Difference between revisions of "Unication Voice Pager Receivers"
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'''Notable Limitations''' | '''Notable Limitations''' | ||
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The G2 thru G5 models function more similarly to a full-featured scanner than resembling the feature-limited pagers common in the fire service since the Motorola Minitor I pager's introduction in the 1970's. The G-series voice pagers are marketed toward public safety professionals and thus the feature-set was designed to lock-on to a single system and never miss an emergency alarm/page, versus the feature-set expectations of a scanner user who expects to scan a large volume of frequencies but is acceptable to miss part of a transmission on occasion. For the G-Series user, a few key limitations, as of firmware v1.31, are important to note if one desires to scan a ''trunked'' system: | The G2 thru G5 models function more similarly to a full-featured scanner than resembling the feature-limited pagers common in the fire service since the Motorola Minitor I pager's introduction in the 1970's. The G-series voice pagers are marketed toward public safety professionals and thus the feature-set was designed to lock-on to a single system and never miss an emergency alarm/page, versus the feature-set expectations of a scanner user who expects to scan a large volume of frequencies but is acceptable to miss part of a transmission on occasion. For the G-Series user, a few key limitations, as of firmware v1.31, are important to note if one desires to scan a ''trunked'' system: | ||
− | + | # A knob position can only scan one trunked system. | |
− | + | # A knob position cannot scan both a trunked system and conventional frequencies. | |
− | + | # A knob position, scanning a single trunked system, can scan a maximum of 64 Talkgroups in that knob position. The only workaround is designating a wildcard. | |
====Comparison to a Digital Scanner==== | ====Comparison to a Digital Scanner==== |
Revision as of 15:36, 25 May 2022
Welcome to the Unication voice pager wiki page. Please see the official Unication P25 Voice Pager page for models and specifications.
Unication has developed a couple models of receive only P25 capable public safety pagers. These pager/receivers are intended for public safety users and therefore have an I/Q demodulator and narrower filters for band specific needs. They work generally without any "tweaks" that may be needed for a scanner. However, these pager/receivers are lacking several basic features found in most scanners. A beta of a scanning feature is in the testing phase.
These units are capable of both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
These units are commercial grade receivers designed for public safety users, not scanners. They are designed to monitor a single trunked site at a time or a small set of conventional VHF / UHF frequencies.
Notable Limitations
The G2 thru G5 models function more similarly to a full-featured scanner than resembling the feature-limited pagers common in the fire service since the Motorola Minitor I pager's introduction in the 1970's. The G-series voice pagers are marketed toward public safety professionals and thus the feature-set was designed to lock-on to a single system and never miss an emergency alarm/page, versus the feature-set expectations of a scanner user who expects to scan a large volume of frequencies but is acceptable to miss part of a transmission on occasion. For the G-Series user, a few key limitations, as of firmware v1.31, are important to note if one desires to scan a trunked system:
- A knob position can only scan one trunked system.
- A knob position cannot scan both a trunked system and conventional frequencies.
- A knob position, scanning a single trunked system, can scan a maximum of 64 Talkgroups in that knob position. The only workaround is designating a wildcard.
Contents
Comparison to a Digital Scanner
Similarities
- Excellent P25 Simulcast reception
- Two-tone paging (conventional or [some] P25)
- Color display
- Compact size/weight
- Battery lasts a long time
- Harsh environment design
Differences
- No "on the fly" programming
- Can only monitor a single control channel at a time (no multi-site or multiple system scanning)
- Cannot mix scanning of P25 control channel and conventional frequencies.
- G4 is only 700/800
- G5 adds a band but you have to choose which one (VHF, 380, 400, 450) conventional analog or P25 and/or P25 Phase 1&2 Trunking. DMR Conventional (Paid upgrade)
- Doesn't support Motorola Smartnet/SmartZone Analog, EDACS, LTR, NXDN, DMR Trunking
- Programming software (PPS) design isn't intuitive
After Market Gear (Antennas, Bluetooth, etc.)
