Actions

Difference between revisions of "UniTrunker"

From The RadioReference Wiki

 
(54 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Unitrunker.jpg|thumb|300px|Unitrunker Screenshot monitoring a Motorola system]]
+
[[Image:Unitrunker.JPG|thumb|300px|Unitrunker Screenshot monitoring a Motorola system]]
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
 
UniTrunker supports control channel monitoring for the following trunking types:
 
UniTrunker supports control channel monitoring for the following trunking types:
  
 +
* [[EDACS]] Standard 9600 Baud and Narrow 4800 baud (Normal, [[ESK]] and Site Pro / Extended Addressing)
 +
* [[LTR]] (with supporting radio)
 
* [[Motorola Type I]]
 
* [[Motorola Type I]]
 
* Motorola Type II ([[SmartNet]] / [[SmartZone]] / [[OmniLink]])
 
* Motorola Type II ([[SmartNet]] / [[SmartZone]] / [[OmniLink]])
 
* [[Motorola Type IIi Hybrid]]
 
* [[Motorola Type IIi Hybrid]]
 
* [[Project 25]] 9600 bps
 
* [[Project 25]] 9600 bps
* [[EDACS]] Standard 9600 Baud and Narrow 4800 baud (Normal, [[ESK]] and Site Pro / Extended Addressing)
 
 
* [[MPT-1327]] systems
 
* [[MPT-1327]] systems
  
 
UniTrunker also supports downloading system information from the [[RadioReference.com Web Service]].
 
UniTrunker also supports downloading system information from the [[RadioReference.com Web Service]].
  
UniTrunker does '''not''' currently support [[LTR]] Passport or MultiNet.
+
UniTrunker does '''not''' currently support Passport or MultiNet. [[LTR]] support is limited to operation with a [[PSR-310]], [[PSR-410]], [[PSR-500]], [[PSR-600]], [[PSR-700]], [[PSR-800]], [[BC346XT]], [[BCT15X]], [[BCD396XT]] or [[BCD996XT]].
 +
 
 +
It is also compatible with some [[Software Defined Radios|SDRs]] such as the [[RTL-SDR]] as well as the  [[Blue Tail Technologies P25RX-II]]
 +
 
 +
UniTrunker '''cannot''' monitor or decode conventional P25 data or audio.  
  
UniTrunker '''cannot''' monitor or decode conventional P25 data or audio.  However, a program called '''kNACk''' is included with the Unitrunker distribution.  '''kNACk''' can be used to capture [[NAC]] codes on a P25 conventional system.
+
Support can be found on the {{Forum|voice-control-channel-decoding-software.26|Voice Control Channel Decoding Software}} 
 
<p>
 
<p>
 
<b>''What Can UniTrunker Display?''</b>
 
<b>''What Can UniTrunker Display?''</b>
Line 26: Line 31:
 
* User affiliation - what talkgroup a user has requested.
 
* User affiliation - what talkgroup a user has requested.
 
* Patches - a dispatcher initiated action that joins two or more talkgroups together.
 
* Patches - a dispatcher initiated action that joins two or more talkgroups together.
 +
 +
------------------------------------------------------
 +
 +
This program replaces a previous generation of [[UniTrunker (Retro)]].
 +
 +
==License==
 +
 +
[http://www.unitrunker.com/license.html License]
  
 
==Downloads==
 
==Downloads==
Line 32: Line 45:
 
<tr>
 
<tr>
 
<td>
 
<td>
[http://www.unitrunker.com/download/UniversalTrunker.zip Current]
+
[http://www.unitrunker.com/download.html Download]
 
</td>
 
</td>
 
<td>
 
<td>
Public Alpha - released May 26, 2008 (Version 1.0.0.0)
+
Consult the [http://www.unitrunker.com/ main page] for the latest official release.
</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<td>
 
[http://www.unitrunker.com/download/UniTrunker-0.1.0.57.msi Previous Generation]
 
</td>
 
<td>
 
Public Beta #18 - released February 27, 2008 (Version 0.1.0.57)
 
 
</td>
 
</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
</table>
 
</table>
 
==Listen, Priority and Lockout Explained==
 
 
Each time a call is announced over the control channel - the target of that call - which may be a group or radio id - is examined. There are three things the [L]isten logic considers to determine the next call for listening ...
 
