Trunking Question

[doublehelix]

Hi,

I'm a new member who is just getting back into this hobby. I've had a Bearcat BC895XLT for several years now, and have recently purchased an IC-R20; however, I have a question on trunking with the BC.

I assume that the of the list of frequencies in a trunked system, the "data" channel changes every so often. I ask this because yesterday, for example, I was able to "sync up" (I'm a newbie, forgive my lack of lingo) to the trunked system. However, today when I try the same procedure (and noticing that the data channel is different), I can see the list of frequencies in this bank (the six frequencies associated with the trunked system in this area) continue to cycle.

In other words, it looks as if it is just scanning the frequencies, unable to "sync up." Can anyone shed some light on this? It appears to alternate days. I hope I've been clear enough.

Thank you,

B

 

[n4voxgill]

it would make it much easier to help you if you would tell us the radio system you are trying to trunk track. There is a difference between systems.

 

[nexus]

Most if not all Trunked Systems have multiple repeaters assigned as a Control Channel. Only one control channel is used at a time while the others are voice channels. The system rotates the control channel every few hours or days, depending on how they programmed it. This is to keep from overburdening one repeater with constant duty of being the Control Channel.

The TRS where I live has 3 Control Channels for the 12 repeater site that it is. After one or two days of use the control channel changes among those specific 3 repeaters in the 12 repeater system.

If you're doing "Control Channel Only" Trunking, you'll want to identify which of the frequencies are used as control channels, and store those in your scanner, that way when one switches your scanner will just switch right along with it and you won't miss any calls. If you just put one control channel in there then it is likely you'll notice the scanner will not pick things up every so often. Everyone is different though, some system controllers like to set the Control Channel to alternate every few hours, and some will have one run for days before swapping.

If you go to the RR Database and look at the TRS you're talking about all KNOWN control channels will be noted in RED. If you happen to find out there are others its important to submit an update to the database and note any new ones.

 

[nexus]

Rereading your post....

You might want to make sure that you have all six of the frequencies loaded into the BC as MOTII. If you didn't program them all in as a MOTII trunked then they won't properly follow the control channel.

The easiest thing to do would be to go use the database here and verify the agency you're listening to on here with what you have in your scanner. Make sure you're not missing some of the frequencies. Not many agencies are using six repeater systems these days. Most have many more. But it could be possible if its a small system. You should just go verify what you have with what's in the database here and add anything you don't have. It sounds like either you don't have some or all of the frequencies loaded in as MOTII OR you're missing part of the list of frequencies used by the system, perhaps one used as a control channel.

 

[doublehelix]

Thanks for your reply. I went to the database for the Motorola Type II Smartnet that is in my area and have all of the frequencies programmed in. One of the frequencies I do have sounds like data, yet it still won't "sync up."

I suppose there could be another frequency out there that isn't listed, and that could be why it continually appears to scan.

Thanks again for your reply; I appreciate the help and explanation.

B

 

[loumaag]

Thanks for your reply. I went to the database for the Motorola Type II Smartnet that is in my area and have all of the frequencies programmed in. One of the frequencies I do have sounds like data, yet it still won't "sync up."

I suppose there could be another frequency out there that isn't listed, and that could be why it continually appears to scan.

Thanks again for your reply; I appreciate the help and explanation.

B

Actually it is more likely that you have taken the scanner our of "trunking" mode or locked out the control channel. In any case since this is a specific Uniden question I am moving this thread to the Uniden forum where more "directed" help will be available.