Problems Monitoring EGPD

[Nerdcentric]

Let me start by saying this is likely user error... I am trying to monitor Elk Grove PD using a SDS200. I have a decent antenna and I am picking up other locations on the SRRCS P25, just not Elk Grove for some reason. If you look at the attached you can see it is scanning and triggering on some channels.

To program my radio I did a import into a new favorite list from RadioReference. And as you can see in the screenshot, the P25 system is available and I am able to lock the system and channel to SRRCS / Elk Grove... Every-once-in-a-while I will hear something but the communication is very short.

Any ideas what I have borked up? Thanks in advance!

 

[mcjones2013]

While I've never used the SDS200, I have noticed on the SDS100 (and the BCDx36HP-series) that if I'm scanning the SRRCS P25 system ONLY, I get much better reception versus when I'm also running other P25 systems and/or analog systems (conventional or trunked). It appears you're running a mix of systems.

See what happens when you turn off everything else and only scan SRRCS P25.

 

[gmclam]

Are we sure they are on the new P25 system? I am monitoring all 3 systems (city, county, P25) and still get a lot of analog traffic.

 

[mcjones2013]

EGPD has fully transitioned to the P25 system as of early 2019.

There are some Cosumnes FD and Sac Sheriff radio IDs that have not yet been converted over to the P25 system that routinely listen to the EGPD 1 channel which forces it to go over the analog system still. This includes the Suburban Propane security vehicle (Cosumnes FD radio ID) and the Cosumnes CSD Parks patrol (Sac Sheriff-contract) (SSD radio ID).

There are times during the overnight hours that EGPD 1 does not go over the analog system, only P25.

 

[Nerdcentric]

While I've never used the SDS200, I have noticed on the SDS100 (and the BCDx36HP-series) that if I'm scanning the SRRCS P25 system ONLY, I get much better reception versus when I'm also running other P25 systems and/or analog systems (conventional or trunked). It appears you're running a mix of systems.

See what happens when you turn off everything else and only scan SRRCS P25.

Tried that tonight and still saw very little traffic. I will do some more reading this weekend and see if I have something set incorrectly. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[russbrill]

Tried that tonight and still saw very little traffic. I will do some more reading this weekend and see if I have something set incorrectly. Thanks for the suggestion though!

I am located around Highway 99 and 47th Ave, I have found the following settings on my SDS 200 to work the best: Increase the System Hold Time to 2 seconds (Not Delay), and use the 20 Db Attenuation Feature on the Sac P25 system if you're using an outdoor antenna and receiving lots of signal (60 to 70 dbm). Also, I am using the System filter setting "Invert"...

I hope this helps...

73,
Russ

 

[Nerdcentric]

I am located around Highway 99 and 47th Ave, I have found the following settings on my SDS 200 to work the best: Increase the System Hold Time to 2 seconds (Not Delay), and use the 20 Db Attenuation Feature on the Sac P25 system if you're using an outdoor antenna and receiving lots of signal (60 to 70 dbm). Also, I am using the System filter setting "Invert"...

I hope this helps...

73,
Russ

Thanks for the info Russ, I will give that a try tonight. Last night I did some more research based on McJones' suggestion of mixing analog and digital could be the issue. I noticed that I had near call enabled and it was switching over now and then to a 88.x frequency that someone in the neighborhood is using to microbroadcast radio/tv shows wirelessly. I disabled that and have had MUCH better luck with audio not cutting out or missing a large part of the transmission. I will try your suggestions tonight.

 

[russbrill]

Thanks for the info Russ, I will give that a try tonight. Last night I did some more research based on McJones' suggestion of mixing analog and digital could be the issue. I noticed that I had near call enabled and it was switching over now and then to a 88.x frequency that someone in the neighborhood is using to microbroadcast radio/tv shows wirelessly. I disabled that and have had MUCH better luck with audio not cutting out or missing a large part of the transmission. I will try your suggestions tonight.

I have been tweaking my settings in the last week... I am now using "Auto" for the Filter setting, 1 second "Hold Time" and on my home set up (SDS-200) I use the "20 Db Attenuator"..

My latest combo seems to be the Best so far...

73,
Russ

 

[Nerdcentric]

Russ - when I look at the settings (Menu / Srch/CloCall Opt/Set Attenuator) I only have the option to set attenuation on or off. Where are you setting it to 20db? I do have an antenna mounted outside so I wanted to try that to see if I get better reception.

Thanks again!

-Rob

 

[russbrill]

Russ - when I look at the settings (Menu / Srch/CloCall Opt/Set Attenuator) I only have the option to set attenuation on or off. Where are you setting it to 20db? I do have an antenna mounted outside so I wanted to try that to see if I get better reception.

Thanks again!

-Rob

I'm sorry, the attenuation is 20 Db automatically... On is 20 Db, off is 0 attenuation...

 

[Nerdcentric]

Hah! Gotcha! I guess I should have read about the setting. Thanks for clearing it up for me.