SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Just figured out how to show the D-error, too, so I'll have to keep an eye on that. Reading about the different filter settings and whether they should be on, off, other, etc.
MARCS-IP ("New MARCS") Site and Talkgroup Discussion
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
As far as filters go, most posts on here seem to just say "experiement". That said, some have said wide invert works well for P25. Just curious what y'all are using. I seem to be getting a decently low decode error rate on wide invert.
Pretty much everything in this hobby is location dependent and the performance and or effectiveness of those filters will reflect that reality. What works best for someone else at their location is unlikely to be duplicated from where your scanner is setup.Yes, it's possible but don't count on it.
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
On the MARCS system, wide invert does seem to be working better for me, at least I think so. The D-error seems lower. Guess I'll keep playing around with it. I guess the only weird thing at this point is most of the traffic I pick up is from very far away. I'm on the west side in Cuyahoga, and on MARCS, the majority of stuff I hear is Lorain Co, Medina, way out on the east side of Cuyahoga, Wadsworth. It's like I'm hearing things in the surrounding cities and counties, but not in my own backyard. 
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Another question: when it comes to adding the MARCS system to a fav list, what's the best way? I just added the entire OH MARCS system (all counties), then I set everything to avoid except Cuyahoga (which is where I live). I also unavoided Cuyahoga Co simulcast. Assuming that needs to be on? Location control is off. Does this sound reasonable?
I originally tried to add just the counties I wanted, but it always added them all. I rolled with that and enabled location control, but it was still scanning some adjacent counties.
I originally tried to add just the counties I wanted, but it always added them all. I rolled with that and enabled location control, but it was still scanning some adjacent counties.
Best bet for a fixed location is to only add the site(s) you intend to monitor. This way you don't have to spend time locking out all the sites you don't need, and you know the radio will only be hearing the sites you do want to monitor.
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Is there much to listen to in this "cuyahoga" group under county systems? I'm not picking up much activity at all.
You need to compare with the database: Cuyahoga County, Ohio (OH) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
In the database its is noted who moved to where. Some may be used, but it also can be simplex and not able to be heard unless you are really close.
In the database its is noted who moved to where. Some may be used, but it also can be simplex and not able to be heard unless you are really close.
Swipesy
Member
Yes. RTA Police, CMHA Police, Cuyahoga County Interop, Cuyahoga Sheriff, etc.
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Thanks, OK. Yeah, I have the feeling I'm out of range of a lot of stuff in that group. Seems like the majority of the action is on the GCRCN.
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Is there a map somewhere that shows the antenna locations for the 700 Mhz systems?
In the database, you click the site, it pulls up detailed information about each site, including individual sites as well as simulcast systems: Ohio MARCS-IP: Multi-Agency Radio Communications Site: Cuyahoga Co Simul
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Ah, perfect, thanks. I just wondered why some of the 700 Mhz systems don't come in as strong as the 800. It looks like I'm about 3 miles from the antenna at Hopkins, and about 4.5 miles from the antenna by I90 and Columbia. So, I'm not far away, really. I guess a lot of it just depends on propagation and interference and other factors.
Now that I got my 820s antenna, I'm pretty happy with the amount of traffic I'm getting on MARCS. My other antennas don't pull in as much in that range, but they're not optimized for 700, so that makes sense.
Now that I got my 820s antenna, I'm pretty happy with the amount of traffic I'm getting on MARCS. My other antennas don't pull in as much in that range, but they're not optimized for 700, so that makes sense.
Swipesy
Member
SpaceForce - MARCS, GCRCN and Parma P25 systems are all simulcast towers in Cuyahoga County. Thus there is no such thing as being out of range for any Cuyahoga County or it communities Talkgroups on these systems as long as you have their Cuyahoga County Tower frequencies programmed. When you try to listen to communities outside of Cuyahoga County you need the respective MARCS towers for those communities. Now having said that, there are some border communities to Cuyahoga County who may have a few radios affiliated with a Cuyahoga Tower. For instance I could be in Chagrin Falls and if I have Twinsburg TG programmed in a Cuyahoga Tower profile I may hear some Twinsburg. Also I could be in Bay Village with MARCS Cuyahoga Tower and Chagrin Falls Talkgroups programmed and hear Chagrin Falls.
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SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Thanks. So, I guess the reason for poor reception would just be interference or maybe being indoors? I seem to be getting more traffic and better quality with less decode errors now that I'm using the 820s antenna. Plus, I've organized my favorites lists a bit better, and I'm getting the hang of using this scanner. Having a blast so far
Swipesy
Member
The big plus with a Uniden SDS radio or a Unication Pager is that they handle simulcast well. If you are not picking up indoors it is because poor antenna and of course P25 700/800 mhz does not penetrate building like VHF does. One of the negatives of digital radio.
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
I guess some of these are trunked, and some aren't? I have a Bearcat 125AT, and I've been able to pick up some of the stuff in the Cuyahoga Co list with that in the 400 Mhz range (and others), but of course, I'm not going to be getting the trunked traffic with that. My main focus with the SDS100 has been digital 700/800/900 bands.
The only issue with doing this is if you ever append anything in the future it will add them all back in. If you avoid them, no issue.
It's really easy to drag and avoid sites. Might be easier to avoid all, then un-avoid the ones you need.
Create a custom favorite list. No problem at all.
SpaceForceCmdr
Member
Yeah, that's what I did. It was easy to select all, and avoid. Then, I just unavoided Cuya.