bezking
Member
Absolutely, if you have a legitimate need to transmit on a TRS (which you may), your Motorola dealer will be able to set you up. Programming a TRS into a /\/\ Radio of any kind is not an easy task.
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Sabers
- Thread starter Northerner71
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Northerner71
Member
That would be nice if the nearest shop wasn't 300 km away. I think if it is illegal, I do not want any trouble for my chief or myself. I just thought that it would work for my situation. I guess I will just have to be careful and not get hurt. Have to admit though it would have been nice, we are not on Fleetnet so we have no comms with anyone but ourselves. Oh well wouldn't know how to program it anyway.
bezking
Member
My next step would be the radio tech for your department, or whoever set up your system. They should be able to give you some advice, maybe even order you a radio.
Northerner71
Member
We are just a small unit, 33 guys that pretty much know pumps, nozzles, and fire. I would have to believe I am the closest we have to a "tech". If a saber is out of the question, would another type of radio work, or are the all just the same sh@t different pile?
b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
Actually, programming a TRS is rather easy once you've done them. Saber, MCS, MTS/MTX, they are all pretty much the same in programming. Honestly, I wish programming a scanner was as easy as programming a TRS! It's just called repetition, the more you do it, the easier it is.
Older TRS (i.e. non P25) the radio can be programmed to NOT affiliate on channel change. If the radio is just sitting there, even in scan mode, the TRS will never know that it exist (just like a scanner). Now, the minute you key up the radio, it's systems ID will be broadcast the the controller and if that ID is not authorized, it won't access the TRS. Many PS folks who don't have the ability to take home their portables (you have to leave it at the station even though it is assigned to you), they would simply get their system ID (easy to get, just call dispatch!), go to a Motorola dealer (not the one that programmed their system), show them their ID, give them their ID and have the radio programmed as a back up unit. No matter what anyone else says, it happens all around the US.
On a NEWER TRS - i.e. P25, it's not that easy. Especially on the XTS/XTL's, only 1 ID can be used as your radio serial number (not system ID, but "mother board ID") is transmitted. If your ID is being "bogarted" by another radio and it keys up, the system will see there are 2 of the same ID's but with different serial numbers. Most systems like that are set up to be flagged and a message sent to the system administrator. Most likely, a stun code will be sent out and brick your radio.
My conventional System Saber has GMRS (I'm a GMRS user) and just a couple PS UHF frequencies in it (because the Metro Atlanta area is almost totally P25), but the transmit is set to BLANK - all you get on the PS channels is a BLAAAANT noise when you key up on them meaning it can not transmit on it.
Yeah, the commercial equipment is more sensitive and has a richer audio to it, but they have limitations to them - smaller scan list (most will do a max of 16 channels), 1 frequency band (VHF-Lo, VHF-Hi, UHF), and most require expensive software and programming equipment.
Unless you have the $$$ to spend on the radio & equipment, stick to the scanner as it can save a lot of hassle if an officer want's to "investigate" you and your radio equipment.
auxscan
Member
I'm assuming he's a firefighter, if the saber is programmed to RX only then he shouldn't have a problem. There are barely any motorola dealers that would program your radio without the right authorizations. either a police/fire ID or a radio licence.
But I agree with you, some people aren't what they say they are.....
Boy the radio police pounced on this one ! Especally that 1st reply....! Get a clue!
Do a lot of research and get to know you Moto's and CPS and you can passively monitor nearly any trunked system out there. If you don't want to research the topic throughly then take the suggestions of the radio police and buy a scanner. Your choice.
Have fun!
N4DES
Retired 0598 Czar ÆS Ø
Your best bet is to as your Chief for permission and his opinion. Why I say this is that some systems, including the one that I manage, have user fees for each ID that is on the network. You Chief, or the person in charge of the agency's fiscal area, should be able to tell you.
As to programming, I highly doubt that you will find any shops that will blindly program a trunking radio based on a persons employee ID. If they do without the proper authorizations could have their MSS pulled by Motorola in very short order especially if they aren't authorized to do so.
