Where to buy

[drumbumer]

I'm looking into getting a mobile radio or portable radio to take over as my primary scanner. I was looking at Motorola and Kenwood radios. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to purchase/ get programed.
Ossipee Mountain Electronics is not too far from me. Does anyone have any experience dealing with them?

 

[LPD7]

Well, as you probably know NH Police is Primarily P25 Digital which would require P25 Capable Radios. Here is the Motorolla Page:
Mobile Radios (XTL Models are P25 Capable)
http://www.motorola.com/content.jsp?globalObjectId=5396
Portable Radios (XTS Models are P25 Capable)
http://www.motorola.com/content.jsp?globalObjectId=5397
And you can use this page to Find a dealer:
http://www.motorola.ca/asp/english/Locator/cgiss_locator.asp

 

[SCPD]

If you are going to use the radio primarily for monitoring there is no need to spend the huge dollars on a Kenwood or a Motorola. For half or less than half the price you can equip yourself with a VHF P25 portable or mobile that is fully compatible with the NH LAWNET system when you buy an ICOM or VERTEX/STANDARD P25 model.

I have fully tested both the ICOM & VERTEX/STANDARD P25 portables and both models are fully P25 compliant. And no one makes a more compact portable with outstanding audio quality as the new VERTEX minis.

Anyway, the guy to talk to is Keith Clark at Dispatch Communications....

Check them out at http://www.dispatchcomm.com/

Tell him Skip referred you.....

 

[drumbumer]

Thanks for the info! I'll probably be giving them a call. I'm so sick of my Pro-96's quirkiness, I think it is time for an upgrade.

 

[SCPD]

Pro-96 quirks

Thanks for the info! I'll probably be giving them a call. I'm so sick of my Pro-96's quirkiness, I think it is time for an upgrade.

The only way to eliminate the data bursts (commonly confused as encryption here in NH, especially on SP channels) is to purchase a P25 radio and program the appropriate P25 network ID. Also, the RS scanners are prone to losing sync with a P25 signal when there are great siparities between the audio output of the two units conversing, also resulting in data squelch.

Finally, the only way to eliminate distant analog co-channel users is to again employ a receiver capable of programming the network ID, a feature only available in a P25 transceiver and not available yet in the scanner market.

You should be able to get fully set up in an ICOM or preferably a VERTEX/STANDARD for well under $2000.

Good luck....it will definitely greatly improve your scanning experience!

 

[NYRHKY94]

Plxnbury:

As a side note to this thread, I too have been bothered somewhat by the digital bursts on my Pro-96 & Pro-2096, as well as annoying analog skip on my local PD frequency. I'm seriously considering the new GRE models (mid-October release) as they will come with P25 NAC functionality. Is that what you are referring to in your previous post?

I love my Pro-96/2096 for overall digital sound quality and also like the BC796D I have for remote control purposes, but the new GRE's appear to combine the best features of both and alot more. Price point for the high-end GRE is supposed to be similar to the Pro-96/2096 from what I've read on the RR site thread.

http://www.greamerica.com/scanners.html

Thanks - Mike
Londonderry

 

[SCPD]

NAC or Network ID

Plxnbury:

...As a side note to this thread, I too have been bothered somewhat by the digital bursts on my Pro-96 & Pro-2096, as well as annoying analog skip on my local PD frequency. I'm seriously considering the new GRE models (mid-October release) as they will come with P25 NAC functionality. Is that what you are referring to in your previous post?...

Thanks - Mike
Londonderry

Mike, you are correct. While Motorola refers to the P25 digital squelch as "network ID", other manufacturers refer to this particular code as the NAC.

The network ID or NAC is similar to DCS or PL. When you enter the NAC or Network ID only traffic with this digital signal embedded will be passed. This will eliminate data bursts and/or encryption and co-channel analog signals, greatly improving the listening experience!

Let's hope the GRE scanners perform this feat as advertised, although I have no doubt they will!

Skip

 

[NYRHKY94]

Skip:

Thanks for the confirmation! I've been putting money away ever since the new GRE models were announced. We shall see!

P.S. Can you help me out with where we could find the NAC codes? Or will the radio itself automatically show them like it does for the CTS/DCS codes?

Thanks again - Mike

 

[SCPD]

NAC codes

I would hope that the GRE models are able to decode the NAC. If not just PM me when the radios become available and I will be able to help you out with most.

I am sure I'll be picking up a GRE model as soon as they hit the market, so we'll all be able to figure it out together here!

Skip

 

[NYRHKY94]

Skip:

Last post on this, sorry! I found the answer in the user guide for the new GRE handheld.

P25 NAC Functionality - Much like CTCSS and DCS with
analog signals, P25 Network Access Code (NAC) is used to
provide selective squelch operation on conventional digital
channels. Your 0715 will detect the NAC that is being used on a
P25 conventional digital channel, and allow you to program NAC
codes to block transmissions that do not have a matching NAC,
including analog traffic on the same frequency!

Thanks - Mike

 

[SCPD]

NAC stuff

Skip:

Last post on this, sorry! I found the answer in the user guide for the new GRE handheld.

P25 NAC Functionality - Much like CTCSS and DCS with
analog signals, P25 Network Access Code (NAC) is used to
provide selective squelch operation on conventional digital
channels. Your 0715 will detect the NAC that is being used on a
P25 conventional digital channel, and allow you to program NAC
codes to block transmissions that do not have a matching NAC,
including analog traffic on the same frequency!

Thanks - Mike

Excellent....definitely going to be one of those in my Shack come October!

Thanks for the great info.....

Skip

 

[drumbumer]

The GRE's look impressive. Any word on whether they will be available online and how much they will cost?
My Pro-96 seems to have bit the bullet this past week and is not decoding any digital channels. I can't wait to get something new.

Chris

 

[SCPD]

Availability

The GRE's look impressive. Any word on whether they will be available online and how much they will cost?
My Pro-96 seems to have bit the bullet this past week and is not decoding any digital channels. I can't wait to get something new.

Chris

Word is availble on-line from the usual big guys around October 10th.....price range about $500.

 

[steele_lpd]

SP ID's

Does anyone know if the GRE's will be able to display the alias numbers assigned to the radio when programmed?? ie: 623 (for SP 623) or say 500000 (for Grafton County Sheriff's Office).

 

[NYRHKY94]

Steele lpd:

Not sure, but maybe the manual for the new handheld GRE might have something about that? I haven't read thru it yet. It's located here:

https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=826846&native_or_pdf=pdf

 

[SCPD]

NAC code only

Does anyone know if the GRE's will be able to display the alias numbers assigned to the radio when programmed?? ie: 623 (for SP 623) or say 500000 (for Grafton County Sheriff's Office).

Unfortunately it can only decode down to the NAC or system level, but does not yet have the capability to display individual IDs within the detected network.

Geesh, I'm using the word "unfortuanate"....when I should be thrilled with the ability to discriminate using the heretofore unavailable NAC! We're getting spoiled out here!!!!