Help Required

[Dan200]

Hi,

I am after help as I know nothing about radios.

I have been using a Motorola GP68 radio and the channel that I listen to has moved over to digtial. So here are my questions:

1. How do I pick up the same channel I was previously listening to on a digtial radio and also which digtial radio would I need? I see their about £500 is that possible? Also I don't want to buy 1 only to find I can't listen to it for watever reason? Would it just be a case of putting the same frequency in the digtial radio?

2. As the channel has moved over to digtial would it be on the same frequency as it was on the GP68 radio?

Thanks & Regards,

Dan

[bw18]

Hi Dan,

If you were purely using the GP68 to 'scan' then Im afraid you will not be able to intercept digital transmissions. More than likely the change will be to TRBO. To be able to listen to digital transmissions you need to know the colour code for the system, groups code(s) and privacy key if one is being used.

There is no scanner on the market able to decode digital transmissions at this time.

A TRBO radio will set you back around £350 for something basic (such as a DP3400). For something more advanced then you would be looking at £500 for a DP3600. Regardless of this you need the information I listed above to be able to 'listen in'.

Many companies are investing in new digital technology to prevent people from scanning their transmissions, as well as the added benefits of digital.

What exactly are you trying to listen into?

BW

[Dan200]

Thanks for your quick response.

I just listen to local coverage nothing to exitced lol

[bw18]

What area are you in? It might be a case of a frequency change rather than a digital change over... I doubt it, but it is possible!

BW

[Dan200]

It's definately changed over to digtial

[emsgeorge]

Im betting its a shopwatch type system, or a local mall.

It can be done - its not an easy ride sometimes, and you need to know what theyve changed to.

OK, some questions for you !

1) how do you know they have gone digital - are you getting 'modem' sounds on the same freq, or have you seen new radios ?

2) same as above  - what radios do they now have - as there are 2 competing digital types of systems. Kenwood and Icom went for an fdma system, and motorola and hyt use tdma. If you spend your cash on the wrong type of radio, you wont be able to listen. A bit like betamax and vhs, theres a war going on with these systems at the moment, and tdma is winning, because motorola got to market first, and although a trbo is £500, the kenwood nexedge is £700 plus for a radio.

3) do you have access to a radio at all - even for 5 mins, to take a quick peek at the menus

4) where abouts are you looking at - as there are a lot of delaers on here, as well as people who might of worked on the system you might want access to.

5) a reason - if you are a security guard who works on the system / mall, then fair enough. If you just want to listen for fun, then expect a rough ride - a lot of us have had our lives made difficult by 'scanner users' - even at events, we have had them feeding info from the security channels to touts and unuthorised sellers, meaning they can get away before we get to them. 

[Dan200]

Thanks for ur help guys been very useful!