CLMRN on HomePatrol 2

[motorman105]

Wondering if HP2 would be suitable for CLMRN ? I’m using my BCD325P2 and i’m spending a small fortune at COSTCO for AAs. I have an AC adapter and the eneloop rechargeable batteries but I’m thinking this would be more convenient and a good excuse to buy a new scanner!😬

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

HP2's are prone to simulcast distortion as is well documented here on the forums. Depending on your location relative to two or more simulcasting towers you may have issues. My recommendation would go to the Uniden SDS100 though others here will argue with me and say their non-SDS scanners work fine on the system & I wouldn't doubt them. Again it's all about location, location, location & the SDS series scanners were designed to mitigate LSM/simulcast distortion. You're taking a gamble which you may or may not win with anything else

 

[BabaDude77]

HP2's are prone to simulcast distortion as is well documented here on the forums. Depending on your location relative to two or more simulcasting towers you may have issues. My recommendation would go to the Uniden SDS100 though others here will argue with me and say their non-SDS scanners work fine on the system & I wouldn't doubt them. Again it's all about location, location, location & the SDS series scanners were designed to mitigate LSM/simulcast distortion. You're taking a gamble which you may or may not win with anything else

I agree 100% my 325p2 is junk on the CLMRN system I got a G4 for the same price as the SDS if all you want it just for CLMRN I would totally suggest the G4 over the SDS just for the fact that with an added screen protector the thing is almost bomb proof haha and reception is great haven’t found any real bad spots with it.

 

[doctordialtone]

I’m using my BCD325P2 and i’m spending a small fortune

I have great luck with my 325P2 on CLMRN but I leave it on the AC adapter.

My SDS 200 also works great on the system.

 

[motorman105]

My BCD325P2 gets CLMRN with 4 bars. I think I’m in a good spot for simulcast reception. Yes, both the SDS1 and 200 are amazing scanners I just don’t care for the design and huge battery on the SDS100.

 

[doctordialtone]

Yes, both the SDS1 and 200 are amazing scanners

Yeah, the SDS100 doesn't have a very solid "track record".

 

[mass-man]

You should never need an excuse to buy another scanner
Honestly the HP2 is getting long in the tooth...a newer scanner is going to be a better investment. I hear several simulcast systems easily with my BCD996P2s but that's all my location. Once I take one into the city, no bueno.

 

[W1KNE]

Yeah, the SDS100 doesn't have a very solid "track record".

Still has a better track record on CLMRN than a 996 , 325 or other non simulcast scanner does, though.

 

[doctordialtone]

Still has a better track record on CLMRN than a 996 , 325 or other non simulcast scanner does, though.

That's debatable. It totally depends on a number of factors including location, programming, antenna, etc.

I won't debate the issue, though. Let's just say YMMV.

 

[W1KNE]

That's debatable.

No it's not. Not even close. Your rare stand along experience does not reflect how these receivers actually work.
Take a Unication or SDS and put it side by side with the cheaper models, and there is absolutely zero comparison in the performance on CLMRN.
The Uni and SDS are -actually designed- for better digital decoding, faster response, and better simulcast reception. That's a fact.

 

[garys]

From my experience on trips to Austin, TX the SDS100 is far superior to the 436HP receiving simulcast systems. The SDS200 is also superior to the 536HP on CLMRN. When I drove through CT wih a 536HP in my truck there were often dead spots.

No dead spots with the SDS200.

 

[BabaDude77]

LOL No it's not. Not even close. Your rare stand along experience does not reflect how these receivers actually work.
Take a Unication or SDS and put it side by side with the cheaper models, and there is absolutely zero comparison in the performance on CLMRN.
The Uni and SDS are -actually designed- for better digital decoding, faster response, and better simulcast reception. That's a fact.

I can attest to this. I have done this with my G4 and 325P2 and like you said the 325 was not even close. I would say I was getting 1/3 of the conversation when the G4 was receiving 100% with no reception issues.

 

[motorman105]

No it's not. Not even close. Your rare stand along experience does not reflect how these receivers actually work.
Take a Unication or SDS and put it side by side with the cheaper models, and there is absolutely zero comparison in the performance on CLMRN.
The Uni and SDS are -actually designed- for better digital decoding, faster response, and better simulcast reception. That's a fact.

