While the second receiver is not tuned to a traffic channel, its output is muted. Both SmartNet and MPT1327 decoders have separate, very similar, virtual control panels. Each panel displays a group of system characteristics extracted from the control channel signaling. This information makes it possible to observe the received system status at a glance and to finely tune the receiver for maximum performance. System type shows the version of protocol used on the current control channel.
System time has a value only if the trunking network is broadcasting time and date frames.
This information is sent by the base station. No. is important only when the system has several base stations. In such case every base station has a site number allocated. Control channel index is a number sent by the base station and used by the mobile stations to determine the base allocation frequency and jump to the appropriate channel when necessary. Control channel frequency is the frequency corresponding to the control channel index.