JDE100
Member
On Phoenix A1 154.190 sometimes I receive a strong 5 bar signal and sometimes a bad 2 bar signal withing seconds. No rhyme or reason to why or when. Any idea why this happens? Could I be picking up from a different tower?
Different signal levels from same Freq
- Thread starter JDE100
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The reason is the transmissions are coming from different sites depending on which units are being dispatched. Computer selects the sites. (IE: Scottsdale assignments come off of one of the fire stations.)
If the signal level changes during the transmission, it could be a local paging transmitter on 152 MHz or there about causing interference. The no rhyme or reason really makes me think that, especially as it is within seconds.
If so, there is a fix. I use a PAR 152 MHz filter for that. Dale will custom tune it to the offending signal. Also tell him you monitor 154.190. He may swing the tune down a bit to attenuate the paging transmitter and keep your monitoring friendly. Last checked they were $79 w/$15 shipping. Worth every penny to me.
If so, there is a fix. I use a PAR 152 MHz filter for that. Dale will custom tune it to the offending signal. Also tell him you monitor 154.190. He may swing the tune down a bit to attenuate the paging transmitter and keep your monitoring friendly. Last checked they were $79 w/$15 shipping. Worth every penny to me.
KB7MIB
Member
As stated, Phoenix FD has multiple sites to pick from. South Mtn, White Tanks, North Mtn, one of the Scottsdale fire stations, maybe a few others. This is why the signal level can vary from dispatch to dispatch.
There's a weekly 7am pager test (Monday, I think) where they test at least 3 of the sites. Try to catch it, and you should see the signal level vary for each one.
John
Peoria
Not likely with the information posted but a user could suffer from desense.
JDE100
Member
Is it possible to only receive from 1 tower?
If all are transmitting the same frequency and the same tone squelch then not much of an option.
Less antenna but that affects the entire scanner.
Less antenna but that affects the entire scanner.
Ubbe
Member
If you only wish to hear that 5 bar signal you could engage the attenuator on that specific channel, if that is possible with the scanner you have, then the 2 bar signal will not open squelch but the 5 bar signal will.
/Ubbe
If you want to listen to White Tanks and ignore Thompson Peak, get a tuned high gain Yagi and aim it at the White Tanks vault. It is about as close as you can do.
One thing not mentioned here is that they don't simulcast all towers at one time. That is based on the station location. If you get selective enough you will only hear dispatches for stations covered by that transmitter and could miss the big call on another. If the variation really bothers you, then listen to K1 and the problem is solved.
Does K1 broadcast every dispatch like F1?
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JDE100
Member
I believe K1 does. Not sure what F1 is? Do you mean A1?
KB7MIB
Member
A-1 and K-1 are patched. Almost everything that you hear on A-1, you will hear on K-1. And vice versa.
IIRC, the exception is when there is a guest in the alarm room or at one of the stations, and a special dispatch is done just for them, you will only hear on A-1. (Per a dispatcher.)
John
Peoria
IIRC, the exception is when there is a guest in the alarm room or at one of the stations, and a special dispatch is done just for them, you will only hear on A-1. (Per a dispatcher.)
John
Peoria
yes, I meant A1
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