I’ve never even heard of Unication until this thread!
Are they hard to program? Sounds like they are worth checking out for simulcast scanning.
Thanks

 

[KK4JUG]

The HP 1 & 2 are great as far as what they were designed to do. I have one of each. My daughter is a pilot and she uses the 1 to monitor air traffic since she lives near the airport. The 2 is sitting on the shelf. There are things they were not designed to handle, not the least of which is simulcast. It is what it is. Their design will not permit upgrading to newer technology. If your needs are more than the HP can handle, it's time to move up. Uniden's SDS scanners will let you listen to just about anything you're entitled to hear. While they're a little pricey, they have no equal.

 

[sefrischling]

Still has a better track record on CLMRN than a 996 , 325 or other non simulcast scanner does, though.

Never had an issue, at all, with the 996P2. I use two of them on CLMRN, as well as Waterford/New London's simulcast system and RISCON. Never had an issue yet.

 

[sefrischling]

I’ve never even heard of Unication until this thread!
Are they hard to program? Sounds like they are worth checking out for simulcast scanning.
Thanks

I use the Unication G3 VHF/UHF and G5 VHF/7-800. My G5 is only programmed with 7-800, I use it on CLMRMN all day, every day, and it is great. There is a learning curve programming them, but mess around for a day or two and you'll figure it out. It is not hard, it is just different, especially when it comes to programming sites, but there are a number of quality YouTube videos to walk you through it all.

 

[sefrischling]

I can attest to this. I have done this with my G4 and 325P2 and like you said the 325 was not even close. I would say I was getting 1/3 of the conversation when the G4 was receiving 100% with no reception issues.

You have no reception issues? I can cite a multitude of dead spots on CLMRN in East Lyme, Montville, Norwich. they are small, but they are there. Not only does my G5 go deaf, so do portables on the network. Move 5ft and you're fine though.

 

[BabaDude77]

You have no reception issues? I can cite a multitude of dead spots on CLMRN in East Lyme, Montville, Norwich. they are small, but they are there. Not only does my G5 go deaf, so do portables on the network. Move 5ft and you're fine though.

The only dead spot I have on troop E site I have found is around Waterford fire station 4 and the East Lyme line but like I said my 325 is junk on the CLMRN in most places and only picks up parts of the traffic when it gets reception. But it works fine on the Waterford system 95% of the time. My G4 is great 99% of the time except for the small portion of Boston post rd.

 

[W1KNE]

Never had an issue, at all, with the 996P2. I use two of them on CLMRN, as well as Waterford/New London's simulcast system and RISCON. Never had an issue yet.

Again, your situation, like Dr. Dial Tone's is unique, and not the norm. If it was the norm that standard off the shelf trunking scanners had no issue with simulcast, then why did Uniden spend so much money to develop a scanner decidedly on receivers for simulcast distortion, or other higher end receivers as well? (And because I was actually told this once. I do not hate the 996P2. I have two of my own and I like the receivers for what they are).

I can cite a multitude of dead spots on CLMRN

This is very true. Go up into North West Litchfield County. There a ton of dead spots in the terrain. Sharon/Salisbury have quite a few as I've heard. Even larger than the 5 foot difference. There are other spots where I've had almost no signal on the south side of the Talcott Mountain area.

 

[Cheeseburgers]

Wanted to chime in here... A few weeks ago I picked one of these up for a really low price, new in box... HP2 that is. I am in an area that is sorta smack dab in the middle of Troop L's zone... the HP2 works fantastic there. The situation at my office is a bit different... it has Troop L site and Troop H site in equal parts and the only radio that ever really excelled beyond my expectations when trying to listen to H site at that location was the P25rx, the runner up was the G4, with the SDS not far behind and the 325p2 being hit or miss, and had to be positioned just right to get really anything at all... that being said if I went half mile down the road in either direction the 325 came to life on H site ... so it was a relatively small location where the radio had an issue. Also, the problem only existed when I wanted to listen to the Troop H site, if I went back to Troop L from that same location the 325 was fine (as were all of the other radios)... as is the case with the HP2.

Both the 325p2 and the HP2 are excellent radios... but the modulation scheme does not effectively decode in those problem areas like my office. From my house the HP2 and 325p2 perform on part with all other radios I've used from that location... including my old SDS100, my G4/G5 (when I had them), PSR800, and 436HP.. it really does come down to location... it might make sense to look at the coverage maps in the DB and make a decision base on where you are!

-S