VBFD/Orion and Home Patrol

[BoxAlarm187]

Hey friends...

I've made my annual trip to VB for the State Fire Chief's Expo, and this is my first visit since I got my HP-1. So far, I'm disappointed at the performance of the scanner on the Orion while I attempt to monitor VBFD.

I've done all of the usual things, such as attenuation, squelch, range, etc, and so far, the reception has been spotty at best.

A friend is here with his brand-new HP-1 as well, and he's also having disappointing performance as well.

It appears that I'm getting sporadic comms, but not nearly everything that I should be. I turned on the law enforcement channels, and had some better luck with that, but nothing like I would have expected.

I've also read some of the previous threads about Orion for a little better understanding. Unfortunately, none of them really helped shed any light on my situation, which appears to be more of a receiver issue than a system issue.

Anyone else had any similar experiences - if so, any solutions?

Thanks!

 

[mikext]

Can you limit which control channels you use? Vb uses it's own cc separate from the Orion comms.

1 (1) 002 (2) Virginia Beach P25 Virginia Beach 859.46250c 859.71250c 860.46250c 860.71250c

Do not use the rest of the orion system while trying to monitor the VB talk groups.

 

[BoxAlarm187]

Reviving and old thread!

Anyone in Tidewater had experience with a HomePatrol on the VB system? Still perplexed on the poor performance the radio is giving when trying to monitor the VBFD.

 

[tglendye]

I don't know a lot about the ORION system, but my guess is what Mikext was saying. Your HP is probably locked on the 700 CC frequencies for VB. Can you select the 800 for the scanner to track?

I was there twice last summer and only listened during one of the visits. I did not have good luck, either. That was before I read about the system and it seems the majority of the problem is the scanner locking onto the wrong CC.

 

[SCPD]

I don't know if you can do this on the Homepatrol, but on my PSR-800 I found that it was scanning both 700 and 800 just for Fire and PD, so I duplicated the system, one with 700 and all those TG's, and then did the 800 system with all those TG's, much better reception and more action

 

[Webodisk]

If you are in the oceanfront area the system is very sporadic, I live close to the South Plaza trail tower and have no problems, But I do not have the home patrol

 

[RZChief90]

I don't know if you can do this on the Homepatrol, but on my PSR-800 I found that it was scanning both 700 and 800 just for Fire and PD, so I duplicated the system, one with 700 and all those TG's, and then did the 800 system with all those TG's, much better reception and more action

Chanman, I am also using the GRE PSR-800. I had corrected all of my programming issues and have been listening to VBFD with no problem up until today, 11/11. I can hear them on the "live feed" app but not picking them up on the scanner. I was wondering if you are hearing them or if they changed something on the system. It may just be an issue with my scanner. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[SCPD]

Chanman, I am also using the GRE PSR-800. I had corrected all of my programming issues and have been listening to VBFD with no problem up until today, 11/11. I can hear them on the "live feed" app but not picking them up on the scanner. I was wondering if you are hearing them or if they changed something on the system. It may just be an issue with my scanner. Thanks for any info you can provide.

I'm receiving it like I always do, I live in the Churchland area, so reception is on the boundary , but some days it comes in stronger than others. Try moving the scanner around. What kind of antenna are you using? If your using the stock rubber duck you may want to get the Radio Shack 800 mhz antenna.

 

[RZChief90]

I'm receiving it like I always do, I live in the Churchland area, so reception is on the boundary , but some days it comes in stronger than others. Try moving the scanner around. What kind of antenna are you using? If your using the stock rubber duck you may want to get the Radio Shack 800 mhz antenna.

Hey, thanks for getting back to me. After I posted, I checked and reloaded the VBFD program on the 800 and it's working again. I am using the standard antenna but reception at my house in the Strawbridge area off London Bridge Rd. is very good. I guess the scanner had a "brain fart". This is the first Grecom scanner I've owned and I don't think I'll buy another. Always had Bearcats and never have had the issues I have with this one, but then again, everything was analog and conventional. Thanks again.

 

[SCPD]

The 800 takes a while to get used to, If you want to broaden your reception, I'd definitely go with the RS 800 or something else besides the stock one