Suggestion for Database User Interface

[radionut44]

I frequently search for specific TG in the NC VIPER statewide trunk system. As you would expect for a statewide system, there are many sites and also many TG. I search the TG on my iPad and make entries in a DSD+ groups file on my desktop. I presently use the Filter in the sites section to select one county (which will have only a few sites) and that gets me quickly to the TG section ( rather than scrolling through 100‘s of sites.)
I then select to show all TG in a list, rather than grouped. Because I usually have several unidentified TG in my file, I work my way through about 30 pages of TG in the database, entering information in my groups file. If I have scrolled to the bottom of a page I can select the next page, or if I prefer, the last page. Sometimes I will be working backwards to find what I am looking for, but when I get to the top of page and haven’t found it, I have to scroll back to the bottom to choose the previous page.
Having explained all that, I would suggest the following be added to all trunk systems in the database. Small systems probably would not really need, but add to all trunk systems:

• Above the Site/Frequency listing have buttons to jump to either (1) the Grouped TG list or (2) All TG or (3) All New TG. These three buttons would duplicate the buttons already at the beginning of the TG listing.
• At the top of the TG listing add a button to jump to the top of the Sites/Frequency listing, and also duplicate the variable set of Page buttons that is currently displayed at the bottom of the current TG page. These buttons would save a lot of scrolling up and down the listing.

 

[blantonl]

I might suggest in this use case that you simply download the CSV of all the talkgroups into Excel / Numbers on your iPad and use that to do some of the more detailed data management tasks you are looking to accomplish.

I'll look into these user interface suggestions - thank you for the feedback!

 

[radionut44]

I might suggest in this use case that you simply download the CSV of all the talkgroups into Excel / Numbers on your iPad and use that to do some of the more detailed data management tasks you are looking to accomplish.

I'll look into these user interface suggestions - thank you for the feedback!

Copy and paste will not help me, because in most cases I am shortening the TG name so I just type in what I need. The way I am doing it has the advantage of always being the current information in the database. i do like to use the Text Filter that is available in the All TalkGroups display, but since I am searching for a TG number and it only shows that TG, if I also need some other TG numerically close scrolling can be faster. With the added buttons as suggested, everyone has more flexibility to find what works for them. Thank you for considering the suggestions!

 

[blantonl]

and also duplicate the variable set of Page buttons that is currently displayed at the bottom of the current TG page.

Do you mean the pagination links?

 

[blantonl]

Copy and paste will not help me,

I'm not suggestion copy paste, I'm suggesting downloading the CSV of the talkgroups and then using Excel or Numbers to sort / search/ scroll through the data. See this link:

North Carolina VIPER Trunking System, Varies, Multi-State

North Carolina VIPER Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

We also provide DSD formatted downloads there as well

 

[dave3825]

We also provide DSD formatted downloads there as well

Will DSD formatted Dmr and Nxdn downloads be available like what's available for P25?

 

[blantonl]

Will DSD formatted Dmr and Nxdn downloads be available like what's available for P25?

I'm working on it. Our team has an open ticket on this request.

 

[radionut44]

Do you mean the pagination links?
View attachment 156736

Exactly.

 

[RaleighGuy]

I search the TG on my iPad and make entries in a DSD+ groups file on my desktop.

Why not just download and copy/paste the DSD+ Groups file from the database? That's how I loaded the VIPER TGs into DSD+ and it took me less than 5 minutes. It seems like you are making a lot more work for yourself.

I then select to show all TG in a list, rather than grouped. Because I usually have several unidentified TG in my file, I work my way through about 30 pages of TG in the database, entering information in my groups file. If I have scrolled to the bottom of a page I can select the next page, or if I prefer, the last page.

If you pick Show All and then All you won't have to worry about pages.


But I agree with the Boss, @blantonl , just download the TG CSV file, edit it in Excel or other file and you skip the slow loading of the VIPER database, or scrolling through sites, or pages. Radio Reference has done the hard part for us.

 

[blantonl]

Will DSD formatted Dmr and Nxdn downloads be available like what's available for P25?

This is now available. We're working on the Tier III systems which will be available soon. But Con+ and NXDN systems now have DSD downloads available.

 

[dave3825]

This is now available. We're working on the Tier III systems which will be available soon. But Con+ and NXDN systems now have DSD downloads available.

Lindsay, you rock. Thank you. Now to update a bunch of files.

 

[mwjones]

This is now available. We're working on the Tier III systems which will be available soon. But Con+ and NXDN systems now have DSD downloads available.

Your timing couldn't be better, I've got an upcoming business trip soon and will be taking my mobile rig with me (I'll be staying close to an "antenna farm", plus I've got a couple of days off in the mix to venture out and explore the RF in the area. My destination has a lot of NXDN and CON+, so it will be nice to not have to manually build all that data up. Although it looks like there's a lot of contributors in my destination area, I still won't be afraid to submit updates and additions to RRDB.

Thank you!