SDS100/SDS200: Understanding/Programming DMR/MotoTurbo/CC+

[Computrguy]

I am off on a cruise in the next week and want to do some searching for frequencies. I'll be bringing my SDS100.

The first thing I want to understand better is the differences between DMR, MotoTRBO and CC+. I really do not know much about these.
I know there are ways to program the Systems as DMR One Frequency and MotoTRBO Trunk but I don't really understand the differences

Lastly I am trying to figure out the best way to set up this search. Previously I knew some frequencies and some TGs so I programmed them in a FL with Systems that held Departments and Sites. The Systems I did one as DMR One Frequency and one as MotoTRBO Trunk. I don't recall which way worked better than the other if at all.
The attached shows how I set it up previously. This is a new cruise line to me so I don't have a lot of info from previous users data.

 

[Ubbe]

I would just program known frequencies in a quick save department and then make two search ranges 457.5-458 and 467.5-458 in 6,25 steps and save any hits to that quick save department that you scan while in scan+search mode. If a channel have pulsating DMR data bursts then move those frequencies to one DMR One Frequency Trunk system that you scan where you also program any known talk groups.

If you have the recording function enabled you can later check what are said and match to the TG and report to https://www.scanmaritime.com/frequencies.htm

/Ubbe

 

[n1chu]

Well, as MotoTurbo and DMR are essentially the same, it narrows the list some. They both program into scanners as the same.

On another note, I have always wondered about the legalities of bringing a scanner on a cruise ship trip. On board ship I don’t imagine there is a problem (other than most cruise ships are staffed with those whose first language is other than english). But when that cruise liner makes port of call stops in other countries I wonder about what laws that country may have against a scanner, if any. And as we all are warned about (or should be) before we disembark to visit those foreign ports, there’s not much the cruise company can do should you get into trouble. Some country’s have stiff monetary penalties for violations and some even include jail sentences. Now, I am not saying there are any scanner penalties involved. I don’t know. But just in case, since I didn’t have the definitive answers as to if there might be penalties, the last cruise I went on, I did all my scanning of the local port from aboard ship. When I did leave the ship I made sure my scanner stayed in my suitcase back aboard ship.

Enjoy you trip!

 

[werinshades]

Well, as MotoTurbo and DMR are essentially the same, it narrows the list some. They both program into scanners as the same.

That's not correct. MotoTRBO is trunking (System MotoTRBO Trunk under the system option in Sentinel) and requires proper LCN order and Color Code (especially needed in busier metropolitan areas with crowded spectrum) to follow Takgroups. DMR is known in "radio programming world" as DMR Conventional and can be programmed as a conventional system, but Uniden has added the option to program as a One Frequency Trunk (OFT), and allows the user to program any talkgroup ID's and also radio ID's. This requires a site to be created under the system option.

 

[n1chu]

That's not correct. MotoTRBO is trunking (System MotoTRBO Trunk under the system option in Sentinel) and requires proper LCN order and Color Code (especially needed in busier metropolitan areas with crowded spectrum) to follow Takgroups. DMR is known in "radio programming world" as DMR Conventional and can be programmed as a conventional system, but Uniden has added the option to program as a One Frequency Trunk (OFT), and allows the user to program any talkgroup ID's and also radio ID's. This requires a site to be created under the system option.frankly I didn’t bother reading it as while DMR TERMS;

MotoTrbo is Motorola’s trade name for DMR (TDMA). You can have conventional (Tier 2), Trunked (Tier 3) with no control channel and Trunked with a control channel. Motorola calls the Trunked flavors Capacity Plus and Connect Plus. All have a digital color code as part of the ETSI DMR standard. The one that is truly different is NXDN (FDMA) which is what Kenwood offers.

Different companies call their offerings different names. Motorola, Harris, Hytera, etc have different names for their DMR systems.

 

[n1chu]

Werinshades,

Sorry about how my reply may have been received. Somehow during an editing attempt I somehow changed your post… at least on my end. I’m hoping the erroneous editing attempt did not show up on your end. I am reposting my reply here and added a question, are you splitting hairs? My initial reply was generally speaking but here’s a reprint;

DMR TERMS;

MotoTrbo is Motorola’s trade name for DMR (TDMA). You can have conventional (Tier 2), Trunked (Tier 3) with no control channel and Trunked with a control channel. Motorola calls the Trunked flavors Capacity Plus and Connect Plus. All have a digital color code as part of the ETSI DMR standard. The one that is truly different is NXDN (FDMA) which is what Kenwood offers.

Different companies call their offerings different names. Motorola, Harris, Hytera, etc have different names for their DMR systems.

 

[werinshades]

Werinshades,

Sorry about how my reply may have been received. Somehow during an editing attempt I somehow changed your post… at least on my end. I’m hoping the erroneous editing attempt did not show up on your end. I am reposting my reply here and added a question, are you splitting hairs? My initial reply was generally speaking but here’s a reprint;

DMR TERMS;

MotoTrbo is Motorola’s trade name for DMR (TDMA). You can have conventional (Tier 2), Trunked (Tier 3) with no control channel and Trunked with a control channel. Motorola calls the Trunked flavors Capacity Plus and Connect Plus. All have a digital color code as part of the ETSI DMR standard. The one that is truly different is NXDN (FDMA) which is what Kenwood offers.

