PSR-500 Failure to Track P-25 Systems Thread

[SCPD]

If DSP F1.0 is okay, but DSP U0.2 is not....

Here is an idea to try with DSP U0.2 that I think would help the team out a bit....

- Those that are having trouble with DSP U0.2, but found that DSP F1.0 worked okay, go into the PGM, Func-Glob super expert menu and scroll down to "Noise Thresh". Increase the number to a value of lets say "50". This will allow the DSP to stay tracking on a noisy signal. This might help. The liability of increasing the number above the default is that it is more likely the radio will stay on a channel after a valid transmission ends. However this is a good test.

 

[bonus1331]

I noticed that no one is throwing comments in the GRE support site in reference to the firmware changes.
Assuming that someone has told the powers to be to use these forums?
If they don't get the feedback, we don't see the benefits.

 

[DonS]

Potential Win500 data corruption

For those who have seen a 'failure to lock onto VC', or 'ping-ponging between CC and VC'....

If you're using Win500 to upload to the radio, it's possible that that program is contributing to the problem. I wasn't initializing some data correctly when building TSYS objects, and it looks like that corrupted data could kill the radio's ability to tune or unmute VCs in some circumstances. Apparently, that corrupted data affects CPU update U0.1 only (or, at least, more than CPU F1.0).

I was able to reproduce the problem here using U0.1 and Win500 v00.40. I've released Win500 v00.41 - I haven't seen the problem with that version.

 

[mikey60]

I noticed that no one is throwing comments in the GRE support site in reference to the firmware changes.
Assuming that someone has told the powers to be to use these forums?
If they don't get the feedback, we don't see the benefits.

I'm pretty sure that the GRE folks are reading these forums. They may not post much if at all, but I'm sure they are reading them.

Mike

 

[fmon]

I noticed that no one is throwing comments in the GRE support site in reference to the firmware changes.
Assuming that someone has told the powers to be to use these forums?
If they don't get the feedback, we don't see the benefits.

Actually I'm using the hint by cpu regarding the noise settings and so far seems to be better. Gettin nearly all hits, comlete from start to finish of activity.

Going on a drive shortly and will provide better report later.

 

[SCPD]

I'm pretty sure that the GRE folks are reading these forums. They may not post much if at all, but I'm sure they are reading them.

Mike

I'll ditto Mike. I am very sure the GRE folks (many of them) read these forums (and Uniden too for that matter, hehe). So I think it is fine to keep posting here where we can all interact, learn together, and help each other out. It seems that many problems have been helped by other users comments, and I think it is also good when we all know that a problem has been resolved. There have been a few "operator error" type problems/resolutions, and that is nice to know that we all do not have to worry about some things that were initially thought to be a problem.

 

[UPMan]

Who, me?

 

[fmon]

The road trip turned out well as the scanner acquired both nearby VA STARS P25 towers with ROAM set to Hi 76 and Lo 55. Noise Threshold set to 45...Thanks to Craig for the tip. I switched to STAT and it still acquired both towers but maybe not as well as ROAM. One tower is around 4 miles greater distance then the other (8 & 12 miles). STARS decodes around 76 max, even next to the towers. System is scanning well sitting here at this machine, I have STAT set and Att on.

Using both upgrades. The DSP change fixed the terrible performance of Chesapeake's Smartzone mixed system without altering great performance of 6 Smartnet's, a 9600 EDACS or two LTR systems.

 

[bonus1331]

GRE Support site

Just wanted to point out that I really enjoy the simplicity and well laid out support site that GRE has put together.
Easy to navigate, both the CPU and DSP ugrades had well written instructions, I really appreciate the knowledge based articles that they are starting to load on the site, and no convoluted registration process.
Still a Uniden fan, but they need to take a lesson from GRE on their web based support site.

 

[rvawatch]

The road trip turned out well as the scanner acquired both nearby VA STARS P25 towers with ROAM set to Hi 76 and Lo 55. Noise Threshold set to 45...Thanks to Craig for the tip. I switched to STAT and it still acquired both towers but maybe not as well as ROAM. One tower is around 4 miles greater distance then the other (8 & 12 miles). STARS decodes around 76 max, even next to the towers. System is scanning well sitting here at this machine, I have STAT set and Att on.

Using both upgrades. The DSP change fixed the terrible performance of Chesapeake's Smartzone mixed system without altering great performance of 6 Smartnet's, a 9600 EDACS or two LTR systems.

fmon, did the dsp upgrade affect your stars performance? for me, the cpu upgrade seems to work fine, but the dsp upgrade killed my reception of stars. it acted as if i had ATT on or something. did you notice this?

 

[fmon]

Originally it appeared the "T" was better on STARS with CPU F1.0. However, Craig's Noise Threshold suggestion works for me with U0.1 so sticking with it for now.

DSP upgrade definitely helps my STARS and is essential for Chesapeake Smartzone. The digital TG's were nothing but display prior to DSP U0.1...now scans perfect.

 

[SCPD]

CPU U0.2 and DSP U0.3 is out...

GRE just released new CPU and DSP firmware. The update notes are...

