Ohio MARCS - IP (Project 25 System)

[budevans]

Originally Posted by TV88KEYS

I'm having all kinds if trouble picking up the new MARCS-IP system on my HP-1E..It's connected to an outside ST-2 antenna..I can pickup Parma's P25, SWRCN, Cleveland's P25, and everything else within 40 miles of my home in the hills of Euclid...However my PSR-800 receives it clear as a bell with just the included antenna..I too am only a few miles down the road from Lake county..Any ideas??

Yeah, probably too much signal. Try using the HP-1E's included antenna, see if that helps.

Also you should check to see which MARCS P25 system is giving you problems. The Cuyahoga P25 is on 700 Mhz, the Lake County P25 is on 800 Mhz.

If I had to guess I'd say you are probably having issue's with the Cuyahoga 700 Mhz system.

Note: You will hear an almost even mix of Cuyahoga and eastern Lake County traffic on the Cuyahoga system.

[mtindor]

Originally Posted by TV88KEYS

I'm having all kinds if trouble picking up the new MARCS-IP system on my HP-1E..It's connected to an outside ST-2 antenna..I can pickup Parma's P25, SWRCN, Cleveland's P25, and everything else within 40 miles of my home in the hills of Euclid...However my PSR-800 receives it clear as a bell with just the included antenna..I too am only a few miles down the road from Lake county..Any ideas??

You've got to be more specific than that. "Problem?" Can you pick it up at all? If so, is it a problem whereby you get a poor / choppy P25 decode? What site(s) do you have programmed in?

I probably won't be the one to reply next time, but whomever does will need to know a bit more about the problem you are having.

Mike

[mtindor]

Originally Posted by GHF

Getting gun shy on on posting.

Hmm, don't do that You're extremely helpful in submitting information Gary. If it isn't right the first time, it gets corrected. I'd expect a lot of differing submissions in the beginning while the various talkgroups are becoming active. WIth multiple people anxious to listen to the new system, there are going to be times when multiple people submit differing data. The key is that we get it figured out eventually. At least if it gets submitted, people know what talkgroups to listen for. If the descriptions need updated later, no problem. Don't sweat it. We're always glad to get your submissions.

Mike

[cfd2613]

Originally Posted by mtindor

Brian,

I'm going by memory, but this is a two-stpe process. You need to update the library using GRESCAN. (This actually downloads the most recent database information from RadioReference). ANd then you need to update any trunked systems that you have programmed in with the new information. I can't help you any more than that because I don't use my PSR-800 and don't have the software installed right now.

The RRDB is probably going to get some Lake Co updates over the next few days as people are submitting new information. So you might hvae to update the library every day or two and then update your programmed trunked systems with the latest talkgroup data.

I don't remember if it's possible to add a talkgroup manually via the front face. I programmed it once and then forgot about it.

Mike

Thanks for the help! Sorry it took so long for my reply, but I had minor surgery.

Brian

[cfd2613]

I have a PSR -800 and almost all the traffic I hear is garbled or distorted. Only some of the traffic comes in clear, I live 1 mile from Mentor Fire Station #5. I 'll pick up the tones sometimes and only hear half of the call, If i pick up the scanner I lose almost all the traffic. I've tried different rooms and I still can't hear clear traffic, it sounds like garbage. Now , I can hear Hillcrest Fire nice and clear, but Lake County garbage.

I also have a plectron in my room for station #5, it goes off and my scanner doesn't even pick up the call, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. My scanner at times is quiet for a hour or so. I have a hard time believing know one is talking in the entire county for a hour.

Any ideas what the problem is or how I can hear clear traffic on my scanner? It's to the point where it's not even worth turning on my scanner anymore.

