Mar 27, 1999 SCANDATA.FAQ 03/27/1999 This article/file is for the benefit of all. (c) 1999 (All Rights Reserved) by: Bill Cheek and -COMMtronics Engineering- This file is for personal use only and may NOT be placed on a CD-ROM nor any other media that conveys, stores, or transports for any monetary cost including shipping & handling, without expressed permission of the author. This file can only be given away, absolutely free of charge, no strings attached. If given away, it MUST be conveyed intact, word-for-word with no editing, additions or deletions, except as may be authorized in writing by the author. -Bill Cheek- Author NOTE: This Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) file or article is one of a series of FAQs that I regularly publish. The complete list of FAQs is given below. If this one doesn't answer your questions, try one or more of the following additional FAQs: 1. Scanner Modifications FAQ: SCANMODS.FAQ 2. Scanner Data Decoder FAQ: SCANDATA.FAQ <--- This FAQ 3. Scanner Performance FAQ: SCANPERF.FAQ 4. Scanner S-Meter FAQ: SCANSMTR.FAQ 5. Scanner Radios FAQ: SCANRADS.FAQ 6. 4-Level FSK Decoder FAQ: 4LFSK.FAQ 7. Administrative FAQ: ADMIN.FAQ You can grab the latest of any of my FAQs directly from my Web site as follows: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bcheek/faqs.htm ============================================= Bill Cheek's Scanner Data Decoding Frequently Asked Questions File ============================================= Contents ========= 01: What is a 'Discriminator Output' and 'baseband audio'? 02: How can I find the Discriminator Output in my scanner? 03: How do I connect to the Discriminator Output? 04: How do I build or acquire a SIMPLE decoder interface? 05: How do I build or acquire a BETTER decoder interface? 06: So how do I decode digital data from the airwaves? 07: How can I decode CTCSS, DPL, and DTMF from the airwaves? 08: Is it possible to "TrunkTrack" without a TrunkTracker? 09: What if I don't want to build my own Data Decoder Interface? Questions and Answers ========================================================== 01: What is a 'Discriminator Output' and 'baseband audio'? There is a growing interest in tapping the baseband audio out of various scanners for decoding of a variety of esoteric signals, including CTCSS, SCA, FSK, RTTY, FAX, Pager data, and trunked system control data, etc. By and large, such signals cannot be taken from TAPE REC jacks, headphone jacks, and EXT SPEAKER jacks because of the voice-band filters that are between the signal source and these output jacks. Therefore, it is necessary to tap the wider "baseband audio" directly at the output of the NFM discriminator chip in your scanner. This is the first step to successful data decoding from the airwaves. =============================================================== 02: How can I find the Discriminator Output in my scanner? Table 1 shows a list of scanners, the discriminator chip(s) used in the scanner, circuit symbols of those chips, and the baseband audio (discriminator output) pin. If your scanner isn't listed in Table 1, then refer to Table 2 to find its discriminator chip. The chips listed in Table 2 are all known Discriminators used in scanners and wide coverage receivers. Between Tables 1 and 2, you should be able to find the NFM discriminator and its output pin for any reasonably modern scanner. Corrections and additions to these lists are requested. See my email and other addresses at the end of this file. TABLE 1: SCANNER NFM DISCRIMINATOR CHIPS & PINS Updated 03/27/99 DISCR/DET CKT BASEBAND SCANNER CHIP TYPE SYMBOL AUDIO PIN ============== ============== ======= ========= unknown MPS5071 n/a 9 AR-1000 TA-7787AF IC-4 9 AR-2002 MC-3357P IC-4 9 AR-2500 TA-7761P IC-13 9 AR-3000 MC-3357P ? 