SDR users in Ontario

[gary123]

The DSD people have released a updated public (FREE) version of their fantastic DSDPlus program. This version contains all the features of the purchased DSDFastlane. The program and instructions to set it up are in this thread.

DSDPlus -- New Public Release and Fast Lane Changes

Please visit DSDPlus – Digital Decoder and read the posts (there are only two of them). If you are not a Fast Lane member but use the free version of DSDPlus, you should download the new version and have all of the features that current Fast Lane users (as of today) have. If you are a Fast...

forums.radioreference.com

To keep the thread short this program will decode, trunktrack and log activity from any Control Channel you tune the SDR to. What makes the program of particular use to us here in Ontario is that it will compile data on a system even if the system or user is encrypted. This data can then be filtered and used to update the RR database for Ontario systems as well as customizing a scanners codeplug. SDSPlus supports NXDN, P25P1, P25P2, DMR DMRTIII and a few other formats. It autodetects the mode making it super easy to use. The logging is automatic.

This is a screen capture of what a fully captured system can display. LMRN in this case


Similar displays can be made for DMR and other systems/sites. When populated the created files will automatically display the system name, site location/name/TG user name and even the particular radio user name.

Many of us cannot hear systems or sites halfway across the province although we would all like to have the configurations available should we travel or if propagation conditions permit it. What I would like to do is collect the logged files from the members here. My plan is to combine these files into one super file that contains everything you would need to monitor and display any system in the province (provided we have logs form that area). These super files will then be posted regularly here in this tread so everyone can have the latest settings for their use. The next post will cover how to share your logged files.

 

[gary123]

Here are some starter files for everyone. They are in no way complete. I have added in some my local stuff (Waterloo Region) as well as some of the bigger systems. As I add in submitted logs, these files will become more and more accurate and complete.

To use these files just unzip and replace the existing files in the DSDPlus folder.

NOTE: once you start your own logging DSSDPlus will add to these files. Do not worry about that. When you send your files I will filter out the old information and just add the new to the updates to be posted here.

 

[gary123]

If we are going to do this right, I think it's best we have a plan.

My thought is this. Let us start with Toronto. I think we should monitor the Toronto Emergency services for a solid 24 to 48 hours. The system has 4 sites so we need to log each site for a few hours minimum. This will give us lots of TG activity as well as capturing all the active frequencies on the sites. Once the logs have been made they can be DMed to me. I will then combine them all into our master file and post them. Because this is a P25 system I will need the DSDPplus.P25Data, DSDPLus.groups, DSDPlus.radios and the DSDPlus.event files.

Toronto Emergency Services Trunking System, Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Emergency Services Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

I have attached clean-empty files for those who are familiar enough with being able to rename and protect any existing files. Otherwise as said earlier I can filter out pre existing data.

I will also crossreference the RR data base and pass on any changes discovered.

When we have this system logged we can then decide if we want to do the same for another area or concentrate on different systems in the Metro Toronto area.

For those outside of Toronto, please feel free to log anything in your local area. I will add these to the master files and post what system/areas we have logged. Again, for best results, we should monitor the system/sites for 12-24 hours in order to capture as many TG as possible.

 

[gary123]

Added LMRN site 74 to the master list. Modified the site alias to Carlisle(Ottawa)

 

[gary123]

If anyone has had the time to log Toronto, and can DM me the P25.dat, Groups, and Event logs I will add them to the master list over the weekend. I will be happy to take any files anyone wishes to share.

The next target for the master files is LMRN.

 

[LectroJoe]

I'll try to remember to install this on the SDR I have at work downtown and let it run for a few days.

 

[gary123]

The new free version works as well as fastlane. It has all the features that fastlane has.

For those who do not have DSDFastlane

DSDPlus – Digital Decoder

click on the red DSDPLus text to download.

There is a complete how to in the DSDPlus forums Post 40

DSDPlus -- New Public Release and Fast Lane Changes

Please visit DSDPlus – Digital Decoder and read the posts (there are only two of them). If you are not a Fast Lane member but use the free version of DSDPlus, you should download the new version and have all of the features that current Fast Lane users (as of today) have. If you are a Fast...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[hotpocket]

Hey @gary123 , not sure if you know if this is normal, but I opened DSD+ fastlane this morning after about 2 weeks of not really using it, and I got a crapton of these messages popping up in the console. Its like its downloading a bunch of Aliases or something , but its never done that before




Edit: Nevermind, Just realized it was automatically downloading the aliases that other people had discovered. I was previously just making educated guesses at the aliases, so this definitely made it a lot easier

 

[ve3tej]

That is normal.

It is adding aliases that you already have the radio id in your list. It means that some one else is monitoring the same system you have in the past.

You will see that the London P25 sites are now broadcasting P25 aliases which will make it easier for you to figure out who has what radio

 

[hotpocket]

That is normal

It is adding aliases that you already have the radio id in your list. It means that some one else is monitoring the same sysytem you have in the past.

