Question about programming a scanner

[ChevySucks_]

I currently do not have a scanner because I am trying to figure out what scanner I should get. When I searched up my area's frequencies, instead of showing the usual frequency like for example 451.9000, it showed DEC 457. I am trying to figure our what scanner supports programming DEC.

 

[RaleighGuy]

T'was the month before Christmas...New people Please Read

I will start by saying the people I want to see this will never read it, unfortunately, but I just need to share it anyways. T'was the month before Christmas and all through the General Scanning Forum we've seen an increase in "What Scanner Do I Get" posts. For all those considering asking...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[MILCOMM]

I currently do not have a scanner because I am trying to figure out what scanner I should get. When I searched up my area's frequencies, instead of showing the usual frequency like for example 451.9000, it showed DEC 457. I am trying to figure our what scanner supports programming DEC.

HEX and DEC referrs to formats used for talk groups.

 

[gmclam]

These days there's a lot more things that have to be considered before you can determine what receiver/scanner will do the job. Are you monitoring public safety, air band, rail roads, marine, armed services, or ??? Will this be done from a stationary location (where?) or otherwise what & where? Next, suspecting you want to monitor an agency (more like a list of them), are they conventional channels or on a system? Lastly while there is a lot left using analog modulation (AM/FM), stuff is moving to some form of digital (like P25) every day. The type of system(s) you want to monitor I think are the biggest dictating factors toward your selection. And note there's also a lot of stuff that cannot be monitored.

 

[ChevySucks_]

I am trying to listen to public safety from a handheld device that programs DEC and HEX because that's the only given information for public safety in my area. I just don't know what type of device programs DEC and HEX

 

[JethrowJohnson]

Where are you?

 

[ChevySucks_]

North Texas, I included a picture of the radio I am trying to scan in which it gives me DEC and HEX numbers instead of a frequency

 

[JethrowJohnson]

It's supposed to do that because that's a trunked system so it doesn't use the same frequency for each transmission. It goes by channel numbers called TGIDs (Talk Group IDs). Exactly what city/county? I'm asking so that I can look in the database to see what you have over there.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

North Texas, I included a picture of the radio I am trying to scan in which it gives me DEC and HEX numbers instead of a frequency

Welcome to the forums. If you could please post the database page the screenshot originates from that'd help. Your screenshot tells me this is a trunked radio system. The mode "T" talkgroups indicate to me that you'll need a P25 Phase-II (TDMA) capable scanner (list here) to receive it. In addition to the talkgroups in your screenshot you also need to program the frequencies corresponding to the closest site located to you (scroll up on the trunked system's page and you'll find them) If you've never programmed a trunked system before, have a read of the wiki below

Trunking Basics - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[RaleighGuy]

North Texas, I included a picture of the radio I am trying to scan in which it gives me DEC and HEX numbers instead of a frequency

It appears this is the system you are trying to monitor (see link below), if so the only scanners designed to work on that P25 Phase 2 Simulcast system would be one of the UNIDEN SDS models SDS100 (handheld) or SDS200 (base). There are less expensive avenues such as a SDR dongle combined with free or low cost software on your computer. Due to the simulcast, and depending on your location, other P25 P2 scanners may or may not work, but only the SDS scanners are designed for simulcast systems. The DEC and Hex are the talkgroups, both are the same and usage depends on what you are programming, some use decimal other the hexadecimal format, those are not the control channel or alt control channel frequencies listed in red in the photo below.

I will note, most police dispatch talkgroups in that list (except Dallas) are encrypted and you will not be able to hear them. They are listed as DE or TE in the MODE column.

Metrocrest Quad Cities Public Safety Radio System Trunking System, Carrollton, Texas

Metrocrest Quad Cities Public Safety Radio System Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[ChevySucks_]

Welcome to the forums. If you could please post the database page the screenshot originates from that'd help. Your screenshot tells me this is a trunked radio system. The mode "T" talkgroups indicate to me that you'll need a P25 Phase-II (TDMA) capable scanner (list here) to receive it. In addition to the talkgroups in your screenshot you also need to program the frequencies corresponding to the closest site located to you (scroll up on the trunked system's page and you'll find them) If you've never programmed a trunked system before, have a read of the wiki below

Trunking Basics - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Thanks for your help, this has answered my question

 

[pb_lonny]

That is a type of talkgroup code.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

When I searched up my area's frequencies, instead of showing the usual frequency

The trunked system's frequencies are pictured below. Once you familiarize yourself with trunked system programming (apps like Uniden Sentinel makes this easy) you can get away with only programming the control channels (red font) and the system should be able to be tracked just fine

 

[hiegtx]

North Texas, I included a picture of the radio I am trying to scan in which it gives me DEC and HEX numbers instead of a frequency

What you are looking at (on your screenshot) are talkgroups on a trunked system, as Whiskey3 mentioned.

RaleighGuy is correct. That is the MetroCrest system. That covers four cities in the northwest quadrant of Dallas County, though parts of Coppell & Carrollton do overlap into southern Denton County. I am in Dallas County myself.

And, indeed it is a P25 Phase II system.with a simulcast site. You have not yet stated which scanner you are trying to program. Depending on your location relative to one of the transmit towers, you may experience Simulcast Distortion unless you are using Uniden's SDS100 or SDS200. Here's a map of the tower locations:


More details about Simulcast, & the problems it can cause, are in the Wiki.
Simulcast digital distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[hiegtx]

The trunked system's frequencies are pictured below. Once you familiarize yourself with trunked system programming (apps like Uniden Sentinel makes this easy) you can get away with only programming the control channels (red font) and the system should be able to be tracked just fine

View attachment 131442

Actually, that is an L3-Harris system, so any of the site frequencies could be used as a control channel.