CPU U0.2:
-Fixed: FUNC key problem in V-Scanner mode (sometimes gave an error beep)

-Fixed: Disappearing "FrLO" softkey in TUNE mode

-Fixed: Cancel WX alerts when any WX mode "exit" key (including WX) key is pressed

-Fixed: SAME event/area matching when 000000 area codes are received

-Fixed: Allowed values in GLOB 'Dflt ScanList' item to match the [correct] help text

-Fixed: Default scan list' GLOB item to allow "0" (no scan list)

-Improved: While on a CONV object in MAN, pressing MAN again now resets the tuned object to allow a new mode detect (DG/FM, SQ:Search, etc.)

-Improved: While the "ShowCCInfo" GLOB setting is enabled: Removed control channel (CC) index/quality display from TGRP/MAN display. Within P25/M36 modes, while showing TGRP and the voice channel (VC), show the CC index-slot and CC freq (blinking/alternating) with the VC frequency. This is an aid to understanding which CC the radio used to trunk to the VC. This is especially useful within multi-site areas


DSP U0.3:
- Slight improvement over U0.2, especially on very weak signals.

 

[kikito]

I noticed that no one is throwing comments in the GRE support site in reference to the firmware changes.
Assuming that someone has told the powers to be to use these forums?
If they don't get the feedback, we don't see the benefits.

We've been "indirectly" communicating with manufacturers through these forums since before the Pro-96 was released. Back then, the stronsignals.net website was another medium. Me and others are pretty confident they're listening, reading and paying attention to these forums. I mean, if the two or three beta firmware updates within 2 weeks of the radio being released, that specifically address some of the issues brought up in here is not a good sign, I don't know what exactly are you expecting....

If anybody wants to provide feedback directly through GRE's own website that's fine too BUT I personally think they're doing pretty good as it is....

 

[detroit780]

Support

Can't say the "Powers to be" were told to use this forum or not. But looking around sure seems like they are here. Told to be here or not doesn't matter they are here. If they weren't I guess they would not have known to release any updates.

Looks like they have plenty of feedback and with the release of 3 DSP and 2 CPU updates this week my guess is we are seeing the benefit.

They do have a nice support page. Easy to navigate and they are doing a good job keeping me a GRE fan. Superior 800 receive just like the old 2006 that still beats the pants off the other trunking radios I had for 800 MHz receive. The old 2006 is still chugging along pulling in distant signals like magic.

I noticed that no one is throwing comments in the GRE support site in reference to the firmware changes.
Assuming that someone has told the powers to be to use these forums?
If they don't get the feedback, we don't see the benefits.

 

[SCPD]

Can't say the "Powers to be" were told to use this forum or not. But looking around sure seems like they are here. Told to be here or not doesn't matter they are here.

I bet "they" are also radio geeks, and like it here.

 

[detroit780]

Audio Issues

Judging from the features, ease of operation, and reaction time to upgrades I'd say they are bigger Radio Geeks than the people in here. That's a good thing!

I found most of my no decode issue. It's an EMC problem. Figures an EMC guy suffers from his own issues. There is a table to the right of my chair in the family room. When I leave the 500 there and my laptop is in my lap the radio will hang on TG's and the audio will get choppy in and out the LED will flash on and off as it receives and loses the signal. If I grab the radio it mellows out and either scans or produces chop free audio. So now I leave it on the other side of the laptop and it's fine.

I guess if I find other cases of this I'll finally open the radio up and see if any of my little RF band aids can be used safely.

Now with the latest upgrades this radio just sings. I can't wait to get my PSR-600 now!

I bet "they" are also radio geeks, and like it here.

 

[kikito]

I found most of my no decode issue. It's an EMC problem. Figures an EMC guy suffers from his own issues. There is a table to the right of my chair in the family room. When I leave the 500 there and my laptop is in my lap the radio will hang on TG's and the audio will get choppy in and out the LED will flash on and off as it receives and loses the signal. If I grab the radio it mellows out and either scans or produces chop free audio. So now I leave it on the other side of the laptop and it's fine.

Yep, I noticed a similar thing here too. Every radio I have, has a "sweet spot" and known problem areas. By now I'm almost sure of where is best to place the PSR-500 at home and at work. Which is a great thing to know when you're doing comparisons between firmwares.

 

[njscanmaster]

Can someone help with Ocean County Sys

I live in Ocean Co NJ USA

Here is the Info I have to use


Custom Frequency Table

1
Base: 505.0000
Spacing: 12.5
Offset: 380

How do I put it in the Scanner Under T Table Do I need the Hi Chan & Lo Chan in ??

 

[fmon]

I live in Ocean Co NJ USA

Here is the Info I have to use


Custom Frequency Table

1
Base: 505.0000
Spacing: 12.5
Offset: 380

How do I put it in the Scanner Under T Table Do I need the Hi Chan & Lo Chan in ??

Base, offset as listed
Step=Spacing
CH Lo 380
Ch Hi 759

 

[LEH]

njscanmaster,

Yes, you will need to enter the hi and lo values. I this case, they 'should' be 380 for the lo and 759 for the hi.

Otherwise (been there done that), the system won't receive.