RTL SDR

[DJBio]

Have been watching videos on YouTube about these and wondering if anyone in Atlantic Canada has or had tried these for the P25 phase 2 system the RCMP, EMS are using and having any luck in picking up the calls
Thinking of getting a couple to try out if anyone else has had luck.

 

[Deziel0495]

Have been watching videos on YouTube about these and wondering if anyone in Atlantic Canada has or had tryed these for the P25 phase 2 system the RCMP,EMS are using and having any luck in picking up the calls
Thinking on getting a couple to try out if anyone else has had luck

I have two. They're great but can be bit of a learning curve compared to a scanner.

The system used by first responders in the Maritimes is a phase 1 system, but just like scanners, they cannot monitor encrypted talkgroups. For PEI specifically, all law enforcement, EMS and any other sensitive communications users are encrypted and cannot be monitored. Fire, public works, schools, parks, GSAR, and a handful of other users can be monitored.

Check the database listing here: Maritime Public Safety Radio Network (MPSRN) Trunking System, Provincewide, Multi-State

For the Mode column - anything marked with "D" is open and clear. Anything with "DE" is encrypted.

 

[DJBio]

I have two. They're great but can be bit of a learning curve compared to a scanner.

The system used by first responders in the Maritimes is a phase 1 system, but just like scanners, they cannot monitor encrypted talkgroups. For PEI specifically, all law enforcement, EMS and any other sensitive communications users are encrypted and cannot be monitored. Fire, public works, schools, parks, GSAR, and a handful of other users can be monitored.

Check the database listing here: Maritime Public Safety Radio Network (MPSRN) Trunking System, Provincewide, Multi-State

For the Mode column - anything marked with "D" is open and clear. Anything with "DE" is encrypted.

I checked the database and don’t see a mode column

 

[Deziel0495]

I checked the database and don’t see a mode column

Scroll down to the talkgroup section, below the sites and frequencies.

 

[DJBio]

I was just able to find it. I want to be able to get any many channels as possible besides what I get with through BCD996 P2 and I am looking at an antenna to mount outside for the 996P2.

 

[Deziel0495]

I was just able to find it. Ii want to be able to get any many channels as possible besides what I get with through BCD996 P2 and I am looking at an antenna to mount outside for the 996P2.

Your scanner is capable of receiving everything an SDR can and you won't have to rely on a computer and software to listen.

Of the 16 sites on PEI, find the ones closest to you and program them in as P25 Phase 1 trunked. Keep the scanner in ID search rather than ID Scan and it will lock onto any talkgroup it receives as long as it's not encrypted. Feel free to send me a message. I can help as much as I can.

if you're still interested in SDR, there are many options to choose from. I use these: https://a.co/d/8EIUA4c paired with the SDR-Trunk software.

 

[BC_Scan]

I was just able to find it. Ii want to be able to get any many channels as possible besides what I get with through BCD996 P2 and I am looking at an antenna to mount outside for the 996P2.

It's a great scanner , and if you get a discone antenna with an RG6 cable minimum or better up high as possible you will be surprised what you can receive

 

[DJBio]

Your scanner is capable of receiving everything an SDR can and you won't have to rely on a computer and software to listen.

Of the 16 sites on PEI, find the ones closest to you and program them in as P25 Phase 1 trunked. Keep the scanner in ID search rather than ID Scan and it will lock onto any talkgroup it receives as long as it's not encrypted. Feel free to send me a message. I can help as much as I can.

if you're still interested in SDR, there are many options to choose from. I use these: https://a.co/d/8EIUA4c paired with the SDR-Trunk software.

When I loaded the scanner, I just put it in the list as it loads from the RR database.

 

[mciupa]

If you do decide to go the RTL-SDR route, I would suggest using SDRTrunk software. It outshines my BCD536HP for P25 Phase 2 that are simulcast systems in my area. Nice P25 audio. I followed along step by step and paused the set up while watching it on YouTube, but once it is working, you will be pleased.

 

[Freemor]

I've been playing with a RTL-SDR for a couple of years now. As others have said, there is a bit of a learning curve. But once the software is set up how you like it, it's not hard to listen to the P25 traffic. I use mine for much more than that. But being able to do so definitely came in handy during the Bocabec fire this summer.

 

[DJBio]

I have a discone antenna semi installed just waiting on a power pole to get things fully set up. I would like to know what I would need to use it for my BCD 996P2 and 2 RTL SDR, if I was to get them. I have RG6 quad shield going to the discone antenna

 

[BC_Scan]

The single coax cable would need to be split via suitable splitter. A cable co wide band splitter would work , as other devices (Stridsberg) with appropriate connectors.
Test the discone first w/out splitter, so you understand its capabilities first

 

[ve1sef]

When I loaded the scanner, I just put it in the list as it loads from the RR database

Did you edit the list after you down loaded it? If not, then your scanning every tower site and talk group in the system (all 4 provinces).

This could really slow down your scanner and might result in missed radio transmissions.

 

[DJBio]

Did you edit the list after you down loaded it? If not, then your scanning every tower site and talk group in the system (all 4 provinces).

This could really slow down your scanner and might result in missed radio transmissions.

I have gone over it and scanned the list for duplicate frequencies and removed them, some even had up to nine.
The main ones I want to pick up have been set to priority and set to stay on those frequencies for 10-15 second, I believe.

When I get around to getting some RTL SDR’s and set them, up the number of frequencies will be a low number. I plan to scan and provide a feed as it’s been years since I have done it in my area. One of the database admins here done the western end of the province I live in.
I want to provide a lot of the province if I can get things set up and done right on a low budget.

 

[ve1sef]

I've been using 996's since 2006 and recently a 325P2 and found that 0 delay on the individual tower sites (the frequencies) scans better. I'm sure you've double check and removed the non PEI talk groups (the channels) from the radio.

So some other things I'd check:
1-Make sure the system has a Quick Key and that it's turned on.
2-Be sure that the attenuator hasn't accidently been turned on.

There are a couple YouTube shows on the "Scanner Guys" channel that go over programming clean slate scanners such as the 996P2.
That just might help you figure out where the gremlin is hiding in your scanner.
I live in an apartment and can't use an outside antenna. Thus I'm using a small mag mount antenna on a window sill and it improved my reception. Might work for you.

 

[VO1GXG]

I use 2 RSP1's and 2 RTL Dongles running SDRTrunk in Halifax for my scanner needs and an RSP2dX for general purpose stuff. I don't think I'd ever go back to 'physical' radio again.

 

[DJBio]

Just found this in my box of satellite and coax parts would this work to run my 996 and 2 RTL SDR’s off my discone antenna

 

[ve1sef]

Based on the photo I don't think so. That's a cable tv splinter. Unless you're using tv cable from an antenna to a one or more scanner(s)
with the proper adapters; it's really no help for your project.

 

[BC_Scan]

would this work to run my 996 and 2 RTL SDR’s off my discone antenna

PM sent to you

 

[DJBio]

Not sure if I had mentioned it, but I wasn’t to be able to have these set to broadcast. I'm not sure if that’s possible with the program(s) for the SDR.