Baltimore County Sounding Better?

[TinEar]

Not too long ago we were talking about how lousy the Baltimore County system sounded and speculated it was because modulation levels were reduced at some point last winter. Now, Baltimore County is booming in with very loud modulation levels - even louder and better than prior to whatever happened over the winter. When I first noticed this a week or two ago, I wondered if it was something temporary but it seems to be lasting. Is anyone else noticing this or could it just be my location that suddenly is receiving the system better? Baltimore County is now interesting to listen to again.

 

[Bugkiller]

Hi Tinear, Inoticed the same thing but was thinking it was my new hearing aid. Maybe I didnot really need the thing anyway. The wife and ddaughter say I do.

 

[mlevin]

Hmmm, I don't notice anything here. But I do know that some deadspots (cell interference) is letting up, so they must be doing something.

 

[doctordave]

There is definitely some improved in the Northern portion of the County - not substantial - but clearly a change for the better.

 

[troymail]

Oddly - I was driving up 83 to York PA this past Saturday ... I
was listening to BCoFD just north of the beltway. I stopped
paying attention but noticed it was EXTREMELY quiet north
of Hunt Valley and then all of the sudden, it got really busy
again... Like I said, I had stopped paying attention for a little
bit but I really think that everything dropped out while I went
from Hunt Valley until I was just south of PA.... is there a big
dead spot up that way? (I've never noticed it before)....

 

[Dispatcher308]

Yes

Yes Troymail there is a dead spot for Scanners bet Timonium & Shawan -Belfast area. I don't know what it's like for the Professinal 800mhz radio's.
also someparts of Perry Hall are dead to all radio services for Baltimore Co.

Hope this helps

 

[mlevin]

A cool trick is, while listening to a trunk with bad reception turn squelch down all the way. This is so simple, but for some reason I never though about it 'till a few weeks ago. Also works good for distant systems.

As for the deadspot, I've noticed decreased reception, but I haven't had it drop off completely. Usually though, if I'm on my way to PA., I listen to MSP.

 

[bnglbill]

It figures, I just bought a brand new scantenna so I can hear Baltimore County clearly again. Oh well, I'm gonnna set it up anyway, maybe I'll be able to hear Baltimore City clearly again.

 

[TinEar]

Bill, I'm not sure where you are in AA County but it must really be a dead spot to the north if you can't hear Baltimore City comms. I can pull the antenna off the back of the scanner and still hear some of their traffic. That outdoor antenna should solve your problem though and might even open up some more distant areas that you weren't able to hear previously. Do you do well listening to the south (or west/southwest depending on where you are in the county) - such as D.C. police or fire?

Mo, what do you mean when you say you turn the squelch down all the way? I understand squelch as open or closed so am not sure which way you're turning it. I'm assuming you mean you have it open all the way.

 

[bnglbill]

I only monitor BWI, AACO,BCO, and Baltimore City. AACO of course comes in very clearly as well as BWI. I can hear most of Baltimore CO. but with alot of static. Baltimore City, I can monitor the old Dispatch and response channels but 800mhz is very broken up. I hear the police a little better but there is a lot of static. I have just started to monitor Baltimore city since they went to digital but I used to recieve them extremely well before they went digital. I'm sure when I get that scantenna up, it will be much better.

 

[mlevin]

Yeah that's what I meant. I'm able to pull in Howard and A.A. Co. now. Also Montgomery is it or miss.

Mo, what do you mean when you say you turn the squelch down all the way? I understand squelch as open or closed so am not sure which way you're turning it. I'm assuming you mean you have it open all the way.

 

[bnglbill]

Bingo! I got my scantenna hooked up tonight with all new wiring and everything is coming in loud and clear. I mounted it on a 10 foot mast from radioshack and I think I'm going to add another 5 foot section just to be safe.