Rangecast FAQ
[FAQ-1255] Defining Collections


Page Type: REFERENCE


OVERVIEW

There are three types of collections: (a) automatic - exist without any definition required, (b) rule-based - include all channels matching specified criteria, (c) manual - include specific channels selected individually.


BACKGROUND

Any collection will include only content from a single originating hub


METHOD

1) Automatic collections do not require any definition - they exist by default. The most commonly used variety is based on agency type. For example, in the hub "test" this is a collection with all fire channels:

test:_F

... and this is a collection with all public works channels:

test:_W

Codes are based on the standard agency types. Note F, J, M, and P can be used to reference all channels of that type, regardless of the dispatch / tactical / talk classification.


[FAQ-1029] Reference list of Agency Codes used by RadioReference, HPDB, RCHAN

This is a list of the Agency Codes used by RadioReference, and in the Home Patrol Database (HPDB), and in Rangecast RCHAN files.




Another common type of automatic collection is for a single channel, using the channel ID (CID), for example:

test:_C123456

This allows for selecting an arbitrary set of individual channels nationwide, and bringing them together into a player.

Additional types of automatic collections may be defined in the future, and brought into service.

2) Rule-based collections are created in the programmer for the originating hub, on the Collections tab (navigation in upper-left of programmer.) After entering or modifying a rule-based collection, press Apply Changes, then on Save Options, press SAVE.

An example of a definition from hub 'test':

demo: TX0201+P1 TX0207+F TX0308+P1 TX5600+P1 TX4703+F TX6900+F TX0306+P1 T284645

This creates the collection test:demo. A channel is included if it matches ANY of the individual rules (space separated). Each rule can specify any combination of required criteria, with a plus symbol separator (no spaces against codes).

Codes supplied may include system, group, or channel IDs; agency type; and geocodes.

For example, here is another definition from hub 'test' which creates a collection test:transit including all channels from a specific trunked radio system:

transit: S02721

3) Manual collections are created in the programmer for the originating hub, on the Collections tab (navigation in upper-left of programmer.) Use the "Create a new manual collection" option, then press Add. Once a manual collection has been created, use the "Edit Hub/Collection" drop-down under "Target/Scope" at the top of the page to select this manual collection as your editing target. You may then use the programmer's channel directories to add or remove channels from this collection. Selected channels will show with a green background.

(Note: removing channels from a collection will not remove them from the programming, unless the "Prevent reception of channels that are not within any collection" checkbox is selected on the Collections tab, and the channel has been removed from all collections.)


CITATIONS

INDEX


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