- Antennas
- Bluetooth and Related
- Blackwell BlueTooth Audio Adapter
- Bluetooth FM Transmitter
- Klein Blu RSM Works Well on G Series Thread
- MPow M30 In Ear Bluetooth Headphones
- Noxgear 39G Bluetooth Speaker
Pager Comparison
Features | G2 | G3 | G4 | G5 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bands | Single | Dual | Single | Dual |
Models | • VHF (136-174 MHz) or • UHF-C (400-470 MHz) or • UHF-D (450-520 MHz) |
• VHF & UHF-C (400-470 MHz) or • VHF & UHF-D (450-520 MHz) |
763-776 Mhz & 851-870 Mhz | • VHF (136-174 MHz), 763-776 Mhz & 851-870 Mhz or • UHF-A (330-400 MHz), 763-776 Mhz & 851-870 Mhz or • UHF-B (380-430 MHz), 763-776 Mhz & 851-870 Mhz or • UHF-C (400-470 MHz), 763-776 Mhz & 851-870 Mhz or • UHF-D (450-520 MHz), 763-776 Mhz & 851-870 Mhz |
MSRP | $645 | $745 | $645 | $745 |
Antenna (external) | • VHF: 136-174 MHz or • UHF: 330-512 MHz |
• V+U: 330-512 MHz • U+V: 136-174 MHz |
764-870 MHz | 764-870 MHz |
Antenna (internal) | no | • V+U: 136-174 MHz • U+V: 330-512 MHz |
no | • VHF: 136-174 MHz • UHF: 330-512 MHz |
P25 | Conventional, Trunked | Conventional, Trunked | Conventional, Trunked | Conventional, Trunked |
DMR Upgradeable? | yes, $25 mail-in | yes, $25 mail-in | yes, $25 mail-in | yes, $25 mail-in |
Channel Spacing / Band Width (unique to each freq) | 12.5kHz / 25kHz / 20kHz | 12.5kHz / 25kHz / 20kHz | 12.5kHz / 25kHz / 20kHz | 12.5kHz / 25kHz / 20kHz |
Message Types (receive) | • Analog: voice, text, image via MDC or DVOA only. • Digital: voice, text, image via DMR, P25C, or P25T |
• Analog: voice, text, image via MDC or DVOA only. • Digital: voice, text, image via DMR, P25C, or P25T |
• Analog: voice, text, image via MDC or DVOA only. • Digital: voice, text, image via DMR, P25C, or P25T |
• Analog: voice, text, image via MDC or DVOA only. • Digital: voice, text, image via DMR, P25C, or P25T |
Battery Size (mAh) | 2800 mAH Lithium Ion | 2800 mAH Lithium Ion | 2800 mAH Lithium Ion | 2800 mAH Lithium Ion |
Battery Max Voltage | 4.35 Volts | 4.35 Volts | 4.35 Volts | 4.35 Volts |
Normal Voltage Supply | 3.80 Vdc | 3.80 Vdc | 3.80 Vdc | 3.80 Vdc |
Weight (including antenna, battery, belt clip) | 290 grams / 10.2 oz | 290 grams / 10.2 oz | 290 grams / 10.2 oz | 290 grams / 10.2 oz |
Weight, excluding battery & antenna | 215 grams / 7.58 oz | 224 grams / 7.9 oz | 221 grams / 7.8 oz | 223 grams / 7.87 oz |
Size (height x width x thickness) | 102 x 61 x 31.5 mm | 102 x 61 x 31.5 mm | 102 x 61 x 31.5 mm | 102 x 61 x 31.5 mm |
Operating Temp Range | -30°C to 60°C -22°F to 140°F |
-30°C to 60°C -22°F to 140°F |
-30°C to 60°C -22°F to 140°F |
-30°C to 60°C -22°F to 140°F |
Material | PPC14312 plastic & TDV rubber | PPC14312 plastic & TDV rubber | PPC14312 plastic & TDV rubber | PPC14312 plastic & TDV rubber |
Water Submersion | 3ft/30mins | 3ft/30mins | 3ft/30mins | 3ft/30mins |
Alert Types | Tone (standard or custom file), vibrate, silent, or tone+vibrate | Tone (standard or custom file), vibrate, silent, or tone+vibrate | Tone (standard or custom file), vibrate, silent, or tone+vibrate | Tone (standard or custom file), vibrate, silent, or tone+vibrate |
Customized Alerts via .wav/.mp3 files | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Minutes of Voice Storage | 100 minutes | 100 minutes | 32 minutes | 32 minutes |
Protocols (analog) | • CTCSS / CDCSS • 2 tone / 5 tone • MDC 1200 • Uni DVOA |
• CTCSS / CDCSS • 2 tone / 5 tone • MDC 1200 • Uni DVOA |
• CTCSS / CDCSS • 2 tone / 5 tone • MDC 1200 • Uni DVOA |
• CTCSS / CDCSS • 2 tone / 5 tone • MDC 1200 • Uni DVOA |
Protocols (digital) | • P25C • DMR |
• P25C • DMR |
• P25C • DMR |
• P25C • DMR |
Protocols (trunking) | • P25T Phase I • P25T Phase II |
• P25T Phase I • P25T Phase II |
• P25T Phase I • P25T Phase II |
• P25T Phase I • P25T Phase II |
