Goodbye Uniden? Simulcast Issues

[maus92]

I had all but given up on my 436 when they went to a 9 tower simulcast system in my county. As a last hope I bought a $20 18 inch yagi looking antenna and walked around the living room with it trying to get some reception when I started getting some results. Long story short I was able to mount it in the corner of my living room on a swivel and it went from a 40% decode to 98% and I would put up my 436 against any SDS for decode. Doing this saved me over $400 that I didnt have and still dont and saved my 40 year scanning hobby.

This solution can work for some people as you illustrate. Upgrading to a SDS or Unication radio eliminates the need for unusual antennas mounting in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, etc. If it works for you, great, but it won't be portable, and frankly it is a bit of a kludge.

 

[SCOTTER]

Calm down Im just trying to help you dont have to use big words like KLUDGE I had to look that up lol and it works good around town as I drive around it picks up 70% and as far as a KLUDGE its neatly mounted in the corner and no one has even ask me about it

 

[da2ricky]

After moving to an area in my county surrounded by simulcast towers, my 996P2 fell flat on its face. I dabbled with antennas and settings for a while before I finally broke down and bought an RTL-SDR dongle and started using op25. I've since bought a second RTL-SDR dongle and am running SDR-Trunk on a dedicated Windows machine and it works pretty well.

My only complaint is not being able to hold on a talkgroup. But, the entire thing cost me roughly $60 since I had a spare computer laying around to put it on.

EDIT: I see someone else mentioned a yagi. I tried that but due to the positioning of the towers around me, I still had issues. Sometimes it worked great, other times I'd have complete silence... it was hit or miss for my situation.

 

[maus92]

Calm down Im just trying to help you dont have to use big words like KLUDGE I had to look that up lol and it works good around town as I drive around it picks up 70% and as far as a KLUDGE its neatly mounted in the corner and no one has even ask me about it

Ah, are you sure that you are receive all system traffic when driving around town? But then again, that might be satisfactory for you regardless. It would not be for me, and I suspect for the majority of people (majority generally means >50%.)

 

[maus92]

After moving to an area in my county surrounded by simulcast towers, my 996P2 fell flat on its face. I dabbled with antennas and settings for a while before I finally broke down and bought an RTL-SDR dongle and started using op25. I've since bought a second RTL-SDR dongle and am running SDR-Trunk on a dedicated Windows machine and it works pretty well.

My only complaint is not being able to hold on a talkgroup. But, the entire thing cost me roughly $60 since I had a spare computer laying around to put it on.

EDIT: I see someone else mentioned a yagi. I tried that but due to the positioning of the towers around me, I still had issues. Sometimes it worked great, other times I'd have complete silence... it was hit or miss for my situation.

Yup. Typical experience when the listening location has more than one site in the Yagi's beamwidth. When using non-optimized radios, it is a hit-or-miss scenario. I use op25 on a spare computer, and it works great, but it doesn't work for mobile applications very well. But if you only listen from a fixed location, it is a legit solution.

 

[da2ricky]

Yup. Typical experience when the listening location has more than one site in the Yagi's beamwidth. When using non-optimized radios, it is a hit-or-miss scenario. I use op25 on a spare computer, and it works great, but it doesn't work for mobile applications very well. But if you only listen from a fixed location, it is a legit solution.

If you only care to monitor one system but want to be able to listen in while you're out and about, it is possible to stream op25 so you can listen on your phone. I'm not experienced enough with linux and didn't have the time to fiddle with it which is why I ditched op25 and started using SDR Trunk. It was easy to get a private stream up and going so I can listen on my cell.

 

[SCOTTER]

I pick up a 100% of the traffic its 70% that is clear the other is garbled but I can make it out usually

 

[werinshades]

I pick up a 100% of the traffic its 70% that is clear the other is garbled but I can make it out usually

How long before you purchase your SDS100/200? Bearcat Warehouse has a buy back program which will give credit towards one of them. We know you want it. 70% decode is not acceptable, but 100% is..

 

[mikewazowski]

Offering bad advice based on incomplete experience does not help people.

This!

 

[slicerwizard]

you dont have to use big words like KLUDGE I had to look that up

Six letters. Yuge word. Only the best and brightest words, use we do.

 

[maus92]

If you only care to monitor one system but want to be able to listen in while you're out and about, it is possible to stream op25 so you can listen on your phone. I'm not experienced enough with linux and didn't have the time to fiddle with it which is why I ditched op25 and started using SDR Trunk. It was easy to get a private stream up and going so I can listen on my cell.

Understood. TheSDR trunk solution would not work for me since I monitor multiple systems as I move through jurisdictions. But I should experiment with it just to be familiar.

 

[greggk]

Double Post. Delete.

 

[greggk]

My SDS100 arrived almost 2 hours ago. Its sitting on my desk in pieces. In all honestly I'm worried about plugging it in and getting nothing again. Just once in my life I'd love to buy something new and not have to send it back. Well, I'm going for it. Take care all. Greg

 

[buddrousa]

Relax take a deep breath and ENJOY

 

[greggk]

Its Working!

 

[greggk]

The 436 sitting 2 feet away and with exact programming is picking up nothing. Its totally silent.

The stress these last few days has been terrible. Life is better now. It works!

And I truly appreciate all who helped! Greg

 

[greggk]

Delete. Another Double Post. ?

 

[buddrousa]

Greg night and day difference and you have to see it and hear it to understand the difference.

 

[racefan0020]

I live just north of you in Dover. Just got a trx 2 several months back. While I sometimes have distortion from Baltimore, Carroll, Adams and Lancaster Counties, I never have heard any in York County. None from Frankin County or PASTARNet either. Unfortunately, it may be years b4 I try a sds. The better half was not too happy with the $500 for the trx 2. I don't even want to bring up the 600 to 700 for a sds. Lol

 

[greggk]

Buddrousa my friend...I heard about it. I could not believe it was true. My 536 was working in here. Its been in a stationary place, yet my 536 cannot keep up with it. The voice is clear, the default screen is refined and sharp, and I haven't even got to the insides yet. Tomorrow will be a good day. Thanks for all the help!