bnails1962
Member
I programmed it 4 years ago with Radio Reference and freescan
Scanner Stopped working
- Thread starter bnails1962
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We understand you don't understand scanners but it does make it very difficult to troubleshoot as has been said. It looks like the tdma Phase ll system was put in service at the end of the first quarter of the year and a site change was made in May. Do you have both sites programmed? Also as was asked do you have all of the available control channels programmed? They may have simply changed the control Channel and you don't have it programmed. Maybe you don't have both sites programmed.
It is very difficult to help out without specifically knowing what's in your radio. You're going to end up solving this problem on your own. Go to the database and look up Shelby County. Go to the phase ll p25 system and make sure it matches what is in your radio.
There are plenty of talk groups but the police talk groups appear to be in the clear for dispatch but many sensitive talk groups are full-time encrypted. You need to reprogram your radio using freescan and make sure that everything is up to date as of the middle of May.
If you're not familiar with that, you're about to become familiar with it LOL. You also may encounter simulcast distortion secondary to LSM.
Depending on your location within the sites it may work okay or your reception will be sporadic. Tdma mode can be tricky. Hope that helps.
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It does indicate it is tdma mode, simulcast distortion may play a role.
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Being TDMA doesn't necessarily mean its simulcast or not.
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I agree, that's why it may or may not work
all of the tdma phase ll systems in my neck of the woods are simulcast and very susceptible to simulcast distortion. The police are encrypted on all of them now including my County so... shrug.
marksmith
Member
Just need to reprogram it for the new system instead of the old Motorola system it's trying to find.
The radio does type 2 p25.
The radio does type 2 p25.
Sounds like it is just time to reprogram that system with the new data for the Phase II system. When they upgraded the system they likely changed the sites and control channels. I also remember with the 325 the threshold plays a big part in weather or not you receive anything or not, so you may need to experiment with that to find the best setting.
tvengr
Well Known Member
Give this file a try. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Delete the existing Memphis/Shelby Co file from your scanner. Open the extracted file with FreeSCAN and Upload Programming. The second attached file is a PDF file to answer all of your questions about using quick keys. Shelby Co Site is on system quick key 1. Memphis Site is on system quick key 2. Millington Site is on system quick key 3. If you have problems receiving the system, it will be due to simulcast distortion.
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While the database does not flag Shelby County (Site 10) nor Memphis (Site 20) on the main page for the system, a look at the site maps indicates that both are simulcast.
The Shelby County site has the Simulcast notation on the site's page.
For the Memphis Site 20, a look at the license as well as the site map also indicates Simulcast, even though there is not a specific notation.
Even when the 325P2 is correctly programmed, Simulcast can still be an issue for that model. More on Simulcast is in the Wiki:
Simulcast digital distortion - The RadioReference Wiki
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Ah yes, there it is. I never paid attention to that long thread on the beta database LOL. I'm just getting used to it now.
I'm sure anybody who knows me knows I don't like it
, I like the old database. I don't like change, just have to get used to this one. One of these days I'll focus on it for an hour or so and get used to it... thanks Steve.bnails1962
Member
Will my scanner ever pick up Memphis again then?Ah yes, there it is. I never paid attention to that long thread on the beta database LOL. I'm just getting used to it now.
I'm sure anybody who knows me knows I don't like it
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Hello again, that's a pretty loaded question. First thing I would do is reread the thread. Do as much reading as you can on RadioReference regarding Phase 2 systems and simulcast distortion. Try Googling any questions in your head and it'll bring you right to the radio reference threads that address it, I have no easy answer for you but there are people I know on the Tennessee State forum who know a lot more than me about radios and your local system. Hopefully they will chime in.
As I first said and was backed up immediately and then backed up again, you have to make sure you are up to date on the latest control channels. You have to have all the pertinent sites programmed. You need to do the latest update from the database.
As far as difficulties picking up the system because it is simulcast and you do not have a simulcast capable radio your results might vary depending on where you are with relation to the sites...
I'll say this, you have some pretty helpful people watching this thread and trying to help you. Your answer is going to end up with locals who live near you on the Tennessee State forum.
tvengr
Well Known Member
If you look back at my post #29, there is a FreeSCAN file with the new P25 system for you to try.
wtp
Member
and if you can, put the radio in a car and drive around.
if you get closer to one tower and you then hear them, it is simulcast problems.
mine works great everywhere, except at my house.
if you get closer to one tower and you then hear them, it is simulcast problems.
mine works great everywhere, except at my house.
Updating the scanner with the current file provided will definitely help, you for sure won't hear anything with an outdated system programmed into the scanner. Making sure you have the updated firmware is also a big plus, give the scanner the tools it needs to work as best it can. You also may want to try a low/no gain antenna vs a high gain antenna. Normally in scanning and receiving in general we want a higher gain antenna to pickup more signals, but with simulcast systems picking up more isnt always best. The Comet CH-32 works well for this purpose and for the price a worthy investment. There may not be a one fix solution, possibly a combination of several and then your results may still vary. The scanner you have and the system you are trying to monitor are a huge step above the old single VHF or UHF frequencies we used to listen to years ago with a simple analog scanner, things are more technical and complicated but still possible.
tvengr
Well Known Member
Unfortunately, it appears that the OP only looks at the last reply and has missed both my original post #29 with an updated Memphis/Shelby Co P25 FreeSCAN file and post #34 to look back at post #29. Maybe, the OP will get the message if there are no more replies after this post. I sent a PM but that hasn't worked either.
bnails1962
Member
Maybe there's someone on here from Memphis, Tn with a scanner that can help me. You've been a lot of help, thank you
tvengr
Well Known Member
Are you able to hear anything using the FreeSCAN file?
bnails1962
Member
No
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