frequency issue?

[bobcatintn]

hi. i have 2 scanners, both unidens, one is a mobile and the other a handheld. i have researched and programmed in all the local law enforcement frequencies. most counties come in loud and clear EXCEPT my home county, i recieve it but the volume and clarity is way off. the other night i accidentally hit the search button while listening and as my scanner dialed in it got much louder on the next freq. but i was only able to get bits and pieces of the conversation whereas before i could get it all just low volume. i looked on the data base and it lists the frequency as 158.7525. both of my scanners are unable to accept this "half band " as i call it. i can program 158.7500, which is where i was before, or 158.7550 which is where i get increased volume but poor coverage? any ideas?

 

[bezking]

Since this issue appears to be scanner-related, I have moved your post to the Uniden Scanners forum.

If you could specify the model number(s) of the scanners you are having trouble with, it would be helpful.

 

[bobcatintn]

one is a bc355c im not sure of the other right off

 

[SkipSanders]

Welcome to the new 'narrowband' public safety systems.

The FCC has mandated that systems in VHF must switch to 7.5 KHz channel spacing (old spacing was 15 KHz), resulting in these 'odd' frequencies. The signals have their deviation (width) turned down to suit, which is why the volume is very low on a scanner not designed for these new narrowband signals.

The 'old' channels around this new one of your area would have been 158.745 and 158.760

It used to be that an error of 2.5 KHz (what you are seeing) didn't matter to a scanner, with the wider signals, but with the new, very narrow signals, it can result in poor reception. All you can do is pick the closest channel your scanner can get, on either side, and see which works better.

Newer scanners have the 7.5 KHz steps available, or have 2.5 KHz steps instead, and have a narrowband option, or an option to adjust volume on each channel seperately.

 

[bobcatintn]

thanks

I sorta figured it was something like that. ill take time and play with it some. its a very rural area, and sometimes you have to listen for hours before there is any radio traffic. in fact at night if you call 911 the call is routed to the dispatchers residence if that tells you anything

 

[jcpd9720]

Prices for really high tech scanners has come down quite a bit in recent years. If you don't need one that handles Project 25 systems, a very nice scanner such as the Bearcat 346 can be had for a decent amount on Scanner Master (the website advertised at the top of every page on the site) From what I can tell, it is just like my scanner, the 396xt, without the P-25 digital. It will accept the "half band" frequencies, and can store a very large number of channels, complete with alpha-numeric display of the channel name.

***No I don't work for either ScannerMaster.com or Uniden... I just like helping, and have been very pleased with my scanner***