Simulcast audio/data reception issues with SmArt SDR tuners and SDRTrunk

[tateconcepts]

Hello all. I've recently had time to get back into SDR after a few years and I'm having some issues with my new tuners and software. The SDR setup consists of a Windows 8.1 workstation with two tuners, the first a Nooelec NESDR v4 RTL-SDR (820T) and another NESDR XTR (E1000). The first time I set this up was with a single Smart SDR (820T) near a window but have since raised it above for better reception (some FM comes in decent and is without LNA using the standard SMA smaller antenna of the three on both).

SDRTrunk loads up my local simulcast control channel and at first, I had some decent events and message traffic that would register. However, even after raising up the antenna and adding a second tuner (I did use their E1000 for the second), along with the remainder of the alternate control channels in my system, I now seem to get no messages or spotty audio, typically with SYNC LOSS - BITS PROCESSED messages. Upon further examination, I'm not even sure the tuner is actually on the control channel at this point but I used to get audio. Is there any way to check if the tuner(s) is/are calibrated in SDRTrunk?

Lastly, can anyone recommend a good portable antenna (I'm less than 3km or so from the system) or LNA to clean up the waterfall?



Here's with 4x zoom

 

[tateconcepts]

This morning, I added in the third site in the same system and it works as expected. This is really odd...

 

[DSheirer]

From the screenshots you posted, it looks like you need to adjust your tuner's PPM to calibrate it. The signal showing in the screen shot is not aligned to the frequency where sdrtrunk is looking for the signal.

 

[LD723]

Your decoder looks to be set to C4FM change it to the simulcast one

 

[tateconcepts]

Thanks @DSheirer however I don't seem to have that issue on the second attached image in the same system and site. I am not sure that I can get much from the PPM adjustment on these models, everyone on here says they are top notch - Setting SDR# PPM

 

[tateconcepts]

@LD723 Good catch! I have updated this, although I was getting some audio on C4FM(?). In any case, please see attached of same system and third site now also LSM as the first. This is the second post where there's expected functionality. It comes in just fine on this site in the same system.