Signal Variations

[yorkphotog]

Does anyone notice that the signal on some of the systems that you scan have varying quality of signal? I ask this because tonight in particular, my York Region signal is really poor. And that's off my 246t in my house (just about to head out). The Toronto SmartZone on the other hand sounds really clear.

Anyone have the same type of thing on their scanners occasionally? What are some situations that can cause varying signal strength?

 

[exkalibur]

The York system (as well as Toronto) are simulcast systems, meaning there are multiple sites transmitting the exact same frequencies. I think York has 4 or 5 sites. It's possible that you are picking up a couple of these sites and your scanner isn't too happy with receiving multiple signals. The sites are balanced and phased in such a way that a radio won't "know" that it's picking up more than one site at a time, however if one site isn't 100% aligned with the others, the signal will sound off, and there will be some warbling.

You notice this mostly when you're driving at higher speeds in particular - it would be characterized mostly as a slight warbling sound and possibly what sounds like "bacon frying", despite the received signal being very strong. This is due to the slight frequency shift because of your speed (doppler shift).

When you say your YRP signal is "poor", are you talking in terms of audio clarity, or in terms of signal strength?

 

[yorkphotog]

What's funny about your reply is that you are dead on... even when I was home earlier, it sounded like bacon cooking! Same thing as I type on the road (well, not driving at the same time).

I believe that's classified as poor signal strength, isn't it?

 

[va3css]

I believe that's classified as poor signal strength, isn't it?

Not necessarily. You could have "bacon frying" and four of five bars signal strength. It's not so cut and dried. You can also have interference near you that is causing the "bacon" despite a strong signal. Radio receivers unfortunately have to deal with whatever is sent their way.

 

[exkalibur]

Well, in the example I cited, the "bacon frying" isn't related to a weak signal, it's related to the nature of a simulcast system. It's quite common to hear similar sounds on a scanner when in a high RF noise environment, such as near a cell-site or in a downtown area like Toronto. In that case, it's RF overload and/or intermodulation.

Where abouts in York are you noticing this, or is it all over?

 

[yorkphotog]

Further to this....

I've been using the attenuator a lot when I hear the bacon frying. That seems to work. However, when driving around populated areas of the region I have to turn the attenuator on and off what seems like every 5 minutes. In one area I really need the attenuator, and in another area it causes more harm then good. Any suggestions?

Anyone else notice how bad signal is in the Bathurst + Steeles area? I was sitting in a parking lot and got absolutely nothing from York Region, and the Toronto signal was terrible from what I can remember. There are a lot of cell sites there, but I'm not sure if that has to do with anything.

 

[EJB]

There are a large number of highrises in that area, at least south of Steeles.
That could effect your signal.

 

[slicerwizard]

There are a lot of cell sites there, but I'm not sure if that has to do with anything.

It has everything to do with it. The scanner is overloading to the point where nothing comes through. The 246T is one of the worst scanners to use when monitoring YRP. The system's signal levels just aren't strong enough to win out over cell sites in the 246T's cheesy front end. I always switch to my 396T when monitoring YRP and it usually works OK up there.

 

[nec208]

The signal strength does seem to go up down in York.If you in Brampton or Mississuga and have York in you going to have a weak signal strength and static.Some one else here post that York system does not do well in the west like Peel but in South like Toronto or in the east you can pick them up very good.

The repeater witch I believe at highway 400 has to come all its way to peel by that time signal strength is weak and the wattage of the trasmitting power may not be the same.

The tech guys may have to look at the repeater if it is not trasmitting the same power.

 

[exkalibur]

You also have to keep in mind that the YRP system (and every system for that matter) isn't designed with a scanner in mind. System radios work no problem anywhere in York, regardless of location. To my knowledge, there is only one "dead spot" which is out in King.

 

[yorkphotog]

The signal stinks in Thornhill (anywhere from Dufferin and Steeles all the way to Rutherford and Dufferin). Once you get away from Thornhill you're probably okay. The best signal for me is when I head north (Maple is good). I get excellent signal on the York system on the 400 all the way to Barrie.

That is all with a car mount antenna.

 

[slicerwizard]

You don't have the equipment to determine what the signal level is. And you're overloading the 246T with an external antenna, even though it already has a sensitive receiver.

 

[I_10_92]

All this talk about bacon is making me hungry. I have the same issue from time to time. York will be all sketchy, and Toronto will come in nice and crisp.

 

[yorkphotog]

No, but I do have ears that tell me when the signal is good and bad.

I do agree that at times an external antenna overloads it..but other times it works very well. I've pretty much gotten used to turning the attenuator on and off while I'm in the car.

I LOOOVE a good slice of bacon!!

 

[nec208]

No, but I do have ears that tell me when the signal is good and bad.

I think he is talking about the signal is the same but the microwatts are lower? If a repeater trasmits at 50 watts you cheap scanner the signal may only be 2 microwatts but the system still transmitting the same.You may need just 1 microwatts to get one or 2 bars on the scanner well a 5 microwatts you may get 4 or 5 bars and very clear signal .But the repeater trasmits still at 50 watts all the time .

And only way to see if the repeater trasmits at 50 than 40 than 50 is you need equipment .The signal strength is in microwatts and transmitting power in watts.

I will put YRP in and see if this is happing or just problem with your scanner.