Scanning MECA

[IndyEmsGuy]

I live at Southport Rd. and Emerson. I have a PSR-500 and cannot scan MECA. I have great signal strength but always get garbled transmissions because it cannot decode the data. I know there is some issue with timing or something because they multicast of several towers on the same freq. I don't know if thats my problem or not. I would love to be able to scan MECA. Any ideas on what to do? Does the Uniden scanners do a better job on decoding MECA?

 

[W9NES]

IndyEmsGuy.You have mail! Check your pm box please.

 

[jaredr]

jaredr

I live at Southport Rd. and Emerson. I have a PSR-500 and cannot scan MECA. I have great signal strength but always get garbled transmissions because it cannot decode the data. I know there is some issue with timing or something because they multicast of several towers on the same freq. I don't know if thats my problem or not. I would love to be able to scan MECA. Any ideas on what to do? Does the Uniden scanners do a better job on decoding MECA?

Can someone please help me? I have a pro 96 handheld scanner and I cant seem to find the frequency to program into the scanner. I am getting very angry. I am new to this scanning stuff, so any help with Indianapolis and Marion county would be great.

 

[k9gunner]

W9NES, respond to your PM's

 

[rdale]

I live at Southport Rd. and Emerson. I have a PSR-500 and cannot scan MECA. I have great signal strength but always get garbled transmissions because it cannot decode the data.

Have you scanned through the MECA posts here? Your ability to monitor depends on 4 things - location, location, location, and antenna. Point a directional antenna at your closest tower. If that doesn't help, point it at other towers. If that doesn't help, you're out of luck.

 

[jaredr]

No, I am not even sure if I have the right frequencies. I put in what I thought was right, and when I drive through downtown, I dont pick up a thing. Like I have said I have had this scanner for 5 years, and have been listening to johnson county departments on the safe t system with no problems. I am thinking that I may have the wrong frequencies programmed, Does anyone know which ones I should put in? Please help me, as I am about to lose my mind!!!!

Thanks

Jared

 

[SCPD]

No, I am not even sure if I have the right frequencies. I put in what I thought was right, and when I drive through downtown, I dont pick up a thing. Like I have said I have had this scanner for 5 years, and have been listening to johnson county departments on the safe t system with no problems. I am thinking that I may have the wrong frequencies programmed, Does anyone know which ones I should put in? Please help me, as I am about to lose my mind!!!!

Thanks

Jared

Scanner Frequencies: Marion County MECA Trunking System, Indianapolis, Indiana

Just put in the 4 CC listed in the Public Safty SYS 1 and make sure you have it set up for P25 NOT the way you program for Safe T MECA uses a True P25 9600 system witch is diffrent the P25 band plan should program itself in the scanner off the CC data if not you will need to put that in. MECA is hard to get now no matter what scanner you use unless you are on top of a tower site or have a directional ant pointed at one or a good moble ant when going through town stock ant that come with the scanner no matter witch one you use dont do much good it will have some garble in the audio some times thats just digital I have lucked out and get it most of the time good but there are days it will not be as cleaer due to weather.

 

[frankcastle]

I had similar issues. I was in Indy this past weekend. From my hotel, I could pick up ISP on the SAFE-T system clear as day, but Meca was garbled. I decided that it was just a weak signal, because when I was traveling in my car I would occasionally hear a clear signal. I programmed it straight from RR through FreeScan's import program. I listen on a Uniden 396XT with an older Radio Shack all band antenna

 

[ExpendableCrew]

I believe a common issue with programming MECA is remembering to set it to a P25 system. This would be the first thing I would check.

 

[Rolfman]

Some of these posts and comments are not sounding very encouraging to me for my trip out there later this month. I looked forward to scanning a full P25 system with my new Pro-106 while in Indianapolis for the week.

I do have a MAX Systems 800MHz antenna I could bring would that be better for the MECA when downtown? Or does it just increase the problems?

 

[rdale]

It can't hurt to try.

 

[ExpendableCrew]

I'm not sure you should worry too much. I have a 396t that I programed straight from the RR database. The only issue I had was needing to change it to P25. I get pretty good reception throughout the county with just the rubber antenna it came with sitting in my cup holder.

 

[AK9R]

My office is just south of Methodist Hospital. I can put my BCD396T with a specialized 800MHz antenna on my desk and monitor MECA with few issues. Of course, I can look out the window and see the top of the Chase Tower, so that may have something to do with it.

 

[jaredr]

Can someone explain to me in detail, how to switch my PRO 96 handheld radio to P25. I have been listening to tthe safe t for many years in johnson county, and now I want to listen to the Marion county Meca but I seem to be having some kind of trouble doing this. I dont know what I am doing wrong. Can someone please help me?

Thanks

Jared

 

[Rolfman]

Thanks that is more encouraging news.

 

[jamesa53]

I work in downtown Indy, can see the Monument, and MECA comes in just fine. Had to lock out the Jail talkgroups cause they were EXTREMELY active....... using PRO-106 w/ 800mhz rubber duck antenna.

 

[SCPD]

Of course every one will get it great downtown your on top of not only sevral tower sites but also many buildings have mini repeaters to improve covrage that was one of the big selling points that they would have better in and out of building on the hip covrage we are talking about farther out of down town

 

[IndyEmsGuy]

Have you scanned through the MECA posts here? Your ability to monitor depends on 4 things - location, location, location, and antenna. Point a directional antenna at your closest tower. If that doesn't help, point it at other towers. If that doesn't help, you're out of luck.

Using a directional antenna would limit the ability to monitor other systems would it not? What is a good directional antenna to buy? Is there ever going to be a fix for this problem?

 

[rdale]

Using a directional antenna would limit the ability to monitor other systems would it not?

Maybe. It's a tradeoff you'll need to make the decision on.

What is a good directional antenna to buy?

I'd scan through the other MECA threads for what people have used.

Is there ever going to be a fix for this problem?

Yes - see above about getting a new antenna

Or pay $3000 for a scanner to get something like the responders use, but I don't think that's coming to market anytime soon...

 

[rmcrob]

I'm an absolute newbie to scanning. I have a brand new BCD996T, which I'm slowly learning how to use. (I should note that I appreciate the willingness os W9RXR to offer some asked-for advice via PM.)

I'm sitting just inside Hendricks County in Plainfield. I'm less than a mile from Raceway.

I get some very occasional activity on MECA. I've heard a couple of the automated emergency calls. I also got something last evening from the government system, but I didn't take the time to figure out where it was coming from.

I'm just running my radio with the antenna on the back that came with it. What kind of antenna might help me pick up more MECA activity without a major project?

Thanks for any help you might have to offer.

I'm taking a risk here, because I know that many forums will enjoy lambasting a newbie with flames and charges of stupidity. The forum I spend most of my time on is INGO - INdiana Gun Owners. We have a culture of kindness and helpfulness, and I'm hoping this forum has a similar culture.

Thanks.