Different companies call their offerings different names. Motorola, Harris, Hytera, etc have different names for their DMR systems.

No problem, just trying to keep it to Uniden scanner programming terminology. It's not the same programming method.

 

[n1chu]

👍

 

[Computrguy]

Well, as MotoTurbo and DMR are essentially the same, it narrows the list some. They both program into scanners as the same.

On another note, I have always wondered about the legalities of bringing a scanner on a cruise ship trip. On board ship I don’t imagine there is a problem (other than most cruise ships are staffed with those whose first language is other than english). But when that cruise liner makes port of call stops in other countries I wonder about what laws that country may have against a scanner, if any. And as we all are warned about (or should be) before we disembark to visit those foreign ports, there’s not much the cruise company can do should you get into trouble. Some country’s have stiff monetary penalties for violations and some even include jail sentences. Now, I am not saying there are any scanner penalties involved. I don’t know. But just in case, since I didn’t have the definitive answers as to if there might be penalties, the last cruise I went on, I did all my scanning of the local port from aboard ship. When I did leave the ship I made sure my scanner stayed in my suitcase back aboard ship.

Enjoy you trip!

Thanks for the concern.
I've traveled quite a bit on cruises with a scanner. This will be the 8th one in the past 12 months. I always leave it on the ship when in port other then embarkation and debarkation days.
I'm leaving out of Portugal which as I understand it has no laws against scanners. I also have my amateur's license here in the US. I also checked the prohibited items list and it is not on there.
I have another thread in the marine forum asking others about if anyone experienced any issues. So far no one has said they had issues.

 

[kayn1n32008]

DMR TERMS;

MotoTrbo is Motorola’s trade name for DMR (TDMA). You can have conventional (Tier 2), Trunked (Tier 3) with no control channel and Trunked with a control channel. Motorola calls the Trunked flavors Capacity Plus and Connect Plus. All have a digital color code as part of the ETSI DMR standard...

Different companies call their offerings different names. Motorola, Harris, Hytera, etc have different names for their DMR systems.

Connect Plus has been discontinued in favor of Capacity Max trunking. Although there are still lots of Connect Plus systems in existence.

The only Tier 3 format Motorola offers is Capacity Max in a 'compatibility mode'

Capacity Plus trunking is NOT a Tier 3 compliant trunking format, it is more like a DMR version of LTR trunking. It does not use a continuous control channel like Connect Plus or Capacity Max.

MotoTRBO is Motorola trade name for DMR. Both conventional and trunking formats.

 

[JimD56]

Well, as MotoTurbo and DMR are essentially the same, it narrows the list some. They both program into scanners as the same.

On another note, I have always wondered about the legalities of bringing a scanner on a cruise ship trip. On board ship I don’t imagine there is a problem (other than most cruise ships are staffed with those whose first language is other than english). But when that cruise liner makes port of call stops in other countries I wonder about what laws that country may have against a scanner, if any. And as we all are warned about (or should be) before we disembark to visit those foreign ports, there’s not much the cruise company can do should you get into trouble. Some country’s have stiff monetary penalties for violations and some even include jail sentences. Now, I am not saying there are any scanner penalties involved. I don’t know. But just in case, since I didn’t have the definitive answers as to if there might be penalties, the last cruise I went on, I did all my scanning of the local port from aboard ship. When I did leave the ship I made sure my scanner stayed in my suitcase back aboard ship.

Enjoy you trip!

First of all, it's a "Cruise" have fun, buy the drink package if that's your thing, and chill. However, if you must have comms. I'm a firefighter who has worked at the Port of Miami, the largest Cruise Ship Port in the World. Scanners and Radios of any kind will NOT get through Security. If you want to "try" then checked bags are the way to go, not your carry-on.

 

[Computrguy]

First of all, it's a "Cruise" have fun, buy the drink package if that's your thing, and chill. However, if you must have comms. I'm a firefighter who has worked at the Port of Miami, the largest Cruise Ship Port in the World. Scanners and Radios of any kind will NOT get through Security. If you want to "try" then checked bags are the way to go, not your carry-on.

No disrespect. I’ve been on 6 cruises out of Miami in the past 10 months. All brought a scanner with me with carry on luggage.

 

[n1chu]

Regardless of IF it’s a no-no to bring a scanner aboard a cruise ship or if it’s ok to carry it while off-ship visiting the ports the cruise stops in, there’s usually a language barrier on board ship as the crews aren’t English speaking as a first language. JimD56 has the right approach… leave the scanner home and enjoy the cruise. And you will appreciate it that much more upon your return.

 

[Computrguy]

I decided to bring it with me.
Listened to some great stuff. But the naysayers think it’s wrong so I’ll not report what I found.
Ciao

 

[speedway_navigator]

This is from a guy I've worked with who is head of security for a major cruise ship line.

When you're on a ship you're subject to the laws of the country the ship is
currently located. So for example, if you bring a scanner on a cruise that
stops in the UK where scanners are illegal then you could be arrested if the
police/customs find it. Its not too likely that they'd be doing a room search
on you so its probably safe to use it in the stateroom. I just wouldn't take
it outside.