PCR100 800 mhz

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JimTailor

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I have a pcr100. I've used several different software programs but none will receive my local police department on 857.2625. I have two Unidens on the same antenna and an RS handheld receive the signal without problems. I live within spitting distance of headquarters so I should be able to receive without even turning on the power. Any thoughts? Did Icom cut the cell phone coverage too wide on this unit? There aren't any other 800 mhz systems in the area that I've ever been able to receive so I can't test against anything else in the 800 mhz band.
 

bkantor

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I bought one of these on eBay several months ago, and I have to say it is the most insensitive receiver I own. I am very disappointed in its performance, especially on 800Mhz - not sure if I got a bad unit, or if they are all like that. Switching antennas helped slightly, but it still doesn't come close to any of my other radios..RS, AOR, Yeasu or Sony scanners.
 

JimTailor

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pcr100

I have been hoping for more responses to this question. I still think I'm doing something wrong. when I enter the frequency, my display shows 857 (decimal) 262 (comma) 5. Is that right? Over the weekend I put up a new SWL antenna. An 85 foot longwire and tried that. Its broadside to PD HQ which is about 1/8 mile away. I understand this isn't the correct antenna for this application. I get poor reception but better than my Scantenna. Sounds like I've miss tuned the frequency.
 

Viper43

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Well when I get mine and try it I'll let you know what I find... I was hoping to get it today (Friday) but haven't heard anything on shipping yet. Anyway, I'll let you know once it arrives and see how it does on 800 here. I have several systems that use 800 so I shouldn't have a problem testing it out.

V
 

JimTailor

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All of the settings are correct. I've even experimented with some variations. It's tough to troubleshoot this because its a quiet town with sometimes VERY long periods between very brief transmissions. I've set a VOX recorder overnight on Friday and Saturday and gotten as little as fifteen minutes total audio time. Thanks for the input.
 

jonny290

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Sorry, I didn't make my reply all the way earlier. God bless lost packets.

Anyways, my PCR100 scans frequencies in that range perfectly, including 857.2375, which is close enough to your frequency that I can be confident in saying "something's wrong."
 

Viper43

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Jim,
I just got my PCR100 yesterday but it has had no problem recieving 800Mhz. Granted it's pretty active here so that may help. I found this particular unit does well on 800 using either a RS 800Mhz duckie or the external Discone antenna so I'd try out some different antenna setups to see what works best. I'd suggest if you can to get the discone as it will cover the entire range of the PCR100. There are several ways to mount it, and if your in an area where you can't mount it outside you can put it in the attic.

V
 

JimTailor

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I think I've got the problem narrowed down to somewhere in the antenna system. The other day I put a regular old rubber duckie on the pcr100 and ran a recorder for a while (very little radio traffic here) and got good results. This with the antenna hanging next to my computer monitor in the basement below a metal AC duct. So, since that worked, I've got to start looking at the cabling to figure out why the pcr100 is a problem running off an antenna on the roof when my other two scanners are okay. All the other freqs in this area are coming in fine. Only 800 mhz seems to be a problem but I'll figure it out from here now. Thanks for all the replies!
 

Viper43

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Jim,

If you need to there is a program to help align the PCR100 & 1000 called EX2099 which you can get from the Yahoo PCR1000 group. Join and download it

V
 

JimTailor

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I stumbled across the EX2099 the other day somewhwere on the interenet and tried to get further info without much luck. I wanted to understand its capabilities better and what other equipment I would need to use it, i.e signal generator. From what little I was able to find out, it seems like this software would be out of my league.
 

Viper43

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I have it but have yet to check it out, maybe after work tonight I'll look into it and let you know what I find, it sounded fairly simple to me but then I have an electronics background and understand many couldn't do it. But if it turns out it's fairly easy I'll let you know.

V
 

JimTailor

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Viper43 - Thanks for the help. I think I found the problem. I have been using a switch to choose one of three antennas to feed the pcr100. When I eliminated the switch I eliminated the reception problem. So, its either the switch or the PL239 connectors. Either way I'll come up with a plan "B". The switch is a "Workman Model CX-3" with three inputs and one output all using PL239 connectors. Thanks again!
 

jonny290

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Workman antennas and stuff is ok, but i just don't trust their swr meters and switches and such.

If you can find a switch using BNC's, i'd vote for that. much better impedance and loss figures.
 

TheMadScanner

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Hi Guys, EX2099 is the calibration/tune-up software for the PCR1000, not sure if it works with the PCR100. It works well for tuning up the receiver. If you're planning on using it, be aware that there are a whole lot of steps to go through and you need various test equipment such as RF Sig generator, Freq Counter, Tone Generator, etc. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to complete the tune up but it's well worth it. Also, make sure that the equipment that you use to tune the receiver has been calibrated. If it isn't, then the whole "Garbage in Garbage out" scenario comes into play.

73's

Steve
 
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