does v3 update really work better?

[kc9neq]

i have a 996t with ver 2 update and a 396t with ver 3 update.
when monitoring a 700 and 800 mhz p25 system the 396t with ver 3 update seems a little def as compared to the 996t ver 2 update.
both scanners have the same system p25 system in it.
i was of the understanding that ver 3 update was better...
any suggestions on how to make the 396t receive better with the p25 system.

 

[Viper43]

My 396 works better with the latest version, I think a lot has to do with antenna choice as well as grounding.

V

 

[ka3jjz]

The firmware update has absolutely nothing to do with the sensitivity of the scanner. In most cases, unless the antenna requires a good ground (some mobile antennas do), a better ground is not the answer. A better antenna (and in the case of a base antenna, choosing the right coax) usually is.

73 Mike

 

[bcd396t]

i too did the version 3 update on the 396 an sence i have found that it is not picking up 800 or 800 p25 at all anymore and i too just installed the 800mhz2.5db gainprofessional portable antenna thinking it may help.

 

[torontokris]

you can always revert back to V2.xx and see if it works

 

[cws]

i too did the version 3 update on the 396 an sence i have found that it is not picking up 800 or 800 p25 at all anymore and i too just installed the 800mhz2.5db gainprofessional portable antenna thinking it may help.

Be SPECIFIC on the version number, and you'll get better answers on here.
The 3.00.00 version has a problem, that was corrected in the 3.01.00 version.
So, which do you have in yours?

 

[Markscan]

I updated my 396 to the latest V3 firmware, but am considering reverting back to V2. P-25 performance on the Montclair NJ system is worse than before. The version 2 update gave flawless performance. I like the Close call do not disturb, but I am willing to trade that for stable P-25 reception. As stated earlier, the firmware updates have nothing to do with sensitivity.

 

[bcd396t]

back to version 1.13

im having exactley the same trouble sence ive done the update from 1.13 to 3.01 ive lost all the r.c.m.p which are p 25 of my homtown in cape breton nova scotia so im just wondering if there is a way or how can i convert back to the version 1.13 that i had great performance with.

 

[cws]

im having exactley the same trouble sence ive done the update from 1.13 to 3.01 ive lost all the r.c.m.p which are p 25 of my homtown in cape breton nova scotia so im just wondering if there is a way or how can i convert back to the version 1.13 that i had great performance with.

I'm not saying you are incorrect about the new version, but wonder if it's just some setting that's different, and causing the problem, or if it could have been a coincidental talkgroup change in your area. If it were me, I would rather try to make the newer version work better, instead of reverting to an old one, since if any more new versions come out, with features you may want, you'll be locked into the old one by your decision.

I presume you're listening to this system, right?
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3627&nopt=1
There are 69 sites in it. Do you have all site's control channels, or just some of them programmed? Do you have each site as a different System?
There's some interesting reading in the Wiki about not hearing some talkgroups, etc. at
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Motorola_Type_II and
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/SmartZone

Hope it works out for you.

 

[Markscan]

I have recerted back to V2. It is now flawless again. With the latest V3 I was getting motorboating about 50% of the time. It was not a reception issue either as some like to say. I tried making all the adjustments, and switching to manual etc. Version 2 simply works better for me. I will miss the close call do not disturb.

 

[davidmc36]

Interesting results. I had very different results. The V2 caused a big degradation for my 996 on the MOTO II VHF system here in Ontario, but the V3 restored it back. Go figure.

 

[Viper43]

Did those of you having "degraded performance" reload the programming AFTER updating? If not that may be why your having problems.

V

 

[davidmc36]

I don't think that was an issue since I did both updates without reloading any programming. I didn't back it up for the first one since I did not have too much in there to lose. It was pretty full during the V3 so I backed up just in case but did not restore. From any of the strolling around in menus after I did not see anything out of place. The radio just seemed to be back to it's old self.

 

[powerlineman]

firmware

I still have 1.11.03 in my 396. I have always been pleased with it's performance and never felt like messing with updating it. Maybe there is an advantage I am not aware of. After reading some of the posts I am scared to update it.

 

[Viper43]

It can be an issue, and scrolling through the programming won't help, just because it "looks" good to you doesn't mean it is right internally. I've had it look fine but work like crap, then reinstall the programming and it's fine.... ALWAYS reload programming after an update! Which of course means you should ALWAYS back up your programming before updating...

V

I don't think that was an issue since I did both updates without reloading any programming. I didn't back it up for the first one since I did not have too much in there to lose. It was pretty full during the V3 so I backed up just in case but did not restore. From any of the strolling around in menus after I did not see anything out of place. The radio just seemed to be back to it's old self.

 

[davidmc36]

It can be an issue, and scrolling through the programming won't help, just because it "looks" good to you doesn't mean it is right internally. I've had it look fine but work like crap, then reinstall the programming and it's fine.... ALWAYS reload programming after an update! Which of course means you should ALWAYS back up your programming before updating...

V

Maybe I just got lucky. I sure am happy with the way it runs now. I can sure see a lot of potential for scrambled systems during updates to cause problems. That could have been why V2 seemed worse for me. It just didn't seem plauseable since it went right back to the original good performance after I went to V3 and I did not do any restoring either time.

 

[bcd396t]

looking for the flawless performance in v 2

I have recerted back to V2. It is now flawless again. With the latest V3 I was getting motorboating about 50% of the time. It was not a reception issue either as some like to say. I tried making all the adjustments, and switching to manual etc. Version 2 simply works better for me. I will miss the close call do not disturb.

hello there im having the same trouble with my bcd396t sence i updated with 301 my p25 is twice as deff as it used to be where can i get the version 2 update so i can try it and see if it may help thanks.

 

[ve1sef]

I tried v3 and then 3.1 when released; but, didn't seem to like our
NSTMR digital.
Had the 996 sitting beside the 785; the 785 was picking it up signals that
the 996 was missing. But, the audio on the 996 using v3 was bit clearer.
Tried all the suggestions and trouble shooting tips posted on this site and
others. Finally I reloaded v2 and the digital reception was once again on
par with the 785.
I decided to return to using v2(for now).
However,that's my experince. You should approach this with an open mind,
if you have a "back-up" copy of v2; why not give v3 a try.
It's no harder to reload v2 as it is to install v3.

 

[bcd396t]

yeah i had good reception from the p25 rcmp before i did the update and now its not half as good do you know where i can version 2 an is there much trouble to revert back ? thanks.

 

[Markscan]

It may still be on your computer. or you might get it from the 396 yahoo group, Its just as easy to load as any other update. I did alot of tweaking to get good performance with V3. But I got tired of the constant "motorboating" on all my P-25 systems. I am very happy with the V2, it gives the best performance so far, for me anyway. I wish they would find a way to pick and choose what you want from the firmware. i would love to keep V2 P-25 performance, but would also like the close call do not disturb, and the rebanding updates. I hope the 396XT gives good results out of the box.