TRX-1 Quit receiving Albemarle Co

[ka3nxn]

I noticed recently that my TRX-1 quit hearing Albemarle Co. I noticed that a lot of the talk groups changed so I updated my scanner but still nothing. I do get other trunked systems such as STARS and other trunked counties, but Albemarle went compleyely silent. I do get their automated dispatches on UHF but nothing on 800MHz trunked. Any assistance would be appreciated. Also, is there any better programming software for this scanner . I really don't care for Whistler's software.

Thank you

Jaime-KA3NXN

 

[trentbob]

A quick look at your county and it is a tdma phase ll simulcast system, even though they are P2 capable I have never known a trx1 to work on my tdma Phase ll simulcast system or any of the others in my surrounding area.

You say that you just updated some talk groups and you say it quit working which infers that it was working before. Make sure all the frequencies are in for both simulcast sites. They may have changed the control channel and it's not included in your programming.

Again Whistler scanners are very prone to simulcast distortion but if it was working before and quit it's got to be a programming issue.

Are you listening to the east or the west simulcast site?

 

[tglendye]

When was the last time your scanner worked on Charlottesville/ Albemarle's system? I am asking because they switched systems within the last year. Did the TRX-1 receive the new system? If so, you may want to double check your control channels against RR's database, or do a search for a new control channel. Maybe they added CC's once the other system went offlline.

 

[LeSueurC]

Simulcast Distortion as stated in the other post. SDS100, SDS-200 or Unication G4 or G5 are your best bets. Whistler absolutely sucks on simulcast, as do 436/536, 396p2 and 996p2

 

[trentbob]

They may have changed the control channel and it's not included in your programming.

Good luck original poster, you're in good hands.

 

[tvengr]

If you attach your configuration file, I will be happy to check it for problems. Click on Attach files and Open the file.

 

[ka3nxn]

A quick look at your county and it is a tdma phase ll simulcast system, even though they are P2 capable I have never known a trx1 to work on my tdma Phase ll simulcast system or any of the others in my surrounding area.

You say that you just updated some talk groups and you say it quit working which infers that it was working before. Make sure all the frequencies are in for both simulcast sites. They may have changed the control channel and it's not included in your programming.

Again Whistler scanners are very prone to simulcast distortion but if it was working before and quit it's got to be a programming issue.

Are you listening to the east or the west simulcast site?

I changed some talk groups because they had been changed by the county. I looked up the talk groups because my scanner had gone silent and that's when I changed them. It quit working before I changed anything.

A quick look at your county and it is a tdma phase ll simulcast system, even though they are P2 capable I have never known a trx1 to work on my tdma Phase ll simulcast system or any of the others in my surrounding area.

You say that you just updated some talk groups and you say it quit working which infers that it was working before. Make sure all the frequencies are in for both simulcast sites. They may have changed the control channel and it's not included in your programming.

Again Whistler scanners are very prone to simulcast distortion but if it was working before and quit it's got to be a programming issue.

Are you listening to the east or the west simulcast site?

I put all the control channels in my scanner. I live closest to the Scottsville site, but I do get reception where I'm located. I do see that it is receiving a control channel because when It's scanning this county, I do get a signal strength showing on the display, but no audio. This also goes for Charlottesville City and UVA. They're all on the same system and I lost all of them.

When was the last time your scanner worked on Charlottesville/ Albemarle's system? I am asking because they switched systems within the last year. Did the TRX-1 receive the new system? If so, you may want to double check your control channels against RR's database, or do a search for a new control channel. Maybe they added CC's once the other system went offlline.

It was sometime late last year that it quit.

If you attach your configuration file, I will be happy to check it for problems. Click on Attach files and Open the file.

Here is my complete scanner setup. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

 

[BAH1]

Antenna and location works fine on BCD 325 P2. Why buy expensive junk if you dont have too. Battery issues, small letters on screen, weird antenna connections are just a few more issues that are involved on the expensive junk that does not give you any available money for anything else like automotive repairs and operation!

 

[fredva]

Antenna and location works fine on BCD 325 P2

For your BCD325P2, in your location. Not everybody lives in a location where simulcast distortion won't adversely affect their scanner. I don't know if the OP's problem is simulcast distortion or a programming problem, but many experienced scanner hobbyists can tell you that a scanner not designed for simulcast isn't guaranteed to work well in a simulcast environment.

 

[tvengr]

Here is my complete scanner setup. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

I see your problem. The database says that Albemarle is using the new P25 system. Your system type says Project25, but your frequencies and talkgroups are from the old Motorola system. I do see some of the new P25 talkgroups mixed in. The new P25 system shows 3 sites. You have only the single site from the Motorola system.