 
1) target's listening rank or priority (a number),
 
 
2) target's Listen flag as Yes or No,
 
 
3) target's Lockout flag as Yes or No
 
 
The program does not currently consider the listen/lockout/priority of the source radio ID.
 
 
On the [L]isten panel, your options are ...
 
 
1) Listen as Yes or Ignore,
 
 
2) Priority Threshold as some number 1 to 99, or Ignore.
 
 
3) Lockout as No or Ignore.
 
 
To be clear we need to make a distinction between the target's Listen flag and the  [L]isten option's Listen flag. Likewise for target's lockout and target's priority vs. Listen option's lockout and listen option's priority threshold settings.
 
 
A call is evaluated as a candidate (a "listen worthy" call) if the following is true:
 
 
 
The channel has a frequency associated with it (eg. not blank or zero).
 
 
... AND ... the target's Listen flag is set to true or the [L]isten option's Listen flag is set to [ignore]
 
 
... AND ... the target's Priority is less than or equal to the [L]isten option's Priority threshold OR the threshold is set to [ignore]
 
 
... AND ... the target's Lockout flag is set to false or the [L]isten option's Lockout flag is set to [ignore].
 
 
 
If a call passes this criteria ... there is one final consideration before the radio can be tuned to the call. Is the voice radio currently assigned to a call and, if so, is the priority of this new call numerically less than the currently monitored call?
 
 
If the voice radio is parked or the new call out-ranks the current call, the radio is tuned to the new call.
 
  
 
==What are the Call Types available?==
 
==What are the Call Types available?==
  
Colum "T" = "Type" which would be [G]roup or [I]individual (iCall)
+
Column "T" = "Type" which would be [G]roup or [I]individual (iCall)
  
Colum "CT" = "Call Type" - See below
+
Column "Svc" = "Call Type" - See below
  
 
'''For EDACS systems:'''
 
'''For EDACS systems:'''
  
Fon - Telephone call
+
Fon - Telephone Call
  
Tst - LCN tester
+
Tst - LCN Tester
  
Dat - Data call
+
Dat - Data Call
  
 
Ana - Analog Voice Call
 
Ana - Analog Voice Call
Line 109: Line 76:
  
  
'''For Motorola:'''
+
'''For Motorola systems:'''
  
 
(Note that these follow the TG+n values in order.)
 
(Note that these follow the TG+n values in order.)
  
  
(none) - Analog voice call
+
(none) - Analog Voice Call
  
All - All talkgroup (analog)
+
All - All Talkgroup (analog)
  
 
Em - Emergency (analog)
 
Em - Emergency (analog)
Line 124: Line 91:
 
EXP - Emergency Cross Patch (analog)
 
EXP - Emergency Cross Patch (analog)
  
EMS - Emergency Multiselect (analog)
+
EMS - Emergency Multi-Select (analog)
  
 
? - Reserved
 
? - Reserved
  
MS - Multi Select (analog)
+
MS - Multi-Select (analog)
  
Dig - Digital voice call
+
Dig - Digital Voice Call
  
 
DAT - Digital All Talkgroup
 
DAT - Digital All Talkgroup
Line 140: Line 107:
 
DEX - Digital Emergency Crosspatch
 
DEX - Digital Emergency Crosspatch
  
DEM - Digital Emergency Multiselect
+
DEM - Digital Emergency Multi-Select
  
 
? - Reserved
 
? - Reserved
  
DMS - Digital Multi-select
+
DMS - Digital Multi-Select
  
  
 
'''For P25 systems:'''
 
'''For P25 systems:'''
  
P25 call type is the call's priority - a single digit from 1 to 7. "4" is the default normal priority.
+
1-7 - The call's priority. "4" is the default normal priority.
 +
 
 +
E - Emergency call (followed by the call's priority 1-7)
 +
 
 +
P - Encrypted call (followed by the call's priority 1-7) (also referred to as "Secure" or "Protected")
  
Emergency calls prefix this digit with the letter "E".
 
