Video: SDS100 and Icom IC-R30 Monitoring P25 Phase I System

[racin06]

Yesterday, I received the Icom IC-R30 wideband receiver. Though I didn’t purchase the R30 to monitor public safety digital trunking systems, I was still curious how the R30 would perform on these systems. So, I thought I would record a video of my R30 and SDS100 simultaneously monitoring my local county’s public safety P25 Phase I system (Hamilton County Simulcast (System 3) Site Details (Indianapolis Department Of Public Safety)). Below is the link to the video. The audio is from the R30 only. Obviously, the SDS100 being a trunking scanner performs better, as the R30 seems to miss some traffic. However, in the reception and audio department, the R30 is excellent. Anyway, I thought perhaps some of you may find the video interesting. I'm thoroughly enjoying both radios!

https://vimeo.com/277799069

 

[F46Power]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I'm considering both radios actually.

 

[tumegpc]

Yesterday, I received the Icom IC-R30 wideband receiver. Though I didn’t purchase the R30 to monitor public safety digital trunking systems, I was still curious how the R30 would perform on these systems. So, I thought I would record a video of my R30 and SDS100 simultaneously monitoring my local county’s public safety P25 Phase I system (Hamilton County Simulcast (System 3) Site Details (Indianapolis Department Of Public Safety)). Below is the link to the video. The audio is from the R30 only. Obviously, the SDS100 being a trunking scanner performs better, as the R30 seems to miss some traffic. However, in the reception and audio department, the R30 is excellent. Anyway, I thought perhaps some of you may find the video interesting. I'm thoroughly enjoying both radios!

https://vimeo.com/277799069

Thanks for sharing! I'm contemplating selling the SDS100 and picking up an R-30! How is the DMR reception?

 

[Ubbe]

It scans the voice channels, like a Whistler scanner, but can the IC R-30 follow a talk group through the frequencies?
I guess you only did a quick check and didn't bother to enter name tags to talk groups and frequencies?

/Ubbe

 

[jonwienke]

Thanks for sharing! I'm contemplating selling the SDS100 and picking up an R-30! How is the DMR reception?

Why? Did you miss this?

Obviously, the SDS100 being a trunking scanner performs better, as the R30 seems to miss some traffic.

Also, it doesn't do DMR or P25 Phase II:

"The IC-R30 decodes various digital protocol signals, including P25 (Phase 1), NXDN™, dPMR™, D-STAR
(Digital Smart Technology for Amateur Radio) and Japanese domestic DCR (Digital Convenience Radio)."
https://static.dxengineering.com/global/images/technicalarticles/ico-ic-r30.pdf

 

[racin06]

I guess you only did a quick check and didn't bother to enter name tags to talk groups and frequencies?

/Ubbe

I entered all frequencies in the system. However, the R30 isn't a trunking scanner; therefore, it doesn't accept talkgroups.

 

[racin06]

Thanks for sharing! I'm contemplating selling the SDS100 and picking up an R-30! How is the DMR reception?

Just to be clear, the SDS100 and R30 are two different types of receivers. If you want to monitor public safety trunking systems in the most efficient and successful manner, then you should stay with the SDS100. I purchased the R30 because I enjoy listening to a wide variety of radio bands. The SDS100 is certainly my go-to radio for public safety trunking systems. Also, the intent of the video wasn't to demonstrate the R30 peforms as well as the SDS100 on P25 Phase I systems...it doesn't because of the lack of trunking capabilities. Also, as stated above, the R30 doesn't do DMR.

 

[whitfieldjamesc]

I like the srs 100 radio.

 

[tumegpc]

Just to be clear, the SDS100 and R30 are two different types of receivers. If you want to monitor public safety trunking systems in the most efficient and successful manner, then you should stay with the SDS100. I purchased the R30 because I enjoy listening to a wide variety of radio bands. The SDS100 is certainly my go-to radio for public safety trunking systems. Also, the intent of the video wasn't to demonstrate the R30 peforms as well as the SDS100 on P25 Phase I systems...it doesn't because of the lack of trunking capabilities. Also, as stated above, the R30 doesn't do DMR.

I have a 436HP that has been out performing the SDS100. My public safety is VHF/UHF with very little P25 phase1. The SDS100 exhibits intermod in those bands I'm trying to monitor and don't think that any firmware can resolve that. I have the 436HP and TRX-1 for public safety , DMR & NXDN.

I had the R-20 and AR8200MK3 and I like listing to other bands. For my location the R-30 is going cover a lot of what I'm already listening to with additional wide band coverage.

I see that the R-30 does NXDN and not DMR - my mistake.

 

[racin06]

Ah, I see. I also once owned the R20. If you liked the R20, you'll REALLY like the R30!

 

[Hit_Factor]

Thanks for sharing! I'm contemplating selling the SDS100 and picking up an R-30! How is the DMR reception?

DMR is an option for the SDS100, but not for the R30.

I have both radios, they compliment each other. There is some overlap of capabilities, but DMR is not one of them.

I'm very happy with both radios.