Simulcast required for ICAWIN/EICAWIN?

[Ziginox]

Hello, everyone! I've been using an SDR setup (RTL-SDR and DSDPlus) to monitor the ICAWIN and EICAWIN systems for while, but a laptop and associated cabling is not very portable. Thus, I have been thinking about picking up a portable scanner when on the go.

My question is, do I need a scanner capable of dealing with simulcast? $700 for an SDS100/200 (or not much less for a used example) is pretty steep. Can I get away with an older/lesser model in this system?

 

[thewenk]

Simulcast really isn't the issue. The scanner has to be capable of P25 phase 1 and that is the SDS 100 or 200. Or the older Uniden scanners, the BCD 536hp or BCD 436hp. The older units will work on these systems and you might find them used. They would be cheaper to buy.

The ICAWIN and the EICAWIN are two different systems, but both are P25 Phase 1.

 

[M109a3]

Does anybody have a list of county analog patches like on VHF or UHF that revert back to the EMS or other 800 system

 

[Enforcer52]

The BCD325P2 does P25 phase 1 and 2 and is the cheapest of the scanners that are capable of phase 1 and 2. It works very well and since I see none of the towers appear to be simulcast on the two systems you mentioned it should serve you well.

What ever you decide on I suggest a better antenna than what comes with the scanner. I use a Diamond RH77CA on my 325P2.

Also suggest getting a copy of ProScan to program any Uniden scanner you get.

 

[K9KLC]

The BCD325P2 does P25 phase 1 and 2 and is the cheapest of the scanners that are capable of phase 1 and 2. It works very well and since I see none of the towers appear to be simulcast on the two systems you mentioned it should serve you well.

What ever you decide on I suggest a better antenna than what comes with the scanner. I use a Diamond RH77CA on my 325P2.

Also suggest getting a copy of ProScan to program any Uniden scanner you get.

Is he talking about Idaho? Am I confused or isn't this simulcast? Also Ada county actually says simulcast on it. Perhaps he's talking about somewhere else or I'm just confused.

 

[thewenk]

Some of the ICAWIN System uses simulcast. The Boise area uses some simulcast( thee same frequency is used to broadcast on more than one transmitter at the same time). Early Uniden scanners has trouble receiving simulcast transmissions.

Most of the system uses multicast (each transmitter uses a different frequency to broadcast the same transmission)

EICAWIN uses no simulcast.

 

[thewenk]

Does anybody have a list of county analog patches like on VHF or UHF that revert back to the EMS or other 800 system

Where those patches have been reported they are noted in the RR Database. I believe that far fewer patches are used today than were used a few years ago.

 

[K9KLC]

Some of the ICAWIN System uses simulcast. The Boise area uses some simulcast( thee same frequency is used to broadcast on more than one transmitter at the same time). Early Uniden scanners has trouble receiving simulcast transmissions.

Most of the system uses multicast (each transmitter uses a different frequency to broadcast the same transmission)

EICAWIN uses no simulcast.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Ziginox]

Some of the ICAWIN System uses simulcast. The Boise area uses some simulcast( thee same frequency is used to broadcast on more than one transmitter at the same time). Early Uniden scanners has trouble receiving simulcast transmissions.

Most of the system uses multicast (each transmitter uses a different frequency to broadcast the same transmission)

EICAWIN uses no simulcast.

So just to make sure I'm reading this right, I'll be fine without a simulcast-capable scanner (like the BCD325P2) in most of the state, but will need an SDS100/200 or 150 in the Boise and Coeur d'Alene areas? I visit Boise fairly often (and plan to maybe move there soon). In the grand scheme of things, the BCD325P2 isn't that much cheaper than an SDS100; perhaps biting the bullet and 'future-proofing' is the answer here.

Also apologies for the ICAWIN/EICAWIN confusion. I'm aware they're two different systems (with some linking between them), but worded my post poorly.

Where those patches have been reported they are noted in the RR Database. I believe that far fewer patches are used today than were used a few years ago.

I've discovered a few P25 -> analog patches that aren't in the database, primarily for search and rescue. It sounds like these would be worth submitting?

 

[thewenk]

Yes, please make a submittal for the patches you have found. Submittals are the best way to get that information added to the DB.

I do not have to deal with receiving simulcast transmissions where I am located, so most of my information is second-hand about the Boise simulcast problems. All the simulcast problems I am aware of are from several years ago before encryption entered the picture. I have not heard much about simulcast reception recently in the Boise area.

Participation in this forum has decreased significantly since encryption was started.

I am not aware of simulcast being used in the Coeur d'Alene area..

If you may be in the Boise area permanently, I would personally buy the SDS 100 or 200. But so much is encrypted in the Boise area now I do not know what you can really receive. A comment from somebody in the Boise area would be probably be more helpful.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask any more questions you may have.

 

[MountainMoose]

Just do yourself a favor and get an SDS100 or 150. Especially if you are going to be scanning the Ada co/Boise areas... and as far as what you can receive in the area. NO PD. NO SO. ALL FD/EMS very little State Patrol. LOTS of other stuff available. So IF its ONLY PD/SO you are wanting then I'd save yourself the money...