Meaning of "Mode" in the (trunked) RR frequency Da

[topsoil]

I'm new to the site, and have been glancing through the RR Database, and must say I'm very impressed with the volume of information contained, and the accuracy.

One thing I have noticed, while browsing the trunking database, is a column called "Mode" in the talkgroups which contains either an A, D, or E (and possibly other characters I haven't seen yet).

I'm assuming they stand for Analog, Digital, and Encrypted. Is this correct? If so, that would tend to indicate that the Digital talkgroups can still be heard by the general public, however, the Encrypted ones can't. Is this correct?

Finally, since the "D" mode talkgroups sound like little chirping noises on my scanner, does that mean it's a 'data' connection (ie, a computer) or does it mean that my scanner is unable to decipher the "D" talkgroup, either because the scanner doesn't support it, or because the feature is disabled?

I realize I has gone slightly offtopic for this forum, and I appologize for that. Thanks in advance for reading, and hopefully responding.

 

[loumaag]

Re: Meaning of "Mode" in the (trunked) RR frequenc

I'm assuming they stand for Analog, Digital, and Encrypted. Is this correct? If so, that would tend to indicate that the Digital talkgroups can still be heard by the general public, however, the Encrypted ones can't. Is this correct?

Correct on both assumtions.

Finally, since the "D" mode talkgroups sound like little chirping noises on my scanner, does that mean it's a 'data' connection (ie, a computer) or does it mean that my scanner is unable to decipher the "D" talkgroup, either because the scanner doesn't support it, or because the feature is disabled?

A talkgroup that is marked "D" means that it is digital. It may or may not be able to be diciphered by your scanner. For example if you have a digital scanner it still will not decode EDACS ProVoice digital signals. Of course if you don't have one of the newer digital scanners, then you cannot decode P25 digital signals either. I am not sure how you define a chirping noise so it is tough to tell what you are hearing. Of course no scanner is going to help with an encripyted ("E") TG. Hope this helps.

Oh, welcome to the site.

 

[topsoil]

Re: Meaning of "Mode" in the (trunked) RR frequenc

A talkgroup that is marked "D" means that it is digital. It may or may not be able to be diciphered by your scanner. For example if you have a digital scanner it still will not decode EDACS ProVoice digital signals. Of course if you don't have one of the newer digital scanners, then you cannot decode P25 digital signals either. I am not sure how you define a chirping noise so it is tough to tell what you are hearing. Of course no scanner is going to help with an encripyted ("E") TG. Hope this helps.

Perfect. That answered my question. Actually, not so perfect, since my scanner is indeed a non-digital scanner. After reading your message, I took another look at the frequency DB, and saw the APCO-25 as the "Digital Type" and did some deeper research on digital scanners, and decided which one to add to my christmas list.

Thanks for the reply, and for steering me in the right direction.

Oh, welcome to the site.

And thanks for the welcome.