Sorry, but I have to take issue with John Stark’s comments about grounding a
Yagi. Any Yagi will work with a scanner or hand held tranciever without being
grounded. What IS important is that you use good quality coax as John suggests
and that the coax braid is properly connected to the yagi and the scanner.



That said, grounding an outdoor Yagi via the mast or a large diameter ground
cable should be done for lightning protection, but it won’t affect the
Yagi’s performance.



Ground below a Yagi becomes important when the Yagi is close to ground in terms
of wavelength. Since scanners are typically working in the VHF/UHF range, ground
is typically multiple wavelengths below the antenna so it doesn’t really play
a role.



It does become an issue at HF frequencies since the wavelengths are very long
and unless one has a very tall tower, antennas are likely to be within a
wavelength of ground. Ground reflections and ground absorption then become
issues. In any case grounding the Yagi itself isn’t the issue, but the
distance above ground.







Mike Hopkins K1VLB

  <mailto:Mhopkins735@...> Mhopkins735@...



From:  <mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com> BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com [
<mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com> mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
John Stark
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 3:43 PM
To:  <mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com> BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BCD396XT] Re: A better understanding of P25 decoding





Directional beams as you put it work great IF installed and used properly. A
Yagi antenna is exactly what is called for in the OP's case since they are right
between two sites. Using a proper Yagi antenna and coax will get the right
results. A lot of people will not properly ground the antenna and or use cheap
coax, both of which defeat the purpose of using the yagi antenna. Poor or
improper grounding lowers the antennas ability to receive signals and block
unwanted signals as much as using poor quality coax affects reception.
I use a yagi and being east of Indianapolis I still am able to receive some I'll
Star com sites as well as many Ohio MARCS sites in addition to most of Indiana
SAFET sites using the yagi. Some frequencies I can receive three or four
different systems on. The antenna is only 25 feet up but it has proper grounding
and 50 feet of LMR400 coax. On one frequency If I move the  antenna one
direction I pick up one site and then turn it 180 degrees I will get a different
site yet both sites are almost the exact same distance from me and using the
same power. Take the ground off and I don't get much of anything. Put the ground
back and the site I am aimed at is nice and clear with no interference from the
other site. If I used cheap coax with lousy shielding I'd get the same bad
results as signals get through the shield from both sites as well as other
signals degrading everything.
In addition I am less than 1/4 mile from a cell tower and have four other cell
towers within five miles. Three can be seen from my house. Add in an Indiana
SAFET site five miles away that can also be seen from home yet even with all of
that I can find the Control Channels for 150+ trunked systems and sites in good
conditions using the yagi.
The point being proper installation will do the job the OP needs to hear the
site he wants to hear.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

dataman60435  <mailto:dataman60435%40yahoo.com> dataman60435@...> wrote:

>Its really experimental, digital is rough, not like regular freqys...I have had
people send me email that directional beams did not work....I have a RS 25-1.3
grnd plane think its # 25-173 $29.00 with 35' RG6u in the attic and it receives
three towers very well....I have the Channel Master 5094A (disc) up 25' with
LMR400 and it works very well on same towers T102,126,113, and T125....Im too
far south for T101-Dupage...I can also hear Chicago FD new 476-478 non trunked
digital stuf...Took me awhile to figure out what to use....My own city joined
Starcom and uses T113-Will Co but there "ENC" !....
>
>--- In  <mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com> BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com, Dan Simon
wrote:
>>
>> Ok. Yes, I have gotten the feeling from some stuff I have read that I am
right between towers. What is the best solution for that overall? Or is there
one?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> -Dan
>> On Feb 10, 2013, at 2:01 PM, dataman60435 wrote:
>>
>> > I noticed ur in Geneva, im in Joliet, using outdoor antennas i monitor
T113,102,126, the last one T126-Aurora u should be able to hear...T101-Dupage is
very difficult to hear in alot of places...Even tho there is a new firmware
upgrade if you don't hear the "CC" well ur not gonna hear Starcom Digital....My
daughter is in Elgin, in the mobile going thru your town using the RS800 rubber
duck T101-Lisle and in some spots i hear T115-Lake Co.....Your town is kind of
in between towers.....
>> >
>> > --- In  <mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com> BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com, Dan
Simon wrote:
>> > >
>> > > Yes I have. I am running 1.11.01, the newest firmware version.
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > -Dan
>> > > On Feb 9, 2013, at 10:06 PM, Milton Engle wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > Have you installed the latest version firmware 1.11.something (requires
>> > > > Updater version 3)?
>> > > >
>> > > > ----- Original Message -----
>> > > > From: "kc9vzv" kc9vzv@>
>> > > > To:  <mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com> BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com>
>> > > > Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2013 10:13 PM
>> > > > Subject: [BCD396XT] A better understanding of P25 decoding
>> > > >
>> > > > >I am trying to monitor StarCom21 in ILL but I am still (after about 3
>> > > > >months of playing with settings) having issues with my scanner
decoding the
>> > > > >system. I upgraded my firmware and read through this
>> > > > >
<http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/P25_audio_decode_level_adjustment,>
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/P25_audio_decode_level_adjustment,
>> > > > >but I feel like I am missing something obvious because a lot of the
>> > > > >transmissions are still garbled. Any thoughts?
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Thanks!
>> > > > >
>> > > > > -Dan, KC9VZV
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > > ------------------------------------
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 13/02/13 3:12 PM, Michael Hopkins wrote:

