It's all personal preference. If you are trying to monitor weak conventional signals then you want the squelch set so weak signals are received. If you only monitor strong signals, then you want the squelch set so weaker signals are not received.
When it comes to digital signals the squelch setting may make little difference as the decoding is processed by the CPU.
Shawn
There have been some posts suggesting that a squelch setting of 2 can be helpful for simulcast trunked systems, which I believe si applicable for Cleveland.
For what its worth at any rate.
Depends if scanner or two way radio. Most two way radios have a manual squelch turned by a knob [although more seem to be a menu item]. Plus they also have a RF squelch which can also be set usually by number from "off" up to 15 in some cases. So the higher the number the stronger the signal must be to break the squelch. and if you have the RF squelch and a knob of course this would increase the amount of signal required to break the squelch. The scanner I have, has a squelch setting [can't seem to find it right now] but I have it set as low as I could without noise breaking the squelch then set 1 number higher [No 2 is what I use but this may vary according to floor noise or scanner]. This is on Uniden scanners. As well, scanners and some two way radios, especially HF ones, may have an attenuator setting. I always have this set to "off". Usually in the city I have the squelch knob set to almost 80%, but when I am out in the country, I will turn it down to about 30%. But again this all depends on the noise floor and other noise being generated in the area.
"A squelch setting of 2" - what radio? What modulation?
Turn the squelch control anti-clockwise (usually) until you hear the hiss, then go back up again until the hiss stops. This is the most sensitive point. If you are troubled with weak stations that you don't want, turn it up a bit more until you get it just right for you, it's whatever floats yer boat!
"A squelch setting of 2" - what radio? What modulation?
Turn the squelch control anti-clockwise (usually) until you hear the hiss, then go back up again until the hiss stops. This is the most sensitive point. If you are troubled with weak stations that you don't want, turn it up a bit more until you get it just right for you, it's whatever floats yer boat!