RadioReference.com Database Poll - VOTE PLEASE!

[blantonl]

Alrighty folks maybe I was a bit harsh but all I wanted to know is why this database DOES NOT jive with the FCC database. Also why the sites seem to be different then what is in the FCC database.

Well, I'll tell you why.

Because the FCC doesn't store usage data or "real world" information - they just store license information. We focus on the real world.

Often times, especially on LTR networks, you'll have 20 different groups of people that will pool their licenses together, transfer them, setup inter-agreements etc. They certainly don't keep the FCC updated.

So, I'd tell you the 9 times out of 10 - with business LTR trunked networks, nothing will ever "jive" with the FCC database. It's that simple.

 

[kikito]

all I wanted to know is why this database DOES NOT jive with the FCC database. Also why the sites seem to be different then what is in the FCC database.

To add to what Lindsay said, there's a myriad of other reasons why FCC doesn't jive with the real world. Here's a few I've experience personally in my area but I'm sure is the same nationwide:

1) An agency or company doesn't renew their license with FCC and continues to operate on the same, eventually FCC drops the records for that entity.

2) An agency or company gets licenses but never uses them.

3) They operate illegally without license.

4) They omit information about their agency, therefore a 'normal' search on the FCC won't show what or where you expect it.

And so on....

 

[kg4rgn]

rating

I give it a 8.5 out of 10...not perfert......but the best site on the web. I like the ability to share ideas, new freq, and general question about scanning.

One thing that you could add, bases on all the software programs that are out there, files that hobbiest have collected in a format that can easily be shared, for example Excel.

For example a listing by state with files that are set in what every format that is compatable. You site may not be able to support an idea. There are a few site that are doing this already...


Just an idea.

and thanks..keep up the good work !!

 

[RFfreeTLD]

More ways to query and group/order returned results from county pages. Sort by frequency/name options. Kind of like the trunked systems behave, or the talkgroups when you select the "List All in one table" option. Also searching an entire state's worth of data, "Search All Ohio Identified Frequencies: Search All Ohio FCC Licenses" are a good start for frequencies. How about name/description capable searches for the conventional data. (Ok if a "value added" feature)

Also more visual goodies. I am a visual person and enjoy seeing maps to understand the relationships of where I may be going. How about state maps with counties and major cities highlighted on the state pages, and eventually more individual county maps like some of the pages have. And the ability to click and link to tiger for the appropriate county or function like the FCC mapping to resize and such.

I also agree with needing a way to support the 'local' flavor of different areas and regions. Maybe we just need more local moderators and contributions and an expanded/intergrated database/forum setup similiar to the Yahoo groups functionality. Moderators and contributors can share and discuss on a more local/personalized level. The only example I can really think of is the how Scan Massachusetts and Scan Cape Cod sites are setup/related. Maybe we can have a ohio.radioreferenece.com portal, etc for more localized start pages.

FYI. I also have way too many good things to say about the direction we're heading, but just sticking to some of my improvement suggestions. I agree the data and content will grow and develop over time, just trying to focus more on the context and database/reference functionality.

 

[MadMac]

Tutorial

Lindsay, I voted yes for all the reasons that have already been said here.
This is an AWSOME resource!
To add to your already daunting workload, I would suggest some kind of tutorial for those of us that may need help using the database. I have seen many threads asking questions on this topic. A one-stop-shop for that info would be great for some of us. Its one thing to say "cut & paste into Excel" but how do you set it up and then how do you get it into the radio? I'm not asking anyone to answer these questions here (just an example of what a tutorial could cover).

Could we have a place to upload .mem files for downloading in the database using the same categories? I had sent and received files for my old 780 to/from a couple of guys and this would really benefit those who have difficulty with programming or travelling to an unfamiliar area. Thanks and keep up the good work.

 

[fmon]

Could we have a place to upload .mem files for downloading in the database using the same categories?

You can send them up in a zip file.

 

[Alarmroom]

I voted maybe, mainly due to the non-consistancy of what is submitted on the county level. I was requested to placed the correct frequency and CTCSS or DPL and I've noticed that this has not been done a many of the submissions. Be careful on placing inputs to repeaters, I don't normally do that in my publications, due to some unauthorized personnel trying to access public saftey networks. Putting to outbound and PL is no problem for scanner users. Again you are doing a great job with what you have accomplished in such a short time, but the data base needs to be consistant. The trunking portions are the best yet, but somtimes you do get some unknowns, I know one for a fact one my system which I'm in charge of that is wrong.

Anyway keep up to good work! I do appreciate what you have accomplished already!

 

[INDY72]

Lindsay,
Here is one suggestion for the "regional issue".
Put an open call to any and all that run regional groups whether it be yahoo, etc,... and everyone get together in a web ring. Everyone support each other. I run a yahoo group for MS, and have added this site as a link as it is an awesome site. If everyone running sites would all have links to each other's sites, then we could truly be an effective powerhouse of information. I am in the process of getting ready to update my groups info and add a lot of non PS info for MS. I will be revamping the data I do have so that there are no conflicts as to where the info belongs etc..., as a lot of folks seem to think that if its info, they own it. As its freely available on the web vias FCC and other sources,.. then this makes no sense, but as you have noticed some groups like to be the big boss. I have been into scanning since age 10, I am now 31 and hope to always love this hobby. As a Volunteer Firefighter/First Responder, I do have some access to "Inside Information" as to usage of various freq's etc..., Yes some of the stuff in use in MS is not completely legally liscensed, but is used anyway, and I will submit what is used where, and for what. Hopefully the agencies using them will update thier FCC liscenses and thus we can list the callsigns, etc.... Anyway to cut this short--- Love this site and hope to help it grow, and to assist in any way possible.

