Pro96Com SDR and Pro96Com

[jake_Braker]

Due to my area being simulcast, I can't use my 996P2 anymore with Pro96. I was wondering if the SDR I was looking at would function with Pro96 because I enjoy the UI with that software and honestly, I want to avoid having to learn a new software

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[maus92]

Why? Simulcast should not adversely affect control channel decoding. The 996P2 is not listed as being a supported radio, however the 996XT is, so the P2 might work. Audio decoding is a different matter. Unfortunately, ProCom96 does not support SDRs.

 

[jake_Braker]

Ok. Thanks! I'm not sure why Pro96 isnt working with my 996P2 but once they flipped the switch on simulcast, I haven't been able to get more than 30%

 

[maus92]

Ok. Thanks! I'm not sure why Pro96 isnt working with my 996P2 but once they flipped the switch on simulcast, I haven't been able to get more than 30%

I'm not sure what system you are monitoring and how far your monitoring site is from the various simulcast towers, but you can try a couple tricks: turn on antennation; shorten or lengthen your antenna (aka detuning,) or disconnect it entirely. It's also possible that your RSSI is low because of the alignment of transmit site antennas, and reduction of ERP on the new system design. Lots of factors can cause a lower decode rate.

And I need to revise my earlier statement: while simulcast can affect cch decoding, it almost never makes it impossible.

 

[GTR8000]

Why? Simulcast should not adversely affect control channel decoding.

Simulcast distortion and/or multi-path can negatively impact control channel decoding just as it does with voice traffic decoding. Why would you think there would be any difference, when the repeaters are using the same modulation for both control and traffic?

 

[maus92]

IDK, because I don't experience it? While traffic channel decoding can suffer, the data channels seem to work well enough for control channel decoding software - at least in the simulcast systems I monitor in the DC Metro area - which are > than 20.

 

[slicerwizard]

Since control channel messages related to voice calls are typically retransmitted multiple times, how would you know?

 

[maus92]

Exactly my point. In practical terms, it's doesn't seem to be an issue for control channel decoding software, at least in my experience on the multiple systems that I monitor when using UT2. But as I stated, the traffic / voice channels seem to be more affected when not using hardware or software not optimized for simulcast reception (which btw includes Unitrunker 2 which in my experience can have quality problems decoding voice even when the cch decode quality is 100% and decent RSSI.)

 

[jake_Braker]

I'm not sure what system you are monitoring and how far your monitoring site is from the various simulcast towers, but you can try a couple tricks: turn on antennation; shorten or lengthen your antenna (aka detuning,) or disconnect it entirely. It's also possible that your RSSI is low because of the alignment of transmit site antennas, and reduction of ERP on the new system design. Lots of factors can cause a lower decode rate.

And I need to revise my earlier statement: while simulcast can affect cch decoding, it almost never makes it impossible.

Monitoring NC Viper on the Gaston Simulcast (7 sites) with the closest one being 5 (aerial) miles while also running a Yagi external antenna in the direction of the site tower

 

[maus92]

Monitoring NC Viper on the Gaston Simulcast (7 sites) with the closest one being 5 (aerial) miles while also running a Yagi external antenna in the direction of the site tower

You could try pointing the yagi at another donor tower, and hopefully one that doesn't have another site further distant but inline, or within 30° either side of the beam. And try without any antenna at all, a detuned antenna, a yagi not pointing directly at a site, etc. Do you know the orientation of the transmit antenna at the donor site? It may not be omni.

 

[jake_Braker]

You could try pointing the yagi at another donor tower, and hopefully one that doesn't have another site further distant but inline, or within 30° either side of the beam. And try without any antenna at all, a detuned antenna, a yagi not pointing directly at a site, etc. Do you know the orientation of the transmit antenna at the donor site? It may not be omni.

I don't

 

[jhsands]

You could try pointing the yagi at another donor tower, and hopefully one that doesn't have another site further distant but inline, or within 30° either side of the beam. And try without any antenna at all, a detuned antenna, a yagi not pointing directly at a site, etc. Do you know the orientation of the transmit antenna at the donor site? It may not be omni.

Use a parabolic with six degree bandwidth.