results with Signal sweeper on the PSR500???

[radioman253]

I have a PSR500 due to arrive any day now from the Hamstation.
How well does the signal sweeper work?
Does it perform better than uniden close call, or signal stalker on previous GRE/ratshack offerings?

I've never tried a radio with this function and I am eagerly awaiting the chance to try it out among the countless other functions that look awesome.


Glen
in Ontario Canada

 

[KC9NEG]

I haven't worked with it yet, but I've read reports here that GRE's implementation is more sensitive than Uniden's, which has both pros and cons.

Todd/Indy

 

[mikey60]

I have a PSR500 due to arrive any day now from the Hamstation.
How well does the signal sweeper work?
Does it perform better than uniden close call, or signal stalker on previous GRE/ratshack offerings?

I've never tried a radio with this function and I am eagerly awaiting the chance to try it out among the countless other functions that look awesome.


Glen
in Ontario Canada

I had an occasion to use the sweeper function at an event we were doing with our ARPSC group. At the same event, one of the other operators had a 396T there as well. The law enforcement personnel at the even were using a "Special Event" channel on VHF radios (Not trunked).

The other operator (Net control operator at the command center) turned on the Close Call feature of the 396T to try to get the frequency they were using.

When I got the chance, I turned on the Spectrum Sweeper function of the PSR-500. I'd say within 2-3 minutes (you have to wait until someone transmits after all), I had both the frequency in use, and the PL tone of the "Special Event" channel being used.

When I returned to the Net Control location, I asked the other operatior if he had found the frequency. He told me that the radio had never found it. Then I told him what they were

To make a long story short, it works well!

Mike

 

[scanfan03]

I had an occasion to use the sweeper function at an event we were doing with our ARPSC group. At the same event, one of the other operators had a 396T there as well. The law enforcement personnel at the even were using a "Special Event" channel on VHF radios (Not trunked).

The other operator (Net control operator at the command center) turned on the Close Call feature of the 396T to try to get the frequency they were using.

When I got the chance, I turned on the Spectrum Sweeper function of the PSR-500. I'd say within 2-3 minutes (you have to wait until someone transmits after all), I had both the frequency in use, and the PL tone of the "Special Event" channel being used.

When I returned to the Net Control location, I asked the other operatior if he had found the frequency. He told me that the radio had never found it. Then I told him what they were

To make a long story short, it works well!

Mike

If you left the net control location, then that is an unfair comparison. The LEO could have been way closer to you while you were walking around then the net control.

 

[mikey60]

If you left the net control location, then that is an unfair comparison. The LEO could have been way closer to you while you were walking around then the net control.

The repeater was in the command vehicle in the parking lot, right next to the building the net control operator was in. My assigned location was about 1/2 mile away. I found the repeater first, and the input second (No standard offset on VHF, so finding the input would not have been an advantage).

Mike

 

[walter900]

Just curious, while in Spectrum Sweeper mode, if say, perhaps it picks up on a local APCO-25 transmission from a nearby HH will it automatically decode the audio???

 

[mikey60]

Just curious, while in Spectrum Sweeper mode, if say, perhaps it picks up on a local APCO-25 transmission from a nearby HH will it automatically decode the audio???

Yes. And tell you the NAC.

Mike

 

[WayneH]

Yes. And tell you the NAC.

Along with CTCSS and DCS tones without needing a mode change, unlike a certain competitor.

 

[walter900]

>Yes. And tell you the NAC.

WoW!!!

 

[SCPD]

The repeater was in the command vehicle in the parking lot, right next to the building the net control operator was in. My assigned location was about 1/2 mile away. I found the repeater first, and the input second (No standard offset on VHF, so finding the input would not have been an advantage).
Mike

This is also the exact kind of experience I have had with the two methods. I think Signal Sweeper is best for my needs. I used it at an airshow and had tower, air to ground, air to air all within a few minutes. Made for a more enjoyable show

 

[captaincraig44]

However, especially on 800MHz, I have found the Spectrum Sweeper to be overly prone to intermod. Don't even try to take it into a large metropolitan area with the intention of finding 800MHz comms. I wish there was a sensitivity adjustment. It seems to do really well with VHF/UHF sweeping.

 

[DaveIN]

If you use the attenuator on 800Mhz it will work a little better in metro areas.

 

[rvawatch]

i wish it would display if a channel was a control channel in sweeper mode (and search mode as well). Actually what would be even better is a control channel only mode similar to uniden.. i cant ever use the sweeper with the 800 range turned on since it just constantly picks up active voice channels for the local public safety sys.

 

[captaincraig44]

It would be nice if there was someway to adjust the sensitivity of it other than the attenuator. However, even with the attenuator on, I still get lots of intermod hits and I'm not closer than a mile from any cell or pager towers. Almost need a vhf band antenna to make it useful on the 800 band.

 

[DaveIN]

The VHF/UHF antenna just might work.

 

[mikebennett]

The PSR-500 picks up strong signalled base transmitters whereas my 396T did not. I never missed locking onto a close handheld however on the 396.

 

[scanfan03]

I don't like it, I like close call way better.