197 suggestions for digital reception

[bep]

I have been at this for some time, and have had minimal luck in being able to enjoy scanning this digital system.

Having a terrible time trying to monitor my old fire department. When it was analog all was great. Now being digital not so great. Hoping someone can assist me in making any other changes to the settings, other than what I have done listed below. Or suggest other options.

Thanks

Reception very sporadic. When listening to the RR feed it is much better than my reception, but not great. I can miss several minutes of transmissions and then it comes in loud and clear, only to fade away once again.

The Scantenna basically receives nothing on this system. The Austin is much better.

Watching the signal strength meter it is 5 bars but then goes completely away.

"T" flashes on and off but off a good portion of the time. I have video of the display if needed.

Pro 197:
uP App Ver: RU2.1
DSP AppVer: RU1.4
DSP VocVer: RF1.0

Antenna(s):
Scantenna- on pole on roof 2 story
Austin Spectra- mag mount to metal roof 2 story
Coax run each length appprox. 50-75 feet

Coaxial Amplifier
Electroline EDA 2800 it IS needed to receive

Problem hearing system:
Overlay Regional InterOperability Network (ORION) Trunking System, Various, Virginia - Scanner Frequencies
Site 2 only

Analyze
When I receive a clear transmission, Analyze reports:
TS-003 P25 Ma 1
Va. Beach 1-7
Ch01: 859.4625

Win500 settings that are working the best right now:
Extended Settings:
In-band SQ Timeout 5
Subaudible Delay 150
Digital Detect timeout 15
Endtone threshold 80

System Settings:
Trunking Tables Default
Multisite Mode Roam
Threshold Hi 85
Threshold Lo 55

 

[N1BHH]

Try the expert settings found here Easier to Read Pro-106/197/PSR500/600 Digital Scanner Manual

 

[bep]

That is where I started, and it helped. Then found some info on the forums, and that helped.
I am now hoping against hope someone else was able to carry this further than I.

Thanks

 

[kc4jgc]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Do you have this system as manual or automatic? If I understand your analysis above, it' set at manual. Try switching to automatic. Here are my settings for receiving the Virginia Beach (ORION is physically a separate system you didn't say you have problems with that; let's call it what it is to avoid confusion) system.
P25 auto
DIG AGC ON
SUPERTRACK ON
MULTISITE Stationary
CHECK ALL CC: NO

I'm not home now; I can't see what my extended settings are. I'll look at those when I have the chance this weekend.

 

[kc4jgc]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Inadverent dupe; deleted.

 

[mainetrunk]

Try usung the ATTENUATOR--ATT button. I got the same prob.. If you are within 1 mile of the repeater sight, the ATT helps--for me, anyway..

 

[bep]

Thanks for the responses

Mainetrunk - I forgot to mention I believe I am at the fringe of the system, a good ways from the transmitter. I need the amplifier to just get a signal

kc4jgc - the other Orion systems (700mHz) work exceptionally well. Have made the changes you suggested, an will listen for a while and let you know.

 

[bep]

kc4jgc

I made the changes you said to try, and reception was not as good as the ones I listed above.
The FD is very busy and comparing my scanner to the live feed I am missing, or cannot understand at least 75% on my scanner.
I will get the first couple of words then nothing, or it stops on a talk group with no audio.

 

[fredva]

Where is your amplifier located? Is it near the antenna end of the coax or at the scanner end?

What kind of coax are you using?

 

[Ronaldski]

Dont forget those GRE/RS radios do terrible when they get overloaded with too much signal.
Example - PRO-106 800mhz interference - YouTube. Yep if so, put on the ATTenuater for that sysytem.

 

[bep]

Should I disconnect the amplifier listed above and connect the antenna cable directly to the scanner I have 0 bars and receive nothing.

I just set Att to he system and no bars, no T no nothing, and this is with the amplifier

I would give anything to have the reception that the video displayed with or with out Att

 

[fredva]

If you are truly on the outer fringes of the reception area as you believe, attenuation isn't the solution. If you need more signal, the best place for an amplifier (if you use one) is near the antenna, to increase the signal before some of it is lost in the coax. Amplifying a signal right before it enters the scanner may help a little, but it only amplifies whatever signal is left after going through the coax. Also, some types of coax have very little signal loss, while something like the standard RG-58 will lose a substantial amount of signal.

 

[bep]

Interesting idea.
Possibly a project for tomorrow to get into the attic and place the amp there.

Thank you Fredva

 

[kc4jgc]

bep,
IIRC, you're located up on the North End, right? If so, I think you've had problems from the get-go as far as reception is concerned. One of these days, I'll have to drive up that way to see if I have the same problem in that area with my '106. Since my move back to the city from Norfolk last fall, I've had little problem at all, only occaisional brief dropouts, which may be overload. I now live just north of the Pembroke Meadows area.

Looking at the analysis now, my reception here is varying from 74-99%. That's digital for you....

 

[bep]

When all was analog there were no issues at all. Now with the digital, yes problems all along. I have read where the Scantenna is not the best in the 800 range. This may be true since my Austin mag mount on the roof is receiving something where the Scantenna is not. I did try a very old Yagi antenna, that I was told tuned to 800. It did nothing so it was either not tuned for me or not working.

If I can squeeze out some time and get the amp in the attic, that may shed some light on the issue.
I will also pull my Uniden 996 out of the truck and hook up side by side, since I have read Uniden is doing digital a little better.

Will report.

 

[bep]

Now today, and I have changed nothing, touched nothing, moved nothing, etc., the reception is crystal clear.
From my original post I had brain flatulence. Yes I pressed analyze but forgot to move up or down to find the data channel. So today I am bouncing between 66% and 90%.

So I am noting the data frequency to see if there is an issue with one of the CC's.

Hopefully today I can get the amplifier in the attic.

 

[mainetrunk]

You mean 1 of those black steel boxes with the bnc on top and bottom? I got 1. I'd about give that away.Mine-that is. I'm not impressed with mine. Did a voltage check-had electrician do complete run through. It blew his mind-never saw 1 befrore.In fact-I'm taking mine down--it also contributes to the power bill if left on 24-7...My thoughts

 

[bep]

I have one of them too. Crap as far as I am concerned. I have this installed:

Amazon.com: Electroline EDA-2800 8-Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package with 5-Year Warranty): Electronics.

I have moved this amplifier to the attic for the Austin and now (hold ones breath) it seems be be a great improvement. I cannot get to the attic where the Scantenna is currently since my ladder is on loan.
Will be back at this next week since travel is on tap for this week.

Thanks all

 

[mainetrunk]

I just took it down, I'm getting better reception. ...Technology

 

[RonnieUSA]

You mean 1 of those black steel boxes with the bnc on top and bottom? I got 1. I'd about give that away.Mine-that is. I'm not impressed with mine. Did a voltage check-had electrician do complete run through. It blew his mind-never saw 1 befrore.In fact-I'm taking mine down--it also contributes to the power bill if left on 24-7...My thoughts

What is the name of the black box?
It's not this is it >> GRE Scanner Super Amplifier?