TRX-1 EZ Scan

[GrandpaRowdy]

Hi tvengr. Trunking tables are set to autofill and the frequencies you noted are in the table

 

[rgchristy]

I deleted the tone as recommended and it seems to have made a difference. Prior to deleting, I was receiving broken transmissions. But after deleting the tone, I am receiving complete transmissions. Being a complete noob to all of this, can one of you let me know what deleting the tone does and why it affects the reception? Again, I really appreciate all of the help!

I'm not a radio guy. It's above my pay grade.

This seems like a pretty good explanation:

With what you said, I would switch all of the programmed CTCSS tones to search.

 

[rgchristy]

Hi tvengr. Trunking tables are set to autofill and the frequencies you noted are in the table

View attachment 197283View attachment 197284

I would try different areas inside and outside of your home to see if you can pick up the system.

If you notice, I added the "dummy" site in the programming.

The next thing that I would do is, drop the Data Decode Thresholds to Low: 10 or even 0.

Next, try the paper clip as an antenna trick.

Then, I would turn on attenuation (ATT) for the site.

Also, I can't remember if you said that you are picking up your local NOAA weather channel or not.

Raleigh / Durham / Triangle (RTP) area NOAA Weather Radio feed of 162.55 MHz. Covers these counties in central North Carolina: Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, Vance, Wake, Warren.


We're not giving up...

 

[GrandpaRowdy]

Thanks rgchristy. I'm definitely not a radio guy either - though the video you sent was helpful! Based on favorable result with the initial frequency, I did previously switch all of the other CTCSS tones to search.

I appreciate all of you knowledgeable folks helping me to learn this scanner and corresponding software. I've got a long way to go, but know a lot more now than I did a few days ago. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

 

[rgchristy]

I'm going to post a message in the North Carolina forum to see if someone local can take a look at this thread and offer suggestions.

 

[GrandpaRowdy]

What "dummy site" are you referring to? Also, how/where do I drop the Data Decode Threshold(s)?
I'm currently experimenting with the paperclip - nothing yet.
And finally, yes I do receive the weather feed at 162.55 - clear as a bell!

 

[rgchristy]

I'm going to post a message in the North Carolina forum to see if someone local can take a look at this thread and offer suggestions.

It's up. We'll see if anyone local responds.

Youngsville, Franklin County TRS Help

Hi All, We're trying to help a new guy, @GrandpaRowdy with receiving the Franklin County TRS. This is the system: https://www.radioreference.com/db/sid/7279 This is where he lives (Sorry John, I borrowed your picture): Just to let you know, he has a new Whistler TRX-1 and is fully aware...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[rgchristy]

If you notice under "Trunked System Site Information", there are two sites.

When you do a library import, it will only import the Franklin Simulcast site. Since there is only one site, in theory, you cannot alter the "Data Decode Thresholds" at the bottom of the screen.

By adding the dummy site "ALT", it allows you to modify the settings and then you press the "Apply to all sites" button.

 

[GrandpaRowdy]

OK, I've set lower Data Decode Threshold to 10 and turned on attenuation. We'll see!
And anxious to see if there are any "locals" that can offer suggestions - thanks!

 

[rgchristy]

Please don't forget to try different areas in and out of your home. In our last house, I couldn't pick up a system with my TRX scanners, yet when I walked a block away, I received it perfectly clear.

 

[tvengr]

Try removing the antenna and stick an 18" length of wire into the center of the antenna connector. That is a good VHF 1/4 wave antenna and will tell us if you have an antenna problem. Also, turn off the conventional frequencies so that only the VHF trunked system is scanning and open the squelch. Normally, you should turn the squelch control counterclockwise until you hear RF noise on conventional frequencies without PL tones and then slowly turn the squelch control clockwise until the noise just disappears.

 

[rgchristy]

After seeing the responses to the other thread, I think we need to get the Viper system installed for you.

Either I can do it for you, or if you want to take a crack at it, that's fine, too.

More than likely you're going to have to either lock out a bunch of sites and talkgroups or selectively install the one's you're interested in.

 

[GrandpaRowdy]

What's involved in installing the Viper system? Is that something you can do and send me a file, or how does that work? I thought I was following along pretty well, but now you've taken me to another level!

 

[rgchristy]

It's probably easier for me to create a new file with Franklin County TRS, FC Analog VHF and Viper. Then you can tinker with it.

Just a few questions.

Other than removing the 136.5 CTCSS tones on the analog channels, adding ATT to the site and lowering the Data Decode Threshold, was there anything else that you modified?

Here's the system, so you can take a look at it:

North Carolina VIPER Trunking System, Varies, North Carolina

North Carolina VIPER Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

What part of the state would you be considered in? I have no idea what Piedmont is, sorry.

VIPER stands for "Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders" and is divided into 4 "Zones" (or RFSS):

Zone 1 is the central part of the state. I'm guessing that this is Franklin County's zone going by the RFSS.

Are there any other neighboring counties that you're interested in listening to? That would be depending if you could hear them or not.


Zone 2 is the western part of the state.
Zone 3 is the eastern part of the state.
Zone 4 is the piedmont part of the state.

Also, I think that I'm going to add a Scan List with just the control channels for the Franklin County VHF system, just to see if you can receive them on their own, or we could try the same thing in "Tune" mode under search.

 

[rgchristy]

What's involved in installing the Viper system? Is that something you can do and send me a file, or how does that work? I thought I was following along pretty well, but now you've taken me to another level!

Viper is pretty big system and probably not one that you want to tackle until you get the hang of it.

It's like where I live in Pennsylvania. I live just outside of Philly and nowhere near Erie, Pittsburgh or even Harrisburg. If I left the sites in that aren't close to me, it would take forever to scan through the system.

It's a big jump from your old scanner. All of us started off the same way.

Hang in there, you'll get it...

 

[tvengr]

Wake County has a site near Youngsville on its simulcast system {Cary/Wake P25). The other sites are some distance away and may not cause simulcast issues. You would be able to monitor radio traffic in the Raleigh area.

 

[GrandpaRowdy]

Poking around a bit, I was able to create a scanlist for the Viper system in my area. I selected the two sites nearest me (Louisburg and Youngsville). I've copied that over to the scanner, but still nothing. Any thoughts?

 

[rgchristy]

Did you add the talkgroups for Franklin County and include them in the scanlist that you created?

 

[GrandpaRowdy]

I think so. I seem to finally have some activity - which is great! I'll continue to monitor and see how it goes. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[tvengr]

(Louisburg and Youngsville).

Under the Site Options tab, you can use Standard trunking tables for the Louisburg site on VIPER since it uses 800 MHz frequencies. Trunking tables for the Youngsville site must be set to Auto Fill. For any site using VHF, UHF, or 700 MHz frequencies, trunking tables must be set to Auto Fill. For the Cary/Wake P25 system (Separate from VIPER), you can use Standard trunking tables since the Wake County Simulcast site uses 800 MHz frequencies. There is an advantage to using Standard trunking tables since there can sometimes be problems loading the trunking tables from the control channel (Auto Fill) due to simulcast distortion. Auto Fill also works for 800 MHz frequencies.