9 AR-800 MC-3361N IC-200 9 AR-900 MC-3361N IC-201 9 AR-950 MC-3361N IC-201 9 AR-8000 NFM TK10489M or-85M U1 11 AR-8000 WFM/AM TA7792F U3 8 BC-20/20 NB5310-1 ? 9 * BC-70XLT LSC1359P IC-1 9 * BC-80XLT MC3361B0 IC-101 9 BC-100XL MC-3359P IC-1 10 BC-100XLT TK-10421M-2 IC-401 11 BC-140XLT MC-3359P IC-1 10 * BC-200XLT TK-10421M-2 IC-401 11 BC-205XLT TK-10421M-2 IC-401 11 BC-220XLT MC3361BD IC-1 9 * BC-235XLT MC3361CDR2 IC-2 9 BC-250 SC8780P/MC3357P IC-3 9 BC-2500XLT TK-10930VTL IC-201 12-FM 13-AM BC-3000 NFM/AM TK-10930V IC-202 12-NFM 13-AM BC-3000 WFM TK-10489M IC-203 11 BC-350A NJM-3359D-A IC-3 10 BC-400XLT NJM-3359D-A IC-1 10 BC-560XLT NJM-3359D-A IC-1 10 BC-700A NJM-3359D-A IC-3 10 BC-760XLT NJM-3359D-A IC-2 10 BC-800XLT MC-3359P IC-1 10 BC-235XLT MC3361CDR2 IC-2 9 * BC-8500XLT MC-3361BP IC-9 9 BC-855XLT TK-10421M-2 IC-401 11 BC-890XLT NJM-3359D-A IC-3 10 BC-895XLT MC13371 IC-3 9 * BC-950XLT NJM-3359D-A IC-2 10 BC-9000XLT MC3361B0 IC-8 9 BC-9000XLT WFM TK10489-MTL IC-9 11 BC-9000XLT AM LA1600A IC7 8 or 9 (?) BCT-7 MC3361BD IC-2 9 HX-1000 TK-10420 U-201 9 ICF-SC1PC TA3116FN IC-401 9 ICF-SC1 TA3116FN IC-401 9 * Icom IC-2SRA MC-3372 ? 9 * Icom R-1 NFM TK-10487 DET-A IC-1 11 Icom R-1 WFM TA-7787AF DET-B IC-1 9 Icom R7100 Said to be "top of R230 on main PCB" * MR-8100 NJM-3359D-A IC-3 10 MX-5000 MC-3357P IC-4 9 MX-7000 MC-3357P IC-4 9 PRO-2002 MC-3357P IC-101 9 PRO-2003 MC-3357P IC-104 9 PRO-2004 NFM/AM TK-10420 IC-2 9 (TP4) PRO-2004 WFM KB4419A IC-1 6 (TP3) PRO-2005 NFM/AM TK-10420 IC-2 9 (TP2) PRO-2005 WFM KA2243N/HA12413 IC-1 10 (TP1) PRO-2006 NFM/AM TK-10420 IC-2 9 (TP2) PRO-2006 WFM KA2243N/HA12413 IC-1 10 (TP1) PRO-2011 TK-10420 IC-1 9 PRO-2020 MC-3357P IC-101 9 PRO-2021 TK-10420 IC-2 9 PRO-2022 MC-3361N IC-1 9 PRO-2023 NJM-3359D-A ? 10 PRO-2024 MC-3361N IC-2 9 PRO-2025 NJM-3359D-A IC-1 10 PRO-2026 NJM-3359D-A IC-7 10 PRO-2027 MC-3361N IC-2 9 PRO-2028 NJM-3359D-A IC-2 10 PRO-2030 NJM-3359D-A IC-3 10 PRO-2032 MC-3361 IC-2 9 (TP5) PRO-2035 NFM/AM TK-10420 IC-2 9 (TP2) PRO-2035 WFM KA2243N/HA12413 IC-1 10 (TP1) PRO-2038 NJM-3359DA IC-3 10 PRO-2040 MC3361BP IC-2 9 PRO-2041 MC3361N IC-301 9 * PRO-2042 NFM/AM TK-10420 IC-2 9 (TP2) PRO-2042 WFM KA2243N/HA12413 IC-1 10 (TP1) PRO-2050 MC3361CDR2 IC-2 9 * PRO-23 MC-3361BD IC-1 9 PRO-24 MC3361BP IC-2 9 * PRO-26 NFM/AM TK-10930V IC-14 12-NFM 13-AM PRO-26 WFM TK-10489M IC-16 11 PRO-31 TK-10420 IC-1 9 PRO-32 TK-10420 IC-101 9 PRO-34 TK-10420 IC-101 9 PRO-35 TK-10421M-2 IC-401 11 PRO-36 TK-10420 IC-101 9 PRO-37 TK-10420 IC-101 9 (TP103) PRO-38 MC-3359P IC-1 10 PRO-39 MC-3361N IC-201 9 PRO-41 MC-3359P IC-1 10 PRO-42 MC-3361N IC-2 9 PRO-43 TK-10427/-10420 IC-301 9 PRO-44 MC-3361N IC-201 9 PRO-46 TK-10421M-3LT IC-401 11 PRO-49 MC3361BP IC-2 9 PRO-51 MC-3361BD IC-1 9 PRO-60 ? IC-301 9 PRO-62 KA3361 IC-301 9 * PRO-64 MC3361N IC-301 9 PRO-66 MC3361N IC-2 9 (TP3) * PRO-90 MC3361CDR2 IC-2 9 R-1600 NJM-3359D-A IC-2 10 R-4030 TK-10421M-2 IC-401 11 SC1PC TA3116FN IC-401 9 SC1 TA3116FN IC-401 9 * SR-15 TK-10421D-2 IC-1 9 StandardCCR708A TK-10420D Q602 9 * TurboScan 2 3130-6056-502 U-201 10 or 16 WiNRADiO NFM MC-3372D U2 9 TP20 WiNRADiO AM/WFM TA-7640AP U5 9 TP29 WiNRADiO SSB LM324M U6 1 Yaesu FRG-9600 MC-3357P ? 