NAS scan configuration

[pokey]

I know that NAS discussion is generally not permitted so I hope I am not crossing any lines by posting this…

I have an XTS2500 and a Unication G5 programmed to the same system (Phase 1). Side by side, my G5 appears to pick up all transmissions, while the XTS2500 seems to miss the start of a lot of communications and actually not receive some communications at all. Both devices are programmed with only the CC’s and backup CC’s, so there is no unnecessary frequencies programmed.

The only thing that I can think of is that the scan configuration settings need to be tweaked. If this seems plausible, can anyone recommend ideal settings?

Thank you in advance!

 

[K9KLC]

Eh, I can't help with the question but not so long ago, I had the opportunity to test a G5 against a XTS 2500 that was configured properly by the agency it was issued by, and honestly it outdid the agency radio as far as capture time and stuff. I cannot say this is or isn't what's happening at your place but I do know the person that radio was issued to, that was standing there was amazed by it. It may depend on what all you have programmed in there or other factors. Obviously, locations, systems, and what's happening that day at that time can all make a difference.

 

[fordcobra04]

And this is normal for a NAS radio.... Stick with your G5.

 

[pokey]

Eh, I can't help with the question but not so long ago, I had the opportunity to test a G5 against a XTS 2500 that was configured properly by the agency it was issued by, and honestly it outdid the agency radio as far as capture time and stuff. I cannot say this is or isn't what's happening at your place but I do know the person that radio was issued to, that was standing there was amazed by it. It may depend on what all you have programmed in there or other factors. Obviously, locations, systems, and what's happening that day at that time can all make a difference.

Yes, I do love the G5! The old XTS2500 is handy for mobile use though, due to the battery eliminator option!

 

[K9KLC]

Yes, I do love the G5! The old XTS2500 is handy for mobile use though, due to the battery eliminator option!

Given the 10-12 hour battery life I don't worry about that much. And even longer depending on what system I monitor at the time. If I need more time or more antenna I simply take my amplified charger mobile.

 

[PARTHCITY]

I know that NAS discussion is generally not permitted so I hope I am not crossing any lines by posting this…

I have an XTS2500 and a Unication G5 programmed to the same system (Phase 1). Side by side, my G5 appears to pick up all transmissions, while the XTS2500 seems to miss the start of a lot of communications and actually not receive some communications at all. Both devices are programmed with only the CC’s and backup CC’s, so there is no unnecessary frequencies programmed.

The only thing that I can think of is that the scan configuration settings need to be tweaked. If this seems plausible, can anyone recommend ideal settings?

Thank you in advance!

It may be because the radio is not made to scan. Yes, it has the scan function, but it is not a great scanner. Not trying to be rude at all. I used a radio to scan analog quite a bit back in the day. Audio and battery is great but for scanning more than a handful of channels, they are not great. I typically scan 3 channels/TGs so its not an issue for me but in a larger area it may be.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I have an XTS2500 and a Unication G5 programmed to the same system (Phase 1). Side by side, my G5 appears to pick up all transmissions, while the XTS2500 seems to miss the start of a lot of communications and actually not receive some communications at all.

The G5 is just sitting and listening to the control channel, where as the XTS2500 is scanning between conventional channel(s) and monitoring the control channel.

The XTS2500 was never meant to be a scanner or to passively monitor a 9600baud trunking system. Keep in mind that NAS is a work around to prevent a subscriber from registering and affiliating and to force the radio to passively monitor. It's a 'you get what you get' kind of solution.

 

[K9KLC]

It may be because the radio is not made to scan. Yes, it has the scan function, but it is not a great scanner. Not trying to be rude at all. I used a radio to scan analog quite a bit back in the day. Audio and battery is great but for scanning more than a handful of channels, they are not great. I typically scan 3 channels/TGs so it's not an issue for me but in a larger area it may be.

I've got one I tried that on in VHF for some ham and other stuff and honestly just stopped using it for scanning, it just didn't seem to work right here for me. On a single frequency or only a couple sure, but when I tried to get it to keep up with a scanner, naw, just didn't cut it. Yep great audio I'll give it that!

 

[Noob_76555]

Hello. I doubt this is why, but I had 2 APX’s next to each other doing NAS on the same exact programming on the same system. Only one would be able to listen but the other one didn’t do anything. Not sure if it was because they are too close to each other, but in your case it is a G5 and XTS2500. I can have my APX scan a list of 180 talkgroups fine, and it works excellently UNTIL more than one person talks on different talkgroups, which was why I set up priority to the dispatch talkgroups (only 2 priority max). Also, for APX radios, I heard, the system search time in Scan Wide should be 255 if you want to be purely scanning trunking talkgroups only. If there are some conventional channels, it should be set to 2 or 3. It’s not a good idea to scan both conventional and trunking talkgroups in the same list for APX and XTS radios, since it forces the radio to go to a conventional and have to listen to the control channel again for info.

 

[pokey]

It may be because the radio is not made to scan. Yes, it has the scan function, but it is not a great scanner. Not trying to be rude at all. I used a radio to scan analog quite a bit back in the day. Audio and battery is great but for scanning more than a handful of channels, they are not great. I typically scan 3 channels/TGs so its not an issue for me but in a larger area it may be.

I don’t think you are being rude at all, I get it! Thanks for your reply. I am scanning 5 TG’s and can therefore see why the beginning of some transmissions are cut off, but missing whole conversations seems off to me.

 

[wgbecks]

I have been using XTS/XTL/APX radios for NAS scanning for a very longtime and have never experienced delays in receiving scanned Talkgroups, provided the radio ihas been programmed properly and that it is in good alignment and performs to factory specs.

That said, be sure your donor/slave conventional channels are set such that they will never try to unmute on whatever frequency they are programmed/defaulted to. Sporadic unmuting on these channels/frequencies will cause loss of the TRS control channel that leads to missed traffic.

Then, as a minimum, make sure the Reference Oscillator (Tuner) is on frequency along with any receiver front-end alignment points that may be applicable to your model and frequency band of operation.

 

[ElroyJetson]

A public safety radio is not optimized for scanning. A radio made to be a scanner/receiving device and not a transceiver is going to scan better than your XTS. Every time.