I would agree.. They will probably come out with new firmware the day after i pick up my 396xt. Lol. I like the new firmware updater also
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Metro P25
Hi guys, been following for a while... but now reaching out for a little help.
I currently have a RS Pro-197 and have just purchased a Yagi Antenna to help with the dreaded Simulcast problem that we have around here. I am closest to the FCFD St. 2 Tower on Bardstown Rd, so that's the tower I'm going for (I'm actually just south of there). My question in reference to that is how to properly mount the Yagi to ensure it's pointed properly at the tower. It's going in an attic due to restrictions in my neighborhood. The neighborhood association doesn't like towers or antennas on chimneys or anything like that.
My second question is about the actual set up of my scanner. I've read some very mixed reviews of the PRO-197. Some say once configured and with the proper antenna, it's a good scanner. But others say it's just as good as a paper weight. I'm really leaning towards turning this into my VHF/UHF scanner and getting a Uniden after reading all the good things you guys are saying about their ease of set up with the P25 system here in Louisville.
Many thanks appreciated.
Hi guys, been following for a while... but now reaching out for a little help.
I currently have a RS Pro-197 and have just purchased a Yagi Antenna to help with the dreaded Simulcast problem that we have around here. I am closest to the FCFD St. 2 Tower on Bardstown Rd, so that's the tower I'm going for (I'm actually just south of there). My question in reference to that is how to properly mount the Yagi to ensure it's pointed properly at the tower. It's going in an attic due to restrictions in my neighborhood. The neighborhood association doesn't like towers or antennas on chimneys or anything like that.
My second question is about the actual set up of my scanner. I've read some very mixed reviews of the PRO-197. Some say once configured and with the proper antenna, it's a good scanner. But others say it's just as good as a paper weight. I'm really leaning towards turning this into my VHF/UHF scanner and getting a Uniden after reading all the good things you guys are saying about their ease of set up with the P25 system here in Louisville.
Many thanks appreciated.
The pro-197 works pretty good over here in indiana but SUX for louisville simul cast cast.
Lots of people saying they have better luck with the 396xt. My new one is in the living room. I down loaded the new firmware today but havent had a chance to load my list yet. Probably will do that in the morning.
Even if i dont get to pick up the louisville traffic that i want, i am very pleased with the compactness and portability of the 396xt and its features.
Lots of other guys on here with more knowledge than myself but i hope that helps
Lots of people saying they have better luck with the 396xt. My new one is in the living room. I down loaded the new firmware today but havent had a chance to load my list yet. Probably will do that in the morning.
Even if i dont get to pick up the louisville traffic that i want, i am very pleased with the compactness and portability of the 396xt and its features.
Lots of other guys on here with more knowledge than myself but i hope that helps
My 396XT is better than my 996XT on the MetroSafe system. I'm "happy" with the 396XT most everywhere I go in Louisville and "happy" with my 996XT in many (but not all) places I go in Louisville. Thus I'd suggest the 396XT
You're actually fairly lucky where you are. The FCFD 2 site is the southern-most site on the system and covers a lot of ground (I think it has one of the tallest towers in the system). So I'm scratching my head trying to figure out which other site might be confusing your scanner.
(My 996XT "cleans up" pretty good once I get on Bardstown Road around I265 headed south.)
I'm kind of surprised that you are having problems with your Pro 197 where you are. I know very little about that scanner but in looking at the manual I see where you can set the attenuator (ATTEN) on your scanner in the TSYS. Have you tried "On" and "Off" to see if there is a difference?
You're actually fairly lucky where you are. The FCFD 2 site is the southern-most site on the system and covers a lot of ground (I think it has one of the tallest towers in the system). So I'm scratching my head trying to figure out which other site might be confusing your scanner.
(My 996XT "cleans up" pretty good once I get on Bardstown Road around I265 headed south.)