9 * ===================================================== * Not personally verified by me TABLE 2 DISCRIM OUTPUT CHIP PIN ========= ====== KA3361 9 MC13371 9 MC3357P 9 MC3359P 10 MC3361 9 MC3372D 9 MPS5071 9 NJM3359DA 10 TA3116FN 9 TA7640AP 9 TA7761P 9 TA7787AF 9 TA7792F 8 TK10420 9 TK10421D 9 TK10421M 11 TK10427 9 TK10485M 11 TK10487 11 TK10489M 11 TK10930V 12 CXA1111N 21 AM/WFM Only HA12413 9 WFM Only KA2243N 9 WFM Only KB4419A 6 WFM Only Once you locate the discriminator in your scanner, you have to make its output conveniently available on the exterior chassis, much like a headphone or tape recorder jack. Figure 1 below shows how to determine the pin numbering system for most integrated circuits. Looking at the marking side of the chip, there is either a notch or nook at one end, and/or an embedded "dot" off to one side at one end. The notch, nook, or dot signifies the end that starts with Pin #1 and ends with whatever the highest numbered pin happens to be. Most IC's have 8, 14, 16, or 18 pins. FIGURE 1 TYPICAL NFM IC CHIP PINOUT NFM DISCR 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 10uF/16v Baseband | | | | | | | |----+[|------> Audio Out +------------------------+ | | /-------> Ground | TOP VIEW | | Notch \ LABEL | | / Dot SIDE | ^ | O | Scanner | | Ground +------------------------+ | | | | | | | | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 NOTE: Figure 1 shows the baseband audio tap on Pin 9, though the pin number will vary from one chip to the next. ============================================================== 03: How do I connect to the Discriminator Output? HOOKUP PROCEDURE ================ If you need the raw NFM Discriminator baseband audio signal for external purposes, the best way to access it is via a jack installed in a convenient, unobtrusive location on the scanner. Use Figure 1 as a general guide. 1A BASE SCANNERS: Install an RCA or other jack in a desired place on the scanner's external case, typically the rear panel. 1B HANDHELD SCANNERS: If you can find the space, use a standard monaural 1/8" phone jack or a 3/32" mini phone jack. Some scanners are so cramped inside that even these won't fit. In that case a strip of 3 pinline sockets can be melted into the plastic case and wires soldered to the inside protrusions. The middle pinline socket is not connected to anything; it's just there as strength and support for the pinline plug you make, with the shield ground soldered to one end and the audio- center soldered to the other end: GND---o o o---NFM DSCR (audio) "Break-apart" pinline plugs/sockets are available from Mouser, DigiKey, and Hosfelt. Digi-Key: p/n A208-ND (800) 344-4539 Hosfelt: p/n 21-274 (800) 524-6464 Mouser: p/n 151-5520/5530 (800) 346-6873 These little puppies are good for a lot of hacker needs, so get a supply! 2. Connect the shell or outer frame part of the jack to scanner chassis ground. (Use one end socket for pinline connections) 3. Connect the (+) leg of a 10-uF tantalum capacitor (Radio Shack #272-1436) to the Discriminator output Pin. (Capacitor should be tantalum, but can vary in value from 2.2-uF to 10-uF at a voltage rating of 16-35 vdc.) 4. Connect the center conductor of a shielded coax (RG-174, etc) or shielded mic cable to the (-) leg of the capacitor. NOTE: if the distance from the NFM tap to the jack is less than 3", then a single unshielded hookup wire will do fine. 5. Connect the shield of the cable at this end to a nearby PCB ground trace or spot. 6. Connect the center conductor of the other end of this cable (or single hookup wire) to the center or hot lug of the jack. 7. Connect the shield of the cable at that end to the ground lug of the jack. 8. Fabricate or buy a shielded patch cable with one end to mate with the new jack on the rear of the scanner at that end....and the other end to mate with whatever jack is on the tape recorder, processor, decoder, or whatever device is to be connected at the other end. Now you are ready to connect a data decoder interface to the baseband audio output jack. See Figure 1 above. ================================================================= 04: How do I build or acquire a simple decoder interface circuit? If you want to decode trunk control, MDT, some pager, fax and/or other digital signals, you will need to build or buy a simple 2-Level