New here!

[cdm-1550]

Greetings!
I have a question, I live in Nashua, NH . Pretty sure our city services are using a Motorola 800Mhz trunking system. I was told our city police are 100% encrypted for radio transmission.

I would like to purchase a scanner for the rest of or city services (mainly FIRE/E,MS/Public Works) will I be able to hear anything from these groups?

I heard some say FIRE is now encrypted? I just don't want to spend a lot of money and have it be bricked.

Thanks ahead of time !

 

[ecps92]

Greetings!
I have a question, I live in Nashua, NH . Pretty sure our city services are using a Motorola 800Mhz trunking system. I was told our city police are 100% encrypted for radio transmission.

I would like to purchase a scanner for the rest of or city services (mainly FIRE/E,MS/Public Works) will I be able to hear anything from these groups?

I heard some say FIRE is now encrypted? I just don't want to spend a lot of money and have it be bricked.

Thanks ahead of time !

City of Nashua Trunking System, Nashua, New Hampshire

City of Nashua Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

D = Digital
DE = Full Time ENC
De = PartTime ENC

 

[cdm-1550]

City of Nashua Trunking System, Nashua, New Hampshire

City of Nashua Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

D = Digital
DE = Full Time ENC
De = PartTime ENC

ecps92: Thank you for the reply back. What Type (model #) Uniden Scanner should I be looking to purchase? Not sure what other brands are available etc.
Philip

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the RR forums. Your city's trunked system is simulcast across 3 sites, refer to site map here. If you're within range of two or more towers on the simulcast your scanner may face decode issues due to simulcast distortion. You'd be best advised to pick up a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200 as these scanners were designed to mitigate its effects, yes they're costly but they get the job done right. Alternatively you could pick up a software defined radio for a fraction of the price of an SDS, these generally aren't susceptible to simulcast distortion but are best for stationary ops since a computer & software will be required to drive it.

 

[cdm-1550]

Welcome to the RR forums. Your city's trunked system is simulcast across 3 sites, refer to site map here. If you're within range of two or more towers on the simulcast your scanner may face decode issues due to simulcast distortion. You'd be best advised to pick up a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200 as these scanners were designed to mitigate its effects, yes they're costly but they get the job done right. Alternatively you could pick up a software defined radio for a fraction of the price of an SDS, these generally aren't susceptible to simulcast distortion but are best for stationary ops since a computer & software will be required to drive it.

Whiskey3JMC: Thanks for the info. I am about 3 miles line of site from the 3 sites shown, would a lesser uniden work? I stick with the units you gave me?

 

[kh6idf]

As Whiskey3JMC mentioned, if you have a computer available where you want to listen you could start with one or more USB SDR's and some free software. I am using two Nooelec NESDR V5's and a Windows 11 PC to monitor my local public service trunked systems. I use sdrtrunk software (free - Windows (64 bit), Linux or Mac)). You could almost get by with one SDR, all the frequencies you wish to monitor must be within a 2.4 MHz band and all yours are within 2.4625 MHz - one would probably work if you open up that 2.4 MHz bandwidth just a little. If you want to try this, just order one at first and try it.

There are several youtube videos on how to set up sdrtrunk, just search and you will find them. The learning curve is not too steep especially if you watch a couple of the videos.

 

[ecps92]

ecps92: Thank you for the reply back. What Type (model #) Uniden Scanner should I be looking to purchase? Not sure what other brands are available etc.
Philip

I would let those who are actually in the area, report with their experiences for Reception with a true Scanner, and not SDR being tied to a computer. I only travel thru (Rte-3) and have had No observed/noticed issues with my old Radio Shack (500/600) and Whistler clones on the Nashua Trunk

Uniden, Whistler are two of the major brands out there, sometimes you can find them used at an Amateur Radio Flea Market
but you will want one that can do P25 Trunking and pre-plan for Phase II trunking in-case Nashua moves to that platform

 

[Dave2582]

I own a bcd325p2, bcd436hp, and an sds100. All three are handheld scanners. I'm about a couple miles from Nashua though I do not live in the city. All three radios can pick up the Nashua system pretty good. The bcd436hp is/was my daily in the car use and able to pick up surrounding areas when out driving around. I have used the bcd325p2 scanner for the last few weeks in my car and have picked up the Nashua system with no issues. I'm assuming the sds100 scanner will have no issue either as I have only been using that in my house for the most part, switching it out with the bcd325p2 scanner here and there. If you don't want to drop a lot of money, the bcd325p2 is small/compact but it will get the job done for what you want to hear.

 

[wtp]

but plan ahead, the wife and i bought a 325, it did not do well at our house so we then bought the SDS100, it works fine at home.
the SDS does do great when driving around, and the 325 does OK
but we planned on buying both anyway.

