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Scanning a trunking network with a ASTRO25 Radio

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gewecke

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For most of you in here that have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to programming a Astro 25 XTS-2500 radio for conventional trunking scanning without affiliating with the network or transmitting on the system because it is illegal. Maybe you can all learn something from this video from a guy over seas who has some knowledge on this subject. Remember you can monitor a digital Astro 25 trunked system and you don't need a system key, just put the talk groups in Motorola format and the frequencies and it is possible. Just like a scanner. Listen and learn: Scanning a trunking network with a ASTRO25 Radio V2 - YouTube

Just a question, but why would you use a xts 2500 for a scanner?

73,
n9zas
 

CCHLLM

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Really good question, but maybe he's like some of the rest of us that carry a work radio that is also programmed for extracurricular listening. That's the only practical reason I can think of for the expensive "scanner."
 

immelmen

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Any chance of an 800mhz 9600baud system like the Colorado DTRS or is that a no go?

Yes, setting up a scan list with trunking talkgroups in it and scanning them from a conventional personality works on 9600 as well...It has to by design.

Icing on the cake is set the system search time to max(about four minutes) and the radio will never leave the trunking systems control channel. You have just basically electronically selected the trunking talkgroup directly using the CPS/radio's software rather than using a knob or button to do it...the bonus is it unmutes audio all day, no affiliation required :)
 

krokus

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Just a question, but why would you use a xts 2500 for a scanner?

73,
n9zas

The XTS-5000 that I have been issued does receive much more reliably than my PSR-500. Granted, I am scanning a much smaller list of TGs, on the XTS, but I do not miss any where near as much traffic as the GRE. (I will see the GRE scan through, multiple times, while XTS is playing traffic coming across on TGs that I scan.)

Now if my speaker-mic receive audio was better. (It is tinny, to the point of being harsh on the ears.)

Just for clarification, my XTS is on MPSCS. My GRE scans multiple MPSCS TGs, and some conventional radio freqs.
 

exkalibur

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The method linked to works perfect, except I'd also add two things:

1) Make sure Scan Hang Time is set to 0. You want the radio to snap back to the conventional channel as soon as the talkgroup has muted. This doesn't give the radio a chance to do anything on the talkgroup, much less monitor the control channel.

2) Set your Revert channel to Selected Channel. This way, if you hit the PTT button, instead of trying to select a talkgroup that might be in use, it'll always snap back to the conventional channel.

The advantage of this method (scanning from a conventional channel) is that you can program the conventional channel to be the system's fall-back frequency, if it has one, so you won't miss any action if the system goes down.
 

immelmen

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The method linked to works perfect, except I'd also add two things:

1) Make sure Scan Hang Time is set to 0. You want the radio to snap back to the conventional channel as soon as the talkgroup has muted. This doesn't give the radio a chance to do anything on the talkgroup, much less monitor the control channel.

2) Set your Revert channel to Selected Channel. This way, if you hit the PTT button, instead of trying to select a talkgroup that might be in use, it'll always snap back to the conventional channel.

The advantage of this method (scanning from a conventional channel) is that you can program the conventional channel to be the system's fall-back frequency, if it has one, so you won't miss any action if the system goes down.

A quick technical brief on your first point. The scan hang time only dictates how long the radio listens for activity on the landed talk group only(IE channel grants) on the control channel. when it releases the talk group it will still continue to scan the control channel for the duration of the "system search time" for all talkgroups in the scanlist. There is no danger the radio will do anything illicit here if programed properly(see below)...having said that, zero is actually the best value here, since this timer does not start until the trunking systems channel hang time expires(set in the Trunking system tab)...setting scan hang to zero is beneficial to prevent missing a new channel grant for the same talkgroup if a user is slow to reply to a call.

There is no danger of the radio doing anything illicit while hanging on a talk group or monitoring the control channel while using this method so long as your second point is followed...make sure the scan list talkback member is "selected channel", and having TX inhibit turned is also a must as well. NO RF leaves the radio with this enabled.

Therefore, its best to set your system search time to max and stay on the control channel, thus never scanning back to the convention channel your not interested in and possibly missing a grant. every time the radio sees a channel grant for a scan list member, the system search timer is rest and you will be trunking the CC all day long!
 
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immelmen

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Just a question, but why would you use a xts 2500 for a scanner?

73,
n9zas

Just speaking for myself personally, I'm not really interested in monitoring the traffic on a system...I just like to play with the technology. Im a tech-junkie, not a scanner junkie.
 
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kb0uxv

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1362599_02bcdea730.jpg
 

jhooten

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Go away! You obviously have nothing useful to add here.


Obviously, neither do you. Funny, I don't see moderator, administrator, or supreme being in your title. Until then MYOFB!

There is absolutely no good reason other then the "I"m super cool" factor to bugger up a perfectly good two way radio, trying to make it incapable of transmitting, to use it for a very limited capability scanner, and still risk receiving a random stun command that will render your very expensive toy a paper weight.

This needs repeating
lafd55 said:
GET A F***ING SCANNER!!!! That is all.
 

Skypilot007

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Obviously, neither do you. Funny, I don't see moderator, administrator, or supreme being in your title. Until then MYOFB!

There is absolutely no good reason other then the "I"m super cool" factor to bugger up a perfectly good two way radio, trying to make it incapable of transmitting, to use it for a very limited capability scanner, and still risk receiving a random stun command that will render your very expensive toy a paper weight.

This needs repeating

I guess you didn't see post #19 in this thread by the owner of this message board....:roll:

And just so you know and maybe learn a thing or two, the stun command is pointless in this thread because the hole point is no affilation. There are also easy ways to fix a "stuned" radio as you call it. Get a clue before you post and read the hole thread before you start typing so you don't make youeself look silly again.

Good grief...
 

burner50

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I guess the OP finally found someplace to download the CPS that he was looking for...


Have fun with the malware that comes with downloading software illegally!
 

kb0uxv

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emtnj437's method does seem to be the safest way to do this without the system key, and offers the added bonus of no possibility of TX on the system. The method Skypilot promotes needs the key, and screw ups can result in affiliation. Key possession can be a legal issue, at least in my State.

And you have to agree, that there are whackers in this world who's intent to use the Motorola is not because of durability. You can usually spot them in public - Motorola radios, old squad with a cage and antennas, amber lights...for the love of the radio gods please don't help them figure out how to put their radios on a trunking system.
 

Skypilot007

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Why would I want to read a hole thread Mr Perfect?

Perhaps you're a little frustrated today and can't figure out how to get your own radio on the local system. Maybe if you ask nice someone will help you out....:cool: I'm always willing to help, even you. Have a great day..:D
 

exkalibur

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Before people are quick to snap about being a whacker... living in an urban location like Toronto, people who RELY on their radios for their job (IE, media and tow operators), do NOT want to put up with sub-grade crap. IE, they want a radio that works despite all the cellular overload. No scanner in the world can compete with that.
 
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