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Difference between revisions of "Freescan and Quick Key Processing"

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In order to take full advantage of how DMA technology works, one must understand the relationship between systems, site and groups, and how to properly allocate and enable quick keys in FreeScan. If you are having difficulty understanding the difference between these 3 entities, please read the [[Systems, Sites and Groups]] and [[Uniden Multi-Site Trunking]] articles before proceeding.
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In order to take full advantage of how DMA technology works, one must understand the relationship between systems, site and groups, and how to properly allocate and enable quick keys in FreeScan. If you are having difficulty understanding the difference between these 3 entities, please read the [[Uniden Scanners Systems, Sites and Groups]] and [[Uniden Multi-Site Trunking]] articles before proceeding.
  
  
==Utilizing the System Quick Key Manager==
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Image:FS tools v8.JPG|Figure 1
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Image:FS convent simpleview v8.JPG|Edit Conventional Group form (figure 1)
Image:FS SQK editor v8.JPG|Figure 2
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Image:FS Convention system.JPG|Conventional System Form (figure 2)
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Image:FS tlkgroup simpview v8.JPG|Group & Channel Options form (figure 3)
 +
Image:FS Type2 System.JPG|Trunked System Setup form (figure 4)
 +
Image:Site Screen.JPG|Site Setup tab (figure 5)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
As a system is the highest logical level in the DMA world, the System Quick Key (SQK) Manager is an important tool that
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==Group Quick Keys==
shows which system quick keys are actually allocated in this file. All quick keys that are allocated to a system are in
+
The group level is the lowest level in the DMA structure. At this level, you define all the frequencies you want to hear (for a conventional system) or all the talkgroups you want to hear for each system (for the 396T) or site (996T, BCT15 and all XT scanners)
bold. To access this panel, go to '''Tools/System Quick Key Manager''' in the blue toolbar (Figure 1).
+
 
 +
===Group Quick Keys in Conventional Systems===
 +
#In a conventional system, the GQK is allocated on the '''Edit Conventional Group''' form (figure 1). You can assign one yourself using the pulldown next to the group name, or use the '''Find Free''' button.  
 +
#Next, you then make sure that the GQK you've chosen has a check mark in the '''Conventional System''' form (figure 2). As a default, FreeScan puts a check mark in every GQK entry. You may not want to do that, especially if you have one of the older scanners with more limited resources. Unchecking the GQK is as simple as clicking the box next to the number of the key. The opposite is also true - just click the box next to the number of the key you want to activate.
  
 +
===Group Quick Keys in Trunked Systems=== 
 +
#In a trunked system, the GQK is allocated on the '''Group & Channel Options - Trunked System''' form (figure 3). Like the conventional system, you can either use the pulldown to manually assign a GQK or press the '''Find Free''' button.
 +
#Then on the '''Trunked System Setup''' form (figure 4), make sure that the GQK you wish to define has a check in the white box next to the number. You can select or deselect using a mouse click, just as you would if you were working in a conventional system.
  
By default, all System Quick Keys are marked as active. However, if you wish to only show those quick keys that are
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==Allocating Systems and Sites==
actually in use, click the '''Auto Update''' button at the bottom of the form (Figure 2).
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The system is the highest logical level in the DMA structure. This holds the basic information that applies to all groups beneath it.  
  
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In the trunking world, however, there is a difference between how the system and site relate to one another, depending on what scanner you are using. If you are using a scanner earlier than the BCD996T, the concept of sites have no meaning. For these scanners, you can think of the concept of a site as an extension of the system - it simply holds additional information for it.
  
==Trunking Systems==
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For the BCD996T, BCT15, the XT and P2 series of scanners, you can have multiple sites under a single system. In this case, any groups you define are all shared under a single system. The system is nothing more than the logical placeholder that contains all the information (sites and groups) for that system. This is the basis of multi site scanning.  
<gallery>
 
Image:FS Type2 System.JPG|Trunked System Setup
 
Image:Site Screen.JPG|Site Setup form w/site key
 
Image:Site Manager.JPG|SQK Manager showing sites
 
</gallery>
 
  
If you are using a scanner earlier than the BCD996T, the concept of systems and sites have no meaning. In this case, you would
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===Conventional System Quick Keys===
use the pulldown on the right hand side of the Trunked System Setup form, next to the group quick key checkboxes, to allocate what System Quick Key
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* In the '''Conventional System''' form (figure 2), use the pulldown next to the System Name to select the desired System Quick Key (SQK), or use the '''Find Free''' button to let FreeScan choose the next available key.  
is to be used. Make sure this key is also checked off in the SQK Manager. In this case, it's logical to make the system and
 
site quick keys identical.
 
