BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Recording multiple toneouts on one transmission

[W2IRT]

Hi all,
I'm using ProScan to record and capture FD toneouts in my local area and I've run into a problem. In my area, there are dozens of easily-receivable departments that tone out on 158.94.

I'm curious if it's possible to capture each set of tones in the event that a dispatch pages multiple recipients in the same transmissions. By this I mean carrier keys, two tones go out for the FD, two more for the chief on duty, a third set for the local EMS squad, and then the voice announcements and carrier drop. The 996P2 along with ProScan will capture the first tone-pair but not the second and third. Is there some way to get all three? What about recordings...any way to decode the tones on playback? Thanks in advance.

 

[ProScan]

You are asking about a 5 tone detect. The scanner detect only 2 tones. Tone A and Tone B.

This software handles 5 tones. The tone detection is handled by the software and not the scanner.

Two Tone Detect

Delivers dispatch pager audio right to your mobile devices

www.twotonedetect.net

 

[buddrousa]

Bob he is talking about 3 or 4 different sets of 2 tone paging one for each different person.

 

[W2IRT]

Bob he is talking about 3 or 4 different sets of 2 tone paging one for each different person.

Correct. Two, three, or more sets of 2-tone-sequential pages in one keydown of the RF carrier. I realize that if the "Every transmission on a new line" button is checked in ProScan that it will capture each 2-tone page if it takes place in a separate application of RF. But in many cases the dispatcher will key the transmitter and press the buttons for multiple pagers then announce the call or the test message and only then un-key the TX. I'm attempting to find a way to decode each tone-pair sent in one continuous transmission.

 

[sibbley]

You need a program called Multi Decoder to capture those sequential pages. ComTekk Multi Tone Decoder

I use this program exclusively to capture tone outs.

 

[buddrousa]

Thanks Sibbley

 

[W2IRT]

Ouch. A little too spendy for me, but thanks for the recommendation in any event.

 

[NoneTheWiser]

Hi all,
I'm using ProScan to record and capture FD toneouts in my local area and I've run into a problem. In my area, there are dozens of easily-receivable departments that tone out on 158.94.

I'm curious if it's possible to capture each set of tones in the event that a dispatch pages multiple recipients in the same transmissions. By this I mean carrier keys, two tones go out for the FD, two more for the chief on duty, a third set for the local EMS squad, and then the voice announcements and carrier drop. The 996P2 along with ProScan will capture the first tone-pair but not the second and third. Is there some way to get all three? What about recordings...any way to decode the tones on playback? Thanks in advance.

Peter,

I am seeing the same thing as you. I bought ProScan with the hope that it would allow me to note all the tones that the Santa Fe County Fire Department uses. Unfortunately, our department always pages out a Med unit with a Volunteer Fire District unit, so there are always at least two pairs of tones, with no signal drop in between. Like you saw, only the first tone is logged.

While it seems to be a limitation of the software, I'm not completely sure. If I am sitting next to the scanner when the tones come in, I see that the "Tone-Out Search" line changes to "Tone-Out Hold". If I press the hold button before the second tone starts, it will then log the second tone. I think that ProScan only can see one pair of tones with each squelch break.

I agree that $70 for ComTekk Multi Tone Decoder is not practical for a hobbyist. I have also tried Two Tone Finder but the Raspberry Pi setup I use it on is kind of fiddley, and crashes, or stops recognizing the input signal every couple of days.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I wanted to include my finding for future searchers.

Brent
N6GPS

 

[k3fs]

You can use Pro Scan to record the audio. I play back the audio and use an app on my phone to decode the tones. I use Da Tuner on my android device. It's a free app that works very well. I keep a piece of paper and write the tones down, especially when there are multiple sets. Eventually you can match up each department to the tones.