Scanner Control Channel sampling...

[APX8000]

I have a Uniden 396 scanner and use it to listen to my County's Motorola UHF Trunked Smartzone system. However, I've been having several problems lately.

The system simulcasts over two different control channels (two different frequencies). All talkgroups are the same on both systems. Basically, one control channel is for 3 towers and the other is for 4 towers located throughout the county. Both control channels are receivable from my location, but depending on where drive in the county, one CC may be stronger than the other.

Here's my problem. Once the scanner locks to one control channel, it will stay on that control channel until the signal is completely lost. I have both control channels set so it will pick up the next one if I have a signal, but i have to wait until the first CC is completely lost. By locking onto one control until lost, I also miss parts of conversations, because I may be receiving it at one bar, instead of five that may be available via the other control channel.

Is there anyway around this other than setting it up as 2 different systems ? Or locking out and unlocking control channels as i move about ?

I'm pretty sure Motorola radios have a control channel sampling feature to do away with this problem.

The system I used to monitor before I moved had one CC for all 10 towers and worked flawlessly.

 

[wjf]

I, too, have observed this problem.

Anyone know a work-around?

 

[Ricka71]

Just a thought, and I don't know how well it would work.
If you set them up in two systems and set the attenuator on one or both would that help?
I don't know you signal strengths nor is there a system like that here to see if it might work.

 

[UPMan]

On the 396 you must set up two different systems to do what you want.

Or, supplement your shack with a 996 and set each site up as different sites in the same system, then you can lock/unlock each site independently without having to duplicate your channels (not what you wanted to hear, I know).

 

[APX8000]

On the 396 you must set up two different systems to do what you want.

Or, supplement your shack with a 996 and set each site up as different sites in the same system, then you can lock/unlock each site independently without having to duplicate your channels (not what you wanted to hear, I know).

Didn't know the 996 had that feature. Might have to get a new toy.