BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BCD996P2 gone deaf

[njff]

I have a BCD996P2 running on a yagi antenna for 9 years now. Broadcasting my feed. Just out of the blue the scanner went deaf. So i took a look at the set up. It turned out that it was no longer picking up the control channel. I checked the programing (it was good) so I put a set top antenna on the scanner and it was working fine. I did however update the programing to add some new channels that were added to the county system. I ten hooked the yagi back up and still not receiving the control channel, I then put the set top antenna on it was working fine. Last night there was a job in the county but nothing on my feed. I checked the scanner and sure enough it had lost reception on the control channels with the set top antenna as well. I changed the orientation of he set top antenna and now I'm good. There has been no new construction near or at the scanner location. I'm lost on what the problem is. If anyone has insight on this I would appreciate the help.
thank you,
Al

 

[jtwalker]

Sounds like either simulcast distortion or RF interference.

 

[tvengr]

Which system are you trying to receive? It does sound like a classical symptom of simulcast distortion.

 

[wtp]

Union County Simulcast

you might notice that simulcast word there...

 

[njff]

Which system are you trying to receive? It does sound like a classical symptom of simulcast distortion.

It is the p25 system in union county. How would I fix the issue. This set up has been running basically since the start when the county switched over, no issues until several weeks ago.

 

[Golay]

It is the p25 system in union county. How would I fix the issue. This set up has been running basically since the start when the county switched over, no issues until several weeks ago.

If it's the only thing you listen to, keep shortening the antenna until you are only receiving the closest site. I just did this. I'm using a 2" antenna on a 352P2. The only thing I listen to is a simulcast system. I live less than an mile from one site, and six or 7 miles from the other 3 sites.
What a difference.

 

[wtp]

i had
396T
396XT
325P2
and all had a problem with my counties 700 simulcast system
got the SDS100
and all is good.
you might try the uniden SDS radios or a SDR dongle.

 

[Ubbe]

If the signal are strong enough then enable the scanners attenuator for that system. That might make it receive less from other sites than the closest one. A variable 0-20dB attenuator are always useful to connect to the coax and adjust to different settings to see if it possible to receive just one site.

The system techs might have been adjusting their antennas or output power and you now need to realign your antenna, point it more away from other sites, or get a more directive one or try different amounts of attenuation. It could be a delicate balance and might change depending of weather and season.

/Ubbe