996xt decoding problems??

[Nitsud]

Hello, Back again with another problem.

I have grieved myself over my programming of the two digital trunking systems that I want to monitor. I still have the same issue. I can be in the middle of a transmission with a very strong SSI and then for some reason, I "lose SSi" and it goes gargled for a second, then it picks right back up decoding. I work around digital trunking radios daily so I am fairly familiar with the way they work. I just cant figure why this thing is having such a hard time decoding??? any ideas?

 

[bep]

Not an answer, but you are not alone.

 

[John]

It might help to know where you are and what systems you are trying to monitor.

 

[Nitsud]

I am talking about monitoring Albemarle/Cville on their Moto 800 Simulcast system. As well as STARS. For some reason, STARS has been sounding better and not nearly as difficult to listen to as Alb/Cville. I mainly use this 996xt mobile. With a VHF 1/4 wave antenna and a fender mount with RG-58. I monitor my SSI and even with all the bars and a solid signal, almost every transmission with Alb/Cville is clear then a garble for a few seconds, then back to the clear. Police, Fire, and Rescue all the same. I have used pro-106's and 996t's before and they have never given me this issue with these or any other systems. Im thinking that this is a decoding issue, because AFAIK my signal is great and my programming is on point with what everyone else has had success with.

 

[N4FTN]

Occasionally I have struggled with what appears to be too much signal from some systems. Wonder if you have tried activating the attenuation on the CC to see if that makes any difference.

Also, don't know the C'ville system well (just as I've passed by on I64) but could this be the multiple CC signal collision problem from simultaneous tower transmissions we've read about and I've experienced with some other systems??

Just something to chew on.........

 

[fredva]

When I pass through Charlottesville/Ablemarle with my PRO-18, I have not noticed any frequent garbling of transmissions.

 

[Nitsud]

I guess I am going to try to upload as a non-rebanded system and see if that helps. I know there is an issue when STARS is more dependable and better monitored than the cville system. Its upsetting simply because I used to have a 996T that tracked SOO much better on the cville system, and thats what I was looking forward to listening to most.

If anyone else can offer suggestions please do. At this point I wonder what else could be wrong

 

[kd8x]

I guess I am going to try to upload as a non-rebanded system and see if that helps. I know there is an issue when STARS is more dependable and better monitored than the cville system. Its upsetting simply because I used to have a 996T that tracked SOO much better on the cville system, and thats what I was looking forward to listening to most.

If anyone else can offer suggestions please do. At this point I wonder what else could be wrong

Stars system is not rebanded first of all...VHF not required to go through that....
I'm not in Charlottesville area but by looking at the DB I don't believe it is a rebanded system either....It says it is a simulcast system which is the problem...many pages devoted to simulcast systems and the headaches they cause for scanner freaks like you and me....

 

[fredva]

Not sure simulcast is the problem

I wish somebody else from the Charlottesville area would jump in here to say what's what, but until then - there are different types of simulcast systems. I'd be surprised if the Charlottesville/Ablemarle system is the type that gives scanner listeners fits. Most of the Stafford County transmissions I pick up are garbled to some extent, and on my scanner, Charlottesville/Ablemarle is crystal clear compared to Stafford. And I listen in the Charlottesville area while on the move, so I'm not just in a lucky spot where I happen to get clear reception. Also, the original poster said he didn't have this issue listening to the system with other scanners, just with the 996XT. If the problem was simulcast distortion, it should affect other scanners as well. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that there is either a setting that needs to be adjusted on the scanner to improve decoding, or there is a defect.

 

[BlueMoon2]

Charlottesville-albemarle HAS been rebanded and the updated frequent are on radioreference. I too have a 996xt used on both stars and the Ch'ville 800 sys and personally have not had any problems. I don't believe I have the stars sys set as rebanded or anything. Let me know if I can help out anymore. 73s

 

[Nitsud]

Charlottesville-albemarle HAS been rebanded and the updated frequent are on radioreference. I too have a 996xt used on both stars and the Ch'ville 800 sys and personally have not had any problems. I don't believe I have the stars sys set as rebanded or anything. Let me know if I can help out anymore. 73s

are you using freescan or butel? or what?

