Programming EDACS into Uniden396

[Lizbit]

I am in Ingham County (Lansing, Michigan) just for a couple of days. Would like to program in the Sheriff's dispatch and fire dispatch. Just a few things to listen to while I'm here.

I've never programmed in EDACS before and could use a little guidance!

I believe this is the page the frequencies are on:

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=2849

Is someone familiar with this, and can you tell me what exactly I'm supposed to put in? The codes on the link aren't making sense to me. What columns do I use?

Thanks much

 

[cws]

I haven't done a multi-site EDACS system, but I think you just have to enter the red Control Channels of each site, into a "system" of their own. The other channels don't need to be entered (unless the CCs are incorrect on the RR page). If you don't care to get an alpha description of the transmitter, the the TGIDs don't need to be entered. If you need to see the description, then the TGIDs you want to see must be entered. Use the nn-nnn AFS numbers for talk group IDs, not the DEC.

If you enter the TGIDs, you will have to duplicate them into each system, or when you hear say System1, but the TGID is in System2, then you'll just get something like "ID 01-010", instead of the alpha tag.

You won't be hearing any Provoice transmissions, of course.
Hope that helps.

 

[davidmc36]

You need to make a new EDACS Standard system. I don't really see whether it is wide or narrow but if you have room try both and see which works. Maybe someone from the area can tell you. Do you see the little numbers to the left of the frequencies? Those are the LCN's Logical Channel Numbers. You need to put the frequencies in and the scanner will ask you what LCN you are inputing after you put the frequency in. That is where you use the little lower case number. When you have all the freqs in then you can put in talk-group ID's or you can just set it to search. I would try site 001 first as that seems to be the main site and will likely be readable from most areas.

 

[Lizbit]

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=2849

Thank you for the information about how to create a new EDACS system on the scanner. Using the same link above - I see the frequencies, and the tiny numbers (LCNs) beside them. Entered them, and voila, the scanner is picking up quite a bit of traffic already (we're in the midst of blizzard-like conditions, and they're cleaning up accidents all over).

I am still confused about something. The TG's you mentioned. (I know how to program TG's into an APCO25 system, but not EDACS). This is a copy/paste from the database of what I'd like to include in what I have already entered. What numbers (below( are the Talk Groups?

561 04-061 A MELFMAIN East Lansing & Meridian - Dispatch Fire Dispatch
562 04-062 A ELFDCMND East Lansing Command Fire-Tac
577 04-081 A FIREMAIN Dispatch - all out-county departments Fire Dispatch
290 02-042 A IC TAC Tactical Law Tac

 

[W2SJW]

561 04-061 A MELFMAIN East Lansing & Meridian - Dispatch Fire Dispatch
562 04-062 A ELFDCMND East Lansing Command Fire-Tac
577 04-081 A FIREMAIN Dispatch - all out-county departments Fire Dispatch
290 02-042 A IC TAC Tactical Law Tac

What I highlighted is what you put in, although the 396 can be switched to accept decimal as the TGID entry type (that's the 3-digit number you see in the first column).

 

[ka3jjz]

And if memory serves me, you would use the './no' key for the dash. So 04-061 would be entered 04 './no' 061. 73 Mike

 

[davidmc36]

I think you just have to enter the red Control Channels of each site, into a "system" of their own. The other channels don't need to be entered.

To the best of my knowledge you cannot do Control Channel Only for EDACS systems, you need all the LCN's in there.

 

[KE4ZNR]

To the best of my knowledge you cannot do Control Channel Only for EDACS systems, you need all the LCN's in there.

You are correct David...earlier poster made a big mistake...EDACs systems ALWAYS have to have EVERY site frequency entered in proper LCN order...EDACs can NEVER handle Control Channel Only...
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[rdale]

Ingham County is not a multi-site system, for scanning purposes you just need the main entry.

 

[cws]

You are correct David...earlier poster made a big mistake...EDACs systems ALWAYS have to have EVERY site frequency entered in proper LCN order...EDACs can NEVER handle Control Channel Only...
Marshall KE4ZNR

Thanks, David and Marshall, for checking my oil. Sometimes, I don't understand, or remember, all that I think I know about this stuff. ;-)

 

[Lizbit]

Thanks for all this very helpful info. Please explain one more thing for me!

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=2849

Third Section = System Frequencies
Site 1, Site 2, Site 101

Site one has four (red) frequencies with four LCNs
Site two has one (red) frequency with an LCN.

I put all four (site one) red frequencies in, along with their LCNs, in order (01, 02, 03, 04)

Attemped to put site two's red frequency in, no problem, but when it came time to put in the LCN (which is also 03), it said 03 was already used. The frequency on site two is not the same as any on site one.

? What's up ?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer!

 

[captclint]

I put all four (site one) red frequencies in, along with their LCNs, in order (01, 02, 03, 04)

Perhaps you did not read all of the responses carefully enough. You can not put only the Red and Blue freq. with EDACS You must put all of them in (red,blue, black). Maybe someone can explain why this EDACS would have red frequencies in the database.

Attemped to put site two's red frequency in, no problem, but when it came time to put in the LCN (which is also 03), it said 03 was already used. The frequency on site two is not the same as any on site one.

You must create separate systems for each site with the 396. Then you must enter the same TGID's in each of the systems. Edit: Rdale beat me to punch. I was about to point out his msg that you only need the main site.

 

[rdale]

Refer to my earlier post - DO NOT PUT SITE 2 IN! IGNORE THAT IT EXISTS.

Just use all LCN's from the main site. #1-9.

 

[Lizbit]

When I couldn't get site 2 in I ignored it. Guess I didn't understand your post well enough the first time I read it - I only put in the four - didn't enter the black. I did get quite a bit of traffic from what I did enter, however. Thanks for helping me out with EDACS. All new to me!

 

[rdale]

No problem. You'll get some traffic with 4, but you need all LCN's for the main site to get all the traffic.

 

[ka3jjz]

<snip>Maybe someone can explain why this EDACS would have red frequencies in the database.</snip>

The frequencies in red and blue indicate primary and alternate control channels, regardless of the system type. 73 Mike

 

[n4yek]

When I couldn't get site 2 in I ignored it. Guess I didn't understand your post well enough the first time I read it - I only put in the four - didn't enter the black. I did get quite a bit of traffic from what I did enter, however. Thanks for helping me out with EDACS. All new to me!

No problem. You'll get some traffic with 4, but you need all LCN's for the main site to get all the traffic.

As rdale stated, you need to enter ALL LCN freqs, LCN 01 through LCN 09, to get the EDACS system to work properly.