This FAQ applies to the BC-780, BC-785D, BC-250D, BC-296D, BC-796D ONLY. See further below in this thread for instructions on the BC-396.
This FAQ assumes that you've set the digital audio quality parameters properly before starting. If you have problems receiving the digital talkgroups, check your digital audio parameters.
This FAQ only details how to setup Trunk Search mode. If you with to use Trunk Scan mode, you will need to determine which talkgroup id's you wish to listen to and program them in accordingly.
Before getting started, determine which system you wish to listen to and which site.
For Zone 1:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=861
For Zone 2:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=2560
For Zone 3:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=3511
Although you can put more then one site in a bank, this FAQ will only deal with one site per bank.
Write down the frequencies for the site you closest to you and note which frequency is the control channel (red) and which is the alternate control channel (blue). This will aid in troubleshooting later.
Now, on your scanner press "MENU" to put you into Menu Mode.
Scroll down using the "HOLD" or "LIMIT" keys or press the number "2" to select SCAN OPTION.
Press "2" to enter TRUNK programming mode.
You will be asked to select the bank in which your trunk system will be entered. Use the "HOLD" or "LIMIT" buttons to scroll through the banks or if you know which bank you want, press the corresponding number on the numeric keypad. We'll assume Bank 1 and press "1" to start programming up Bank 1.
The first thing we'll do is enter the information that allows the scanner to follow the system:
Press "1" or just hit "E" to enter TRUNK TYPE. Hit "1" or "E" again to turn trunking on.
Scroll down (LIMIT) or press "5" to select TYPE2 VHF trunking.
The scanner now needs to setup the VHF trunking system parameters. Hit "E" to enter the BASE CONFIG 1.
Press "141.015E" to enter the BASE FREQUENCY 1.
Press "15E" to enter the SPACE FREQUENCY1.
Press "380E" to enter the OFFSET CHANNEL1 (or just press "E" to leave it at the default which is already 380).
Press "E" to setup Base Config 2.
Press "151.730E" to enter BASE FREQUENCY 2.
Press "15E" to enter the SPACE FREQUENCY 2.
Press "579E" to enter the OFFSET CHANNEL2.
Press "E" to setup Base Config 3.
Press "154.320E" to enter BASE FREQUENCY 3.
Press "15E" to enter the SPACE FREQUENCY3.
Press "632E" to enter the OFFSET CHANNEL3.
Currently most sites use only the first range of frequencies. However, the Toronto site in Zone 1 is using one frequency in Range 2. It's expected that as the system grows, frequencies in the 2nd and 3rd range will be used. Since the programming of the 2nd and 3rd range are trivial, you might as well put them in now.
Press "MENU" 3 times until you see the TRUNK TYPE menu again.
You now need to enter the frequencies for the site (you did write them down didn't you?). This will tell the scanner that these frequencies are in use for this trunk site.
Press "2" to select TRUNK CHANNEL.
Press "E" if you are sitting on the first channel you wish to store a frequency in or scroll to it (HOLD/LIMIT) or enter it directly by entering the channel number directly on the keypad and pressing "E".
We'll use channel 1 so press "1E"
You should now see 1:FREQUENCY as the first menu item.
Press "E" and enter the frequency using the keypad and end with "E". If you were programming 142.5000 into channel 1 you would press "142.5000E".
We'll leave the alpha tag empty (you can do that later) so just press "E" to bypass it.
The scanner will ask for another channel to store your next frequency in.
Press "2E" to select channel 2.
Press "E" and enter the next frequency from your list.
Press "E" to skip entering the alpha tag.
You will need to do this frequency entry routine for each frequency listed for the site.
Once you have repeated this enough times to store each frequency for the site, press "MENU" to exit back to the main trunk programming menu.
If you wish to setup a delay, press "4" to select 4
ELAY and scroll through the choices. Press "E" when you've reached the one you want.
Press "9" to select 9:I-CALL and press "E" to turn it on. This will allow you to hear I-Calls although they are very rare on the Fleetnet system.
Press "0" to select 0:STATUS BIT and "E" to turn it on. This will make sure you aren't confused by the extra digits shown when status bits are broadcast with talkgroup calls.
Hit "SCAN"
You should be able to see your scanner pause on the control channel (the one in red from the database). If it doesn't then you need to check a few things which we'll deal with in a minute.
If your scanner says ID SCAN in the top left when it pauses on the control channel then you need to switch it to ID search. This is necessary since we didn't enter any talkgroups. Press and hold "TRUNK" until your scanner says READY TO ID SEARCH.
Now when it pauses, it should say ID SEARCH in the top left.
If there's any activity, the scanner should stop and show you the talkgroup id and you should be able to hear what's going on.
If your scanner doesn't pause on the control channel, then press "HOLD". Press the channel number of the channel containing the red frequency and then press "HOLD" again. This should take you to the channel containing the red frequency. Make sure there's an M just to the left of the channel number. Also turn the squelch down and make sure you can hear continuous control channel noise. If you can't hear control channel noise then check the alternate control channel (blue) for control channel noise.
If you cannot hear control channel noise then you'll probably need to explore other options such as a closer site or something to improve your reception.
If you need further help, ask here or on Scanont.
