I've double checked the TSYS and TGRP objects for the Garland PD/FD and everything looks fine when compared them to the current Radio Reference DB for Garland, TX but I still never hear anything but static. I get the "T" symbol indicating I'm getting the control channel(s) but when one of the Talkgroups comes up it is just static.
My understanding is that for Mot800/900 Type II systems all I need to enter as FREQS in the TSYS object are the four control frequencies (which is what came up when I loaded the VS9 Folder into main memory). I also understand that I don't have to mess with the Fleet Map for a Type-II system. (I've confirmed that the TSYS is set for Type-II.) Is that correct?
Finally, I live in East Richardson so I would guess signal strength isn't a problem.
Anyone have any ideas on how to proceed to debug this problem? Unfortunately, I don't have acr500 software or a programming cable yet so I'm doing all this by hand and can't send you any files from a dump of my Pro106.
gbeauw
The Pro-106 will monitor the Garland system quite easily. I'm in Oak Cliff, using a PSR-500 (same scanner, electronically, just has a GRE label instead of a Radio Shack one), along with several Uniden scanners. All of these monitor the Garland system quite well.
As redhelmet13 has already mentioned, the
Garland system has
rebanded. You do need to enter the new control channel frequencies, which I'm guessing you already have. It is a Motorola Type 2 system. And, you can enter only the new control channels.
However, you also must enter the custom tables for a rebanded system. While this can be done on the scanner (it's in the "expert" section of the 'on scanner' programming menu), it's certainly
much easier to do with software. WIN500 and PSREdit500 both can automatically enter the correct custom tables for rebanded Motorola systems. I would imagine that ARC500 can as well, though I do not have that software package. Once you've entered the custom table (be sure that you tell the scanner to use it; that step get's overlooked sometimes), you should hear Garland with no problems.
Without having access to a cable, and software, pull out the manual, or access it online, to help walk through resetting the tables. It can be done, but it will take a little time. You can see the table values that need to be entered on this
page.
sladymon said:
I have the same problem with a pro-164. Including the flashing T and then static and silence.
I went to RS and talked to their 'expert' and he said it was NOT POSSIBLE to monitor garland as a trunked system!, that you just programmed all the published control freqs and set them to "FM" and let it scan sequentially.
I am in North Garland, and it is NOT a reception problem.
I have noticed the garland system transmit 'funky' talkgroup IDs that change (?), but I suspect the real problem as that the scanner needs a custom table to figure out the intended VC because garland does not use a standard freq offset table. This IS an option in my 164 BUT IT IS NOT IN THE BLOODY MANUAL!
This is unacceptable, however I find no other report of the same problem anywhere else on the web which seems puzzling to me.
On my 164, I program the freqs, set the type to "MO" but set the bank to "not trunked", and find the control channel and lock it out. The scanner get the talkgroup ID from the subaudible data whenever the repeater rebroadcasts. You still cant lock out certain talk groups or assign text tags, but I am still working on that.
Sam,
The Radio Shack "expert" you spoke to is full of beans. He (or she, whichever applies) fits my definition of an "expert", which is 'a drip under pressure'. In this case, the pressure is to sell you a cell phone or rc car, because scanners are over that person's head.
See the same rebanding
article. I don't own a Pro-164, or the other models that are similar to it, so my comments will of necessity will be a little more general. It does appear that a firmware update was needed for the Pro-164 to handle rebanded systems. (If the scanner is new enough, it may already be installed). You can check on the Pro-164's
page on Radio Shack's site, and click on the "support" tab for more information.
I think (again, since I do not own the scanner, I am not positive), that to enter the custom tables required for rebanded systems, you must use software. I don't believe it can be done without it (unlike on the Pro-106 & the other GRE manufactured digital scanners). If you are not already using software, see this
page. If you have the proper firmware update applied, and program the Garland system as a Motorola Type 2 trunked system, with the correct frequencies, & the use the custom tables required, you'll also be able to scan the system.
You will shortly lose the ability to scan Plano (if that was of interest) because they are changing over to a P25 system (digital), within the next few months. But the correct firmware, & the custom table entries, will solve your Garland reception problems. Just don't let Bucky the Wonder Kid @ Radio Shack try to sell you a cell phone. He probably try to offload one of those soup cans with a string attached, like on the commercials.
