Unitrunker unitrunker limiting to only one talk group

[KO4WBS]

im in Memphis, monitoring the public safety P25 phase 2 control frequency which has 38 channels/many talk groups. unitrunker site window is showing activity with many talk groups/targets. But i can only hear one talk group. The "Frequency" column turns green for the single talk group; all others do not. i can play with the working group target rank, increasing it to a higher number, which effectively prevents me from hearing it. ive also modified the groups id like to listen to, giving them a lower number (increase priority) with no change.

ive read many threads about limiting talk groups but my issue is the reverse; id like to hear more. any help is much appreciated.

ive got two rtl-sdr's using unitrunker, virtual cable, and dsdplus for decoding.

 

[maus92]

What exact system are you trying to monitor? If it is a Phase 2 system, you will not hear audio from TDMA talk groups as the program is not capable of decoding that protocol. Many Phase 2 systems also have FDMA talk groups which you will be able to hear.

 

[RaleighGuy]

What version of Unitrunker are you using?

 

[KO4WBS]

What version of Unitrunker are you using?

version 1.0.33.6
.

 

[KO4WBS]

What exact system are you trying to monitor? If it is a Phase 2 system, you will not hear audio from TDMA talk groups as the program is not capable of decoding that protocol. Many Phase 2 systems also have FDMA talk groups which you will be able to hear.

i do know that the talk group i can hear shows it as FDMA. im unsure how to check for TDMA?

 

[RaleighGuy]

i do know that the talk group i can hear shows it as FDMA. im unsure how to check for TDMA?

On the UT properties tab scroll down to Voice Access (near bottom, three up from bottom) and look for P1 or P2

 

[maus92]

Unitrunker V1 is pretty old software, developed before Phase 2 / TDMA was widely deployed. You will not be able to hear TDMA talk groups / subscribers using this software. You could try SDR Trunk which is also free and shows some infrastructure details - and more importantly for the system you are trying to monitor - it will decode both FDMA and TDMA voice.

 

[dave3825]

monitoring the public safety P25 phase 2 control frequency

But i can only hear one talk group.

Most likely that tg would be a phase 1 tg which is why you can hear it. What system and site is that on?

ive got two rtl-sdr's using unitrunker, virtual cable, and dsdplus for decoding.

The newer version of Unitrunker (UT 2.0) does not need virtual cable or Dsdplus to listen any longer but it will not decode phase 2 audio. Just throwing it out there if you have other phase 1 systems, or if the tg's of interest to you on the phase 2 system operate in phase 1.

As mentioned, Sdrtrunk will handle phase 2 as will OP25 (linux) . What version of DSDPlus do you have?

 

[KO4WBS]

On the UT properties tab scroll down to Voice Access (near bottom, three up from bottom) and look for P1 or P2

for the group i can hear its P1 FDMA. its a precinct, one of about 12. quote from radioreference " This is the new city of Memphis - Shelby County digital TRS. This new P25, Phase II trunking system will replace the current legacy Type-II Astro system that currently in use"

 

[KO4WBS]

Most likely that tg would be a phase 1 tg which is why you can hear it. What system and site is that on?


The newer version of Unitrunker (UT 2.0) does not need virtual cable or Dsdplus to listen any longer but it will not decode phase 2 audio. Just throwing it out there if you have other phase 1 systems, or if the tg's of interest to you on the phase 2 system operate in phase 1.

As mentioned, Sdrtrunk will handle phase 2 as will OP25 (linux) . What version of DSDPlus do you have?

DSDplus is 1.101. which version of sdrtrunk is stable? beta or the release from 2020? what confounds me is why one talk group out of 38 is phase 1?

is this correct, based on input:
- Unitrunker 2.0 doesnt need virtual cable or dsdplus, but doesnt decode phase 2? what if i continued to use dsdplus and virtual cable for phase 2?
- SDRtrunk does decode phase 2. is this what most folks are using for monitoring?

thanks.

 

[dave3825]

DSDplus is 1.101.

what confounds me is why one talk group out of 38 is phase 1?

I run Sdrtrunk beta 3 full time on 2 phase II systems and also run Unitrunker 2.0 on counties phase II system, and on a smartzone system. Both programs feed Trunking recorder and are recording 24/7. Our counties trunked system is phase 2 but most tg's are using phase 1.

