Overwhelmed with LTR Trunking- Prog. Question

[firebuff17]

Hello,
New member here but have used database extensively.
I work for a company that uses UHF LTR port/mobiles for our comms. It is a statewide system. Here is a map of it
http://www.marcusradio.com/images/coverage_map_voicelink_lg.gif
I have found this as well. A list of freqs used. There are two links.
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4117
http://ecscanning.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1348

I am looking at buying the BC246T. I would like to monitor my company using the scanner but I seem to be overwhelmed with the trunking system.
When I am at work, turn the truck on the radio comes on and it displays "searching", then the antenna meter comes on with a # ranging from about as low as 40 to 110. Then the display says "registering", then "connected XXXX" (XXXX being what I am assuming is the site - New Haven, etc..), then it shows "ASID#XXX" after that the display shows the channel name and we are able to use the radio. Total time to do all this is about 10 seconds to 60 seconds.
We have 3 "channels"( i think called talkgroups in trunking)

Now the questions.
How do I go about programming the scanner? Seems to be Alot of frequencies to put into the scanner.
Since we have 3 "Channels" I would only need to find the ID's for those specific "channles"? Anyone in the company who uses the radio I would then be able to hear. Correct?

Just really overwhelmed as to where to start.
Thank you
firebuff17

 

[captclint]

First, you must enter each site as a separate system in the 246T, so I would suggest you only enter the site(s) that are close to your work and/or home. Here are the steps to create a site: http://marksscanners.com/246/246.html#program ltr system. As long as you enter all the frequencies for each site, and enter the correct LCN (the numbers 01-07 shown here: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4117 ) with each frequency, you should be up and running in no time.
Since there are virtually no TGID's you will have to run your scanner in the SEARCH ID mode. This way, you will hear everything and everyone. Once you find out which 3 "channels"(TGID's) are the ones you use (and any others you can identify), then you can help update the data on this site by submitting the TGID's and their descriptions here: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/submit

FYI, there are very few LCN's listed at http://ecscanning.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1348 , so you really can't program anything from that data.

 

[firebuff17]

Thank you for the reply.

Let me think this out loud.
The 11 or so sites here (http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=4117) are all the sites I need. I program each site as a new system into my 246T. (basically the one site near my home. Or If I wanted all of them, so I can listen where ever I go) Then I listen for my company ( and any other I can figure out) save those TGID and program those TGID for my compnay into the scanner and set it to open squelch just for my TGID I have programmed.

Am I correct? Just want to make sure I read and undertand you correctly.
Thanks again.

 

[captclint]

Then I listen for my company ( and any other I can figure out) save those TGID and program those TGID for my company into the scanner and set it to open squelch just for my TGID I have programmed.

Almost right. You would change from ID Search(getting all TGID's) to IDScan, getting only the ones you program. And you can even lock out some of these TGID's that you don't want any longer without having to erase them from memory. You need to enter the same TGID's in every site, although you may find that your company only uses one or two sites. Around here, users roam between sites, and they get assigned totally a new TGID. and LCN on each site while roaming. If you do need to have same TGID's for each site, there is a copy paste feature with most software, which I strongly recommend you get.

This will not only make your programming much easier, but it will help you understand all of the features of the 246. Here is a list of software: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BC246T#Supporting_Software Three that provide the most value are ARC246 by BuTel, and free programs, FreeSCAN and BCtool. They allow a automatic download of any or all frequencies in your county and state from this site, and sets up trunking TGID's & para's(not much help in this case since there is only TGID). They have a neat virtual control panel that works your scanner from the keyboard., but the best part is that it logs all the information(freq & PL) and lets you see your scanner window in a much larger scale that you can actually see clearly. The logging is great when searching, but it is also handy for normal scanning. Often, I do not look up in time to see what agency was just talking, so I just look at the log.

Neither BCtool or FreeSCAN work well with the 246 logging, so if that is something think you would like, then I can strongly recommend ACR246. If logging is not needed, then I lean towards BCtool, because the display can be easily minimized and made to "stay on top". However, you can download all three and see which one you like(ARC free demo has some limitations, but it is robust)

Also, if you have a new PC or lap top, you will need a serial to USB converter from Uniden http://tinyurl.com/2cqyu4 or Radio Shack: http://tinyurl.com/2gpbsp . Another source is http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10311&cs_id=1031104&p_id=2276&seq=1&format=2, for quite a bit less. It is reported to work.


Note: You would need to become a paid subscriber to this site to get the automatic down loads, but this is also very reasonable($7.5 for 3 months). This can save you countless hours of programming and frustration.

 

[Dave520]

I believe the Marcus system is a LTR Passport system which can not be set up to track with any scanner.
I do not think they operate any as regular LTR.
You could listen in conventional mode but you will get the continuous key ups.
I have tried to listen to the Stamford site with no success.

Dave

 

[firebuff17]

capt_clint
Thank you for all of your help. Me being new to scanning trunked systems I thought I was over my head with all the info and sites about it out here. You have made it easy to understand and now I dont feel so hesitant to buy the 256 to start scanning with.

dave520
Thank you for your input and trying to listen in stamford. I will have to find out if they are LTR Passport. For some reason I thought it was LTR standard but I could be wrong. Wont be the first time.

Thanks again

 

[slicerwizard]

When I am at work, turn the truck on the radio comes on and it displays "searching", then the antenna meter comes on with a # ranging from about as low as 40 to 110. Then the display says "registering", then "connected XXXX" (XXXX being what I am assuming is the site - New Haven, etc..), then it shows "ASID#XXX" after that the display shows the channel name and we are able to use the radio. Total time to do all this is about 10 seconds to 60 seconds.

ASID? Registrations? Site searches?

It's PassPort.

 

[firebuff17]

slicerwizard
thank you for your response. I am glad i put that in the description.
Thanks again to everyone.

 

[cg]

Marcus runs regular LTR alongside the Passport on each site. Your company uses the Passport but there is some monitorable stuff as well.

chris

 

[firebuff17]

cq
Thanks for your response. Maybe I will program it up and listen to see what there is, but my original intent was for my company. This way I could listen for a few hours prior to my shift to see what kind of day I will be getting into.

 

[cg]

there is some frequency overlap between the LTR and the Passport but I haven't monitored the ones away from my area enough to know the layout at each site. You may have to do some work to track down all the channels in the LTR. I believe the Avon site has 1 shared frequency.

chris

 

[firebuff17]

cq
SOunds good.
Thanks again