No signal for Silicon Valley regional communications

[Stealthguy05]

There could be your problem. You need to update the database to the latest version. It's likely that the one on the radio doesn't have the SVRCS system loaded on it already. Install EZscan, update the scanner. try again.

 

[baptistjcat]

I think that is whats going on as well. Be for I updated the library I could not find SVRCS at all. Even when I got it programmed there are only certain areas in my house that I can reception. I have to be really patiant looking for a signal. Be for I figuerd all of this out I thought about returning the unit. Im glad I keep it because I am really happy with the unit now

 

[dktmman]

Well, I guess I'll delay returning it for the moment.
Out of the box it did have SVRCS in the library but it must've needed to be updated via EZscan, thank you for the tips.
Hooray, I can now pick up Sunnyvale PD/Fire but need to get Santa Clara off there.
Is there some way to lockout or delete Santa Clara from the playlist or can I select individual cities from the library? It seems like I can only download the whole group in SVRCS and not just Sunnyvale alone.
Also, I've noticed the sound quality is not as good as it used to be when listening on analog.

 

[baptistjcat]

yes you can lock out SC. when a talk group comes up hit the skip and that will lock out that talk group. If you go deeper into the SVCRC section you can pick and choose who you want to listen to by checking or un checking the boxes. And for the sound welcome to the new age of digital. You can experiment by moving around you house for better reception. I replaced the rubber ducky antenna with a 700mhz antenna and that seems to have helped.

 

[dktmman]

Thank you, you've been very helpful.
Will any 700mhz antenna work (assuming the connector is correct) or is there a specific brand/model you recommend?

 

[baptistjcat]

I have the spectrum force 700-800 MHz. I found it online from Scanner Master. You will need an BNC to SMA adapter.

 

[dktmman]

So what's weird is 90% of the transmissions are broadcast on the new system but then they revert back to the old analog 482.962 frequency about 10% of the time. The volume is very low when on analog, I'm just wondering why is it being used occasionally?

Also, what is this "Command 20" I hear FD refer to when they are switching to a different channel or frequency?

 

[Stealthguy05]

http://forums.radioreference.com/san-francisco-bay-area-discussion/305682-svrcs-question-thread.html

 

[kmh603]

Command 20 is 153.845 MHz and it is used mostly to link San Jose Fire with Sunnyvale Fire when responding on Hwy 237 between the two cities. Otherwise it is hardly used.

 

[fmalloy]

yes you can lock out SC. when a talk group comes up hit the skip and that will lock out that talk group. If you go deeper into the SVCRC section you can pick and choose who you want to listen to by checking or un checking the boxes. And for the sound welcome to the new age of digital. You can experiment by moving around you house for better reception. I replaced the rubber ducky antenna with a 700mhz antenna and that seems to have helped.

baptistjcat, I'm in Santa Clara 3 mi from the tower and get a very low signal from SVRCS. Before the move to P25, Santa Clara always gave me a strong signal and loud, clear transmissions with my rubber duck, which is what I expect given how close I am to the tower.

I suspected a defective 436 but I seem to get all the analog transmissions ok as I did with my 346.

What is wrong? Does going to digital degrade the signal *that* badly?

 

[kma371]

Please use

http://forums.radioreference.com/san-francisco-bay-area-discussion/305682-svrcs-question-thread.html

For further discussion