Close Call Range & 396

[Viper43]

Just curious what kind of range people are finding with the Close Call. I found one that has the closest license is 30 miles away, my guess id there is a portable or mobile much closer.

V

 

[SCPD]

Hi,
Myself and a few scanner heads down here have done some testing and found that we could close call a 4W UHF signal over about 200M, I have personally done about 700m.

www.scanningtasmania.org/yabb

 

[rbm]

My BCD396T with the duck antenna runs 500 yards + or - for typical mobile activity (VHF Hi band.)

Inside the house connected to an amplified, outside antenna I normally find 1/2 to 1 mile or so. On both the 396 and a 996. Usually the BCD396T and BCD996T both alert at the same time. However, there are times when only one of them will get a hit. (Both are on the same antenna system.)

Also, Skytel phones overhead 20,000' or more. Typical air activity a mile or more. (Yes, there have been times that I've actually gone out and looked up when I've gotten aircraft related hits.)

Rich

 

[mikeATtleccdotnet]

I've tested the 996 out for closecall hit's and find that signal levels over -50 dBm triger the CC function. +- a bit depending on the band being received.

-Mike

 

[Viper43]

OK, well thats more or less what I figured, but this one frequency keeps coming up with audio and the closest transmitters are not anywhere near this frequency so I'm now thinking it is a mobile/portable in my area related to this company I am hearing. The company is licensed with several 40W transmitters.

V

 

[fi18re]

I have a 396t and when ever I have the close call feature on I never recieve any action where ever I might be. Do I have to change an option?What am I doing wrong?

 

[Dubbin]

I have a 396t and when ever I have the close call feature on I never recieve any action where ever I might be. Do I have to change an option?What am I doing wrong?

Look in your CC settings to see what freq range you have it set for.

 

[DickH]

I have a 396t and when ever I have the close call feature on I never recieve any action where ever I might be. Do I have to change an option?What am I doing wrong?

It is not designed to receive distant stations. It is to detect nearby transmitters. Read the manual. That's why it's called C L O S E Call.
Use the SEARCH feature to find distant stations.

 

[kma371]

It is not designed to receive distant stations. It is to detect nearby transmitters. Read the manual. That's why it's called C L O S E Call.
Use the SEARCH feature to find distant stations.

I don't think he said he wanted to receive "distant" stations.

Maybe there just isn't anyone transmitting near you or you have some bands locked out. Check your settings.

 

[LEH]

I haven't done any 'scientific' testing, but when I've had the 396 out in the car, using a 6" flexible antenna, there are three areas where I routinely pick up transmissions at distances just under half a mile.

1. a taxi service, range about 1/4 mile
2. VA state police, just under the half mile (unless their transmitter is on top of the building next to the road and not the tower sitting in the back yard of the DMV office).
3. A data channel from I have no idea where.