[TrunkCom] Re: does anyone know how the new scanners will handle both data and voice from the same channel?

[Ian Wraith]

Hi

>I think that's rediculous !  Could you imagine having to purchase extra
>software just to program an EDACS system into a trunktracker ?  Or having to
>buy another radio programming application to just use the digital feature on
>the upcoming digital scanners ?  What a rip off.

 You have got remember a digital handheld has a lot more in common with
your PC than it does with a handheld radio from 15 or 20 years ago. When
you buy a PC it doesn't automatically come with MS Office on it you have
to pay Bill Gates something for it. Likewise if in the future a software
based scanner comes on the market then a new trunking format appears
some programmer is going to have to spend an awful lot of time writing
a new program so the scanner can track that system. The programmer needs
paying and the scanner company need to make a profit.

>So you mean Motorola puts the hardware in every in EVERY radio, even though
>some agencies won't ever use it?  That sounds like a waste of money to me.

 Again the main component in a digital radio is its software which probably
costs more to develop than the hardware. The different software that can
be flashed into the handheld require the same DSP IC. It doesn't matter
if the radio is to be used in simplex APCO25 mode or as part of a trunked
system.

Regards

Ian