  
However, with the BCD996T, BCT15 and XT scanners, the concept of a site was introduced. For these scanners, you can have up to 256 sites per system.
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===Trunking System Quick Keys (BCD396T and earlier)===
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* In the '''Trunked System Setup''' form (figure 4), use the pulldown next to the Delay Time box to select the desired System Quick Key (SQK), or use the '''Find Free''' button to let FreeScan choose the next available key.
  
To allocate a site, click on the site name, and go to the Site Setup tab. Either use the pulldown to choose the Quick key manually, or
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===Trunking Site Quick Keys (BCD996T, BCT15, XT and P2 series Scanners)===
using the '''Find''' button, allocate the desired '''Site''' Quick Key. The SQK Manager takes on a slightly different role here;
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#In the '''Trunked System Setup''' form (figure 4), use the pulldown next to the Delay Time box to select '''(By Site)'''. This is because all trunking done with these scanners is based on the site, not the system.
instead of showing systems, it shows active sites instead. If you float your mouse to the right of the number of the Site Quick Key in
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#Click on the site name in the left tree. Using the '''Site Setup''' tab (figure 5), use the pulldown next to the site name to select the desired Site Quick Key (SiQK), or as before, use the '''Find Free''' button to let FreeScan choose the next available key.
the manager, all the site names that use that key are shown in the white box on the right.
 
  
==Conventional Systems==
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==How many Group and System Quick Keys can I allocate?==
[[Image:FS Convention system.JPG|thumb|right|Conventional System Form]]
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* See our [[Moving DMA Data to Other Radios in Freescan]] article for a summary of how many quick keys are available, by model number
In a conventional system, we are concerned with a system plus one or more groups. Sites do not apply here. At the
 
system level, you would allocate a System Quick Key(SQK) on the Conventional System form (see the figure at right). You can
 
either use the pulldown or the '''Find Free''' button to allocate a SQK. Make sure that same SQK is also checked off
 
in the SQK Manager to insure it is enabled.
 
  
==Group Quick Keys==
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==Utilizing the System Quick Key Manager==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Image:FS convent simpleview v8.JPG|Edit Conventional Group form
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Image:FS tools v8.JPG|Figure 1
Image:FS Convention system.JPG|Conventional System form
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Image:FS SQK editor v8.JPG|Figure 2
Image:FS tlkgroup simpview v8.JPG|Group & Channel Options form
 
Image:FS Type2 System.JPG|Trunked System Setup form
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Group keys are utilized to define sets of frequencies in a conventional system, or sets of talkgroups in a trunked system. In either case, a Group Quick Key (GQK) must be first allocated on the appropriate screen, then enabled.
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*As a system is the highest logical level in the DMA world, the System Quick Key (SQK) Manager is an important tool that shows which system (or site) quick keys are actually allocated in this file. All quick keys that are allocated to a system (site) are in bold. To access this panel, go to '''Tools/System Quick Key Manager''' in the blue toolbar (Figure 1).
 
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*When you first bring this form up, it appears that several (or all) quick keys are checked. '''Always''' hit the '''AUTO SELECT''' button before going any further - this insures that the form has captured any changes you might have applied, and refreshes it from memory.
* In a conventional system, the GQK is allocated on the '''Edit Conventional Group''' form. You can assign one yourself, or use the '''Find Free''' button. Whatever key is allocated here, be sure that key is also checked off on the '''Conventional System''' form.
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*Float your mouse next to the box with the desired number, and look at the white box at the right. It should show what system(s) or site(s) are allocated to that key.
 +
*For conventional systems (and pre-BCD996T scanners), this form shows only System Quick Key allocations. However, for the BCD996T, BCT15, XT and P2 series scanners, this form shows both System and Site Quick Key allocations. Therefore it's very important to insure that unique names are always used when allocating systems and sites.
 +
*To enable the system/site in your scanner, the box next to the number of the system/site must have a check mark in it (click your mouse near the box to change it if needed). An empty box will disable that system/site.
  
