OEC on MotoTRBO

[plaws]

Some people are under the impression that all RR forum readers read all RR forums. Spoiler Alert: They don't. Which is why I posted the DMR thread here to catch the local Okies who don't bother with the 5000 other forums and might not have seen the good news. Actually, I got the news from a mailing list, but whatever.

I was waiting for a dual-band DMR HT to show up so I could both participate in the UHF DMR stuff on our local repeater (N5MS/R) and also monitor OEC during outages (not to mention another half-dozen or so agencies on DMR). Now it looks like I won't have to. 153.445 and 153.695 have been buzzing for years and now they won't.

As I mentioned, since I already bought the ProVoice key to listen to the OKC EDACS system, the Uniden site has all my info including ESN, so I was able to immediately retrieve my key for $50. I was explaining to folks at lunch why I didn't mind paying $2.08/ASCII digit for more code at a later date. :roll:

 

[papadoc]

Thanks for the info plaws. I also have the ProVoice key for my 436HP. On the info page you linked to from Uniden, it states:

"Using the Uniden BCDx36HP radios, upgraded with the DMR upgrade, you will now be able to seamlessly monitor unencrypted channels on the following system types: EDACS trunked radio systems with ProVoice channels (paid ProVoice upgrade required)"

Will the DMR key allow me to hear traffic on the encrypted channels on OKWIN?

 

[papadoc]

Never mind plaws. I just realized the DMR key will allow the BCDx36HP scanners to "seamlessly monitor unencrypted channels", not encrypted channels. I misread that part.

 

[plaws]

Never mind plaws. I just realized the DMR key will allow the BCDx36HP scanners to "seamlessly monitor unencrypted channels", not encrypted channels. I misread that part.

Encrypted channels are encrypted and without the encryption key, the chance of you being able to decrypt the transmissions is pretty close to zero. Unless you are the NSA.

If you *did* have the key, you'd still be SOL because there is no way in a scanner to load the keys and no software to do the decoding.

I get the sense reading some folks' posts on various forums that they think encryption is like a Facebook password and once you have it, everything is in the clear. Not really the same.

I did see the Whistler TRX-1 and TRX-2 here at Dayton. Not a Whistler (or GRE) follower so don't know how they compare to Whistler's existing models, but the mobile has the same removable magnetic faceplate like some of their other models.

I may have to pick one of those up when they ship in late June/early July.


ETA: TRX-2 looks like a WS1098.

 

[plaws]

So UPMan let the deserving have a beta copy of the firmware to play with over the long weekend (at least). Been playing with it since I installed in Friday. Interesting scanning. I'm searching hi-band, which is where most of the DMR seems to be (save for ham repeaters). Hearing LOTS of analog that I never thought I'd hear, like Hughes and Seminole Co's. Must be the external antenna instead of the rubber helical that is usually on my 436. I do also hear DMR, but not who I expect. Lots of DMR in McClain Co but having trouble hearing them. Not blaming the scanner because 1) this is beta software (there isn't even a Sentinel that supports it) and 2) I have no idea what I'm doing.

There is a lot of new DMR data showing up in the Oklahoma DB, so I assume others bought a key for their x36 ... Would like to hear how you are set up for monitoring. Custom Search will give me CC and Slot but not TG. If I stuff some channels in "one frequency trunk", I get TGs, too, but that seems hit and miss. Looking for ideas.

Maybe it's time for another get together!

 

[mam1081]

I'm getting more consistant decodes with v2 Beta and also setting a specific timeslot for a talkgroup. It shows busy if you let it scan, but takes a while to unsquelch - even holding on the talkgroup didn't seem to help.

I've been able to listen to TalkRadio Connect+, Hobby Lobby Cap+, Baptist Hospital Cap+ and a few conventional things.

Since you are in Norman, see how the T3 system works...I've never heard any traffic on the system so haven't submitted it yet, but listen in on 461.925 - that's there the CC usually is. SysID13, Site 0, LCN1

 

[plaws]

I'm getting more consistant decodes with v2 Beta and also setting a specific timeslot for a talkgroup. It shows busy if you let it scan, but takes a while to unsquelch - even holding on the talkgroup didn't seem to help.

I've been able to listen to TalkRadio Connect+, Hobby Lobby Cap+, Baptist Hospital Cap+ and a few conventional things.

Since you are in Norman, see how the T3 system works...I've never heard any traffic on the system so haven't submitted it yet, but listen in on 461.925 - that's there the CC usually is. SysID13, Site 0, LCN1

Well, I'm underwhelmed by the 2nd beta ... STILL not hearing anything on a "DMR One Frequency" even when I have the parameters plugged in (N5MS repeater here in Norman). If I put stuff in as conventional, I get the CC and SL, but of course not the TG. But on a "D1F", nothing. I've picked up bits and pieces in the past, enough to snag TGs, but no voice.

Now, other than N5MS ... Actually, I just looked at the D1F system I had set up for N5MS and ARC536BASIC had put the TSs in wrong. Hmmm.

 

[plaws]

Now, other than N5MS ... Actually, I just looked at the D1F system I had set up for N5MS and ARC536BASIC had put the TSs in wrong. Hmmm.

Pretty worthless - it decodes N5MS just fine as conventional but as a D1F with the correct CC, Slot, and TG ... nothing. And I did verify on the radio that the settings are correct.

I've probably neglected to turn off the "do not work" switch on the 17th submenu of the third tab of the fourth screen gesture of the 42nd directory again.

After 34 years of near complete loyalty to Uniden and Electra, I am seriousssssllly considering a TRX-2 ...

 

[plaws]

I've probably neglected to turn off the "do not work" switch on the 17th submenu of the third tab of the fourth screen gesture of the 42nd directory again.

After 34 years of near complete loyalty to Uniden and Electra, I am seriousssssllly considering a TRX-2 ...

"Custom 1", which I know I'd turned on, was off again in the Service Typer (16th submenu ...). I thought I had all the ham channels set to "Ham", but need to double check. All public safety is set to "Law Disp" even if it's fire.

Now, at least, it will decode when I set it on a particular channel (3/North America/DMR-MARC on N5MS) and even show the UID. But it doesn't stop when scanning. Stops on the conventional channel just fine and decodes right away.

 

[plaws]

Version Last.Friday is working a little better than earlier versions but I still don't hear much on non-amateur One Freq Trunks. Scanning DMR systems as conventional works just fine, so I can hear most of McClain Co again, just not using any kind of talkgroups ... which is OK, since these are all simple systems with few users (prompting the question "why bother with DMR?") but as a One Freq Trunk, very little.

Now, I have both N5MS and AE5DN UHF amateur repeaters, both on the DMR-MARC network, programmed as One Freq Trunk systems they work exactly as you'd expect - CC, Slot, TG, everything. Maybe it's because they are UHF and everything in McClain Co is VHF? Don't know why that would matter.

Anyway, OEC. Outage the other day and I heard nothing. I think the 436 stopped on one of their channels because it displayed a Color Code (5). Anyone able to successfully monitor OEC's channels in digital?

 

[BryanD]

R E C out of Lindsay is now DMR (ConnectPlus) trunked, too.