700 mhz CC

[MikeyB]

I'm probably going to get one of the new GRE scanners when they come out. The primary reason is that my Pro 96 is on it's last legs. The screen is cracked and I can only read half of it and the AC port is pushed in and I have to use electrical tape to hold the adapter in place, and the battery pack doesn't work, so it's time for a new one anyways (and then maybe I can send the old one in for repair - does anyone know how to). Anyways, a side benefit is the 700 mhz CC trunking. I've noticed when I put in 700 mhz CC such as Auraria and State Capital that I can barely pick them up, and I'm only about 8 miles away. I'm wondering if I am having trouble because the Pro 96 only allows them by Win 96 expansion and so maybe it isn't as good as picking them up, or are the sites really that weak? Anybody with a 396 or 996 able to answer this?

Michael

 

[n0doz]

Basically, yes, the radio is the problem, not the sites. When you "tweak" a radio by computer, you still have a tuning circuit in the radio that isn't set (or tuned) to the new frequencies. The further you get away from the designed receive freqs, the worse the reception.

 

[SCPD]

Yes, and the Pro-96 has horrible sensitivity in the 700 range. I tested it a long time ago with a service monitor. The new scanners will be much better because they will be designed for 700.

 

[MikeyB]

Thanks for the input! I can't wait until I get it. That will make it even more useful for me, in addition to replacing (or supplementing) at POS Pro-96.

 

[jfab]

Might I suggest a case along with your new GRE ?

 

[captaincraig44]

FWIW, my 396 doesn't pick up the Auraria 700 MHz CC very well and I'm about 5 miles straight shot from it. I would almost venture to say that the transmission power of the 700 towers are lower than the typical 800 tower. Just a guess, but it seems that any 700 CC that I can receive is substantially weaker than an 800 from the same area/direction.

 

[jfab]

FWIW, my 396 doesn't pick up the Auraria 700 MHz CC very well and I'm about 5 miles straight shot from it. I would almost venture to say that the transmission power of the 700 towers are lower than the typical 800 tower. Just a guess, but it seems that any 700 CC that I can receive is substantially weaker than an 800 from the same area/direction.

I have the same problem with my 396 on Auraria, however I recieve the Adams County 700 site better than Lookout or Mount Thordin, which I use for 800. I think it just depenends where you are and what tower you are trying to receive!

 

[MMIC]

Keep in mind that those 700 MHz sites downtown are on top of pretty low-rise buildings and are designed to cover those specific areas...and not much more.

The terrain is also lower in downtown Denver, as compared to most areas in the metro.

 

[datainmotion]

Keep in mind that those 700 MHz sites downtown are on top of pretty low-rise buildings and are designed to cover those specific areas...and not much more.

The terrain is also lower in downtown Denver, as compared to most areas in the metro.

I was going to say the same. If you use Google Earth to look at the building the Auraria site is on, it's relatively short compared to its neighbors. In defense of its location, my guess is it fills in various gaps in downtown that the others can't.