MetroSafe programing into a Pro106

[jbertrand]

I am trying to get MetroSafe programmed into my Radio Shack Pro 106 scanner. I downloaded the info from RadioReference into Win500 and then transferred the system into the scanner. I am not getting anything.

I live in Floyd County, IN, just across the water, so I would think I would at least get something.

Anyone know of any setting I should change to pick it it. I have read the other threads and understand it does not work like SafeT system.

Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[VASCAR2]

If I were in your situation I would manually program some of the frequencies for the base/repeater transmitters in your scanner. If you start hearing traffic you might be having issues because of the multi site simulcast system. When several sites transmit on the same frequency at the same time (multi path) the scanner can't deal with the different time intervals of the received transmission. The time interval is because you are different distances from the different sites. Public safety 2 way radios aren't adversely affected by this like the hobbyist scanner. I have noticed just moving a scanner to a different location in a residence can allow the scanner to produce audio while another room might be completely void of hearing any traffic.

Sometimes scanners have difficulty following the control channel information so the scanner doesn't produce any audio. There might be enough signal from one site that the scanner can receive the transmission and decode the signal so you have audio. You won't be able to lock out TG's but you'll know if your dealing with multi path disruption.

You can try a directional antenna aimed at one site closest to you. This might produce a strong enough signal to cancel out the multi path effect. You can locate the site locations on the simulcast systems by looking in the data base.

I looked at the DB and there appear to be at least a dozen sites, here is a link to the metro safe page with a list of the sites.

Louisville Emergency Communications Network: MetroSafe Trunking System, Multiple, Kentucky - Scanner Frequencies

 

[pjscott51]

I have a friend who’s on NAPD. Occasionally I’ll ride with him and when I do I’ll bring my scanner. I’ve notice that when we’re riding around parts of New Albany I can’t pick up LMPD. It could be that you live in a part of Floyd County where you can’t pick up LMPD. Also, I have a Pro 106 and a BCD436HP. Living in Louisville I have no problem picking up LMPD but with the Pro 106 the reception is terrible. The reception would cut in and out all the time to the point it's almost impossible to understand what was going on. The reception with the BCD436HP is a different story. I have very few problems understanding what going on.

 

[ofd8001]

All the 13 sites in Jefferson County are simulcast sites. That means they use the same frequencies. The Oldham, Shelby and New Bernheim sites are "ASR" sites that link back to the Jefferson County sites, if responders are in these areas. Unless your scanner is used in Oldham, Shelby and Bullitt Counties, there isn't much reason for programming these sites.

With this being a simulcast system, you are subject to simulcast distoration where your scanner receives signals from multiple sites and is having trouble with decoding. Garbled or no audio is a classic symptom of this problem. Yes, as you've found, moving a couple of 100 yards away can make a big difference. (Even more strange, you could probably unscrew the antenna when it is garbling and the garble will clear up).

Some scanners are better than others with decoding. I've got a couple Unidens in the 96 series and they are poor. The 36 series, as you've seen, is much better.

I'm unfamiliar with your model scanner. If it has a way of tweaking P25 settings, I'd experiment with those to see if you can make reception better. Also if there is a way of attenuating the incoming signal, that may be helpful.

 

[jbertrand]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have started to pick up a few hits, but not doing a very good job of decoding the system. I have tried here in Floyd County and in Clark County. I will keep listening for a few weeks to see if any thing changes and probably just delete if does not get better.

 

[ofd8001]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have started to pick up a few hits, but not doing a very good job of decoding the system. I have tried here in Floyd County and in Clark County. I will keep listening for a few weeks to see if any thing changes and probably just delete if does not get better.

I think southern Indiana may be problematic. K9JUS has also reported issues with hearing MetroSafe in Clark County.