MARCS-IP on PRO-651 with PSREdit500

[legop3]

Hi, I recently built a programming cable for my pro-651 and got PSREdit500. I programmed a few MARCS-IP broadcast sites in, with a bunch of different talkgroups that I am interested in. Before reprogramming my scanner, I had a few P25 frequencies saved that I found by the search function, where I could hear things like EMS calls and responses. I looked up these frequencies, and they are part of MARCS-IP, but with this new programming I am not hearing that same stuff anymore.

I am getting stuff every once in a while, but it often cuts out after about 1 second of clear voice, and mainly its a whole bunch of nothing with a flickering "T" icon in the top left of the screen. I may need some help with understanding how trunked systems work, and how to properly program this thing from the computer. I would be open to trying different software, as I am just running the trial for now. Thanks for any help.

 

[tvengr]

Everything you are describing is a symptom of simulcast distortion. I already advised you in your other thread that you would have problems with the Columbus MARCS sites with any scanner other than a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200. The programming software has absolutely nothing to do with it. You will get exactly the same results using ARC500, Win500, or PSREdit500. Those scanners are not designed to handle simulcast sites.

 

[legop3]

unfortunately I cannot currently buy a 700 dollar scanner. I think I have found that my programming is correct, though it could be more organized.

 

[tvengr]

unfortunately I cannot currently buy a 700 dollar scanner. I think I have found that my programming is correct, though it could be more organized.

Please attach your PSREdit500 .bin programming file so I can take a look at it. You will need to zip the file to be able to attach it. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.

 

[legop3]

Please attach your PSREdit500 .bin programming file so I can take a look at it. You will need to zip the file to be able to attach it. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.

Here you go, thanks for taking a look

 

[tvengr]

I am looking at your file. I see that you have the frequencies for the 2 Franklin County sites. The way the scanner is set up, you will scan only one site. With Multi Site Mode set to ROAM, you will scan only the site with the best signal. Change Multi Site Mode to STAT (Stationary) to scan all sites whose frequencies are in the list. I also see that 3 of your systems are using the same 2 sites. You should have only one system with the frequencies for both sites and put the talkgroups in different scan lists. Scanning the same sites multiple times will cause you to miss transmissions. I have some things that I need to take care of. I will continue to check your file and get back to you.

 

[tvengr]

I am in the process of revamping the programming in your scanner. I take it that the Ohio MARCS-IP: M system contains all of the talkgroups other than state police and Columbus PD and fire.

 

[Nasby]

Best of luck with this project. The MARCS Franklin County / Columbus Simulcast systems are perhaps the most difficult systems in Ohio to monitor with any scanner other than an SDS. I’ve found a few spots where reception can be decent with other scanners but they are very few and far between.

 

[legop3]

I am in the process of revamping the programming in your scanner. I take it that the Ohio MARCS-IP: M system contains all of the talkgroups other than state police and Columbus PD and fire.

Thanks for all the help, its unfortunate that I seem to be in the one place that needs the forbidden 700 dollar scanner . I worked on it a little more, listened to your recommendations and redid the marcs-ip system to be all in one trunked system, with scan groups for turning specific things on and off, works well so far, and I can use a crappy CB antenna to get worse signal and better clarity, I imagine because of the whole simulcast thing.

 

[tvengr]

When dealing with simulcast, less signal is more. Try turning on the attenuator. Try removing the antenna and replacing it with a paperclip. With a worse antenna and less signal, you will reduce the number of out of phase signals you receive from other towers and improve decoding.