Montclair FD

[FinnVM5]

Hey, I need some suggestions / help on the best settings to be able to decode these old Montclair FD channels. I'm using an SDS 200 with sentinel to program it and sometimes I can hear dispatches and transmissions fine but sometimes i just hear a static beep. I know that I am missing some transmissions and Im trying to optimize for it. Thank you

 

[Markscan]

What is your squelch set at? What antenna are you using? I’m in West Caldwell and get them pretty good with squelch set at 2.

 

[FinnVM5]

What is your squelch set at? What antenna are you using? I’m in West Caldwell and get them pretty good with squelch set at 2.

Im also at squelch at 2 with the stock antenna

 

[Markscan]

Try moving the radio around to a different spot. You should get them better than me.

 

[FinnVM5]

Try moving the radio around to a different spot. You should get them better than me.

Alright thanks, yeah idk its weird. Earlier today i was hearing everything fine but I changed some setting and now im having trouble hearing it.

 

[FinnVM5]

When im holding on Fire Dispatch my noise jumps anywhere from 15,000-35,000 and that seems concerning but I dont know what to base it off of. It does not matter where I go in my house I am having the same issue + the noise is staying the same.

 

[ansky]

It was mentioned in another thread that Montclair FD is in the process of moving to NJICS. Not sure if that's done yet but you might have better luck with that. I live right on the border of Montclair and their UHF channels have always been terrible for me.

 

[K2NEC]

It was mentioned in another thread that Montclair FD is in the process of moving to NJICS. Not sure if that's done yet but you might have better luck with that. I live right on the border of Montclair and their UHF channels have always been terrible for me.

NJICS Municipal Migration Discussion - Statewide

Bergen County is the Dispatch Center for Harrison / Hudson County. I was unaware. Thanks Tony. Wonder what group it's patched from on the Bergen system...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[rr60]

Hey, I need some suggestions / help on the best settings to be able to decode these old Montclair FD channels. I'm using an SDS 200 with sentinel to program it and sometimes I can hear dispatches and transmissions fine but sometimes i just hear a static beep. I know that I am missing some transmissions and Im trying to optimize for it. Thank youView attachment 194791

Filters and IFX, please tell us how your testing went. 👀

 

[FinnVM5]

Its weird last night it was all static but now I'm hearing it fine, the quality isn't the best but i'm receiving and understanding most of it. IFX doesn't seen to make a difference for me.

 

[FinnVM5]

Yeah I got no clue, it wasnt working last night, but i checked and the recorder picked up stuff, it was working fine untill like an hour ago with, i didnt change anything and i have the same issue now

 

[FinnVM5]

Update: I'm receiving it fine now with the default settings as imported from sentinel, not sure what was going on before but all good now. Thanks for everybody's help.

 

[slingshot202]

I am over in Livingston and do not receive them. I also see they now have an NJICS TG - so perhaps a migration is in their future.

 

[ansky]

I am over in Livingston and do not receive them. I also see they now have an NJICS TG - so perhaps a migration is in their future.

From what I've heard in the past, the FD repeater is on top of the Claridge condo building in Verona and is directional towards Montclair.

 

[slingshot202]

That would definitely be pointing away from me with a hill in there too!

 

[Markscan]

I believe there is a repeater on Mountainside hospital as well.