FSK Interface to go between the NFM Discriminator/ Baseband Audio of the scanner and a standard PC serial port. See Question #5 for a more sophisticated 4-Level FSK Interface. If you are not capable of building your own, or if you don't have the time to mess with it, I can supply either a Kit of all essential parts and detailed instructions, and you build it yourself, OR I can supply an assembled/ tested Decoder Interface, built inside a DB-25 shell and connector with a 3 ft shielded cable terminated with an RCA plug. See Question #9 for details. The DB-25 shell connects directly to a DB-25 comport on the PC, or, if your comports are DB-9's, you can get a DB25-to-DB9 adapter for it. You should, however, be able to make your own following the below instructions. This is a tried and true Data Interface circuit that's good for everything we've tried, including a wide variety of scanners. External power is not required. This circuit draws its power from the comport. It is similar to the "Hamcom" and "data slicer" interfaces, but is optimized for more scanners and more applications. 2-LEVEL DATA DECODER INTERFACE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM Copyright (c) 1998 Bill Cheek Note 4 COM2 Computer Serial Port Scanner |<------circuit----------------->| DB25 DB9 ==== === Note o----o--|<--------o----->20 DTR 4 5 Note 1 | | 1N4148 | NFM 10-uF |\ | o--|<--------|--o--> 4 RTS 7 >-----+|[------o----|2 \ | | | | DSCR | | \ o--+|[-->>> | | Note 9 100k | |LM 7 \ 10-uF | | >--o--/\/\/----o |741 6 >----------o---|--|--> 5 CTS 8 GND | | / | | | o--/\/\/--o------|3 4/ Note 2 | | | | 3.3k | | / | | | | | Note 8 | |/ | Note 3 | | | | o-----------|----/\/\/----o | | | | 100k | | | | | | o---------------------|-----------------|--|--> 7 Gnd 5 | | | | | o-------->|-------o | o-<2 TxD 3 | 10-uF | 1N4148 | | o-------------+|[-----o-------->|----------o | | | | Circuit | o--->>>Ground o--------------------------o | | - -|- - - - - - - - -|- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | o-------------o | | | | Optional for TrunkFollower | | Control of a second scanner ^ ^ (See Note 10 and Q&A #8) Gnd RxD COM3 or other port for Trunk Follower control LEGEND: | --o-- = soldered connection/junction --o = turn of the trace in the drawing | --|-- = crossover (no connection) +|[ = capacitor, polarized (note the +) >| = diode (anode->|-cathode) |< = diode (cathode-|<-anode) -/\/\/- = resistor -->>> = ground NOTES: 1. Use tantalum capacitors, +|[ polarity as shown 2. Radio Shack's LM-741 op-amp works fine. Others might not! 3. Use 1/4 or 1/8 watt resistors to conserve space 4. Build circuit on a trimmed and fitted piece of perf board inside a DB-25 shell for max efficiency and space savings. DB-25 connects to PC's comport and a shielded cable from the scanner goes to the input; shield is ground and center is audio. Hi-res laser printed Instruction Sets available with precise schematics, drawings, perfboard layout, graphics, wiring, and solder points. Inquire: bcheek@cts.com or see: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bcheek/decode.htm 5. Many handheld scanners have no space to install a phone jack for the NFM Discriminator Output. For such tight spaces a strip of 3 pinline sockets can be melted into the plastic case and wires soldered to the inside protrusions. The middle pinline socket is not connected to anything; it's just there as strength and support for the pinline plug you make, with the shield ground soldered to one end and the audio-center soldered to the other end: GND---o o o---NFM DSCR (audio) 6. For base scanners, install a female RCA jack on rear panel. 7. For handheld scanners where there is space, use a 3/32" mini or a 1/8" standard monaural phone plug. 8. 