Houston County - 536HP

[MaxxJay]

Dug my BCD536HP out of the closet. Had to replace the SD card and decided to clear all settings on the scanner. I used Sentinel Software to update the firmware and database. I created a favorite for Macon-Bibb, Houston, Peach, and Ham radios. Looks like it is scanning but.. I get nothing on the first 3 and Ham repeaters work fine. I’ve got something mis configured, just don’t know what. Services are turned on. Thanks in advanced.

 

[MaxxJay]

Dug my BCD536HP out of the closet. Had to replace the SD card and decided to clear all settings on the scanner. I used Sentinel Software to update the firmware and database. I created a favorite for Macon-Bibb, Houston, Peach, and Ham radios. Looks like it is scanning but.. I get nothing on the first 3 and Ham repeaters work fine. I’ve got something mis configured, just don’t know what. Services are turned on. Thanks in advanced.

Interestingly enough, I am getting some action from Houston County P25 this morning. EMS/Fire dispatch seems to be the most active. Last night it was dead. Error rate seems high at over 50 for most transmissions. Sometimes garbled or cut off. I don’t remember Houston being so quiet a few years ago. I REALLY wish I had a backup of my old config. Word to the wise.

Nothing at all from Macon-Bibb, but it was like that for me before. I never was successful in sorting that system out and gave up.

 

[kg4ojj]

Houston's system is a simulcast type of trunking system, which means that you'll do better with an SDS type scanner (or even an SDR receiver) OR with your current scanner and some antenna "adjustments." I mean that you should try various antennas, scanner placements, etc. I'm not joking when I say to try a paper clip. I have an SDS100 in my truck and can hear the Houston and Bibb systems 100% clear when in the area. I was up there this weekend and both systems are all good for me.

We can also look at your programming setup to see if you've set it correctly.

Don't give up! It's a receiver and/or programming issue, which both are fixable.

 

[MaxxJay]

Houston's system is a simulcast type of trunking system, which means that you'll do better with an SDS type scanner (or even an SDR receiver) OR with your current scanner and some antenna "adjustments." I mean that you should try various antennas, scanner placements, etc. I'm not joking when I say to try a paper clip. I have an SDS100 in my truck and can hear the Houston and Bibb systems 100% clear when in the area. I was up there this weekend and both systems are all good for me.

We can also look at your programming setup to see if you've set it correctly.

Don't give up! It's a receiver and/or programming issue, which both are fixable.

What is the best way to share what I have in Sentinel? I have the same antenna in the same place. It is a Radio Shack discone up in my attic. A paper clip I have! Will try that!

 

[GeorgiaScan]

I live in Macon and actively scan both systems. I have the 536 along with the SDS200. The 536 misses quite a bit where as the SDS200 works like a charm. I have a Diamond discone mounted outside my house. Houston's reception is not the greatest at my location, a lot of the transmissions come through garbled.

Also, I have had great success with the RTLSDR. I have two running with SDRTrunk connected to the same discone and it hangs right with the SDS200. That is how I am currently feeding Bibb to Broadcastify.

 

[kg4ojj]

Export hpe to your desktop or common folder.
Zip it up via WinZIP or 7Z and attach it here. Sometimes just adding ".txt" to the end of the file name works, too.

 

[MaxxJay]

Here is the file. It is pretty much as it came off the database. I live close to the Houston/Bibb county line. A little south and east of Byron off 41. Is the general consensus that the 536hp is not quite up to the task of scanning Macon-Bibb? It looks like the SD100 and SD200 are on par feature wise. Is that correct? Thanks again for the assistance.

 

[kg4ojj]

I didn't see any major errors in your programming. I cleaned up the frequency list, removed the Peach County site, and added some other unknown talkgroups to the list. All of my changes are in ALL CAPS.

It is very likely that you are close (or in-range) of two or more simulcast towers (same frequencies transmitting at the same time). Houston County subscriber radios can handle it, your 536HP likely cannot -- without modification (e.g., paperclip antenna).

(edited to add the correct hpe file)

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I've owned two 536HPs (still have one) and a 436HP, all suffer the effects of simulcast distortion. Macon's smack dab right in the middle of 3 simulcast cells so you're likely within range of all 3. As aforementioned you'd be much better off with an SDS100

 

[GeorgiaScan]

I am curious how a Unication pager would handle Bibb's system. I am looking for a mobile scanner and it is up between the SDS100 and the G4. I have a RS Pro-668 that has been changed over to the Whistler firmware but it is hot garbage. I'd like to try out a new brand as I am pretty well set on Uniden scanners with the SDS200 and the 536.

 

[kg4ojj]

The Unication G5 works awesome-ly well in Bibb, Houston, and Monroe counties. Sounds like a subscriber's radio, with great following and simulcast handling. It does not do conventional and trunking at the same time. If you want to hear GSP on VHF, I just turn the knob to a pre-set channel for them. If you want to hear Houston, different knob. Each trunked group (county level) or talkgroup can be assigned to a knob position. Eight knob positions per zone, up to 64 zones. Each knob position can scan up to 64 talkgroups or 16 conventional channels. It takes a bit to get used to it, but they are awesome scanner receivers.

 

[MaxxJay]

I didn't see any major errors in your programming. I cleaned up the frequency list, removed the Peach County site, and added some other unknown talkgroups to the list. All of my changes are in ALL CAPS.

It is very likely that you are close (or in-range) of two or more simulcast towers (same frequencies transmitting at the same time). Houston County subscriber radios can handle it, your 536HP likely cannot -- without modification (e.g., paperclip antenna).

(edited to add the correct hpe file)

Thank you. I will give this a try. I may also look to pick up a SDS200. Anyone need a lightly used 535HP, 😂 ?

 

[kg4ojj]

@MaxxJay, PM sent.

 

[MaxxJay]

I've owned two 536HPs (still have one) and a 436HP, all suffer the effects of simulcast distortion. Macon's smack dab right in the middle of 3 simulcast cells so you're likely within range of all 3. As aforementioned you'd be much better off with an SDS100
View attachment 144241

Well, you may be correct. I traded up to an SDS100 ( thanks @kg4ojj) and the difference is night and day! Drove home yesterday with the SDS and included antenna. I had better reception using that, than the 536 got with the attic antenna. I was listening to Bibb with the stock antenna in my kitchen! I had no idea what a change it would be. I should have purchased an SDS years ago.

Now to find an SDS200!

 

[N1XDS]

As someone that grew up around scanners most of my life the Uniden SDS100 ands SDS200 sounds a lot better dealing with simulcast systems. I had great outcome with the Houston County system over the Bibb County system even though I had a outdoor antenna/DPD Omni-X outdoor antenna that picked up most of anything I tried to listen to at the time before taking down the antenna to put the DPD ADSB outdoor antenna which works really well.

- Jamie