WS1040: Trunk system problems 1040

[Splot]

Greetings all!

New scanner user with a Whistler 1040. I live in Skagit county, WA, and I trying to program the JWIN state trunked system, using the RR database, I seem to have TG activity - the "T" icon is on and there is good signal strength, but I can't hear any traffic on any of the trunked entities- includes ICE, CBP, WSP, coast guard, NOAA. Conventional channels working fine. Have tried several antennas.

Anyone with suggestions as to what is happening or how I can hear the stations that are being picked up?

Thanks!
BS

 

[RaleighGuy]

I can't hear any traffic on any of the trunked entities- includes ICE, CBP, WSP, coast guard, NOAA. Conventional channels working fine.
BS

The T only indicates it is checking the trunked system, not that there is traffic. Do you also see the signal strength indicator (bars with S), again just because you see it light up doesn't mean there is traffic, just that it is receiving the signal from the tower)? It's possible there is no traffic on the system right now, or there is traffic that is encrypted but you have the scanner set to ignore encrypted channels. Other things to check are if the scan list is turned on, and did you load the correct towers/talkgroups for your location.

 

[w2lie]

Are you able to pick up any other trunk systems on the scanner?
There may not be a lot of activity on the system.

What trunk site did you program in? Just your 1 local one for now, or have you programmed in other sites on this system?

Make sure you don't see a G on your display. This is your Global Attenuator. You need that off. Press Func+ATT if you see a G.


Can you try another trunk system? This system may not be too busy.
Or, put the radio into ID Search Mode and see if you can hear any additional activity other than what is listed in the RRDB.

 

[DJ11DLN]

Are you able to pick up any other trunk systems on the scanner?
There may not be a lot of activity on the system.

What trunk site did you program in? Just your 1 local one for now, or have you programmed in other sites on this system?

Make sure you don't see a G on your display. This is your Global Attenuator. You need that off. Press Func+ATT if you see a G.


Can you try another trunk system? This system may not be too busy.
Or, put the radio into ID Search Mode and see if you can hear any additional activity other than what is listed in the RRDB.

Correction: If the A isn't visible, the attenuator isn't on. The G simply means that it is in global rather than per-object mode. Just displaying the G with no A = attenuator is off.

 

[ka3jjz]

I would rather doubt you're going to hear a lot of activity on the federal talkgroups - especially now with the partial shutdown and the holiday. At least in the DC area, they are not particularly chatty. However the WSP talkgroups are another matter. Which site(s) are you programming? Likely you should stick to the ones closest to you if you are just using the duckie that comes with the 1040 (which is likely to perform very poorly on VHF). Even a 2 meter ham duckie would perform better; these duckies that come with scanners aren't worth more than a wet noodle on VHF. Of course, an outdoor antenna, mounted nice and high is going to perform a lot better than any inside duckie...Mike

 

[Splot]

Thanks all for your replies! I am seeing the"T" and a strong signal indication- full bars. I am rarely hearing transmissions on the trunked channels, mostly garbled when I use my 2m extendable antenna. All I really seem to be getting are local conventional frequencies. I am receiving WSP on a conventional frequencies 155.5050, but nothing on the trunked system. Re: sites, I have programmed WSP TSYS and the local (Burlington, Mount Vernon, Arlington TGRPs

 

[Wackyracer]

Thanks all for your replies! I am seeing the"T" and a strong signal indication- full bars. I am rarely hearing transmissions on the trunked channels, mostly garbled when I use my 2m extendable antenna. All I really seem to be getting are local conventional frequencies. I am receiving WSP on a conventional frequencies 155.5050, but nothing on the trunked system. Re: sites, I have programmed WSP TSYS and the local (Burlington, Mount Vernon, Arlington TGRPs

Your antenna may be adding to much gain or not for that systems frequencies. also try moving the scanner or even turning it sideways.