Batboard

Hello all. Been exploring the wonderful world of sabers, (already eyeballing Astros, too), and I've run into a scanning problem. I searched the forum and I don't think it's one anyone's mentioned yet. This refers to a Systems Saber III.

When scanning in a zone with any number of channels, and TWO priority channels, any non-pri channel that opens due to traffic is plagued with a highly-pissing-me-off repeating squelch-tail noise. It does not seem to be tied to the priority sample rate - it seems to be about a 1-second interval. So every second, a good 1/3 of a second of conversation is replaced with open squelch noise - just loike pressing the monitor on a quiet channel. It's like it's looking to the pri channel, breaking squelch itself to see if there's traffic, and then returning to the non-pri traffic.

This will only happen when I enter TWO priority channels! It works great with only one.

Am I to understand that I simply CANNOT have MORE than 1 priority channel in each zone, unless I am willing to put up with this annoying repeating suelch-tail noise? I've tried every possible way of setting this up; 1 pri, 2 pri's, listing the pri's in the scan list AND listing them in the pri list, NOT listing in the scan list but listing them in the pri list, calling the pri's from a completely different zone, etc.

Again, as long as there is only ONE priority channel, it all work smooth. It just doesn't seem to want to have to monitor two priority channels, but I can't believe that, as I have 12 years public safety experience using Motos and GEs and I've never had a radio do this.

I've really, really gone through all the options in the RSS, too - tried a new codeplug with no features, and it all seems to come down to how many pri channels you make it monitor.

Thanks in advance for any help. It's great to have all these knowledgable people to tap. =)

Page 63 of the version 7 RSS manual states that, "If MDC is enabled with Scan and a priority channel is set to be scanned, or the radio is equipped with a priority scan encryption module, DOS muting will not work properly." Perhaps this is what's causing the problem.

Now, this is for a standard, not systems, Saber, but it's also clear that two priority channels CAN be set for the radio.

Regards,

Well, I tried it with MDC disabled, and it was still there. I guess it's just like everything else I try - looks neat from the outside, but once you get one you find out it just plain sucks after all.

Man, my old GE M-PAs are starting to look real appealing to me again.

Hey Vin,

I own quite a few regular sabers, so maybe my knowledge might help with the systems.

I have gone round and round with the saber scan features and the only time I have encountered the problem you speak of is when it is scanning a channel or channels with CSQ and no PL set. Do all of the channels have a PL set? Is the pri channel that gives u issues CSQ?

Usually with the saber, if there is no PL set the radio will just go thru and check every channel and that gets really annoying. However when you have a PL set, the radio only stops when it detects the code and will even give you a nice alert beep.

Let me know if any of the above are the issue.

-Louie

Hi, thanks for replying.

Well, there is no PL for RX on any of the channels. Most of them are amatuer freqs, but I also have 3 from the PD I used to work for. I do get the priority beeps for pri 1 and pri 2 while scanning. (For whatever that's worth).

The scanning works fine, until, as I said, you try having TWO priority channels. Then, you get that annoying unsquelch 'blip' whenever any other channels open with traffic. I assumed it was related to the priority sampling, but changing the sample rate in the RSS doesn't affect the rate of the"...chsssch-chsssch-chsssch..." you hear.

Maybe if I buy enough of these I can build a shed with them, like bricks. Too bad, they're such nice.... "radio-looking" radios. Not like the alien technology-looking stuff they're making now.

Well I wouldn't write of Sabers that quick. I have about 4 of them, both UHF and VHF and I love them. I wouldn't discount them simply because you are down to 1 pri channel on a scan list.

The only time I've had the problem you talk about is with channels having CSQ instead of PL, and since you don't have any RX PL's programmed, that could very well be the case.

-Louie

The sabers and systems sabers allow you to 'step' the squelch level up or down (maybe just up?) for the priority channel only during scan. This is in the service radio menu... somewhere. This means that during scan, the priority channel's programmed squelch level will be different from when it is not in scan. Interesting problem! I hope this helps even though I don't have the programming computer in front of me to check.

Paul

Yeah, I've been looking at the manual during down-time on the pot, (you're welcome, for that visual), and I noticed "scan squelch offset", I think it was called. I tried playing with that, and it didn't make any change.

Is that what you were referring to, or another setting?

And in actuality, the RSS manual I have is for regular Saber, not Sys Saber. However, I'm all set up with Moto online now, and will be ordering the lastest RSS soon, (my very first legit!), so hey, I'll actually have the correct manual. What a concept.

Yes, that is the feature I was meant to refer to. I have a VHF Saber III with two priority scan lists and haven't had the problem.. yet. Good luck!

I have several SSabers, including one that is programmed for a boat radio (all channels CSQ), and it doesn't exhibit that behavior. I have a feeling that the squelch level in the radio needs to be boosted a hair.