Problems Monitoring MERCI-1

[jclarkr6]

I am having problems monitoring MERCI-1 (155.340) with my Uniden BC95XLT. I am only a few miles from my local hospital and I am using a Maldol AH-W100RX antenna. I believe that I should be able to clearly pick up MERCI-1, but I am only able to hear small parts of the conversation (from both sides). Adjusting the squelch has not fixed this problem. Please forgive my ignorance as I am relatively new to scanning, but do I need a scanner that is capable of having the PL/DPL Tone programmed into it to clearly hear MERCI-1? I am able to clearly pick up many other frequencies from over 15 miles away, so my scanner is functioning correctly. I would appreciate any suggestions that anyone would be kind enough to offer. Thank you.

 

[N9JIG]

Don't know what hospital you are trying to hear but...

The PL or DPL (or lack thereof) would not affect the range from where you can receive the channel.

Are you able to hear other freqs at this hospital, like the security channels or pagers?

Have you been able to hear them in the past?

In some areas ambulances have pretty much abandoned MERCI for MED radios and cell phones, so maybe they just don't use it much anymore.

 

[jclarkr6]

Thanks for responding, Rich. I'm trying to listen to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Coles County. I am able to pick up almost all of the hospital's paging frequencies. I have always had the same problem with MERCI-1, I know it is being used but it comes through very choppy. I am only able to pick up bits and pieces of both sides of the conversation. I have found that the hospital comes in a little better, but it is still choppy. It can be almost impossible to understand the paramedics. Would having the PL/DPL Tone programmed into my scanner make any difference in improving the quality of my reception? I am aware that my scanner does not have that capability, but I was wondering if it would help. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[bob_leach_3]

SBLHC MERCI Reception

Hello,

I would guess that you have a very weak antenna connection of some kind, but if other frequenciess come in clearly then that's not the case...I have no idea on this one. SBLHC base is loud and clear every time ive heard it in this county. The ambulances can normally be heard (from my experience) if within a few miles of you. Just wondering, because youre monitoring the same county as myself, what other freqencies do you monitor? I am wondering if theres anything I'm not receiveing here in Mattoon that I don't have the frequency of. Thank you.

Bob

 

[N9JIG]

Thanks for responding, Rich. I'm trying to listen to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Coles County. I am able to pick up almost all of the hospital's paging frequencies. I have always had the same problem with MERCI-1, I know it is being used but it comes through very choppy. I am only able to pick up bits and pieces of both sides of the conversation. I have found that the hospital comes in a little better, but it is still choppy. It can be almost impossible to understand the paramedics. Would having the PL/DPL Tone programmed into my scanner make any difference in improving the quality of my reception? I am aware that my scanner does not have that capability, but I was wondering if it would help. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

The PL or DPL will not affect the quality of reception in your situation.

I would look to antenna or feedline as your issue.

 

[KB9LIQ]

wonder if it could be just his location, and the location of the antenna at the hospital? He says he has always had the same problem.

 

[i_galbreath]

I live in Douglas County and montor Merci-1 and all I ever hear on it is Airlife 1 and Arch medical helicopters. The ambulances that serve around here use Nextel, instead of Merci. Also, with Merci, I think it all depends on how close the unit is to you. Its a simplex channel and is very sensative to weather from what I can tell. Some days its crystal clear and some days it sounds like...not crystal clear.

Ian

 

[jclarkr6]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my message, I am grateful for everyone's input. I am able to pick up other frequencies in Coles and surrounding counties, so I think my antenna is working properly. Other people seem to have no problem with MERCI-1, so I think my problem may lie in the fact that my scanner is a handheld with a telescopic antenna. As KB9LIQ noted, there may be something about my location that makes it more difficult to monitor MERCI-1. While surrounding frequencies come in fairly clearly, my antenna must not be able to pull in a good signal from MERCI-1. I think that I may need to purchase a base scanner and an outdoor antenna to properly monitor MERCI-1. I'll start saving my money. Thanks again to everyone that replied!

 

[jclarkr6]

bob_leach_3,

I sent you a private message. At least, I think I did. If you don't receive it let me know and I will resend it. Thanks!

 

[jasonpeoria911]

Could be a few things for your area, listed below...

-155.340 is not on a repeater. So most often you would only hear the hospital and not the ambulances.

-The hospital may use 155.400

-Most patient comms may go thru cell phone as is the case in most areas now with the whole HIPAA deal.

-In some cities, the ambulance will have dispatch call the hospital with the preliminary patient info, then only talk to the hospital on 155.340 if they need some patient orders for meds and such.

Jason

 

[bob_leach_3]

Merci

SBLHC (far as i know) only uses 155.34 on the radio. It is common for ambulances inbound to be on this freq but of coures they might use cellphones too...I have heard the new ambulance service in mattoon many times on recently with 210.7 transmit PL on 155.34 (SBLHC base transmit is CSQ--no PL).

I did not get that PM yet but thanks for tryin bob_leach_3 (yahoo messenger) or bob_leach_3@yahoo.com

 

[KC9NCF]

I'm not sure the whole HIPPA law has anything to do at all with the issue. CFD routinely uses Med 1 - 9 for comms and they only identify the patient as "53 year old male with chest pain who was in a car accident and....." they go on from there with all the details without compromising patient safety / confidentiality.

I sometimes hear them call in DOA patients just as a heads up. MERCI may not be all that active where you are. Try the nationwide MED frequencies. There are actually 10 med freqs, but in Chicago, Med - 10 is CFD Command.

A handheld as you say you are using may not always be too effective depending on where you are in the house, and any objects obstructing the signal path, signal quality (RF interference by home electronics, etc.) It's hard to give you any solid answer from my end, but I agree with Rich...check your antenna.

 

[FFPM571]

The majority of the calls are done by Cell phone in the burbs...Its not a HIPPA thing .. the hospitals will answer the telemetry phone when it rings then they dont have to have someone always listening for a radio call..

 

[cifn2]

I am betting the handheld scanner might have something to do with it, as well as something in the residence. It could be something as simple as your computer causing the distortion in signal, or it could be the TV, there are lots of things in the home that can distort or totally absorb your signal.

I have my Uniden Bearcat 996T on top of my computer desk, over my monitor, I have had to adjust or lockout several lowband and local VHF frequencies due to the static and constant annoyances they cause.

 

[downsrep]

How far do you live from Sarah Bush? When I visit family in Mattoon, I am able to pick up Sarah Bush/ambo communications no problem. I have a larger antenna but also the smaller scanner antenna. I pick up Mitchell Jerdan and other ambulances fine.

 

[jclarkr6]

downsrep,

I live approximately 6 miles from Sarah Bush within the Mattoon city limits. I am thinking that cifn2 may be right about my problems with monitoring MERCI-1. My problems may be due to the fact that I am using a handheld scanner with a telescopic antenna and that I am usually inside my house when I am trying to listen to MERCI-1. I pick up everything else in the area very well, including frequencies from surrounding towns. Downsrep, do you use a handheld scanner to listen to MERCI-1 in Mattoon? If so, may I ask what type of scanner and antenna you use?

Thanks again to everybody that has replied to this thread.