3.3k is an optimized value for most scanners. If the baseband audio output measures less than 0.350-V AC, with a voltmeter set to AC-volts at a 1v range, you should decrease the 3.3k resistor to 2.2k, or even 1k if if the measurement is under 0.250v AC. I measured 0.150v AC out of the baseband audio tap in a Sony ICF-SC1PC handheld scanner. The required resistor from U1 Pin 3 to ground worked out to 1k. The NFM baseband audio signal of most scanners should show 0.400v AC or higher, in which case the 3.3k resistor is just right. 9. Connect the interface to a comport on the PC. Plug the input cable in to the scanner's NFM Discriminator Output Jack. Tune to a desired signal and run the decoder software of your choice. 10. If you are interested in using the "data decode" scanner to control or "TrunkFollow" a second scanner, then run a pair of wires off the Data Decoder Interface from unused TxD (Pin 2) and Ground (Pin 7) out the back of the circuit. This pair of wires will feed the RxD and Ground pins of another COMport on the PC. ================================================================= 05: How do I build or acquire a BETTER decoder interface? First, understand that you may not need or want a "better" decoder interface. The 2-Level Data Decoder Interface given just above is ample for most everything except "FLEX" and ReFLEX" pager signals. There may be other exceptions, but they are few and far between. In most cases, the simpler 2-Level FSK Data Decoder Interface will be all you need. Secondly, understand that the more sophisticated 4-Level FSK Data Decoder Interface cannot and does not replace the simpler 2-Level version. If you want the 4-Level interface, that's fine, but you'll need the 2-Level, too. If you are not capable of building your own, or if you don't have the time to mess with it, I can supply either a Kit of all essential parts and detailed instructions, and you build it yourself, OR I can supply an assembled/ tested 4-Level Data Decoder Interface, built inside a project box with a DB-9 output jack on one end and an RCA jack on the other end. You will need to provide your own shielded cable terminated with an RCA plug on one end to mate to the box and whatever connector on the other end to connect to the NFM Discriminator Baseband Audio Output on your scanner. You will also need to provide a shielded straight-thru 9-cond serial cable with a male DB9 plug on one end to mate to the 4LFSKDDI box and whatever connector on the other end to mate to the chosen PC serial port. You may also have to provide your own +/- dual polarity power supply. (Two 9v batteries can suffice.) See Question #9 for more details. I'm not sure yet how to present the 4-Level FSK Data Decoder Interface circuit as a plain ASCII schematic like shown above for the simpler 2LFSKDDI circuit. So for now, I have to refer you to the Web Sites that support this circuit with graphics, text, and/or software support. You should research these sites: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Horizon/6063/ http://www.qsl.net/pa3eik/4lev_fsk.htm http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/4039/ http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/4039/PINFO.HTM http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/4039/IINFO.HTM http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/4039/POCFLEX.ZIP http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/9339/ http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Network/8916/4levelm.gif I now have available a detailed Instruction Set on the 4LFSKDDI for those who find the above sites a little too technical to handle. I can also provide Kits of essential parts, less enclosure and power supply. See Q&A #9. ================================================================== 