Ongoing Changes: Marion Co. MECA System

[speedway_navigator]

Antennas on portable radios are not very efficient, probably a 1db loss due to the lack of a ground plane in the 450-470 range.

The short antenna on the 800 Mhz radio is a quarter wave, the 7" antenna is a half wave, more efficient.

 

[GTO_04]

Each user was given 1 long and 1 short stuby the longs where used in testing "99.5%"
the short did not due as well. Each user was told they could use the short stubby but was told it may not do as well as the long that it was the users choice.

Good info. I was wondering about that.

GTO_04

 

[SCPD]

Good info. I was wondering about that.

GTO_04

I was told about that and thought that was a little weird why not test with the short since most users use the short stubby I think some where in the old radio round up they say something about that as well you might look through those if you want more info on that sorry not sure what month that was in.

I found it

http://www.indygov.org/NR/rdonlyres/B36DE434-5F58-4A92-BE52-1694F456ED4F/0/novdec.pdf

 

[Dispatch2323]

Has anyone heard if the beginning of the digital cutover is still a go for tomorrow?

 

[SCPD]

Has anyone heard if the beginning of the digital cutover is still a go for tomorrow?

What about todays cut over? EMA did NOT go

 

[SCPD]

sounds like cut over will happen starting with station 2 BGFD and BGPD some debate right now and testing

 

[SCPD]

BG FD BG PD is cutover to digital

 

[KC9NEG]

Just a heads-up... lots of interesting stuff happening today.

Beech Grove FD is doing lots of testing.

Also, I've heards Beech Grove PD using the system to run tags, but I haven't heard a dispatched run yet (but I've been away from the radio a lot).

Feed is up if interested.

Todd/Indy
KC9NEG

 

[SCPD]

Both have been dispatching runs on digital it sounds good.

 

[Viper43]

Three different scanners, three different antennas and none of them sounds good on the digital today. Strong signal on all three though.

 

[FD_1226]

I know yesterday IFD was out doing RIT training and they were using the digital system. They were also training the FF's on how to switch to digital.

 

[ten78]

Beech Grove traffic 11:30p was extremely garbled on my 996t. S ounds like it's underwater

 

[delallen]

Have a 796D and sometimes it's clear and most of the time it's garbled. Seems like BGPD can hear each other okay.

 

[W9NES]

You need to upgrade the Uniden 's and download the upgrades for the scanner.W8FCC has a Uniden Bc 396T and a Uniden bc 996T and Beech Grove sounded great on his audio yesterday via the telephone.the audio was loud and clear.I also was listening to tb hausen's live Indy scanner on line and the audio was fine.You might want to listen to Tausen's live scanner and listen to the audio on his GRE.Thanks To All for letting us know on what you are hearing and how the system sounds.I would recomend that you all download the upgrades from Uniden for the Uniden Bc 396T and 996T.

 

[KC9NEG]

The new MECA 1 system has sounded horrible today (on my PSR-500 and the online PSR-600, as well). I have a BCT396D which has been updated and it sounds like crap, too, today. I'm sure it's something with the system/weather etc.

BTW MECA 2 always sounds like crap on all my radios.

Todd/Indy
KC9NEG

 

[SCPD]

For most on here you know this but for those who dont you must unlock the settings for the upgrade for the 996T and 396T by first turn the power off then hold the "hold button" then turn power on and let go of the hold button and the 996T screen will flash"396T beeps "then push the function then the volume to get to some of the settings. Auto AGC must be on in the setting menue before doing this. Then there are other settingsto try like Digital End Code and a few others Play with setting play with diffrent antennas find one that work and like newsallen said play with diffrent locations I know with the 396T just a few inches right or left makes a diffrence. Once youfind the right settings and location it sounds ok however the NOISE issues the fire depts talk about still there. There is nothing we can do about that.

today mine sound goods just like yesterday and you are right weather can have a big affect on digital

 

[kbandy]

Have a 796D and sometimes it's clear and most of the time it's garbled. Seems like BGPD can hear each other okay.

One thing we need to remember is the scanners that we are trying to monitor the system on are a compromise at best. They are not optimized for any particular system, they are so we can hear just about anything. The radios that IMPD and other users of the new system are using are optimized for this band of frequencies, etc.... Therefore, more than likely, the actual users of the system will be able to adequately use the system when we may or may not be able to monitor the system.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

[GTO_04]

For most on here you know this but for those who dont you must unlock the settings for the upgrade for the 996T and 396T by first turn the power off then hold the "hold button" then turn power on and let go of the hold button and the 996T screen will flash"396T beeps "then push the function then the volume to get to some of the settings. Auto AGC must be on in the setting menue before doing this. Then there are other settingsto try like Digital End Code and a few others Play with setting play with diffrent antennas find one that work and like newsallen said play with diffrent locations I know with the 396T just a few inches right or left makes a diffrence. Once youfind the right settings and location it sounds ok however the NOISE issues the fire depts talk about still there. There is nothing we can do about that.

today mine sound goods just like yesterday and you are right weather can have a big affect on digital

Should the Digital End Code be on or off? And does that setting only apply to pure P25 systems? My 396 actually does pretty good with the new MECA system 1, much better than it does with SAFE-T.

GTO_04

 

[SCPD]

Should the Digital End Code be on or off? And does that setting only apply to pure P25 systems? My 396 actually does pretty good with the new MECA system 1, much better than it does with SAFE-T.

GTO_04

I have tried it both ways so far not much diffrent but when they realy get going and there is more to listen to then we will see but I have been leaving mine on try it and see what you get I will go over my settign and post it here if any one wants to try them and see if that helps.

I was around sevral parts of marion county today and with the 396 in a cup holder with the anntena it came with it did real good driving around only one time did I not get BGPD so it works for me for right now.

 

[scannerfreak]

Now that the system is up, it might be a good idea for everyone to go back and reread the first page or two of this thread. There is some excellent info there, especially the wiki article written by Lou. I can guarantee all the issues you all are having decoding are related to the system being simulcast and have nothing to do with anything being wrong with the system.

From someone who has been monitoring a LSM CQPSK system for a while, I'd just like to say welcome to the joys of monitoring one, get use to it I think a lot of you are now starting to see what we were trying to give you a heads up about..