My menu screen on my TRX-2 shows a "S" instead of a "T" when scanning at times. Radio is truck mounted. My scanner is only scanning trunked systems on Ohio MARCS. When the "S" is present the radio is silent. I have brought along my SDS100 to listen also and it will pick up transmissions when this "S" is displayed on the menu screen. If the "T" is present the radio will receive. The SDS does out perform the TRX-2. And yes only two counites in my area are simulcast and they are about 20 miles apart from each other. I know the "T" stands for Trunked. What does the "S" represent and can it be avoided somehow? Or is it another mode I may not be familiar with?
"S" on the menu screen
- Thread starter BN203
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I_Am_Infinite
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S in the way u explained it, means it's not getting signal from the Control Channel and if there is some signal at all, it's not decoding it ... T means it's decoding the CC ... If it's S u won't get anything, u need the T to be displayed to be able to trunk track. T equals decoding CC, S means it's not decoding the CC. If you only got trunked systems as u said it's not getting good enough signal to decode the CC. Usually there will be nothing shown at all if no CC data, no signal at all (no T no S), but if it's trying to decode and there is some signal it will flash S some but there's not enough signal to decode it, but it keeps trying, hence the S flashing at times.
U might see S then T, then S, then T, when it's not decoding the signal good enough.
It can also mean the squelch is open. So if your squelch isn't opened its what I said above.
U might see S then T, then S, then T, when it's not decoding the signal good enough.
It can also mean the squelch is open. So if your squelch isn't opened its what I said above.
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“S” appears when the squelch is open.
I_Am_Infinite
Member
Technically that's right but it can also mean when it's trying to decode the CC but just can't and keeps trying it will flash S at times, usually S then T, then S then T back and forth constantly. The way he explains what's happening sounds like it keeps trying to decode on a weak signal. But if he got the squelch open it will be just solid S and not change.
I_Am_Infinite
Member
I even just tested on my WS1095 to open squelch on my states P25 system and it still decodes and picks up the comms, and shows the T.. it seems like lack of signal to me and it can't quite decode the CC but keeps trying and probably is flashing S then T back and forth. But I cud be wrong maybe he's got his squelch open, that seems unlikely but I guess it's possible.
tvengr
Well Known Member
Are there any particular counties or sites where the problem occurs? Please attach your archive file so we can take a look at it. Click on Attach files and open the file.
On my RS197 the so called "S" is for " Signal" and it has (5) bars after it ,...
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I_Am_Infinite
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Mine shows T on my pro197, unless I'm losing decode then it will show S then T, S then T back and forth... Does this back and forth real bad on simulcast. Essentially the same for my Whistler, and GRE scanners.
I have your replies and thank everyone for the input. I do have a copy of the easier to read manual. The squelch is programmed at an 8 across all systems. So id the S does mean open squelch, how is it open if the setting is set to 8? Travelling through Shelby County, OH with teh Sidney site seems to be most problematic. I am goint to try and lock out that site to see if reception improves. I have also notes that the S appears in areas where my Verizon phone has no signal. Guess the "I can here you now guy" from the Verizon commercial years ago did not walk through Ohio!!!!!
tvengr
Well Known Member
Shelby County has its own trunked system using simulcast sites. This is in addition to the talkgroups on the MARCS statewide trunked system. There are several things that can cause receive problems. If you attach your archive file, I can take a look at it. The Sydney site on the MARCS system and the site on the Shelby County system both use 700 MHz frequencies. Under the Site Options tab for those 2 sites, Trunking Tables must be set to Auto Fill. Without seeing the file, I have no way of knowing what all you have programmed.
I_Am_Infinite
Member
Ya it's more what I talked about, your not getting good signal so it's trying to decode it but can't very well. 8 is perfectly fine I have mine on 7 and squelch ain't open. I tested with open squelch and still get the T... It's I was talking about I've seen it do it so much when trying to get good signal and when hooking 2 antennas to one scanner, signal was crap and my T flashed to S back n forth constantly. Especially on simulcast sites where it struggle to decode.
I realize the S means Open squelch but had I not had experience with this I'd say it's the squelch but it's not especially knowing ur on 8, it's signal decode issue, gonna make it flash S and T and u will miss alot of traffic if not all or it will be garbled audio.
On my RS 197 I have to have my squelch at 9-10 o'clock or on the analog frequencies I get only the "S" and open squelch,...
VHF frequencies? External antenna? If so you probably need a FM broadcast band notch filter.
Yes using outdoor antenna, when I installed a PL on the analog frequencies I can set the squelch to 7-8 ,..
I_Am_Infinite
Member
I have mine roughly 10 o'clock position on my Pro197, I don't have the S on my county's vhf sheriff repeater (155.0700) or their vhf EMS, EMA, FD repeater (158.8050). It might be as mentioned, u might need an FM trap or filter. Especially if outdoor antenna. You are pretty close to Chicago being in Joliet.
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