PG County PS

[cpetraglia]

I am trying to program my G4 pager for the new P25 system. I have a strong control channel and do receive the fire dispatch TG 1133. I have put in 14 other TGs all labeled 'D' in the data base. All are PD TGs and I am getting no action. I here the streaming is quite active. The G4s are not yet phase II. Could the database be out of date on the TG types? Could some one give me the South end PD TGs that are active? Much appreciated.

 

[troymail]

I am trying to program my G4 pager for the new P25 system. I have a strong control channel and do receive the fire dispatch TG 1133. I have put in 14 other TGs all labeled 'D' in the data base. All are PD TGs and I am getting no action. I here the streaming is quite active. The G4s are not yet phase II. Could the database be out of date on the TG types? Could some one give me the South end PD TGs that are active? Much appreciated.

The PG system is Phase 2

While you will find occasional Phase 1 activity, you'll find very little of interest to routinely listen in Phase 1 mode. When you do hear activity, it mostly will be on an incident by incident case like when out of county units provide assistance (mutual aid).

One possible exception to this -- I believe fire (and maybe police too) have a radio zone that was at one time programmed specifically as Phase 1 (FDMA) but I don't know how often this zone got used and/or if it is even still in place.

The RRDB will only show what people know and have provided so it probably is a bit out of date when t comes to D verse T. Adding to this, there has always been a little disagreement/confusion on when T is applied. In many cases, people know they hear a talkgroup on their radio and supply that to RRDB but most don't concern themselves with the D vs. T and D is the default for any P25 system).

 

[cpetraglia]

The PG system is Phase 2

While you will find occasional Phase 1 activity, you'll find very little of interest to routinely listen in Phase 1 mode. When you do hear activity, it mostly will be on an incident by incident case like when out of county units provide assistance (mutual aid).

One possible exception to this -- I believe fire (and maybe police too) have a radio zone that was at one time programmed specifically as Phase 1 (FDMA) but I don't know how often this zone got used and/or if it is even still in place.

The RRDB will only show what people know and have provided so it probably is a bit out of date when t comes to D verse T. Adding to this, there has always been a little disagreement/confusion on when T is applied. In many cases, people know they hear a talkgroup on their radio and supply that to RRDB but most don't concern themselves with the D vs. T and D is the default for any P25 system).

That helps a lot. I figured that's what it was. My Phase two scanners wont even get a control channel. The Unication G4 from my location gets full bars on the PG south towers. At least it's programmed. All I have to do now is hurry up and wait for the PII FW update.

Thanks for quick response.

 

[troymail]

That helps a lot. I figured that's what it was. My Phase two scanners wont even get a control channel. The Unication G4 from my location gets full bars on the PG south towers. At least it's programmed. All I have to do now is hurry up and wait for the PII FW update.

Thanks for quick response.

I was aware of these Unication things and didn't think they did Phase 2. Once they are capable, assuming they get there, I'm very interested in hearing how well they work.

Are they firmware upgradable? Do you have any belief that you'll get the upgrade and/or if it will come free or at a cost?

 

[darunimal]

cpetragila try with the scanners Turn off Both AGCs, DAC & ADC 1 & 0, p25 threshold Settings 10-95 & DSP 72 on the GRE PSR-800 based Whistlers, on the x36 same thing digital & Analog AGCs off p25 threshold setting manual 8, & squelch 0-2 and at least a Radio Shack rs800 antenna.

 

[cpetraglia]

I was aware of these Unication things and didn't think they did Phase 2. Once they are capable, assuming they get there, I'm very interested in hearing how well they work.

Are they firmware upgradable? Do you have any belief that you'll get the upgrade and/or if it will come free or at a cost?

We've been assured of the upgrade. They are easily upgraded. Don't know if it will cost at this time. I hope not.
On another note: The G4 is the best receiver I have ever seen for LSM. Prior to this, my scanners wont even get a control channel on many neighboring systems. Now I get perfect decode and great audio on everything. I was never able to get Prince William, Manassas, or Alexandria with my scanners. It is really a difference I wasn't expecting. I've had much aggravation with my local system. Not anymore. They are pricy, but with all I've spent on outside yagi's, cable, preamps, rotors, I could have bought three of these.

