Monitor Other Frequencies/Channels?

[Switchback]

Now that's something I haven't considered before; I wasn't aware the duty radios have a built-in scanner. Does the channel "jump" you described above cut you off if you are transmitting?

No, it won't cut you off if you are transmitting. It only monitors on scan. You need to change the channel to transmit on another channel.

[Group9]

We have dual band radio systems, UHF and VHF. The UHF radio is encrypted and only carries our channels. The VHF is used to carry radio frequencies used by some other federal agencies, and many state and local agencies that we work with. VHF is sometimes is encrypted, and sometimes is not, depending on who we are talking to and whether they have our codes, or we have theirs. We can hold 16 different encryption codes on our radios at once although we rarely have more than a few entered at any one time. The radio warns you with a series of beeps if you have dropped your code so that you will know it has happened (which can happen if your battery goes dead or you have a short).

And, we often are carrying portables issued to us by other agenices that we work with a lot that may use 800 megahertz or a trunked system, or whatever, so we may be having to listen to three or more different radios when we are working.

[Joeguitar]

No, it won't cut you off if you are transmitting. It only monitors on scan. You need to change the channel to transmit on another channel.

Thank you

And, we often are carrying portables issued to us by other agenices that we work with a lot that may use 800 megahertz or a trunked system, or whatever, so we may be having to listen to three or more different radios when we are working.

I assume this mult-tasking is something that comes with a lot of practice/experience.

[Switchback]

I assume this mult-tasking is something that comes with a lot of practice/experience.

I think that is what they use their intel analyses for. heheheee

[Oldbillplod]

Working on traffic we cover two different divisions, i'll have the channel programmed into my handheld for the division im in and the other one programmed into the car set, when I change divisions I swap channels.

[valycop]

Now that's something I haven't considered before; I wasn't aware the duty radios have a built-in scanner. Does the channel "jump" you described above cut you off if you are transmitting?

No if I'm already transmitting on another frequency when the priority channel becomes active the transmitter remains where it is. As soon as I unkey the microphone and if the priority channel is still active then the receiver will jump to the priority channel. The scan mode as Motorola calls it is optional to each deputy, but if you "park" the receiver on any other channel other than the priority channel you'll miss whatever traffic comes across. Obviously our priority channel is our main dispatch frequency. Most of the guys leave it scanning, but some don't like to listen to all of the additional radio chatter.

[valycop]

Thank you

I assume this mult-tasking is something that comes with a lot of practice/experience.

Actually it is "multi-tasking" in the sense that you have to train yourself mentally to be able to recognize what traffic is for you and what isn't. When listening to three radios and all are active is a bear, but it can be done.

[Group9]

I think that is what they use their intel analyses for. heheheee

What do we need Intell Analysts for? To do all of our work.

What do we need Task Force Officers for? So there is someone to blame when something goes wrong.

(At least that's what the IA's and TFO's all say. :D )

[hscop]

Our Motorolas have our trunk and everyone elses frequencies. You can tell the radio to listen to everyone (and mute some) and can choose which channel to transmit on. This is a good feature becuase you can listen to a bug channel and tansmit on another channel without the bug channel recording your conversation.

You can also call specific cars and even encrypt your conversation so that scanner people cant hear you.