FAQ
- Where can I find more information about GenWatch3 replacing SIMSII and SIP?
- Will GenWatch3 work on a RIM-I?
- Can GenWatch3 be networked?
- Will GenWatch3 work on SMARTZONE correctly?
- Is GW3 certified on all system types?
- What sort of machine do I need to run GW3?
- Is GenWatch3 Certified by Motorola?
- Will an 80GB hard drive be sufficient?
- Can I use a single RF-modem and RIMII for driving both SystemWatch and GenWatch3?
Where can I find more information about GenWatch3 replacing SIMSII and SIP?
GenWatch3 Commander Series is the official replacement for SIMSII, SIP, SystemWatch and SITE LENS. Read all about it here.
Will GenWatch3 work on a RIM-I?
No. We have done the code for a RIM-I, however to cover all of the modern needs for total communications with the system, and other advanced features, you must upgrade to a RIMII and an ASTRO® Spectra or MCS2000 RF-modem.
Important news on the MCS2000. Please click here.
Can GenWatch3 be networked?
Yes. You designate the first, full copy of GenWatch3 to be the host and other copies listen to that host copy. The first GenWatch3 has the RF-modem and RIMII attached to it. The GenWatch3 input modules handle all of the logistics of sending the data out to other networked copies of GW3. This makes an ideal multi location mini-CAD. Not all locations need to watch the same talkgroups, and each copy that is attached can be as simple or complex in their features as you desire.
Will GenWatch3 work on SMARTZONE correctly?
All Control Channels in SMARTZONE are not guaranteed to carry all traffic information. The only source for that is the ATIA port that comes from the Zone Controller. However, depending on what you are wanting to archive, there is a good chance that the Control Channel that you are listening to has all of the information that you need for your operation.
If you are the system owner and are looking for a complete look at your SMARTZONE or Omnilink, we highly suggest that you look at GenGET from Genesis rather than GenWatch3 to guarantee that you'll receive all traffic information.
Is GenWatch3 certified on all system types?
The quick answer is no. Below are the system types that we have certified, and those where we are looking for Beta Sites. GenWatch3 is now fully Genesis Certified for the following system types and frequencies:
- Type II SMARTNET
- Type II SMARTNET (Attached to a SMARTZONE)
- P25 – for OSP (listen) only
---------- - 800 MHz
- 821 MHz
- OBT
The following system types have not gone through Genesis beta testing and in some cases development:
- Type IIi (Hybrid) – Additional development and testing needed
- Type I (Pure) – We are not providing this.
- StartSite (VOC) – Additional development and testing needed
- 900 MHz – Testing needed
- 1.5 GHz (Japan) – Additional development and testing needed
If you are interested in becoming a Beta Site for any of the system types listed, please contact Genesis.
What sort of machine do I need to run GenWatch3?
Here are the general specs for a machine that will do an excellent job with most GenWatch3 configurations, up to 5 Clients:
- Pentium 4 3.3 GHz Dual-Core processor
- 2GB RAM
- 80GB HD, 15k RPM
- nVidia Quadro NVS 285 128M PCI-E
- XP Pro
- 2 COM Ports (for the RIMIIs)
- Sound card + speakers
- DVD/RW
- MS SQL for Workgroups
Of course, you can always surpass these specifications to further optimize performance.
Is GenWatch3 Certified by Motorola?
GenWatch3 has gone through Motorola Certification and passed with flying colors. GenWatch3 Commander is a series of bundles of our modules, hardware, reporting options and other features. GenWatch3 Commander can be purchased through Motorola Drop Ship or directly from Genesis. Additional Genesis modules may be purchased directly from us to enhance what you can get through Motorola. Motorola does offer the GW3-GSP bundle that allows MANY options to be easily added. For more information on the various bundles, please click here.
Will an 80GB hard drive be sufficient?
The amound hard drive space needed is dependent on several things:
- Daily call volume
- How long you want to keep the history?
- Do you want to store the raw Control Channel data?
The larger the drive, the better.
Example: With a system that has 17,500 calls a day you can expect 220 megabytes of data each day. This number includes raw data storage, if raw data is not going to be stored you can expect approximately 40 megabytes a day.
Can I use a single RF-modem and RIMII for driving both SystemWatch and GenWatch3?
Yes and No. Bottom line: we do not recommend it. Here's why: Both SystemWatch (SW) and GenWatch3 (GW3) do more than listen to the RIMII. There is start up data that is sent to the RIMII when each program starts. If we do the classic RS-232 "Y" cable, we run the risk of data collision. If we remove the TX (transmit) line from — say — GenWatch3, then SW MUST be running (thus programming the RIMII) for GW3 to operate. You can see that while it is possible, it's not a great idea.