"Out Of Range"

[LEH]

This message seems to be fairly common and there seems to be a myriad of reasons for it to show up, including the most obvious one, you are out of range.

I am opening this as suddenly my one P25P2 systems has decided to go 'Out Or Range'.

Things I've done to no avail:
1. Reinstalled my codeplug.
2. Modified my codeplug changing various settings such as the WACN, SYSID, RFSS, and SiteID from their RRDB values to wildcard and various other combinations.
3. I have reset the radio (pulled the battery as the three button method does not seem to want to work for me right now).
4. I have validated the control channels (I had all the identified system frequencies already loaded).
5. Another thread mentioned checking the FCC ULS DB and I did that, found one frequency that is not in the RRDB list, but it is not a CC.
6. Tried to determine the active control channel with my Uniden 396XT and 436HP. The 396XT is not stopping on any of the identified channels and the 436 does not have a method (that I am aware of) to display the active CC.
7. Used my IC-R30 to identify activity on the four known CC's I got a two bar signal strength on one channel and I am roughly 5 miles from two of the three simulcast towers.
8. I also verified my G5 says it has the P2 upgrade installed, though I have not tried to reinstall that. As this is my only Phase 2 system it could be corrupt and need a reminder.

My 436 and TRX-1 have been exceptionally quiet as well though I do get the occasional transmission. More on the Uniden than the Whistler.

So if anyone would like to add, comment (keep them friendly), detract, or otherwise please feel free to do so. There maybe something I have missed.

 

[APX8000]

I’ll go first....what system ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[joewayne]

Could it have something to do with the weather?.

 

[LEH]

I’ll go first....what system ?

With the number of comments I've seen for 'out of range' the particular system is probably not the problem.

I live in Southeastern VA. My sole Phase 2 system is Newport News (and they are now back operating normally after two days of 'out of range' so I am wondering if it wasn't a system problem on their end. I posted that problem in the VA thread). Though to synopsize a couple of points from my first post.

Today my G5 is working fine, four to five bars. My 396XT is showing the control channel information (it didn't yesterday) and my R30 is also showing a significant increase in signal strength.

I have had 'out of range' on several systems, most were self inflicted right after I got my G5. I have also had a system occasionally just display 'out of range' only to come back on line a few minutes later.

It seems if we enter an incorrect value for the WACN, SYSID, RFSS, or Site ID we could easily end up with the 'out of range' message. I have actually had my G5 not work on a system where I had entered the correct information but for one reason or another the PPS or the pager did not like what I entered. Changing all the values to wild cards, it worked and the displayed information was identical to what I had previously manually entered.

I am wondering what other 'quirks' people have discovered as causing their 'out of range' messages. It seems to be a catch all for various issues.

 

[APX8000]

Are you using the factory antenna ? I’ve seen issues where people have gotten out of range after switching antennas around because the pin has gotten pushed down just that much that it’s not making proper contact. The other issue you are describing it one of the most common errors...you programmed everything correctly, except you used DEC instead of HEX. If changing the values to all wildcard F fixes it, that is usually the programming issue. So I’ll narrow it down to antenna or programming. Now if it’s coming in and out and you are getting similar results on other devices, then we can move towards a system issue or your distance in reference to the system.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IAmSixNine]

Signal-Zero is spot on.
Seen many people try to monitor harris systems with RFSS and Site 10/10 but its entered into the G4/5 as A/A.
Also i have a spot in a whataburger parking lot that always causes my G4 to go out of range till i get out of truck and into building. Cause is a cell tower at the edge of their property. Its got 700mhz verizon stuff on it if memory serves me correctly. Its overloading the front end and causing it to not pick up systems.

Lets not forget RRDB is susceptible to human error.
Sometimes alternate CC info is missing.
Sometimes larger systems RFSS / Site info is inaccurate.
But in this instance you CAN use your 436 to "find" an active control channel.

Put the unit into search mode, set a custom search for the band that the closest tower should be using. Then find the strongest control channel. Use that to verify your also using the correct control channel.

From what you described they may have had a site go off air or using lower power or switched to a CC alternate not listed.