If your department is transitioning from an analog radio system to a digital or trunking system here's what you'll need to know.
eDispatches can still work with digital and trunking radio systems. It's important to note that the eDispatches service still requires pager tones for audio alerts to work properly. If your pager tones will be changed or modified, please let us know during this transition so we can update this information.
We also want to monitor only one talkgroup, which would be your dispatch talkgroup, to avoid any traffic from interrupting the tone process that alerts the eDispatches equipment.
Switching to Digital or Trunking Systems
If you're currently already using eDispatches, you're most likely using our service with an analog VHF/UHF scanner attached to our proprietary equipment. If you're transitioning to a digital or trunking radio system, you will need to replace the analog VHF/UHF scanner with your digital/trunking channel.
For systems, such as a trunked 800 MHz channel, the information needed is typically the Talkgroup ID (TGID) rather than a single conventional frequency.
| System Type | What We Monitor | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Frequency | A single, fixed radio frequency (MHz) used for continuous communication. | $853.2125 \text{ MHz}$ |
| Trunked | Talkgroup ID (TGID) | A digital code representing a virtual channel. The system dynamically assigns a frequency from a pool when the TGID is active. | TGID 38032 (e.g., "Fire Network") |
How to Find Trunked Channel Information (Talkgroup ID)
To assist us with monitoring a trunked system, you'll need to provide the Talkgroup ID (TGID) for your dispatch channel.
- Source 1: Your Radio Technician or Administrator: The most reliable way to find the specific TGID for your dispatch channel is to contact the administrator or radio technician who manages your new trunked 800 MHz radio system. They will have the master list of control frequencies, system IDs, and associated Talkgroup IDs.
- Source 2: Scanner/Radio Enthusiast Websites: Public safety communications are often tracked and documented by radio enthusiasts. Searching online for "[System Name] Talkgroups" on sites like RadioReference.com might help you find the relevant TGIDs associated with your fire department's dispatch.
There are multiple ways to supply the digital/trunking channel (e.g., the Talkgroup ID) to our equipment; here are the following options that will work with our equipment:
|
Option 1 eDispatches can provide a digital/trunking scanner for a one-time setup fee. We are happy to program the scanner at no cost prior to sending it. Our skilled radio technicians can save you the time and hassle of doing it yourself. If you would like us to program the scanner please provide us the following information. |
Required for Digital/Analog Trunked Systems
- System ID
- Site ID (in hex or decimal)
- Talk Group ID (in hex or decimal)
- State
- County
Required for Digital Conventional Systems
- Frequency
- NAC
Required for MotoTRBO/DMR Systems
- Frequency
- Color Code
- Group (TGID)
- Slot (TDMA)
Required for NXDN (NEXEDGE) Kenwood Systems
- Frequency
- RAN (Radio Access Number)
Option 2
Connect our equipment directly to your console, base radio or scanner that supplies the digital/trunking radio channel.
For more details on setting up your equipment to a console connection please check out the following article: Console Connection
Unication users can use the amplified charger base which includes an audio output that can connect directly with our system. Unication users can also add a custom audio file to produce a pager tone for our system.
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