rescuecomm
Member
Croswell doesn't have a tanker, but I thought you lived on their side of 183?
Pickens County Upgrades
North of 183 just off of 186 before you head into nowhere land. Station 10 about 4 miles away
rescuecomm
Member
Okay. I don't see how you guys get anywhere up there. I tried coming down Pace Bridge road and found multiple bridges still out.
Resueucomm are you FM CB capable?
Yep. pace bridge is a major road from pumkintown.
rescuecomm
Member
Clemson game is coming on, so we'll have to communicate later. No FM CB yet or anything else for a base.
rescuecomm
Member
Grapevine has the new system as NXDN on UHF.
Maybe we are just old fashioned and don't need new fangled stuff! For this terrain VHF is probably best and no need to raise taxes for a system that already work well. I find the sheriff is a little harder to get up here on UHF.
Yep, found that out after the Trump rally in July. Said I am not sitting in traffic and headed north on 178. Took a right on pumpkin got to Pace bridge and found out I was going to visit Marrietta weather I liked it or not. 276 to Keeler Mill then come in from the east side.
rescuecomm
Member
I was checking the FCC ULS site and found the radio license WRZH814 for Pickens County. It shows 10 FB2 frequencies for the Glassy Mountain site alone. There is a reference to a site in Easley on Cleveland Street for another group of frequencies. All UHF and trunked in a type C? system that apparently uses a dedicated data channel. A good guess is that the new system will be online soon since Six Mile FD's license has expired with Easley Rescue Squads Tac channel license expiring this month.
So the question is: How do you monitor this type of NXDN system?
So the question is: How do you monitor this type of NXDN system?
I have it on good authority that this system will be an expansion of the Fleettalk system: FleetTalk Carolinas Trunking System, Various, Multi-State. A similar expansion is taking place in Cherokee Co SC. It's likely that these new sites, while tied to the fleettalk system, will be dedicated to radio users and agencies of Pickens County. The existing Fleettalk sites will continue to serve existing fleettalk customers. Which is probably why the government agencies (in this case, Pickens Co and Cherokee Co) hold some or all of the FCC licenses.
There are a number of choices for monitoring NXDN. The newer Uniden DMA scanners have the ability to track and decode NXDN trunked systems but require an additional license key purchase to unlock that capability. These scanners require full frequency and channel number information in order to properly track the system. The Whistler TRX-1 and -2 have NXDN decoding capabilities out of the box with no additional cost. However, many are quick to point out that they don't truly "truck track" NXDN systems. With most systems, you won't be able to tell a difference in how they work, and the Whistler scanner don't require accurate channel number information to work.
There are also software applications intended to work with SDR receivers that can decode and track NXDN systems. DSD+ Fastlane is one of them. There are obvious disadvantages to this option - most obviously, the lack of portability. But you can't beat the cost of <$50 for a SDR dongle and the software.
You could also look at Kenwood professional radios that support NXDN or Icom Idas radios. I'm not sure what sort of security may be in place on Fleettalk that might make those options unworkable.
Worth noting, there's a pretty high likelihood that talkgroups used by these counties on Fleettalk will be encrypted. Much like Henderson County NC today (though their system isn't part of Fleettalk). You probably want to wait to learn the encryption status before you invest in new hardware.
There are a number of choices for monitoring NXDN. The newer Uniden DMA scanners have the ability to track and decode NXDN trunked systems but require an additional license key purchase to unlock that capability. These scanners require full frequency and channel number information in order to properly track the system. The Whistler TRX-1 and -2 have NXDN decoding capabilities out of the box with no additional cost. However, many are quick to point out that they don't truly "truck track" NXDN systems. With most systems, you won't be able to tell a difference in how they work, and the Whistler scanner don't require accurate channel number information to work.
There are also software applications intended to work with SDR receivers that can decode and track NXDN systems. DSD+ Fastlane is one of them. There are obvious disadvantages to this option - most obviously, the lack of portability. But you can't beat the cost of <$50 for a SDR dongle and the software.
You could also look at Kenwood professional radios that support NXDN or Icom Idas radios. I'm not sure what sort of security may be in place on Fleettalk that might make those options unworkable.
Worth noting, there's a pretty high likelihood that talkgroups used by these counties on Fleettalk will be encrypted. Much like Henderson County NC today (though their system isn't part of Fleettalk). You probably want to wait to learn the encryption status before you invest in new hardware.
rescuecomm
Member
There was an old thread as to whether an Icom IDAS or Kenwood NXDN radio would receive the trunked 9600 bps Type C NXDN without a system key. The verified answer was it would not pass audio.
Looks like new scanners or SDR units.
Looks like new scanners or SDR units.
rescuecomm
Member
I've been thinking about an SDS100 for Greenville County's Pal800 operations when I'm away from the residence. Although I'm no longer in Pickens County, I still know quite a few people over there.
Good point on encryption, but hopefully only Sheriff's TAC talkgroups will get the "e". I haven't talked with my inside guy to see if they plan to retain one of the VHF repeaters to alert all of the fire and Rescue squad volunteers.
Good point on encryption, but hopefully only Sheriff's TAC talkgroups will get the "e". I haven't talked with my inside guy to see if they plan to retain one of the VHF repeaters to alert all of the fire and Rescue squad volunteers.
You are correct. The radios will not receive or track without being programmed with a valid system key.
I have both the SDS100 and SDS200 and have been very impressed with their performance. They work very well with P25 simulcast and NXDN trunking with no problems.
rescuecomm
Member
Excellent. Did you buy yours with the NXDN extra or add it after the fact? So how do you find out if the EMS/FIRE/RESCUE is encrypted without having a NXDN monitor?
rescuecomm
Member
I'm picking up data on 462.200 mhz and on 462.425 mhz in TR. This is two of the Glassy Mtn NXDN frequencies listed on the license. System testing?
Malarkey_News
Newbie
I use the SDS100 daily and it works Great!! Just waiting to see which way Pickens County will be going before I upgrade to NXDN
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