> Sorry, but I have to take issue with John Stark’s comments about grounding a
Yagi. Any Yagi will work with a scanner or hand held tranciever without being
grounded. What IS important is that you use good quality coax as John suggests
and that the coax braid is properly connected to the yagi and the scanner.
Don't forget polarisation.  Most, if not all of the signals of interest
to people in the group here are going to be verticaly polarised, because
that makes it easy to use a simple vertical antenna for mobile
stations.  That means any Yagi needs to be mounted "on its side", and
not "flat" like a TV antenna.  The loss caused by this cross
polarisation can exceed 20 dB, and the radiation pattern is likely to be
all over the place, increasing the likelihood of reflections corrupting
the received signal, especially when receiving digital transmissions.

--
73 de Tony VK3JED
http://vkradio.com

Hi all. Just got my 396.

I have a trunked system in it that I would like to look out. Have figured out
how to look out a conventional system, but not trunked.

Any advice?

Thanks

Ross VK4IY

Best practice is to use Quick Keys to turn on/off systems for scanning. See:
 
http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/publish/QuickKeys.html

UpMan
UpMan FAQ: http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/UpMan -- Please read before
emailing me directly


>________________________________
> From: rossmutz <rossmutz@...>
>To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 6:03 AM
>Subject: [BCD396XT] Locking out a trunked system
>
>
> 
>
>Hi all. Just got my 396.
>
>I have a trunked system in it that I would like to look out. Have figured out
how to look out a conventional system, but not trunked.
>
>Any advice?
>
>Thanks
>
>Ross VK4IY
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I do it with the talkgroups.   I quick-key the fire talkgroups in key 2 and
police talkgroups on key 3
they are all on the same trunked system,   so Police talkgroups are locked out
on key 2  and fire locked out on key 3
just have to enter all the talkgroups in each quick-key  

                                             "Your
mileage may vary "


                                 John in Ky

________________________________
  From: rossmutz <rossmutz@...>
To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 7:03 AM
Subject: [BCD396XT] Locking out a trunked system


 
Hi all. Just got my 396.

I have a trunked system in it that I would like to look out. Have figured out
how to look out a conventional system, but not trunked.

Any advice?

Thanks

Ross VK4IY




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I do the same for a trunked system, arrange the TG's into groups:

1 Police
2 Fire
3 City Services

All my systems whether conventional or trunked have a number that proceeds them
in the label field:

1 LA County
2 LA City
3 Palm Springs
	 1 Police
	 2 Fire
         3 City Services

Same with groups as well.  That way when I hit the menu key, and select Program
System,  the system
list is ordered numerically for fast reference, and trains my mind to call which
number I wanted for a specific system
for quick key assignment...

I'm a nerd, your experience may be different (I doubt it) LOL.

