Franklin county - Page 9

murrayustud · #**161** (**permalink**) 10-11-2012, 10:40 AM

I'm using a Uniden BCD996XT with an antenna mounted about 75 feet up can get a great signal on the system but transmissions are garbled & distorted much like the Dare County simulcast system, I think we are out of luck as scanner listeners on this one, time to buy that Motorola xts portable in a VHF range to monitor this one.

trumpetman · #**162** (**permalink**) 10-11-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrayustud

I'm using a Uniden BCD996XT with an antenna mounted about 75 feet up can get a great signal on the system but transmissions are garbled & distorted much like the Dare County simulcast system, I think we are out of luck as scanner listeners on this one, time to buy that Motorola xts portable in a VHF range to monitor this one.

If this system remains within 4 to 6 channels (and even better, if the CC never changes) this would be an excellent idea to passively scan with a true P25 portable. XTS3000, ASTRO Sabers, ASTRO Spectras are getting rather cheap on the market, and as long as they are flashed for P25 (you don't need any trunking abilities) you're good to go. Throw 4 or 5 popular channels in and you can monitor without any issues.

RMPDCOP · #**163** (**permalink**) 10-11-2012, 11:45 AM

I am picking up the system pretty well in my area, just outside of Spring Hope. They are still tweaking the system and Dispatch seems to be coming in clear with just my 396XT.
I am slowly gathering the TGID's and adding them to the Database as I go along.

trumpetman · #**164** (**permalink**) 10-11-2012, 3:08 PM

Excellent work so far Greg. Looks like you've got it under control, but let me know if you need any help with anything!

RMPDCOP · #**165** (**permalink**) 10-11-2012, 6:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumpetman

Excellent work so far Greg. Looks like you've got it under control, but let me know if you need any help with anything!

Will do!

srahn · #**166** (**permalink**) 10-12-2012, 10:21 AM

I have a 996 regular not the XT. I'm getting a pretty good signal on the control channel (151.280), but no audio on any of the other channels. Programmed the scanner for P25 trunking, but still don't hear anything. I'm near the corner of US 1 and Holden, so should pick up the Franklinton tower. Did I program something wrong?

gretsch · #**167** (**permalink**) 10-13-2012, 5:54 PM

I wasted $100 and the better part of this afternoon installing a discone on the roof....it doesn't receive as well as any of the antennas I have that plug into the back of the radios. I guess "full band" antennas are a myth. This is really disappointing. Guess I'll have to live with monitoring FC on the handheld, with the stock antenna....and Viper on the base with the "duckie".

jeffmulter · #**168** (**permalink**) 10-14-2012, 1:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gretsch

I guess "full band" antennas are a myth.

Wide band antennas are not a myth, but they are usually a compromise ... in terms of performance. The several discones I have do very well on VHF high band public safety, but performance drops off above 453 / 460 MHz.

The length and type of coax cable you use can also make a significant difference in reception of 800 MHz. signals.

reconrider8 · #**169** (**permalink**) 10-14-2012, 4:50 AM

What coax did you run with it?

gretsch · #**170** (**permalink**) 10-14-2012, 2:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reconrider8

What coax did you run with it?

...and that might be the head of the nail. I'm using 75' of RG-8x. Too much of the wrong kind?
I understand that wide band antennas are going to be a compromise, but I'm not seeing an increase in performance at VHF, UHF, or 800 with the discone. I even tried one of the RS Tribands and still no luck on the FC p 25 system. I get strong RF signal from the CC, but weak decode info (according to pro96com).

kc4jgc · #**171** (**permalink**) 10-15-2012, 2:24 AM

Wirelessly posted (SAMSUNG-SGH-T459/T459UVIA1 NetFront/3.4 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

In my view, 75 feet is too long for RG8X at 800Mhz. Get the best cable (low loss) you can afford. For many years, I has a RS discone (2 1/2 ft high, no low band spike atop) with 20 feet of RG213, transitioning to 10 feet RG58. VHF high, UHF were great; because there was a trunking site blocks away I had to attenuate for 800 MHZ, which limited my ability to recieve trunked systems in nearby cities.

