Pro-2096 153-154 freq deaf??

[ronmchandler]

Anyone experiencing deafness in the 153-154 freq range? I have 2 Pro-2096's and both sit silent in that range while my Uniden BC780xlt picks up the freqs I need. Both are using the same antenna on a Stridsberg multicoupler.

 

[SAR923]

The only think I listen to in the 153-154 range is Mendocino County Fire on 153.950. It's about 50 miles from my house and my Pro 2096 picks it up fine.

 

[Eng74]

Both my 96 and 2096 work great on 153-154 range. Kern County Fire just went to VHF and I have not had a problem.

 

[whooey]

153-154 Loud and clear here on my 2096.

 

[KC1UA]

I too have difficulty with the VHF-HI range on my PRO-2096. I don't think that it's deaf though, I think it is subject to strong signal overload, which is why you're getting varying replies. I live in a high RF area. When I get away from it my VHF-Hi reception with the radio improves. A Stridsberg Multicoupler with the amplification it uses to overcome signal loss may actually be compounding the problem.

 

[ronmchandler]

As I think about it you are probably right. I live in a high RF area as well. My Pro-96 receives the same signals fine with the rubber duckie. I think I will try the discone on the Pro-96 and then try different attenuation settings and see if that helps. If the Pro-96 drops the same signal connected to the discone, then I'll probably be able to deduce the problem. Thanks for the reply.

 

[ronmchandler]

My Pro-96 on a rubber duckie actually receives better than my 2096 on a high mounted RS Discone. I had posted a message asking why my 2096 seemed to be "deaf" in the 153-154 VHF Hi freq range. Here are the great tips I received to solve my problem with poorer reception on my 2096. I hope these help others with a similar problem.

-GRE scanners don't like strong signals and good antennas (sort of). See next point.

-Sometimes the stock / indoor antenna actually works better than an outdoor discone or scantenna due to the de-sensitizing and overload caused by a good outdoor antenna, especially in an RF rich environment, like most metropolitan cities are. High power FM broadcast stations in the vicinity, paging networks, and other strong FM signals easily overload the 2096.

-Adjacent overload can de-sensitize VHF High freqs, and actually make them appear as if they are not being received due to poor signal strength when in reality, the sensitivity is being slammed by other strong signals therefore "shutting out" the freqs you wish to receive.

-Try a RS FM Trap inline, catalog # 15-577 to "trap out" those strong FM signals

-Turn attenuator "on" for freqs where problem exist

I'm not very wise on the engineering side, but these simple tips worked for me. I love this hobby!!

 

[DaveNF2G]

Based on the frequencies that you posted in the other thread ("Step Size Frustration"), the problem is more likely to be in how you are attempting to use the PRO-2096 than in its performance capabilities. No receiver will do a good job if required to receive off-frequency. First you must tune to the correct frequency, then decide how well the radio receives.

 

[ronmchandler]

You are very correct. I had been given a frequency list by a friend who had made some errors. When I checked his list against cityfreq I found several errors which were the entries I was having difficulty. It never occured to me that he had written them down wrong. I should have checked them first.