Enjoy,

-Lance





On Feb 13, 2013, at 7:46 AM, john szalay wrote:

> I do it with the talkgroups.   I quick-key the fire talkgroups in key 2 and
police talkgroups on key 3
> they are all on the same trunked system,   so Police talkgroups are locked out
on key 2  and fire locked out on key 3
> just have to enter all the talkgroups in each quick-key
>
>                                              "Your mileage may vary "
>
>                                  John in Ky
>
> ________________________________
> From: rossmutz rossmutz@...>
> To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 7:03 AM
> Subject: [BCD396XT] Locking out a trunked system
>
>
>
> Hi all. Just got my 396.
>
> I have a trunked system in it that I would like to look out. Have figured out
how to look out a conventional system, but not trunked.
>
> Any advice?
>
> Thanks
>
> Ross VK4IY
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The other day I tagged a Sheriff mobile unit via close call.  Later I went to
look up the licensing for the
department and noticed they had a narrowband allocation for the input to one of
their repeaters.  The frequency
Close Call found was a few khz off from what I found online.  So at the time my
396XT was set to 5kHz for 150.8 Mhz and above segment.

So, is Close Call's frequency resolution dependent on what the Band Default step
sizes are set to at the time of frequency capture,
or is Close Call's resolution independent of Band Default settings?

Think I'm going to change my setting from 15khz to 7.5 (it was 5.0khz)

Thanks, and hope UPman reads this.

-Lance

Tony --- you are absolutely correct. Most of what we listen to on a scanner is
vertically polarized so anyone using a yagi should definitely mount it so the
elements are vertical. Personally, I use a discone antenna which is broadband
from about 100MHz to 1GHz, vertically polarized and omnidirectional. I have two
of them: one at home on a 30 foot mast, and one at the cabin in main just stuck
up in a crawl space about 20 feet above the ground. Both work exceptionally
well.



Cheers,





Mike Hopkins – K1VLB

Mhopkins735@...



From: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
Tony Langdon
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 2:02 AM
To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BCD396XT] Re: A better understanding of P25 decoding





On 13/02/13 3:12 PM, Michael Hopkins wrote:

> Sorry, but I have to take issue with John Stark’s comments about grounding a
Yagi. Any Yagi will work with a scanner or hand held tranciever without being
grounded. What IS important is that you use good quality coax as John suggests
and that the coax braid is properly connected to the yagi and the scanner.
Don't forget polarisation. Most, if not all of the signals of interest
to people in the group here are going to be verticaly polarised, because
that makes it easy to use a simple vertical antenna for mobile
stations. That means any Yagi needs to be mounted "on its side", and
not "flat" like a TV antenna. The loss caused by this cross
polarisation can exceed 20 dB, and the radiation pattern is likely to be
all over the place, increasing the likelihood of reflections corrupting
the received signal, especially when receiving digital transmissions.

--
73 de Tony VK3JED
http://vkradio.com





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

It's the same: FUNC L/O

Joe M.

rossmutz wrote:
> Hi all. Just got my 396.
>
> I have a trunked system in it that I would like to look out. Have figured out
how to look out a conventional system, but not trunked.
>
> Any advice?
>
> Thanks
>
> Ross VK4IY
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Actually, Im working in the city...

--- In BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com, MCH  wrote:
>
> How far are you from the city limits?
>
> Joe M.
>
> cop0284 wrote:
> > Hello. I have the 396xt and programmed it perfect with the new Phila. PD
trunking sysyem. Scanner works great, has great signal, but call me crazy, on
cloudy rainy days it picks up ittermiently.. PLEASE Help! Is there something I
should be doing?? I use a radio shack 800mhx antenna
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Close Call detects the precise frequency, but to tune the PLL, it must match the
current step, so it will be rounded to the closest step.


UpMan
UpMan FAQ: http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/UpMan -- Please read before
emailing me directly


>________________________________
> From: Lance <milcom_chaser@...>
>To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 1:41 PM
>Subject: [BCD396XT] Close Call Resolution...
>
>
> 
>
>The other day I tagged a Sheriff mobile unit via close call.  Later I went to
look up the licensing for the
>department and noticed they had a narrowband allocation for the input to one of
their repeaters.  The frequency
>Close Call found was a few khz off from what I found online.  So at the time my
396XT was set to 5kHz for 150.8 Mhz and above segment.
>
>So, is Close Call's frequency resolution dependent on what the Band Default
step sizes are set to at the time of frequency capture,
>or is Close Call's resolution independent of Band Default settings?
>
>Think I'm going to change my setting from 15khz to 7.5 (it was 5.0khz)
>
>Thanks, and hope UPman reads this.
>
>-Lance
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thank You UPMan that answers my question.


