Where are groups used - and other questions

[bitmorechoke]

I'm playing around with PPS while waiting for my G3 to arrive. Currently my area has no trunking, it is a voting P25 system (I suspect phase 2). Oh, and I'm a noob at this.

Assuming I want to create a knob position that scans a number of known channels:

I enter my channels (in my case frequencies) in step 2;
I assign each channel to an individual knob position in step 6 (but these can be buried deep in administrative 'zones');
I create a scan of the relevant knob positions, in my chosen knob position.

What I don't understand is what function is served by the groups in step 5? Why is there an option to import them from a csv (when no similar option exists for frequencies?) And who could need so many (8,192) of them?!

Which brings up another question:

I can enter 1024 frequencies (manually, no csv option here);
I only have (64 x 8) = 512 knob positions;
So what can I do with all those extra frequencies?

I realise I'm missing some key bit of info but I just can't see it!

 

[SurgePGH]

I'm playing around with PPS while waiting for my G3 to arrive. Currently my area has no trunking, it is a voting P25 system (I suspect phase 2). Oh, and I'm a noob at this.

Assuming I want to create a knob position that scans a number of known channels:

I enter my channels (in my case frequencies) in step 2;
I assign each channel to an individual knob position in step 6 (but these can be buried deep in administrative 'zones');
I create a scan of the relevant knob positions, in my chosen knob position.

What I don't understand is what function is served by the groups in step 5? Why is there an option to import them from a csv (when no similar option exists for frequencies?) And who could need so many (8,192) of them?!

Which brings up another question:

I can enter 1024 frequencies (manually, no csv option here);
I only have (64 x 8) = 512 knob positions;
So what can I do with all those extra frequencies?

I realise I'm missing some key bit of info but I just can't see it!

Groups & Group Call ID Settings.... (Step 5) These would be your "Talk Groups" As they are known in trunking. Some systems easily have over 2000 talk groups. The import setting is a HUGE time saver if someone already has them saved in a CSV file. I know the system local to me has this CSV file here on RR and it saved me HOURS. The Private Call ID Setting was a small list for me so that was a cake walk. The Member List Setting.... UGH... I WISH there was an IMPORT function here as my local system has over 14,000 Members! I've done several hundred one at a time.

1024 VS. 512? I have no idea who, what, where, when or why. Good question. I could never imagine trying to keep track of 512 Conventional frequencies let alone 1024!

 

[bitmorechoke]

Thanks SurgePGH, but I'm still struggling here. I'm currently trying to program a G3 (I'm in Australia and our emergency services use UHF). There is no trunking near me, just voting on a network of repeaters.

There are a couple of things I'm struggling with.

To use P25 at all, I have to create a group. So I did that - actually twice - and now have one group where the P25C TGID is "FFFF" and one where it is "1".

Next, I have all 16 of the known possible frequencies in my area assigned to 'monitor mode' in separate knob positions. All have both groups selected, and all are set to P25 with a NAC of "FFF". I also have them all set with 'Repeater Mode' enabled, although I don't understand what this setting actually does and the 'help' isn't especially helpful on this!

Finally, I have created a 'normal scan' of these channels, in the hope that when something happens I'll hear it.

I have an APX6000 next to me, and I'm hearing activity on that, but nothing at all on the G3.

There are a couple of frustrating issues here - I don't know which frequencies are actually being used, and there is currently very little traffic, so I'm having to reprogram then wait around for traffic on the APX and see whether the G3 responds.

So far, I have only been able to get the G3 to receive analog VHF from a different radio. I'm sure I've got something wrong in my UHF configuration rather than a faulty unit.

Obviously I've tried tweaking some of these settings but I'm having no luck. Any chance someone can check my logic and/or step me through the basic settings? I'd really like to hear SOMETHING out of this little box!!

Aaaargh - I think I may have figured it out, but can't edit my post.

I think the issue is the NAC - I thought 'FFF' was the wild card, but it should be F7E. Bit quiet on the air now to test it out but I reckon that's going to help!