NJICS in Atlantic City and Brigantine

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HavenBTS

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You can’t lock on because of simulcast distortion.
Oh. I didn't know that that was possible. So then why can't I lock onto NJICS but I can to NJSP? I have no problem locking onto the South Simulcast.
 

900mhz

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I am not locking onto a site. I can't experience simulcast distortion because I lock on to nothing. I did forget to mention that this problem also occurs using different antennas and different scanners.
Control channel data is simulcast.
 

Whiskey3JMC

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So then why can't I lock onto NJICS but I can to NJSP? I have no problem locking onto the South Simulcast.
It all boils down to your location in relation to more than one simulcasting tower (multipath). This is described in the wiki link I provided above
 

GTR8000

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Oh. I didn't know that that was possible. So then why can't I lock onto NJICS but I can to NJSP? I have no problem locking onto the South Simulcast.
Because it's a different type of simulcast. Not all simulcast is created equal. P25 trunked simulcast uses LSM or H-DQPSK modulation, which is quite different from the simulcast used by a system like the 800 MHz SmartZone system.

In your other thread on the same topic, some suggestions were provided, such as listening to the local control channels in analog mode on the scanner. The very first thing you should do is get a signal strength reading on the frequency without trying to decode it. If the control channel is strong in analog mode, then you have to look at other reasons why your scanners don't want any part of decoding it.
 

HavenBTS

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It all boils down to your location in relation to more than one simulcasting tower (multipath). This is described in the wiki link I provided above
Understood. But I do want to state that I have the problem using my SDS100.
 

HavenBTS

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P25 trunked simulcast uses LSM or H-DQPSK modulation, which is quite different from the simulcast used by a system like the 800 MHz SmartZone system.
EXCELLENT point and one I should have known!

Also, yes the control channel signal is very strong in analog. I forgot to mention that too.
 

900mhz

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you could try engaging the 20dB attenuator as well, if the signal is that strong. You may find that experimenting with the filter settings will net positive results.
 

GTR8000

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If the NJICS control channel is strong, then you should be able to decode it with the SDS100 at the very least. I don't know why you are having so much trouble doing so. I would try to really simplify your programming for troubleshooting.

Create a new favorite list, add one P25 Trunk system to it (not X2-TDMA), add one site to that system, then add only the active control channel. Go back to the system options, and turn ID: Search on. That's all, don't bother with anything else at this point. Turn every other favorite list off in the scanner and see if it start decoding activity.
 

HavenBTS

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If the NJICS control channel is strong, then you should be able to decode it with the SDS100 at the very least. I don't know why you are having so much trouble doing so. I would try to really simplify your programming for troubleshooting.

Create a new favorite list, add one P25 Trunk system to it (not X2-TDMA), add one site to that system, then add only the active control channel. Go back to the system options, and turn ID: Search on. That's all, don't bother with anything else at this point. Turn every other favorite list off in the scanner and see if it start decoding activity.
Excellent. Thank you.
 

900mhz

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The only other issue that I could think of is being close to a cell site. I have experienced the SDS line have issues caused by the close proximity to these cell sites.
 

GTR8000

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The only other issue that I could think of is being close to a cell site. I have experienced the SDS line have issues caused by the close proximity to these cell sites.
This was already mentioned to the OP in his previous thread.
 

GTR8000

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Threads merged, since this was a continuation of the same discussion from back in June.
 

mshumeyk

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I have experienced inability to lock onto a control channel on a few systems with a uniden 436 and Uniden 325P2. On two trips to Atlanta I was on the upper floor of a hotel and I am sure within eyesight of several sights of the Atlanta city trunked P25 system. It was before I had read about LSM and I was going crazy programing and reprograming the scanners. I took them with me on a drive outside the city and they suddenly locked on the control channel and received transmissions. I was finally able to briefly lock onto a control channel back at the hotel by putting the scanner in the bathroom sink with the antenna down the drain. Closer to home one of the Unidens would not lock on the West Orange NJICS site when I was on a high floor of a Meadowlands hotel, and in Northwest Bergen the 436 kept locking and losing the West Orange NJICS while the SDS100 had no trouble at all. Have you tried locations away from Brigantine and Atlantic City? Better still, having someone with a Unication or SDS Uniden model try receiving NJICS near your locations would let you know whether they are something you should consider.
 

policefreak

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EXCELLENT point and one I should have known!

Also, yes the control channel signal is very strong in analog. I forgot to mention that too.
What is your squelch setting at? If it is greater than 2 then set to 2 and see what that gets you. Also is that the only site you have programmed in?
 

HavenBTS

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Moderators, please close this thread. I have solved the issue. Plus posting here is just annoying for reasons in other posts.
 
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