CTCSS and DCS Not Working in Yuma Area

jefwks · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 01:00 AM

Noticing tonight that DPS, Rural Metro, others are transmitting on their normal frequencies, but not using any coded squelch (i.e CTCSS or DCS) tones. I'm also not hearing anything on WARICS. Anybody aware of any radio problems/work in the Yuma area?

wlmr · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefwks

Noticing tonight that DPS, Rural Metro, others are transmitting on their normal frequencies, but not using any coded squelch (i.e CTCSS or DCS) tones. I'm also not hearing anything on WARICS. Anybody aware of any radio problems/work in the Yuma area?

Seems kinda strange that all these disparate agencies would all stop using tones at the same time. Are you really sure your scanner isn't the issue?

jefwks · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 01:24 AM

I thought it was my scanner at first too. But then when I park on the frequencies in search mode, I hear traffic with no tones being sent. If I edit my programming to search instead of listening for specific tones, then I hear the traffic. My scanner was working just fine all day and then sometime this evening I stopped hearing traffic. That is when I started investigating and discovered that traffic was there with no squelch codes. It could be fallout from the storm we had on Saturday. I noticed that some of the agencies were complaining about degraded radio performance afterwards. It is possible that the radio technicians are working on things in the area. If it continues for any length of time then I'll erase my radio and upload my configuration again.

jefwks · #4 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 01:16 AM

WLMR was right after all. It was the scanner. I think the problem started when I moved the scanner from the truck. I power the scanner via a DC mobile adapter in the truck. Then when I turn the key off, the batteries kick in. I then plugged my AC adapter into the scanner while it was powered via batteries. This is when I think the problem started. I have never had a problem doing this, but it isn't following best practices. The scanner should always be powered off before changing power sources. A lesson learned.

Anyway, I fixed the problem by turning the scanner off. Removing AC adapter and then removing the batteries. Then I put everything back together and turned the scanner back on using the AC adapter. Problem fixed.