Macomb (Michigan) Simulcast

[instrumentphilip]

I have a question about the Macomb Simulcast. I got my Pro-106 last week and I am loving it, I put in Warren, Michigan's P25 control channels and talkgroup IDs and everything is coming in clear and I love it, I also live pretty close to the Tower. Now I programmed in the Macomb System's control channels from the Database, ( The primary Control and the Alternative Control Frequency ) and some cities like Eastpoint PD, Fraser, and Roseville usually come in pretty clear but sometimes it breaks up like I am loosing the signal. Especially with Sterling Heights PD.

I found out there are 6 or 10 Towers in the County of Macomb, what I do not understand is how the whole system works, does a Police officers radio get picked up by which even Tower he is closest by and then get transmitted from that same Tower? Are they all receive sites and each individual police station the transmit site?

I am very curious as to how this works.... Would you folks be so kind as to explain it to me?


Thanks

 

[rdale]

CQPSK simulcast systems are very difficult to get a good signal with, for several reasons. You can check the Wiki where that's discussed, or peruse the threads here. Your best bet is a directional antenna pointed at the closest tower. If that doesn't work, point it at another tower until you get a good signal.

 

[instrumentphilip]

Well how does it work ina nutshell? or could you point me in the direction of a URL?

 

[wa8pyr]

Well how does it work in a nutshell? or could you point me in the direction of a URL?

In a simulcast system (or site as in this case), all towers share the same frequencies and broadcast the same transmissions from all towers at the same time. This is usually done in more heavily populated areas to improve in-building coverage.

End nutshell....

 

[instrumentphilip]

Ahh okay I see. Well then if that is the case than why would I have problems picking it up, and why would the signal cut in and out if all of the towers in Macomb are transmitting the signal? Wouldn't that mean that I should be able to hear everything in the county?