What is your Atlanta PS P25 - P25 Threshold Level?

[dstew67]

I couldn't find any similar thread or post covering this, so I thought I'd start one.

If you monitor this system, and have played around with the P25 Threshold level, what have you found is optimal for you, AND what radio are you using?

For me, it depends on the radio I'm using. My BCD396T likes a "6", whereas my BCD436HP likes a "7".

You?

 

[ButchGone]

My 436: manual 6, although default is just about as good.
BG..

 

[dstew67]

My 436: manual 6, although default is just about as good.
BG..

Thanks, Butch. I think you're right. The differences are slight, due to the simulcast system. I might try 6, just to see.

Anyone else want to chime in?

 

[b7spectra]

I haven't tried it on the Atlanta DTRS, yet, but for Cobb, I have mine set at 12.

 

[dstew67]

Interesting! In the last half hour, I've tweaked the 996T and 436HP while listening to the Atlanta site for Cobb County. I've settled on 11 for the 996 and 10 for the 436. I don't get a reliable signal out of the Cobb County site from Midtown. I don't often get brave enough to move too far away from work in Downtown or the APT in Midtown, but I'm interested in doing a little driving this weekend to see how they both like the other sites! What's sad is, the 996T does a better job of decoding the signal with a unity gain 850MHz antenna compared to a 3db gain 850MHz on the 436HP.

[EDIT] Adding that I did think to switch the antennas out and move around the apartment. The 436HP does a rough job decoding the signal at all with the unity gain antenna.

 

[ButchGone]

Keep in mind that an antenna with gain is a double-edged sword with a scanner. It enhances what you want to hear, but it can also enhance what you don't want to hear, namely simulcast distortion and RF overload from cell towers. In urban areas filled with RF crud, the Rat Shack 800Mhz gain antenna can perform much worse than the stock rubber duck that comes with the 436. I use a 1/4 wave stubby antenna for urban areas and it works very well too. I only use the high gain antenna when in fringe areas, or enhancing reception of non-simulcast sites.
BG..