On Feb 13, 2013, at 3:26 PM, Uniden UPMan wrote:

> Close Call detects the precise frequency, but to tune the PLL, it must match
the current step, so it will be rounded to the closest step.
>
> UpMan
> UpMan FAQ: http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/UpMan -- Please read before
emailing me directly
>
> >________________________________
> > From: Lance milcom_chaser@...>
> >To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
> >Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 1:41 PM
> >Subject: [BCD396XT] Close Call Resolution...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >The other day I tagged a Sheriff mobile unit via close call. Later I went to
look up the licensing for the
> >department and noticed they had a narrowband allocation for the input to one
of their repeaters. The frequency
> >Close Call found was a few khz off from what I found online. So at the time
my 396XT was set to 5kHz for 150.8 Mhz and above segment.
> >
> >So, is Close Call's frequency resolution dependent on what the Band Default
step sizes are set to at the time of frequency capture,
> >or is Close Call's resolution independent of Band Default settings?
> >
> >Think I'm going to change my setting from 15khz to 7.5 (it was 5.0khz)
> >
> >Thanks, and hope UPman reads this.
> >
> >-Lance
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way  to
test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky as
there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am using
Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in testing
these antennas.



Thanks, for any suggestions,



John Waller



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On VHF you can use a NOAA transmitter.  On VHF/UHF you can use a paging
transmitter. On most bands you can use a trunking control channel.

Or, you can simply use a marginal dispatch channel and listen
for a while. But, conditions can affect this setup more.

Of course, being a portable antenna is tough to test because an
inch may make more of a difference in capture area than the antenna.

Joe M.

John L Waller wrote:
> I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way  to
> test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
> keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky as
> there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am using
> Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in testing
> these antennas.
>
>
>
> Thanks, for any suggestions,
>
>
>
> John Waller
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5605 - Release Date: 02/15/13
02:36:00
>

Great idea Joe. I've used NOAA WX to set a reference oscillator in an old
Yupiteru handheld...


On Feb 16, 2013, at 1:51 AM, MCH wrote:

> On VHF you can use a NOAA transmitter. On VHF/UHF you can use a paging
> transmitter. On most bands you can use a trunking control channel.
>
> Or, you can simply use a marginal dispatch channel and listen
> for a while. But, conditions can affect this setup more.
>
> Of course, being a portable antenna is tough to test because an
> inch may make more of a difference in capture area than the antenna.
>
> Joe M.
>
> John L Waller wrote:
> > I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way to
> > test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
> > keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky as
> > there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am using
> > Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in testing
> > these antennas.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks, for any suggestions,
> >
> >
> >
> > John Waller
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5605 - Release Date: 02/15/13
02:36:00
> >
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for the ideas.  What is needed is  a transmitter the broadcasts at a
consistent power, and either 24/7 or fixed predictable intervals. I suppose
the ideal would be a  transmitter in each of several bands.  One problem
with dispatch channels, if I am thinking of the same thing, is that
different agencies in our operate on the same frequencies so signal strength
will vary depending on the location. Of course, the ideal setup would be to
use a mast mounted antenna, but I have to clear that with the landlord, plus
find a local supplier of mastsJ



JohnW



From: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of MCH
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2013 12:52 AM
To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BCD396XT] Testing antennas





On VHF you can use a NOAA transmitter. On VHF/UHF you can use a paging
transmitter. On most bands you can use a trunking control channel.

Or, you can simply use a marginal dispatch channel and listen
for a while. But, conditions can affect this setup more.

Of course, being a portable antenna is tough to test because an
inch may make more of a difference in capture area than the antenna.

Joe M.

John L Waller wrote:
> I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way
to
> test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
> keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky
as
> there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am
using
> Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in
testing
> these antennas.
>
>
>
> Thanks, for any suggestions,
>
>
>
> John Waller
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5605 - Release Date: 02/15/13
02:36:00
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Actually, if they are all operating through the same repeater, the output
power will be the same no matter what agency is currently transmitting.


