Bad Home Patrol?

[OregonScanner]

I just bought a refurbished HP-1 and I have to say that the reception is horrible compared to my 396XT. I noticed it the very first time I used it.

I set the 2 scanners side by side with Diamond RH77CA antennas as base units and the 396XT blows the HP-1 out of the water. On the 396XT I can get a UHF P25 system from 35+ miles away with 2 bars reception (great audio), a local 700 MHz site 4-5 bars reception (great audio), a 700 MHz site 55+ miles away with 2 bars reception, an 800 MHz analog site 55+ miles away with 1 bar reception, a UHF LTR system 40 miles away with 2-3 bars reception (Great audio), and a lot of VHF and UHF conventional public safety and amateur radio repeaters.

On the HP-1, the UHF P25 system doesn't come in at all. The local 700 system is OK, the distant 700 site comes in only one bar reception, the 800 site doesn't come in at all, the UHF LTR system doesn't come in at all, and most of the VHF and UHF (even local stuff) has less reception. VHF and UHF stuff that came in on the 396XT with only 1 or 2 bars reception doesn't come in at all on the HP-1, even UHF with 5 bars is now down to 2.

Same thing happens while mobile. 396XT was receiving a VHF freqs from 20+ miles away with 1-2 bars reception with slightly choppy audio but understandable. HP-1 didn't get those at all.

Its refurbished, so maybe it’s a bad refurb job? If that's the case, I have until Jan 31, 2013 to return it to Amazon. LOTS of people have very good reviews of this scanner saying it’s the best scanner they've owned and that it beats out the XT digital radios. What is your experience in comparing the XT reception to the HP-1?

[k2radio]

Make sure the attenuator is set to OFF press it on the touch screen .If not try to resolder the antenna connector i have a 996XT and they work the same.My home Patrol picks up with NO ANTENNA.

[OregonScanner]

Attenuator is off and squelch is at 2.

[W8RMH]

If it is refurbished it was a returned radio that was returned for some reason, maybe bad reception. Refurbishing probably involved a bench test which may or may not have tested it's reception ability. If it was me I would return it.

Also remember when testing scanners side-by-side, one radio can emit signals which can block out the other radio's reception. Make sure you turn off the second radio when testing reception.

[OregonScanner]

I will return it on Monday and buy a brand new one and try it out and post the results.

[bkantor]

I had a similar experience, bought one off eBay and it was deaf as a doorknob. The seller was very cooperative and returned my $. He sent it off to Uniden and there was a problem with the antenna connection, which doesn't seem uncommon on these units. I ended up buying a refurb off of eBay after that and have been extremely happy - reception is good (not as good as my PSR-800 or Pro106, but pretty close!) and I am a happy puppy. Don't give up on the HP-1, its just a matter of finding a good one.

Bob

[OregonScanner]

Got my brand new HP-1 today...the reception is in every way better than the refurbished one.

[ButchGone]

Originally Posted by OregonScanner

Got my brand new HP-1 today...the reception is in every way better than the refurbished one.

Glad your new one works. I too was disappointed with the HP-1. Reception of simulcast P25 systems was terrible compared to my 396XT. I could never get the HP-1 to work well on the desk, and especially mobile with P25 simulcast transmissions. The 396XT, on the other hand, is about as good as it gets compared to any other consumer grade receiver.

BG..