Atlanta P25 help

jcanupp · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 11:41 AM

I usually just read and listen to you folks, but I think I messed up my scanner and I need help please. I have a 396T with the 3.0 firmware upgrade. My P25's at Gwinnett, Forsyth, Atlanta, Dekalb, and Cobb. I live near Auburn in Gwinnett County. I use the radio shack 800 rubber antenna. Sice the firmware upgrade, I've essentially lost my Gwinnett Coverage. I used to be much stronger. When I get active talkgroups from any of the above unencrypted groups, sush as Fire, EMS, and PD, they are hit and miss at best. I get a strong signal but no traffic. I reloaded all groups from the RR database. I have the P25 threashold at auto, AGC digital on, the end codes off, modulation auto, att. on. Do I ned to pick a band plan? I've tries full systems, control channel only...Do I need to click "rebanded" on ARC 396 when I upload? Help please!!!!!

b7spectra · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 06:26 PM

Gwinnett you can kiss good-bye. With the exception of Fire, they went encrypted.

You can click HERE and download my FreeScan file for the Metro Atlanta area.

jcanupp · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 07:17 PM

I had it working fine for FD...then after I upgraded the firmware to 3.0, the signal strenght went WAYYY down and it's not working like it was. Has it been rebanded? For that matter, how can you tell who HAS been rebanded?

jcanupp · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:52 PM

I appreciate you sharing the files. I have downloaded Freescan and placed them in my radio. Still, the Gwinnett signal is very weak. I'm bummed. Prior to downloading the firmware upgrade, is was solid. Oh well....Thanks again!

N8IAA · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:33 PM

Get /\/\ike's file. Download FreeScan. Upload file into FreeScan. Upload file into the scanner. It will be greatly improved. Mike knows his 396's

Link to FreeScan: ScanNow.org - The Home of FreeSCAN!.
Larry

rmiller818 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 11:43 PM

I experienced the same thing with the community owned 996T I have to provide the Cobb fire feed. I just reloaded the previous firmware version so it would receive better.

jcanupp · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 09:57 AM

How can you delete the firmware update and go back to the older version on a 396T? Can you still scan "rebanded" systems with the older firmware? Far as that goes, how do you know "what's been rebanded?

nunyax · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanupp

How can you delete the firmware update and go back to the older version on a 396T? Can you still scan "rebanded" systems with the older firmware? Far as that goes, how do you know "what's been rebanded?

You can join the BCD396T Yahoo group and in the "files" section there are previous versions of the firmware going back to V1_07_01. As for rebanding, that should only be a concern for analog Motorola trunk systems. P25 digital trunking will be fine regardless of rebanding as long as you have the control channel(s).

jcanupp · #9 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 07:37 PM

Most Awesome! I'm going to give it a try. Thanks all for you're help!!! This was my first post. I usually just try to read and learn but I was stumped. I'm an EMS helicopter in Atlanta and I use my radio at work, especially at night. It helps pass the night.

35delivery · #10 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanupp

I usually just read and listen to you folks, but I think I messed up my scanner and I need help please. I have a 396T with the 3.0 firmware upgrade. My P25's at Gwinnett, Forsyth, Atlanta, Dekalb, and Cobb. I live near Auburn in Gwinnett County. I use the radio shack 800 rubber antenna. Sice the firmware upgrade, I've essentially lost my Gwinnett Coverage. I used to be much stronger. When I get active talkgroups from any of the above unencrypted groups, sush as Fire, EMS, and PD, they are hit and miss at best. I get a strong signal but no traffic. I reloaded all groups from the RR database. I have the P25 threashold at auto, AGC digital on, the end codes off, modulation auto, att. on. Do I ned to pick a band plan? I've tries full systems, control channel only...Do I need to click "rebanded" on ARC 396 when I upload? Help please!!!!!

You've got "att. on". That's probably why receive is "way down"

jcanupp · #11 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:26 PM

Yea, not really sure what it does. I thought it adjusted volume levels.

35delivery · #12 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanupp

Yea, not really sure what it does. I thought it adjusted volume levels.

"att. on" sets the attenuator to on.
received system frequencies are attenuated (lowered) by 18db, per page 83 of the 396T user's manual

jcanupp · #13 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 11:07 PM

I turned att off. I've tried to load a previous firmware version. I tried to load a previous firmware version, running loader 1.20.13. The program says "this scanner is already updated". Any suggestions on how to reload an older firmware version?

4phun · #14 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8IAA

Get /\/\ike's file. Download FreeScan. Upload file into FreeScan. Upload file into the scanner. It will be greatly improved. Mike knows his 396's

Link to FreeScan: ScanNow.org - The Home of FreeSCAN!.
Larry

I have to agree with Larry, Mike's files are worth using. When I first looked at them my initial thought was ... you have got to be kidding. But after asking my self... why did he do that way... it became clear his choices and storage in the 396T were ingenious and the result of a lot of thought about the advantages and limitations of the 396. You have to think differently compared to the GRE radio to reach the same goal and he mastered that.

IMHO the PRO 96 has great audio but is limited in what it can do.
It is easier to program if you think of it as an old time scanner that does digital, but the Uniden product is better designed for real world use with these new digital systems. The 396XT is even better with some improved user programming options. I just can't see it as being worth the money if you have both of the other digital scanners which combine can kick ass if you want them to.

I recommend every one in the Cobb, Metro Atlanta, area to give Mike's files a shot. They make metro monitoring life easy.

Why try to reinvent a wheel all over again?

A good wheel still has to be round.

jcanupp · #15 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 08:59 AM

I did download and install them. I agree with you, they are very comprehensive and I appreciate his sharing. I'm wondering if the new firmware download has something to do with it. It was working like a champ. I'm thinking of going back to the last 2.07 version will help. If it kills my radio, I'll be begging for more help!

jcanupp · #16 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 04:03 PM

I'm going to try to finish this link because I'm kinda getting off topic. But, if anybody has the same troubles, this is what I've done....I reset the scanner and re-loaded systems, starting with Mike's. Reception is a little better and it seems like it's decoding better. I sent an email to Uniden tech support and asked how to step back to an older version of the firmware. When I get an answer, I'll post it here. Thanks to all for helping!

rmiller818 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanupp

I'm going to try to finish this link because I'm kinda getting off topic. But, if anybody has the same troubles, this is what I've done....I reset the scanner and re-loaded systems, starting with Mike's. Reception is a little better and it seems like it's decoding better. I sent an email to Uniden tech support and asked how to step back to an older version of the firmware. When I get an answer, I'll post it here. Thanks to all for helping!

As I recall, all I had to do was download the older version of the firmware and install it just like you would a newer one.

nunyax · #18 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 05:53 PM

You didn't specify which V3 firmware you're using, so if you're at V3.00.00, you may want to read this forum thread about the P25 ADJUST MODE setting:

V3 P25 Performance

If you're at 3.01.00 or 3.02.02, disregard as the issue with the was addressed in those updates. As for the older firmware reloads, I believe you can go between V3 and V2 with no problem, but maybe no farther back due to the ESN addition of the V1.20.13 upgrade. Hope that helps.

jcanupp · #19 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 08:56 PM

I don't know how to re-install 1.20.13? It's got 3.00.2 in it?

N8IAA · #20 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanupp

I don't know how to re-install 1.20.13? It's got 3.00.2 in it?

You can't. You have the newest version. The adustments are in the firmware.
Larry