XTS MDC Decode Issue

[dasuriano]

I am noticing that my XTS5000 will not decode some MDC ID's. It seems to decode some, but not others. There are channels that always decode and channels that almost never decode. I have noticed that it tends to not always decode ID's that are on narrowband channels. I have DOS muting enabled and it successfully mutes the squawk, but no ID. I do have Enhanced Digital ID Display in the option. Am I going to be forced to get rid of DOS muting to have my radio display ID's or is there something else causing this? I know that it is capable of decoding them, since some channels decode successfully.

[alex]

If you have scan on it will sometimes decode and sometimes will not decode properly. Try it on the channels you are having problems with without being in scan and see what happens.

Most of the time the priority channel check will take place during an MDC packet and will not allow the radio to decode the PTT ID.

Alex

[dasuriano]

My radio almost always is on scan, so that was one of the first things that I thought of. The issue occurs on any channel in the scan list, including priority channel/selected channel. And it also occurs on Pre or Post ID. I can understand MDC getting cut off by the scanning, but I am kinda hoping that post ID wouldn't be, since I do have hangtime in the radio too to keep it on the channel.

[alex]

My radio almost always is on scan, so that was one of the first things that I thought of. The issue occurs on any channel in the scan list, including priority channel/selected channel. And it also occurs on Pre or Post ID. I can understand MDC getting cut off by the scanning, but I am kinda hoping that post ID wouldn't be, since I do have hangtime in the radio too to keep it on the channel.

Well, there should never be an expectation for MDC to work 100% while in scan. The only way that it probably would be reliable would be if you were not using priority. I don't know many people who do not use priority while scanning personally, but that doe not mean people don't.

One of the reasons pre would get cut off could simply be the pertime is not set correctly on subscriber units. Another reason could be that a console or other device has data squelch turned on so you get the chirps over the repeater but never the full MDC databurst (with few exceptions). NYPD is configured this way for example. You would never decode unless you were monitoring the input or one leaked (as they occasionally do).

Firmware version?
Is the radio properly aligned?

Is display ID during scan (I can't remember the name exactly of the feature) turned on?

Alex

[wa6ylb]

My radio almost always is on scan, so that was one of the first things that I thought of. The issue occurs on any channel in the scan list, including priority channel/selected channel. And it also occurs on Pre or Post ID. I can understand MDC getting cut off by the scanning, but I am kinda hoping that post ID wouldn't be, since I do have hangtime in the radio too to keep it on the channel.

Well, there should never be an expectation for MDC to work 100% while in scan. The only way that it probably would be reliable would be if you were not using priority. I don't know many people who do not use priority while scanning personally, but that doe not mean people don't.

One of the reasons pre would get cut off could simply be the pertime is not set correctly on subscriber units. Another reason could be that a console or other device has data squelch turned on so you get the chirps over the repeater but never the full MDC databurst (with few exceptions). NYPD is configured this way for example. You would never decode unless you were monitoring the input or one leaked (as they occasionally do).

Firmware version?
Is the radio properly aligned?

Is display ID during scan (I can't remember the name exactly of the feature) turned on?

Alex

In Display & Menu, then PTT ID, both ID Display and Scan ID Display need to be checked. Else, the MDC ID won't decode on any currently locked on channel in the scan list.
B.

[Pj]

I'm with alex...most likely (if in scan) its just missing the right info in the datapacket. Also check (if your using more than one MDC "system" in CPS) that its set for "or" vs "and".

Even on our consoles at work on the MDC channels, we don't always get the ID's depending on how the signal hits the machine. Its never a 100% thing...but there are plenty of ways that people can put systems together...and using 3rd party encoders.

[dasuriano]

It's been a little bit, but I am still trying to solve this issue. The main one I notice this on is my local PD channel, since they are the only ones nearby that are narrowband and use MDC. The other local PD, local EMS agencies, and a couple fire departments that use MDC are all wideband and I notice a significantly higher decode rate on the wideband channels that narrowband channels in general. I also have had issues with a few channels at work that don't decode since they are narrowband. I have also let the radio sit on my local PD channel, with maybe about a 5-10% decode/mute rate. The majority of the time the full MDC squelch sounds, doesn't mute like it is programmed to do and doesn't decode. The other local channels, even way down on the scan list, have about a 90-95% decode/mute rate. I have also noticed that my XTL does the same thing, but the CDM1250's we have at work decode about 90-95% of the time. I have checked all the suggestions as listed above, but I guess it seems that my radio just does not like narrowbanded MDC decoding.

[SD70MAC]

It's been a little bit, but I am still trying to solve this issue. The main one I notice this on is my local PD channel, since they are the only ones nearby that are narrowband and use MDC. The other local PD, local EMS agencies, and a couple fire departments that use MDC are all wideband and I notice a significantly higher decode rate on the wideband channels that narrowband channels in general. I also have had issues with a few channels at work that don't decode since they are narrowband. I have also let the radio sit on my local PD channel, with maybe about a 5-10% decode/mute rate. The majority of the time the full MDC squelch sounds, doesn't mute like it is programmed to do and doesn't decode. The other local channels, even way down on the scan list, have about a 90-95% decode/mute rate. I have also noticed that my XTL does the same thing, but the CDM1250's we have at work decode about 90-95% of the time. I have checked all the suggestions as listed above, but I guess it seems that my radio just does not like narrowbanded MDC decoding.

I found the same problem when I got my XTS5000,the ProSeries radios all do a much better job with MDC decode. I love my XTS's ,but they are not the greatest in all areas.