Whistler_Support

[TAbirdman]

I am retired and I have been in the radio and scanner hobby since I was 13 years old. I really like the price you had for the TRX-1 and the TRX-2. Of course I bought my TRX-1 when it was on sale. Here is the only problem I have with the TRX-1 scanner, It takes to long for it to boot up, turn on. The last complaint I have and is major for me is the PLASTIC that you look through to see the information. IT SUCKS. It scratches easy which makes it even harder to view!! For the money we pay why don't you put real glass to look through. Last forever and cleans very well. I now the answer will be if the scanner is dropped glass will break. Well most my older scanners had glass and no protective case. Never broke any of them. So, I hope you keep making the TRX- 1 AND TRX-2 scanner's and please consider my advice. I am sure other's have the same complaint. I will buy WHISTLER over UNIDEN any day. UNIDEN price is way to high. They are pricing themselves off the market.

Couple of things with your issues. 1) the larger the SD card ( original factory card was a 4GB) the longer the boot up.
2) The units have a plastic film that protects the screen. This film does scratch easily. Double check to make sure that you still have the film on. Use your finger nail to catch the corner of the screen.

 

[jimg]

Whistler Support -- Can you advise when the TRX-1 will be back in stock?
jimg

 

[RaleighGuy]

Whistler Support -- Can you advise when the TRX-1 will be back in stock?
jimg

@jimg to tag a person/organization in a message make sure to put the @ sign in front of the name, such as @Whistler_Support

 

[Whistler_Support]

Whistler Support -- Can you advise when the TRX-1 will be back in stock?
jimg

More are en route to the warehouse........

 

[jimg]

More are en route to the warehouse........

Any idea on how long--time frame?
jimg

 

[Whistler_Support]

I cannot get into details but I am told more will be arriving this month.

 

[jimg]

I cannot get into details but I am told more will be arriving this month.

Thanks.
jmg

 

[beischel]

I am not able to receive P25 Phase II transmissions on the TRX-2. However I am able to receive them perfectly on the Uniden SDS200. Both radio were loaded with the same information (it appears Whistler gets it from Radio Reference and the SDS200 also gets the information from Radio Reference. In looking at the programming, both radio contain the same information (CCs, TGs, etc.) - There isn't even any broken audio. I receive nothing. Using latest CPU, DSP and default settings. I did try selecting FM instead of NFM under the site settings and it made zero difference. Is there some setting I am missing for Phase II?

 

[tvengr]

If you attach your configuration file, I will check it for problems.

 

[beischel]

If you attach your configuration file, I will check it for problems.

Here is the backup. The specific issue of P25 Phase II is on the Northern Kentucky system. Right now Boone and Kenton Counties are in operation. Campbell is not. But the SDS200 is receiving Boone and Kenton just fine. I get absolutely nothing from these two counties on the TRX-2. Also, Cincinnati and Hamilton County are horribly bad on reception. Clermont County is a bit better. If you have any suggestion on better settings for P25 Phase I simulcast, I would be very interested in some suggested changes. Thanks in advance.

 

[tvengr]

It appears that Campbell Co is closest to you. As set now, the Campbell Co site will have the strongest signal and the scanner will lock to it. You are not trunking the Kenton and Boone sites at all. You have to set it up as 3 separate systems: Campbell site with Campbell talkgroups on scan list 5 only, Kenton site with Kenton talkgroups on scan list 6 only, and Boone site with Boone talkgroups on scan list 7 only. That will allow you to select the Campbell, Kenton, and Boone systems separately, each with its own site and talkgroups. Presently, all 3 are on scan lists 1, 5, 6, and 7. The 3 sites should have a Mode of NFM.

 

[beischel]

It appears that Campbell Co is closest to you. As set now, the Campbell Co site will have the strongest signal and the scanner will lock to it. You are not trunking the Kenton and Boone sites at all. You have to set it up as 3 separate systems: Campbell site with Campbell talkgroups on scan list 5 only, Kenton site with Kenton talkgroups on scan list 6 only, and Boone site with Boone talkgroups on scan list 7 only. That will allow you to select the Campbell, Kenton, and Boone systems separately, each with its own site and talkgroups. Presently, all 3 are on scan lists 1, 5, 6, and 7. The 3 sites should have a Mode of NFM.

Thanks for looking but as I stated, Campbell is not active yet. Boone and Kenton are active and receiving them perfectly with the SDS200 right next to the TRX-2. Both are on back of set antennas. So when I did have them set up as separate systems, they still did not work. For example, I first set-up Boone - nothing. Deleted and set-up Kenton - nothing. I had it set to NFM, but someone commented that they had better luck with FM so I tried that. Setting to FM does help somewhat with P25 Phase l. Out of desperation I set them all up with multiple scan lists. Nothing. I am actually wondering is this scanner is capable of actually receiving Phase II. Oh, by the way, the reason I have them all as one system is because the system of the three counties in integrated much like Ohio MARCs but in their case, not statewide.

 

[tvengr]

The SDS200 scans all three sites. Unlike the SDS200, the TRX-2 searches for the best site in a system and stays there. Since Campbell is the closest site, you, are receiving only the Campbell site on the TRX-2. Is the control channel up for the Campbell site? It doesn't matter if there is no activity. If the Campbell control channel is up, the TRX-2 is stuck on that site. If you would like, I will modify your file with Campbell, Kenton, and Boone in separate systems. I have already completed most of the work.

