Searching for Trunked Systems

[KU4WW]

I have a BCD996T. Is it possible for me to search for unknown trunked systems in my area with this scanner? Sorry if it's a dumb question, but sometimes I can't see the forest for trees and I've asked this question to myself several times before posting here. If it is so, how? Thank you.

Jeff EM64as

 

[marksmith]

It is, but I would be totally shocked if you came across a trunked system that isn't already in the RRDB.

The only things people are "finding" are DMR systems, and the 996T won't receive them.

Any trunked systems that can be monitored by the 996T have been found. A long time ago.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/others

 

[nd5y]

but I would be totally shocked if you came across a trunked system that isn't already in the RRDB.

Think again. The database is just the tip of a big iceberg.

 

[marksmith]

Think again. The database is just the tip of a big iceberg.

Well you are not going to find any of that additional iceberg with a 996T.

I can confidently say there are no undiscovered trunking systems in my area, except for those that cannot be monitored.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/others

 

[nd5y]

Well you are not going to find any of that additional iceberg with a 996T.

You can find a lot of stuff with a 996T or any other scanner that can search between upper and lower frequencies. Even if it won't decode certain digital modes you can still find active frequencies.

I can confidently say there are no undiscovered trunking systems in my area,

Good. The same is true in my area, but there aren't people like us everywhere.

 

[marksmith]

I agree that most scanners with search functions can often find interesting things if you spend a good deal of time searching and not scanning. However, the OP was talking about finding undiscovered trunking systems with a 996T. In the United States. Not likely.

You might find an occasional tow truck outfit or something if you had a DMR radio and did some searching, but undiscovered trunking systems pretty much don't exist anymore in the U.S.

Maybe some other countries.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/others

 

[KU4WW]

Thanks for the info. I will continue to have fun with it.

God Bless!

Jeff

 

[kc5igh]

It is, but I would be totally shocked if you came across a trunked system that isn't already in the RRDB.

The only things people are "finding" are DMR systems, and the 996T won't receive them.

Any trunked systems that can be monitored by the 996T have been found. A long time ago.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/others

RRDB is only as accurate, up to date, and complete as its contributers can make it.

It might be worthwhile for the OP to do some exploring on the FCC license search site. I've found a great many frequencies and agencies there that hadn't made it to the RRDB.

-Johnnie

 

[kc5igh]

I have a BCD996T. Is it possible for me to search for unknown trunked systems in my area with this scanner? Sorry if it's a dumb question, but sometimes I can't see the forest for trees and I've asked this question to myself several times before posting here. If it is so, how? Thank you.

Jeff EM64as

Try searching frequency ranges that are set aside for trunked systems (e.g. mid to high 400 and 800 MHz ranges for public safety and commercial agencies or 406 to 420 MHZ for federal government trunked systems). Make a note of the frequencies you encounter with voice traffic or trunked system control channel noise, and learn how to use the FCC license search website to identify who they are. You won't find federal agency information on the FCC site, but you should be able to find everyone else.

Hope this helps.

-Johnnie

 

[marksmith]

RRDB is only as accurate, up to date, and complete as its contributers can make it.

It might be worthwhile for the OP to do some exploring on the FCC license search site. I've found a great many frequencies and agencies there that hadn't made it to the RRDB.

-Johnnie

Completely agree. But again, the OP is asking about finding undiscovered trunked systems.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

 

[kc5igh]

Completely agree. But again, the OP is asking about finding undiscovered trunked systems.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

FWIW, I recently encountered a NXDN trunked system here in northern New Mexico with my Whistler TRX-1 that's not in the RRDB. Interestingly, a quick look at the FCC website revealed nothing either. I think there's a way to look up new or pending applications on the FCC site, so I'll give that a try when I get a chance.

Don't know much about this system other than the TRX-1 shows it as a NXDN signal with talkgroups. A search based on one of the frequencies I noted turned up a simplex system down in Albuquerque. The traffic I'm hearing sounds like a business system of some sort, so I'll keep on looking.

I really enjoy chasing this stuff down!

-Johnnie

 

[marksmith]

That is the kind of radio you need to find undiscovered trunking systems. A 996T won't get DMR or NXDN.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others