 

[SCPD]

Lindsey!

Though this is a Novel Site for Sophisticated Information concering RF It heh, still lacks a few Wonderful traits of the Old TRD. for example, Forums are a bit more hectic to navigate. There is No List at the top of the screne to see who is on.

Secondly, When on contributer, contributes to the RR DB, there are No Credits.....I do remember that Ya'all were working on something for that, Please Hurry!! (lol)

What I do Like is that with exception to the Admin and Moderators, There is No Trunking Master's here, Just Members, New Members, and Contributing Members, and One can see who is a Paying Member! Neet Deal.

The fact that One dosn't have to log into the system then Also into forums is Great!

the Over-all ease of use is Like a Cross between a XTS and a Saber some features are good, some are Complicated and tricky! but Over all they are sound....Unlike a Kenwood, where it's easy to use, but breaks constantly!

Oh, and the New Colors ARE WAY Easier on the Eyes at 2:00am. I voted the first of the choices, This is still the Best in Communications Reference on the Wonderful World Wide Web!

(I still think We need our Own Messenger Applet here though)

 

[PanJurekMrJerry]

:arrow: What ever happened to the Avatars? I remember that on the Trunked Radio Database there was a place that one could go to select the Avatars?
Thanks. Good job.

 

[oldfreq]

I voted as "still needs improvement" because there is always room for improvement. I think this site will always be a "work in progress" because data is always changing. Otherwise this is a great source of info!

 

[N_Jay]

It is an incredible resource.

Anything can be improved upon.

People who like it will suggest improvements, and people who don't like it will submit criticisms.

 

[ecps92]

I agree, and it's time for folks to validate much of the data.
Stuff Changes, Search and report, learn to Scan outside of the boundries
and find the new stuff not just what is in the DB.. add those new frequencies
that were just licensed....

I voted as "still needs improvement" because there is always room for improvement. I think this site will always be a "work in progress" because data is always changing. Otherwise this is a great source of info!

 

[ka3jjz]

I voted as a great resource, and for me it is.

However, like any good resource, it has to grow and change to maintain its position, otherwise it becomes stale.

To me there are a couple of things that potentially could be done;

a. Standardize where the FTO information is kept. No more hiding it in the 'codes' tab, or keeping it in the downloads area under spreadsheets. A seperate tab for the Fire Tone Out information, kept in a consistent format, would be a very big improvement

b. Drop the .csv downloads. If they aren't being kept up to date and in synch with the current version of the database then they are misleading and potentially worthless. There are a great many web apps that can take data from the database now, and there are other ways to do it too (via Excel, for example). .csv files were nice when there weren't many web apps, now it's just redundant and unnecessary.

c. I thought about suggesting keeping the data in other formats, but to me it's more of a headache for the size of the database than its worth. However that being said, a pie in the sky idea would be a user interface that allows the data to be downloaded in .usd or other formats. So far there aren't a lot of apps that interface with the CDRom version of the database, and it limits just how useful the data could be. Having a user-driven selection of formats that could then be downloaded from the CD to a jump drive and used on PCs not connected to the Net (At EOCs, should their connections fail in a disaster, for example) would make the data truly portable and programmable.

As to formats, I think we can all agree that Uniden's .usd, BuTel's .mem and the formats used by Don Starr's programs (all of them, including the PRO92/93/95 - which will still be useable after rebanding IF the system is an EDACS type...). Perhaps also include the format(s) used by Bob Arum's ProScan program, as well as the PSRedit formats.

d. As a nod to the object oriented radio owners, we should add data for those systems that require it for the lo and hi channel settings. It would save some hesitation and confusion, particularly since this concept is not needed for Uniden and non-object RS radios.

e. A yes/no for rebanding would be very helpful. It can be as simple as we have it in the wiki - make it bold or colored to make it stand out. It's a matter of a single column, and as more systems reband, it may not always be apparent just by looking at the frequencies that a system has changed. EDACS systems that reband are a case in point.

73 Mike

 

[jumbo4498]

radioreference.com poll

the rr web site rocks it is the very best i've seen yet . so keep up the good workguys .

 

[jumbo4498]

rr poll

this is got to be one of if not the best site on the internet for scanners shortwave and ham radio . i like everything about it . it has lots of info and keeps everything up to date. thanks guys and keep up the great work.

 

[loumaag]

Thread Closed

Folks, this is a thread from almost 5 years ago, started by Lindsay then to see how people thought about the then brand new RadioReference site (as opposed to the older TrunkedRadio.net site).

Really, the only reason it floated to the top of the heap was because of trolling (deleted posts you can't see). Since it really has no relevance in the present, I am closing it.