 

[cdm-1550]

I own a bcd325p2, bcd436hp, and an sds100. All three are handheld scanners. I'm about a couple miles from Nashua though I do not live in the city. All three radios can pick up the Nashua system pretty good. The bcd436hp is/was my daily in the car use and able to pick up surrounding areas when out driving around. I have used the bcd325p2 scanner for the last few weeks in my car and have picked up the Nashua system with no issues. I'm assuming the sds100 scanner will have no issue either as I have only been using that in my house for the most part, switching it out with the bcd325p2 scanner here and there. If you don't want to drop a lot of money, the bcd325p2 is small/compact but it will get the job done for what you want to hear.

Just won a bid on eBay for a uniden BCD996P2 ($305.00)

P25 phase 1 & 2

When it comes to programming am I picking P 25 on programming? Motorola? Trying to investigate what my city is actually using.

Also, do I have to enter in the site frequencies? What are the ones in red mean controlled channel capability?

Do I have to enter hex numbers? DEC numbers? Alpha tag? This is all new to me guys sorry.

For example, if I just wanna listen to our public works, Street department, I do not care about the city cemetery channel. I take it. I just look at the chart and pick what I want?

 

[wtp]

cdm-1550,
i sent a personal message, look to the top right of this page.

 

[andy404ns]

Welcome to the forums cdm.

I have code files for FreeScan that will work with your BCD996P2. They have Nashua, Manchester, etc. Happy to send them along if you want.

Also, if you run into trouble with the 996P2, I have an SDS100 that I want to sell.

 

[cdm-1550]

Welcome to the forums cdm.

I have code files for FreeScan that will work with your BCD996P2. They have Nashua, Manchester, etc. Happy to send them along if you want.

Also, if you run into trouble with the 996P2, I have an SDS100 that I want to sell.

Andy, Thanks for reaching out, I hope to have the scanner tomorrow or Saturday, I will let you know!

Philip

 

[tvengr]

I hope to have the scanner tomorrow or Saturday, I will let you know!

Here is a FreeSCAN file for you to try. Pressing 1 on the scanner keypad will toggle the Nashua Trunk system on and off. Pressing 2 will toggle the Manchester Trunk system on and off. Pressing 3 will toggle the Hillsborough Co Conventional system on and off. All 3 systems have group quick keys to control what you want to monitor. The first attached (zipped) file is your FreeSCAN programming file. The second PDF file will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. Print it out and save it for your reference. You will need to install the Uniden driver for your computer to be able to communicate with your scanner. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Open the extracted file with FreeSCAN. Connect your computer to your scanner with the programming cable. Go to the Scanner tab in FreeSCAN and click on Upload Programming. Click on All (Upload Systems) in the popup box. Select Erase All Systems & Settings (In red). That will clear anything in the scanner and give you a fresh start. Click on Start Upload. If you have communication problems, please let the know. Set scanner squelch to 2. Quick keys as follows:

Nashua NH
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
1. Nashua Trunk (Site)
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. Nashua Services
2. Nashua Interop
3. Nashua Emerg Ops
4. Nashua Fire/EMS
5. Merrimack Fire
Manchester NH
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
2. Manchester Trunk (Site)
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. Manch Transit
2. Manch Services
3. Manch Interop
4. Manch Emerg Ops
5. Manch Fire
HillsboroCo Conv
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
3. HillsboroCo Conv
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. HillCo Schools
1. HillCo Services
2. HillCo Emerg Ops
3. HillCo Fire/EMS
4. HillCo Sheriff
4. HillCo Police
5. NH State Police
6. St Anselm Coll
7. Amateur Radio
8. Railroad
9. Manchstr Airport

 

[tvengr]

Here is the link for downloading FreeSCAN: Freescan download website Download it and install the app. I am attaching the Uniden driver. Here are the instructions for installing it:

If you are having problems installing the drivers, see the following general instructions (some steps might differ slightly, depending on your specific operating system).

1. Download and unzip the above driver.
2. Plug in the scanner using a USB cable.
3. Right click on the Windows Launch icon (bottom left corner) and select "Device Manager."
4. The device shows up with a yellow triangle.
5. Right click on device and select "Update Driver Software."
6. Select "Browse My Computer for Driver Software."
7. Navigate to the folder where you have unzipped the above driver.

The driver installed and is assigned as: Uniden Serial Port (COMx)
(x) will be replaced with the actual port number.

 

[LesbianJessica]

Welcome to the forums cdm.

I have code files for FreeScan that will work with your BCD996P2. They have Nashua, Manchester, etc. Happy to send them along if you want.

Also, if you run into trouble with the 996P2, I have an SDS100 that I want to sell.

don't sell the sds100 if you live in Nashua!!!

 

[andy404ns]

I'll sell the SDS to anyone in the area that wants it. I have no need for it.