CHP Help...

[franks_ham]

Hey guys,

my scanner picks up CHP semi ok, my other HT's pick up the extenders and CHP UHF just fine but the VX-7R I have doesn't pick up anything. I do have the frequencies & PL's for my area in the radio correctly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

-Frank C.

[Robertolson]

what area CHP are you trying to monitor?

[franks_ham]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7C144 Safari/528.16)

GOLDEN GATE>>MARIN & SONOMA.

I live spitting distance from the area office and pick up the extenders like they were in the car with me.

This does happen in all the areas I visit though. GGCOMM & SACCOMM.

Regards,

-Frank C.

[stateboy]

You have two issues:

1.) Using an HT of any kind to listen to CHP is an exercise in futility
2.) The lowband reception on the VX-7 is horrible.

When listening to CHP in a vehicle, use an external antenna that is rated for use at 42 MHz. Single band lowband antennas like the Larsen NMO50 or a highband NMO150 work the best, as there needs to be metal in the air to hear the signal.

if you are listening at home, use a good external scanner or commercial antenna rated for 42 MHz mounted as high as practical and you'd be amazed what you'll hear.

Bottom line is use a decent radio with a decent antenna and you'll be good to go.

[franks_ham]

Stateboy,

Thanks. I've never had a problem with this radio (or the previous VX-7) I have owned/used on the CHP band.

I have 2 whips centered (mag-mounted) on my car, both Larsen's NMO's. One for VHF and one for lowband.

I also use maratrac's in my car for listening and did a comparison today and the reception was about the same on the VX-7 and the Pro-106 scanner using the lowband whip, none.

Regards,

-Frank C.

[wolter]

I am hearing Marin & Sonoma right now, so I know they are in use.

Area offices do not broadcast communications, so your proximity to them is irrelevant.

Check your antenna and all connectors for defects. Verify that you programmed the proper frequencies and subtones.

Also realize that CHP often uses different transmitters to broadcast depending on where the patrol unit is located. Maybe the one near you is not activated when you are monitoring. Or maybe your surroundings have changed such that they interfere with your reception. Or maybe your radio now has a defect.

But as stateboy said: Try using a radio and antenna that is suited for lowband. That usually is the problem.

[franks_ham]

The Maratrac lowband radio with a lowband antenna works fine. On the other hand, the scanner with the lowband antenna works alright and the VX-7 USED TO work just fine.

The VX-7 has never had a problem with lowband for me. I've had them since they were brand new. I think it is the programming as I look into it.

Regards,

-Frank C.