Newbie Needs Help With RS Pro96 & Win96 Pro, ALMRS Database on RadioReference com

[AK_Griz]

Hi, I just bought the RS Pro96 and WinPro96 Software. I'm about as green as person can get.

Here is what I am trying to figure out:

1. I attempted to load the the ALMRS data from Radio refence com for the Mat-Su area. The number of frequencies far exceeded the individual channel capability limit of 50 in the RS Pro96. In fact, it looks like the data offered for the Mat-Su area is the same as offered in the all Alaska data.

2. I then selected areas geographically to reduce the number of frequencies to 50 or less. Like selecting Palmer, Wasilla, Sutton, Talkeetna, etc. Talkgroups, I selected everything listed for the Mat-Su geographic area. The data did load into the scanner but I get nothing when trying to scan. In manual mode all I get is noise.

3. Is the database from Radio Reference com good to go or do I need to change anything manually in the WinPro96 software for the data from Radio Reference com to work..... such as entering the extended trucking table info?

4. Actually, I would like to load all the data for Alaska in the railbelt areas in Central and North regions, but break them down by Borough, i.e. Mat-Su, Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kenai and Valdez.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

AK_Griz

[kikito]

What I would recommend for now is to load ONLY the control channels for your area (red and blue frequencies on the database), basically it's all that's needed anyway. And you definintely need to set the extended Multi-Tables info while programming.

Things to double-check: On the Win96 software, make sure that under "MOT 9600 CC", Multi-Table is selected and click on Extended Tables and make sure you entered all six tables exactly as outlined on the database page. Also make sure that each frequency is set to 'MOT' on the RX Mode column and at the top to the right of the bank name that the bank is set to Type 'MOT' also. Verify the bank is set to 'Open' by making sure that 'Closed' is unchecked to the right of the Bank Name.

Once you get it working and get a feel for how it goes, then you can start adding more stuff and possibly use the V-Folders to load "far away" boroughs info for when you travel outside your home area and such.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask some more.

[AK_Griz]

Thanks so much for responding. I was playing around and entered the extended trucking table and it started working.

I do have a couple more questions if you don't mind.

1. In the extended trucking table, do I need to check one of the boxes under 9600 cc? I.E. VHF, UHF.

2. The sound of people speaking on some of the MO channels sounds kind of like being in a tunnel/distorted and sometimes a squeaky squeal. Actually, it's the Alaska State Troopers cars and MAT-COM that sound that way. Any recommendations?

3. Also, on the MO Channels, I don't always hear the start of the conversation. Picks up a few words into whatever they are saying. Sqelch is set ok.

Once again, thank for the help.

Fred

[kikito]

Originally Posted by AK_Griz

1. In the extended trucking table, do I need to check one of the boxes under 9600 cc? I.E. VHF, UHF.

No, leave all unselected so it'll know to use the "custom" tables you put in.

2. The sound of people speaking on some of the MO channels sounds kind of like being in a tunnel/distorted and sometimes a squeaky squeal. Actually, it's the Alaska State Troopers cars and MAT-COM that sound that way. Any recommendations?

Sometimes it's that way due to many units not being in the system properly yet (i.e. patched from analog into ALMR) and it'll sound kind of weird when they're that way. You can hear a slight distortion and sometimes a little bit of a squelch tail and other 'sound artifacts' from the analog system if that's the case.

Other than that, no other ideas, they sound fairly good up here in FAI. Even MATCOM comes through at night and on weekends and they sounded pretty good but I'll keep my ears open and see next time I hear them.

Another possibility is that maybe you're in a fringe area and reception is not so good or maybe try turning off the AGC (Func + MAN).

3. Also, on the MO Channels, I don't always hear the start of the conversation. Picks up a few words into whatever they are saying. Sqelch is set ok.

I can only guess that in this case that's the point in which the scanner it's coming in the conversation, especially if you're scanning multiple other banks and sites. If not, give us more details to see if we can figure out if something is wrong.

[AK_Griz]

Hey thanks again. Your help and recommendations are very much appreciated.

I heard the Fairbanks Trooper Dispatch a couple days ago. They were calling Matcom. Signal drifted a little but they started out strong like a local signal.

My home is on a hill and well above anything that could interfer and I have a roof top antenna. I live about 5 miles from MATCOM dispatch, about 5 miles south of Wasilla off of Knik-Goosebay Road. About 14 miles from Palmer. 19 from Anchorage as the crow goes.

Hey, did you Fairbanks folks ship some of your cold weather our way? Last week was not fun. 75mph winds with gusts to 86 here at the house.... all week long. Bit warmer this week and no wind.

Fred