Forgive me if this is already asked.
I have the Uniden BCD325P2 with the diamond RH77CA and have it already programmed to my local p25 system, but I want to be able to listen while I drive around town but have encountered quite a few "dead" spots no reception. Especially around traffic lights. What antenna can i use to possibly mount to my truck?
Thanks
Are you trying to monitor the new system in your area, the Coastal Bend Regional Interoperability System?
Coastal Bend Regional Interoperability Network Trunking System Profile
www.radioreference.com
I looked at that system some time back, trying to help someone who asked a question down in the Texas Forum. Comparing that system, with the older
EDACS system, I'm not convinced that all the sites' information is correct. For example, for the Flour Bluff site, frequency 851.275 is listed as a control channel.
But 851.275 is also still listed as being used on the Flour Bluff site of the EDACS system.
It could not be used on
both sites at the
same time.
In digging around for information in your area, I ran across several licenses, with additional frequencies, that were not accounted for in either system. I suspect that the frequency details for the sites of the newer P25 system are not correctly documented. but I'm obviously out of range to try & help figure out what goes where.
Please post RR database link to system in question so we can make an informed recommendation. If said system is simulcast across multiple cells then more antenna will only make the problem worse
wiki.radioreference.com
I suspect that you are correct. The 325P2, while a good scanner (I have one as well), is much less effective in dealing with simulcast than are other models. The 436HP/536HP scanners are better than the P2 scanners (325P2 & 996P2). But the SDS100 & SDS200 are the best choice dealing with simulcast.
When you are out moving around in your vehicle, you are going to run across some areas where the 325 will work (it's only dealing with a strong signal from a single sub-site (transmit tower). But in other areas, where the scanner is trying to deal with several different locations, all using the same frequency (which is what a simulcast system uses), the 325 might not work at all. Or, you might hear a transmission that's garbled or cuts in an out as the 325 unsuccessfully tries to handle simulcast problems. See the link to the Wiki page that Whiskey3 included. That is a better description of what you are dealing with. While there are a few work-around tactics that might work in certain cases, those are mostly intended for use from a specific location. Driving around, you're getting a changing signal pattern that the scanner cannot handle. While the sites, as currently shown in the database for the P25 system are not flagged as being simulcast, when looking at the licensing data in the past, it appears that many, if not most, of them should be labeled simulcast. A "better antenna" (one that is more specific for the frequencies you are trying to hear,) is not always a good choice when dealing with a simulcast system.
I would suggest that you request this thread be moved down to the Texas Forum, There are several members in your area that would be more likely to see this in the regional forum. Possibly one of them can help put the pieces together a little better than they appear to be right now. To do that. don't start a new thread. Instead, click on the Report link in the lower left corner of your post, and request that a moderator make the move for you. Also, be sure and confirm exactly which system you are trying to deal with.