Thanks for the help, Brian

[TV88KEYS]

Sorry for the lack of information about my problem receiving the MARCS-IP system..I'm kinda new to this.I just downloaded the latest update from Uniden today.I just have it locked on that system.I am monitoring both the 700 and 800 side of the system..I do see a few agencies appear on the screen with very little or choppy audio.The 800 side is just as bad as the 700.I tried the attenuator button..It actually made it worse..I'm going to take a ride out in Lake county tonight with the stock antenna to see how it receives there..Thanks to all..Tony

[universalwc]

Originally Posted by cfd2613

I have a PSR -800 and almost all the traffic I hear is garbled or distorted. Only some of the traffic comes in clear, I live 1 mile from Mentor Fire Station #5. I 'll pick up the tones sometimes and only hear half of the call, If i pick up the scanner I lose almost all the traffic. I've tried different rooms and I still can't hear clear traffic, it sounds like garbage. Now , I can hear Hillcrest Fire nice and clear, but Lake County garbage.

I also have a plectron in my room for station #5, it goes off and my scanner doesn't even pick up the call, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. My scanner at times is quiet for a hour or so. I have a hard time believing know one is talking in the entire county for a hour.

Any ideas what the problem is or how I can hear clear traffic on my scanner? It's to the point where it's not even worth turning on my scanner anymore.

Thanks for the help, Brian

I am in the same boat with the distortion. I will hear some of the traffic and then it gets really distorted. Any help would be appreciated. I have a PRO-96 and since the switch it has become a paper weight. I live by the mall in Mentor and it's very surprising that my scanner can't pick up at least Mentor traffic.

[LZ56]

My Uniden Home Patrol scanner is not hearing Lake County's new MARCS P25 system. I downloaded the latest (10/7) DB, which includes the P25 changes, into Sentinel, created a favorite list for Lake County P25, then downloaded into my HP-1. I'm using the 800 mhz freqs as shown in RRDB. I hear nothing, zilch, nada. I can hear other MARCS stuff like OSHP just fine. I'm only 2 or 3 miles from the Wickliffe tower, I'm using a roof-mounted discone, and used to hear Lake County's old trunking system even with no antenna attached, so it can't be my location. HP-1 firmware version is 2.01 with extreme upgrade.

HELP!!! IS ANYONE IN OR NEAR LAKE COUNTY HEARING LAKE COUNTY P25 ON AN HP-1?

[KWs]

Can you hear Lake on MARCS P25 just using the full database, not using your favorite list ?

I cant hear Lake from my location unless a unit affiliates with Cuyahoga towers, so I can't help too much.

[eorange]

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It's obvious many are having problems. Can only speak about my PSR-500, but perfect Lake Co reception on the old system is really bad now with the new. And for some reason, Mentor PD is way worse than other TGs! That makes no sense.

I am confident this is due to the LSM / simulcast nature of the system, which unfortunately means not much can be done, other than aiming a beam to one tower and nulling out the other simultaneous transmissions (somehow).

Hillcrest is in my backyard and the FD is now almost unlistenable.

Everything I've read about simulcast sure sounds like what's going on here.

[rr1965]

I gave up my pro-96 with this system due to the garbled and the missed transmissions. I received my PSR-800 yesterday and it is picking up everything crystal clear. All I am using is my 800mhz antenna that I originally bought for the pro-96. I am in Madison Village so I am guessing I am just picking up the Madison tower. Maybe that is why I am not having the problem others are having. Just guessing though...

[budevans]

Originally Posted by LZ56

My Uniden Home Patrol scanner is not hearing Lake County's new MARCS P25 system. I downloaded the latest (10/7) DB, which includes the P25 changes, into Sentinel, created a favorite list for Lake County P25, then downloaded into my HP-1. I'm using the 800 mhz freqs as shown in RRDB. I hear nothing, zilch, nada. I can hear other MARCS stuff like OSHP just fine. I'm only 2 or 3 miles from the Wickliffe tower, I'm using a roof-mounted discone, and used to hear Lake County's old trunking system even with no antenna attached, so it can't be my location. HP-1 firmware version is 2.01 with extreme upgrade.

HELP!!! IS ANYONE IN OR NEAR LAKE COUNTY HEARING LAKE COUNTY P25 ON AN HP-1?

LZ56,

Sorry I don't own an HP-1, but there are a couple of things that I can suggest you look at. I'm assuming the software you use lets you manually input changes or updates.

First, check to make sure that the new MARCS Lake County P25 system is setup as a P25 trunking system. You mentioned that you hear other MARCS stuff like OSHP. That stuff is on the MARCS Moto Type II trunking system. Not the P25 system.

