Sadly my reception of my local PD (Shawnee) has only gotten WORSE! I've had to endure watching cops in action on their radios literally a few feet from me and gotten partial, or completely distorted reception. Even have situations where I copy a transmission but not the reply. I assume its all about simulcast and the fact that I'm right here in downtown Shawnee. If I'm over in Westwood I might hear Shawnee crystal clear. I've tried the paper clip, but it really didn't help. It seems that it used to be a bit better.
FYI: Its an old Uniden 396. If anybody thinks a scanner change will help, I'm open, although I really love the size and layout of the Uniden. My hope is that the manufacturers will see a demand and find some tech solutions to help with simulcast.
Yes, I'm frustrated! :-(
I'm not familiar with Uniden but, is your scanner up to date with the latest firmware? If it is, my best guess would be your location is playing a big part in your issue.
Basic Google Earth distance search shows from Downtown Shawnee, I used Johnson Drive and Nieman Road as the location, to the tower behind Shawnee Police Headquarters (Johnson Drive & Renner Road) is 3.20 nautical miles. From the same location in Downtown Shawnee is 3.20 nautical miles from the tower site at the Mission water treatment plant (approximately I-35 & Lamar). And a third site, Lenexa Police Headquarters (W 87th Street & Long) is 3.10 nautical miles from the same location.
With you saying that your reception improves in Westwood, I would assume that is because you are closer to the Mission tower, so the scanner is able to focus its attention on the one site instead of being overwhelmed with multiple signals of the same thing.
Downtown Shawnee just seems to be smack dab between two towers, and within at .10 of a mile from being the center of three towers.
I will have to drive over that way and see how my Radio Shack 106 does near Shawnee City Hall.
Edit: Forgot to include this before... Here is a Radio Reference map of the tower locations for this system. Only thing to note is these locations are approximate, the red markers are not exactly on the tower site.
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?action=siteMap&sid=6916&type=fcc