SDS100/SDS200: VA State Police on SDS-100 - How?

[WA4HHG]

This has been driving me crazy. Can't monitor either the VA State Police or the CBBT on my SDS-100 or SDS-200. I live in Chesapeake (straight shot to a tower), have the 3 Chesapeake and 1 VA Beach sites programmed in along with the State Police and the CBBT. Cleaned out a bunch of channels beyond my range so the scanner would not have to scan so many useless channels. I don't get squat. Checked the control channels with an Icom-7100 and hear data on the closest Chesapeake tower but still, nothing.

The city channels work fine. No state police, though. Suggestions?

ciao

 

[jtwalker]

Did you import these system(s) from database or enter manually? Are you using software to program or doing directly in scanner?

 

[KC3ECJ]

What are your filter settings?
If you have close call enabled, disable it. Close call while it's doing it's automatic checking disrupts normal reception.

You might also want to just set to one site close to you that has strong signal bars instead of it hopping between others this is done by pushing the green button on the side, pressing the middle button under where it says site on the screen, and using the knob to switch sites.
To change site, push green button again, push under site and turn knob again.
To not be set to one site, to get out of this mode, press green, then site, then wait a couple seconds.

 

[garys]

I drove through VA four times last year and heard the VA SP fine on my SDS200. Since I was well out of my normal area, I used the RRDB and GPS to listen. That included down I-81 and then I-77 going to NC.

Check service types. If you're using GPS, check the ranges for both the sites and the Departments.

If you aren't using the RRDB, turn that on and enter your ZIP Code. You'll also have to set the range to use for that.

 

[nessnet]

This has been driving me crazy. Can't monitor either the VA State Police or the CBBT on my SDS-100 or SDS-200. I live in Chesapeake (straight shot to a tower), have the 3 Chesapeake and 1 VA Beach sites programmed in along with the State Police and the CBBT. Cleaned out a bunch of channels beyond my range so the scanner would not have to scan so many useless channels. I don't get squat. Checked the control channels with an Icom-7100 and hear data on the closest Chesapeake tower but still, nothing.

The city channels work fine. No state police, though. Suggestions?

ciao

Maybe try here?
Virginia Radio Discussion Forum

 

[KT4HX]

I have had no issues with VSP reception with the SDS200. I set up three favorite lists using Sentinel that I turn on and off as needed as we drive in the region. Agree, you might want to start a discussion in the Virginia forum and let us know how you programmed in your VSP info.

 

[fredva]

Are you using ID Search or ID Scan? I'd try ID Search if you aren't already.

 

[N4VKF]

Just choose your closest tower. Delete any that would be out of range

 

[WA4HHG]

Sorry, I should have pointed out that I am using Sentinel with the latest database and firmware updates and "ID Search" is enabled. I have assigned Quick Keys with the intent of being able to skip over services that may not be of particular interest at the time.

Am 8 miles above the NC line near the Dismal Swamp and have the same results with VIPER. I expect once the issue with STARS is corrected, it will lead to a solution with VIPER.

 

[hiegtx]

Sorry, I should have pointed out that I am using Sentinel with the latest database and firmware updates and "ID Search" is enabled. I have assigned Quick Keys with the intent of being able to skip over services that may not be of particular interest at the time.

Am 8 miles above the NC line near the Dismal Swamp and have the same results with VIPER. I expect once the issue with STARS is corrected, it will lead to a solution with VIPER.

DId you create a Favorites list by appending from the main database, or by manually entering some (or all) of the state police frequencies/talkgroups. If you manually created, and are using location location control, did you manually add location details? If no location details are entered, for a site and/or a department, the scanner will treat the blank locations as out of range whenever location control is active.

 

[Capt1101]

I’m running into the same issue. Was this ever solved?