If you can afford 75 feet of RG213, Belden 9913 or some other low loss cable (at least 90% shielding, the 2 named above are near 100%), I would reccomend that. You won't regret it!

reconrider8 · #**172** (**permalink**) 10-15-2012, 7:21 AM

Yea rg8 prob wouldnt be so bad on vhf and uhf but 800 good luck picking up anything try like lmr400

gretsch · #**173** (**permalink**) 10-15-2012, 8:53 PM

So.....is anyone having any luck monitoring this system? I've tried several different antenna/coax configurations (thanks for the suggestions) and , though I can get excellent signal strength from FC's analog vhf frequencies, I still cannot get above about 40% decode on the P25 system. Most of the time I'm averaging about 15%.

I'll admit my trunking experience is limited to the Wake Co Viper system, and I may very well be missing something simple.

I'm using Win500's "web import" function to download/program the system, but still get intermittent audio, and most of what little I get is very garbled. I've tried attenuation to rule out overload, and several other settings tweaks, with no luck. If anyone is successfully monitoring with a GRE/RS radio, I'd sure love to see your settings. Thanks again for all the help.

NCFire11 · #**174** (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 8:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gretsch

So.....is anyone having any luck monitoring this system? I've tried several different antenna/coax configurations (thanks for the suggestions) and , though I can get excellent signal strength from FC's analog vhf frequencies, I still cannot get above about 40% decode on the P25 system. Most of the time I'm averaging about 15%.

I'll admit my trunking experience is limited to the Wake Co Viper system, and I may very well be missing something simple.

I'm using Win500's "web import" function to download/program the system, but still get intermittent audio, and most of what little I get is very garbled. I've tried attenuation to rule out overload, and several other settings tweaks, with no luck. If anyone is successfully monitoring with a GRE/RS radio, I'd sure love to see your settings. Thanks again for all the help.

It has to just be the simple fact that scanners do not do well with simulcast. Which is weird because Wake Viper is simulcast if im correct, however it does not have these problems on my scanner. On the other hand, the system is perfect and clear as a bell on professional radios, which obviously is Harris' intention.

murrayustud · #**175** (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 9:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCFire11

It has to just be the simple fact that scanners do not do well with simulcast. Which is weird because Wake Viper is simulcast if im correct, however it does not have these problems on my scanner. On the other hand, the system is perfect and clear as a bell on professional radios, which obviously is Harris' intention.

Exactly why I'm buying a Motorola XTS portable to use just for this system....perfect solution & they have dropped a lot in price, can probably get one for around $300-$400. I own a lot of property in Franklin county and am a former firefighter in the area so for me it's worth it until some day when these scanner companies get with the program.

NCFire11 · #**176** (**permalink**) 10-16-2012, 9:17 PM

I think thats what i will end up doing. I did not get issued a portable so I think i will buy one to listen on the system for now. I can legally trunk the system but not until next September. In the contract only harris radios can be used the first year. However i can still use it to scan until then. Im thinking XTS2500

NCFire11 · #**177** (**permalink**) 10-20-2012, 8:02 AM

Well its official.

Following in the steps of Wayne County, NC which has a similar system to this, the leos are having nothing but problems so far. Dead zones have been discovered especially in between the Youngsville and Bunn areas. Fire and EMS have been put off from switching over.

OldFisherman · #**178** (**permalink**) 10-20-2012, 1:03 PM

NCFire11, wondering where Franklin County Fire and EMS went when the sheriff changed to digital. I used to be able to scan them on my BC178XLT with no problem - now all has been quiet since the changeover. Just got a new 396XT and with Greg's help got it going today. Had to get a new antenna, got a RS 20-032 which sits on a metal shelf in my shop next to a window. I live one mile west of the Rt. 1 Shell station on 96. Seems like Fire and EMS must be digital or has just disappeared. Guess the old days of inexpensive scanning are gone for good.

Stan

NCFire11 · #**179** (**permalink**) 10-20-2012, 5:01 PM

fire and rescue/ems are still being dispatched how they always were. try checking your PL tones, fire and ems is still on vhf analog. 154.1450 for fire and 155.5800 for ems, both with 136.5PL

ts548 · #**180** (**permalink**) 10-20-2012, 8:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCFire11

Well its official.

Following in the steps of Wayne County, NC which has a similar system to this, the leos are having nothing but problems so far. Dead zones have been discovered especially in between the Youngsville and Bunn areas. Fire and EMS have been put off from switching over.

What kind of problems? Dead zones? Which radio's are the LEO's using? Portables or Mobiles? If portables, are they actually take the radio off their belts and using them or leaving them on their belts and using the speaker mics?