To access the P25 adjustment controls, turn off the 396XT. Hold down the Hold button while powering on the unit with the normal power on button. If you see the sequence of flashing light you can let go of both buttons.
Note: If you do the power on while holding down hold trick and don't get the 2 P25 adjust modes, but you do get the flashing colors, you either don't have the firmware 1.10 or later, or you don't have a 396XT.
Once the radio boots up and starts doing its thing, go to the menu, then settings, then you'll see there are 2 new options that only show up when you boot in this special way.
P25 Level and P25 Mode.
I'd start by leaving or setting the Level at 50.
Then try the mode at levels of 3 (auto), 8, and 11. Note that its necessary to enter a leading zero when entering the single digit numbers on the mode when there was previously a 2 digit value.
For each setting monitor your P25 digital system with the P25 quality monitor on the 396 display. Get to system scanning, then press select (press the volume knob) then function, then select again. You should see ERR: on the bottom left of the screen. The value that shows up just to the right of that will be an indication of how much digital audio demodulation error the scanner is experiencing Your goal is pretty much to get this value as low as possible. On some systems its possible to get it to 0 and single digits most of the time. Note that there appears to be some learning that the scanner does with each setting so watch it for about 2 or more minutes before making any judgement on that setting before moving on.
Note: If you do the power on while holding down hold trick and don't get the 2 P25 adjust modes, but you do get the flashing colors, you either don't have the firmware 1.10 or later, or you don't have a 396XT.
Once the radio boots up and starts doing its thing, go to the menu, then settings, then you'll see there are 2 new options that only show up when you boot in this special way.
P25 Level and P25 Mode.
I'd start by leaving or setting the Level at 50.
Then try the mode at levels of 3 (auto), 8, and 11. Note that its necessary to enter a leading zero when entering the single digit numbers on the mode when there was previously a 2 digit value.
For each setting monitor your P25 digital system with the P25 quality monitor on the 396 display. Get to system scanning, then press select (press the volume knob) then function, then select again. You should see ERR: on the bottom left of the screen. The value that shows up just to the right of that will be an indication of how much digital audio demodulation error the scanner is experiencing Your goal is pretty much to get this value as low as possible. On some systems its possible to get it to 0 and single digits most of the time. Note that there appears to be some learning that the scanner does with each setting so watch it for about 2 or more minutes before making any judgement on that setting before moving on.
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