pro 97/2055 question

[bigdaddyduke]

when scanning through the channels some channels on both scanners show there being a CT code (or CT search)...however on most channels (that I know have a code) nothing shows up in the display.

Any ideas why?
Chris

 

[n2mdk]

What mode are those channels stored in FM or CT, they need to be in CT for it to display.

 

[bigdaddyduke]

that answers that...they were in FM mode...should I switch all channels to CT mode to show the tone/code??

Thanks
Chris

 

[n2mdk]

If you want to to show or search for CTCSS put them in CT mode.

 

[edmondcops]

Of course, it's always possible that some of your freqs don't have a CTCSS tone encoded, thus no display. But CTCSS is one of the things l love about the PRO 97. Makes the squelch irrelevant, which helps with weak-signal reception.

 

[ILikeHatchChili]

Of course, it's always possible that some of your freqs don't have a CTCSS tone encoded, thus no display. But CTCSS is one of the things l love about the PRO 97. Makes the squelch irrelevant, which helps with weak-signal reception.

One thing I do not like about using the CTCSS/DCS feature (I use it all the time when I know it), is that, with the 97 or the 2055, the scanning process stops and the scanner locks up on a CTCSS/DCS channel that has no activity AND the squelch is TOO tight (for instance, fully turned ccw), .... the scanner stops and parks at that "noisy" inactive channel.. forever.

Whenever I see that the scanner is apparently scanning only one of the banks I selected for scanning, and hear no activity for a long time, I get suspicious and then press the MAN button to see if the "signal-present" icon (jagged lightning bolt at the end of the second display line) is turned on. If so, I would turn the squelch knob cw until the icon disappears and hopefully not move the setting unintentionally, like when adjusting the volume.

Do other brand scanners act the same way with CTCSS/DCS channels? i.e., lock on noise?

Thanks.
Peter

 

[n2mdk]

That problem has nothing to do with CTCSS settings it's simply the squelch threshold setting is to low, that will happen on any conventional frequency, with any radio.

 

[ILikeHatchChili]

What I mean to say is that when the scanner is parked on a channel like I described, I have no idea that the scanner is not scanning (if I am not watching the display) like I think it is (scanning), because the audio is squelched, and I do not hear noise. The audio is squelched because the subaudible PL tone I set for that channel is not present in the noise.

My question still stands: do other scanners lock on noise even with a PL?... or do they detect the absence of a carrier and then let the scanner go on scanning?

Peter

 

[n2mdk]

OK now I understand better yes all PL/DCS encoded radios will do that, that's one reason that unless you have a problem with RF it's better not to use the the code squelch for receive.
No I'm wrong if the code squelch is on the radio shouldn't keep the scanner on the channel if it's not active.

 

[gmclam]

PRO-97 CT/DC mode...

...My question still stands: do other scanners lock on noise even with a PL?... or do they detect the absence of a carrier and then let the scanner go on scanning?

If the channel is programmed as "FM", then only the carrier controls the squelch. If the channels is programmed with a tone (not in tone search mode), then when a carrier (or enough noise to break the signal squelch) is detected, the scanner must stop long enough to attempt to decode a tone. With a good signal it does not take long to determine the tone and the scanner either opens the audio squelch or moves on. But if the signal is poor, it does seem to take longer than I'd like to decide to move on (since the correct tone is not present).

Considering all the bugs I've found in GRE scanners, and the fact they can't seem to make the 2 second delay work correctly, I must assume that they are not handling this issue correctly either.