BCD436HP/BCD536HP: IFX Help

[kh6sz]

Even after reading thru the "Easier to read manual", I still don't know what it is and when to use it. Can someone explain in laymans terms what and when to use IFX?
Is it used to make a frequency not lock up the scanner with interference, or if the voice comes in garbled, etc? Thanks in advance.

 

[teknishun]

In the very simplest of terms you would use the IFX (intermediate frequency exchange) if you are receiving a signal on
a frequency where is does not belong.

If you're hearing a signal that really isn't on the displayed frequency (such as an intermodulation product), it likely will remove it. If you're hearing a stray signal that's actually on the frequency, or bleeding through from an adjacent one, it won't do anything.

Unforturnately, this function is only available while holding on a channel - so it won't eliminate nuisance hits while scanning.

 

[teknishun]

Verbatim from the SDS200 User Manual, approx page 7, under Features.

Intermediate Frequency Exchange – Changes the IF used for a selected channel/frequency to
help avoid image and other mixer-product interference on a frequency.

 

[kh6sz]

In the very simplest of terms you would use the IFX (intermediate frequency exchange) if you are receiving a signal on
a frequency where is does not belong.

If you're hearing a signal that really isn't on the displayed frequency (such as an intermodulation product), it likely will remove it. If you're hearing a stray signal that's actually on the frequency, or bleeding through from an adjacent one, it won't do anything.

Unforturnately, this function is only available while holding on a channel - so it won't eliminate nuisance hits while scanning.

Thank you teknishun for explaining it so that even I understand it. It makes since now. I assume that the same info will apply to the BCD436HP as well as the SDS100 & 200? That is too bad that it doesn't work while scanning, I have a couple channels that I regularly monitor, but a paging service is close-by and drowns out everything. I still might give it a shot and see if it works better. Again, thanks!

 

[bravo14]

@kh6sz if you're using IFX what ever Freq you select it will effect in custom search. You can program the IFX in sentinel in Edit Profile > Miscellaneous look for Intermediate Freq Exchange (bottom right)

 

[teknishun]

Concerning pager frequencies, this may or may not help. If the signal is too strong it may still
bleed over.

Broadcast Screen – Allows the scanner to ignore search and Close Call hits on known broadcast
frequencies including pager frequencies. You can also program up to 10 custom frequency ranges
that the scanner ignores.

Open the Sentinel software and the choose Edit Profile. Use the correct profile for your scanner type.
This is determined by the Tools - Target Model - Profile Name in the Sentinel menu at the top.

Click on the Broadcast Screen tab. Then put a check in the Pager box.
This is supposed to tell the scanner to ignore frequencies in the pager band.
Reload the changes back into the scanner from Sentinel.