I am using 6 virtual cables in UT 2.0 to feed decoded audio into Trunking Recorder. I am really not sure if UT feeding DSDplus 1.101 via virtual cables would decode phase 2 audio as I never tried.

I also have DSDPlus Fast lane that at any time, I can run on phase 2 systems usually with just one dongle.

Can you post a link to the system and site your trying to monitor?

 

[maus92]

Get SDRTrunk - it's dirt simple to set up and eliminates the many single points of failure when trying to pipe audio with virtual cables and offboard decoders. I happen to use Unitrunker V2 for its logging capabilities but use SDR Trunk to decode P25 P1/P2 audio as its quality is pristine compared to other decoders I've used. The paid version of DSD+ Fastlane would also work with Shelby County, but IMO the audio quality is only fair on simulcast systems, and its setup is complex i.e. not for novices.

 

[KO4WBS]

I run Sdrtrunk beta 3 full time on 2 phase II systems and also run Unitrunker 2.0 on counties phase II system, and on a smartzone system. Both programs feed Trunking recorder and are recording 24/7. Our counties trunked system is phase 2 but most tg's are using phase 1.

I am using 6 virtual cables in UT 2.0 to feed decoded audio into Trunking Recorder. I am really not sure if UT feeding DSDplus 1.101 via virtual cables would decode phase 2 audio as I never tried.

I also have DSDPlus Fast lane that at any time, I can run on phase 2 systems usually with just one dongle.

Can you post a link to the system and site your trying to monitor?

Memphis and Shelby County Public Safety (P25) Trunking System, Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis and Shelby County Public Safety (P25) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Based on your setup, there are plenty of ways to get to the finish line monitoring P2. I'll experiment with UT 2.0 and the fast lane, along with testing Sdrtrunk. thanks.

 

[KO4WBS]

Get SDRTrunk - it's dirt simple to set up and eliminates the many single points of failure when trying to pipe audio with virtual cables and offboard decoders. I happen to use Unitrunker V2 for its logging capabilities but use SDR Trunk to decode P25 P1/P2 audio as its quality is pristine compared to other decoders I've used. The paid version of DSD+ Fastlane would also work with Shelby County, but IMO the audio quality is only fair on simulcast systems, and its setup is complex i.e. not for novices.

ill definitely get SDRTrunk. you mentioned simulcast; are the control channels in radioreference simulcast or is simulcast identified as such?
Appreciate the information.

 

[dave3825]

are the control channels in radioreference simulcast or is simulcast identified as such?

The Shelby site is listed as such. I believe the other 2 sites are as well. Which site are you monitoring?

what confounds me is why one talk group out of 38 is phase 1?

There are over 300 talk groups on that system. Which 38 are you speaking of?

Also, they all have mode listed as T with a small handful of TE. T equals TDMA capable but does not mean that's how it always operates. TE equals TDMA capable and the E means Encryption. We have a few phase 2 capable tg's on our system operating in phase 1

 

[KO4WBS]

The Shelby site is listed as such. I believe the other 2 sites are as well. Which site are you monitoring?

View attachment 130166



There are over 300 talk groups on that system. Which 38 are you speaking of?

Also, they all have mode listed as T with a small handful of TE. T equals TDMA capable but does not mean that's how it always operates. TE equals TDMA capable and the E means Encryption. We have a few phase 2 capable tg's on our system operating in phase 1

Memphis. appreciate the explanation for modes. unitrunker showed millington and shelby to be peers. i started with 859.9375 as control; the other 3 are backups and arent transmitting. used sdrsharp to verity.

if there are > 300 tg's i must be confusing 38 with something else.

 

[KO4WBS]

Get SDRTrunk - it's dirt simple to set up and eliminates the many single points of failure when trying to pipe audio with virtual cables and offboard decoders. I happen to use Unitrunker V2 for its logging capabilities but use SDR Trunk to decode P25 P1/P2 audio as its quality is pristine compared to other decoders I've used. The paid version of DSD+ Fastlane would also work with Shelby County, but IMO the audio quality is only fair on simulcast systems, and its setup is complex i.e. not for novices.

just loaded up SDRTrunk. imported shelby data from radioreference and its off to the races. getting loads of coms now. crystal clear. i can see the benefit to a native decoder.

 

[KO4WBS]

just wanted to post that my initial issue has been solved. thanks to all for your input. needed educating on P1 and P2, information on what i was looking at in radioreference and help on best software to use. ill pay it forward