21
Understanding Scanning
inexpensive consumer radios such as GMRS/FRS radios.
The range is typically 1-8 miles, depending upon the
terrain and many other factors.
Repeater Operation
Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits
from the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits
from the repeater to other radios in the system. With a
repeater-based system, the repeater is located on top of
a tall building or on a radio tower that provides great
visibility to the area of operation. When a user transmits
(on an input frequency), the signal is picked up by the
repeater and retransmitted (on an output frequency).
The user’s radios always listen for activity on the output
frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since the
repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of
sight.
Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to about a
25-mile radius from the repeater location.
What is Trunk Tracking?
Your BC246T is designed to track the following types of
trunking systems.
• Motorola Type I, Type II, Type IIi, hybrid, SMARTNET,
and PRIVACYPLUS analog trunking systems, which
are extensively used in 800 MHz communication
systems.
• LTR trunking systems
• EDACS SCAT trunking systems
• EDACS trunking systems
When tracking these types of systems, you might want to
remember these important points:
• Your scanner can track more than one trunking
system at a time and scan conventional and trunked
systems at the same time.