396T Custom Search bug - Firmware fix?

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seligman

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Something is wrong with the 396T's Custom Search. Between 170 and 174 MHz, it will NOT stop on an active frequency.

I verified this recently standing next to a friend (government employee) transmitting in this range. He tried keying down on other 170 MHz frequencies and the 396T wouldn't stop on any of them. But if you "HOLD" the scanner on the frequency you want, it receives just fine. This doesn't happen in regular Scan mode for programmed systems, only in the Custom Search.

Enter a custom search for 162.600-173.9875, or 170.000-173.9875 (doesn't matter) with Step set to auto or 12.5 kHz. Modulation set to Auto or NFM.

Report back if your 396T stops on ANY traffic whatsoever. Thanks!
 

W6KRU

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I had multiple stops on VHF analog from Mexico and a couple of hits on P25 Border Patrol traffic in a couple of minutes.
 

seligman

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Which firmware version? This was with your 396T, not your 396XT, correct?

Thank you for the report.
 

seligman

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Check to be sure you don't have a broadcast screen turned on.

That fixed it...thank you.

Couple questions though, why would the Broadcast Screen affect 170-173.9875 MHz? I know Channel 7 is closeby, but still? I never thought to disable it since those aren't broadcast-type freqs.

I also thought the Broadcast Screen was disabled during service searches?
 

UPMan

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UHF channels 14-22 are allocated to 121-174 MHz.

It is not used in service searches. It is used in custom searces.
 

seligman

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UHF channels 14-22 are allocated to 121-174 MHz.

It is not used in service searches. It is used in custom searces.

Now I'm confused.

The Broadcast Screen was "on" for all bands. The Custom Search functioned properly in the 150's and 160's without a problem. It hit a wall at 170.000 MHz. Why there?

I don't understand your comment about channels 14-22. All along, I've been under the impression that the Broadcast Screen for "UHF TV" is intended to work between 470 and 860 MHz.

Are you saying the "UHF TV" screen is for CATV channels on 121-173 MHz?
 

UPMan

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Sorry, I checked a quick chart that didn't indicate the freq's were CATV.

Unless you had a custom screen set, the frequencies should not have been blocked.
 

seligman

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Sorry, I checked a quick chart that didn't indicate the freq's were CATV.

If that's an answer to my question, I don't know what it means...

I'm sorry to keep pressing you on this but I think it deserves a better explanation, not just for me, but for everybody else. So let me try it again...

Does the "UHF TV" screen block VHF frequencies assigned to CATV channels 14-22?
 

ilgrant

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Nov 13, 2002
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Chicago, IL
Now I'm confused.

The Broadcast Screen was "on" for all bands. The Custom Search functioned properly in the 150's and 160's without a problem. It hit a wall at 170.000 MHz. Why there?

I don't understand your comment about channels 14-22. All along, I've been under the impression that the Broadcast Screen for "UHF TV" is intended to work between 470 and 860 MHz.

Are you saying the "UHF TV" screen is for CATV channels on 121-173 MHz?

Channels 14-22 (over the air) would be between 470 Mhz and 512 Mhz.

There aren't any TV channel allocations between 170 and 174 Mhz.
 
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