 

[cpetraglia]

cpetragila try with the scanners Turn off Both AGCs, DAC & ADC 1 & 0, p25 threshold Settings 10-95 & DSP 72 on the GRE PSR-800 based Whistlers, on the x36 same thing digital & Analog AGCs off p25 threshold setting manual 8, & squelch 0-2 and at least a Radio Shack rs800 antenna.

Trust me, I have tried all that stuff and plenty of other stuff. These scanners are just not up to the LSM task of distant systems. My 1095 will not lock on a control channel at all. The G4 gets full signal.

 

[darunimal]

There shouldn't be any LSM from the system at distance, maybe lack of signal so get a Yagi at HRO today in Woodbridge. It works well with just a RS-800 antenna in LaPlata, try Digital AGC to 2-4

 

[cpetraglia]

There shouldn't be any LSM from the system at distance, maybe lack of signal so get a Yagi at HRO today in Woodbridge. It works well with just a RS-800 antenna in LaPlata, try Digital AGC to 2-4

I am using a high dollar 13 element Yagi with rotor. It just wont pull it in. I agree there should not be an LSM issue at a distance. I have four scanners and none will pull the control from either PG or Loudoun county. The G4 does with no problem using the same antenna setup. I couldn't listen to PW County until I got this pager.
Digital AGC to 2-4. I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[darunimal]

Idk what I was thinking, I think I meant Digital AGC On. I guess, I was conflating that with you needing more Gain, somewhere in the back of my head. Lol, sry bout that.

 

[maus92]

What is the advantage to these G4/G5 radios? Can they decode multiple FTOs? Do they "scan" at all, or tune a single channel at a time?

 

[cpetraglia]

What is the advantage to these G4/G5 radios? Can they decode multiple FTOs? Do they "scan" at all, or tune a single channel at a time?

I short, if you have LSM distortion, this is the solution. The receiver's are far superior to any scanner on the market.
As far as what they do, Unication.com or read the thread in the "other scanner types" section. There is a 32 page thread there that will pretty much answer your questions.

 

[jkahn]

I am using a high dollar 13 element Yagi with rotor. It just wont pull it in. I agree there should not be an LSM issue at a distance. I have four scanners and none will pull the control from either PG or Loudoun county. The G4 does with no problem using the same antenna setup. I couldn't listen to PW County until I got this pager.
Digital AGC to 2-4. I'm not sure what you mean.

In reference to your PG County problem, it's not you. The county has "fine tuned" its antenni, pointing inward at the peripherals, and using lower power on their Phase II system. I will lose signal on PSR800 at about 1/2 mile and on HP-2 at 1 mile. I do get signal on outside antenna at home, I live 1.5 miles from county line in MoCo. As soon as I cross line into PG I can hear everything gang busters.

 

[awal]

In reference to your PG County problem, it's not you. The county has "fine tuned" its antenni, pointing inward at the peripherals, and using lower power on their Phase II system. I will lose signal on PSR800 at about 1/2 mile and on HP-2 at 1 mile. I do get signal on outside antenna at home, I live 1.5 miles from county line in MoCo. As soon as I cross line into PG I can hear everything gang busters.

Interesting...I work on Capitol Hill, and PG comes in pretty strong - but MoCo - not too well......it's wild how reception is diminishing, but - as long as they do not mess with the school bus channel/talkgroups

Best listening ever, in my opinion. School bus drivers should get combat pay.

Sorry for the rant

 

[cpetraglia]

I finally got them programmed into my G4 pager. Signal is perfect. Some fire dispatch is still phase 1 and I am receiving loud and clear here in Fairfax City. It is clearly the scanners that wont pull it in. Now we wait for the PII update to the G4/G5.