Scanner Tip: It is a Digital World!

Many areas of the country have switched to “Digital”. What does this mean for the scanner listener? What is “Digital” anyway?

First, before we go any further, the number one question we get about digital scanners is whether they will also work on analog. The answer is YES. All digital scanners work just fine on analog channels, always have and always will.

Digital radio means that instead of using a regular AM (where the amplitude [strength] is changed) or FM (where the frequency is modulated or changed) signal , a digital signal type is used. This is a signal that is converted to the base 0’s and 1’s, compressed, and sent out on the airwaves. A digital receiver then converts it back and lets you hear it.

There are several types of digital that are of interest to scanner listeners. The most common for police, fire and other public safety use is APCO’s P25 system. This is widely used by both trunked and conventional (non-trunked) radio systems across the country. Several manufacturers, like Motorola, Harris and others sell P25 systems and equipment. While the P25 standards are supposed to ensure that any companies radios will work on the various systems, in practice some companies often add new “features” that tend to lock out other company’s radios from working with the system.

P25 comes in several flavors. “Phase 1” is the original single channel-per-frequency protocol used on conventional systems and most trunked P25 systems. “Phase 2” P25 effectively splits channels using TDMA (See technobabble below) to allow 2 simultaneous conversations on the same frequency, effectively doubling the capacity of a trunked system. If your system uses Phase 2 be sure to get a Phase 2 capable scanner!

Technobabble here: Phase 2 uses Time Division Multiple Access, more commonly known as TDMA. The radio system divides a radio signal into timeslots of tiny fractions of a second. In Phase 2 systems a certain time slot is assigned to the “0” channel and the other slots are assigned to the “1” channel. This allows 2 conversations to be held at the same time on the same frequency. The communications are restored at the receiver so it can be processed and heard by the user. Decoding software like UniTrunker or Pro96Com will show these sub-channels as “851.0375/0 and 851.0375/1”.

Some areas of the country have gone to a system called “OpenSky”, manufactured by Harris. While these systems have not been successful in many instances, the systems in place cannot be monitored by scanners. Harris has since dropped OpenSky from its catalog and is selling P25 systems now.

One trend that is growing in some areas is the use of various “DMR” systems. These are sold under various trade names like MotoTRBO, NXDN and others. They all use fairly similar digital protocols but current consumer scanners do not cover them. There are some SDR (Software defined radio) and advanced receivers (like the new AOR DV1) that will allow one to monitor these systems. The reason many agencies select these is usually cost, the radios are fairly cheap, especially when compared to P25 radios. While they may not be as durable, the replacement costs are often less than a repair would be. Businesses however have embraced these cheaper forms of digital radio and they are common on business channels. Railroads have agreed on using NXDN digital modes but implementation has been very slow. Ham radio operators use some of these also, as well as D-Star.

Do not confuse digital voice with encryption. While it is true that many digital systems are encrypted these days, most are not and these are perfectly legal to listen to. Also do not confuse digital voice with digital data. Most police and fire agencies use some sort of data systems for MDT’s or video, these systems cannot be monitored without huge budgets and massive computing power. Listening to digital transmissions on an analog only scanner will not work, you will just hear noise.

Some people hear and understand received digital communications better than others. The absence of background noise sometimes makes it uncomfortable for some users, since it can be mistaken for non-radio conversations. Digital certainly sounds different than analog but occasionally causes issues with things like firefighters protective gear. Usually it is just a matter of getting used to how it sounds. In addition, when digital signals are weak they tend to get garbled. Many agencies call this “going digital” since it makes a weird noise.

Digital scanners are more expensive than analog ones. This is mostly due to licensing requirements for the technology. While prices have gone down recently they still are usually about twice as expensive than analog scanners with similar features.

Will there be more scanners with DMR modes like TRBO and NXDN? We don’t know yet, but if and when they do become available we will be among the first to have them. The AOR DV1 is available now and does receive several of the digital modes.

AOR DV1 Firmware Alert

The AOR DV1 has another new firmware update (v1507f) available at http://www.aorusa.com/support/firmware.html.

