What does "Go to direct" mean?

[lake-hamilton]

I was curious on how this works when someone says to switch to direct or "talkaround" on a channel. On a conventional repeater theres 2 frequencies, the output and the input. For example the output "repeater" would be 155.790 and the input would be 154.710. You would need to be close by to hear anything but do you need both frequencies to hear the conversation? Another example is a trunked 800MHz system going to direct too which would seem to be even more confusing since its multiple frequencies being used such as 855.987-860.987. The 860.987 would normally be the control channel. But there would also be input frequencies ranging from 810.987-815.987. Any ideas on this?

 

[rdale]

You speak on the output channel, for example 155.790, so only local units hear you.

On a trunked system, it means a private call just between those two radios.

 

[wrr20891]

Actually, on the AWIN system, Direct is a dedicated simplex 800 MHz frequency, NOT a private call system.

 

[SLWilson]

Direct...

Both of the above "sort of" explained it, but I think what you actually wanted to know was, what does that phrase really mean? Right?

Basically, if there are several units out in the field and two of them want speak to each other, they may be told by the dispatcher to "Go Direct"...Like in your repeater examply, BOTH units would switch to the repeater output so EVERYONE in the county didn't hear them. Their transmission (being on the output) wouldn't bring the repeater up.

In some radio systems, each mobile unit can't hear the other mobile units. You don't notice this on your scanner, but, the units are on semi-duplex systems.

Generally, these types of systems are where you hear that traffic. The dispatcher might tell Unit #1 to "go direct" with Unit #3 on channel 2 or something like that.

Hope that helps a little!

Steve/KB8FAR

 

[btritch]

Means..

Go To Direct Means "Private" Or talk around just between those two radios and the only one's that can hear it are those two radio's only and no more than a half a mile apart. It by passes the repeater system and dispatch. It's car to car talk around in other words and NO MORE than a mile tops apart and you can't hear it, let alone on a scanner several miles away. That is how it works in NEA and on our repeater system at the station anyway. Others are probably different for example, when Randolph County S.O. Says switch to "3" or "private" it's their third channel. There is a frequency, i have the frequency however what this is is scramble and you can't understand it. It could be that too. All systems are different in other words but most of the time it's "private" car to car encrypted or Talk Around Car to Car which bypasses the repeater. It really just depends on the type system that your local department is/may/could be using.. Hope this helps a bunch!

 

[bpckty1]

It's not really "private". Anyone close by with a receiver on the frequency can listen in, unless it is encrypted in some manner, or changes to an unscannable mode. It just bypasses the repeater so comms are not broadcast to the region, thus limiting the number of "ears" and not using the repeater's resources so more important traffic can be sent.

 

[wbswetnam]

direct and "highband"

I've heard the Stone County SO dispatcher say on their VHF channel (155.190), "Switch to highband", then reappear on AWIN. Makes me wonder how many conventional scanner listeners in Stone County, when they hear that, say to themselves "I sure wish I knew what that (blippity-blank) highband frequency is!!"

Stone County SO used to use rolling code inversion for 'sensitive' transmissions; not anymore, now they use the AWIN. I guess they assume it's either unmonitorable and/or nobody has a digital-capable scanner up in those parts... well, not exactly!

 

[lake-hamilton]

Direct and highband

It may be unmonitorable on awin if they use encryption. Saline Co switched to awin and I couldn't hear anyone except the dispatcher.

 

[pappy1]

It may be unmonitorable on awin if they use encryption. Saline Co switched to awin and I couldn't hear anyone except the dispatcher.

I hear both sides of Saline County AWIN.

 

[btritch]

Awin State

So if one department is using awin such as stone county or salaine county or craighead county for instance. If I had a digital scanner here in greene county should I be able to hear all of the state that uses awin from here? Like a cellular phone? Should I be able to hear it from anywhere in the state?

 

[wrr20891]

btritch,
Normally, no. The AWIN towers only repeat a talkgroup if a user radio is within range of that tower. Unless a user in the Greene County area was monitoring Stone County or Saline County, the site(s) you are monitoring would not transmit their traffic.

There are some exceptions, such as MAC Call, which is a statewide talkgroup. And while users are discouraged from listening to their home talkgroups while outside their area, it does occur from time to time.