How to Program a DMR Talkgroup into the Home Patrol-2

[Checkerboard]

Hi folks,

I started a thread under the California Radio Discussion Forum to find out how to monitor the local Tuolumne County Public Transportation (bus) service. The frequencies in the RR database date from 2007 and are obsolete. A couple of RR members replied that in fact there is a license issued for a a DMR frequency and that it is indeed the current frequency in use:

"Tuolumne County Transit is programmed as a DMR One Frequency at 153.2975, CC1, Slot 1 TG-1"

The thread is here: https://forums.radioreference.com/c...mne-cty-transportation-freqs-not-correct.html

My question to anyone is how exactly would I program this into my HP-2? I can make a Favorites list, but without the original data in the RR database how can I "slide" the freqs into a Favorites list?

I am eager to get this done on my day off, hence my moving this to the Tech Support Forum. Thank you, KM6U

 

[jonwienke]

You can't. The HomePatrol series doesn't support DMR. You'll need a 436 or 536, and purchase and enter a DMR upgrade key.

 

[marksmith]

You can't. The HomePatrol series doesn't support DMR. You'll need a 436 or 536, and purchase and enter a DMR upgrade key.

A 996 p2 or a 325 p2 with the purchased DMR upgrade can also receive.

HP-2 is not DMR capable.

However, the fact they have a DMR license does not confirm they are using DMR. I have entered many frequencies in as conventional and found them receivable. In many cases, DMR licenses have been issued for the frequencies they use, but they have not actually moved to DMR. No information on your specific user though.

Mark
536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

 

[Checkerboard]

Well, darnit. I bought two HP-2s, and sold a 436 to help pay for the second HP-2! Somehow I thought they were identical units except for the ever-so-useful touchscreen. I'll try entering the freq directly Mark, and hope that does the trick! If not, one of the HP-2s will be sold to go back into a 4 or 536. Thanks, Peter

 

[troymail]

Based on the input from others in the referenced thread, you'll probably hear digital noise (which would at least be a good step forward in finding what you are looking for).

Further - given the input you've received, on a DMR capable Uniden scanner, you only need to program that frequency as a DMR One Frequency "system" - most of the rest of the information (talkgroup, slot, etc.) don't really matter but you could program the color code with the frequency.

 

[Checkerboard]

996P2 - Does it come standard with DMR?

A 996 p2 or a 325 p2 with the purchased DMR upgrade can also receive.

HP-2 is not DMR capable.

However, the fact they have a DMR license does not confirm they are using DMR. I have entered many frequencies in as conventional and found them receivable. In many cases, DMR licenses have been issued for the frequencies they use, but they have not actually moved to DMR. No information on your specific user though.

Mark
536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

Hi Mark, I am trying to ascertain whether the 996 P2 comes standard with DMR receive capability, or if I have to purchase "keys." The Uniden website on the 996 P2 has a link to Firmware updates, where the update from Dec. 2016 seems to include a host of DMR upgrades:

Version 1.07.06 Release 12/19/2016
This update provides for the following fixes and upgrades:

Support DMR/MotoTRBO System Upgrade
Support EDACS Extended Addressing System Upgrade
Support EDACS ProVoice Reception Upgrade
Support DMR/ProVoice Upgrade Setting Upgrade
Modified Motorola Patch/Multiselect False Detection

So... would you know if the current 996P2 comes standard with this DMR capability? If so, it would seem a cheaper alternative than buying a new 536HP and paying for the DMR upgrade, no? Thank you....

 

[marksmith]

Hi Mark, I am trying to ascertain whether the 996 P2 comes standard with DMR receive capability, or if I have to purchase "keys." The Uniden website on the 996 P2 has a link to Firmware updates, where the update from Dec. 2016 seems to include a host of DMR upgrades:

Version 1.07.06 Release 12/19/2016
This update provides for the following fixes and upgrades:

Support DMR/MotoTRBO System Upgrade
Support EDACS Extended Addressing System Upgrade
Support EDACS ProVoice Reception Upgrade
Support DMR/ProVoice Upgrade Setting Upgrade
Modified Motorola Patch/Multiselect False Detection

So... would you know if the current 996P2 comes standard with this DMR capability? If so, it would seem a cheaper alternative than buying a new 536HP and paying for the DMR upgrade, no? Thank you....

The DMR capability is an upgrade cost in all Uniden radios, including the 996p2.

Those firmware updates just made the 996 DMR capable as long as you purchase the upgrade key for that radio (by serial number).

Mark
536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

 

[hiegtx]

Hi Mark, I am trying to ascertain whether the 996 P2 comes standard with DMR receive capability, or if I have to purchase "keys." The Uniden website on the 996 P2 has a link to Firmware updates, where the update from Dec. 2016 seems to include a host of DMR upgrades:

Version 1.07.06 Release 12/19/2016
This update provides for the following fixes and upgrades:

Support DMR/MotoTRBO System Upgrade
Support EDACS Extended Addressing System Upgrade
Support EDACS ProVoice Reception Upgrade
Support DMR/ProVoice Upgrade Setting Upgrade
Modified Motorola Patch/Multiselect False Detection

So... would you know if the current 996P2 comes standard with this DMR capability? If so, it would seem a cheaper alternative than buying a new 536HP and paying for the DMR upgrade, no? Thank you....

