To start, I have read about the simulcast distortion and think that MAY be my problem, but I'm not 100% sure so I would like some other opinions, and if this is in the wrong forum, please feel free to move it to the correct one.
Anyway, I have a RS Pro-651 handheld and I purchased the cheap 1/4 wave ground plane antenna from RS and put it in my attic. I ran an RG6 from said antenna to my computer room where I use the scanner most. When using this antenna I get what I would describe as digital distortion (choppy, broken up transmissions that cut in and out). This seems to happen maybe 50% of the time, so it isn't constant....one transmission may be garbled like described, and the next may be crystal clear. So far, I have only noticed this on the local P25 system, which is a 5 site simulcast system. When switching to the WX frequencies to test the antenna receptions, I know I am getting better reception vs the rubber duck. I also seem to get better reception of the statewide P25 system, which only has one site online in my area currently.
Before I put the antenna in the attic, I had it sitting in the room with me, with a short RG6 jumper and it seemed to work fine.
When I put the rubber duck on, I don't get the distortion and seem to get all the transmissions fine, but I also notice a weaker signal on the other system.
One other thing I noticed is on my scanner it will tell me if the TG being received is digital or analog and all I have programmed are digital systems, but when getting the distortion, the notification will flip between digital and analog, which again makes me think it is something in the decoder and a simulcast problem with the higher gain antenna (vs rubber duck).
Thoughts?
Anyway, I have a RS Pro-651 handheld and I purchased the cheap 1/4 wave ground plane antenna from RS and put it in my attic. I ran an RG6 from said antenna to my computer room where I use the scanner most. When using this antenna I get what I would describe as digital distortion (choppy, broken up transmissions that cut in and out). This seems to happen maybe 50% of the time, so it isn't constant....one transmission may be garbled like described, and the next may be crystal clear. So far, I have only noticed this on the local P25 system, which is a 5 site simulcast system. When switching to the WX frequencies to test the antenna receptions, I know I am getting better reception vs the rubber duck. I also seem to get better reception of the statewide P25 system, which only has one site online in my area currently.
Before I put the antenna in the attic, I had it sitting in the room with me, with a short RG6 jumper and it seemed to work fine.
When I put the rubber duck on, I don't get the distortion and seem to get all the transmissions fine, but I also notice a weaker signal on the other system.
One other thing I noticed is on my scanner it will tell me if the TG being received is digital or analog and all I have programmed are digital systems, but when getting the distortion, the notification will flip between digital and analog, which again makes me think it is something in the decoder and a simulcast problem with the higher gain antenna (vs rubber duck).
Thoughts?
Is this simulcast distortion or something else?