2-Tone Function Modes | Selective Call, Monitor, Scan | Selective Call, Monitor, Scan | Selective Call, Monitor, Scan | Selective Call, Monitor, Scan |
Encryption key | yes, per frequency | yes, per frequency | yes, per frequency | yes, per frequency |
Encryption type | AES 256 | AES 256 | AES 256 | AES 256 |
Full Spectrum Scan | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Monitor & Alert on Multiple Talkgroups? | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Priority TGID Scan | yes | yes | yes | yes |
No. of Channels | 516 analog / 256 control | 516 analog / 256 control | 516 analog / 256 control | 516 analog / 256 control |
Talkgroup Hold feature | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Talkgroup Block/Lockout feature | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Out of Range Alert | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Display | LCD, full color | LCD, full color | LCD, full color | LCD, full color |
Display Size (inches) | 2.0 inches (30.6x40.8/mm) | 2.0 inches (30.6x40.8/mm) | 2.0 inches (30.6x40.8/mm) | 2.0 inches (30.6x40.8/mm) |
Display Size (pixels) | 320 x 240 | 320 x 240 | 320 x 240 | 320 x 240 |
Display Color Space | 65535 (uncalibrated) | 65535 (uncalibrated) | 65535 (uncalibrated) | 65535 (uncalibrated) |
Display text | 9 lines x 22 characters | 9 lines x 22 characters | 9 lines x 22 characters | 9 lines x 22 characters |
Backlight | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
Extended Warranty | Addt'l 3 years | Addt'l 3 years | Addt'l 3 years | Addt'l 3 years |
Sensitivity | -122 dBm | -122 dBm | -122 dBm | -122 dBm |
Radiated Sensitivity / 12dB SINAD / 5% BER | • VHF model: 7.98 µV/M • UHF-C model: 6.4 µV/M • UHF-D model: 4.3 µV/M |
• VHF model: 14.2 µV/M • UHF-C model: 6.4 µV/M • UHF-D model: 4.3 µV/M |
4.02 µV/M | 6 µV/M |
Image Rejection (Analog/Digital) | • VHF model: >65dB / >60dB • UHF models: >60dB / >55dB |
• VHF model: >65dB / >60dB • UHF models: >60dB / >55dB |
>65dB / >60dB | >65dB / >60dB |
Intermodulation Rejection (Analog/Digital) | • VHF model: >65dB / >60dB • UHF models: >55dB / >50dB |
• VHF model: >65dB / >60dB • UHF models: >55dB / >50dB |
>65dB / >60dB | • VHF model: >65dB / >60dB • UHF models: >55dB / >50dB |
Frequency Stability | +/- 1 ppm | +/- 1 ppm | +/- 1 ppm | +/- 1 ppm |
Adjacent Channel Selectivity | 760 dB | 760 dB | 760 dB | 760 dB |
Blocking | >80 dB | >80 dB | >80 dB | >80 dB |
Spurious | >70 dB | >70 dB | >70 dB | >70 dB |
Audio Output Linear | >300 mW | >300 mW | >300 mW | >300 mW |
Audio Distortion | <2% | <2% | <2% | <2% |
Speech SPL @ 12in | 96dB +3dB/-2dB | 96dB +3dB/-2dB | 96dB +3dB/-2dB | 96dB +3dB/-2dB |
Alert SPL @ 12in | 96dB +3dB/-2dB | 96dB +3dB/-2dB | 96dB +3dB/-2dB | 96dB +3dB/-2dB |
Ingress Protection Rating | IP67 Water/Dust | IP67 Water/Dust | IP67 Water/Dust | IP67 Water/Dust |
UL | Class I, Div. II | Class I, Div. II | Class I, Div. II | Class I, Div. II |
FCC | FCC Part 15 | FCC Part 15 | FCC Part 15 | FCC Part 15 |
MIL-STD | 810E, Proc1 for Driving Rain | 810E, Proc1 for Driving Rain | 810E, Proc1 for Driving Rain | 810E, Proc1 for Driving Rain |
Issues
- PPS Operating System Requirements Thread
- Official Latest G4 G5 Firmware and PPS Thread
- PPS Not Detecting on Windows 10 Thread
- DMR Programming Thread
- Copy Paste Questions in PPS Software Thread
- G5 Deaf Above 483 Mhz Thread
- G Series Voice Pager with Digital Trunked Scanner Feature Thread
- Unication Programming Thread
FAQ
Q: Is the G2-G5 a replacement for Motorola Minitor? A: Yes - a replacement, and then some. It has a similar form factor, can do everything a Minitor IV, V, VI, etc can do without batting an eye, and then adds significant additional capabilities, frequencies, encryption, and user-customization options.