Below are the updates included in this release. Future releases will address other issues. Please contact AOR directly at http://www.aorusa.com/ with questions and suggestions.

The installation instructions are fairly simple, copy the firmware file to the SD Card, turn the radio on and press a couple keys. The instructions are included with the file.

Following features have been implemented:

* Backup to and restore from SD card

Following bugs have been removed:
* Fixed “auto-store” bug when SEARCH is running.
* S-Meter indicator stayed sometimes on even though power was off.
* When the file 99999999.wav was present in the SD card, the next recording was mistakenly named 10000000.wav. Now the recording after 99999999.wav is made impossible.
* Priority receive was not always functioning.
* Could not go out of settings screen after priority receive activation.
* Receiver would not restart properly if the function key was pressed before switching the receiver off.
* Invalid characters on LCD when time settings accessed during memory receive.
* Incorrect memory channel content switch when priority mode was activated during memory scan
* When erasing a search bank the LCD froze on “writing” indication.
* Memory bank editing was not possible during SCAN.
* Erasing search bank 39 in search group settings was impossible.
* Auto-store function: If memory bank 39 was full, channels 46 to 49 were not kept in memory after a reboot.
* Invalid characters on screen when “writing” was displayed.

FUNCTIONS AND BEHAVIOR CHANGES:
* When SEARCH is stopped and the [ENT] key pressed, the currently received frequency and settings are copied to VFO-Z.
* VOL/SQL maximum value changed from 100 to 99.
* (PC remote control through Hyperterminal commands). When receiver is turned off with the QP command and USB cable disconnected, the next time the receiver is turned on through the front panel, it will start in a “non-remote control” state.

Firmware Alert – AOR AR-DV1

AR DV1 firmware update:  v1505G, 6-5-2015

AOR has uploaded revised firmware for the AR-DV1 receiver. While this update will correct issues that some customers experienced, it also adds more functionality to the AR-DV1. AOR is committed to the continuous improvement of its products and will post firmware updates periodically to further extend the capabilities of this receiver.

The new firmware version: 1505G is now available for download from the AOR website.
Directions: AR-DV1 Firmware Update Procedures 

AR-DV1 Multi-Mode Digital ReceiverThis firmware will correct:

  • Malfunctions with the backlit keys lighting up while the power switch is in the “off” position
  • D-STAR signals overriding the selected mode for received data. The decode mode will now decode and display only the selected mode.
  • Malfunctions with the receive frequency when CTCSS or DCS is selected during Search mode.
  • Problems with pressing LOCK key or MONI key when frequency entry is made from the keypad
  • Issues with the display data freezing when digital data is displayed while using the keypad or rotating the dial knob.
  • Issues with the opening message displaying properly.
  • Memory channel registration problems. Entering the memory tag followed by pressing DOWN key will now work properly.
  • Voice squelch function stability
  • SAL/SAL or USBL/LSB operational issues
  • D-CR code setting error
  • Analog FM mode function
  • Initial power-up cycle
  • Problems with “motorboating” noise in DMR mode
  • Problems adding receive mode, IF B/W, CTCSS/DCS in memory scan mode and program search mode.

New enhancements for the AR-DV1 available with this firmware include:

  • Ability to open the squelch while in digital mode by pressing MONI key
  • Ability to save the current receiver settings by pressing [F]+[VOL]
  • Easier frequency entry during search bank setting by using the [.] (decimal) key for frequencies below 1MHz.
  • In memory mode or program search mode, receiver options can be added.
  • SD card FAT16 is now supported
  • Remote ID can be added to last channel memory
  • The AR-DV1 will send a message showing connection status during on/off process.
  • Step frequency can now be set during search or scan mode
  • The following PC commands are now supported: MD ZJ ZK SQ NQ LQ VQ ZP QP EX AG RF ST SH DT BP LN LB LD KL PT ZI LC LM RX LT RT RE SB WI RN VR
    AC RG IF LS NR OF OL OX SC SI DL FR CI CN DI DS DC DJ DK
    (A complete list of new functions will be posted soon.)