  
 
==Frequently Asked Questions==
 
==Frequently Asked Questions==
Line 157: Line 127:
 
<b>Q: ''Do I need a radio with discriminator tap?''</b>
 
<b>Q: ''Do I need a radio with discriminator tap?''</b>
  
A: The short answer - Yes.  The long answer - You may be able to decode 3600 baud Motorola control channels with a 50-70% decode rate without a [[Discriminator output|discriminator tap]].  This is totally dependent upon the scanner/receiver and sound card you are using.  You will not be able to decode EDACS, or APCO Project 25 without a [[Discriminator output|discriminator tap]]. MPT1327 is the exception. It generally decodes equally well with speaker audio or discriminator audio.  With the GRE [[PSR-500]] and [[PSR-600]] you do not need a discriminator tap; the program reads through a USB cable attached to the radios' PC/IF port. UniTrunker has support for EDACS, Motorola and P25 systems with the PSR500/600.
+
A: The short answer - Yes.  The long answer - You may be able to decode 3600 baud Motorola control channels with a 50-70% decode rate without a [[Discriminator output|discriminator tap]].  This is totally dependent upon the scanner/receiver and sound card you are using.  You will not be able to decode EDACS, or APCO Project 25 without a [[Discriminator output|discriminator tap]]. MPT1327 is the exception. It generally decodes equally well with speaker audio or discriminator audio.
  
 
<b>Q: ''Do I need a slicer?''</b>
 
<b>Q: ''Do I need a slicer?''</b>
  
A: No.
+
A: No. A time slicer is supported but the vintage data slicer is not. You'll see better results with discriminator audio through an audio input.
  
<b>Q: ''Do I need a computer that runs DOS?''</b>
+
<b>Q: ''Will the GRE, Uniden, and RadioShack radios with data port work with UniTrunker?''</b>
  
A: No. This program does not run on DOS.
+
A: Yes! With an inline receivers, you do not need a discriminator tap. Inline models include ...
 +
 
 +
[[PSR-310]]
 +
[[PSR-410]]
 +
[[PSR-500]]
 +
[[PSR-600]]
 +
[[PSR-700]]
 +
[[PSR-800]]
 +
[[Pro-106]]
 +
[[Pro-107]]
 +
[[Pro-197]]
 +
[[BCD396XT]]
 +
[[BCD996XT]]
 +
[[Home Patrol]]
 +
 
 +
The GRE [[PSR-800]] can be used via the PC/IF interface or by enabling discriminator audio via the headphone jack. Enable discriminator audio through the EZ-Scan Digital software or via the radio front panel menu. Some models also support voice following. Not all models support P25.
 +
 
 +
<b>Q: ''How do I get the Uniden XT models to work on UniTrunker?''</b>
 +
 
 +
A: The trunked system needs to be programmed into a System. Enable the Control Channel Output  in the Settings (Extended is not needed). Press HOLD on the system, the control channel should be displayed along with the SysID on the radio. Run UniTrunker. Set the receiver type to "inline", role to "signal", and set the model to your model. Set the com port to the correct one, as well as the port attributes (115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity). Set the radio to "running". A site window should appear displaying call activity if your settings are correct and the control channel is active.
 +
 
 +
You can verify if your inline radio is sending the data using a terminal program such as Windows Hyperterm or Termite to see if your radio output is set correctly.
  
 
<b>Q: ''Will this work on Windows? If so, what version?''</b>
 
<b>Q: ''Will this work on Windows? If so, what version?''</b>
  
A: Yes - Windows 95 (with IE4 or later), Windows 98, ME, 2K, and XP (all flavors).
+
A: Yes - XP SP3, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, 8.1 (all flavors). The program won't run on Windows 95, Windows 98, ME, NT or 2K. It won't run on versions of Windows XP that are missing the Microsoft WinUSB DLL (even if you don't use USB).
  