Q: How does the range of the G2-G5 compare to a Minitor? A: Based on voluminous user feedback on RadioReference since 2015, the overwhelming consensus seems to be "yes, the range is as good and usually better by a few miles depending on geography."
Q: Do the G-Series pagers support P25 Phase I and Phase II? A: Yes. Phase II support was added in August 2018 to all G2-G5 devices running Firmware v1.1, which also included backwards compatibility for Phase I. Firmware updates remain free and user-installed with a USB cable.
Q: Can I download stored messages? A: Yes - via Unication's free software to any Windows PC, using a regular USB cable.
Third Party Software
- Universal Scanner Audio Player (Google Drive)
- Universal Scanner Audio Player Thread
- Unication files are supported via importing
Official Links
Learning Sessions
- Programming Webinar
- G4/G5 Programming Overview
- Unication YouTube videos
- Unication G5 Pager Review
- New Unication G2 / G3 Pagers
Downloads
- PPS Software & Pager Firmware Updates
- Unication G-Series Codeplug Sharing System
- G2-G6 Firmware Downloads
Documentation
Contacts
RadioReference Forum and Information
- User Guide for Importing Data from RadioReference API *Note: PDF File on Dropbox
- Unication Forum on RadioReference
Mailing Lists/Social
- Unication G4/G5 Owners
- Unication G Series Voice Pager Units
- Unication Buy Sell and Discussion
- Unication USA
Compatible Accessories
The below is a condensed summary of the thread 3rd Party Accessories Recommendations/Reviews - Unication G2/G3/G4/G5.
Chargers
Charger brand + model | Purchase link | Pics | Price | Charges? | Charge Error? | Programs/Data Transfer? | Sticks out from pager's body? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NetDot magnetic micro-USB | amazon | pics | $18.90 | yes | no | yes | 2mm | 3 cables @ 6.6ft/ea + 2 tips per cable (USB Micro-B + USB-C). |
Kuulaa magnetic micro-USB | amazon | pics | $15.99 | yes | no | yes | 2mm | 2 cables @ 3.3ft/ea + 3 tips per cable (USB Micro-B, USB-C, Apple Lightning). |
Cafele magnetic micro-USB | amazon | pics | $13.59 | yes | no | no | 5mm | 2 cables @ 4ft/ea + 1 tip per cable (USB Micro-B). |
Terasako magnetic micro-USB | amazon | pics | $15.99 | yes | yes | no | 5mm | 4 cables (1ft + 3ft + 6ft + 6ft) + 3 tips per cable (USB Micro-B, USB-C, Apple Lightning). |
Stand/Cradle
Brand/model | Purchase link | Pics | Price | Angled or Straight | Material | Charges? | Programs? | Amplified Antenna | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bartsscannerparts | eBay | pics | $17.99/ea | Angled | Plastic. 3D Printed. | Accommodates charge cable | Accommodates program cable | no | 4 rubber feet on bottom. Belt clip snaps into base. |
bioluminous | eBay | see purch link | $29.99 | Angled | Plastic. 3D Printed. | Accommodates charge cable | Accommodates program cable | no | Belt clip fits in base, but does not attach. |
bartsscannerparts | eBay | see purch link | $23.99 | Angled | Plastic. 3D Printed. | Accommodates charge cable | Accommodates program cable | no | Only for car's cup holder |
Replacement Parts
Accessory Type | Brand/model | Purchase link | Pics | Price | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amplified Charger Terminal Connector Block | 277-1163-ND | eBay | see purch link | $7.99 | identical to OEM part |
Amplified Charger DIN Connector | CP-1050-ND | eBay | see purch link | $7.95 | identical to OEM part |
3D Models to print your own accessories
Accessory Type | Price | Download link |
---|---|---|
Desktop cradle/stand/holder | Free | thingiverse |
Desktop or Car cradle/stand/holder (2 versions in the file) | Free | thingiverse |
Car cradle/stand/holder w/ RAM mount | Free | thingiverse |
Desktop cradle/stand/holder | Free | thingiverse |
Bluetooth earbuds/speakers
Brand | Model No. | Purchase link | Pics | Price | Ear Placement | Bluetooth | Sound | Playtime per charge | Fast Charging | Waterproof rating | Included accessories | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kurdene | S8 | Amazon | pics | $22.99 | In Ear/earbud | Bluetooth 5.2 | 8mm drivers | 8 Hours | Charge for 15 minutes, listen for 1 hour | IPX8 | Charging cable + Charging case + 6 silicone eartips with S/M/L sizes | 1.5hr to full charge |
Belt Clips
Name | Model No. | Purchase link | Pics | Price | Material | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swivel Belt Clip | LG-G4-PW | link | pics | $15.30 | Metal |
Changelog
Unication provides its pagers' Firmware and programming software, also called Pre-Programming Software or "PPS", free of charge. Each are updated at irregular intervals.
