Recommended DMR "Scanner"

[2wayfreq]

I have heard I could buy a Radioddity, Anytone etc. DMR radio and I could change it to "Promiscuoius" mode to scan DMR systems. I want to scan Capacity Plus and Capacity Plus Multi-Site Trbo. So, I guess it needs to be able to monitor Tier 3. What handheld is recommended?

 

[chief21]

Those mentioned radios are intended for tier 1 and 2 use. They have no ability to follow tier 3 DMR systems. You need either a commercial-level radio ($$$) or a scanner with tier 3 capability.
I believe that the Uniden SDS-series scanners can follow tier 3 systems (with the DMR upgrade installed)... you might want to check those out.

 

[EAFrizzle]

There's a list of Uniden scanners that will handle DMR tier III in the wiki.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I believe that the Uniden SDS-series scanners can follow tier 3 systems (with the DMR upgrade installed)... you might want to check those out.

Yes it can. So can these Unidens (I omitted the 160 & 260DN since they don't trunk track)

• BCD325P2 1 (paid upgrade required)
• BCD996P2 1 (paid upgrade required)
• BCD436HP 2 (paid upgrade required)
• BCD536HP 2 (paid upgrade required)
• SDS200 (paid upgrade required)

Paid upgrade is $60.00 if purchased direct from My Uniden

 

[EAFrizzle]

I have both the SDS 100 and 200 as well as the BCD325P2. Most of my DMR monitoring is done on the BCD325P2. If you're not concerned with monitoring a P25 simulcast system, the 325 is a substantial savings compared to the SDS series.

 

[brian]

I have heard I could buy a Radioddity, Anytone etc. DMR radio and I could change it to "Promiscuoius" mode to scan DMR systems. I want to scan Capacity Plus and Capacity Plus Multi-Site Trbo. So, I guess it needs to be able to monitor Tier 3. What handheld is recommended?

This is true, mostly, depending on your definition of "scan." Assuming the radio you choose supports the correct band that the systems operate in (VHF vs UHF vs 800, etc), then you can program the voice channels as conventional channels, and you'll hear audio. You have to program each frequency twice, once for each time slot.

I'm not familiar with the specific terminology of the radios you mentioned, but you can create digital "contacts" which correspond to talkgroups. Add those to a Contact "List" and associate that list with each conventional channel. The radio will display the Name/Alias you give to each talkgroup when it is active.

If by "scan" you mean to actually trunk-track the systems, then no, those radios will not. But you may be hard pressed to tell a difference in performance. Most of these radios will skip over data transmissions, such as location information, or the rest channel, or control channel. You'll see the channel activity indicator light up, and the scan rate will be slow, but it does work. Your mileage may vary, depending on your system.

 

[2wayfreq]

Oooh, I found the Belfone TD-930 UHF/VHF Tier 3 DMR Radio! I wonder if that one will do Passive Trunking Receive? Anyone messed with one yet?

 

[chief21]

The brochure says that the radio "can be updated to trunking version". It appears that the tier 3 capability is not native. They also mention some compatible "system" types that I did not recognize.

 

[2wayfreq]

The brochure says that the radio "can be updated to trunking version". It appears that the tier 3 capability is not native. They also mention some compatible "system" types that I did not recognize.

Crud, I was hoping Tier 3 right out of the box.

 

[headsense]

I just cant find my listing at the minute that defines what is standard and what is a payed entitlement function for this portable radio. One advantage it does offer, as does Hytera, is the psuedo trunk ability. When passively scanning T3 systems you only have to program each channel a single time and designate it psuedo trunk as opposed slot 1 or slot 2 or true TDMA and it will recieve both slots automatically and smoothly.
I have both Belfone DMR mobile and Hytera DMR portable and mobile and use passively on large mutlisite T3 systems. The limitation becomes the number of channels you can assign to a scan list at 16 channels. Most individual sites wont have 16 repeaters functioning but you try to program multiple sites concurrently to give the most continous coverage if moving throughout the system foot print. The alternative is multiple zones but you must switch zones as your moving areas. From a fixed location less of a problem. Of course to use a dedicated DMR radio you must have relevant system data to build out your contact lists or it will never unmute to the traffic its receiving. I have a number of Uniden UBCD536's so obtain the relevant data, build a portable radio scan profile and then monitor in the field happily and retain tx capacity.

 

[rgchristy]

They have quite an array of equipment.

BelFone Global - Two-Way Radio Communication Systems & Solutions

Founded in 1989, BelFone is a leading global provider of mission and business critical communications. Our products range from portable, mobile and manpack two-way radios, repeaters/base stations to trunking systems, offering radio communication solutions for various industries.

global.belfone.com

This looks like a model up from what you mentioned:

BelFone BF-TD950: Tough DMR Tier III Radio with GPS, Long Battery & Full Duplex Calls

BelFone BF-TD950 DMR radio boasts Tier III trunking, GPS, long battery life (17h trunking), full duplex calling, and advanced features for personnel safety in harsh environments. Ideal for professional teams.

global.belfone.com

Tier 3 Radios:

DMR Tier 3 Radios | BF-TD930/BF-TD950/BF-SCP950 - BelFone Communications

The models of BF-TD930, BF-TD950 and BF-SCP950 are BelFone DMR Tier 3 Radios, which are Based on the DMR Tier III digital standard, and have a wealth of features, such as trunking calls, advanced encryptions, and so on.

www.belfone.com

YouTube unboxing:

 

[rgchristy]

 

[2wayfreq]

It looks promising if it's Tier 3 right out of the box! I would use it for HAM Analog, Brandmeister DMR. But I also want to listen to Tier 3 Trbo systems like hospitals, casino ops, and some public safety monitoring (Passively) that are on DMR. As long as it doesn't "Affiliate" and stays invisible to the system. Also, looks like the only way to get the radio, accessories and programming cable all at once, is to buy direct.