Low Audio

[W2IRT]

Hi all,

I've really been out of scanning for quite some time (and only really NYC's conventional and trunked public safety stuff at that), so I'm not really sure about what to make of the new "narrow" channelization that I've heard about.

I'm guessing the 780/785 are not equipped with the ultra-narrow IF's needed for these new systems, which is why so many PDs and FDs (Verona trunking, North Caldwell to name but two) are so weak. I'm guessing they're using 2.5kHz deviation instead of the usual 5.0??

Do the new scanners out there have narrowband integrated or would I still have the same issues if I bought a 396D to replace the 785?

 

[SCPD]

N. Caldwell is not trunked. They are on 476.475. Verona comes in fine for me. EDACS Is slightly quieter for some reason, but still loud enough to hear.

 

[W2SJW]

The 396 is equipped for narrow-band operation - the problem is that the unit sets NFM as the default when you start to set up channels & systems, and many leave it that way...

Then you have to jack up the volume a little more to hear. The latest firmware upgrade for the 396 seems to have affected the volume on the unit. Analog systems & channels seem louder at '6' and above than they used to be, and digital seemed to have gotten softer...

The only radio I own that does an outstanding job of keeping NFM channels 'even' in volume level with standard FM is my Icom ID-800H (it's like Icom built Moto's X-BAND technology into the radio by default!).

Now, if I can only figure out why the hell they gave us 6.25 spacing on VHF in that radio, instead of 7.5...

 

[W2IRT]

Yes, I know North Caldwell is not trunked; the point I was making is that their audio is so low I have to boost the volume all the way to the right, and even then, it's very hard to hear, low-level and not as wide a frequency range as W. Caldwell or (especially) Fairfield, who have the best sounding system in these parts, IMHO.

Everything on Verona's trunking system is so low in level on both my 780 and 785 that even with the volume cranked all the way up, I still can't make out much of what's being said.

 

[W2SJW]

That's because they are a Narrowband EDACS system - I get the exact same symptoms when I listen to the Trump Plaza 900 MHz system in A.C.

 

[n2nov]

Hey Pete!

The 780/785 _can_ do narrow FM. Just set it that way for all public service frequencies, I do. Either they currently are or will soon be switching to narrow. The effect of having narrow setting for a normal FM channel? They will sound a little louder since the deviation of normal FM is 5Khz and narrow is 2.5 Khz.

 

[W2IRT]

That's because they are a Narrowband EDACS system - I get the exact same symptoms when I listen to the Trump Plaza 900 MHz system in A.C.

So do their own radios sound equally bad or do they have some compensating circuitry and amplification that makes received audio as loud and clear as a conventional/5 kHz dev. system? I'd really hate to think police officers and firefighters would have to trust their safety to something akin to a mumble all day long!

Hey Pete!

The 780/785 _can_ do narrow FM. Just set it that way for all public service frequencies, I do. Either they currently are or will soon be switching to narrow. The effect of having narrow setting for a normal FM channel? They will sound a little louder since the deviation of normal FM is 5Khz and narrow is 2.5 Khz.

Hi Charlie. Good to see you're still around.

I have the 780 and 785 set for NFM on these frequencies. Honestly, it doesn't make a lot of difference, though.

 

[W2SJW]

So do their own radios sound equally bad or do they have some compensating circuitry and amplification that makes received audio as loud and clear as a conventional/5 kHz dev. system? I'd really hate to think police officers and firefighters would have to trust their safety to something akin to a mumble all day long!

I believe the proper name for the technology is 'companding', and I think that their radios do equalize the audio. I've stood next to TP security officers, and their HT's sounded just fine to me (considering all the noise in there!).

 

[xpawel15x]

For me, bergen county towns come in very low....like Saddle Brook and Elmwood Park especially...IDK if its my radio or it's them.