[Pro2006] Good discussion

[Bob Whiston]

At 17:26 06-10-05, you wrote:
>So Bob, for the 2006 with the opto 456 installed, would Spectrum Commander
>be the appropriate software.  This outfit has a load of offerings and for
>the newbie it is not that easy to tell what you need or want. They offer a
>15 day free trial for SC, so downloaded it. Cost is about $170.  If this is
>what you are referring to, is it really worth that much? Thanks

         It depends a lot upon just what you are either wanting to do right 
now or may be figuring that you'll be wanting to eventually do. *I* use 
Spectrum Manager.   Though recently I've been using a LTR trunking system 
tracking program trying to track down several LTR systems that have 
recently popped up in the area.  (It's also kinda `practice' for when we 
finally are able to make our long planned move back up to Wyoming where I'm 
probably going to be spending *a lot* of time chasing all sorts of strange 
trunking systems as they get WYOLink up and running. [Nope!  I am probably 
not going to be `chasing' digital trunking all that much in the beginning 
but rather just `chasing' down basic freqs to begin with.  Once I can 
locate obvious control freqs *then* the `fun' can begin.  At that point 
I'll probably have to dig out several more computers *and* a couple more 
PRO-2006s / 456s and at least a couple more PRO-2096s and PRO-96s along 
with whatever else I can lay my hands upon that can handle P25.  Also I 
expect that I'll be setting up at least a couple 2 - 3 new antennas/towers, 
too.])

         WYOLink is a `system' that is supposed to be covering everything 
from VHF-Lo all the way up through UHF-Hi and will be a trunked mix of 
trunked and non-trunked systems!  (In the beginning it'll be sort of a 
`bring what you've got until you can afford to upgrade' type system.  The 
main purpose is to make it such that pretty much everyone in the State will 
be able to communicate with pretty much everyone else even if at the very 
first *some* will be going through some sort of `translation' until they 
can afford to upgrade.  Initially the `main' trunking `backbone' will be 
State system radios on VHF with places like Casper, and hopefully Cheyenne 
if they finally get the `kinks ironed out' of their 800MHz system, linked 
up.  Next `size' down agencies will then be added in and as they can get 
the necessary funds will go P25, and *if* needed trunked, with the smaller 
ones coming online and eventually going P25 as they get funded.  Hopefully 
there will be enough funding available that the `initial' phase won't last 
too long and at least the majority of the State will be at least P25 
capable no matter what freq range they are using *and*, and here's the 
`beautiful' part, those for whom 800MHz operation really doesn't make sense 
aren't going to be forced onto 800MHz. [There are parts of Wyoming where 
800MHz just won't `cut it' propagation-wise due to either terrain or 
distance and, so far, it appears that `the powers that be' are recognizing 
such!  Unlike here in Colorado where they seem to have basically said that 
*everyone* *will* be on 800, or 700, MHz or else.]) *I* am *actually* 
`looking forward' towards both `chasing down' and listening to the WYOLink 
system once we get up there!  I also am expecting, not just hoping, that 
they get it done and they do it `right' instead of being `sheeple' herded 
off onto the `wastelands' of 700 - 800MHz just because it is the latest 
`craze' or `fad'.

         As a *native* `Wyomingite' I know that we are a cantankerous 
bunch. {VBE GRIN!} (And...  Yep!  I am going to be *very happy* to get out 
of `The People's Republic of Colorado' and back up home!)  When we 
*finally* get this place here in CO sold, we are mainly just waiting to get 
a decent price for the, 97+ acres, land, heads are going to spin at how 
fast we get outa here!  Even `She Who Must Be Obeyed' [SWMBO] who's a CO 
`native' is `chomping at the bit' to get moved!  While we both like 
`civilization' what they call `civilization' here *isn't*!  `Neighbors' 
live a mile or so away, at the least, *not* 100 *feet* away!  `Neighbors' 
don't complain about the noise you equipment makes or the `smell' or sounds 
your animals make because usually they are either using equipment or 
raising animals themselves and know that is `part-n-parcel' of `life' and 
`neighborliness'!  `Neighbors' will help other `neighbors' when they need 
help and always seem to know just *when* that is without having to be told!

         Whoops!  Sorry about the `rant'!  It's just that it seems like 
every time I turn around these days I've got *someone* always `sticking 
their nose in' where it just isn't needed or appreciated *or* asking 
`stupid' `questions' or making `stupid' `suggestions?' / `demands'.  (An 
example of the latter...  "We don't `feel' that you `should' be cutting / 
raking / baling your hay at night.  Your equipment makes so much noise that 
it is keeping the `neighbors', who moved out of the city to the country for 
`peace-n-quiet', awake at night when you do it.  We don't care that it is 
better doing your work at night because you can keep more of the `leaf' on 
the hay and thereby produce a quality crop and actually maybe make 
something for it."  {AARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!}  [Hey folks!  This farm has been 
here, and in the same family, for, now, over 100 years!  *You* are the 
`newcomers' *not* us!  *I* am just doing what it takes to keep my family 
fed and clothed only unlike you `city slickers' *I* do it *at home* *with* 
my *family*!])

         Anyway...  Back to the `freeway'...  err...  `discussion' that's 
already in progress...  {GRIN!}  Try `Spectrum Commander' I think you'll 
find it interesting and useful.  Besides...  It never hurts to have a few 
more `tools' in your `toolbox'.  They always seem to come in handy. {VB GRIN!}


---
     Doleo ergo sum,
        Bob Whiston


         Some days it just isn't worth chewing through the straps.