* In a trunked system, the GQK is allocated on the '''Group & Channel Options - Trunked System''' form. Like the conventional system, you can either use the pulldown to manually assign a GQK or press the '''Find Free''' button. Be sure to check off whatever key is selected on the '''Trunked System Setup''' screen.
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==Other Applications==
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* Quick keys are also involved in the following functions;
 +
** [[Freescan Custom Search|Custom Search]]
 +
** [[Freescan Service Search|Service Search]]
  
 
==RR Import==
 
==RR Import==
Line 61: Line 62:
  
 
[[Image:FS RR trunk import2 v8.JPG|thumb|right|Trunk importing-Options]]
 
[[Image:FS RR trunk import2 v8.JPG|thumb|right|Trunk importing-Options]]
* When importing a trunked system, go to the '''Options''' tab. At the right, you have the choice of not allocating a Site Quick Key, doing one yourself (via the pulldown or the '''Find Free''' button) or having FreeScan choose one automatically. It's the user's responsibility to allocate/enable Group and System (if applicable) Quick Keys.
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* When importing a trunked system, go to the '''Options''' tab. At the right, you have the choice of not allocating a Site Quick Key (in which case the user must do so), doing one yourself (via the pulldown or the '''Find Free''' button) or having FreeScan choose one automatically. It's the user's responsibility to allocate/enable Group and System (if applicable) Quick Keys.
 
 
  
 
==File Importing==
 
==File Importing==
* When importing UASD or .Mem (BuTel) files, all quick key assignments are migrated over; however it's up to the user to decide if that's the way the quick keys are to be addressed.  
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* When importing UASD or .Mem (BuTel) files, all quick key assignments are migrated over; however it's up to the user to decide if that's the way the quick keys are to be addressed.
 
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* If you are importing a file from an older version of FreeScan (after .7E), all quick keys should be moved over along with the data. As before, it's up to the user to determine if this is the way these keys should remain.
  
 
==Notes and Caveats==
 
==Notes and Caveats==
Line 77: Line 77:
 
* You can gather multiple systems (and mix trunked/conventional types) under a single system key to make a 'superkey'. Keep in mind that if you lock out that quick key, it effectively locks out all the systems-regardless of type- beneath it.
 
* You can gather multiple systems (and mix trunked/conventional types) under a single system key to make a 'superkey'. Keep in mind that if you lock out that quick key, it effectively locks out all the systems-regardless of type- beneath it.
  
[[Category:Software Applications]]
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 +
Return to the [[FreeScan User Guide]]
 +
 
 +
[[Category:FreeSCAN]]

Latest revision as of 07:41, 15 November 2016

In order to take full advantage of how DMA technology works, one must understand the relationship between systems, site and groups, and how to properly allocate and enable quick keys in FreeScan. If you are having difficulty understanding the difference between these 3 entities, please read the Uniden Scanners Systems, Sites and Groups and Uniden Multi-Site Trunking articles before proceeding.


Group Quick Keys

The group level is the lowest level in the DMA structure. At this level, you define all the frequencies you want to hear (for a conventional system) or all the talkgroups you want to hear for each system (for the 396T) or site (996T, BCT15 and all XT scanners).

Group Quick Keys in Conventional Systems

  1. In a conventional system, the GQK is allocated on the Edit Conventional Group form (figure 1). You can assign one yourself using the pulldown next to the group name, or use the Find Free button.
  2. Next, you then make sure that the GQK you've chosen has a check mark in the Conventional System form (figure 2). As a default, FreeScan puts a check mark in every GQK entry. You may not want to do that, especially if you have one of the older scanners with more limited resources. Unchecking the GQK is as simple as clicking the box next to the number of the key. The opposite is also true - just click the box next to the number of the key you want to activate.

Group Quick Keys in Trunked Systems

  1. In a trunked system, the GQK is allocated on the Group & Channel Options - Trunked System form (figure 3). Like the conventional system, you can either use the pulldown to manually assign a GQK or press the Find Free button.
  2. Then on the Trunked System Setup form (figure 4), make sure that the GQK you wish to define has a check in the white box next to the number. You can select or deselect using a mouse click, just as you would if you were working in a conventional system.