 

[BlueMoon2]

I personally use freescan. Make sure that you have the latest version.

 

[DrWhoVa]

I wish somebody else from the Charlottesville area would jump in here to say what's what, but until then - there are different types of simulcast systems. I'd be surprised if the Charlottesville/Ablemarle system is the type that gives scanner listeners fits. Most of the Stafford County transmissions I pick up are garbled to some extent, and on my scanner, Charlottesville/Ablemarle is crystal clear compared to Stafford. And I listen in the Charlottesville area while on the move, so I'm not just in a lucky spot where I happen to get clear reception. Also, the original poster said he didn't have this issue listening to the system with other scanners, just with the 996XT. If the problem was simulcast distortion, it should affect other scanners as well. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that there is either a setting that needs to be adjusted on the scanner to improve decoding, or there is a defect.

Charlottesville's system is a Smartzone Simulcast compared to pure P25 simulcast. That's why it's clearer.

 

[Nitsud]

I personally use freescan. Make sure that you have the latest version.

Could you please make a file and share it with me? I have done all I can to make it work.

So, you are saying that with your 996xt, you can monitor the Alb/Cville system without any hiccups or issues? Just making sure U completely understand you

 

[DrWhoVa]

Could you please make a file and share it with me? I have done all I can to make it work.

So, you are saying that with your 996xt, you can monitor the Alb/Cville system without any hiccups or issues? Just making sure U completely understand you

I pick them up with a 996T 40 miles away, or further a lot of days, without much trouble or hiccups. Only choppiness I get comes from distance. When I'm in Charlottesville than I get it clear as a bell. Most P25 systems, whether Smartzone or Pure P25, have some sound quality issues at times. It does seem, perhaps you need a reprogramming because I started having problems picking them up (audio wise and scanner landing on the channels) when the rebanded until I updated my firmware. That could also be a issue with your XT too. Hard to say. Hopefully we can get this straight so you can hear them again.

 

[Nitsud]

Last few days, I have kept the squelch at 0 (wide open) and that seems to help to an extent. I'm convinced that this is a simulcast issue; based on the following:

1. When I am on the "extreme" ends of Albemarle County or outside of the county, I get more dependable decoding, often times perfect. (single towers that cover these areas)

2. When in the city of Cville, or the main 29 corridor throughout Albemarle, or down on Avon St area, this is when I have the most issues. I have a great signal, but I can see the scanner hiccup trying to decide which tower it wants to listen to (possibility of multiple towers that could cover these areas)

3. None, and I mean NONE of the other tips and tricks have made difference. From the digital audio settings, to the programming settings, nothing has made a difference. My antenna is on point. 1/4 wave 800 mhz cut for 862.xxx with an NMO mount and 13 ft of rg-58. Can routinely hear the analog jail channels from over 40 miles away.

4. I have been able to monitor my scanner while having access to an actual motorola mobile radio programmed on the system, which confirms the fact that Im missing whole transmissions and bits and pieces of almost all others.


Conclusion : I will leave my squelch wide open while trying to monitor this system. Even with the rebanding that occurred, I still cannot fathom why a 996T/396T and a pro-106 can follow this system perfectly. I mean perfectly. Im frustrated that this newer model cannot perform like its older brother. But will hold out for a firmware update, or some sort of guidance from Uniden down the road.

 

[fredva]

3. None, and I mean NONE of the other tips and tricks have made difference. From the digital audio settings, to the programming settings, nothing has made a difference. My antenna is on point. 1/4 wave 800 mhz cut for 862.xxx with an NMO mount and 13 ft of rg-58. Can routinely hear the analog jail channels from over 40 miles away.

Do you have the same problem with the stock antenna that came with the scanner? One of the recommended tips for a simulcast problem is to use a less-than-perfect antenna.

 

[Nitsud]

yes, the stock antenna gives me the same results.

 

[Nitsud]

One thing that I forgot to mention,

On the 996xt, It seems to be using a secondary CC and not the primary. Wonder if that has something to do with it?