06: So how do I decode digital data from the airwaves? First, you tap the Discriminator Output in your scanner. Then build the desired Data Decoder Interface and connect it to the Discriminator Output. Then connect the other side of the Decoder Interface to a com/serial port on your PC. Lastly, run the software that decodes the particular type of signal that you want to decode. In general, it takes different software for different kinds of signals, and I can't possibly cover them all here. I will suggest that you start out with a free program called TRUNKER that decodes the control data of Motorola trunking systems. This is one of the easiest to set up and get working; therefore, it makes a good test "platform" to prove up all your work before you venture into bigger and better things. Motorola trunk systems are fairly common now. TRUNKER and a good set of documentation and limited support for it can be found at the following Web Sites: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/1060/beta.htm or http://web2.airmail.net/lblant1/dfw/digital.htm Apparently it is possible to decode certain kinds of data from the airwaves without a decoder interface - just software! For info on decoding MDT signals with nothing more than a Windows PC and a sound card, check out: http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Facility/7646/ ============================================================= 07: How can I decode CTCSS, DPL, and DTMF from the airwaves? That is strictly up to specialized hardware and/or software that kind of goes beyond the scope of this FAQ. Lots of software is out and about that will do it, and there are even possibilities for "roll your own" hardware decoders. But the first thing you'll need is the "baseband audio" output that is described in Questions/Answers #1-3 above. The Data Decoder Interface described in Q/A #4 is good ONLY for trunking and pager types of data; not CTCSS, DPL, and DTMF, unfortunately. In fact, it takes specialized hardware and/or software to decode each of CTCSS, DPL, and DTMF; and each is as different as night and day. Some scanners come equipped for CTCSS decoding, but most do not. And none come equipped for DPL or DTMF that I know of. For more information about retrofitting CTCSS and DPL decoders to your scanner, contact: Communications Specialists, Inc. 426 West Taft Avenue Orange, CA 92865-4296 (800) 854-0547 Fax (800) 850-0547 (714) 998-3021 Fax (714) 974-3420 WEB: http://www.com-spec.com/ For a low-cost "roll-your-own" DTMF Decoder (hardware) there is a nice project done up in great detail in one of the back issues of the monthly WORLD SCANNER REPORT newsletter, V3N10. Backissues are always available at a nominal cost. See: ftp://ftp.cts.com/pub/bcheek/products/prodinfo.zip There are other hardware and software solutions for decoding DTMF that I may include here later as I get the information verified and added. The WiNRADiO Digital Suite is awesomely capable of decoding CTCSS and DTMF. See: http://www.winradio.com For scanners in general, though, it all starts with a tap to the "baseband audio" point, so read over Q&A 1-3 above for the details. ============================================================= 08: Is it possible to "TrunkTrack" without a TrunkTracker? It didn't used to be, but times change and YES! It is now possible to track the trunks without a 'real' TrunkTracker Scanner, and better, for that matter!!! Like the other subjects in this FAQ, it all begins with a Data Decoder Interface. See Q&A #4 and Note 10 in that answer for the tiny extra addition you need to make to the Decoder Interface. Next, you need a PRO-2004, PRO-2005, or PRO-2006 scanner, although we hope to add other scanners to the list in due time. For now, it's one of those