Over the weekend, we isolated a problem affecting P25 performance after upgrading to V3.00.00. During testing, we had a number of test modes that we used to adjust some parameters for determining the best mix of some complex and interacting factors. We finally settled on "Mode 3" being the mode that gives the best performance.
Unfortunately, this test mode was left in the public release version, and it defaults to Mode 1 (which provided frankly horrendous performance...a fact that did not go unnoticed by many of you). We will issue an update that will change the default mode to 3 (or just remove these hidden options altogether) but meanwhile, you can get the performance that most testers in open beta agreed was stellar by following these steps:
Also, in changing to support rebanded systems (or actually any system that uses a non-standard band plan in 800 MHz) the ability to automatically trunk track 800 MHz Standard systems in Control Channel Search mode was lost. After receiving a lot of feedback about this, we decided that it was premature to remove this funcationality. Eventually, as more systems reband, this feature will become less and less useful (as the scanner has never been able to automatically trunk track either rebanded or splinter 800 systems). But, we've decided that we will add Control Channel Search Trunking back into the feature set for 800 MHz Standard systems in a V3 maintenance release.
Finally, after a user reported that the AGC settings were not accessible using the remote head after the update, we actually found that the serial interface on the scanner would be locked up after attempting to access the function. Not fatal, as cycling power on the scanner restored operation, but this is also something we'll correct in the maintenance release.
This information is so new, we haven't had time to make a test plan and schedule for the next release that will include these corrections. I'll let you know when we expect to have the update out as soon as I can.
Meanwhile, thanks for sticking with us. As you see reports of people having any of the above issues, please lend a hand by passing this information along.
UPMan
Unfortunately, this test mode was left in the public release version, and it defaults to Mode 1 (which provided frankly horrendous performance...a fact that did not go unnoticed by many of you). We will issue an update that will change the default mode to 3 (or just remove these hidden options altogether) but meanwhile, you can get the performance that most testers in open beta agreed was stellar by following these steps:
- Turn off the scanner.
- Press and hold down HOLD while turning on the scanner. The backlight will blink on the BCD996T and the BCD396T will sound some extra power-up tones..
- MENU --> SETTINGS --> P25 ADJUST MODE to get to the menu, then press 3, E to change to Mode 3.
Also, in changing to support rebanded systems (or actually any system that uses a non-standard band plan in 800 MHz) the ability to automatically trunk track 800 MHz Standard systems in Control Channel Search mode was lost. After receiving a lot of feedback about this, we decided that it was premature to remove this funcationality. Eventually, as more systems reband, this feature will become less and less useful (as the scanner has never been able to automatically trunk track either rebanded or splinter 800 systems). But, we've decided that we will add Control Channel Search Trunking back into the feature set for 800 MHz Standard systems in a V3 maintenance release.
Finally, after a user reported that the AGC settings were not accessible using the remote head after the update, we actually found that the serial interface on the scanner would be locked up after attempting to access the function. Not fatal, as cycling power on the scanner restored operation, but this is also something we'll correct in the maintenance release.
This information is so new, we haven't had time to make a test plan and schedule for the next release that will include these corrections. I'll let you know when we expect to have the update out as soon as I can.
Meanwhile, thanks for sticking with us. As you see reports of people having any of the above issues, please lend a hand by passing this information along.
UPMan
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