Problems Receiving MPSCS..(More)

DewAddict · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 06:45 PM

Hi All,

Lately My brother and I have had problems monitoring the MPSCS on our Pro-96 scanners. We are even experiencing horrible reception in our cars using external antennas. It worked fine up until late last week. Do you think it might be due to the Large Solar Flare on the sun. I heard about it on MSN news. They said it might cause communication issues nationwide for a few weeks. Just thought I'd ask around and see if its a common problem and not just our scanners dying.

Thanks, What a great site!!!

Rob

RyltnVFD · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 06:49 PM

Are you using an external antenna specifically made for 800MHz?

DewAddict · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 06:59 PM

Yes I am and it was working fine for two weeks with the same antenna then just suddenly became weak and broken. I have even left the scanner in the same spot the entire time to make sure it wasn't the scanner antenna connection. What antenna would you recommend for this application?

Sorry I know this isn't a scanner forum don't mean to get into that issue just wondering about the reception. Thought maybe some issues might be present with the system.

Rob

Al42 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 07:12 PM

[QUOTE=DewAddict]1) Solar flares don't affect 850 MHz very much - it's mainly HF and lower (including 60 Hz) that's affected.

Quote:

Sorry I know this isn't a scanner forum

I didn't know the state forums forbid discussing scanners in relation to problems with a state system.

Quote:

Thought maybe some issues might be present with the system.

That's what it sounds like to me. There's still a flare (http://www.n3kl.org/sun/noaa.html - the images at http://www.n3kl.org/sun/index.html are particularly interesting the past few days) but it really shouldn't be affecting that system that much.

jimsokol · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 08:29 PM

No issues with the system that I know of. What part of the state are you in? Possibly a distant tower/station is interfering. Are you receiving some out of area radio traffic on other freqs lately??

...jim

rdale · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2005, 08:47 PM

The solar flare would not result in reception problems with MPSCS...

toydriver_det · #7 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdale

The solar flare would not result in reception problems with MPSCS...

i live 2 miles north of detroit and i am not picking anything up with an 800 mhz rubber duckie on the detroit system and i have noticed a lot more digital signals in place of clear transmissions on the state police road patrols.
toydriver

rdale · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 01:40 PM

That may be, however it still is not connected to the flare. I'd try other radios / antennas / towers / etc.

marcp90 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 04:41 PM

I have been having problems with the Howell Tower. Last week it started loosing reception in places that never used to loose reception. I noticed it got better today.

DewAddict · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 05:04 PM

Marcp90,

I live in Brighton and I have found the same problem, but seems to be much better again since last night. I monitor alot here in Dearborn at my work, but inside our building it does not receive well at all. The new Detroit system is aweful in here. I get bits and pieces of the transmissions on EMS and Fire talkgroups and I am at Ford rd and Southfield just outside of Detroit City limits.

Thunderbolt · #11 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcp90

I have been having problems with the Howell Tower. Last week it started loosing reception in places that never used to loose reception. I noticed it got better today.

That would make sense, since the techs were working on the Howell tower early this morning. Apparently, they fixed the problems at that site. :-)

73's

Ron

marcp90 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

That would make sense, since the techs were working on the Howell tower early this morning. Apparently, they fixed the problems at that site.

Do you know what the problem was that casued such crappy reception.

Thunderbolt · #13 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcp90

Do you know what the problem was that casued such crappy reception.

From what was said, they wanted to check out the signal amplifiers at the antenna and the transmitters for any problems. I would suspect lightning damage but we haven't had any thunderstorms lately.

73's

Ron

B4U · #14 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 11:28 AM

I also have seen some days better than others. I think weather has more to do with it unless the tower is getting work done on it of course.

At my work the building is metal and cuts out most signals AM/FM cell and most scanner freq.
Nextel just put in a antenna on the roof and little white plastic covers on the ceiling (mini repeater system??) and it has been great for Nxtel phones but it also is working for the 800MHZ MI state system. Now I can walk around and get good signal. The outside antenna is pointed right at one of the 800 system towers. What luck. Made me very happy I spend so much time at work now time goes by faster and I know what is going on outside.