Portland P25 Activity?

[kb3imk]

Hello, first time poster on this forum. I am visiting Portland for a while and brought with me my RS Pro 96. I programmed the radio for Portland PS using the Radio Reference database and Win96. I've gotten nothing on the scanner. Tried loading the RR db again using ARC96. Again nothing. Is there a fault with the RR database to anyone's knowledge? I've loaded dozens of other systems using this technique so I don't think it's operator error but it really has me stumped.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

AJ

 

[northstarfire0693]

The control channel listed is correct. I do not have a Pro96, so I cant be of too much help

 

[ScanMaine]

it really sucks i cant hear this in Lewiston!!! I might want to retry it sometime, I tried it as soon as the p25 system rolled out with no luck. maybe i will play with it tommrow!!

 

[zerg901]

Scan Maine - how about putting the Portland feed on. And then moving your scanner all around your house looking for a hot spot - when you hear them talking via the feed.

Actually - my mistake - put the control channel in the scanner and walk around the house looking for the hot spot - since the control channel transmits constantly. Checking at various times of the day might be useful also.

 

[ScanMaine]

I live in Lewiston and have no digital portables! I have my radios hooked to big antenna outdoors

 

[a417]

I live in Lewiston and have no digital portables! I have my radios hooked to big antenna outdoors

I'm a couple of miles NW of Exit 53 and 800 mhz signal drops off quickly heading in your direction, good luck!

Your antennas directional?

 

[ScanMaine]

No it’s an st2 but it’s it’s mounted towards Portland

 

[a417]

I'm assuming you mean an AntennaCraft ST2 and not a Magnum Dynalab ST2? I knew someone who went out and bought the latter, thinking it was the former...

I made a yagi out of some cheap brass rod from KL Jack and a 1x2 from the depot and it worked pretty well for what I needed it for, cost me <$20...might be worth a try?

 

[ScanMaine]

Yes a antenna craft st2! If you can pm me a picture of the antenna you built and what you using for coax! Thanks

 

[a417]

Yes a antenna craft st2! If you can pm me a picture of the antenna you built and what you using for coax! Thanks

I'll be a while, its in an inaccessable location right now. too much ice and white stuff, you know the deal. I'll get one eventually for you.

I used LMR200 that I had left over from some project eons ago.

 

[ScanMaine]

Very good! I hear ya I have the same issue

 

[zerg901]

how about putting an amplifier in the antenna line? maybe called a 'pre amp'?

my general impression, from reading Radio Reference thru the years, is that the pre amps do NOT work very well

but maybe this would be a good solution in an area with lower levels of 800 mhz activity (allowing the preamp to work better)

just a wild guess - I have no direct experience with antenna amps

 

[a417]

how about putting an amplifier in the antenna line? maybe called a 'pre amp'?

my general impression, from reading Radio Reference thru the years, is that the pre amps do NOT work very well

but maybe this would be a good solution in an area with lower levels of 800 mhz activity (allowing the preamp to work better)

just a wild guess - I have no direct experience with antenna amps

His issue is that he is about 30 miles away from the closest tower (which coincidentally shoots into the base of the ridgeline I live near) and he is essentially masked by terrain down the entire 95 corridor between towns. 30 miles in the best of situations is a LONG way for 800mhz to go, and the topography between the two locations is less-than-desirable.


Now, some people on here will know where I got that...and scream that it's non-authoritative...but you get the gist of what he's dealing with.

 

[zerg901]

Arlington to Kingston

I hope you can see that map.

Sometimes I hear Kingston MA FD very well. They use 460.60 as does Arlington MA FD. I live in Arlington MA. My apt faces to the North and West. Kingston is to the SE of me.

I have long suspected that the Kingston signal is going past me and bouncing back at me from the apt complex on the ridge to my NW. And that Google Map pretty much confirms it.

What I am trying to say is - maybe that Portland signal can end up in strange places. Maybe it might be worthwhile to aim the antenna away from Portland. Wouldnt that be a hoot if it worked?

 

[a417]

[initial post deleted]

 

[ScanMaine]

I might just try and turn the antenna this spring

 

[jbella]

Portland's signal is pretty strong to the south, at least on the Turnpike. When I went north last year I don't recall when I lost them but it wasn't as far.

 

[a417]

Falmouth & Gray's topography kind of kill it going northbound.

 

[ScanMaine]

Does anyone have the current LCN # for each freq? This is all I got.

0853.787500 1 Srch Search
0851.062500 Srch Search
0851.312500 3 Srch Search
0851.287500 7 Srch Search
0851.562500 2 Srch Search
0851.787500 4 Srch Search
0852.287500 Srch Search
0852.787500 Srch Search
0853.287500 5 Srch Search
0853.537500 6 Srch Search
0853.787500 Srch Search

 

[a417]

You know that you have 853.7875 duplicated, right?