How to listen to FDMA (phase 1) TRS without using NAS or worrying about affiliation.

[AES-256-Encryption]

So you're keen on tuning into a phase 1 radio system without legal hassles? It's simpler than you might think, and I don't want to hear complaints like "But that doesn't" - it works on both busy and small systems. Here's a straightforward guide:

1. Create a conventional personality on your radio, set to ASTRO RX only.
2. Go to your zone (for XTS portables) and input the channels. Using San Diego-Imperial County RCS NextGen as an example, let's say you're in the West Simulcast area with 16 available 800MHz frequencies (excluding control channels). Label your chosen frequency as WS1-16 or give them suitable names. Include conventional channels along with the 16 800MHz frequencies.
3. Input either NAC F7E or the simulcast's NAC.
4. Create a scan list, and now you can listen to any traffic on that site.

By following these steps, you can avoid affiliating with a system and the risk of your radio getting bricked. For Phase 2, get a radio with TRUE NAS like the XG-100 (Harris) or BKR radios. Unications may work too, although I haven't tried them. Forget about U3; it's off-topic. yeah its not perfect but nor is a scanner, the best device to monitor a system is a affiliated device.

Don't affiliate unnecessarily or aim to be a NAS nerd. Do it right without spending a fortune. If you're listening to conventional or ASTRO on conventional, idc buy whatever you want. But if you want to listen to a trunking system, do it properly. Avoid eBay junk; it's overpriced trash. Unication is $600, while the APX6000 BN with TDMA is $1400. You tell me which one is better.

PS. please dont walk around a shopping mall with your radio on your hip blasting TG 2404, it makes you look like a fool and we dont wanna hear it.

 

[ElroyJetson]

This is old news and has a huge problem in that it does not allow you to track specific talkgroups/conversations. Your radio may be listening to a murder suspect being chased by K9s and air units on this transmission, which is very interesting to listen to, and the very next transmission might be some guy on traffic light repair rattling on and on about how these LED traffic lights just don't last. Which is very boring and annoying while you're missing out on the juicy part of the chase. In short, it sucks if the system is very busy.

This is why nobody uses it on any but the lowest traffic systems. It works well for monitoring your local military installation's trunked system, which rarely has two talkgroups active and talking at the same time.


Your advice regarding "don't affiliate unnecessarily" is unnecessary. If someone is stupid enough that his radio is affiliating, it probably won't be for long. System administrators will see to that. And maybe even more interesting actions that WON'T be talked about on unencrypted talkgroups!

 

[AES-256-Encryption]

This is old news and has a huge problem in that it does not allow you to track specific talkgroups/conversations. Your radio may be listening to a murder suspect being chased by K9s and air units on this transmission, which is very interesting to listen to, and the very next transmission might be some guy on traffic light repair rattling on and on about how these LED traffic lights just don't last. Which is very boring and annoying while you're missing out on the juicy part of the chase. In short, it sucks if the system is very busy.

This is why nobody uses it on any but the lowest traffic systems. It works well for monitoring your local military installation's trunked system, which rarely has two talkgroups active and talking at the same time.


Your advice regarding "don't affiliate unnecessarily" is unnecessary. If someone is stupid enough that his radio is affiliating, it probably won't be for long. System administrators will see to that. And maybe even more interesting actions that WON'T be talked about on unencrypted talkgroups!

very true, speaking with the technologies like GW and stuff like that, i just personally never had a issue (And you can selectable TG) but it can be tedious, arent you the one that found out NAS?

 

[ElroyJetson]

Not sure that I was the first person to discover it, but I did discover it independently and went public with it when I did.

 

[AES-256-Encryption]

Not sure that I was the first person to discover it, but I did discover it independently and went public with it when I did.

these TekNisheNs who know their stuff. They're out there on eBay, selling pre-configured radios at crazy prices. Here's the kicker – meet Ronny, our example. He's slinging programmed radios for $900 a pop and tossing them onto networks where they shouldn't be. Now, I get it, many people are into Motorola, but seriously, can we blame departments for going all encrypted? I just feel like folks need to chill a bit and not go all-in as Motorola fanatics, you know? I sure know System admins don't like it! That's the only issue I see with NAS, well and the chance of affiliating. I get the fact of TAC channels being encrypted but once we encrypt just fire departments and crap! that's just to me too far because now people who use scanners cant even listen.

 

[mmckenna]

I just feel like folks need to chill a bit and not go all-in as Motorola fanatics, you know?

I like Motorola radios as much as the next guy.

But telling people NOT to drink the Kool-Aide usually is met with resistance.

People gotta mimic what they see, especially the whackers. They -gotta- have the same model radio as the agency they are infatuated with, especially if it is neon green or yellow. Also, gotta have the volume cranked to 11 so everyone around knows they are whacking to the maxx.

* yes, this is directed at whackers. I dislike whackers and those that live whacker lifestyles.

 

[ElroyJetson]

I've always liked elite level gear, and always will. It's not that I like having the same gear that public safety users are using, but simply that I don't like the performance of second and lower tier equipment. But I still don't have an APX. I use a Harris XL series radio instead, which allows trunked listening with true RX only functionality formally supported in software so no need to apply devious means of programming. I don't proudly display the radio and never turn the radio up loud enough to be heard by anyone but me. There's rarely any need for me to take it with me in any event. It's my listen-at-home device. When I'm in my car that's when the Harris XG-100M gets used for mobile scanning. It also doubles as my 2m/70cm rig. Not that there's much activity on those bands locally. It could be my 6M rig but I don't even have a 6M antenna, and certainly no 6M power amp.

It's certainly true that those IDIOTS who hack whoreflashcodes into radios and sell them on ebay, and even offer programming, are doing our hobby NO favors.

 

[KevinC]

Closing. You can chose to use this method or not, I see no need for further discussion.