Not Really Impressed

[xusmarine1979]

To be honest, I'm not really impressed with the whole digital thing. I thought this band was suppose to have better, not range, but what's the word I'm lookin' for? Unless someone out there has an idea for a VERY good rubber duckie for my Pro-96 right now I'm using r/r's 800 mhz, and I've also purchased the one from scannermaster.com. I think dubbin made a suggestion to me and that antenna has the same gain as the one I have now, which is 2.5. Anybody out there have a suggestion? Please let me know.

 

[loumaag]

To be honest, I'm not really impressed with the whole digital thing. I thought this band was suppose to have better, not range, but what's the word I'm lookin' for?

Perhaps the phrase you are looking for is signal quality (which it does).

What band are you talking about? Digital has nothing to do with bands and before we go down this path, there is no such thing as a digital antenna.

 

[xusmarine1979]

I kinda figured there's no such thing as a digital antenna, what I'm refering to is like cell phones,(being digital) would have a much better signal, now I know the terrain has a lot to do with it and all, but the problem I'm having with is while at work, my town's PD is VHF high, and it comes in better than the digital. Now I'm not saying this about all digital, Summit County/City of Akron comes in fairly descent, but the main system I'm talking about is the OHIO MARC'S. Any ideas? 800mhz is the band I'm talking about.

 

[loumaag]

I am not sure what antenna you are using, I couldn't make out what a "r/r's" is?

In any case, my recommendation, for portable operation focusing on 800MHz, is the Radio Shack (RS 20-283) 800MHz Scanner Antenna. They used to claim 6db gain on the antenna when they first started selling it, but you won't find them claiming it anymore. I believe it though, I monitor a POS Type I system which is located about 30 miles away on the 20-283 no matter where I am in the house. When I lived in Houston, I used those exclusively, both at home and mobile and could keep the STARNet system downtown site tuned in out to better than 55 miles out (Downtown to Eagle Lake, TX) with the scanner laying on the dash.

 

[xusmarine1979]

Yup, that is the antenna I'm using, maybe I have a bad antenna? I dunno.
r/r(Radio Shack)
I also have the antenna from scannermaster.com, and it cost $30, and the Radio Shack antenna it just slightly better.

 

[rescue161]

Okay, it doens't matter what kind of antenna you use for receive. If the system you're listening to does not have a decent tower/transmitter, then you're not going to get good performance on your handheld scanner.

The is especially true if the system was designed for mobile use.

 

[xusmarine1979]

It's the OHIO statewide MARC'S TRS. It seems to be the only system I'm having trouble with. Ohio State Police and DNR mostly uses this system.

 

[rescue161]

You're probably too far away from a TX site or your scanner is not working right.

Just to break it down:

If you send someone on there way with an FRS radio and tell them to drive 2 miles away (because that's what the package says the range is), you're not going to hear them unless you have:

1) A very good location, i.e. high up

2) They have a very good location, i.e. high up

or

3) They are using a radio not intended for FRS and are using more power than is legally authorized.

The same applies for ANY radio service. Cell phones work better because there are freaking cell towers every mile (exagerated). Cell companies can afford this because they have millions of customer PAYING them to put towers up. PS entities rely on tax payers and grants to increase the number of sites/towers.

Antennas are "cut" to perform on different frequencies, so yes, an 800 MHz antenna will work wonders on 800 MHz, but it will only receive as good as the transmitting station will send the signal to it.

 

[xusmarine1979]

Pretty much already knew that, but thanks.

 

[mam1081]

Another trick with digital TGs I can recommend is to turn your squelch all the way down. On my 796, it really helps the scanner keep the digital signal, especially while mobile. I guess it is just like an "open squelch" - and since the digital has error correction and all that stuff, I can usually hear it further than an analog system with similar characteristics (same height antenna, same power output, same location). I agree with the previous posts also though. The VHF system you are listening to is probably not at the same location as the 800 (and probably has different power outputs too). 800 stuff propogates differently also.

Good luck with your listening.

 

[xusmarine1979]

Turning the squelch down, you mean just until it stops hissing, or the other way? Bare with me, like ya'll I spent $500 on this hobby and just want to make sure it's workin' right. The VHF freq puts out 45watts, and the system I'm listening to puts out 100. But I've been told VHF travels farther than 800. But other than the RadioShack 800mhz antenna, do ya'll recomend anything else with more gain?

 

[mam1081]

Yes - towards the way it hisses. If the system is completely digital (9600 P25), you can leave it down all the time - it will go back to the control channel when the conversation is over. On a 3600 system, I don't know for sure that it will do that. You can try it - perhaps it will work for you.

As for antennas, if you are mobile - just get it outside. I just use a VHF 1/4 wave whip just about all the time. It works well for me. I have an 800 that I rarely use, but it's there to experiment with. As for in a building-an outside antenna is nice (if you can), otherwise, get the scanner near a window if possible. 800 generally goes in buildings better, and yes, VHF usually has better range (outside).

I hope you get it all working like you want it!

 

[xusmarine1979]

Otay, I'll give it a shot. I just use RadioShack's 800mhz and I just carry it with me pretty much when I go out, including work. With setting the squelch down all the way, I was told to put conventional freq's between the cc's in order to scan properly, are you familiar with that? Or is it necessary?

 

[burner50]

OKAY.....

If your 45 watt Repeater is only a mile from your house and your 100 watt repeater is 60 miles from your house then you are going to get much better reception with the closer one. My local PD Runs a 30 Watt Repeater that isnt even on a tower which i get great Reception on any antenna, But The state Patrol Repeater is 45 miles away and runs 110Watts on a 2000 ft tower and I Have trouble picking it up with an antenna tuned to that freq range.

The range of a signal depends mainly on the transmit power of the Repeater. The ability for you to recieve a far away or weak signal ALSO depends on the range the Antenna is tuned to recieve and location. Not whether or not it is Digital, VHF, UHF, 800Mhz, Etc.


Unless you are Running AM and have a good Amount of Atmospheric Skip, But that is usually with HAM Radios

---JASON

 

[xusmarine1979]

Ok burner, beatin a dead dog there, chief, that wasn't the answer to my last question. That one was already answered. But thanks.

 

[loumaag]

Reference your question about interleaving a conventional frequency, take a look at this thread on the site here. Joe did a very well constructed test. I will say that I have yet to hear from anyone monitoring the Ohio MARCS system that did not require the interleave to monitor multiple sites from a single location.

Of course, if you do that, the squelch trick suggested above goes the way of the wind. :wink:

 

[xusmarine1979]

Thanks Loumaag.

 

[burner50]

sorry... Been busy and there was several posts between the time i started typing and the time i actually sent the message

---JASON

 

[xusmarine1979]

No worries.

 

[xusmarine1979]

For the Ohio MARC'S TRS, I'm listening to Stark County OSP, I discovered that if I just keep the Canton CC unlocked, and lock the other CC's that one comes in the best. I think what my problem was that my radio was picking up the further distant ones therefore I wasn't getting a very good signal. If anybody else here listens to Stark/Summit OSP 76, know where the Nimisila repeater is located, because for some reason while at work(The Hoover Company near the Stark/Summit line) the Canton CC comes in better than the Nimisila, though I believe the Nimisila is closer... Anyone know why?