SDSO Scanning Question

[bj35]

Ok, I'm extremely amateur with scanning. I've had an old RadioShack Pro-2052 and Pro-94 for years, and have always had them programmed to scan San Diego City's 800.

Recently, I've tried programming in the RCS system to listen to SDSO. I've got the North and South frequencies programmed, and have successfully been able to listen to various talkgroups, such as AMR, Mercy Air Dispatch, freeway service patrol, Vista school buses and AirCare Ambulance. However, when any of the SO talkgroup IDs pops up, it's pure noise. Popping, buzzing and other noise that almost sounds like data.

Any suggestions? Again, I am pretty much oblivious to how the trunking system works. I've never had trouble programming the City 800....but there were also less frequencies for me to try and deal with, etc.

Thanks!

 

[SCPD]

First off I'm no where this system.
2nd per RR lease be aware that all 800MHz frequencies used in San Diego between 851.0000 and 865.9875MHz are assigned from the SPLINTER bandplan. This means they are offset by 12.5kHZ (e.g., 856.0125 is not used, instead 856.0000 is used in its place). When programming any Motorola 3600 trunked system you must program the system as a splinter system.

It is recommended to program systems or sites using frequencies between 866.0000 through 868.9875 as splinter systems. This will not affect operation and tracking. If and when a site adds frequencies below 866MHz you will not need to change any system/site programming options.

Examples of splinter systems: San Diego County RCS and City of San Diego.

Also it looks like your Scanner is an analog one and several agency's listed are Digital and this is why you may not be able to receive it.
And they may be encrypted.

 

[bj35]

I discovered the digital/analog issue shortly after posting this question on here. I believe that is my exact problem. San Diego City is able to be scanned by analog scanners, hence why I can get them, but SO is digital. Like I said, I'm a total newbie to this stuff!

Thanks!

 

[K6CDO]

Unlike the City's 800 system, most LE talkgroups on the RCS are digital (but not encrypted). They will sound as you have described on an analog-only scanner.