk System?

[3adam11]

I have a radio shack Pro95 Dual Trunk Scanner. I have no idea how to use the trunk system on my scanner. The book "Police Call" did not help me at all with explaining how to use the system. I am so confused with everything about trunking. Freqs, chs, bank, etc. If anyone could please explain to me how to use the trunk system I would really appreciate it.

 

[captclint]

Check here 1st
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Trunking

Then check your state & county here for any known trunked systems:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR

If you don't find any, you may want to search the FCC database for possible systems in your area.
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/genmen/index.hts
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

Since this is not very easy, you should let everyone know your state and county so they can advise if there are any that are already known. If there are no turnked systems in your area, then you do not need to know how to program your scanner.

 

[fmon]

After finding the data on your state/county/city system in the link provided by Capt Clint, use this Pro-95 cheat sheet to help program the scanner using the scanner keys.

You may want to use the free Win95 software located at http://www.starrsoft.com/ , which makes programming these scanners much easier. You will need to purchase a cable from Radio Shack to use this software. 20-289 for 9 pin serial connection or 20-047 for USB connection. The latter is preferred if you have USB on the PC.

 

[3adam11]

Frequency License Type Tone CH Description Mode
154.89000 WNCR651 M 131.8 PL Police: Car-to-Car FM
I don't understand what all this stuff means. Where is the bank and channel # that it says I need. I don't see anything that says bank. What is alpha tag. I don't understand how anyone can know how to use the trunk system. Please explain.

 

[captclint]

Frequency License Type Tone CH Description Mode
154.89000 WNCR651 M 131.8 PL Police: Car-to-Car FM
I don't understand what all this stuff means. Where is the bank and channel # that it says I need. I don't see anything that says bank. What is alpha tag. I don't understand how anyone can know how to use the trunk system. Please explain.

Ok, the first thing you need to know is that there are 2 types of radio systems:
1. Conventional
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/RR_FAQ#Frequently_Asked_Questions_about_Scanner_Topics
2. Trunked:
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Trunked_Radio_Systems

The WNCR651 system is listed as : PW: Public Safety Pool - Conventional if you click on the call sign link. Another clue is that Trunked systems DO NOT have PL (see CTCSS & DCS) in link #1 above. IN general, the vast majority of public safety systems are still conventional. You happen to live near Chicago, where the number of trunked systems is increasing.

There a whole bunch of trunked radio systems in Du Page County
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&ctid=612
None of which are public safety, so you can probably ignore those.

The Illinois State Police - District Chicago
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=580
are trunked.

You need to become more familiar with the conventional frequencies in your area before you start to understand trunking. Such things as Alpha Tags are common to both conventional and Trunked, and you need to read your owners manual. Basically, you can enter a description of each frequency you enter to help you remember what it is. This becomes tedious without software, like what Frank mentioned, or here:
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Radio_Control_Software
It is not necessary to enter alpha tags to start listening to the action in the area. You can always add them later.

As for banks, you should study what kinds of agencies you want to monitor. Then you can decide what banks to use. For instance, all local and state police can go in bank one, all fire in bank 2, hospitals/ambulance in bank 3, etc. That way you can turn on and off banks depending on what you want to hear at the moment. Where in the bank does not matter(except in trunking).

When you are ready to learn more about Trunking, read all the references in
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Trunked_Radio_Systems
with particular attention to EDACS

Then go to the Illinois forum and read what others have said and done. It is there that you should ask most of your questions.