Please do not email or PM me. You will get a quicker answer using one of the above mentioned sources.
This FAQ assumes that you've set the digital audio quality parameters properly before starting. If you have problems receiving the digital talkgroups, check your digital audio parameters.
This FAQ only details how to setup Trunk Search mode. If you with to use Trunk Scan mode, you will need to determine which talkgroup id's you wish to listen to and program them in accordingly.
Before getting started, determine which system you wish to listen to and which site.
For Zone 1:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=861
For Zone 2:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=2560
For Zone 3:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=3511
Although you can put more then one site in a bank, this FAQ will only deal with one site per bank.
Write down the frequencies for the site you closest to you and note which frequency is the control channel (red) and which is the alternate control channel (blue). This will aid in troubleshooting later.
Now, on your scanner press "MENU" to put you into Menu Mode.
Scroll down using the "HOLD" or "LIMIT" keys or press the number "2" to select SCAN OPTION.
Press "2" to enter TRUNK programming mode.
You will be asked to select the bank in which your trunk system will be entered. Use the "HOLD" or "LIMIT" buttons to scroll through the banks or if you know which bank you want, press the corresponding number on the numeric keypad. We'll assume Bank 1 and press "1" to start programming up Bank 1.
The first thing we'll do is enter the information that allows the scanner to follow the system:
Press "1" or just hit "E" to enter TRUNK TYPE. Hit "1" or "E" again to turn trunking on.
Scroll down (LIMIT) or press "5" to select TYPE2 VHF trunking.
The scanner now needs to setup the VHF trunking system parameters. Hit "E" to enter the BASE CONFIG 1.
Press "141.015E" to enter the BASE FREQUENCY 1.
Press "15E" to enter the SPACE FREQUENCY1.
Press "380E" to enter the OFFSET CHANNEL1 (or just press "E" to leave it at the default which is already 380).
Press "E" to setup Base Config 2.
Press "151.730E" to enter BASE FREQUENCY 2.
Press "15E" to enter the SPACE FREQUENCY 2.
Press "579E" to enter the OFFSET CHANNEL2.
Press "E" to setup Base Config 3.
Press "154.320E" to enter BASE FREQUENCY 3.
Press "15E" to enter the SPACE FREQUENCY3.
Press "632E" to enter the OFFSET CHANNEL3.
Currently most sites use only the first range of frequencies. However, the Toronto site in Zone 1 is using one frequency in Range 2. It's expected that as the system grows, frequencies in the 2nd and 3rd range will be used. Since the programming of the 2nd and 3rd range are trivial, you might as well put them in now.
Press "MENU" 3 times until you see the TRUNK TYPE menu again.
You now need to enter the frequencies for the site (you did write them down didn't you?). This will tell the scanner that these frequencies are in use for this trunk site.
Press "2" to select TRUNK CHANNEL.
Press "E" if you are sitting on the first channel you wish to store a frequency in or scroll to it (HOLD/LIMIT) or enter it directly by entering the channel number directly on the keypad and pressing "E".
We'll use channel 1 so press "1E"
You should now see 1:FREQUENCY as the first menu item.
Press "E" and enter the frequency using the keypad and end with "E". If you were programming 142.5000 into channel 1 you would press "142.5000E".
We'll leave the alpha tag empty (you can do that later) so just press "E" to bypass it.
The scanner will ask for another channel to store your next frequency in.
Press "2E" to select channel 2.
Press "E" and enter the next frequency from your list.
Press "E" to skip entering the alpha tag.
You will need to do this frequency entry routine for each frequency listed for the site.
Once you have repeated this enough times to store each frequency for the site, press "MENU" to exit back to the main trunk programming menu.
If you wish to setup a delay, press "4" to select 4
ELAY and scroll through the choices. Press "E" when you've reached the one you want.Press "9" to select 9:I-CALL and press "E" to turn it on. This will allow you to hear I-Calls although they are very rare on the Fleetnet system.
Press "0" to select 0:STATUS BIT and "E" to turn it on. This will make sure you aren't confused by the extra digits shown when status bits are broadcast with talkgroup calls.
Hit "SCAN"
You should be able to see your scanner pause on the control channel (the one in red from the database). If it doesn't then you need to check a few things which we'll deal with in a minute.
If your scanner says ID SCAN in the top left when it pauses on the control channel then you need to switch it to ID search. This is necessary since we didn't enter any talkgroups. Press and hold "TRUNK" until your scanner says READY TO ID SEARCH.
Now when it pauses, it should say ID SEARCH in the top left.
If there's any activity, the scanner should stop and show you the talkgroup id and you should be able to hear what's going on.
If your scanner doesn't pause on the control channel, then press "HOLD". Press the channel number of the channel containing the red frequency and then press "HOLD" again. This should take you to the channel containing the red frequency. Make sure there's an M just to the left of the channel number. Also turn the squelch down and make sure you can hear continuous control channel noise. If you can't hear control channel noise then check the alternate control channel (blue) for control channel noise.
If you cannot hear control channel noise then you'll probably need to explore other options such as a closer site or something to improve your reception.
If you need further help, ask here or on Scanont.
Please do not email or PM me. You will get a quicker answer using one of the above mentioned sources.
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