Columbus Police Radio tranmissions

[Robert43055]

Anyone else having issues picking up Columbus Police, seems to be a lot of static, I am in the city with a 800 MHz antenna and stillI get a lot of static. Any ideas on how to fix this issue.Also does anyone know where they may go digital?

 

[wdz]

Hi Robert,

It's probably a couple of things. One if you're near a cell tower it can have a devastating impact on how well you receive the signal. Secondly, their system is getting old. I've heard officers and dispatchers commenting on how bad it's getting so it's not just us scanner nuts who are having issues. Thirdly they are in the process of going to MARCS-IP. There are already patched talkgroups for Patrol 1, 2, and 3. How soon they will be full time on MARCS-IP is still up in the air as far as I know but the wheels are already in motion.

 

[Robert43055]

The scanner im using is a BCD325P2. I have drove around to different locations and I still get lots of static wherever I go, I have even tried a Rs 800MHZ antenna and have tried a Diamond antenna, nothing really makes a difference, could it also be a scanner issue as well?

 

[W8RMH]

The scanner im using is a BCD325P2. I have drove around to different locations and I still get lots of static wherever I go, I have even tried a Rs 800MHZ antenna and have tried a Diamond antenna, nothing really makes a difference, could it also be a scanner issue as well?

There is nothing you can do on your end. The system is old and they are not going to put any $ into it. It is not your scanner or antenna, it is the system itself.

I get the same results on four different top of the line scanners with good antennas. As previously stated even the system users are having problems.

They are presently programming their radios and should be on the digital system soon.

 

[KD8DVR]

I'm good in my area... but then again, I live within a couple miles of their newest tower. The MARCS-IP simulcasts come and go. Sometimes they are on and others they are turned off. I haven't seen any Radio IDs pop up when there is a transmission though.

 

[mmartinfan]

Ive been hearing December/January for the switch over. But since it's the .gov and stupid Motorola I'd say won't be till July.

 

[gtaman]

The static you hear is the poor simulcast timing. It common in the analog 4.1 systems. If it were to be fixed it would just get out of timing in a year or two. My two county radios all hear it just as bad. My scanner for some odd reason barely gets any of it. The migration is happening. It will take time but it's coming soon.