UpMan
UpMan FAQ: http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/UpMan -- Please read before
emailing me directly


>________________________________
> From: John L Waller <johnlwaller@...>
>To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
>Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 3:37 PM
>Subject: RE: [BCD396XT] Testing antennas
>
>
> 
>
>Thanks for the ideas.  What is needed is  a transmitter the broadcasts at a
>consistent power, and either 24/7 or fixed predictable intervals. I suppose
>the ideal would be a  transmitter in each of several bands.  One problem
>with dispatch channels, if I am thinking of the same thing, is that
>different agencies in our operate on the same frequencies so signal strength
>will vary depending on the location. Of course, the ideal setup would be to
>use a mast mounted antenna, but I have to clear that with the landlord, plus
>find a local supplier of mastsJ
>
>JohnW
>
>From: mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com
[mailto:mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
>Of MCH
>Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2013 12:52 AM
>To: mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [BCD396XT] Testing antennas
>
>On VHF you can use a NOAA transmitter. On VHF/UHF you can use a paging
>transmitter. On most bands you can use a trunking control channel.
>
>Or, you can simply use a marginal dispatch channel and listen
>for a while. But, conditions can affect this setup more.
>
>Of course, being a portable antenna is tough to test because an
>inch may make more of a difference in capture area than the antenna.
>
>Joe M.
>
>John L Waller wrote:
>> I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way
>to
>> test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
>> keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky
>as
>> there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am
>using
>> Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in
>testing
>> these antennas.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks, for any suggestions,
>>
>>
>>
>> John Waller
>>
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com/
>> Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5605 - Release Date: 02/15/13
>02:36:00
>>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

If the frequency is a repeater output then there will be no difference in signal
strength no matter who is using the frequency

Sent from my iPhone

On 19/02/2013, at 7:37 AM, "John L Waller" <johnlwaller@...> wrote:

> Thanks for the ideas. What is needed is a transmitter the broadcasts at a
> consistent power, and either 24/7 or fixed predictable intervals. I suppose
> the ideal would be a transmitter in each of several bands. One problem
> with dispatch channels, if I am thinking of the same thing, is that
> different agencies in our operate on the same frequencies so signal strength
> will vary depending on the location. Of course, the ideal setup would be to
> use a mast mounted antenna, but I have to clear that with the landlord, plus
> find a local supplier of mastsJ
>
> JohnW
>
> From: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com [mailto:BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
> Of MCH
> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2013 12:52 AM
> To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [BCD396XT] Testing antennas
>
> On VHF you can use a NOAA transmitter. On VHF/UHF you can use a paging
> transmitter. On most bands you can use a trunking control channel.
>
> Or, you can simply use a marginal dispatch channel and listen
> for a while. But, conditions can affect this setup more.
>
> Of course, being a portable antenna is tough to test because an
> inch may make more of a difference in capture area than the antenna.
>
> Joe M.
>
> John L Waller wrote:
> > I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way
> to
> > test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
> > keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky
> as
> > there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am
> using
> > Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in
> testing
> > these antennas.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks, for any suggestions,
> >
> >
> >
> > John Waller
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5605 - Release Date: 02/15/13
> 02:36:00
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

And even if they use different transmitters, just make
sure your comparison is based on the same agency.

Joe M.

Uniden UPMan wrote:
> Actually, if they are all operating through the same repeater, the output
power will be the same no matter what agency is currently transmitting.
>
>
> UpMan
> UpMan FAQ: http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/UpMan -- Please read before
emailing me directly
>
>
>> ________________________________
>> From: John L Waller <johnlwaller@...>
>> To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 3:37 PM
>> Subject: RE: [BCD396XT] Testing antennas
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks for the ideas.  What is needed is  a transmitter the broadcasts at a
>> consistent power, and either 24/7 or fixed predictable intervals. I suppose
>> the ideal would be a  transmitter in each of several bands.  One problem
>> with dispatch channels, if I am thinking of the same thing, is that
>> different agencies in our operate on the same frequencies so signal strength
>> will vary depending on the location. Of course, the ideal setup would be to
>> use a mast mounted antenna, but I have to clear that with the landlord, plus
>> find a local supplier of mastsJ
>>
>> JohnW
>>
>> From: mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com
[mailto:mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
>> Of MCH
>> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2013 12:52 AM
>> To: mailto:BCD396XT%40yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: Re: [BCD396XT] Testing antennas
>>
>> On VHF you can use a NOAA transmitter. On VHF/UHF you can use a paging
>> transmitter. On most bands you can use a trunking control channel.
>>
>> Or, you can simply use a marginal dispatch channel and listen
>> for a while. But, conditions can affect this setup more.
>>
>> Of course, being a portable antenna is tough to test because an
>> inch may make more of a difference in capture area than the antenna.
>>
>> Joe M.
>>
>> John L Waller wrote:
>>> I have a couple of different antennas for handhelds, is there a good way
>> to
>>> test them out to determine which might have the best reception?? Trying to
>>> keep track of specific frequencies while testing these antennas is tricky
>> as
>>> there is no guarantee as to when they will be transmitting. BTW, I am
>> using
>>> Arc-xt Pro software, although I do have freescan if it would help in
>> testing
>>> these antennas.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks, for any suggestions,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> John Waller
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com/
>>> Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5605 - Release Date: 02/15/13
>> 02:36:00
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.932 / Virus Database: 2639.1.1/5613 - Release Date: 02/18/13
02:34:00
>