 
<b>Q: ''What types of trunked radio systems can I monitor?''</b>
 
<b>Q: ''What types of trunked radio systems can I monitor?''</b>
  
A: Motorola, EDACS, APCO Project 25, and MPT1327.
+
A: APCO Project 25, EDACS, LTR (with supported radio), Motorola, and MPT1327.
  
 
<b>Q: ''How can I use this to listen to calls on a trunked radio system?''</b>
 
<b>Q: ''How can I use this to listen to calls on a trunked radio system?''</b>
  
A: Yes. You need a second radio that accepts computer control to tune to voice calls as they occur.
+
A: You need a second radio that accepts computer control to tune to voice calls as they occur.
  
 
<b>Q: ''Does the program permit downloading talkgroup information from the'' [[RadioReference.com Web Service]]?</b>
 
<b>Q: ''Does the program permit downloading talkgroup information from the'' [[RadioReference.com Web Service]]?</b>
Line 187: Line 178:
 
A: Yes - read the Hints section of the documentation that describes how to do this.
 
A: Yes - read the Hints section of the documentation that describes how to do this.
  
<b>Q: ''How do I install this MSI file?''</b>
+
<b>Q: ''How much does it cost?''</b>
  
A: For Windows XP, double-click on the file. For earlier Windows, you may need to install [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=CEBBACD8-C094-4255-B702-DE3BB768148F&displaylang=en something] from Microsoft.  
+
A: Nothing. As long as you follow the license and copyright notice - the program is free. No registration either.
  
<b>Q: ''How much does it cost?''</b>
+
<b>Q: ''Can I use an RTL2832U based USB receiver?''</b>
  
A: Nothing. As long as you follow the license and copyright notice - the program is free. No registration either.
+
A: Yes - if it has the R820T tuner, it should work.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 +
* [http://utahradio.org/mediawiki/index.php/UniTrunker_Guide Guide to setting up Unitrunker]
 
* [[Trunked Radio Systems]]
 
* [[Trunked Radio Systems]]
 +
* [http://www.unitrunker.com/ UniTrunker website]
 +
* [http://public-xrp.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/sdrsharptrunk.htm  Configuring UniTrunker Support in SDRSharp]
 +
 +
 +
[[Category:UniTrunker Software]]

Latest revision as of 21:53, 27 December 2023

Unitrunker Screenshot monitoring a Motorola system

Overview

UniTrunker supports control channel monitoring for the following trunking types:

UniTrunker also supports downloading system information from the RadioReference.com Web Service.

UniTrunker does not currently support Passport or MultiNet. LTR support is limited to operation with a PSR-310, PSR-410, PSR-500, PSR-600, PSR-700, PSR-800, BC346XT, BCT15X, BCD396XT or BCD996XT.

It is also compatible with some SDRs such as the RTL-SDR as well as the Blue Tail Technologies P25RX-II

UniTrunker cannot monitor or decode conventional P25 data or audio.

Support can be found on the Voice Control Channel Decoding Software Forum

What Can UniTrunker Display?

  • Basic system information - system type, system id, talkgroups, and radio ids.
  • Basic site information - site or cell number, and list of channels.
  • Site call activity - who's talking, on what channel, and to whom.
  • Neighboring Site information - list adjacent cell or sites with control channels.
  • User roaming - what radios are registed to a particular site.
  • User affiliation - what talkgroup a user has requested.
  • Patches - a dispatcher initiated action that joins two or more talkgroups together.

This program replaces a previous generation of UniTrunker (Retro).

License

License

Downloads

Download

Consult the main page for the latest official release.

What are the Call Types available?

