Question about modes.

[AlmostHandy]

Hello everyone.

I have a question about modes, and such.

When I'm just scanning ranges of frequencies with a limit search, how do I know when to search for CTCSS or DCS tones? If I just scan a range in FM, and a channel is using tones, I'll miss it entirely, right? How would I know if a channel is using them? There are CT and DC code search options, but what if you are searching CT, and they're using DCS?

I'm confused again.

 

[RobVallejo]

Okay, I might be wrong, but as I understand it, you won't miss any channels. CT and DCS tones on repeater output frequencies are primarily so that you can filter out unwanted channels when two different agencies are using the same frequency without too much geographic separation. Alternatively, they can provide a means of identifying an individual radio used on the net. So not having CT or DCS tones set means you will hear all the traffic on the frequency, regardless of its tone. (I think.)

 

[ampulman]

Hello everyone.

I have a question about modes, and such.

When I'm just scanning ranges of frequencies with a limit search, how do I know when to search for CTCSS or DCS tones? If I just scan a range in FM, and a channel is using tones, I'll miss it entirely, right? How would I know if a channel is using them? There are CT and DC code search options, but what if you are searching CT, and they're using DCS?

I'm confused again.

With the 2 scanners (BCD396T, PRO-96) with CT/DCS capability, that I have owned, both types of tones are enabled/disabled at the same time. The choice is yours, whether to monitor tones or not.

Some websites list tones. Otherwise, you can search for them. I have only come across 1 frequency where there were 2 different licensees being heard.

I didn't program them (with tones) into my scanner, as they were business, and of no long-term interest.

Amp

 

[fineshot1]

Hello everyone.

I have a question about modes, and such.

When I'm just scanning ranges of frequencies with a limit search, how do I know when to search for CTCSS or DCS tones? If I just scan a range in FM, and a channel is using tones, I'll miss it entirely, right? How would I know if a channel is using them? There are CT and DC code search options, but what if you are searching CT, and they're using DCS?

I'm confused again.

OK - First of all your using incorrect terminology. Modes would be FM, NFM, WFM, AM, USB, LSB, SSB, ACSB, etc. CTCSS & DCS are two way radio and scanner functions used to filter out unwanted reception of agencies you do not want to hear on a particular frequency. A limit search is a scanner function also, and not sure if while you are in a limit search whether you can use a CTCSS or DCS search when the search stops on an active frequency. If you can do that - that would be the time to use it. If they are using CTCSS and you do a DCS search the tone search function is very quick and only takes a moment. If you fail to find one type of tone move on and try the second type of tone search. If you can not do both the limit search and tone search functions at the same time then write down anything you find during the limit search and later on program it or them into unused memories later and try the tone search's when receiving them. Pretty simple

 

[Don_Burke]

Hello everyone.

I have a question about modes, and such.

When I'm just scanning ranges of frequencies with a limit search, how do I know when to search for CTCSS or DCS tones? If I just scan a range in FM, and a channel is using tones, I'll miss it entirely, right? How would I know if a channel is using them? There are CT and DC code search options, but what if you are searching CT, and they're using DCS?

I'm confused again.

With my Pro-97s, I search almost exclusively in the CT mode.

In that mode, anything that can break the signal squelch will be received. If a PL tone is being used, it will be displayed.

If it never settles on a tone, I may try DC to look for a DCS code.

With the Pro-97, I see no advantage to seaching in the FM "mode".

The Pro-97 is a bit misleading as CT and DC are listed along with the modes. The mode is really FM with either CTCSS or DCS enabled.

 

[loumaag]

With my Pro-97s, I search almost exclusively in the CT mode.

In that mode, anything that can break the signal squelch will be received. If a PL tone is being used, it will be displayed.

If it never settles on a tone, I may try DC to look for a DCS code.

With the Pro-97, I see no advantage to seaching in the FM "mode".

The Pro-97 is a bit misleading as CT and DC are listed along with the modes. The mode is really FM with either CTCSS or DCS enabled.

AFAIK, when "searching" on any of the Pro models and having the "mode" set to CT or DC, what you are doing is searching in OPEN with the CT (or DC) detector enabled. I guess what I am saying is that what you are doing would work in DC "mode" also.

With the 2 scanners (BCD396T, PRO-96) with CT/DCS capability, that I have owned, both types of tones are enabled/disabled at the same time. The choice is yours, whether to monitor tones or not.

What you say is true of the 396 but not the Pro-96. The Pro-96 is either going to detect a CTCSS or DCS depending on which "mode" you have it set on. The 396 (in search mode) will detect either and display the appropriate tone signal, but the Pro-96 has to be cycled through the two choices to determine if either is applicable.

 

[Don_Burke]

AFAIK, when "searching" on any of the Pro models and having the "mode" set to CT or DC, what you are doing is searching in OPEN with the CT (or DC) detector enabled. I guess what I am saying is that what you are doing would work in DC "mode" also.

All true.

Around here, there are not all that many outfits using DCS, so searching in "CT" gets me the most useful information in the least time.

 

[ampulman]

AFAIK, when "searching" on any of the Pro models and having the "mode" set to CT or DC, what you are doing is searching in OPEN with the CT (or DC) detector enabled. I guess what I am saying is that what you are doing would work in DC "mode" also.

What you say is true of the 396 but not the Pro-96. The Pro-96 is either going to detect a CTCSS or DCS depending on which "mode" you have it set on. The 396 (in search mode) will detect either and display the appropriate tone signal, but the Pro-96 has to be cycled through the two choices to determine if either is applicable.

So sorry, I owned the PRO-96 for a very short time (returned it) a very long time ago and my 396 has wiped my memory virtually clean.

In retrospect, it seems odd that the functions would be separated, as a scannist would have to perform 2 dedicated scans to rule in or out, the use of tones.

Amp

 

[Don_Burke]

So sorry, I owned the PRO-96 for a very short time (returned it) a very long time ago and my 396 has wiped my memory virtually clean.

In retrospect, it seems odd that the functions would be separated, as a scannist would have to perform 2 dedicated scans to rule in or out, the use of tones.

Amp

My guess is that something in the design required it to work that way.

If I have the RF frequency figured out and just need the tone or code, I just put the same frequency in twice, once for CTCSS and once for DCS. When the scanner stops on one of those channels, I can bump it between the two channels.

 

[loumaag]

In retrospect, it seems odd that the functions would be separated, as a scannist would have to perform 2 dedicated scans to rule in or out, the use of tones.

Nope, just hit the <MODE> button while stopped on the frequency during a transmission. If (assuming you are scanning in CT mode) nothing is showing, then hit <MODE> and if nothing shows immediately then program as CSQ only.