Bct8 Programming In York Region

dukester544600 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 09:39 PM

Just wondering if anyone can help me out I live in Keswick (north of Newmarket) and am wondering if someone can help me in finding frequencies in my area. Also how I would go about programming them into a BCT8. Or is there somewhere I can take it to have it programmed for this area. Any help would be great. I know about Durham Radios I work in Clarington and it would be no big deal to go there for me. I was just wondering if anyone knows about anywhere else.

mciupa · #2 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 12:42 PM

All the freq's are here in the database , first is the York Region trunked system:http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=1572

next there are non-trunked freq's. http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=4329

Honestly , it is not that had to do. For trunking review the" how to program E2-800 trunking" area of the owner's manual.
Durham will charge you for programming , save your money and take the lady out for Valentine's Day .

unpltd · #3 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 12:53 PM

BCT8's are not that bad to program, read the owner's manual then read it again. lol it will make more sense the second time.

Don't waste your money...

dukester544600 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 07:10 PM

Thanks for the advice. I guess the best way to figure it out is to just sit down with the book and scanner and play around with it. Just in case is there anywhere on this site that gives you a step by step programming tutorial or atleast something I can refer to if I get stuck? Thanks for the help

yorkphotog · #5 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 11:22 AM

Once you get the hang of it, programming Uniden scanners is really easy. That said, I've bought ARC for all of my Uniden scanners. ARC is a PC based program that interfaces with your scanner, and makes programming easier (it's all done on the computer instead of by hand).

I'm not sure if they make ARC8, but have a look around. Most versions of ARC even have a fully functional demo if you need a one time programming (but it's worth the $30 or however much it costs).

unpltd · #6 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 11:28 AM

They do make a ARC8 for the BCT8......

dukester544600 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 07:42 PM

Ok well you guys are going to have to forgive me but I am not exactly to savy on doing this kind of stuff what I really need is to have the frequencies for york region, durham, toronto, Kawartha Lakes, Simoce and Peterborough, programmed into my scanner so I can maximize the amount of calls I can here. I need to up on what is going on(accidents, fires and important incidents) as I am independently taking photos and video for news outlets. That being said it is pretty important how many calls I can here. Anyone who can help me along would be doing me a great favor. I have been looking on the York Region trunk part of the site but when I read it is does not make much sense to me. I don't understand the DEC and HEX coloumns and all that. What does this stuff mean when I try and put freq's into my scanner it asked me what type of system it is, i.e. motorola, EDACS The says Motorola type 2 smartnet but in the scanner menu it justs says Motorola type 2 and there is more than one which one would I use. it also asked about mhz I don't know which type. I am really lost and just need some help. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for any help you can provide.

mciupa · #8 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 08:06 PM

For York and Toronto use Motorola 800 MHz type 2.
For talkgroups you are only concerned with DEC.

dukester544600 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2008, 08:09 PM

Ok I get the 800 Mhz part but what do I do with DEC What is talk groups. I don't want to sound stupid but this is all new to me.

mciupa · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008, 03:39 PM

Have a look at the ScanOnt FAQ section on trunking.http://www.hamsexy.com/scanont-faq.h...-SECTION-47857
It will explain trunking and talkgroups and was created to help people get up to speed with monitoring in Ontario.
The whole page is very informative , give it a read.

Once you have entered York as an E2-800 system , program the system freq.'s in a bank. You can put the scanner in SEARCH mode and the scanner will find all talkgroups on the system.
See if you can get that far at least.

dukester544600 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008, 07:37 PM

ok I put the york region simplex channel into my scanner I only programed that so I would only hear things on that channel but there is almost no traffic on that channel I don't really hear much at all a little chatter here and ther but thats it. What the heck am I doing wrong?

KevMuskoka · #12 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008, 10:39 PM

You won't hear much on Simplex at all, any of them. That's only used if communications are bad (for Fire at least) and even then, it's low power, so you'd only hear it if Keswick crews switched to it.

dukester544600 · #13 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 08:03 AM

Ok say I want to hear Georgina, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaunghn Fire, what frequencies would I program into my scanner and what type of system?

mciupa · #14 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukester544600

Ok say I want to hear Georgina, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaunghn Fire, what frequencies would I program into my scanner and what type of system?

Set up your scanner for E2-800 trunking.

Enter these freq's.
860.9875
863.4875
866.1375
866.3625
866.6375
867.1375
867.4125
867.6375
867.9125

Refer to the trunking link in post #2 for the talkgroups assigned to the various FS commands.

dukester544600 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-21-2008, 06:53 PM

Ok I have figured out how to program my scanner thanks for everyones help. I have a couple of other questions though. When a call goes out and the responder receives the message from the dispatcher what does it mean when they responding on par 4 or 5. Also they quote a map number and an area of the map where the call is, is there copies of these maps anywhere or are you on your own? Thanks again for the help.

EJB · #16 (**permalink**) 02-21-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukester544600

Ok I have figured out how to program my scanner thanks for everyones help. I have a couple of other questions though. When a call goes out and the responder receives the message from the dispatcher what does it mean when they responding on par 4 or 5. Also they quote a map number and an area of the map where the call is, is there copies of these maps anywhere or are you on your own? Thanks again for the help.

You will find maps at this site.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ScanOnt/
Excalibur posted a bunch of them, join up, it is worth it, the moderator here owns the Yahoo site

Par 4 or 5 means indicates the number of fire fighters responding to a call from a truck.

dukester544600 · #17 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 05:57 PM

What is a good antenna to use with this scanner to get better reception? also where can I get one?

EJB · #18 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 08:27 PM

I use a Diamond SRH77CA (SMA version) for held held use.

It especially enhances Fleetnet, air bands.
800 systems; like the Toronto Public service & York region worked ok for me using stock antennas.
http://radioworld.ca/advanced_search...ywords=srh77ca

Members on here such as Jellotor & Chrome69 made it clear to me that it is worth it to invest in a external antenna.
That said I purchased the following antenna form Durham radio.
KS3SMA
http://www.durhamradio.com/product.p...at=1836&page=1
It helps me mobile for my drive thru the GTA. Using a rubber ducky in the car for me is hit & miss. With the KS3 I get seemless fleetnet coverage from more towers.

Both stores have been great to deal with.

Others on here will know this; doesnt York region use the MDT's alot?
It might be hard to pick up 'action' there.

Eric

KevMuskoka · #19 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 09:47 PM

York Police, yes, use Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) quite a bit, I don't find them very exciting listening myself.

Vaughan and Richmond Hill fire will be going on the York Regional Police CAD for communications, and eventually will also get similar MDTs (no timeline for the MDTs, although a deputy in Vaughan said "2009", I wouldn't hold my breath).

Kevin P.