Detroit scanner reception Whistler 1040

[Spartanfan]

I know this post will only target certain individuals but for those who live in Macomb County especially near Chesterfield and nearby areas are you able to regularly pick up Detroit transmissions? Very rarely do they come in. I can receive them from the Shores and Eastpointe. I pretty much have most Detroit talkgroups programmed in the scanner. Thanks.

 

[Ronaldski]

Thats the wrong model for really all of S.E. MI since its all simulcast-multiple towers. Since you have recently been posting, if your in the return window for it... if I were you, return it! There are band aids below, that can hep improve, but normally will always continue to have issues. One day it comes in decent then hours later back to what your experiencing now. If you were really close a tower then it will do good is the only time Ive worked with people and whistlers will they work.
Uniden model’s that are digital, prices lowest to highest:
996P2, 325P2, 436HP, Home Patrol2, 536HP, SDS 100, SDS 200.
The SDS models are expensive, but work flawlessly in counties as yours with multiple towers.

See WS1040/WS1065 vs Simulcast 800 - disregard #7 there as they didnt pursue it.

Also simulcast issues Radio shack pro 197 what can I do to improve reception?

And do view this

Paperclip antenna, cookie sheets, etc.

 

[Spartanfan]

Thats the wrong model for really all of S.E. MI since its all simulcast-multiple towers. Since you have recently been posting, if your in the return window for it... if I were you, return it! There are band aids below, that can hep improve, but normally will always continue to have issues. One day it comes in decent then hours later back to what your experiencing now. If you were really close a tower then it will do good is the only time Ive worked with people and whistlers will they work.
Uniden model’s that are digital, prices lowest to highest:
996P2, 325P2, 436HP, Home Patrol2, 536HP, SDS 100, SDS 200.
The SDS models are expensive, but work flawlessly in counties as yours with multiple towers.

See WS1040/WS1065 vs Simulcast 800 - disregard #7 there as they didnt pursue it.

Also simulcast issues Radio shack pro 197 what can I do to improve reception?

And do view this

Paperclip antenna, cookie sheets, etc.

So what you are saying is except for the SDS models everything else will have simulcast problems or will the other Uniden models be acceptable. Thanks again for some really great info. Things have really changed from the the previous scanners I have owned.

 

[Ronaldski]

The other non SDS' can at times have some simulcast issues, some audio broken, but its all about your location and the towers.
Closer to a tower the better.
Locations. Scroll down for the map and the bottom right click the + sign to zoom in. Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Site: Detroit City Simulcast

 

[Hit_Factor]

Other options to the SDS line is the BlueTail Tech and Unication G4 Pager. Neither of these work as a broadband scanner, but will work very well monitoring the Detroit simulcast talk groups. Keep the WS1040 for traditional scanning.

 

[smithken]

I've read that the Detroit sites don't carry very far outside the Detroit city limits. I am 5 miles from the nearest Detroit site and just under 3 miles from the Detroit city limit and my reception isn't very good. I'm not very familiar with Macomb County but it looks like Chesterfield is about 15 miles from the Detroit city limit and the nearest site is about 2 miles further away (Kelly and Whittier). I think you might be looking at more of a distance problem than a scanner problem.

 

[gpp10x]

I use a Unication G4 & G5. Both receive Detroit outside of the city limit. I've been able to listen to them out in Steling Heights & Farmington Hills. I can't comment on the SDS 100/200 but they should also work. I've also been told Detroit can be heard off the Macomb County Site but I haven't tried listening to their TG's on that site.

 

[Spartanfan]

I've read that the Detroit sites don't carry very far outside the Detroit city limits. I am 5 miles from the nearest Detroit site and just under 3 miles from the Detroit city limit and my reception isn't very good. I'm not very familiar with Macomb County but it looks like Chesterfield is about 15 miles from the Detroit city limit and the nearest site is about 2 miles further away (Kelly and Whittier). I think you might be looking at more of a distance problem than a scanner problem.

It's strange. I can receive Detroit transmissions fine early in the morning then they disappear. When I had an analog scanner years ago I could listed to Detroit any time of day. This Simulcast interference is ridiculous. Having to pay over 600 bucks for a scanner is crazy too. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Spartanfan]

I use a Unication G4 & G5. Both receive Detroit outside of the city limit. I've been able to listen to them out in Steling Heights & Farmington Hills. I can't comment on the SDS 100/200 but they should also work. I've also been told Detroit can be heard off the Macomb County Site but I haven't tried listening to their TG's on that site.

Detroit definitely can be heard clearly in Macomb County at times but not consistently. My understanding is that the units you mentioned are about the only ones which will work.

 

[fnnm400]

Unication G-4 & G5 is your best bet. Whistler stuff just don’t cut it.

 

[Spartanfan]

OK I don't have the money right now for a SDS scanner or unification pager. I went ahead and bought a Uniden BCD996P2 to compare it to the Whistler 1040. In my area 20 miles or so North of Detroit (Macomb County) it seems like the Whistler receives more transmissions than the Uniden. Simulcast distortion is there at times but 80 percent of the time things are good. Is there any other reason I am missing why the Uniden is supposed to be better or is it just a location thing.