PSR500-Expert setting making a huge difference in reception.

[tampatracker]

Hello all. Just wanted to report that this setting "SQ Wait 1 ('In-band SQ Timeout/Squelch Time Same Band in the software)" makes, (on my radio at least) a big difference on reception. Bringing the value down to 5 has changed my opinion of this radio. I knew it had great potential from what all of you reported but I was not getting the best reception, especially on 800 MHz. Much better now, just wanted to pass this along.

 

[gewecke]

Hello all. Just wanted to report that this setting "SQ Wait 1 ('In-band SQ Timeout/Squelch Time Same Band in the software)" makes, (on my radio at least) a big difference on reception. Bringing the value down to 5 has changed my opinion of this radio. I knew it had great potential from what all of you reported but I was not getting the best reception, especially on 800 MHz. Much better now, just wanted to pass this along.

Yeah,I noticed this too. This setting can also be accessed directly from the glob menu. I think I set mine at 3.
n9zas

 

[KC8FAS]

software

What software are you using?

 

[jimg]

Hello all. Just wanted to report that this setting "SQ Wait 1 ('In-band SQ Timeout/Squelch Time Same Band in the software)" makes, (on my radio at least) a big difference on reception. Bringing the value down to 5 has changed my opinion of this radio. I knew it had great potential from what all of you reported but I was not getting the best reception, especially on 800 MHz. Much better now, just wanted to pass this along.

Can this setting be done manually?

 

[stevecubfan]

it can be done manually. press prog func glob 2nd line in expert settngs sq wait 1 enter 5 then save

 

[bkantor]

I do see such a setting in Win500 on the Extended Settings Tab - is it just that first field under "General Tuning" - "In Band SQ Timeout??

 

[Steveofcleve]

Expert Setting

I did the same thing this morning on my PSR500 and have also noticed a similar result in reception. Used ARC500 software which made changing the setting easy.

 

[jblake76]

Thanks for the heads up. I have had my 500 for a year and am still learning it's features. All help is welcome by me.

 

[RadioDaze]

What is it specifically that has improved with this adjustment?

 

[tampatracker]

The ability to capture weaker and/or "fringe" 8oo MHz Motorola type II systems is the first thing that caught my attention, since most of the Public safety uses these or EDACKs here in Florida. There also seems to be a benefit to conventional channels as well. I am using PSREdit.

 

[al95]

I just did the SQ wait 1 turn it down to 5. What does SQ wait 2 do?

 

[Nascar18]

Some of the problems I have is the 800mhz P25 systems maybe this change will help. One thing I have done is on conventional P25 I turn off the AGC digital setting it give it a clearer sound.

Here is a link to explain the expert settings : Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual

 

[bchappuie]

Looks like these are scan speed settings.

SQ Wait 1 Squelch wait time, same band 10 1-200, x1 ms In-band SQ Timeout
Squelch Time Same Band
Length of time to wait for a signal on a frequency while scanning (scan speed).
Lower value = faster scan speed. Higher value = slower scan speed.

SQ Wait 2 Squelch wait time, new band 15 1-200, x1 ms Out-of-band SQ Timeout Squelch Time Different Band
Length of time to wait for a signal on a frequency while scanning (scan speed)


http://wiki.radioreference.com/images/2/22/PSR-500_info.pdf

 

[Swipesy]

The ability to capture weaker and/or "fringe" 8oo MHz Motorola type II systems is the first thing that caught my attention, since most of the Public safety uses these or EDACKs here in Florida. There also seems to be a benefit to conventional channels as well. I am using PSREdit.

It seems to me after reading what this setting does is it that you would want to raise the setting not lower it to get better reception of fringe signals. When you lower the value the scanner moves faster and would be more than likely to miss fringe signals. If you slow the scan down it has a better chance of picking up a weak signal. No?

John

 

[tampatracker]

Theoretically that would seem to make sense if that is indeed the mechanics of whats going on. All I'm saying is that I've happily noticed a rather noticeable improvement on my reception. I've had a day now to observe this effect and can state with some degree of certainty that it's not an atmospheric type thing (unless that effect lasts longer than I've been observing), or an interference issue. So you're guess is as good as mine. TT. PS-This tip came from Mark's Easier to read manual for the PSR500 under the optimizing scanner performance section, where he states to Lower this setting from the default level of 10 to a 7 or a 5. Happy Scanning!

 

[DonS]

Decreasing those two values (SQ Wait 1 and SQ Wait 2) shouldn't "improve" reception. Here's what they do:
1.Tune to a target frequency and wait for PLL lock
2. Wait for time <x> looking for open squelch
3. If time <x> expires with no open squelch, move on to next frequency/channel

"Time <x>" is controlled by the two "SQ Wait n" settings. Decreasing them gives the scanner less time to acquire an active transmission.

In general:
* Increasing the values slows down scanning and searching, but makes it more likely that the scanner will stop on active transmissions
* Decreasing the values speeds up scanning and searching, but makes it more likely that the scanner will miss active transmissions

 

[Swipesy]

Thanks for clarifying that Don. That is the way I read the settings also. I find that the default settings works best for me.

John

 

[SQUAD109]

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can this be done on the 197?

 

[tampatracker]

Well, all I'm stating is that for me after reading this - " Optimizing Scanning Parameters Contents
Conventional Scanning
Setting the squelch properly is the easiest and quickest way to receive channels better.
Set the SQ Wait 1 ('In-band SQ Timeout'/'Squelch Time Same Band' in the software) down to 7 or 5."
From "Marks easier to read scanner manual" for the PSR 500 I noticed a improvement in reception. I'm just happy for the improvement. TT Afterthought : Now I'm going to try raising the settings to see how it goes.

 

[gewecke]

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can this be done on the 197?

Yes. I experiment with these settings quite often on my 197. Some are useful and others are best left untouched.
n9zas