My scanner is picking up scratchy channels?

My scanner is picking up scratchy channels?
I have a handheld Police scanner and I recently purchased an outdoor antenna so that the range of the scanner can extend further. The antenna seems to be working ok because I am hearing frequencies like before however there are several frequencies that come through as if someone is talking but all I hear is a buzzing noise, some beeps and the frequency is scratchy. This did not happen before. Also is there any way to test and see if the antenna is working up to its ability besides just listening to the scanner?? Anyone with an idea please help me…. thanks

Best answer:

Many areas have gone to a digital mode that replaces the normal analog voice you normally have heard.

This requires a digital scanner to listen if it is:

1) APCO Project 25 or P25
2) Unencrypted

Any other form of digital is not supported by scanners at this time.

Compare what your hearing to the samples here:
kb9ukd.com/digital/

This will help you to identify the source.

Also when putting up an outside antenna can also cause from problems with interference from signals you couldn’t receive or were not as strong before. This is caused by the way the scanners work and is called intermod.

dra73.org/intermod101.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermodulation

Signals in the 929-931MHz area are commonly paging channels, also may hear this in the 152MHz, 157-158, 462, & 467 Mhz areas too for older paging systems.

The best way to know if your antenna and cable system is up to par is to monitor the local Weather broadcasts. With a good antenna and cable you should be able to pick up stations 50-60 miles away. Compare that to the stations you get with the standard stock antenna.

Look at the cable connected to your antenna does it have markings along:

Comscope/Times Mirror LMR400
Belden 9913
RG6, if run is less than 50-60 ft.
RG11, if run is less tan 70-80 ft.

Then you have good quality cable.

If you see:

RG58
RG59
RG8
RG8x
RG59
RG174
RG213

Then you have bad cable and it will need to be replaced with one of the ones listed previously.

Tags: channels, picking, Scanner, scratchy

Under Forum