 

[trentbob]

Okay original poster, let's clarify, we are talking about the new tdma Phase 2 simulcast system with three sites, scott, east and west. We are not talking about the old Motorola type ll smartzone system. Also to clarify, you are saying that you were able to pick up the phase 2 system, the new one, correct? And to clarify, you are able to see a steady solid T which would mean you're locked on to a control channel.

Here are the simulcast towers for each site.

This map shows the simulcast towers for Scott and East sites. They do have different frequencies for each of the two sites. I assume you have only put in the frequencies for Scott.

These are the simulcast towers for the West site that has its own set of frequencies.

You can pick what site or sites you want but you cannot choose what tower you want, they all simultaneously transmit the same thing that your scanner is calling for, hence you have simulcast distortion.

If you indeed have heard the new Phase 2 system and then it stopped working for you I would suggest that you add, depending on if you live on the east or west side of the county, that you add the frequencies for East or West whatever is appropriate.

 

[trentbob]

I see your problem. The database says that Albemarle is using the new P25 system. Your system type says Project25, but your frequencies and talkgroups are from the old Motorola system. The new P25 system shows 3 sites. You have only the single site from the Motorola system.

I didn't see your post LOL, could have saved me a lot of time

 

[tvengr]

I didn't see your post LOL, could have saved me a lot of time

I apologize for being too slow. I have always had that problem.

 

[trentbob]

I apologize for being too slow. I have always had that problem.

I'm the one that's too slow, I took a little break during the post and as other people, my smartphone is not working well on radio reference. I never saw the notification of a post ahead of mine.

What's important is, the question has been answered for the poster, now the question is, after the TRX 1 is programmed properly, will it work???

 

[tvengr]

I'm the one that's too slow, I took a little break during the post and as other people, my smartphone is not working well on radio reference. I never saw the notification of a post ahead of mine.
What's important is, the question has been answered for the poster, now the question is, after the TRX 1 is programmed properly, will it work???

How dare you take a break! As we both know, the TRX-1 and simulcast are not always on speaking terms.

 

[BAH1]

Directional antennas work great so long as correct, up to date frequencies are programed. Works for me plus I can see what I am looking at WITHOUT GLASSES!

 

[ka3nxn]

I changed some talk groups because they had been changed by the county. I looked up the talk groups because my scanner had gone silent and that's when I changed them. It quit working before I changed anything.


I put all the control channels in my scanner. I live closest to the Scottsville site, but I do get reception where I'm located. I do see that it is receiving a control channel because when It's scanning this county, I do get a signal strength showing on the display, but no audio. This also goes for Charlottesville City and UVA. They're all on the same system and I lost all of them.


It was sometime late last year that it quit.


Here is my complete scanner setup. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

I thought I put in all the control channels in my scanner.

 

[trentbob]

Okay to recap the previous posts, you have the old Motorola smart zone system programmed into your radio. It's irrelevant as you are now using a new system, a tdma phase 2 simulcast system that you now need to program into your radio.

Program all the frequencies for the three sites called Scott, East and West.

It just so happens that all of the frequencies that you need to program into the radio could be used as a control channel so as long as they're all in there, it doesn't matter if they switch up control channels as they will all be programmed.

 

[tvengr]

I thought I put in all the control channels in my scanner.

You put it all of the control channels for the Motorola system. The frequencies for the P25 system are different.

 

[ka3nxn]

Okay original poster, let's clarify, we are talking about the new tdma Phase 2 simulcast system with three sites, scott, east and west. We are not talking about the old Motorola type ll smartzone system. Also to clarify, you are saying that you were able to pick up the phase 2 system, the new one, correct? And to clarify, you are able to see a steady solid T which would mean you're locked on to a control channel.

Here are the simulcast towers for each site.
View attachment 135103
This map shows the simulcast towers for Scott and East sites. They do have different frequencies for each of the two sites. I assume you have only put in the frequencies for Scott.
View attachment 135104
These are the simulcast towers for the West site that has its own set of frequencies.
i
You can pick what site or sites you want but you cannot choose what tower you want, they all simultaneously transmit the same thing that your scanner is calling for, hence you have simulcast distortion.

If you indeed have heard the new Phase 2 system and then it stopped working for you I would suggest that you add, depending on if you live on the east or west side of the county, that you add the frequencies for East or West whatever is appropriate.

I have all 19 sites programmed into my scanner. I still get nothing. I do not see the "T", but I do have good signal strength from the towers on the scanner when it's scanning this site. I do have 19 control channels programmed into my scanner. Someone said I was missing a control channel. Which one am I missing? Also, what setting should I have for this site? Motorola, or Project25?