Williamson County Digital coming soon

[FlashSWT]

Wow, I've always assumed that you need a discriminator tap to use UniTrunker (and as such have always wanted a "tapped" scanner). However after Russell's mention of it just now I successfully installed it and used it with a 80% decode rate by simply plugging the 396 headphone jack into the microphone input on my PC.

I'm gonna have some fun on Sunday (and drive my wife crazy in the process I'm sure)!!

.

 

[W5TWX]

You guys have lost me. Just shows how much I know and I thought I knew a lot. I'm shocked as to how much I don't know!

 

[Russell]

Wow, I've always assumed that you need a discriminator tap to use UniTrunker (and as such have always wanted a "tapped" scanner). However after Russell's mention of it just now I successfully installed it and used it with a 80% decode rate by simply plugging the 396 headphone jack into the microphone input on my PC.

I'm gonna have some fun on Sunday (and drive my wife crazy in the process I'm sure)!!

.

That is actually different than I thought. I, too, expected to have to tap it, but plug it straight into the line-in on the PC without the need for a slicer. The 396 must pass more to the audio than other radios. I'll have to defer to Rick on that one.

UniTrunker decodes without a slicer making the whole process of watching the control channel much, much easier. But I've always used it with a discrimator tap. It's very interesting that the 396 works w/UniTrunker direct audio to audio. I also have a lot to learn.

Russell

 

[SCPD]

Just my humble opinion ...

If you want to see 100% decoding on anything besides MPT1327 (found in Decatur, TX and nowhere else) tap your radio. You won't be able to monitor Wilco's new system or the LCRA with speaker audio.

Get a cheap used or low-end non-trunking scanner if you don't want to tear into your '396. Some can be had with factory warranty for just over $100. Leave it setup with the computer and take your '396 with you for listening.

At the other extreme is the PSR-500. This should work out-of-the-box (no tap needed) but there are a few kinks to be worked out. I'm impressed at how fast they were able to release new firmware.

 

[josephdavis13]

Can someone please tell me what a tap is and how do you do it. What is the link to get the Initrunker?

Thank You

 

[FlashSWT]

Thanks for jumping in Unitrunker, I'll probably post some questions in the software forum later this week for you. I'm down here listening to STARNET and it seems to be working just fine at 80% with just the audio.

Joseph, here are the some links to answer your questions:
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Discriminator_output
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/UniTrunker

Hopefully I haven't dragged us too far off topic from Williamson County digital.

.

 

[josephdavis13]

Thank You Sir, I have a BCD396T like you. Now according to your post I could use UniTrunker with computer connected to my radio without making a discrimator cap (just an inline cable from the radio's head phone jack to thr computer's in audio jack). Would this be correct? Also and I am monitoring Williamson County P25 in serach mode and they are very busy at 11:23 A.M. and sound very good too. I am just off 685 on Kelly Lane, Pflugerville.

 

[W5TWX]

The audio strength keeps changing. I've noticed when a unit is in my area, it becomes loud and very clear. Seems strange to me. It's like listening to the inputs.

 

[josephdavis13]

I have been monitoring the Williamson County P25 Radio Network all day and I have had good results monitoring. It sounds better than the Police patrol units in Austin. My location is just off of FM 685 on Kelly Lane past Falcon Point Sub Division. I am using a BCD396T with original antenna.

 

[w5tsn]

now wilco gone digital whats the best scanner and place to buy one

 

[josephdavis13]

I would recommend the Uniden BCD 396T. This scanner can be purchased from Communications Electronics (www.usascan). This is where I purchased mine. I received very good service and customer support. Fry’s in Austin might have them.

 

[FlashSWT]

I'm happy with the Uniden models we have here at work, 396 (handheld) and 996 (base model). Your other options are the new GRE models PSR-500 (hh) and PSR-600 (base).

Now I haven't used them but my guess (other opinions welcome) is that there would be no reason to buy either of the Radio Shack models at this point since the GRE models are basically the same except newer with update features.

.

 

[mojicaman]

I am kind of confused. If I add this control channel 860.96250 to my Aus/Travis County control channels will it pick up all the old TGs in Williamson county or just the new ones that are being created.

I hope this makes sense.

 

[FlashSWT]

Moji, if you already have Austin/Travis County programmed in your scanner, you do NOT want to add 860.9625 to your existing system. The Williamson County simulcast site 120 should be programmed as an entirely new system (or a new site if you have a multi-site trunking scanner like the Uniden 996).

To answer your question though, when monitoring the new WilCo P25 you will only pick up the newly created talkgroups, not the old ones from the analog system.

.

 

[mojicaman]

Flash

Thanks for the help. Does this mean that the TGs for the old system are no longer going to work.

For example:

The TG for RR Fire Dispatch used to be 02096 on the old system.

The new TG for RR Dispatch is 04739 on the new system.

This means 02096 is no longer working.

 

[FlashSWT]

Thanks for the help. Does this mean that the TGs for the old system are no longer going to work.

Basically yes. Those two talkgroups are on entirely different systems and now that Round Rock Fire has switched from the old system to the new one that is where you need to listen for them. Technically 2096 will remain working on the old system until it is finally shutoff, but at some point before then RRFD will just stop using it.

The talkgroup numbers from the old system don't correspond in anyway to the new system. On the old system 1904 was RRPD Admin, however on the new system 1904 is Travis County Parks Ch. 2.

Once all users have moved from the old to the new system, the old system will be turned off and just become a distant memory.

On a related note, W5 mentioned that RR Fire tones were still going out on the old system. I'd imagine this might be because of one or two issues. 1. Maybe they haven't finished upgrading the station alerting radios that broadcast the dispatches over the PA in the kitchen, TV rooms, sleeping quarters, etc. However more likely I'd imagine it is because the WilCo EMS units based in RR fire stations haven't switched over to the new system yet. They monitor the RRFD Dispatch channel to get a jump on their calls since first responders will usually get toned out a minute or two before EMS dispatch (located at the county) gets the call info and broadcasts it. At least that is my guess anyways.

.

 

[W5TWX]

Tonite i'm hearing RRFD doing tone outs on 4758, the new RRPD north talkgroup. North and south PD both are using 4759, which is RRPD south. Not sure whats going on there!

 

[garyva]

Tonite i'm hearing RRFD doing tone outs on 4758, the new RRPD north talkgroup. North and south PD both are using 4759, which is RRPD south. Not sure whats going on there!

North and South Command have been patched together since 1800. Not sure why Fire dispatch might be on 4758, though. We're trying to troubleshoot a number of issues that Round Rock (mostly PD) has been experiencing.

 

[W5TWX]

Thanks Gary. Before I went to bed last nite, fire tones were on 4739.

 

[garyva]

Thanks Gary. Before I went to bed last nite, fire tones were on 4739.

I suspect it may have been an unintentional patch by RR Communications.