Firmware Updates
Version | Release Date | Changelog |
---|---|---|
V1.32 | Unreleased | Fixes an issue with G4's rebooting when on large systems that had a mix of VHF/UHF frequencies with 700/800 which caused issues, mainly TACN and MOSWIN systems. |
V1.31 | 12/1/2020 | • Fixed problems with conventional VHF QCII alerting • Fixed issue causing P25C QCII Stacked Paging Decode Failure • Fixed issue where TGID hold timer would only count down when the pager screen is active • Fixed issue that caused pager to crash when changing knob positions in some zones • Fixed issue where pager would not connect to PPS while screen off & would not charge until the screen turned on • Fixed issue where pager would randomly reset when programmed with a large programming file • Fixed issue in PPS that caused software to shut down when attempting to write a profile to pager • Fixed issue when a P25 TG is received, and voice transmission is over, the squelch that opened speaker kept speaker on with a hissing sound |
V1.30 | 8/14/2020 | • Added Radio Aliases/Unit IDs feature. • Added Talkgroup Hold/Remove feature. • Bluetooth improvements. |
V1.20 | 3/1/2019 | • Added mute of encrypted channels. • Added various Bluetooth fixes. |
V1.10 T06 | 7/10/2018 | |
V1.10 | 7/5/2018 | |
V1.00 | 7/2/2018 | |
V1.00-T08 | 7/1/2018 | Added Phase II support. |
V0.93-0.17K-R02 | 1/1/2018 | |
V0.93.017 - R00 | 9/11/2017 | • With R11P SW- Non-alerting TGIDs will no longer vibrate when the Selector Knob setting is set to Vibrate Mode. • With R11P SW-When pager is in deep discharge it will not charge unless the battery is removed and re-inserted. This has been fixed. • With R11P SW-When pager is off and transitions to ultra low power mode the 3 LEDS go on and eventually go off when the pager is fully charged. This has been fixed. |
R11P | 11/19/2016 | • Corrects the common tone A issue on the analog side • Corrects the issue of when the dispatch console has an SUID=0 on the P25 side • Includes a few under the hood fixes |
R11N2 | 11/4/2016 |
PPS Updates
Version | Release Date | Changelog |
---|---|---|
V3.17.10 | Unreleased | Only for V1.4 firmware beta testers. Shared 11/12/2020 to beta testers by Unication in Taiwan. |
V3.17.09 | Unreleased | Only for V1.4 firmware beta testers. Emailed 11/4/2020 to beta testers by Unication in Taiwan. |
V3.16.24 | 5/1/2021 | No notable changes. |
V3.16.22 | 2/28/2021 | Fixed intermittent issue logging into RadioReference to import frequencies. Affected only some users. |
V3.16.20 | Unknown | • Added “Factory Setting” function that allows user to reset pager to original factory settings • Added new Radio Reference import process (for Radio Reference premium members) |
V3.12.6 | 7/14/2018 | • Can now 64 zones, up from prior limit of 32 zones. • Upgrades for adding DMR in future firmware release. |
V3.11.09 | 7/1/2018 | Added Phase II support |
V3.10.07 | 1/1/2018 | No notable changes. |
V3.9.02 | 9/11/2017 | • Added new paging functionality for QCII over P25 Selecitve Call and Monitor Modes • Voice Memo can be disabled in programming software. • Out of Range audible alert can be disabled (still displayed on display) in programming software. • Unread Message Alert has been added for Voice Messages that have been stored and not read. • Ability to convert G4 files to a G5 file. • Call Alert is enabled • Monitor Mode was removed in favor of using a Wildcard TGID of FFFF (HEX). • Many "under the hood" changes to provide better overall performance. |
V3.5.07 | 11/24/2016 | |
V3.05.01 | 11/1/2016 |
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- Return to APCO Project 25