Interested in scanning and new to amateur/ham P25 (Non-trunking)

[Stripes]

Hello! I have been a analog scanner since I was 16 and I've learned a good amount about simplex and repeater operations in analog. I am now 22 and with my knowledge, I went ahead and got my GMRS license to participate in nets and use repeaters. Its all very exciting! Im now working on acquiring my amateur radio license as a result and would like to see about scanning ham P25 until I get my license, as a challenge to myself, to get a taste of it and try something new. I am interested in ham P25 since I use 2 Motorola XTS1500 (1 vhf, 1 uhf) for scanning which both have Q811 (P25 conventional) and soon P25 may be opened up for me to explore as a amateur operator. I have tried my best in due diligence with my research about P25 but im having a hard time understanding it as all of it is new to me and confusing. Here is what I would like to try and receive for the time being. I've read my share of forums and there are many out there, but I do wish to avoid trunking systems and emergency service frequencies as i'm quite satisfied and comfortable with what I have available on analog to listen to. I do have access to the CPS for my radios and would like any information, pointers, advice ect on how to get a foot in the door with P25. To be honest, Im not exactly sure if I can even get P25 to be a receive only personality, but that's why I came here for help.

Thank you to anyone who contributes an input!

 

[chief21]

Project 25 (P25) is a digital modulation protocol originally developed specifically for public safety by APCO. Other than the fact that P25 uses digital modulation (as opposed to analog modulation), a narrow bandwidth (12.5 kHz), and network access codes (NAC, as opposed to analog CTCSS), P25 channels should not be mysterious and are programmed similarly to analog channels. I am pretty sure that you should be able to program a receive-only personality in your XTS software.

 

[Stripes]

Hmm, Im probably just getting jumbled up in the CPS being as convoluted and wonky it is. Thank you for the assistance, essentially all I'm having to do is set the frequencies as normal, and NAC is essentially the "PL" code if im getting what your saying.

 

[K2NEC]

Correct, and as a general rule of thumb, I set repeaters with P25 on them to Mix Mode on receive just in case someone transmits on analog so I can hear them and not be stepping on them.

 

[Stripes]

Okay that is a lot easier than expected. I thought I had to modify the entire Astro System tree in the CPS a certain way. That is what was getting me thinking there was more to it. Thank you everyone!

 

[thedanderzone]

Stripes,
Feel free to PM me or email me at kd9pcd@gmail.com - I’m happy to answer any questions about P25 conventional.
Dan

 

[jim202]

You might let people on this thread know where your located, so if someone is close, they may be able to help you one on one.