 

[ScanFanEd]

Yes

Good to see a "yes" response, but would sure be nice to hear something more from Whistler. Numerous indications that they are getting out of the scanner business... I do hope I am wrong, as we need more than one player in the market!

 

[beischel]

The SDS200 scans all three sites. Unlike the SDS200, the TRX-2 searches for the best site in a system and stays there. Since Campbell is the closest site, you, are receiving only the Campbell site on the TRX-2. Is the control channel up for the Campbell site? It doesn't matter if there is no activity. If the Campbell control channel is up, the TRX-2 is stuck on that site. If you would like, I will modify your file with Campbell, Kenton, and Boone in separate systems. I have already completed most of the work.

Sure that would be great. I'll try anything at this point. BTW, I do not know of the Campbell County CC is up yet. I will be interesting for me to see how you program. Maybe I have not been doing it correctly.

 

[tvengr]

Thanks for looking but as I stated, Campbell is not active yet. Boone and Kenton are active and receiving them perfectly with the SDS200 right next to the TRX-2.

Give this file a try and see how it works. Try adding a wildcard to Campbell Co.

 

[beischel]

Give this file a try and see how it works. Try adding a wildcard to Campbell Co.

Good Morning, thanks for you efforts. I added a wildcard for Campbell County then loaded into the scanner. Set the scanner to only scan the three NKY counties and it receives nothing. The SDS200 right next to it is receiving all sorts of radio traffic on the NKY system (Kenton and Boone only since Campbell is not active yet). It does not appear this scanner has the capability to receive P25 Phase II even though it is advertised as such. I do appreciate you trying to help.

 

[beischel]

My input on the suggestions. Frankly, what most people want is just an affordable scanner that actually receives digital transmissions without issues. After abandoning the TRX100/200, I am not sure Whistler seems to be doing any new scanner development.

I sent this short list to the scanner suggestion email posted above. FYI.

The TRX-1 is superior in build to the SDS Uniden platform. - But the major point is that the SDS actually receives P25 without issue. The TRX models do not. Not sure what you mean by "superior build".

1. Omit the current LCD and Keypad and replace it with a touch screen like the one used by the Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2. - Not a good idea in my opinion. Touch screens on a scanner would most likely be slow and not as durable for a mobile scanner and prone to breaking - ask anyone with a mobile phone.
2. Android Development Platform internally.
3. WiFi capability; USB 3.0 - For what reason? Wired connection such as that found on the SDS200 is far more reliable.
4. Bluetooth connect for audio output. - Maybe on a handheld this might have some value
5. Retain AA, Alkaline, or NiMH battery capability. The SDS-100 approach was a mistake. - I don't know if it was a mistake, just different. They may have tested traditional batteries and found them to not last very long.
6. Do not redesign based on Uniden; innovate completely, and differentiate. - Frankly, when it comes to digital scanners, we just want them to receive clearly. Broken audio is just not acceptable. Uniden is using SDR technology. This is the state of the art right now and why it is far superior to receiving digital specifically P25.
7. Form factor and radio size must increase to allow for cooling and electronic enhancements. - Not sure that is a big issue, but OK
8. IP69, 68, with sealable openings for optional increased cooling via convection flow, prompted by the electronics prior to thermal shutdown. Visual and audio alert prompting user to "open the vents." - Where has this been a problem?
9. Integrate FM, AM broadcast radio, and optional XM/Sirius Radio receive. SMA port for external antenna support. - OMG, no. If I need a broadcast radio or sat radio, I buy that separately. Spending $500+ for a AM/FM/SiriusXM radio is silly. Make a good scanner without all that crap. SMA are horrible connectors. Antenna pins easily break off in them. BNC is a superior connector.
10. Add a second BNC connection for 800MHZ and above, while the other is for 800MHZ and below. Yes, a scanner with two antennas, or the option to plug one BNC and go primary with the other. - Vast majority of scanner listeners will not use. Adding just increases the cost.
11. State of the Art Windows based software interface with true drag and drop capability and object oriented intelligence fully leveraged. Android App. Mac App. Maybe Apple IoS. - I love Macs, but too costly to support multiple OS for programming SW. Vast majority have Windows so that is the direction. However, it would be nice to be able to use non-Whistler SW. EX Scan really sucks.

Note: Issues with heat dissipation have been noted by DSLR and mirrorless camera manufacturers [and video 4K devices] in general. Their
experience in design innovation could be useful to scanner and radio design. Panasonic's recent innovation with their high end cameras involved a fan to cool the 4K UHD chipsets. Weather sealing brings challenges. - A fan on a scanner? Good lord no.

 

[tvengr]

Good Morning, thanks for you efforts.

All scanners except the Uniden SDS100 and SDS200 frequently have problems with simulcast systems. The Unication G4 and G5 pagers also are excellent with simulcast. If the file I modified did not work, it is definitely a simulcast issue. Sorry it didn't work out better for you.

 

[jdolina]

I have had the same experience with the trx200 on a Phase II simulcast system. Both my 436hp and sds100 receive fine. TRX2 is deaf but has full signal bars on the control channel. Before some of the updates I believe with some antenna manipulation I was able to receive the system but have not tried in a long time.