St. Lucie County Signal Strength

RhoXS · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 09:37 PM

I live in an area called Port Salerno that is about 25 miles as the crow flies from the N Rock Road tower. It has probably been about a year since the last time I tried to monitor St. Lucie County. The signal was never strong here but was at least marginally usable on my BCD396T. I recently found the signal is now much weaker here and is not now at all usable. I cannot now even hear the control channel 853.300 on the BCD396T although I can receive it on my Icom W31A HT.

Has anything changed that would have resulted in such a noticeable reduction in signal strength?

Bolt21 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2009, 07:26 PM

You may be aware of this, but make sure you attempt reception during both day and night-time hours. Also, weather (temperature, humidity) will play a role.

KS4VT · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2009, 07:14 AM

They made some repeater antenna changes a few years ago (post-Wilma) to a different manufacturer. That might have something to do with it.

Mark

RhoXS · #4 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the replies.

This morning I monitored 853.300 (control channel) for signal strength as I drove to work in Jensen Beach (Midway up Hutchinson Island). The signal is certainly weaker through the entire area. I was also dissappointed to see how much less sensitive the BCD396T is compared to both my Icom W31A and even the Icom Q7A.

majsingh · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 05:27 PM

i am usually in Broward County...when I went to St Lucie County and fired up the scanner I was AMAZED by the difference! Normally my 800mhz scanner antenna sits INSIDE my trunk but I had to actually mount it outside as it is supposed to and still got mediocre signal..the HT of course wasn't much better either