[Scanner] Scanning a digital system?

[Matthew C. Payne]

John Burch said:
> Newbie question - how can one determine what the digital
> format or type of system is before plunking down $600 for
> a "digital ready" scanner?  (As far as I can determine, Motorola built
> the system a year ago, and when listening to the assigned
> frequencies, all I hear is buzz saw or machine gun-sounding
> racket.  No analog voice is ever heard anywhere.)

If Motorola installed it, it is more than likely P25.  Where is the
system?  Have you checked http://www.trunkedradio.net yet?  They have
many systems already documented.

> How does one determine the data speed on the control
> channel?  I assume that the two popular choices are
> 3200(?) or 9600 bps?

The easiest way is with an older type of trunktracker (ie a BC-235,
BC-895, or PRO-90 or PRO-91).  If you can lock onto the data channel,
and see talkgroups, than it is a 3600 baud system.  Again, check out
trunkedradio.net and see if it is already documented.

Matt