Pro 106 Reception Questions

[BigBill1963]

Hi Guys,
Ok, I'm new to modern scanning. My old unit is a Uniden 92xlt. I am using the trial of Win500 (which I plan to purchase) and I think I have the programming aspect somewhat at hand. I also bought a 800MHz antenna to go with it. My problem/issue is that on several local channels mostly the NY State Police, my Uniden is picking up all kinds of talk, and the 106 just scans away. I am certain that they have been programmed, and are active, because they sometime are picked up. Many other channels that are programmed into both come in better/quicker with the 106. There are also some channels that are un audible on the 106, but the 92xlt picks up fine. What am I missing?

Thanks

 

[737mech]

Need more info

Hi Guys,
Ok, I'm new to modern scanning. My old unit is a Uniden 92xlt. I am using the trial of Win500 (which I plan to purchase) and I think I have the programming aspect somewhat at hand. I also bought a 800MHz antenna to go with it. My problem/issue is that on several local channels mostly the NY State Police, my Uniden is picking up all kinds of talk, and the 106 just scans away. I am certain that they have been programmed, and are active, because they sometime are picked up. Many other channels that are programmed into both come in better/quicker with the 106. There are also some channels that are un audible on the 106, but the 92xlt picks up fine. What am I missing?

Thanks

Can you post the type of system you are scanning? Also take a close look at what you have programmed. Are all the freqs correct for mode (AM/FM/NFM)? Are you very close to a repeater that you might need to use the attenuator? Did you program in with ATT selected? Did you program in with a priority channel or weather monitoring? Also take a look at the Expert settings discussion for the PSR500 (same as 106) maybe the settings can be tweaked to improve your scanning? Last thing check your connections with your antenna or coax.
Just trying to help.
Good luck.

 

[BigBill1963]

Can you post the type of system you are scanning? Also take a close look at what you have programmed. Are all the freqs correct for mode (AM/FM/NFM)? Are you very close to a repeater that you might need to use the attenuator? Did you program in with ATT selected? Did you program in with a priority channel or weather monitoring? Also take a look at the Expert settings discussion for the PSR500 (same as 106) maybe the settings can be tweaked to improve your scanning? Last thing check your connections with your antenna or coax.
Just trying to help.
Good luck.

The frequency that I am really puzzled about is a Conventional 155.505. I did program with the Att. No priority or weather monitioring yet. I'm trying to become confortable with it before changing too many more settings. I will look into the Expert setting though.
Thank You

 

[KE7VJW]

You might want to try a FM notch filter. The 106 as with all Rat Shack scanners has a bad front end overload problem. If you have any FM near you it will take your VHF out real quick. I use the filter from Scanner Master. I also use an outside discone antenna

Jim

 

[N8IAA]

As good as the RS 800Mhz antenna is on trunking systems and some 450Mhz reception, it is marginal on VHF Hi. I listen to a great deal of VHF Hi-band on my 106, but use amatuer radio dual band hand held antennas. They work just fine for the trunking systems in my metro area. I'm not going to suggest what to use. I have my favorites and others will tell you of theirs. Don't forget that you are in a high rf environment, and this radio will overload. Have you tried just using the antenna that came with the radio. It works well on VHF frequencies.
Have a good day,
Larry

 

[vsny]

Hey BigBill1963, if you are trying to program 155.505 for the NY State PD on Long Island NY, you are going to be frustrated. Troop L (Southern State,Northern State,Meadowbrook,etc. Pkwy coverage) has been on every freq. known to exist in the last few weeks, other than 155.505. Since you don't say where you are located, I didn't want you to think it was your error.

 

[BigBill1963]

Hey BigBill1963, if you are trying to program 155.505 for the NY State PD on Long Island NY, you are going to be frustrated. Troop L (Southern State,Northern State,Meadowbrook,etc. Pkwy coverage) has been on every freq. known to exist in the last few weeks, other than 155.505. Since you don't say where you are located, I didn't want you to think it was your error.

Oh, sorry. I'm in upstate NY, Utica area.

 

[jcase469]

My problem/issue is that on several local channels mostly the NY State Police, my Uniden is picking up all kinds of talk, and the 106 just scans away. I am certain that they have been programmed, and are active, because they sometime are picked up.

I posted this on a diff thread but this looks like a better one for the problem.

BigBill1963, if you have a pl tone (CTCSS or DCS) set on the problem frequencies, set it to search or none and see if the problem goes away.

I have the same thing happening with my PRO-106 but only if CTCSS is enabled on some CONV freqs. The scanner sometimes completely ignores any activity on those freqs. Other freqs with CTCSS enabled never seem to have a problem. The 85.4 tone seems to be the one with problems and that is a common tone in my area for law enforcement and fire depts. The problem never seems to happen if the 85.4 CTCSS is not enabled. I can go to manual and sit on the problem freqs and hear nothing even though every other scanner including my PRO-197 hears all of the traffic. Other freqs using other tones do not seem to have any problem. I have not messed with any of the Expert settings yet but will soon.