You will see that the London p25 sites are now broadcasting p25 aliases which will make it easier for you to figure out who has what radio

So essentially it will overwrite the settings that I have already set up. I've got DSDPlusUI installed, and had a bunch of my aliases already set up in DSD+ Fastlane. If I were to edit the radios file manually to put the aliases I already had back to what they were, will it just overwrite it again in the future?

 

[mtindor]

So essentially it will overwrite the settings that I have already set up. I've got DSDPlusUI installed, and had a bunch of my aliases already set up in DSD+ Fastlane. If I were to edit the radios file manually to put the aliases I already had back to what they were, will it just overwrite it again in the future?

It doesn't overwrite user-added aliases. It adds OTA aliases in a separate field. Just go into your dsdplus.radios file and search for P3308 and P3319 and you'll see where they are in the line (because they are OTA aliases) compared to your manually added aliases.

And if you have a custom alias set for a radio ID and there happens to be an OTA alias, you'll see both on the line. And you'll have the option to display either your custom alias, or the OTA alias, or both -- based upon your menu selection.

MISC menu --> P25 Talker Aliases --> Only Display User-entered Aliases | Only Display Talker Aliases | Display Both Aliases

Mike

 

[gary123]

The alias update will only update any RIDs you have in your radios file. It does not add in any RIDs seen by other users. Extra Rids can be added by combining the .radio data from one user to another. This is the plan for this thread.

 

[tormedic]

If we are going to do this right, I think it's best we have a plan.

My thought is this. Let us start with Toronto. I think we should monitor the Toronto Emergency services for a solid 24 to 48 hours. The system has 4 sites so we need to log each site for a few hours minimum. This will give us lots of TG activity as well as capturing all the active frequencies on the sites. Once the logs have been made they can be DMed to me. I will then combine them all into our master file and post them. Because this is a P25 system I will need the DSDPplus.P25Data, DSDPLus.groups, DSDPlus.radios and the DSDPlus.event files.

Toronto Emergency Services Trunking System, Toronto, Ontario

Toronto Emergency Services Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

I have attached clean-empty files for those who are familiar enough with being able to rename and protect any existing files. Otherwise as said earlier I can filter out pre existing data.

I will also crossreference the RR data base and pass on any changes discovered.

When we have this system logged we can then decide if we want to do the same for another area or concentrate on different systems in the Metro Toronto area.

For those outside of Toronto, please feel free to log anything in your local area. I will add these to the master files and post what system/areas we have logged. Again, for best results, we should monitor the system/sites for 12-24 hours in order to capture as many TG as possible.

What exactly are we talking about here. Can you explain? Thanks. Also, I posted a thread about why can I not get Toronto EMS / Fire in the s/w outside of Hagersville, even though I get upper NYS, and Ohio. I have a powered preamp, multi-coupler, and outdoor antenna on my roof. Thanks, Steve

 

[gary123]

We are compiling a master set of DSDPlus files that anyone can place in their DSDSPlus folder. These files will be preconfigured for Ontario systems. This means that when you set your SDR on a local control frequency the events display will already be populated with the system, site TG alias and where practical the RID alias.

I can add in other systems outside of Ontario if desired. All I would need is the captures.

All anyone needs to have for this process is any RTL-SDR or Airspy or generic SDR dongle.

Updated files. Added Cornwall C9A, p25dat,networks and sites. Thanks to Aviator747 for sharing the system information

 

[LectroJoe]

I didn't manage to get it running on the machine at work, but have installed it on a separate computer here at home on Christmas Eve, and let it run for about 4 hours monitoring South Sector. Hope this is useful.

 

[gary123]

Thank you for the south sector files. I have added them to the master files. If you get a chance and can log the other sites that would be great. Also if you have the .events file I will filter it for some KID info.

Until I release the full file updates, here is a updated .groups for you. It contains the aliased TD data so far. Just replace the one you are using or C&P the Toronto TG section if you have logged other systems.

 

[LectroJoe]

Thanks. Here's the .event file. The setup I have here at home is only receiving one of the south sector control frequencies clearly enough to decode well. When I'm back at work Monday I should have better luck with other sites.

 

[mciupa]

I thought I'd give the west simulcast a try and this popped up. Looks like Area Command uses KeyID=0014 and Specialized Operations use KeyId=0012. Earlier I saw talkgroup 413 using KeyID=0001 Dispatch consoles use RID's in the 52XXX range. All that red reminds me of the 70's 's up to encryption when the officers would yell "10-33" ! over the radio when they were in trouble.

 

[gary123]

I had a pile of Toronto KIDs in the 0018 to 0023 area. It looks like the information I have is out of date as I had the divisions at KID0018. If some other members in Toronto can do some logging and upload the files, especially the .event I will make up a list of the KIDs for us to enjoy.

Tormedics .event file was not configured for showing the KIDs. I appreciate him sharing his files so far. FYI under the control tab he needs to set encrypted voice following to full following


This will then show an output like mciupa has shown.

Also experienced users will see that the West simulcast site is linked to York Region SID 6C4.

 

[Enjoi19]

Also experienced users will see that the West simulcast site is linked to York Region SID 6C4.

All sites are linked to York's site 1. Similarly, you'll see Halton's south (at least) linked to Peel's simulcast.