Whistler WS1098 Question

[thinbluebbq]

Hi all. I am looking at possibly getting a Whistler WS1098 and I have a few questions and I am hoping to get some honest opinions since I haven't haven't had a Whistler before.

1) I seen some reviews say this model has a slow scan. I don't see info available to show channels/sec etc. so does anyone know the scan speed?
2) In my area I have trunked systems that also require DMR and NXDN, can this radio do these and does it require a paid upgrade?
3) What is the overall reliability and lifespan of these radios?

Thanks so much for the feedback.

 

[RaleighGuy]

1) I seen some reviews say this model has a slow scan. I don't see info available to show channels/sec etc. so does anyone know the scan speed?

While I do not know actual speed, I track several separate sites, each with over 2000 talkgroups and 4000 RIDs, and haven't noticed issues with speed.

2) In my area I have trunked systems that also require DMR and NXDN, can this radio do these and does it require a paid upgrade?

Yes, upgrade to the newest firmware and you can handle both DMR and NXDN, there is no charge for the upgrade.

3) What is the overall reliability and lifespan of these radios?

I've been very happy with the reliability of mine, but as I have only had it several months I can't speak of longevity. I have had my TRX-1 for over 4 years with no issuesm if that is any indicator

 

[thinbluebbq]

While I do not know actual speed, I track several separate sites, each with over 2000 talkgroups and 4000 RIDs, and haven't noticed issues with speed.


Yes, upgrade to the newest firmware and you can handle both DMR and NXDN, there is no charge for the upgrade.


I've been very happy with the reliability of mine, but as I have only had it several months I can't speak of longevity. I have had my TRX-1 for over 4 years with no issuesm if that is any indicator

Thank you for the feedback. I am worried about NXDN because a local system here uses it and from what I could see the WS1098 could only be upgraded for DMR and not NXDN so if you have it then that is a relief.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Thank you for the feedback. I am worried about NXDN because a local system here uses it and from what I could see the WS1098 could only be upgraded for DMR and not NXDN so if you have it then that is a relief.

I'm sorry I was incorrect, I meant to type "but not NXDN" for that you need the TRX-1 or -2 scanner or Uniden (which charges for the upgrade)

 

[fxdscon]

2) In my area I have trunked systems that also require DMR and NXDN, can this radio do these and does it require a paid upgrade?

Just as an FYI for purchasing a new scanner with monitoring DMR and NXDN as an interest...

Keep in mind that the free DMR and NXDN included with the Whistlers is free for a reason. The Whistler scanners do not include the necessary firmware to accurately track DMR/NXDN trunked systems. They will only scan the voice channels, without the ability to decode and use the trunk tracking data from the control channel to follow conversations as they change frequencies. In small rural systems with not much traffic, or non-trunked DMR/NXDN systems, the Whistlers should be perfectly satisfactory in those situations.

The Uniden scanners use a paid upgrade for NXDN and DMR because they must pay licensing fees on each scanner they sell... to legally include the technology that enables decoding of data from the control channel to accurately follow conversations that change frequencies on those trunked systems. If you are in an area where large DMR/NXDN trunked systems are very busy with lots of users and traffic, the Uniden's will make a world of difference.

 

[jaspence]

I have found no DMR systems in my area where the traffic was high enough for the Whistler to not follow most conversations, even on football Saturdays when it is used for stadium security and management for 100,000 people.

 

[pgates]

Scanning rate without trunking .......138-147.9MHz:70ch/second (in 100 kHz Intervals) Search rate.......................................162.25-167.25 MHz: 80 steps/sec. Scan and Search delay time......................................................2 seconds
From the owner's manual. You can read the rest here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1420/2702/files/WS1098-Manual-02A16.pdf?3414410468697135683

Regarding scanning DMR systems. I think the only licensing issue with DMR or NXDN is the audio decoding, which is a licensed product whether it is implemented in hardware or software. There shouldn't be an issue following the trunking logic, if the same can be done for P25, etc. My TRX-2 scanners handle a modern, multi-site trunked Tier 3 Motorola Mototrbo system with ease.

 

[fxdscon]

Regarding scanning DMR systems. I think the only licensing issue with DMR or NXDN is the audio decoding, which is a licensed product whether it is implemented in hardware or software. There shouldn't be an issue following the trunking logic, if the same can be done for P25, etc. My TRX-2 scanners handle a modern, multi-site trunked Tier 3 Motorola Mototrbo system with ease.

Trunk tracking technology and patents for DMR/NXDN are different than P25, and must be separately licensed to be used in scanners for decoding and tracking control channel data from those systems. There are many posts on that in the forums.

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[Daleb49]

Our local college uses DMR for Maintenance and housekeeping and hear it all very well with my 1098, TRX-1 and my TRX-2.
Also an Apartment complex near by uses DMR for maintenance and I also receive all their transmissions clear as a bell..
I have both set up as trunk groups and they are fine.

 

[fxdscon]

Our local college uses DMR for Maintenance and housekeeping and hear it all very well with my 1098, TRX-1 and my TRX-2.
Also an Apartment complex near by uses DMR for maintenance and I also receive all their transmissions clear as a bell..
I have both set up as trunk groups and they are fine.

Yes, smaller systems such as those will work just fine. Bigger DMR/NXDN trunked systems in metropolitan areas with very large numbers of transmitter sites, talk groups, and users... not so much. It's the very reason that Uniden must pay licensing fees on each and every scanner that they enable the trunk tracking abilities on for those systems.... by way of the paid upgrades.

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[Daleb49]

I forgot to mention receiving Jack Casino also with over 150 some radio's in use.
I do get a couple more smaller systems that I didn't mention.

 

[fxdscon]

I forgot to mention receiving Jack Casino also with over 150 some radio's in use.
I do get a couple more smaller systems that I didn't mention.

The RR database shows the Jack Casino as a small DMR system.... Only 1 transmitter site with only 3 talk groups.

Jack Casino Trunking System, Cleveland, Ohio

Jack Casino Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

You are correct... as mentioned in my post above, the Whistlers are very capable of monitoring such systems.

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[pgates]

Trunk tracking technology and patents for DMR/NXDN are different than P25, and must be separately licensed to be used in scanners for decoding and tracking control channel data from those systems. There are many posts on that in the forums.

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Hard to prove it by me. My TRX-2 works fine monitoring the Motorola Mototrbo Tier3 trunked radio systems in my area. Again, the only thing I can think of that is licensed is the audio decoder and, presumably, Whistler paid the licensing fee to incorporate that that hardware or software in their product. As part of their business model, Motorola does offer a commercial license for their DMR products, including the Tier 3 products. Looks like this web page is aimed at European audiences but, it's interesting: DMR Essentials Licensing Program - Motorola Solutions - Europe, Middle East and Africa

They also published a list of licensees, and you can see that Whistler is not on it: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/c...rview/technology-leadership/dmr_licensees.pdf

Perhaps Whistler paid the fees previously and have not established the same for new products which could be why they have not developed new radio receiver products in that market.

Nevertheless, I seem to have no problem with the Mototrbo Tier 3 systems.