New Unication Owner Question

[ArkTex]

@w2lie has helped me work through a few issues, and now I got a Unication G4 on the way. Big props to Phil for being so helpful!

As far as the G4 goes, does anyone have any tips/tricks/oddities they have to share?

I know it's a pager and not meant for scanning, but the reviews I've seen on here have been a major factor in beating out a SDS200 when I was deciding. I needed something good for simulcast systems, and it's something when a BC796D out preforms a TRX-1 on the Colorado DTRS.

I'm going to watch the tutorials and read the threads here about programming. I'm more so asking if anyone has anything that's a must do as far as settings or the like.

 

[nosoup4u]

Some may disagree with this, but instead of having multiple sites setup for a particular system, I put all the control channels into 1 site list. I found the pager performs better while I am traveling seems to lock on the control channel when changing area's faster.

 

[ArkTex]

Some may disagree with this, but instead of having multiple sites setup for a particular system, I put all the control channels into 1 site list. I found the pager performs better while I am traveling seems to lock on the control channel when changing area's faster.

So do you just put all the control channels from the sites you want into one list and talk groups in their spots? How did you configure the zones and knobs to support that?

 

[nosoup4u]

I just created 1 site and reference that site in each knob.

 

[maus92]

The G4/5 pager doesn't know neighboring sites - it goes sequentially down the site list until it finds a usable control channel. Usually not a problem for me as it will find an appropriate resource within a few seconds. It does matter for actual subscribers that need immediate access to a resource to ensure connectivity.

 

[ArkTex]

The G4/5 pager doesn't know neighboring sites - it goes sequentially down the site list until it finds a usable control channel. Usually not a problem for me as it will find an appropriate resource within a few seconds. It does matter for actual subscribers that need immediate access to a resource to ensure connectivity.

So since I'm monitoring at most 4 sites within the same county from my desk at work/home, it shouldn't have a problem, right?

 

[maus92]

The pager will remain on the first usable control channel it finds that is programmed for the system associated with the knob position. Are the 4 sites part of the same system? That would influence my answer.

 

[werinshades]

So since I'm monitoring at most 4 sites within the same county from my desk at work/home, it shouldn't have a problem, right?

Do all 4 sites carry identical talkgroups, or are certain sites affiliated with certain talkgroups?

 

[KevinC]

The G4/5 pager doesn't know neighboring sites - it goes sequentially down the site list until it finds a usable control channel. Usually not a problem for me as it will find an appropriate resource within a few seconds. It does matter for actual subscribers that need immediate access to a resource to ensure connectivity.

One more thing to add to that. It won’t change sites until it can completely no longer decode the site it is currently on. Meaning it will drag a site way into another site’s coverage area.

 

[ArkTex]

Do all 4 sites carry identical talkgroups, or are certain sites affiliated with certain talkgroups?

Sort of. They all carry the county and state agencies, the only difference is that the Department of Transportation prefers one site. But yes, they carry identical TGs

 

[werinshades]

Sort of. They all carry the county and state agencies, the only difference is that the Department of Transportation prefers one site. But yes, they carry identical TGs

As it's been mentioned, unlike the SDS200, the Unication doesn't "scan" sites, but remains on the first control channel it finds. DOT would probably have to be on its own knob position if it's a priority to listen to I suspect.

 

[ArkTex]

As it's been mentioned, unlike the SDS200, the Unication doesn't "scan" sites, but remains on the first control channel it finds. DOT would probably have to be on its own knob position if it's a priority to listen to I suspect.

So basically once it finds a control channel it likes, it sticks there until either I turn the knob to force it somewhere else or the signal gets taken over by another site, correct?

 

[werinshades]

So basically once it finds a control channel it likes, it sticks there until either I turn the knob to force it somewhere else or the signal gets taken over by another site, correct?

Yes, correct. Does the site that carries DOT talkgroups, also carry the other talkgroups you want to scan? If so, then I'd make that control channel the only one scanning. If not, back to Plan A.

 

[maus92]

So basically once it finds a control channel it likes, it sticks there until either I turn the knob to force it somewhere else or the signal gets taken over by another site, correct?

If you are monitoring from a stationary location - like the desk you mentioned - the radio will stay on the first usable control channel it finds and will never move unless the site rolls to an alternate control channel (assuming you programmed them). If the site goes down entirely, the radio will try to find another usable control channel from the 4 sites you programmed into the radio.

 

[bob550]

Some may disagree with this, but instead of having multiple sites setup for a particular system, I put all the control channels into 1 site list. I found the pager performs better while I am traveling seems to lock on the control channel when changing area's faster.

Keep in mind that this poster finds this programming method useful while "TRAVELING". Other users have setup their G-series pagers in a similar manner for the same reason. As your vehicle is in motion, the pager searches for and locks on the strongest control channel, preferably the one nearest to your location. However, if your usage is mainly stationary, one site with one set of control channels per knob position is the preferred method of programming.

 

[N6ML]

As your vehicle is in motion, the pager searches for and locks on the strongest control channel, preferably the one nearest to your location.

That is simply WRONG (or at least very misleading). The pager DOES NOT seearch for the strongest channel continuously. Once it chooses a control channel, it will remain on that control channel until it decides that it is out of range. It has been suggested that that determination is based on bit eror rate exceeding some threshold, but I've not seen any official statement confirming that. ONLY when it has decided that the current control channel is out of range will it look for the strongest one again.

 

[rr60]

Sort of. They all carry the county and state agencies, the only difference is that the Department of Transportation prefers one site. But yes, they carry identical TGs

Consider renaming the first column from default “Zone”. Rename that to your each of your four site names. You will then have 8 knob positions for each site. In each of those knob positions you will be able to create a different mix of talk groups. I usually make knob position 8 talk group monitor, not scan. I call that knob “Wild….ie “Mesa Wild”.

If there is any chance you will leave Mesa County identify sites surrounding Mesa county and add sites (names) in the remaining zones and rename them to those sites.

Lastly a master site with all Site control channels (and alternates) you might possibly travel to could be created.

This is the column that will need renaming,“Zones“ rename to site (names).

 

[ArkTex]

Consider renaming the first column from default “Zone”. Rename that to your each of your four site names. You will then have 8 knob positions for each site. In each of those knob positions you will be able to create a different mix of talk groups. I usually make knob position 8 talk group monitor, not scan. I call that knob “Wild….ie “Mesa Wild”.

If there is any chance you will leave Mesa County identify sites surrounding Mesa county and add sites (names) in the remaining zones and rename them to those sites.

Lastly a master site with all Site control channels (and alternates) you might possibly travel to could be created.

This is the column that will need renaming,“Zones“ rename to site (names).

View attachment 124095

So it is better to just separate the sites into their own zones and the Talkgroups into their respective lists?

As far as Mesa County goes, there's only really one site that matters. The others are backups since the DTRS has a tendency to just flat out "die" in my experience. I don't mind having to program in new sites as I travel, since DTRS users (state, city, county users) tend to just go off one site around here primarily.

 

[rr60]

YouTube has plenty of how to content. That may be of value too.

 

[bob550]

That is simply WRONG (or at least very misleading). The pager DOES NOT seearch for the strongest channel continuously.

Apologies for my muddy explanation. But the point of my post remains the same; and that is that the pager won't scan multiple sites or primary control channels simultaneously. That said, the OP is free to experiment with whatever programming convention works best for his situation. He could try different methods in different zones or knob positions, or simply create separate profiles entirely. Programming these units to serve the purpose of a scanner has lead to numerous tricks and workarounds. There are a lot of smart and ingenious folks on this forum who have already walked the same path. It's just a matter of searching for the relevant posts.