SDS200 just sitting on simulcast control frequency for several minutes

[aitrius]

I will be scanning a simulcast system in SE Michigan called SERESA in Macomb County. The scanner will get hung up on the simulcast control channel for minutes at a time with "DATA" displayed at the top of the screen. This obviously makes me miss broadcasts. I have a Tram discone in the attic and get a full signal. Could this be due to simulcast distortion? No filter settings seem to help at all so I have them off. Attenuation turned on kills reception so I leave it off. Does anyone know why this would be doing this and if there is something I am missing? Thanks

 

[mc48]

That looks normal to me, it's scanning for active Talk Group ID's.

 

[doctordialtone]

is something I am missing?

Yes.

The squelch setting shows ZERO on your picture.

The scanner is hung up because of that.

Try a squelch setting of TWO.

 

[kruser]

I will be scanning a simulcast system in SE Michigan called SERESA in Macomb County. The scanner will get hung up on the simulcast control channel for minutes at a time with "DATA" displayed at the top of the screen. This obviously makes me miss broadcasts. I have a Tram discone in the attic and get a full signal. Could this be due to simulcast distortion? No filter settings seem to help at all so I have them off. Attenuation turned on kills reception so I leave it off. Does anyone know why this would be doing this and if there is something I am missing? Thanks

Try switching it to ID Search instead of ID Scan and see if it comes alive.

I've left my squelch on zero many times on P25 systems. In theory, the scanner should ignore the squelch setting on digital signals when it watch's for talkgroup data on the control channel. It's still a good idea to not set the squelch below two though.
Make sure all the Service Types are enabled also for that system.

 

[tvengr]

It is normal to display the control channel frequency when no talkgroups are being received. When Sentinel is first installed, only the Dispatch service types are enabled. For public safety, you need to enable all of the Tac and Talk service types also. Include Emergency Ops and Interop. If you want to hear EMS consultations while transporting patients to a hospital ER, include Hospital. You may also want to add Corrections and Security.