None of the Uniden scanners "come with" DMR. Firmware updates to allow DMR are available for the 996P2, 325P2, as well as the 436HP & 536HP. However, even with the correct firmware, DMR operation is not available unless you also purchase the paid upgrade for that format.

Several Whistler units either 'come with' DMR, or have an available free upgrade to enable DMR reception. Those include the WS1080, WS1088, WS1095, WS1098, as well as the TRX-1 & TRX-2. The TRX series also has an available upgrade (free) that enables NXDN. No current Uniden model can be upgraded to receive NXDN. Note that while the Whistler scanners can receive the DMR format, they do not actually follow a DMR trunked system. While that may not be a handicap, especially in a lightly loaded system, it can be an issue. The Uniden scanners with the DMR upgrade installed do trunk-track DMR systems (though some are more effectively followed than others).

Whistler also has a program where, for a fee, they will upgrade older manufactured scanners to make them equivalent to the WS1080, with DMR capability. Those units include the PSR-800, Pro-668, and Pro-18. See the thread in the Whistler forum for more details.

 

[tumegpc]

Well, darnit. I bought two HP-2s, and sold a 436 to help pay for the second HP-2! Somehow I thought they were identical units except for the ever-so-useful touchscreen. I'll try entering the freq directly Mark, and hope that does the trick! If not, one of the HP-2s will be sold to go back into a 4 or 536. Thanks, Peter

As stated by UPMan a couple months ago "We have several things that are very close to fruition and something on the further horizon" I wish UPMan would just give us a firm answer as to where we stand with DMR for the Home Patrol 2.

It's a shame that you have to give up on the Home Patrol 2.

 

[ur20v]

For me, the HP-2 would be the perfect car scanner... if it handled DMR (and NXDN, but I'm not going to hold my breath).

 

[Checkerboard]

None of the Uniden scanners "come with" DMR. Firmware updates to allow DMR are available for the 996P2, 325P2, as well as the 436HP & 536HP. However, even with the correct firmware, DMR operation is not available unless you also purchase the paid upgrade for that format.

Several Whistler units either 'come with' DMR, or have an available free upgrade to enable DMR reception. Those include the WS1080, WS1088, WS1095, WS1098, as well as the TRX-1 & TRX-2. The TRX series also has an available upgrade (free) that enables NXDN. No current Uniden model can be upgraded to receive NXDN. Note that while the Whistler scanners can receive the DMR format, they do not actually follow a DMR trunked system. While that may not be a handicap, especially in a lightly loaded system, it can be an issue. The Uniden scanners with the DMR upgrade installed do trunk-track DMR systems (though some are more effectively followed than others).

Whistler also has a program where, for a fee, they will upgrade older manufactured scanners to make them equivalent to the WS1080, with DMR capability. Those units include the PSR-800, Pro-668, and Pro-18. See the thread in the Whistler forum for more details.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for all your wisdom! I am tempted by the Whistler's all-in-one offering for sure. However, I am well along on the learning curve with Uniden and Sentinel, and am a little intimidated by the prospect of learning a whole new system. Other than different programming software and "switchology", do the two mfrs.' scanners perform equivalently? Thanks again, Peter

 

[marksmith]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for all your wisdom! I am tempted by the Whistler's all-in-one offering for sure. However, I am well along on the learning curve with Uniden and Sentinel, and am a little intimidated by the prospect of learning a whole new system. Other than different programming software and "switchology", do the two mfrs.' scanners perform equivalently? Thanks again, Peter

For DMR, they don't. The Uniden radios deal with the trunking DMR issue, the Whistler radios do not.

There are also a variety of differences in how the radios of the two makers operate in general, but mostly those come down to preferences.

Mark
536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

 

[jonwienke]

If you travel with a scanner, Uniden's GPS integration is a clear winner--you can scan local channels while traveling cross-country without having to manually toggle things on and off.

 

[Ubbe]

One thing that lays in the nature of control channel trunk tracking is that private call setup information are only sent some milliseconds. I have yet to monitor a private call on the 536 in scan mode. The TRX scans all voice channels instead of the control channel and catch private calls every time, as voice channel trunk tracking have its own system independent "late entry" feature. And as we all know, the users that set up private calls thinks that no one else is listening to their conversations, that can leave us with some interesting monitoring.

/Ubbe

 

[GMAN5UKP]

Cut to the chase, go with Whistler WS1080 model through TRX-2, DMR is already in them, no additional cost.

 

[jonwienke]

I have yet to monitor a private call on the 536 in scan mode. The TRX scans all voice channels instead of the control channel and catch private calls every time, as voice channel trunk tracking have its own system independent "late entry" feature. And as we all know, the users that set up private calls thinks that no one else is listening to their conversations, that can leave us with some interesting monitoring.

I've monitored and logged private calls with x36 scanners on multiple occasions. You see a lowercase I in front of the sending and receiving radio ID's. It's mostly been on DMR systems, but monitoring "private" calls does work.

 

[troymail]

We're way off topic here but I will confirm that I've seen private calls on a CAP+ system on a regular basis.... looks something like this:

i2195 (SRC) i2174 (DST)

 

[Ubbe]

Yes, Uniden private calls on DMR systems that do not use a seperate control channel frequency works, in the same way as Whistler does it. But TierIII trunked systems with a seperate control channel needs you to hold on to that control channel to catch that brief moment in time when the call is set up.

Talkgroups have plenty of late entry info being sent to be able to catch the conversations but private calls only inform you during a few milliseconds and are then gone.

/Ubbe