three. NOTE: It is possible to track the trunks with a AR-8000 and perhaps with one of the Opto Interfaces, but these are specialized situations where detailed info must be found elsewhere. Then you need a CE-232 Scanner/Computer Interface (or its predecessor, the HB-232). You will also need the hot, new Windows program for the CE/HB-232 called Pro-Turbo. Lastly, you need one fairly modern computer, Pentium 133 or better, for the easiest way to track the trunks, but there is another way almost as easy, if you have two computers, one a 486DX2/66 or better and the other, a PC-386 or better. There are other requirements, too, but the above are the main ones. It is beyond the scope of this FAQ to spell out all the details, but the V8N9 issue of the monthly World Scanner Report tells it all. You can order this or any other back issue of the World Scanner Report since Jan-91, including 6-mo and 1-yr subscriptions. You can also download a more detailed text file on TrunkFollowing with the PRO-2004/5/6 from my FTP site at: ftp://ftp.cts.com/pub/bcheek/ce-232/trnkscan.txt For more information on the Pro-Turbo software for the HB/CE-232, contact: Paul E. Turton RR # 3; Wainfleet, Ontario Canada L0S 1V0 E-mail: pturton@iaw.on.ca or jabba@iaw.on.ca Web: http://www.iaw.on.ca/~jabba/pro-turbo.htm For more information on the CE-232 Interface, you can download a file called PRODINFO.ZIP from: ftp://ftp.cts.com/pub/bcheek/products or you can view and download all the individual files from the \CE-232 directory. Or, you can ask for it as an e-mail file attachment from: bcheek@cts.com or see the information in my signature box below. But yes, it is now possible to track the trunks without a TrunkTracker scanner, and do it better than any of the "real" TrunkTracker scanners! The cost can be a lot less than the cost of a real TrunkTracker, too. The cost largely depends on what you already have, or can scrounge up, but at worst, it's well within the budget of many scannists. ================================================================ 09: What if I don't want to build my own Data Decoder Interface? See further below if you are intested in a 4-Level Data Decoder Interface. First is info on the 2LFSKDDI: 2LFSKDDI ======== There isn't much of a technical obstacle to "rolling your own 2-Level Data Decoder Interface, but if lack of time, tools, or access to the parts is an obstacle, then you can acquire one in either of two ways: NOTE: We can supply the 2LFSKDDI detailed Instruction Set alone for $5, ppd, USA and $7, ppd, foreign. 1. Kit of essential parts (you build it): $15 + $8 S&H Includes: 3 ea Capacitor; tantalum; 10-uF/16v: 1 ea D-sub Plastic Hood/shell; DB25 1 ea DB25 connector; female; solder pin 2 ea Resistor; 100-k; 1/4-watt 1 ea Resistor; 3.3-k; 1/4-watt 4 ea Diode; silicon; 1N4148 1 ea Op-amp; LM741CN; 8-pin DIP 1 ea Perfboard; pre-cut, notched, trimmed to size 1 ea Shielded cable; 3-ft; w/RCA plug 1 ea Detailed printed instruction set, complete with graphics, photos, tables, and "what if's"... 1 ea 3.5" floppy disk w/shareware & freeware decoder programs and utilities. Optional upgrade or add-on items: * A. Shielded cable; 6-ft; w/RCA plug + $2.00 * B. Shielded cable; 12-ft; w/RCA plug + $4.00 C. Port Adapter; DB25 male-to-DB9 female + $7.50 (adapts 25-pin Interface to 9-pin comport) * Instead of the standard 3-ft cable w/RCA plug -=OR=- 2. Assembled/tested 2-L Decoder Interface $40 + $8 S&H Includes: 1 ea Data Decoder Interface built into a DB25 shell with standard 3-ft shielded cable w/RCA plug. 1 ea Detailed printed instruction set, complete with graphics, photos, tables, and "what if's"... 