Getting error while attempting to run trunk recorder

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

So I've tried to get the trunk recorder running but I keep getting an error while trying to run it. Below is the string of errors I'm receiving.

[2026-01-07 09:33:00.019051] (error) [bexar] There is only one control channel defined
[2026-01-07 09:33:00.019096] (error) [bexar] freq: 853.137500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1
[2026-01-07 09:33:03.017067] (error) [bexar] There is only one control channel defined
[2026-01-07 09:33:03.017268] (error) [bexar] freq: 853.137500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1
[2026-01-07 09:33:06.016141] (error) [bexar] There is only one control channel defined
[2026-01-07 09:33:06.016187] (error) [bexar] freq: 853.137500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1
[2026-01-07 09:33:09.014078] (error) [bexar] There is only one control channel defined
[2026-01-07 09:33:09.014124] (error) [bexar] freq: 853.137500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1
[2026-01-07 09:33:12.022358] (error) [bexar] There is only one control channel defined
[2026-01-07 09:33:12.022402] (error) [bexar] freq: 853.137500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1

Here is the config.json file:

{
"ver": 2,
"sources": [{
"center": 852328125.0,
"rate": 2400000.0,
"error": 0,
"gain": 30,
"antenna": "TX/RX",
"digitalRecorders": 1,
"driver": "osmosdr"
}],
"systems": [{
"control_channels": [853137500],
"type": "p25",
"squelch": -30,
"modulation": "qpsk",
"compressWav": true,
"shortName": "bexar",
"apiKey": "377182dda9da6cbd7ef28500d5f07c8d"
}
],
"uploadServer": "https://api.openmhz.com"
}

Here is the system I'm trying to work off of with focus of the west simulcast control channels due to close proximity:
https://www.radioreference.com/db/sid/7017

[SimonSheehan]

You'll want to put all those frequencies from the West site into your config in the control channel section. Every single one of capable of being the current control channel at any given time - the one you've defined may not be active currently.

Squelch can be removed from your config as it has no effect, neither does antenna on an RTL dongle, assuming that is what you are using.

If you are using an RTL device, you'll want to add "device": "rtl=0" in your source section too, under driver.

If you have Discord, drop on by the server in the tr-help section and we can assist in real time as well.

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

So even channels outside of the max-min range?

[taclane]

This piece of software attempts 100% coverage of a trunked system. The West Simulcast is spread across ~6 MHz, and you're capturing a little under half of that with the single RTL stick.

You'll need to ensure that all the frequencies listed are covered by a device. If one device alone is not enough, you may need to add more.

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

Okay. I have an additional one that should be delivered today cause I was kinda concerned about that.

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

So I cleaned up the Config file based on what @SimonSheehan had recommended and added in all the CCs for west simulcast site. I re-ran the program and still getting the same errors.

Ill work on adding in the second SDR today when it arrives.

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

Okay after setting up the second SDR and attempting to run this is the new error:

[2026-01-07 16:37:14.624145] (info) [bexar] Started with Control Channel: 851.250000 MHz
[2026-01-07 16:37:14.624177] (error) [bexar] Unable to find a source for this System! Control Channel Freq: 851.250000 MHz
[2026-01-07 16:37:14.624197] (error) Unable to setup a System to record, exiting...

[SimonSheehan]

Please post your current config file for our review. Thanks!

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

{
"ver": 2,
"sources": [{
"center": 852328125.0,
"rate": 2400000.0,
"error": 0,
"gain": 30,
"digitalRecorders": 1,
"driver": "osmosdr",
"device": "rtl=0",

"center": 856250000.0,
"rate": 2400000.0,
"error": 0,
"gain": 30,
"digitalRecorders": 1,
"driver": "osmosdr",
"device": "rtl=1"

}],
"systems": [{
"control_channels": [851250000,851875000,852700000,852937500,853137500,853412500,855062500,855462500,855637500,856287500,856987500,857362500,857437500,857987500],
"type": "p25",
"modulation": "qpsk",
"compressWav": true,
"shortName": "bexar",
"apiKey": "377182dda9da6cbd7ef28500d5f07c8d"
}
],
"uploadServer": "https://api.openmhz.com"
}

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

One device is a RLT-SDR Blog and the other is a NESDR SMART

[SimonSheehan]

#You really need 3 dongles @ 2.4Mhz to fit this in properly. Here's a config you can try to test... it has the 3rd in there with the centre frequency but is set to disabled for now. You'll need to insert your API key in here.

