Berks County - Proposed 700/800mhz Digital Trunked Radio System

[Subliminal87]

So what radios are you guys using to listen to the system and how does it sound?

 

[n3ouc]

Sub,
I am using one of the new BCD536 radio's from Uniden. Although the radio still has many issues to work through, like the P25 threshold levels, the system sounds really good once its dialed in. My experience with the 536 has been that the Auto threshold levels are anything but automatic. I have had to go into the menu settings for each and every P25 system I wanted to listen to and manually find the best threshold level for each. Otherwise it is a really good scanner and would recommend once they work out the firmware issues.

Take Care,
Mike

 

[Subliminal87]

Sub,
I am using one of the new BCD536 radio's from Uniden. Although the radio still has many issues to work through, like the P25 threshold levels, the system sounds really good once its dialed in. My experience with the 536 has been that the Auto threshold levels are anything but automatic. I have had to go into the menu settings for each and every P25 system I wanted to listen to and manually find the best threshold level for each. Otherwise it is a really good scanner and would recommend once they work out the firmware issues.

Take Care,
Mike

Thanks! I'll mainly be scanning the new Phase 1 Lancaster system, but I get close or into Berks every so often so I figured I'd pick up a Phase 2 scanner, plus mainly everywhere else I go is Phase 2.

I was going to pick up a 996xt for base to monitor our phase 1, and a 436 for grab and go. But I wont be picking up a 436 until next summer. So if the wifi and app are out for the 536 I think I'd probably just get the 536 and put it under the seat and use my phone. But I'd like to scan our new system well before next summer, so I am picking something up before Christmas hopefully, just not sure what. I don't want to be set in the 996 and our system go phase 2 a year later haha.

 

[sibbley]

So what radios are you guys using to listen to the system and how does it sound?

I use the PSR-800 to monitor the Berks system. While I have not been any closer to try, my 436HP is deaf as a post on this system from home. I'm in Northampton County. On the PSR-800, the system sounds very good.

While I too am trying to work through problems with the 436HP, I can tell you I have not had the problems n3ouc has had with the P25 level adjustments on the 536HP. With the exception of the Berks system, every P25 system I have monitored has been near perfect with the default settings. I just think with the Berks system I need to be closer with the 436HP.

With the York system for example, I get great results while I'm in that area.

 

[cavmedic]

60 plus million dollars and you rebroadcast NOAA for an entire day to test your dispatch frequency?

How about locking up 8 call 90 for three plus counties with an open carrier for the past week.

WTF over


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[ND3U]

Here I thought I was the only one hearing the NOAA on the dispatch freq.. What's up with this? Damn, 60mill so far. Should have asked to join PA's opensky for that amount and saved the TAXPAYERS a whole bunch of money.

Also, could someone please tell me whatever happened to "not reinventing the wheel"? Why come up with a whole new system when there are other systems already in place that actually work. All the bugs have been worked out of the MontCo. system. Why not mimic them?

 

[chankel]

The stuck carrier on 8 Call 90 was audbile into Lancaster County. Not only annoying, but it interfered with the use of a public safety common frequency.

 

[nosoup4u]

We are hearing that 8 Call 90 in Northern NJ as well. The NJSP radio tech's were out yesterday looking for it. They thought it was one of their transmitters.

 

[cavmedic]

It sounded like a digitally modulated carrier. Or just a high frequency tone being injected.


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[Grasshopper12]

just started scanning

OK so I've been around a scanner for a long time finally just went and bought my own i got a radio shack pro 652. i live in berks is this a good scanner to have? and i have one complaint so far i was told this would pick up reading pd apparently i was lied to ( i went into reading and nothing came up under the frequencies listed on this site i was there for several hours ) :-/ but anyway is this a good scanner to have? so far i have Montgomery Chester Lancaster and Berks in it. can anyone give me some tips or hints on how to fully enjoy this 450$ scanner ? haha

 

[Subliminal87]

OK so I've been around a scanner for a long time finally just went and bought my own i got a radio shack pro 652. i live in berks is this a good scanner to have? and i have one complaint so far i was told this would pick up reading pd apparently i was lied to ( i went into reading and nothing came up under the frequencies listed on this site i was there for several hours ) :-/ but anyway is this a good scanner to have? so far i have Montgomery Chester Lancaster and Berks in it. can anyone give me some tips or hints on how to fully enjoy this 450$ scanner ? haha

That scanner will not work at all on the p25 phase 2 system that they are making.

And if I remember correctly reading is encrypted.

 

[Grasshopper12]

i heard someone say county is changing going digital will it work for that ? like i said im new and just saying if reading is encrypted whay are the frequencies still up on the site you cant hear encrypted stuff.... or am i wrong?

 

[Subliminal87]

i heard someone say county is changing going digital will it work for that ? like i said im new and just saying if reading is encrypted whay are the frequencies still up on the site you cant hear encrypted stuff.... or am i wrong?

Uniden 436 and uniden 536 will pick up the Berks p25 phase 2 system. As for the channel stuff I am not sure as I am not from Berks.

 

[Grasshopper12]

ok I'll start looking into the 536 then wont be getting it for a while though ...

 

[sibbley]

i heard someone say county is changing going digital will it work for that ? like i said im new and just saying if reading is encrypted whay are the frequencies still up on the site you cant hear encrypted stuff.... or am i wrong?

I believe all Police are encrypted on the Phase II system. Also, If I remember correctly the system goes online October 27 unless things have changed.

 

[scott71]

I believe all Police are encrypted on the Phase II system. Also, If I remember correctly the system goes online October 27 unless things have changed.

All Berks police is encrypted. I do believe they are working off the new system as of now. Early last week was the last I heard any police traffic in Berks. Fire & EMS to follow to the new system shortly. So if your not running one those new unidens you'll be hearing a lot less.

 

[bartold]

I just bought a PSR-800 so I can use it to broadcast online for berks county. I have a question about setting it up for the new system. When I set up I chose berks county frequencies. Is that all I have to do, or must it be entered manually?

 

[chankel]

I just bought a PSR-800 so I can use it to broadcast online for berks county. I have a question about setting it up for the new system. When I set up I chose berks county frequencies. Is that all I have to do, or must it be entered manually?

Make sure the on-board database is up to date and use the scanner's built in features to add the system to what you want to scan. You can fine tune it using the PSR-800 programming software.

 

[SOSBaseStation]

I believe today 11/3 at 9:02AM per the "last broadcast" all Berks PD has moved to a new system.

 

[HM1529]

I believe today 11/3 at 9:02AM per the "last broadcast" all Berks PD has moved to a new system.

I monitored Reading FD on the new system this weekend while passing through on the PA turnpike, so they're active on the new system now, too.