Reception problem - Pro-95

[Caddop22]

I am having a problem with my PRO-95 and background noises. I am hearing static at times and a high pitched squeal with all TGID’s on a MOT Smartnet Type II system.

I don’t know anyone else with a scanner in my area, so I can’t verify if it is the system or if there is a problem with the scanner itself.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem with their PRO-95?

I will add that this just started about a month ago and has not gotten better. Even using ATT it does not seem to help.

I am curious to get some opinions on whether initializing the scanner would help or not.
It was suggested to me that I clear out the programmed bank and reprogram it, which I did using Win 95. It did not help.

By the way, I have all the frequencies programmed, not just the Control Channels. Is it possible that one of the other frequencies is a “birdie” frequency?

I am using the RS 800mhz antenna, but the OE antenna does not make a difference in reception.

Thanks for any input,

Ken

 

[gmclam]

Thanks for providing so much info about your situation. Try a different location - take a walk down the block or something like that. Does it continue? If not; what "new" electronic device did you install about the time this started?

I've got all kinds of stuff around here that is picked up by my scanners - modems, routers, computers, ... anything computerized (including my jacuzzi). Some devices' emissions are really bad on some frequencies and it is just like birdie freqs.

Programming more freqs into your scanner makes no difference - unless you are tuned to that freq. I too program all freqs of a trunked system. And my 97s pick up a lot more interference than my 95s.

Good luck.

 

[Caddop22]

Thanks for the reply,

It makes no difference where I am, the scanner still has the same noise. I listen to it in the car, at work, at home.....etc. and the reception is the same.

I can change the antenna and it does not make a difference, except that when using the OE antenna, it is a bit less noticable, but still there.

Ken

 

[gmclam]

It sounds BROKEN to me.
What about the weather frequencies?

 

[Caddop22]

Thank for the reply,

The weather frequencies sound fine.

Ken

 

[gmclam]

So this problem is ONLY on TRUNKED systems. Sounds interesting. What happens if you just listen to channels manually which are part of the trunked system? I know you'll hear pieces of different conversations, but I am wondering why it happens with trunked systems and not conventional channels. Is it because of trunking, or because of 800 MHz, or because of something else. If you can hear weather I suspect you can hear everything clear on all VHF frequencies. What about UHF? There must be some active ham radio channels around there you can pick up to determine what the common denominator is for this problem.

 

[Caddop22]

Yes only on trunked systems. I can hear some of the TGID's clear at times, but not always.

I can tell you that it makes no difference if it is night or day (I realize that the Public safety system is very active in day time hours, i.e. sanitation....etc..) I still get the noise.

I just programmed my BC278CLT and although it is not a trunking scanner it is 800mhz capable. I still seem to hear some background noise in it. It may be the system......

I don't know and it is frustrating me.......

Do you feel that initializing the scanner would help at all, or just be a waste of time?

Thanks for you help......any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

[gmclam]

Do you feel that initializing the scanner would help at all, or just be a waste of time?

Well anything is worth a try... but I can't imagine this would solve your problem.

Let's see .. this is a sound you get ONLY when listening to 800 MHz. It does not matter if the channel is conventional or trunked. It does not matter if you're in scan, search or manual mode. Your physical location does not change the situation. How about power source? Do you power from the wall? Batteries? Your auto? Can you state what the range of frequencies that this happens in is? Is it from, for example, 806 MHz to 960 MHz and NO other range? Try using SEARCH in the higher ranges. Find other broadcasts (not just the agency you're trying to hear).

 

[Caddop22]

The power source are nImh and ac power....It makes no diffence if I take the battery cradel out or use AC......

The frequecny range is 854.015 - 860-9875.

I have in fact searched fregs to see if the noise is continous and it is just a crap shoot, in the sense that I sometimes get them clear and sometimes do not. I have hit some 900mhz freqs that are clear and some are not.......

Thanks for any input,

Ken

 

[dangitdoug]

Antenna

Have you tried an 800 mhz antenna? My 95 cleared up quite a bit on trunked systems when I switched to one. I am in San Diego by the way.

Doug K

 

[SouthSoundScanner]

I listen to a Motorola system and at times I get all kinds of Static, Scratching and squealing sounds and sometimes it sounds like a kids Water Whistle. I haven't really looked into why it happens, but I think its from a certain tower or Control Channel because it doesn't happen all the time.

 

[Caddop22]

I do have the RS 20-283 800 Mhz antenna on the scanner, but it hasn't helped with the situation.

Thanks for the input,

Ken

 

[bpellet314]

I am having the same issue with same scanner for 2 860.00 frequencies for 1 local PD. Trunk and other frequencies work fine only this one town. The 2 channels ruin the scanning because it scares the blank out of you when these freq. kick in with their squelching and crackling noise. Any ideas.
Bob
Ct.