[TrunkCom] Re - 2 Items

[Todd Hartzel]

Greetings Tom,

On 29 May 2002 at 22:41, Tom Swisher wrote:

> The I-call numbers are not talkgroups, they are the individual radio 
> identifiers of the two radios involved in the I-call. They are not 
> dynamically assigned; each radio in the system has a unique identifier. 
> Private Calls (the Motorola term for an I-call) are a unit-to-unit 
> communication that bypasses the normal talkgroups and are very handy for 
> car-to-car use (as long as it's not abused, since when a unit is on 
> private call they cannot be reached by anyone on a talkgroup until they 
> clear the private call).
> 
> But in answer to your question, yes, you can program in I-call/private 
> call identifiers and scan them (assuming you're using a BC780). However, 
> a much better way to go about this is to set the search function on your 
> BC780 to "I-call Only" and then hit the search button when you want to 
> monitor I-calls. This allows you to easily monitor the I-calls (which in 
> my experience are usually pretty boring, so I don't listen to them very 
> often) without tying up any of your limited talkgroup memories to do it.
> 
> Without a BC780, the only way to monitor private calls is by scanning 
> the conventional frequencies.
> 
> Tom WA8PYR
> 

A way I like doing it, is just putting in the 'Wild Card' I-Call
number, i700000 into a vacant Memory, and making sure
its the only talkgroup in that scan list block. (Usually one
of the Upper Scan List Blocks 7-10)  This way I can leave 
the 'I-Call' Function turned 'OFF' so when I go into the 
'SEARCH' Mode, its already turned off.

I constantly am searching for new talkgroups on the systems,
so having I-Call turned 'OFF' is important.  But once in a
while I like monitoring I-Call, so all I have to do is hit the
'SCAN' key,then enable the Scan List Bank, where the 
I-Call 'Wild Card' entry is located.  Its makes for some 
quick and easy 'Mode' changing.  Rather then having to
go in and go thru the 'Menu' system to manually turn
'ON' and 'OFF' the I-Call feature.  This is extremely 
important while I'm on the road, and quick-easy short-
cut keystrokes are absolutely essential.

Not saying the BC-780XLT menu system can't be completely
learned and used with short-cuts.  But if you make a mistake
you have to take your eyes off the road.  (Not a good thing)
And look at the display so you know what 'Menu' level 
you left off at. (Not a good thing, and not always easy)

While in 'SCAN' mode, you can easily hit 'MANUAL', then type
in '1-1-MANUAL' to go directly to scan list memory 1-1.  Or
'2-1-MANUAL' to go to memory 2-1.  And this is great since I
have all the main talkgroups locked-out, with the Status
Bit Function turned:  OFF.  This way, when I put my 780xlt
into 'SEARCH' mode, I also will receive all 'APBs.  All Points
Bulletin broadcasts.  While I'm hunting for new talkgroups.
IF I hear an APB that interests me, its just a very few and
easy quick keystrokes to take me directly to that talkgroup.

But use your imagination, the bc-780xlt has a lot of flexiability.
Lots of ways to max-out the day-to-day use.  I should state
that while the Dispatchers can manually use 'Multi-Select 
APBs to temporary grab another dispatcher's talkgroup, there 
is one talkgroup where all APBs seem to go: .INFO A. 

So if I'm in 'SCAN' mode, and I want to hear the APBs, its a
simple matter of unlocking the:  INFO A talkgroup.  Info A
does not get very busy, at all.  Even though, it is now the
only INFO-only talkgroup.  INFO B is no longer used due to
shortage of staff.  Same for B. OF I.












73 from todd hartzel / n0vkg
http://www.icon-stl.net/~toddh