bcd436hp question (new to scanning)

[Gary985112]

Hi Everyone,

I have a new bcd436hp and I am brand new to scanning. I am having a lot of trouble with the p25 systems. They are coming in very distorted. I am trying to get to where I can use manuel adjustment instead of the "auto". I can put it into the mode that shows the err and threshold info but I can't switch it from "auto" to "manuel" adjustment. Can anyone tell me how to switch it to manual so that way I can make manual adjustments? It keeps saying "auto" and I don't know how to change it. Do I need to save the frequency and then edit it?

 

[K4EET]

Sounds like Simulcast Distortion. What system are you monitoring?

Finally, welcome to Radio Reference!

<edit> Here is the Wiki on Simulcast Distortion

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[Ubbe]

It keeps saying "auto" and I don't know how to change it. Do I need to save the frequency and then edit it?

Yes.

/Ubbe

 

[mc48]

This may help. P25 audio decode level adjustment - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[tvengr]

If you don't have it, the first thing you need is Sentinel, free programming software provided by Uniden. Download and install the program. You can change the decode adjustment there. Here is the link: http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/BCDx36HPSentinel

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Individual results do vary. I have a number of simulcast systems in my region. I once owned a 436HP and a TRX-1 and both would sputter and stutter on these types of systems. Threshold or decode adjustments made no difference for me personally so I sold both scanners to fund an SDS100. The simulcast clouds lifted & now I'm able to conquer these systems with nary a hiccup

 

[Gary985112]

Individual results do vary. I have a number of simulcast systems in my region. I once owned a 436HP and a TRX-1 and both would sputter and stutter on these types of systems. Threshold or decode adjustments made no difference for me personally so I sold both scanners to fund an SDS100. The simulcast clouds lifted & now I'm able to conquer these systems with nary a hiccup

Oh wow that's interesting. I have a lot to learn. Is there an easy way to tell if I encounter simulcast or not? Also, what technology makes the SDS100 better for dealing with simulcast situations?

 

[Gary985112]

This may help. P25 audio decode level adjustment - The RadioReference Wiki

Oh wow that's a ton! I had no idea a smaller antenna was better for digital as well. I have a ton to learn. Thanks again

 

[Gary985112]

Sounds like Simulcast Distortion. What system are you monitoring?

Finally, welcome to Radio Reference!

<edit> Here is the Wiki on Simulcast Distortion

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Hi there! Thanks so much for the article, I will read through it asap.
Also, I am still getting used to the terminology to be honest! ha. I see that they have a system, department, and channel button (and also "site"). I'm not sure how "site" is different than "system", etc.

I was scanning last night and I would basically find a signal that read P25 (sounded like police around the Charlotte Area) so I would "hold" the "channel". After that, I found out how to save the channel as a favorite, etc.

I know that I have a ton of reading to do, but is the system listed at the top of this scanner (top of screen?)

 

[jonwienke]

Oh wow that's a ton! I had no idea a smaller antenna was better for digital as well. I have a ton to learn. Thanks again

A smaller antenna is never better for anything, except portable convenience. If an antenna is tuned to a given frequency, reducing its size always reduces signal proportionately.

Where the confusion arises is when trying to decode bits from a simulcast signal (multiple transmitters broadcasting on the same frequency simultaneously). Conventional receivers struggle with this. If you are in a fixed location and only monitoring one system, and can attenuate the signal just enough to push all but the strongest signals below the noise floor of the receiver without making the strongest signal too noisy to decode, in some circumstances you can get better decode.

But that is a kludge that only works in a very specific set of circumstances, and in most cases, randomly crapifying your antenna will not attenuate the signal into the butter zone. If the signal strength is too evenly matched, there is no butter zone, and no amount of tinkering with the antenna will give you satisfactory results. The best solution for simulcast is to get a radio specifically designed to handle it.