Does scanner model effect receiving range?

[threeofnine]

I've been using a WS1040 for a while and it does great. I mostly monitor VHF frequencies and I can pick up radio traffic from 30-40 miles pretty clearly. I bought a secondary WS1010 just to monitor a certain VHF frequency but I cannot even clearly receive signals from a dispatch center 16 miles away. I have been using the exact same antennas as the WS1040 but the WS1010 just is not working. Does the actual scanner model have an effect on receiving range?

 

[Hit_Factor]

It could, but that's why there are so many aftermarket antennas to pick from. Something like this will help: Comet Antennas GP-3 Comet GP-3 Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering, Comet Antennas GP-6 Comet GP-6 Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering or Comet Antennas GP-9 Comet GP-9 Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering

You also need the mount and coax. Don't go cheap on the coax, everything will suffer if you do. I use LMR-400, but if you have long runs you might need a better grade.

 

[tvengr]

What is the frequency and agency of the dispatch center you are trying to monitor?

 

[threeofnine]

What is the frequency and agency of the dispatch center you are trying to monitor?

Alabama Highway Patrol, Troop G, Birmingham 154.920

AL Highway Patrol (Alabama) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for AL Highway Patrol (Alabama)

www.radioreference.com

 

[tvengr]

You should have no problem monitoring that frequency. If the frequency is correct and it is set as conventional analog NFM and not locked out and it is assigned to an enabled scan list, the only other thing to check is the attenuator. If you see GA at the top of the screen, press the ATT button. Are you able to receiver NOAA Weather? It not, it is a common problem with that scanner that the solder connection from the antenna connector to the circuit board can break if any stress is applied to the antenna. Was the scanner dropped?

 

[threeofnine]

You should have no problem monitoring that frequency. If the frequency is correct and it is set as conventional analog NFM and not locked out and it is assigned to an enabled scan list, the only other thing to check is the attenuator. If you see GA at the top of the screen, press the ATT button. Are you able to receiver NOAA Weather? It not, it is a common problem with that scanner that the solder connection from the antenna connector to the circuit board can break if any stress is applied to the antenna. Was the scanner dropped?

I don’t see an ATT button. Here is a pic of the scanner/screen. I can receive weather but with extremely static. Radio transmissions are practically unintelligible. This unit was an eBay refurbished unit so bad or broken solders makes sense. I probably better return it.

 

[tvengr]

I don’t see an ATT button. Here is a pic of the scanner/screen. I can receive weather but with extremely static. Radio transmissions are practically unintelligible. This unit was an eBay refurbished unit so bad or broken solders makes sense. I probably better return it.

After rereading your post, I realized that my info was for the WS1040. Your frequency is showing as 154.9125. That is not correct. It should be 154.92.

 

[threeofnine]

Your frequency is showing as 154.9125. That is not correct. It should be 154.92

Oh, I just noticed that. I used ARC404 to program the scanner. The software keeps changing 154.92 to 154.9125. I have tried to manually change it but it reverts to 154.9125 as soon as I press enter. Odd.

Edit: I manually entered 154.920 into the scanner directly and now its working. Odd, I wonder why ARC404 keeps changing the frequency.

 

[tvengr]

Under the Setup tab in ARC404, do you have the Scanner Model set to WS1010 - 400 ch?

 

[threeofnine]

Under the Setup tab in ARC404, do you have the Scanner Model set to WS1010 - 400 ch?

And that was the problem... I selected WS1010 in the upload menu, I was unaware I also needed to select it in the setup. Seems all is well. I greatly appreciate the help!