So with that being said, go talk to your Chief first and don't base your decisions posted on a public internet board.
radioman2001
Member
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I think the main point of all this is to do it yourself. Yes you can buy the hardware to program a Saber, yes the software is available on the internet at some shady sites (make sure you have your virus scan on) and yes you can program any frequency in the world in your radio as long as it is for receive only. Now for trunking a little more complicated, Systems Sabers do Motorola type trunking only, there is software out there (you will have to find on your own not here) that can program the radio if you have the right information. You can disable affiliation on the style of radio unlike the XTS-5000 where you can't. Now for the legalese. Motorola frowns deeply on anyone (caught) who programs a radio on any of their type trunking systems. They espose the security of their systems, but like any other computer system it is hackabel. Going to you local Motorola dealer asking for programming of a personal radio may cause one of many things to happen. They may call your chief to check you out, or they may call the local police to check you out, and you may get a visit from the Motorola police. Depending on how much you want to listen the choices are up to you.
The system he wants to program is not a pure p25 system. It is a smartzone with astro talkgroups. If the OP's ASTRO saber is flashed correctly and if he does his research he will not have a problem programming and scanning the system. Plus the OP is using an astro saber he can set the affiliation to PTT. Since the system is VHF change the TX range and the TX CC frequencies so they don't match the system.
The post about the FCC prohibiting programmed TX frequencies in a radio does not apply.
The post about the FCC prohibiting programmed TX frequencies in a radio does not apply.
N4DES
Retired 0598 Czar ÆS Ø
Illegal actions like this can get him demoted or fired. It has happened before and and will continue to do so.
but people on hear think they can do whatever they want because there above the law. it's illegal buying shady software it's just stupid why risk you're spot at the firehouse because guys on here are telling you can do it listen of course you can do it however its risky and i'm sure getting caught not worth it because you enjoy being a firefighter motorola has people out there tracking who selling there software online and tracking who buying it they have caught people and hit them with very heavy fines and jail time.
No one has showen anything that programming a radio with the capability to transmit on frequencies that they are not licensed is illegal in Canada.
It is illegal. In fact, I believe our laws on this topic are much more strict than those in the United States.
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N4DES
Retired 0598 Czar ÆS Ø
Oh I'm sure it is...but it is also immoral. He could be taking a chance on his career by going down this path. He needs to go through the proper channels whether he is in Canada or the US, or use a scanner.
b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
And here is your badge:
Sure ..Go ahead. Program your radio to do what ever you want. When you get caught by the FCC or Canadian officals. Just tell them thats Its ok. I checked with the armchair system adminstrators over at radio reference, they said its all cool if I do it.
Take the advise of the professionals here. If you need a radio, Its not provided by the department. Follow the proper channels to get the authorization you need IN WRITING, make arangements to have a legitimate shop do the work and documented.Its up to you to keep a copy. You are asking for trouble by having a unauthorized radio programmed by a friend of a friend who has a bootleg copy of CPS. Motorola radios make great recievers over a scanner. techology has changed that its now very difficult to get a radio on a trunked system. Why?? because of unauthorized users.
Get a scanner..
Take the advise of the professionals here. If you need a radio, Its not provided by the department. Follow the proper channels to get the authorization you need IN WRITING, make arangements to have a legitimate shop do the work and documented.Its up to you to keep a copy. You are asking for trouble by having a unauthorized radio programmed by a friend of a friend who has a bootleg copy of CPS. Motorola radios make great recievers over a scanner. techology has changed that its now very difficult to get a radio on a trunked system. Why?? because of unauthorized users.
Get a scanner..
N4DES
Retired 0598 Czar ÆS Ø
Or worse yet, when his commanding officer suspends him without pay, like what happened to one of our local officers for doing just this after I inhibited the radio, he can ask the local armchair administrators for $ from them for their poor advice.
How can you inhibit the radio if it never affiliates? There are ways around affiliation but the radio police will scare you into thinking you can't.
If programmed correctly the radio will never affiliate and you will be able to scan the talkgroups.
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