I'm kind of surprised that you are having problems with your Pro 197 where you are. I know very little about that scanner but in looking at the manual I see where you can set the attenuator (ATTEN) on your scanner in the TSYS. Have you tried "On" and "Off" to see if there is a difference?
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It's gotta be the 265/65 tower that is confusing it along w/ FCFD 2. I don't have that Yagi antenna hooked up yet... so at this point, it's just pulling signal in from all over. I've tried settings galore, and then some. I'm in the Mt. Washington area if that helps you.
Got my 396xt. Plugged in 13/185 for the settings. Only using the stock antenna. Still not much luck. Is there only an on/off setting for attenuation or does that have different settings?
MBP13: It could be that site that is giving you the problem, though it is a pretty "fir piece" away from Mount Washington, given the hills and stuff in between.
I've been down in Mount Washington with my 996XT and it was quite clear. I still can't help but thinking the FCFD 2 site would drown out any other conflcting sites since it is between you and them.
K0JUS:
You may wish to confirm that you scanner has the latest firmware installed (the 1.11.01).
You can determine this by MENU>SETTINGS>SEE SCANNER INFO>FIRMWARE VERSION. If it does not say 1.11.01, check the Uniden posts on how to update the firmware. (It's possible that you may not have the latest firmware which made a huge improvement for me with the MetroSafe system).
To change the attenuator here are the steps: MENU>PROGRAM SYSTEM>(Whatever you've called MetroSafe>EDIT SITE>(whatever the MetroSafe Site is)>SET ATTENUATOR>ON. (Same process as the 996XT)
I've been down in Mount Washington with my 996XT and it was quite clear. I still can't help but thinking the FCFD 2 site would drown out any other conflcting sites since it is between you and them.
K0JUS:
You may wish to confirm that you scanner has the latest firmware installed (the 1.11.01).
You can determine this by MENU>SETTINGS>SEE SCANNER INFO>FIRMWARE VERSION. If it does not say 1.11.01, check the Uniden posts on how to update the firmware. (It's possible that you may not have the latest firmware which made a huge improvement for me with the MetroSafe system).
To change the attenuator here are the steps: MENU>PROGRAM SYSTEM>(Whatever you've called MetroSafe>EDIT SITE>(whatever the MetroSafe Site is)>SET ATTENUATOR>ON. (Same process as the 996XT)
That is the firmware version that i have. I can litterally go a couple of blocks and get on i-65 and everything comes in perfect. Thats without messing with the attenuation setting. I have full bars at the house but will try to dampen the signal some with the attenuator and a smaller antenna
Rats!!! Very frustrating
unitcharlie
a Kentucky DB Admin...
Use a standard paper clip, unfurl it and place it in the BNC.... if MetroSafe is all you monitor, it could work!
Place an end in the hole and curl it to the side?
Im just about ready to buy a motorola radio and have the tx disabled. I know that would work and i sure have spent more money on less things in the oa
Im just about ready to buy a motorola radio and have the tx disabled. I know that would work and i sure have spent more money on less things in the oa
On less things in the past. If ya cant beat"em.....join"em. Lol
unitcharlie
a Kentucky DB Admin...
k9jus: make sure the end placed in the BNC (I have mine in an old solder-less BNC connector with some glue from a glue gun to secure it) makes good contact with the spades or ring and the other end can be curled or straight or however it works best in your case....
How far are you from a tower?
That's what I'm going to do, I sold my Pro-96 in December and as soon as I have the $$$ I'm going to buy an Astro Saber or XTS.
Louisville scan man, i love your web page.. Do you have a link to one of those radios?
Never mind. I found some links
Thanks dude, I put a lot of work into it over the years.
Make sure any radio you buy will receive 9600 baud P25 digital signals, many of the old Astro Sabers and Astro Spectras were 3600 baud and are incompatible with Metrosafe.
This antenna might be of some interest....
http://forums.radioreference.com/in.../267111-supersonic-sc-602-800mhz-antenna.html
http://forums.radioreference.com/in.../267111-supersonic-sc-602-800mhz-antenna.html
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