PSR-800 Signal issues.

[-BoneZ-]

I've had my PSR-800 for about a month now and I've had some signal issues from the beginning. Most of the time, I have full signal for all police departments in my area. Putting my hand around the antenna does not affect the signal at all when there's full signal.

However, there are times when the signal is significantly diminished for no reason at all. Every single time I turn the scanner on, it always has a low signal at first for a minute or a few, then clears itself up and have full signal most of the time.

Then on occasion, there will be random times of low signal issues and it happens across all channels/scanlists globally. When there's low signal, I can put my hand around the antenna and the signal goes almost completely away. The low signal issues last anywhere from 30-seconds to a couple/few minutes.

I've reset/reprogrammed everything and nothing has changed. I'm starting to wonder if I have a faulty unit. There's just no reason to have full signal on all channels/scanlists most of the time, then at random times (and when turning the scanner on) the signal gets diminished and goes away when putting the hand around the antenna.


Is anyone else having these issues? It's starting to get really annoying. Especially when there's an interesting call and the signal is low and can't hear what's going on.


One last thing, the signal issues don't seem to happen during a transmission. Usually the whole transmission is diminished. In other words, it doesn't happen midway into a transmission.


**Edit to add* that turning Global Attenuation on or off doesn't make a difference.

 

[W8RMH]

Does your scanner behave like this in other areas?

There is the possibility of some type of RF in or near your home which could be preventing the signals from getting through.

Try using it a few miles away from your home and attempt to duplicate the same symptoms. (This test could confirm or eliminate a RF issue)

The stock wide-band rubber ducky antennas that come with handheld scanners have their limitations. Try an antenna tuned more toward the actual frequencies that you monitor.

That behavior is odd though. I have read about every post on the 800 as I was considering one, but I don't recall seeing this problem before.

 

[-BoneZ-]

The stock wide-band rubber ducky antennas that come with handheld scanners have their limitations. Try an antenna tuned more toward the actual frequencies that you monitor.

I use the RadioShack 800 MHz antenna. I also have a Laird 800 MHz antenna and the signal issues are present on that antenna as well. So, I'm thinking not an antenna issue.

 

[jackj]

It sounds to me like you have a problem with one or more strong, off frequency signals causing desensitization of your scanner. There's not much you can do except reduce the strength of the interfering signal. Sometimes changing your location helps, you also could try a directional antenna positioned to null out the interference. But the first thing you need to do is find out if this is your problem. Another scanner set to sweep the band might help in IDing the culprit.

 

[-BoneZ-]

Trying to update the frequency list. Ignore for now....

 

[Nasby]

Six years later?????????????

 

[N4DXX]

Six years later?????????????

Ha Ha Ha...Time lapse