VSP Div. 1

[frankfish]

I'm a novice at scanning, but trying to learn. Why is it I can get VSP Div. 1 at night, but not in the daytime. I live in north Richmond about 3 miles from Div. 1 headquarters and using a PRO96. I do have the frequencies right. Thanking you ahead for any help I can Get.

 

[beastieboy101]

You might be getting a stronger signal at nighttime. I also have a pro96 and mine has to be in a certain place to pickup the towers up here in the northern va area. Go to manual mode and go to the control channel for the closest tower. Then you can move around your scanner to listen to when it is getting a good signal with less static. I find I get a much better signal when I have nothing plugged into any outlets in my room like my laptop and when the scanner isn't charging. Are you listening to the new digital STARS or the old conventional frequencies 159.000mhz?

 

[shumadine]

Frank, I don't know why you wouldn't be picking up during the day. Might not hurt to try a new antenna. Give this one a shot from Radio Shack Center-Loaded Telescoping Whip Antenna - RadioShack.com

and extend it all the way since you are trying to pick up VHF frequencies.

 

[brownlab]

Sometimes I get the conventional channels as well. If you have not programed STARS yet, you should do so. STARS can be tricky to program so you should purchase a program.

 

[gcgrotz]

Hi Frankfish, welcome to the group. You will find a lot of help. I only have a little to add to what's been said; one is that VHF signals travel (usually) line of sight from the antenna and that is why taller towers (think FM and TV stations) are for the most part, better. Unlike plain old AM broadcast radio, there should be no difference day or night. Sorry that's probably not much help.

Second, unless I missed it, and corrections will come if I did, I don't think there is a STARS site at Div 1 HQ. Most of the metro area is covered from the big tower at HQ on Midlothian Tpk. It's that huge self-supporter near Buford rd. Look at the list of towers in the database.

Well, good luck and nice to meet ya'