Can I make a BCT15 less sensative?

[bep]

This problem covers several forums, so I thought I would start here.

My BCT-15 has been working wonderfully for a year or so, not one problem. Well the last couple of days there seems to be some interference that is locking the scanner on several talk groups. I am scanning Virginia Beach FIre and it is an analog Motorola trunked system. It is not static, but seems to be a dead carrier, I think. It is not strong enough to block out the fire channel, it breaks through quite well. Sometimes I can press scan and it will be fine for a while.

I have a second BCT-15 and the issue is the same when hooked to the same antenna.

The antenna is a mobile mag mount on a metal roof. It feeds three other scanners (yes I know).

I have placed the antenna in the attic under the metal roof, and I do get moderate reception, and the interference is gone. However I cannot receive other systems as before.

Is there a tweak I can do with the BCT-15 to make it less sensitive for the trunked system I want to listen to?

I will move this to the correct forum if I am in the wrong one.

Thanks

 

[neondesert]

Have you tried using the built in attenuator function?

 

[bep]

I just looked it up in the Easier to Read manuals. So if I understand this correctly, when on it makes it less sensitive.

I have moved the antenna back outside and usually I show 3 bars now none, but I do receive.

Thank you, I knew there was someone and something that would work.

BTW- Is there a way to find out what is causing the issue?

 

[SCPD]

bep..... I am pretty sure it is not the radio it is the system itself. My 346XT and 15 are both on at the same time and they both make the same sounds. It almost sounds like a control channel. Also just for info when they dispatch a Engine to a medical call my 346 & 15 will change ID's. 37936 will change to 45872 during dispatch, and 45872 will change to 37936 on the EMS channel.

Mark

 

[bep]

I have also noticed that at times, say on a fire talk group, I will hear talk about banquet set-up and tables, then it goes away

 

[SCPD]

I have my sq. set to 3 since I am so close to the tower. Since you are close to the Convention Center I think those talk groups are coming thru. Did u mean u see the Fire ID change on a Fire assist with EMS?

Mark

 

[bep]

An update. I have noticed that my BCT15 in my vehicle will lock up as my base BCT15 does as I stated above. It holds on a channel after the carrier has dropped. If I hit scan it will not stop on the talk group. This has happened on several talk groups. So I can rule out my location.

I am also getting more and more conversation on fire talk groups that is definitely not fire related.

Using the attenuator function does cut it out, but obviously reception is very poor.

Any other suggestions?

 

[737mech]

Suggestion

An update. I have noticed that my BCT15 in my vehicle will lock up as my base BCT15 does as I stated above. It holds on a channel after the carrier has dropped. If I hit scan it will not stop on the talk group. This has happened on several talk groups. So I can rule out my location.

I am also getting more and more conversation on fire talk groups that is definitely not fire related.

Using the attenuator function does cut it out, but obviously reception is very poor.

Any other suggestions?

I am reading thru this post, You said it was working before? Did you check connections? Moisture in the coax? Freezing conditions? Corrosion maybe? Maybe a new cell phone tower or FM radio station nearby? Might need to add a filter for that? Just a suggestion you could try a FM trap from Radioshack for $8. I did this and it worked great. Basically it blocks out the FM radio stations and helps scanner on other freqs. Also check for settings Moto end tone, maybe the scanner is waiting for end tone and didn't get it? I think this setting is called "hold time"?
Hope you find a solution, please post when you do.

 

[bep]

Thank you for the reply. The thing that bugs me is that it is happening when I am traveling in the city, not just my mobile set-up. I failed to mention that this does not happen on my Pro-197 connected to the same antenna and scanning the same system.
Sometimes I think it is the trunked system itself.

 

[neondesert]

Also check for settings Moto end tone, maybe the scanner is waiting for end tone and didn't get it? I think this setting is called "hold time"?

@bep I agree with 737mech on checking to make sure your scanner is set to check for the end tone on Motorola trunking systems.

I've experienced a similar situation myself where my 15X was stopping on one frequency (no control channel noise, just carrier) and receiving talkgroups I didn't even have programmed. It would then hang on the that frequency. Once I set the scanner to check for the end code my problem was solved.

The Easier to Read BCT-15 manual has instructions on how to set this.

Easier to Read BCT-15 Scanner Manual

Hope this helps.

 

[SCPD]

Bep.... The guys are correct... I forgot to post it. I have the 346XT & 15X set for... Status Bit (ignore) and End Code (yes). If I had the Status Bit on I would miss calls when Fire was dispatched to assist EMS unless I programmed the ID's after adding 7 to them. EMS 45872 would then be 45879, and Fire 37936 would be 37943.

Mark

 

[bep]

I have made the changes, and in the past 1/2 hour there have been no issues. I find it funny that after several years of monitoring this system, this issue crops up.

Thank you all

BEP

 

[SCPD]

I am at the station today and Va Beach nevers comes in clear here. I will listen tomorrow to hear if any noise comes over.... I am 20 miles from the Rosemont tower when Im here. Keep us in the loop how it goes.

Mark

 

[bep]

Still working fine as it always did.