Author Topic: Scanner Problems  (Read 26361 times)

Offline ZOTAN

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Scanner Problems
« 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?



Offline dave

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« Reply #1 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.

Offline PHL Approach

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« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2005, 06:51:08 PM »
Where do you have the squelch set at? In the middle? All the way up?

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #3 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.

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #4 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.

Offline Jason

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« Reply #5 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.

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2005, 07:50:12 PM »
I guess Priority is off then. Any other ideas?

Offline Jason

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« Reply #7 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?

Offline PHL Approach

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« Reply #8 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?

Offline LORm

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« Reply #9 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.

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #10 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

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #11 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.

Offline stealth71

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« Reply #12 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.

Offline dave

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« Reply #13 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?

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2005, 09:43:16 AM »
The sound is cutting out. Whats RTFM?

Offline dave

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« Reply #15 on: October 26, 2005, 09:44:02 AM »
Quote from: ZOTAN
The sound is cutting out. Whats RTFM?


RTFM = Read The Manual

:-)

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2005, 10:00:34 AM »
Yes I have read the manual.  :lol:

Offline PHL Approach

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« Reply #17 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:

Offline Polehill

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« Reply #18 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????

Offline PHL Approach

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« Reply #19 on: October 26, 2005, 04:06:03 PM »
Read The Friendly Manual...  :wink: uhh not exactly

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #20 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.

Offline PHL Approach

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« Reply #21 on: October 26, 2005, 07:21:00 PM »
What kinda antenna are you running? Maybe you said it before, I just can't remember.

Offline ZOTAN

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« Reply #22 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.

Offline Tom56

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« Reply #23 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.

Offline PHL Approach

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« Reply #24 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.