Unication G5 Programming Help

[Saskwonder56]

Hi Everyone,

I just purchased a Unication G5 VHF, Im having issues with the programming aspect, the system I want to monitor is a VHF P25 Phase 1 system. I watched a few videos on programming it, and it was pretty self explained, unfortunately I keep getting a out of range red flashing message. I drove to the nearest town with a radio tower and it kept doing the same thing the entire drive on the highway and in the town. Is there something im not doing correct? System is below that im trying to program.

Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network Trunking System, Provincewide, Saskatchewan

Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[JD21960]

That usually means check your WACN, SYSTEM ID, RFSS and SITE number* in the Radio Ref database. Make sure they go in the right spot in the Unication PPS #2 This is a common mistake when programming the G4/G5 pagers. I did the same thing. KNEW I was range of a SITE but forgot to add SITE number correctly. What is the nearest SITE you're trying to get? Example For Moose Jaw? that looks like it should be SYSTEM ID = 00A, WACN = 000A RFSS number = 54 SITE number = 54 Make sure you enabled the PROTOCOL in tab number 3 for P25C too.

138.290c

138.630a

139.065a

139.185a

Examples of how mine are set up below ... even though its not a VHF P25 system

 

[Saskwonder56]

Im located about half hour from Moose Jaw, the closest tower is Chaplin. I have the WACN correct, it shows up as just "A" on the programming software. I have the correct RFSS and site numbers, Although a few im confused about as im not entrily sure what number to put into the software to program them, see below. This is the site for Chaplin, what number do I enter?

103 (67)

103 (67)

 

[JD21960]

The numbers in parenthesis are the ones to put in. RRef added those recently which helps. I'm not sure where you put the FREQUENCIES in for a VHF P25 system. In the same place for P25? OR do you add them in step 2 in the CONVENTIONAL Frequency list ... then add each one to a knob position ? I'm close enough to Wisconsin state line where I may experiment with their VHF 139.000 Mhz P25 Statewide system for Beloit IL or Kenosha WIS. I'm curious how you do it that way. Is the talkgroup limit 64 for such a system or 16? do the talkgroups get listed in P25 C or the regular P25 talkgroup area? Maybe someone who deals with the G4/G5s in this manner can lend a hand here?

 

[Saskwonder56]

It still is saying out of range and having the red message blink at me....Its a Project 25 Phase I system so I don't believe it would be conventional..
This is my first time trying to program a VHF p25 system so im as new as you would be about how it works..so far im not even getting a signal bar on the pager.

 

[Saskwonder56]

I did travel to the nearest town near the highway today to confirm its the radio or the programming and its something with the programming because I know my Uniden Home patrol would get signal and pick up some TG being half hour from the highway and would defiantly get signal on the highway.

 

[tkowalik]

What’s the 3 closest sites to you and I can screenshot what your programming should look like.

 

[Saskwonder56]

Moose Jaw Tower, Herbert/Morse Tower & Mossbank Tower.
Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network Trunking System, Provincewide, Saskatchewan

How i have it set up at the moment is I have only the Moose Jaw tower programmed, with the MJ EMS & Fire TG,s all on scan on Knob 1 Zone 1. As it looks like the tower reaches where i live (Rural Farm). I confirmed over the online scanner that i am not getting them when there active on the radio. the tower is 30 miles for coverage from RR, and im on the edge of the red zone circle. The "T" icon blinks and than it starts saying "out of range". I have the correct WACN, and System ID. I have 1 Site programmed for Moose Jaw being 54 Rffs id and site id. I have the control channel and the blue alternative frequencies in the control list that are for Moose Jaw...Protocol type i have set to P25 Trunking..I don't believe its a P25 Conventional system as its Phase 1. Could be wrong though as im new to this..so any instructions or help would be very much appreciated if im doing something incorrect here..

 

[tkowalik]

Ok here's how it should look in your programming. Also, the first thing to confirm is that you are using model G5B66BF SXVXEN1401UNI on the programming. Assuming that is correct, try keying in the programming matching these screenshots and see if you can connect to a site. Once you get the programming set up, make sure under Zone and Channel Setting you have Trunking TG Scan as the receive mode and Provincial selected as the P25 trunking system (believe it or not that was the hang up for me as I had 2 trunked systems programmed).

Let me know if this works or not and we can try plan B if needed.

