Ongoing Changes: Marion Co. MECA System

[W9NES]

Bob W9RXR and others,I am getting the new System.I have been monitoring the new talkgroups for IMPD North amd Northwest which is my district and both of them are not clear.I have done the adjustments on the Uniden Bc 996T on both the time and Gain and cannot get the voice to clear up like we used to hear on the analong sytem.Anybody on the Northwest Side of Indianapolis having a problem?Bob, what settings are you using downtown on the 996T for your Time and Gain?

 

[rdale]

Guys - a reminder - "scanner settings" won't help you. The PSR500/600 is slightly better than the 396/996 when it comes to CQPSK systems. But the best method of getting a good signal is to point a directional antenna at the closest tower. You can debate programming methods all you want. It doesn't change the laws of physics.

 

[ExpendableCrew]

SE cutting over now.

 

[kbandy]

.....But the best method of getting a good signal is to point a directional antenna at the closest tower.......

I would imagine this method is going to be even more valuable with the new MECA system if you are located equi-distant from 2 or more towers. Since this system is simulcast, with an omni-directional (stock) antenna, the signal at your location could be getting multi-path interferance. With the directional (gain) antenna pointed at the closest tower, you are greatly attenuating the other towers' signal at your location.

 

[kb9tfh]

So are there more than the 20 freqs that are listed in the database section for Meca Digitial being used?

I have noticed on private calls, I sometimes only recieve one side of the radio traffic...

73s

Joe KB9TFH

 

[SCPD]

So are there more than the 20 freqs that are listed in the database section for Meca Digitial being used?

I have noticed on private calls, I sometimes only recieve one side of the radio traffic...

73s

Joe KB9TFH

Make sure you are NOT programing them all together they are seprate systems

262-101 Public Safty SYS 1 14 or so freqs

262-102 Goverment SYS 2 10 or so freqs

Right now there are only 14 freqs for sys 1 digital but more will be added as cut over goes on.

 

[ten78]

where is the closest tower to Arlington/Thompson area?

 

[delallen]

I only saw 11 freqs in the data base for sys 1.

Is someone going to update?

P.S. A directional antenna made the difference in my 796D.

 

[SCPD]

I only saw 11 freqs in the data base for sys 1.

Is someone going to update?

P.S. A directional antenna made the difference in my 796D.

You just need to add these three for sys 1 untill they add more they are moving analog freqs over
856.7625
856.9375
857.2625

14 now

 

[AK9R]

Bob, what settings are you using downtown on the 996T for your Time and Gain?

As I stated in my message, I am using a BCD396T, not a BCD996T.

Time and Gain? Not sure exactly what you are looking for. Hold Time is set for 4 seconds, Delay Time is 2 seconds, AGC is ON, and P25 Decode Level is 9. Again, this is for a 396 with the 2.00.07 firmware and an aftermarket 800MHz antenna. For what it's worth, I can look out my window and see the top of the Chase (Bank One) Tower and the City-County Building about 12 blocks away. I'm also about 10 blocks from the Waterway Blvd. tower.

 

[ten78]

The thing that is most aggravating is the inconsistency. A couple of hours ago, it was terrible but now at 4:15, i'm starting to get some very acceptable traffic. Maybe as they get the bugs out the performance will be more to my expectations. At this moment, i am thrilled.

 

[Viper43]

I just got back from downtown, I had the 396, 996 and 600 with me and all picked up the new system equaly well, some minor garbled talk but overall not bad at all on IMPD TG's.

V

 

[Viper43]

As I stated in my message, I am using a BCD396T, not a BCD996T.

Time and Gain? Not sure exactly what you are looking for. Hold Time is set for 4 seconds, Delay Time is 2 seconds, AGC is ON, and P25 Decode Level is 9. Again, this is for a 396 with the 2.00.07 firmware and an aftermarket 800MHz antenna. For what it's worth, I can look out my window and see the top of the Chase (Bank One) Tower and the City-County Building about 12 blocks away. I'm also about 10 blocks from the Waterway Blvd. tower.

He means P25 Wait Time not Hold Time

V

 

[W9NES]

Gentlemen,Thanks for the input but I should be getting all of the signals in very clear I am not that far from the MECA tower at 7300 Laffayette Road in the Traders Point Area where I have lived most of my life before moving to 79Th amd Michigan Road.I am now East of the tower site and on the old system I never had this much trouble.Just my two cents worth!!!

 

[Ayrow]

Gentlemen,Thanks for the input but I should be getting all of the signals in very clear I am not that far from the MECA tower at 7300 Laffayette Road in the Traders Point Area where I have lived most of my life before moving to 79Th amd Michigan Road.I am now East of the tower site and on the old system I never had this much trouble.Just my two cents worth!!!

Perhaps this is my problem as well. I live at 79th and Michigan and I am hearing absolutely nothing.
Not cool. It will be interesting when they get done flashing my dept. radio to see if it will work too.

 

[Viper43]

For those of you not recieving the new system well I suggest getting an exterior antenna . I'm a long ways from any MECA towers but recieve them with full strength on either of two antennas I want to use. The two I have are a Discone and an Antenna Specialist 800Mhz beam. I also have an 800Mhz Yagi but it's got a bit of damage from the tornado. The discone took a hit too but still works.

Without a good exterior antenna you won't get a good signal, same goes with when in a vehicle, external antennas make a huge difference over one inside a car.

V

 

[delallen]

Meca 1 digital

ugh - Just picked a talk group - didn't see the #

ENCRYPTED!

Heard it then flashed on my 796D

I'll try to catch it.

 

[AK9R]

I'm a long ways from any MECA towers but recieve them with full strength on either of two antennas I want to use.

How far are you from the nearest MECA tower and how high above ground are your antennas?

 

[pliquett]

Picking up the signal is not the problem for me. I get full strength signal, sometimes its garble and every now and then it is crystal clear. Makes no sense to me. I can hear both sides of a conversation and the same radio will key up to reply again and garble. They must be able to hear because they keep talking. I'm about to the point of waiting to listen to the new system after they work everything out if that ever happens. E

 

[W9NES]

Bob,W9RXR,This is the same problem that I am having on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.This is the same problem that pliquett is having.I think it is a audio issue with MECA on the northwest Side of town and and when the LEO'S Complain about it something will be done.Right now the audio is TERRIBLE at 79Th and Michigan Road.I have done all types of adjustmetns and I still cannot get the audio to clear up.Is there anyone else on this fourm who is having the same problem on the other parts of town?