LiveATC Discussion Forums

Air Traffic Monitoring => Listener Forum => Topic started by: ZOTAN on October 25, 2005, 06:44:35 PM

Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 25, 2005, 06:44:35 PM: Im having problems with my Radio Shack Pro-83 scanner. Whenver a transmission is coming through, it will cut off every 3-4 seconds for about a second. IE. "Lindbergh Tower, This is Sou-----est 1286 on the Localizer for 27"

Its pretty annoying and I have no idea whats causing it. Any suggestions?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: dave on October 25, 2005, 06:50:28 PM: Check to see if you have a priority channel feature. If it's enabled, turn it off.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 25, 2005, 06:51:08 PM: Where do you have the squelch set at? In the middle? All the way up?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 25, 2005, 06:53:29 PM: I have a priority channel feature, but its off. My squelch is where the manual reccomends it to be. Turn on the scanner with full squelch and then slowly lower it until the static stops.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 25, 2005, 06:57:30 PM: I guess I do have a priority channel set. My frequency stored in Channel 1 has a big P to the left of it. I dont know how to get rid of it though. The normal Function then Priority doesnt change it. Pri does show up though on the screen though.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: Jason on October 25, 2005, 07:24:23 PM: Quote from: ZOTAN
I guess I do have a priority channel set. My frequency stored in Channel 1 has a big P to the left of it. I dont know how to get rid of it though. The normal Function then Priority doesnt change it. Pri does show up though on the screen though.

Your scanner might indicate it as a Priority channel (a P next to the channel), but on most scanners the feature is always turned off unless you activate it by pressing a "PRI" or Priority button or setting in the setup of the scanner.

For example, if I go to channel 1 on my scanner it shows a "P" BUT the scanner will not go to that channel when scanning another frequency unless I hit the "PRI" button which activates the Priority scan.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 25, 2005, 07:50:12 PM: I guess Priority is off then. Any other ideas?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: Jason on October 25, 2005, 08:00:02 PM: Quote from: ZOTAN
I guess Priority is off then. Any other ideas?

Antenna connection? How about power? Does the power turn off when the audio clips out for a moment or two?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 25, 2005, 09:27:20 PM: Ever check the time between when it cuts out, like 5, 10 seconds? Or is it very unpredictable?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: LORm on October 26, 2005, 12:12:03 AM: Sounds like priority is still enabled. I think all the new GRE made Radioshacks are all similar in operation so try this....

Try pressing MANUAL then look for the channel that has a P showing. Once you find it just press PRI (priority) without using the function button. Then resume normal scanning.

Also, when you priority scan turn the squelch down just a little more. Even when the squelch is down to the point there is no noise priority will sometimes pick up the slightest bit and change channels on you.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 26, 2005, 12:15:42 AM: I think it was the antenna. I tried cleaning the connectors and pushed it in harder this time. Havent had the breaks in any transmissions yet. Ill let you guys know tomorrow If its fixed.

Matt
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 26, 2005, 12:28:31 AM: One more question since we are discussing problems with my scanner. Often, I will be listening in on a frequency when all of a sudden my scanner will switch frequencies and say "UHF Found". How do I stop it from doing this?

EDIT: Nevermidn Im still getting the cutouts. It happens about every 5 seconds and lasts maybe half of a second.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: stealth71 on October 26, 2005, 01:01:32 AM: What Jason said, is your sound cutting out or is the entire radio shutting off for a moment. If the latter, maybe you have a power supply that is failing, unless you're on batteries.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: dave on October 26, 2005, 07:13:19 AM: Quote from: ZOTAN
One more question since we are discussing problems with my scanner. Often, I will be listening in on a frequency when all of a sudden my scanner will switch frequencies and say "UHF Found". How do I stop it from doing this?

EDIT: Nevermidn Im still getting the cutouts. It happens about every 5 seconds and lasts maybe half of a second.

Did you RTFM?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 26, 2005, 09:43:16 AM: The sound is cutting out. Whats RTFM?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: dave on October 26, 2005, 09:44:02 AM: Quote from: ZOTAN
The sound is cutting out. Whats RTFM?

RTFM = Read The Manual

:-)
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 26, 2005, 10:00:34 AM: Yes I have read the manual. :lol:
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 26, 2005, 02:50:34 PM: Quote from: dave
Quote from: ZOTAN
The sound is cutting out. Whats RTFM?

RTFM = Read The Manual

:-)

I think I know what the "F" means, lol :lol:
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: Polehill on October 26, 2005, 03:58:14 PM: Quote from: PHL_Approach
Quote from: dave
Quote from: ZOTAN
The sound is cutting out. Whats RTFM?

RTFM = Read The Manual

:-)

I think I know what the "F" means, lol :lol:

Friendly????
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 26, 2005, 04:06:03 PM: Read The Friendly Manual... :wink: uhh not exactly
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 26, 2005, 07:03:51 PM: So no ideas on why its cutting out? I want to try to get it fixed so I can set up a feed in San Diego.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 26, 2005, 07:21:00 PM: What kinda antenna are you running? Maybe you said it before, I just can't remember.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 26, 2005, 07:34:46 PM: Its an 800mhz antenna. I know its not the best for Airband's. but a friend gave it to me for free and seems to get a little better reception then the stock antenna.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: Tom56 on October 26, 2005, 08:00:51 PM: Do you have the signal stalker turned on? If so turn it off. What about delay settings? You'll find a ton of stuff on google about that scanner as well.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 26, 2005, 08:17:13 PM: Ok yea Im familiar with an 800mhz antenna. My buddy has one, kinda short like a rubber duckie and all. Ok well have you walked around outside and even all around your house. It's probably some interference by man made noise.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: ZOTAN on October 27, 2005, 07:10:31 PM: Quote from: BuZZ56
Do you have the signal stalker turned on? If so turn it off. What about delay settings? You'll find a ton of stuff on google about that scanner as well.

That was it! Turned the signal stalker off an it no longer cuts out. Also, I can now pick up controllers at certain airports that I used to not be able to. Weird huh?
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: PHL Approach on October 27, 2005, 08:47:13 PM: Awesome congrats! The problem you were having was even bothering me.
Title: Scanner Problems
Post by: Tom56 on October 27, 2005, 11:19:35 PM: Glad I could help. :D