Programming G4 for multi-site system

[pafd152]

I am not sure if this is the correct place for this question or not, but I recently purchased a G4. I imported what I wanted to hear from the database. This is where I am getting lost.... With my dept. radio, I am able to pick up our radio traffic wherever I am in the state (typically). However with my G4 it is not working unless I am in county. Am I doing something wrong, or is this just something that a $4,000 radio can do that a $600 pager cannot?

EDIT: Sorry forgot to add, it is the Indiana Hoosier Safe-T System

 

[RaleighGuy]

I am not sure if this is the correct place for this question or not, but I recently purchased a G4. I imported what I wanted to hear from the database. This is where I am getting lost.... With my dept. radio, I am able to pick up our radio traffic wherever I am in the state (typically). However with my G4 it is not working unless I am in county. Am I doing something wrong, or is this just something that a $4,000 radio can do that a $600 pager cannot?

Your department radio can apparently affiliate with any tower in the state, once it affiliates then you can hear your departments traffic. Since the pager doesn't affiliate with towers, only monitors them, it does not have the ability to hear the traffic from another site unless a radio is affiliated, it only hears the traffic on the site it is set to monitor.

 

[pafd152]

Your department radio can apparently affiliate with any tower in the state, once it affiliates then you can hear your departments traffic. Since the pager doesn't affiliate with towers, only monitors them, it does not have the ability to hear the traffic from another site unless a radio is affiliated, it only hears the traffic on the site it is set to monitor.

that makes total sense... thank you sir

 

[Onelick]

I'm thinking of getting a G3 to monitor PA's new state system. Is it possible to add different tower sites to monitor with the G series pagers? Is this a decent option to monitor a multi cast system? I need the vhf to monitor the state system, and the UHF to monitor my local county system.
Thanks,
Onelick

 

[jtwalker]

I'm thinking of getting a G3 to monitor PA's new state system. Is it possible to add different tower sites to monitor with the G series pagers? Is this a decent option to monitor a multi cast system? I need the vhf to monitor the state system, and the UHF to monitor my local county system.
Thanks,
Onelick

PA StarNet? You know most of the good traffic is encrypted, right? The only thing of any interest to me is state roads and that is really only active after a snow or heavy storm.

 

[RaleighGuy]

I'm thinking of getting a G3 to monitor PA's new state system. Is it possible to add different tower sites to monitor with the G series pagers? Is this a decent option to monitor a multi cast system? I need the vhf to monitor the state system, and the UHF to monitor my local county system.
Thanks,
Onelick

If you are talking about the PA-STARNet: Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network system it is P25 Phase II with several sites in the 800MHz band, a G3 would not work for them, however if you only want the 150MHz sites then it would work. However, as @jtwalker points out there is heavy encryption.

But, yes it works good on a multi and simulcast system, and you can program in different sites, however, you will only be able to monitor one system, one site at a time. Your better option, given your needs, is the SDS series scanners.

 

[jtwalker]

If you are talking about the PA-STARNet: Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network system it is P25 Phase II with several sites in the 800MHz band, a G3 would not work for them, however if you only want the 150MHz sites then it would work. However, as @jtwalker points out there is heavy encryption.

But, yes it works good on a multi and simulcast system, and you can program in different sites, however, you will only be able to monitor one system, one site at a time. Your better option, given your needs, is the SDS series scanners.

The tower closest to me has both vhf and 800 transmitters. I wasn’t sure if the whole system is designed like this or not. As I said, not enough traffic to keep my interest except at home during/after a storm.

 

[Onelick]

I am a COML for PA-DCNR's type 3 IMT, so I am very familiar with the StarNet system. I was planning on using the G3 to monitor the DCNR side of the system on my day to day activities instead of lugging around my APX all the time. Where I will be 90 percent of the time the towers are VHF. Since Unication doesn't make a G6 or G7 all band pager yet, this seems to be the best solution.
Thanks for the help,
Onelick

 

[jtwalker]

I am a COML for PA-DCNR's type 3 IMT, so I am very familiar with the StarNet system. I was planning on using the G3 to monitor the DCNR side of the system on my day to day activities instead of lugging around my APX all the time. Where I will be 90 percent of the time the towers are VHF. Since Unication doesn't make a G6 or G7 all band pager yet, this seems to be the best solution.
Thanks for the help,
Onelick

The G pagers will monitor one trunked system at a time and one site at a time. You can put several sites into a knob position but the pager will pick one site with acceptable decode until that site degrades to an unacceptable level. As long as you understand this limitation then you should be good.

 

[tglendye]

One additional thing I do for systems is create a Site Wildcard (FF/ FF). The pager will “search” for a new control channel matching the system’s ID if it is unable to find a control channel. Certainly helpful in large statewide systems, as well as if a new control channel is ever added to the system.

As others have stated, it may not help the OP in this case, unless their TG’s are affiliated with the site the pager is able to locate.