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This post is for those in and around Chicago who are owners of the SDS-100, 150, and SDS-200.
Some Chicago radio comms users have multiple systems they use, some more heavily than others. I've owned my SDS-100 long enough now that I've become more proficient with it, and I've learned over time how to user Sentinel's software to develop my SDS-100 into the most efficient tool around for monitoring Chicago/Chicago-Area communications users on multiple systems/modes. I wanted to share what I'm doing with all of you to help you make the most of your SDS radio.
You'll obviously need a Windows system with Sentinel installed. Make sure that you set Microsoft's .Net Framework to ENABLED before you try to run Sentinel. Make sure you have updated the Master Database in Sentinel, then write the full database to your SDS before you do anything.
Once you have the full database written to your SDS, go into Sentinel and create a profile. Once your profile is created, go to USA, click Illinois, then Cook, and then Cook County Systems.
Let's say you want to monitor Chicago O'Hare. This is the most complex communications user because they have ATC, Chicago ZAU, ARINC DMR, United Airlines DMR, American Airlines DMR (though encrypted), Fed-Ex DMR, and multip[le other radio system users. Some of these systems you won't be able to hear unless you're either really close/on ORD property, or you live in the nearby burbs where these line of sight FM systems can be heard.
For ORD, I would start by importing the ATC/Chicago Center/Zau lists into your favorite list for ORD. Next, I'd pull-up the Chicago OEMC system in Sentinel, and I'd import the Chicago Police and Chicago Fire Dept TGs for ORD. Sentinel will create a new system and department for you for these on its own. You can always edit the Dept and system names in Sentinel if you like. Now, I'd go to TRBOConnect-TRBONexus in Sentinel which is also in Cook County Systems. Import Park N Jet, and any other DMR ops functioning at ORD within that system. Place thhem in your ORD favorites list. There are federal agencies at ORD on P25 in the clear, add those into your list in Sentinel.
Now, here's a disclaimer: RadioReference lists active radio licenses for which experienced Chicago monitors know are absolutely active. Sentinel does not always list those systems. Those are systems you will have to add by hand. An example is the UChicago CAP+ system. You have to add that by hand. Sentinel has the UChicago DMR One Frequency listings you can place into your radio from Sentinel, just not the CAP+ for UChicago.
UChicago is another of Chicago's complex users because they have analog, DMR, P25, and NXDN. So, you'll follow the same protocol for them. Create a favorites list,import all their systems into that list under different systems and departments using Sentinel, ignore digital sites you can't hear, and write it to your SDS from Sentinel. Now you have all of a single user's systems and departments in one list instead of switching between whole different systems to follow their traffic.
Some Chicago radio comms users have multiple systems they use, some more heavily than others. I've owned my SDS-100 long enough now that I've become more proficient with it, and I've learned over time how to user Sentinel's software to develop my SDS-100 into the most efficient tool around for monitoring Chicago/Chicago-Area communications users on multiple systems/modes. I wanted to share what I'm doing with all of you to help you make the most of your SDS radio.
You'll obviously need a Windows system with Sentinel installed. Make sure that you set Microsoft's .Net Framework to ENABLED before you try to run Sentinel. Make sure you have updated the Master Database in Sentinel, then write the full database to your SDS before you do anything.
Once you have the full database written to your SDS, go into Sentinel and create a profile. Once your profile is created, go to USA, click Illinois, then Cook, and then Cook County Systems.
Let's say you want to monitor Chicago O'Hare. This is the most complex communications user because they have ATC, Chicago ZAU, ARINC DMR, United Airlines DMR, American Airlines DMR (though encrypted), Fed-Ex DMR, and multip[le other radio system users. Some of these systems you won't be able to hear unless you're either really close/on ORD property, or you live in the nearby burbs where these line of sight FM systems can be heard.
For ORD, I would start by importing the ATC/Chicago Center/Zau lists into your favorite list for ORD. Next, I'd pull-up the Chicago OEMC system in Sentinel, and I'd import the Chicago Police and Chicago Fire Dept TGs for ORD. Sentinel will create a new system and department for you for these on its own. You can always edit the Dept and system names in Sentinel if you like. Now, I'd go to TRBOConnect-TRBONexus in Sentinel which is also in Cook County Systems. Import Park N Jet, and any other DMR ops functioning at ORD within that system. Place thhem in your ORD favorites list. There are federal agencies at ORD on P25 in the clear, add those into your list in Sentinel.
Now, here's a disclaimer: RadioReference lists active radio licenses for which experienced Chicago monitors know are absolutely active. Sentinel does not always list those systems. Those are systems you will have to add by hand. An example is the UChicago CAP+ system. You have to add that by hand. Sentinel has the UChicago DMR One Frequency listings you can place into your radio from Sentinel, just not the CAP+ for UChicago.
UChicago is another of Chicago's complex users because they have analog, DMR, P25, and NXDN. So, you'll follow the same protocol for them. Create a favorites list,import all their systems into that list under different systems and departments using Sentinel, ignore digital sites you can't hear, and write it to your SDS from Sentinel. Now you have all of a single user's systems and departments in one list instead of switching between whole different systems to follow their traffic.