Column "T" = "Type" which would be [G]roup or [I]individual (iCall)

Column "Svc" = "Call Type" - See below

For EDACS systems:

Fon - Telephone Call

Tst - LCN Tester

Dat - Data Call

Ana - Analog Voice Call

Emg - Emergency Analog Voice Call

Dig - Digital (ProVoice or Aegis) Voice Call

EmD - Emergency Digital Voice Call


For Motorola systems:

(Note that these follow the TG+n values in order.)


(none) - Analog Voice Call

All - All Talkgroup (analog)

Em - Emergency (analog)

XP - Crosspatch (analog)

EXP - Emergency Cross Patch (analog)

EMS - Emergency Multi-Select (analog)

? - Reserved

MS - Multi-Select (analog)

Dig - Digital Voice Call

DAT - Digital All Talkgroup

DEm - Digital Emergency

DXP - Digital Crosspatch

DEX - Digital Emergency Crosspatch

DEM - Digital Emergency Multi-Select

? - Reserved

DMS - Digital Multi-Select


For P25 systems:

1-7 - The call's priority. "4" is the default normal priority.

E - Emergency call (followed by the call's priority 1-7)

P - Encrypted call (followed by the call's priority 1-7) (also referred to as "Secure" or "Protected")


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a radio with discriminator tap?

A: The short answer - Yes. The long answer - You may be able to decode 3600 baud Motorola control channels with a 50-70% decode rate without a discriminator tap. This is totally dependent upon the scanner/receiver and sound card you are using. You will not be able to decode EDACS, or APCO Project 25 without a discriminator tap. MPT1327 is the exception. It generally decodes equally well with speaker audio or discriminator audio.

Q: Do I need a slicer?

A: No. A time slicer is supported but the vintage data slicer is not. You'll see better results with discriminator audio through an audio input.

Q: Will the GRE, Uniden, and RadioShack radios with data port work with UniTrunker?

A: Yes! With an inline receivers, you do not need a discriminator tap. Inline models include ...

PSR-310 PSR-410 PSR-500 PSR-600 PSR-700 PSR-800 Pro-106 Pro-107 Pro-197 BCD396XT BCD996XT Home Patrol

The GRE PSR-800 can be used via the PC/IF interface or by enabling discriminator audio via the headphone jack. Enable discriminator audio through the EZ-Scan Digital software or via the radio front panel menu. Some models also support voice following. Not all models support P25.

Q: How do I get the Uniden XT models to work on UniTrunker?

A: The trunked system needs to be programmed into a System. Enable the Control Channel Output in the Settings (Extended is not needed). Press HOLD on the system, the control channel should be displayed along with the SysID on the radio. Run UniTrunker. Set the receiver type to "inline", role to "signal", and set the model to your model. Set the com port to the correct one, as well as the port attributes (115200 baud rate, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity). Set the radio to "running". A site window should appear displaying call activity if your settings are correct and the control channel is active.

You can verify if your inline radio is sending the data using a terminal program such as Windows Hyperterm or Termite to see if your radio output is set correctly.

Q: Will this work on Windows? If so, what version?

A: Yes - XP SP3, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, 8.1 (all flavors). The program won't run on Windows 95, Windows 98, ME, NT or 2K. It won't run on versions of Windows XP that are missing the Microsoft WinUSB DLL (even if you don't use USB).

Q: What types of trunked radio systems can I monitor?

A: APCO Project 25, EDACS, LTR (with supported radio), Motorola, and MPT1327.

Q: How can I use this to listen to calls on a trunked radio system?

A: You need a second radio that accepts computer control to tune to voice calls as they occur.

Q: Does the program permit downloading talkgroup information from the RadioReference.com Web Service?

A: Yes - you can download Motorola and APCO P25 systems by trunking system ID. You can download EDACS by looking up the RR DB SID (that's the ID # assigned by the database to each trunked system). You must be a paid member with a valid user id for this feature.

Q: Can I import my trunker data files?

A: Yes - read the Hints section of the documentation that describes how to do this.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Nothing. As long as you follow the license and copyright notice - the program is free. No registration either.

Q: Can I use an RTL2832U based USB receiver?

A: Yes - if it has the R820T tuner, it should work.

See also