Newbie question, maybe.

[casemods]

I recently purchased an ht750 and ht750 super cheap and have been having beginner fun trying to listen to interesting stuff. So far I haven't been able to do much though.

Anyways, I was browsing the registry of frequencies and stumbled upon the pg&e infrastructure.

I looked up the site names and they appear to be mountain tops nearby.

So I'm assuming these would be classified as "repeaters"? The frequencies all fall in the capabilities of the radios I have.

Secondly, what does control channel capable mean? 🤔

Would I even be able to listen to anything by programming any of the frequencies into my radios? They all have a "CTCSS" tone that is basically the same across the board. All I see in the CPS software is DPL and TPL and one of them usually has a code associated with the frequency or I simply try the other one, but as I've said in the beginning, so far this hasn't been working too well and I rarely pick anything up.

I've got a bid going for an SDS100 so I hope I win it.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Secondly, what does control channel capable mean? 🤔

Read up on the trunked radio systems wikis linked below so you're familiar with how they work

Trunking Basics - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Control channel - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

I've got a bid going for an SDS100 so I hope I win it.

Keep in mind the SDS100 doesn't handle MPT-1327 trunking which the system you inquired about utilizes, nor does the ht750 you purchased. No scanner on the consumer market can trunk track MPT-1327 though the voice channels are analog so you may have success following them if programmed conventionally.

MPT-1327 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

What else do you intend on monitoring with said SDS100?

 

[casemods]

Read up on the trunked radio systems wikis linked below so you're familiar with how they work

Trunking Basics - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Control channel - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Keep in mind the SDS100 doesn't handle MPT-1327 trunking which the system you inquired about utilizes, nor does the ht750 you purchased. No scanner on the consumer market can trunk track MPT-1327 though the voice channels are analog so you may have success following them if programmed conventionally.

MPT-1327 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

What else do you intend on monitoring with said SDS100?

I've been hearing a lot about the BCD436HP so I might grab that instead.

Looking to monitor stores, utility/parks and rec, Waterpark/other local attractions/parks, low range consumer walkie talkies, mall security, airplanes/air towers, boats/marine/coast guard, etc. Pretty much everything except police/fire/ambulance.

I filled up all 16 channels on the ht1250 based on the registry on here for local stuff and I get to drive around a bit for work every day and cover a decent area, but I rarely pick anything up. It's always staticky or just noises. I've been told the TPL and DPL in CPS don't matter for listening so perhaps the frequencies are just off a little bit? I think the antennas are bad because they are bent and the rubber coating is cracked and coming off. I've ordered some new antennas and will go from there.

Eventually I would like to just have the radios programmed to listen to select local frequencies I find interesting, but if a scanner can do that too that would be great.

I would basically love to war drive but instead of wifi it would be for radios.

 

[kb9klc]

Depending on your location, the 436 (or 536 with appropriate power cord) is the answer you're looking for. Use the adaptor that comes with it, and get a small (ish) magnet mount antenna and "war drive" away. I remember doing that in the 90's, it was amazing back then how many open LAN's we came across.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Looking to monitor stores, utility/parks and rec, Waterpark/other local attractions/parks

After you get your SDS100 or 436HP (I own both, phenomenal scanners) Be sure to get the DMR and NXDN paid upgrades as a lot of business & non-public safety users use these voice modes. Consult the database for your area to see what's been documented & who operates where. $60 & $50 respectively if bought direct from my.uniden.com. I'd advise against getting these bundled with the scanner if you go with a third party retailer as they often mark up the price of the upgrades considerably. See video linked below for an overview of the paid upgrade process

If you'd rather buy second hand keep an eye on the classifieds. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a scanner with one or both upgrades already installed at a reasonable price