PG County Monitoring Issues (PSR-800)

[Azuth]

So I've done extensive searching for help with my issue, but I haven't been able to find any threads that address it. I might be an idiot, so there's that...

As mentioned in the subject, I have a Grecom PSR-800. I have used my computer to update the firmware and such and to set up scanlists to separate counties because I like things organized. I have all the sites and talkgroups selected, but nothing comes through. Anne Arundel and Calvert counties come in loud and clear, but PG county is silent.

Can anyone help me with this one? I consider myself pretty tech savvy and able to read and follow instructions, but ummm I kind of got nadda here.

Thanks in advance.

David

 

[awal]

Azuth, where are you trying to listen from? I live in the U (Upper Marlboro), and I hear PGFD & PGPD clear as a bell - and like you I have a PSR-800. Now I will say that I do not get Chuck ****y - bu PG is fine. Calvert also.

I've heard that the range is not that great on PG's sytem....but I am in DC (Cap Hill) right now and can hear them

 

[Azuth]

Hey thanks for the response.

Actually, I was talking to someone else locally in Calvert County and he said something about frequency stepping which made me wonder if there was some rebanding shenanigans going on here.

Did you have to do any special steps to get your scanner to pick PG up? Also, I've just realized today that I'm not actually getting Calvert County either and I'm wondering if the same cause is to blame.

And to answer your question I'm listening from Prince Frederick, but I live near the State Police outpost and I imagine they might have a repeater on that ginormous tower behind their building lol. Of course I could be mistaken on that.

 

[troymail]

Uh, I don't think the PSR-800 can receive PG County from Kapolei, Hawaii.... ba-dum-bump.

Seriously though -- I was in PG earlier today listening (actually from Maryland City in Anne Arundel around Rt 198 and Rt 295) ....

It's a tough system to receive -

Assuming you are inside PG County, my recommendation is to program your radio for only the site (north or south) that is where you are and then lock out all but the active control channel frequency for best reception.

I keep several folders:
- everything (all sites and frequencies)
- north site (all frequencies)
- south site (all frequencies)
- north site (single CC frequency)

If you are more than a couple miles outside of the County, it's not really going to be possible... you an try, but you'l need to be really lucky.

 

[Azuth]

Thanks for the responses and the advice!

However, I think I may have discovered the root of my issue. Has there been any rebanding in Calvert and PG Counties recently?

I was in radio shack today for something completely unrelated and they had a scanner tuned to Calvert's frequencies. I realized at that point that my earlier statement about being able to pick up Calvert County with no problem was incorrect. After discussing my issue with the guy behind the counter, he mentioned something about frequency stepping and rebanding. He even went so far as to show me how to set it up properly with the win97 program he was using (I think that's what it was called lol).

Anywho, I use the software that I downloaded from Grecom's website and I'm hoping that I can make the same changes with that application, or get my hands on this other software, whichever works. Of course, this is assuming that this is actually my problem.

Can either of you shed some light on this sudden plot twist?

 

[troymail]

Calvert rebanded (October?) and the info on RR is updated.

PG Is a new 700 system that has been online for more than a year

 

[awal]

Wow, I am going to try what Troy did - thanks for the tip!!!!!!