TRX-2: Looking for Opinions / Recommendations

[N1SQB]

I currently have 2 SDS200 scanners. While doing some research, I discovered that there is a lot of new DMR and NXDN activity in my county. Both of my 200s have the upgrades needed. What I want to do is have a scanner dedicated to only NXDN / DMR comms. The 200s are very loaded with P25 and other trunking stuff. My question is to those of you who have the TRX2 and monitor DMR / NXDN. How well does it decode these modes? Before I plunk down the $$, I want to make sure it is gonna decode those modes well. My other choice would be another SDS200. I really would not mind trying out the TRX2. Let me know guys...

Manny

 

[trentbob]

I currently have 2 SDS200 scanners. While doing some research, I discovered that there is a lot of new DMR and NXDN activity in my county. Both of my 200s have the upgrades needed. What I want to do is have a scanner dedicated to only NXDN / DMR comms. The 200s are very loaded with P25 and other trunking stuff. My question is to those of you who have the TRX2 and monitor DMR / NXDN. How well does it decode these modes? Before I plunk down the $$, I want to make sure it is gonna decode those modes well. My other choice would be another SDS200. I really would not mind trying out the TRX2. Let me know guys...



Manny

First of all Manny I don't think you'll find a trx2 for sale right now.. oncel their company stopped operating months ago but has been bought and we are waiting to see what new business plan is.. see the thread that's on the Whistler Forum here above your post..

I can only speak for the nxdn, I have it in the 436, the 536, the sds100 and the sds200. On a an nx48, 460 megahertz trunked nxdn system with two sites, the unidens worked flawlessly..

Unfortunately on the Whistler models the control channels were not followed and it did not trunk track and I had many missed transmissions..

Somebody else has to fill you in on the DMR but first of all I would review the lengthy thread that is on the same Whistler forum you are posting this, you can get up to date on the potential future of the sale of Whistler radios.

 

[Ubbe]

For DMR and trunked it's probably a max of 4 continous ongoing calls without lossing the start of a sentence. The number of channels of a site doesn't matter, it is the total number of calls active at the same time on a site that matters and slows down a TRX scanner as it has to stop on all active frequencies and decode the data and see if it holds the TG data you are looking for.

On the positive side are that for a low/medium busy 4 frequency DMR site it always catch all calls when a Uniden sometimes doesn't decode properly and skip some of those calls. Also a Uniden scanner has to be on the control channel at the precise moment when a private user to user call are set up or it will miss it. TRX scanners always finds those calls as it scans all voice channels.

TRX will trace a call if it jumps between voice channels. A Uniden scanner can be programmed to have all voice channels in a OFT system and will then find all private calls but will loose all functions to track and trace calls and will be a lottery what you will be listening to. You will need both a TRX and a Uniden trunktracker to be fully covered. Or use a PC controlled $30 SDR dongle or two. Maybe you can use a Raspberry Pi mini computer for $40 to do the work of the PC, and have several of those, one for each system and have a much better monitoring situation than a single scanner.

/Ubbe

 

[hiegtx]

I currently have 2 SDS200 scanners. While doing some research, I discovered that there is a lot of new DMR and NXDN activity in my county. Both of my 200s have the upgrades needed. What I want to do is have a scanner dedicated to only NXDN / DMR comms. The 200s are very loaded with P25 and other trunking stuff. My question is to those of you who have the TRX2 and monitor DMR / NXDN. How well does it decode these modes? Before I plunk down the $$, I want to make sure it is gonna decode those modes well. My other choice would be another SDS200. I really would not mind trying out the TRX2. Let me know guys...

Manny

Manny,
I don’t have the TRX-2, but do have a TRX-1. I use it for the same purpose as what you are considering for a RTRX-2.

In my area, DFW METRO, there are a large number of older LTR systems in the database, but in almost every case, when I’ve tried to verify the system, I’m finding that instead of still operating as LTR, it has converted to a digital format, the majority going to DMR, but some to NXDN. I can leave the SDS and x36HP scanners on the various P25

 

[N1SQB]

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your replies and suggestions. This is why I always ask the real end users before making any decision to purchase. I am going to analyze all that you guys have posted. On the surface, it does not sound like buying even a used one, would be a good investment. I will read the other thread as suggested to gather more info. I normally do not look at the Whistler forum so I guess I missed it. Nonetheless, thank you all for your replies. I may either invest in a 3rd SDS200 specifically for DMR/NXDN, or go with a used set of VHF/UHF commercial radios. Thanks guys!

Manny

 

[hiegtx]

As long as you do not absolutely need true trunking ability, one of the TRX scanners would work for finding new users. Once you identify the potential new system (if it’s trunked), then an SDS scanner or x36HP model could be used to determine system detach as LCNs. Of course, one of the dongles can also determine those details at much lower cost than an additional scanner.

 

[hill]

I would consider a 996P2 with NXDN and DMR upgrades.

Would be cheaper than SDS200 and will handle trunking.

Commercial may work and may not work. Most commercial radios won't pass NXDN traffic on trunking. Plus DMR has RAS that effects radios, but scanners still receive even with RAS enabled on the channel.

 

[N1SQB]

I would consider a 996P2 with NXDN and DMR upgrades.

Would be cheaper than SDS200 and will handle trunking.

Commercial may work and may not work. Most commercial radios won't pass NXDN traffic on trunking. Plus DMR has RAS that effects radios, but scanners still receive even with RAS enabled on the channel.

Hmm…I forgot about the 996P2. You have some very valid points there..🤔

Thanks!

Manny

 

[trentbob]

Don't discount a used 436 with nxdn and DMR.. if you can find one.