New user help please

[fgregory]

Hello,

First thanks in advance for any help given. I read in the "getting started for new users" forum that it is best to post your new user questions in your region forum first so here goes. Just got a scanner and plan on getting a HAM license over the next couple months.

I am a new user. I did research and bought the Uniden BCD398XT, Easy to read manual, 6 months of Radio Reference, and ARCXT-Pro. I started with FreeScan but after two days went strait to ARCXT for the better UI. After much reading in the RR forums and Easy to read manual I took a stab at setting up my new system.

I have a couple questions that I would appreciate help on with regard to the way I setup the systems using ARCXT and understanding quick keys. I am attaching three pictures showing my setup.

PROCESS:
1. First on the attachment called "site list" from the RR database file I downloaded, I choose the sites in the counties in Colorado I wanted to listen to.
2. Then in the attachment called "System Import" I choose those sites in the ARCXT software import system window on the left and the corresponding talk groups on the right side of the import system window.
3. Finally I end up with a schema for my systems shown in the attachment called "ArcXT Systems." My thought was to have each county setup with talk groups for the different police agencies, fire agencies, and one for other.

QUESTIONS:
1. Am I close at all? Is this a good process and schema for systems?
2. I dont understand on the system import window how there is every talk group in the right for the entire state that I can choose from even when I have only choose one county on the left.
3. Finally, my thought was that I could have a quick key for each county to turn on each county individually, and each talk group within that county have a quick key. Thinking was that if I wanted to listen to police agencies in three counties I can do that. Likewise if I only wanted to listen to fire in two counties I can do that. What is the best way to arrange quick keys for best functionality?

Thanks again everyone and I hope I haven't asked too many questions right off the bat. Any help is much appreciated and thanks for this great resource.

[GrayJeep]

I can't help with either the scanner or the software as I don't use them.

But a general suggestion- start small, learn how to do one thing at a time successfully before doing the whole thing.

Such as - put in the one tower near you. And a wildcard so you can hear everything from the tower.
Next put in tagged talkgroups. See if they work the way you expect them to.
Then add a different system. See if you screwed up the first one by doing so etc.
Do experiments with the s/w to see if it does what you expect and if not, why.

These scanners are pretty complicated. They have a learning curve. Expect to spend some time on the learning curve.

[jimmnn]

Confirm 396XT? Because I don't believe they make a 398.

Thanks Jim<

[fgregory]

Yep good catch. Sorry about that typo. I have a BCD396XT.