Second, check the RR database to make sure that you have the correct CC (control channels) for the P25 systems. Ohio MARCS-IP: Multi-Agency Radio Communications (P25) Trunking System, Various, Ohio - Scanner Frequencies

Third, make sure you have the new (P25) TG's (talk groups) downloaded. The TG's from the Moto Type II system won't work.

I also recommend the you have both Group and Private Wildcards (or whatever HP-1 calls them) setup to capture new TG's as they become active.

Both P25 systems Lake and Cuyahoga are very active. The Wickliffe tower is by far the most populated tower in the two county's. It houses the original MARCS Moto Type II systems for both Lake and Cuyahoga. Also the new MARCS P25 systems for both counties. Last but not least the former Lake County Moto Type II system.

Last but not least. If you make changes and start hearing traffic but it's garbled, disconnect the discone and try using the original HP-1 antenna. Too much signal is a problem for scanners on P25.

Goodluck, provide feedback as to what you find.

[budevans]

Originally Posted by rr1965

I gave up my pro-96 with this system due to the garbled and the missed transmissions. I received my PSR-800 yesterday and it is picking up everything crystal clear. All I am using is my 800mhz antenna that I originally bought for the pro-96. I am in Madison Village so I am guessing I am just picking up the Madison tower. Maybe that is why I am not having the problem others are having. Just guessing though...

Good guess. Location is everything for scanner users with these new systems.

[eorange]

Originally Posted by rr1965

I am in Madison Village so I am guessing I am just picking up the Madison tower. Maybe that is why I am not having the problem others are having. Just guessing though...

Not sure if you take your PSR-800 out and about with you, but it would be curious to know if your reception stays good when you approach Painesville and Mentor.

I've heard reports from two other PSR-800 owners that the overall reception is very good.

[radioscan]

I'm placing this info here for now and I will eventually merge it with 'Ohio MARCS Project-25' thread since it pertains to the overall system.

Last Friday the state applied for 700 MHz for the following sites in southwestern and central Ohio:

Southwest Ohio

Springfield
772.58125
774.38125
774.70625

Note: The Clark County SO will be using the 700 P25 when it comes online shortly. Nothing found from the Edison M/W tower yet

Dayton
772.85625
773.13125
773.48125

Urbana (new one for voice on MARCS)
771.75625
772.05625
772.33125
773.90625

Central Ohio

London
769.80625
770.75625
771.38125
771.65625

Washington CH
770.50625
771.78125
772.20625
772.68125
773.43125

Note: It appears that the Fayette County SO will change over from their recent switch to MotoTRBO to join the state P-25 system.

[GHF]

not that I'm aware of.

Re: Chagrin FD dispatch.

[rr1965]

I work in Mentor but don't usually bring it with me. I will bring it tomorrow and listen on my drive in and lunch break. I will report my results.

[GHF]

Active today......

This may be the Solon/ Glenwillow Pd.

Hearing mobiles calling 340.

340 is the UHF base and out of habit units may be calling on this.

Any help on this?

[gbearit]

Originally Posted by GHF

Active today......

This may be the Solon/ Glenwillow Pd.

Hearing mobiles calling 340.

340 is the UHF base and out of habit units may be calling on this.

Any help on this?

Just heard on Talkgroup 14490 a car call "340". Location was Solon Road by Davis Auto Group. That is Solon Ohio. I am currently in Highland Heights Ohio and picking up Solon on my GRE PSR-800 with a 800 MHz 2.5db Gain Professional Portable BNC Antenna clearly. It is somewhat garbled at times but I could never have picked them up before on the old system.

[budevans]

Originally Posted by GHF
Active today......

This may be the Solon/ Glenwillow Pd.

Hearing mobiles calling 340.

340 is the UHF base and out of habit units may be calling on this.

Any help on this?

Originally Posted by gbearit

Just heard on Talkgroup 14490 call 340. Location was Solon Road by Davis Auto Group. That is Solon Ohio.

GHF, go ahead and submit 14490 as Solon/Glenwillow PD. I can confirm gbearit's report.