Different transmitters means different repeaters... although both may be on the
same repeater site and the antennas may be on the same tower.


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4GLTE smartphone



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all and thanks for the helpful replies.

When I first powered up the 396 and had only half a day to get it ready for an
interstate trip I thought I'd never work it out. However its actually very
logical to use and worked very well over my 4000km drive.

Thanks again,

Ross

--- In BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com, Lance <milcom_chaser@...> wrote:
>
> I do the same for a trunked system, arrange the TG's into groups:
>
> 1 Police
> 2 Fire
> 3 City Services
>
> All my systems whether conventional or trunked have a number that proceeds
them in the label field:
>
> 1 LA County
> 2 LA City
> 3 Palm Springs
>  1 Police
>  2 Fire
>         3 City Services
>
> Same with groups as well.  That way when I hit the menu key, and select
Program System,  the system
> list is ordered numerically for fast reference, and trains my mind to call
which number I wanted for a specific system
> for quick key assignment...
>
> I'm a nerd, your experience may be different (I doubt it) LOL.
>
> Enjoy,
>
> -Lance
>
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 13, 2013, at 7:46 AM, john szalay wrote:
>
> > I do it with the talkgroups.   I quick-key the fire talkgroups in key 2 and
police talkgroups on key 3
> > they are all on the same trunked system,   so Police talkgroups are locked
out on key 2  and fire locked out on key 3
> > just have to enter all the talkgroups in each quick-key
> >
> >                                              "Your mileage may vary "
> >
> >                                  John in Ky
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: rossmutz rossmutz@...>
> > To: BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 7:03 AM
> > Subject: [BCD396XT] Locking out a trunked system
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi all. Just got my 396.
> >
> > I have a trunked system in it that I would like to look out. Have figured
out how to look out a conventional system, but not trunked.
> >
> > Any advice?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Ross VK4IY
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi all.

Is there a way to import info from a CSV file into Freescan?

Thanks,

Ross

Sent from my iPad

Import your CSV file into the Windows Clipboard using CTRL-C, then click
the EZ-Grab! button, click COPY FROM CLIPBOARD, select the proper column
items, then click the IMPORT INTO FREESCAN button.

Joe M.


Ross wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> Is there a way to import info from a CSV file into Freescan?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ross
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

On 22/02/13 11:10 PM, MCH wrote:
> Import your CSV file into the Windows Clipboard using CTRL-C, then click
> the EZ-Grab! button, click COPY FROM CLIPBOARD, select the proper column
> items, then click the IMPORT INTO FREESCAN button.
I was going to suggest the same thing.  Works very well.

--
73 de Tony VK3JED
http://vkradio.com

Thanks for that. Will be very useful.

Sent from my iPad

On 23/02/2013, at 11:08, Tony Langdon <vk3jed@...> wrote:

> On 22/02/13 11:10 PM, MCH wrote:
> > Import your CSV file into the Windows Clipboard using CTRL-C, then click
> > the EZ-Grab! button, click COPY FROM CLIPBOARD, select the proper column
> > items, then click the IMPORT INTO FREESCAN button.
> I was going to suggest the same thing. Works very well.
>
> --
> 73 de Tony VK3JED
> http://vkradio.com
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

So, I'm scanning an EDACS system.  Well, actually I have it searching (ID
Search).
Now if I put the radio on hold on a programmed TGID, and then go to do a direct
entry, the radio asks me what system I want to put it in, but my system is not
listed.