1 ea 3.5" floppy disk w/shareware & freeware decoder programs and utilities. Optional upgrade or add-on items: A. Built with 6-ft shielded cable and RCA plug + $2.00 B. Built with 12-ft shielded cable and RCA plug + $4.00 C. Port Adapter; DB25 male-to-DB9 female + $7.50 (adapts 25-pin Interface to 9-pin comport) D. Custom enhancements/designs per your specs +$10/up 4LFSKDDI ======== CAVEAT: It may be illegal to decode certain 4LFSK signals. You must determine that for your self and cease interest in the subject if not legal in your area. If you are intested in a 4-Level FSK Data Decoder Interface we have a detailed Instruction Set ready to go, as well as a Kit of Essential parts, less enclosure and power supply. Assembled and Tested units are not ready yet, but.....I may have available some built/tested prototype units that have been proved fit for consumption. One or more of the following may be available: 1. Instruction Set Only - you build from it. 8-pages of hi-res laser printed text, charts, photos, drawings, and detailed, hand-holding guidance: Price: $5, ppd, USA; $7, ppd, foreign 2. Kit of Essential Parts, plus detailed Instruction Set from (1) above, less enclosure and power supply. See my 4LFSK.FAQ file for details, or the following web site: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bcheek/4lfsk.txt Price: $20 + $8 S&H, USA; $20 + $15 S&H foreign 3. Kit of Essential Parts, incl power supply. Price: TBA 4. Assem/Tested 4LFSKDDI, no power supply: Proto: $125 + $8S&H 5. Assembled/Tested 4LFSKDDI, incl power supply. Price: TBA TO ORDER: Use e-mail, fax, or postal mail per the information in my signature box below. MC/VISA or M.O. preferred. Personal and company checks okay, but shipment delayed until bank clearance. No COD's and no shipments to PO Boxes or mail drops. Alaska, Hawaii and foreign shipping extra. TERMS: All sales are final; no returns-no refunds. 30-day Performance Warranty on the Assembled/ Tested Decoder Interface is strictly limited to Motorola SmartNet trunked data signals using TRUNKER.EXE despite that it will work on many other kinds of data, too. We just can't support it all. Repair or replacement at our option during that 30-day period. No warranty on Kits. Not responsible/liable for illegal use of this information and/or these products; nor for any consequences thereof. You must determine lawfulness of these products for your applications and region and not use them, if illegal. Use of this information and/or these products is 100% exclusively at your own risk. You must determine suitability and fitness of purpose of these products to your needs. I will not accept responsibility or liability for any damage or loss that results from use of these products, nor for damage or loss that results from connecting these devices to a scanner and/or a computer. You must determine all risks and accept all consequences of any damage to hardware and/or data stored in the computer. ============================================================ That's it for now. I will keep this FAQ updated. If you see things that need to be added to it, by all means, let me know. If this FAQ fails to address your question(s), then hit me with 'em again, but be specific. And be detailed with symptoms and observations if you need tech support on mods or troubleshooting and diagnosis. Use e-mail. Copyrighted (c) 1999 (All rights reserved) Revised 03/27/99 ------------------------------------------------ -- Bill Cheek - President/CEO/Publisher \ / COMMtronics Engineering/World Scanner Report \ / Box 262478 ~ San Diego ~ CA ~ 92196-2478 \ / Voice: 619-578-9247 (1:30-5:30pm, PST, weekdays \/ Fax: 619-578-9247 (any time) /\ E-mail: bcheek@cts.com / \ http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bcheek / \ ------------------------------------------------ -- =======================END OF FILE===========================