For years, the ability to monitor trunked radio systems eluded the average hobbyist. It wasn't until the Uniden introduced the TrunkTracker in 1997 that interest in trunked system monitoring really took off. And now, a new and innovative hardware/software combination has just been introduced that will make trunked monitoring even more exciting.
The Optotrakker from Optoelectronics, along with a newly introduced version of ScanStar for Windows, promises to add a whole new dimension to trunked monitoring. First, let's take a look at the Optotrakker hardware.
The Optotrakker is a essentially an Optoelectronics DC442 all mode decoder with substantial enhancements inside and out. In addition to the trunk decoding functionality, the Optotrakker can decode and display 50 subaudible continuous tone controlled squelch system (CTCSS) tones, digital coded squelch (DCS), and DTMF (touch tone) codes. It also incorporates two Icom CI-5 ports, two RS-232C ports, a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) port, a "data slicer" and a flexible flat cable connection for the AOR AR8000.
In addition to the decode modes mentioned above, it now has the
ability to decode both LTR and Motorola trunking information. And what makes the
Optotrakker so unique is that it performs the trunking data decoding without the use of
the control channel. The significance of this will be
discussed when we explore the software.
Operation of the Optotrakker is relatively simple and straightforward. One button doubles as a power switch and mode selector. The modes of operation include CTCSS, DCS, DTMF, DTMF Recall (up to 1023 scrollable characters), LTR, and Motorola Decode. Another enhancement is the built-in calendar and 24-hour clock. All of this is displayed on a clear, two-line, lighted electroluminescent display that is large enough to be seen from several feet away.
The Optotrakker also has a wide range of configuration options. The trunk identification can be displayed in hexadecimal or decimal (to match the TrunkTracker). The display light, baud rate, CI-5 address, and numerous other parameters are easily programmed with just three buttons.
For those who like to use a laptop for their computer controlled
scanner, you'll be pleased to know that the Optotrakker can do so with just one serial
port. And what's even more impressive is that by using
what Optoelectronics refers to as "pass-through" technology, this one serial
port can still be used for other functions as well!
In other words, the computer's serial port connects to the Optotrakker, and by using a supplied cable, a serial device can be connected to the other side of the Optotrakker. The Optotrakker and the software work in concert to strip out all of the Optotrakker commands in both directions. It is then essentially invisible to the serial port, and does not affect operation of the device, such as a modem, which shares the port.
Software enables mixed system scanning!
The second component of this system is the "ScanStar For
Windows" software from Signal Intelligence. This much-improved version of ScanStar
has been modified to work in conjunction with the Optotrakker to allow computer controlled
trunked scanning with a variety of radios,
including the previously unsupported Icoms.
Since the Optotrakker does not require a control channel to accomplish its trunk tracking, only one radio is required. This also allows the ScanStar software to not only follow a specific trunk, but mix several trunks (both LTR and Motorola) and conventional frequencies simultaneously. Finally, you'll be able to use just one computer-controlled scanner and one serial port to track all the action!
When following trunked communications, you can configure the software to work in either the "closed" or "open" mode, which is analogous to the Uniden TrunkTracker's "scan" and "search" modes. In the "closed mode," only those talk groups you've specified will be heard. In the "open mode" all talk groups are heard except those you specifically exclude. This is especially useful for finding new talk groups on your local trunk.
For the Optotrakker to decode correctly, it requires a signal directly from the discriminator of the radio; speaker or ear jack audio will not work. The discriminator provides the cleanest audio before it is subjected to the filtering and is not affected by the volume control. For those who are reluctant to perform modifications on their scanner to get the discriminator audio, Optoelectronics will provide a list of sources where you can ship your radio and have a discriminator tap installed for a relatively modest charge.
The radios supported by the Optotrakker/ScanStar combination include: Icom R7000, R7100, R8500, R9000, R10, AOR AR8000, AR5000 as well as the the Radio Shack PRO-2035, PRO-2042 and PRO-2006 when using with the Optoelectronics OS535 or OS456 computer interface. Upgrades to the Optotrakker can be easily performed by replacing a plug-in chip.
The Optotrakker is being offered at an introductory
price of $299 and is available from Optoelectronics, 5821 NE 14th Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale,
FL 33334 (800-327-5912 or 954-771-2050).
For more information about products from Optoelectronics, click on the logo below.
All articles are property of Haskell L.
Moore, and may not be reproduced
in whole or in part without written permission from the author.
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