 

[tkowalik]

I didn't fully capture the Control Channel list -- the first one should be 138.290 MJ Control.

 

[Saskwonder56]

Ok here's how it should look in your programming. Also, the first thing to confirm is that you are using model G5B66BF SXVXEN1401UNI on the programming. Assuming that is correct, try keying in the programming matching these screenshots and see if you can connect to a site. Once you get the programming set up, make sure under Zone and Channel Setting you have Trunking TG Scan as the receive mode and Provincial selected as the P25 trunking system (believe it or not that was the hang up for me as I had 2 trunked systems programmed).

Let me know if this works or not and we can try plan B if needed.View attachment 74108View attachment 74109View attachment 74110View attachment 74111

Model # for my VHF G5 radio is AG5V940571? Is that what you where mentioning to confirm for model? The software version of PPS I have is V00-03-14-10.

 

[tkowalik]

No, click on tab D and see what it says under Model.

 

[Saskwonder56]

Ok found it! Its G5B66BF-SXVXEN1401UNI

 

[tkowalik]

Perfect, now just make sure the programming matches the screenshots..

 

[Saskwonder56]

Well, its a huge improvement! I got signal bars now, no more "out of range" message. Monitoring the online scanner feed to see if it picks up traffic from Fire or EMS. The screen displays RFSS/site 184 that its locked onto.

 

[Saskwonder56]

Programming matches the screenshots! seems to have worked or at least improved it. Waiting to see if I get any radio traffic on it, than were golden and set to go, I can keep these 3 sites and add more TG's that register with these three towers correct?

 

[tkowalik]

Let me know if you’re able to hear traffic.. if not we can take a look at how you have the channels set up.

One thing you can do to test is switch it to TG Monitor and it will receive every talk group, regardless if it’s programmed. That’s a good way to test.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Programming matches the screenshots! seems to have worked or at least improved it. Waiting to see if I get any radio traffic on it, than were golden and set to go, I can keep these 3 sites and add more TG's that register with these three towers correct?

Your last sentence is not really correct. You have put in 3 towers to monitor but the device will only lock onto 1 tower. So in order to hear traffic that tower has to have units affiliate with it. Once that happens then yes it will pass traffic, assuming the units affiliated are on the same TG you have in your scan list. Large radio systems will not pass TG audio across the entire system. A user has to have his/her radio affiliated with that Site / TG in order for the site to pass audio on that TG.
It will not scan all three towers like a Scanner does. Unications lock onto one tower and hold. When the signal gets to a predetermined low level it will scan the other sites you programmed in for a stronger signal.
In some cases, if you have a tower in range, but weaker then another tower, and that weaker tower has TGs that are active because a user is registered on that tower, and not the tower closest to you, it might be in your best interest to then program new system, and only put in 1 tower at a time. Sort of confusing but eventually you will get it.

 

[Saskwonder56]

Your last sentence is not really correct. You have put in 3 towers to monitor but the device will only lock onto 1 tower. So in order to hear traffic that tower has to have units affiliate with it. Once that happens then yes it will pass traffic, assuming the units affiliated are on the same TG you have in your scan list. Large radio systems will not pass TG audio across the entire system. A user has to have his/her radio affiliated with that Site / TG in order for the site to pass audio on that TG.
It will not scan all three towers like a Scanner does. Unications lock onto one tower and hold. When the signal gets to a predetermined low level it will scan the other sites you programmed in for a stronger signal.
In some cases, if you have a tower in range, but weaker then another tower, and that weaker tower has TGs that are active because a user is registered on that tower, and not the tower closest to you, it might be in your best interest to then program new system, and only put in 1 tower at a time. Sort of confusing but eventually you will get it.

So how do I select a different tower for it to monitor? For example I want to monitor the Moose Jaw tower how can I can I have it monitor just that tower?

 

[Saskwonder56]

Let me know if you’re able to hear traffic.. if not we can take a look at how you have the channels set up.

One thing you can do to test is switch it to TG Monitor and it will receive every talk group, regardless if it’s programmed. That’s a good way to test.

Let me know if you’re able to hear traffic.. if not we can take a look at how you have the channels set up.

One thing you can do to test is switch it to TG Monitor and it will receive every talk group, regardless if it’s programmed. That’s a good way to test.

Ok so far no audio coming through at all, have herd some TG's in Moose jaw but nothing over the radio, Its locked onto Site 184..