Formula 1 Melbourne Grand Prix

[f1scanner]

For many years the F1 radio comms have been out of reach, with most of the team and FIA comms using digital TETRA radios. Now a simple low cost solution is available for those with a little bit of linux experience and a reasonable spec computer:
http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial ... -channels/

If anyone in Melbourne is interested in giving this a go for the Australian Grand Prix in March I can help with frequencies to try and a bit of experience on getting this TETRA decoder working

HTH

Bob

[Phantom]

I think it's a great idea. The way SDR is opening up a lot more opportunities is a great thing. You can start decoding or listening into varies mediums for less than $15

I sure would be interested in learning more about decoding many networks using SDR

[f1scanner]

I can certainly recommend Linux Mint as a solid platform to run thus TETRA decoder on: some small deviations needed from the instructions posted on the link above, but the decoder works well and voice quality from TETRA is a lot better than those AMBE+2 decoder formats used in P25, DMR and NXDN.

[mn1983]

I attempted this on Ubuntu14, everything looks OK, but not seeing data scrolling even though ithe signal.shows up on the FFT window, maybe I'll try Mint, all this via VMware on an i7 laptop.

[f1scanner]

>but not seeing data scrolling even though ithe signal.shows up on the FFT window
Try playing about with the PPM value in the FFT window. You will want to aim for a nice symmetrical square waveform, that is centered on the middle of the window too. A strong TETRA signal will also help: typically I need a peak of -40dBm against a noise floor of -120dBm for good scrolling data. Fine tune in my experience only makes a difference for marginal signals. It seems an offset of at least 500khz helps too.

[mn1983]

I'll give it another go, could be signal issue, it's a bit messy in Wavecom when I tested it too.

[melbournefan]

NOTE: This is a link to dual boot mint and windows 7 http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/0 ... gside.html NEVER Install it ontop of windows as it will delete all files

[f1scanner]

Thanks for that link....for anyone less familiar with mint, drop me an email as there are some specific commands you need to add to the instructions listed at: http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial ... -channels/ such as disabling the tv tuner driver etc.

[blacktown]

Simoco has just appeared on the ACMA today with the 2015 short term licences (1st-16th March 2015) to provide support services for F1 at Albert Park. The Middle Park site is located on the southern outskirts of Albert Park, overlooking the track. Last year they were using approximately 800 Simoco XD DMR radios, so possibly DMR TIER III trunking this time around

http://www.simocogroup.com/blog/introdu ... -trunking/

F1 ALBERT PARK Tx Middle Park 5w duplex 1/3/15-16/3/15

Frequency / ACMA Licence No
462.6250 = 1983994
462.6750 = 1983995
463.0750 = 1983996
463.4375 = 1983990
463.7500 = 1983997
464.7250 = 1983998
466.2500 = 1983999
466.3625 = 1984001
466.7375 = 1983991
467.4750 = 1984000

462.0500 simplex = 1983992
462.2000 simplex = 1983993

[f1scanner]

Thanks blacktown...all very useful info mate.

Does anyone more familiar with ACMA know if the other F1 related frequencies will appear online, especially those for the teams? In the US, only some will show up as STA (Special Temporary Authority) frequencies online.

TIA

[mn1983]

Teams are all on TETRA, most likely encrypted too!

[melbournefan]

Teams are all on TETRA, most likely encrypted too!

That will be TETRAPOL Only available to the police

[mn1983]

Encryption on TETRA only available to police?

[blacktown]

Pic of a Lotus F1 radio being used at Jerez this week

[f1scanner]

Thanks - yes it's a Motorola MTH850 TETRA Portable, supplied by Riedel Rental. They also provide the FIA, FOM and Pirelli. This year all but one F1 team will use MTH850s, the exception is McLaren who continue to use Kenwood Nexedge NX320s (with the encryption enabled). For the past few years Ferrari used Selex Puma T3 TETRA radios, and these were definitively encrypted. The Riedel sets might be encrypted, to stop other teams listening into their competitors (a bit more tricky on a multi channel trunked network but still possible), but they might not. I don't think anyone has been able to say definitively one way or the other.

So anyone here want give the TETRA decoder a go then on the F1 signals in March?

[melbournefan]

I may be able to do it virtual box

[f1scanner]

melbournefan -just wondering if you might still be up for having a go at decoding the F1 TETRA this coming weeK?

Frequencies will be in the 422-430MHz band:

Teams have used:
422.100 Ferrari
422.125
422.900 Ferrari
422.925
425.075
425.175
425.200
425.375
425.450
425.525
425.725

FIA have previously used:
424.050
425.050
425.225
428.000
428.175
428.375
428.550
429.050
429.325

Interested to know if you or anyone else gets this going and finds any info? Likely that the TETRA carriers will be up and running from Weds onwards, maybe earlier.

[rack201]

So i have this running with my RTL SDR under Ubuntu 14.04 (marathon effort..)

I have not yet been able to find anything that I'm sure is a TETRA signal though. Anything I can find in the 422 range is P25 ambo/fire and some P25 encrypted (Vic Pol?).

Has anyone found some confirmed TETRA frequencies so I can at least confirm my setup is working?

Cheers

[rack201]

I have this working - successfully decoding a TETRA carrier on 865.5875Mhz, but its not F1GP related (courier or similar..). Eagerly waiting for any F1 freqs!

[f1scanner]

ACMA database is being particlarly useless with specific frequencies at the minute.....I can only suggest a good search round 420 to 430 MHz for strong TETRA signals for F1.