Baltimore City (Pro 96)

[command_z]

Nope! The antenna didn't work! I don't understand this. I'm live in midtown Baltimore, you'd think I'd be able to pick up the Baltimore Public Safety System easily.

Thanks everyone for the help! Happy holidays.

 

[ka3jjz]

You may well be receiving too much signal from multiple towers at the same time. This, along with the modulation scheme this system uses, and any reflections from tall buildings, is likely defeating your attempts. It's counter-intuitive, to be sure, but a very tiny antenna (like the Miracle Baby by Comet) is likely to be more successful than a dedicated 800 Mhz antenna

This article from our wiki has several links that go into this, along with a pic of Win96 settings that are known to work (remember, though, that's only part of the battle). Anything blue is a link..

Baltimore City (P25) - the RR Wiki

Mike

 

[pratzert]

I have a 96 as well and I can say that on the P25 simulcast systems... it's straight garbage.

I pretty much get the saem as you... virtually nothing. Just a very small "noise" very, very sporadically.

I use the 106 now and it's 10 times better.... but still not as good as the reception on the old system was.

I never got around to messing with the adjustment dials INSIDE the 96, but there was a thread somewhere explaining what someone had done with those dials and reported it helped.

If you're brave, perhaps you can try that and see if it helps.

Overall, my enjoyment of the monitoring hobby has been downgraded dramatically with the swith to the P25 simulcast systme in our local area.

I keep waiting and hoping for the introduction of a new line of scanners that will allow great reception of P25 Simulcast systems.

 

[ka3jjz]

This is likely the article Pratzert is talking about...

PRO-96 Internal Adjustments - The RadioReference Wiki

Mike

 

[pratzert]

Mike,

Yep! That's what I was thinking of...... Thanks for the link.

 

[command_z]

Shoot. I'm moving to Arlington County, VA in a few weeks. They also use the P25 system. I guess I won't be able to pick them up either!

I may have to sell my 96 upgrade to a 106.

Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas.

 

[command_z]

Wait, what is this??? Pro96Com - Control channel decoder for P25 Trunked Radio Systems

"Pro96Com is a free software package that will decode a P25 Control channel data stream from the following scanner models:

Radio Shack Pro-96
Radio Shack Pro-2096
GRE PSR-500
GRE PSR-600
GRE PSR-500C
GRE PSR-600C
GRE PSR-800
Radio Shack Pro-106
Radio Shack Pro-197
Uniden BCD396XT
Uniden BCD996XT
Anritsu S412D Monitor"

 

[ka3jjz]

While you'd be able to view system information using that utility, I don't think Pro96Com is set up to decode Phase II so it's readable

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

Just so we can get everyone up to speed, we have an article in the wiki on the City system - which has a few tips along the way...

Baltimore City P25 - the RR Wiki

Mike