Your console output should be showing what the centre frequency was set to - I can't recall but i think the .0 is throwing it off.

  "ver": 2,
  "compressWav": true,
  "sources": [
    {
      "center": 852328125,
      "rate": 2400000,
      "gain": 30,
      "error": 0,
      "digitalRecorders": 6,
      "driver": "osmosdr",
      "device": "rtl=0"
    },
    {
      "center": 856250000,
      "rate": 2400000,
      "gain": 30,
      "error": 0,
      "digitalRecorders": 6,
      "driver": "osmosdr",
      "device": "rtl=1"
    },
    {
      "center": 857988400,
      "rate": 2400000,
      "gain": 30,
      "error": 0,
      "digitalRecorders": 6,
      "driver": "osmosdr",
      "device": "rtl=2",
      "enabled": false
    }
  ],
  "systems": [
    {
      "control_channels": [
        851250000, 852875000, 852700000, 852937500, 853137500, 853412500,
        855062500, 855462500, 855637500, 856637500, 856287500, 856987300,
        857362500, 857437500, 857987500
      ],
      "type": "p25",
      "shortName": "bexar",
      "apiKey": "insertHERE"
    }
  ],
  "uploadServer": "https://api.openmhz.com"
}

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

Okay that got it running with the initial errors like these still showing:
[2026-01-07 17:03:32.014588] (error) [bexar] Retuning to Control Channel: 856.637500 MHz
[2026-01-07 17:03:32.014672] (info) - System Source 1 - Min Freq: 855.100000 MHz Max Freq: 857.400000 MHz
[2026-01-07 17:03:32.014717] (error) [bexar] freq: 856.637500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1
[2026-01-07 17:03:35.012825] (error) [bexar] Retuning to Control Channel: 856.287500 MHz
[2026-01-07 17:03:35.012894] (info) - System Source 1 - Min Freq: 855.100000 MHz Max Freq: 857.400000 MHz
[2026-01-07 17:03:35.012932] (error) [bexar] freq: 856.287500 MHz Control Channel Message Decode Rate: 0/sec, count: 1

In addition also getting these:
[2026-01-07 17:03:26.029748] (info) Xlating Channelizer decimator - freq_xlating taps: 91 Decim: 4 Resampled Rate: 24000 Lowpass Taps: 83
fix_cc ⚠️ Block (fix_cc0) max output buffer set to 8192 instead of requested 10240
fix_cc ⚠️ Block (fix_cc1) max output buffer set to 10240 instead of requested 8192
Allocating 15 zero-copy buffers
Allocating 15 zero-copy buffers

[2026-01-07 17:03:50.027787] (info) Xlating Channelizer decimator - freq_xlating taps: 91 Decim: 4 Resampled Rate: 24000 Lowpass Taps: 83
fix_cc ⚠️ Block (fix_cc0) max output buffer set to 10240 instead of requested 8192
Segmentation fault

[SimonSheehan]

Try installing GQRX and finding the active control signal on there - see how that looks. If you're at this point and not receiving anything, you my be running into a lack of signal.

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

Here is what I'm getting on the scope for CC 851.87500 but also had to increase RF Gain to 25.4 for it to be solid

[rbauchmanemt-glitch]

Here is the scope for center of device 1

[taclane]

Here is the scope for center of device 1

It may be a little unclear without the scale to the side, but if that cursor is indicating that the noise floor has been raised to around -75 dBFS, and the signal itself is maybe only 10 dB stronger, you probably just have a reception issue.

Gain alone cannot solve everything; sometimes you have to go back to basic radio principles like reevaluating where you placed the antenna, and see if there's any improvement by trying a few things like elevating it, changing the orientation, or just getting it outside.