PRO-2096 Sensitivity?

[jrs71]

Hi all.

I recently purchased a PRO-2096 and am having trouble receiving a signal from a 800 MHz trunked system ~30 miles away that I have routinely monitored before. I am using an outside antenna on which my old BC895 has no problem picking up the system. While listening to this system on the Bearcat, I can disconnect the antenna and attach it to the 2096 and I am barely able to hear the control freq. in Manual mode with the squelch wide open. Is the 2096 less sensitive than the BC895 or do you think I have a bad radio?

Thanks for any and all input --- Randy

 

[n4voxgill]

your scanner is probably to sensitive. try using ATT and see if that helps.

 

[jrs71]

Sorry, should have mentioned in my O/P that ATT knocks out what little signal I already have.

 

[RoninJoliet]

2096 vs ATT

I have the same problem here on my 2096 with a Uniden 898T along side receiving the 800 fine and the 2096 showing 85-90% 800 signal but does not trunk it as well using the same outside antenna on a 30 mile away system. But, when i install the RS 800 rubber duck on the 2096 it tracks that 30 mile away system perfect. The "ATT" works fine on VHF to bring in long range signals but cancels signals for me on UHF and 800. On 800 it seems to boil down to front end overload or paging desensing the radio.My PRO96 is the same way, much better with the RS 800mgz rubber duck. Now the 2053 is the opposite and receives 800 fantastic with the out door antenna and i must use the "ATT" on all VHF freqys for great coverage?? Ron in Joliet

 

[jrs71]

Appreciate the good info, Ron. What is the model # of the RS rubber duck you are using?

Thanks, Randy

 

[BoxAlarm187]

I know that this thread is about a month old, but I got around to trading my 796D in my truck out with my 2096. I have to say, in my case, the VHF performance on the 2096 sure is disappointing. The front end overloads massively compared to the 796, espically when driving in populated areas. The 800MHz performance is strong, but this is only about 1/2 of what I listen to.

It's this bad: while driving past a transmitter on 155.235, it came over the 2096 on 154.235, WITH a PL tone, just as clear as could be. This never happened in the 2 years I had the 796D in the truck.

I am using a permanant mount Larsen dual band (2/70) on the roof of the truck. I have checked the VHF stuff with the ATT on and off.

Am I the only one experiencing this?

 

[SAR923]

No, the Pro96/2096 is very prone to overloading when you've got an external antenna, particularly in the VHF-Hi band. There's an easy solution. Go to Radio Shack and get an in-line FM trap. They cost $6 and whatever F to BNC adapters you might need. You'll find your radio now receives VHF-Hi as well or better than the Uniden with almost no intermod. It seems that commercial FM overloading is a serious problem with a "hot" receiver like the 96/2096.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

Many thanks, I'll cruise by the RS tonight and see what I can pick up!