Why is that?  I shouldn't have to jump out of the system to add a TG on the
fly...

Thanks.

-Lance

Doesn't it ask you what "GROUP" you want to store it in?

<http://marksscanners.com/396XT/396xt.shtml#program%20displayed%20ID>

Storing a Displayed ID (in ID Search Mode)  Contents
  	 To store a displayed ID into an existing group during ID Search mode, press
E/yes.
You will see 'Quick TGID Save?' in the display then press (.)no.
At the 'Select Group' prompt, scroll to the group where you want to store the ID
and press E/yes.
After storing the ID, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the
settings for the new channel.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel,
press Scan/Srch to return to scanning.
  	 To store a displayed ID into a 'Quick Save Group' during ID Search, press
E/yes.
You will see 'Quick TGID Save?' in the display then press E/yes again.
The scanner stores the ID into a (created) channel group called 'Qck Save Grp'
and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new
channel.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel,
press Scan/Srch to return to scanning.

  	 Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists' Accept? (Y/N)'
appears. Press (.)no to return to searching (or search hold) or E/yes to go to
the 'Edit Channel' menu.

--- In BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com, Lance <milcom_chaser@...> wrote:
>
> So, I'm scanning an EDACS system.  Well, actually I have it searching (ID
Search).
> Now if I put the radio on hold on a programmed TGID, and then go to do a
direct
> entry, the radio asks me what system I want to put it in, but my system is not
listed.
>
> Why is that?  I shouldn't have to jump out of the system to add a TG on the
fly...
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Lance
>

If u hold on a TG in the System, press "E", the menu for the TG is available,
scroll counterclockwise one notch and it says "NEW CHANNEL", u can now add a new
TG quickly to the system, then name it etc....Then press scan and it will
continue on the system with the new TG....

--- In BCD396XT@yahoogroups.com, Lance <milcom_chaser@...> wrote:
>
> So, I'm scanning an EDACS system.  Well, actually I have it searching (ID
Search).
> Now if I put the radio on hold on a programmed TGID, and then go to do a
direct
> entry, the radio asks me what system I want to put it in, but my system is not
listed.
>
> Why is that?  I shouldn't have to jump out of the system to add a TG on the
fly...
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Lance
>

Let me be more specific.  I have a EDACS single site system with plenty of
TGID's in it.
I put the radio in HOLD, and then I entered a TGID, the radio of course wants to
know if
it should be Quick Saved, I say NO, then when it presents me a menu of trunked
systems, the
one I have been listening to does not appear.  So, I can't pop the TGID into
it...

Bizarre...

-Lance
On Feb 22, 2013, at 10:38 PM, Lance wrote:

> So, I'm scanning an EDACS system. Well, actually I have it searching (ID
Search).
> Now if I put the radio on hold on a programmed TGID, and then go to do a
direct
> entry, the radio asks me what system I want to put it in, but my system is not
listed.
>
> Why is that? I shouldn't have to jump out of the system to add a TG on the
fly...
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Lance
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

When it asks if you want to save it to the Quick Save group say Yes otherwise it
thinks you want it saved to another system which is what its trying to do.
  The reason is that there are many trunked systems that TGID's can be used by
multiple systems and some only want that ID in one of the shstems.



Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

Lance <milcom_chaser@...> wrote:

>Let me be more specific.  I have a EDACS single site system with plenty of
TGID's in it.
>I put the radio in HOLD, and then I entered a TGID, the radio of course wants
to know if
>it should be Quick Saved, I say NO, then when it presents me a menu of trunked
systems, the
>one I have been listening to does not appear.  So, I can't pop the TGID into
it...
>
>Bizarre...
>
>-Lance
>On Feb 22, 2013, at 10:38 PM, Lance wrote:
>
>> So, I'm scanning an EDACS system. Well, actually I have it searching (ID
Search).
>> Now if I put the radio on hold on a programmed TGID, and then go to do a
direct
>> entry, the radio asks me what system I want to put it in, but my system is
not listed.
>>
>> Why is that? I shouldn't have to jump out of the system to add a TG on the
fly...
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> -Lance
>>
>>
>
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]