P25 Quality on 396T

[LauraQ]

I notice that the quality of the P25 reception varies on the 396T depending on the talkgroup. Some are very clear and others are quite "digital" sounding. Has anyone else noticed this?

-- Laura

 

[loumaag]

Well yes, at least in the beginning. But I then used the procedures explained on page 99 of the printed manual and after that everything started sounding better. Please note that these settings are System dependent so you must do them for each system.

 

[John_M]

I went through the instructions on page 99. The default setting for Auto is 8. You search for active talkgroups and see where the settings
settle. I found that the setting of 7 was more close to the values then 8.
Switching to 7 did make a difference.

 

[LauraQ]

And here I thought the "automatic" digital control would really pick the best setting! Guess I'll have to give it a shot myself.

Thanks, guys, I appreciate your input.

Take care,
Laura

 

[B4U]

I also found that 7 is better. What do the three sets of numbers mean and just how do you watch the numbers to tell me how to set it? The instructions do not give very much detail on this. I would like to know what the numbers are telling me. :?:

 

[rfaricy]

I also found that 7 is better. What do the three sets of numbers mean and just how do you watch the numbers to tell me how to set it? The instructions do not give very much detail on this. I would like to know what the numbers are telling me. :?:

Bottom line: Keep trying different values, usually between 7 and 12, until the "T" numbers' variance is the smallest (i.e. they change the least between an active talkgroup and silence), and the "ERR" rate is as close to 0 (zero) as you can get.

I have had excellent results on my system using "7". I can have 0 bars, or just 1, and still be able to hear a talkgroup almost perfectly, and my ERR rate usually stays between 0 and 10.

I hope I'm making sense.

 

[B4U]

Yes that helps and 7 seems to do best so far on all systems I thought some systems would be better on a different number. Would the state system all towers be the same setting like 7 or would each tower have different settings?

 

[wolter]

Nothing I do makes the audio quality of a VHF P25 conventional freq sound any better.

 

[B4U]

I just purchased a Radio Shack 800 MHZ antenna for the Mi state system and it made me like the 396 even more. Now I have more signal strength on the more distant towers that I could barley listen to before It was worth more tha the asking price for the antenna and some people say there are even better antennas out there but the R.S. was close and fast. If anyone has audio problems from weak signals try a new antenna. :idea:

 

[rfaricy]

Yes that helps and 7 seems to do best so far on all systems I thought some systems would be better on a different number. Would the state system all towers be the same setting like 7 or would each tower have different settings?

There are few exceptions, but yes, most towers which all belong to that one system should be the same general setting.