Allocating Systems and Sites

The system is the highest logical level in the DMA structure. This holds the basic information that applies to all groups beneath it.

In the trunking world, however, there is a difference between how the system and site relate to one another, depending on what scanner you are using. If you are using a scanner earlier than the BCD996T, the concept of sites have no meaning. For these scanners, you can think of the concept of a site as an extension of the system - it simply holds additional information for it.

For the BCD996T, BCT15, the XT and P2 series of scanners, you can have multiple sites under a single system. In this case, any groups you define are all shared under a single system. The system is nothing more than the logical placeholder that contains all the information (sites and groups) for that system. This is the basis of multi site scanning.

Conventional System Quick Keys

  • In the Conventional System form (figure 2), use the pulldown next to the System Name to select the desired System Quick Key (SQK), or use the Find Free button to let FreeScan choose the next available key.

Trunking System Quick Keys (BCD396T and earlier)

  • In the Trunked System Setup form (figure 4), use the pulldown next to the Delay Time box to select the desired System Quick Key (SQK), or use the Find Free button to let FreeScan choose the next available key.

Trunking Site Quick Keys (BCD996T, BCT15, XT and P2 series Scanners)

  1. In the Trunked System Setup form (figure 4), use the pulldown next to the Delay Time box to select (By Site). This is because all trunking done with these scanners is based on the site, not the system.
  2. Click on the site name in the left tree. Using the Site Setup tab (figure 5), use the pulldown next to the site name to select the desired Site Quick Key (SiQK), or as before, use the Find Free button to let FreeScan choose the next available key.

How many Group and System Quick Keys can I allocate?

Utilizing the System Quick Key Manager

  • As a system is the highest logical level in the DMA world, the System Quick Key (SQK) Manager is an important tool that shows which system (or site) quick keys are actually allocated in this file. All quick keys that are allocated to a system (site) are in bold. To access this panel, go to Tools/System Quick Key Manager in the blue toolbar (Figure 1).
  • When you first bring this form up, it appears that several (or all) quick keys are checked. Always hit the AUTO SELECT button before going any further - this insures that the form has captured any changes you might have applied, and refreshes it from memory.
  • Float your mouse next to the box with the desired number, and look at the white box at the right. It should show what system(s) or site(s) are allocated to that key.
  • For conventional systems (and pre-BCD996T scanners), this form shows only System Quick Key allocations. However, for the BCD996T, BCT15, XT and P2 series scanners, this form shows both System and Site Quick Key allocations. Therefore it's very important to insure that unique names are always used when allocating systems and sites.
  • To enable the system/site in your scanner, the box next to the number of the system/site must have a check mark in it (click your mouse near the box to change it if needed). An empty box will disable that system/site.

Other Applications

RR Import

  • When importing a conventional group, it's the user's responsibility to allocate/enable all group and system quick keys
Trunk importing-Options
  • When importing a trunked system, go to the Options tab. At the right, you have the choice of not allocating a Site Quick Key (in which case the user must do so), doing one yourself (via the pulldown or the Find Free button) or having FreeScan choose one automatically. It's the user's responsibility to allocate/enable Group and System (if applicable) Quick Keys.

File Importing

  • When importing UASD or .Mem (BuTel) files, all quick key assignments are migrated over; however it's up to the user to decide if that's the way the quick keys are to be addressed.
  • If you are importing a file from an older version of FreeScan (after .7E), all quick keys should be moved over along with the data. As before, it's up to the user to determine if this is the way these keys should remain.

Notes and Caveats

  • It's important to note that if you are using multi site programming, it's vital to keep each site name as unique as possible; otherwise if you have a large number of systems, it could become very confusing to associate each site with its parent system.


  • If you are defining a large file with many multi site trunks, conventional, single site trunks (or some combination), be sure to be careful about how you define your quick keys. You could end up, for example, with a quick key 2 that is really a site quick key, then have a conventional system utilizing that same quick key. While it's permitted, it can quickly become confusing.


  • You can gather multiple systems (and mix trunked/conventional types) under a single system key to make a 'superkey'. Keep in mind that if you lock out that quick key, it effectively locks out all the systems-regardless of type- beneath it.


Return to the FreeScan User Guide