THP problems

[williamp7]

I just started scanning after a long absence. Have a BC246T and have no trouble
with local freqs or Chattanooga's Motorola Type II system although I am about 50
miles away. I am having no luck picking up THP. I occasionally get something on the
base at 42.420, but the mobiles seem to be non-existant. I have entered all the
freqs from this site as well as local site ScanChattanooga .com. Am I missing some-
thing or is their something else I need to do? All suggestions appreciated.

THANKS

 

[LarrySC]

Well- you are using a 7" rubber duck trying to receive a 7' signal. THP is low band and requires a long antenna element unless you live next door to the HQ. They may have some VHF relays for mobile units so check for more freqs. Good Luck.

 

[dsbyrd]

I am having no luck picking up THP. I occasionally get something on the
base at 42.420, but the mobiles seem to be non-existant.
THANKS

Your experience is normal. I have a pretty good antenna up 40 feet here in Tipton County, and it is extremely rare for me to hear one of the mobiles. The VHF low band communications between mobiles and the bases are ordinarily VHF low band simplex. In otherwords they are not repeated through a repeater. So normally even though you may hear the base loud in clear, you will probably not hear the mobile unless it is within a few miles of you.

 

[tennesseefreq]

Well if you program the 70.000 Mhz range frequencies you will be able to here the mobiles in.

goto the bottom of the page and you will see them. http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&aid=641

 

[SCPD]

I concur. The 72.xxxmhz freqs will allow you to hear the mobile side of the conversation. I used the Starrsoft software to program my PRO-95 and it works great. I can even hear them with a rubber duck antenna. BTW, that may be the only way to restore some frequencies in certain radios.

 

[firemedic2150]

Yea best of luck on receiving mobiles, the Comm. centers have a hard time over here in the hills. Looking for feedback, do you like the new layout of the information on the THP page? Is the site location helpfull?

 

[williamp7]

Thanks for all the good info. Will try tonight. I knew I came to the right place.
The THP page is helpful and well arranged, I just never make it to the bottom.

Thanks again for the help

 

[EZlistener]

Re THP problems

In the districts 2 (Tiftonia) and 5 (Fall Branch) that use Channel 1 for dispatching, you will not hear the mobile side (42.26) unless you are very close to the sending mobile. As far as the user in the mobile is concerned, dispatch comms are "two freq simplex" and are not repeated through a "mobile relay" as channels 5,6,7, & 8 are.
"point-to-point" repeaters in the 7x.xxx range are used to extend the range of the mobiles talking on the dispatch channels. Not all scanners are equipped to receive this range. The previous suggestion to monitor these is a good one.
Don't forget the THP high band VHF system, it is not used as much as the low band channels, but is useful for portables.