Baltimore Co. Maryland Setup for BCD396T

wa3toy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2013, 11:41 AM

Can someone email me the programming file for Baltimore Co. MD for a BCD396T scanner.
I would like to see if I have mine set up correctly as I am not receiving anything.
Thanks - Kurt WA3TOY arswa3toy@verizon.net.

KE4ZNR · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2013, 3:16 PM

Hey Kurt,
Welcome to RR.com!
Good to have you join us!
I moved your post from the Uniden forum to the Maryland forum
where you will probably get a better local response.
Hopefully someone local will be able to help you out with a software file
they can share!
Happy Monitoring
Marshall KE4ZNR

ka3jjz · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2013, 4:34 PM

Kurt what software are you using - I'm using FreeScan

I often travel to Baltimore county, and depending on where you are at the time, you should use the ATT function on that system (I travel there for work every day). You won't be able to reliably receive it until you're around the Wilkins exit from the Beltway. You won't get it at your home anymore (I used to live on a third floor condo in GB).

Set your system up as Mot Type II / P25 and site type as Mot P25/P25 Standard

There are very detailed and lengthy discussions about reception issues of the system - you can use the search tools to find them all. However our wiki has a number of technical explanations about how the system is set up here...

Baltimore County P25 - the RR Wiki

HTH...Mike

wa3toy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2013, 10:17 AM

Mike;

Thanks for the input. I set it up the way it shows in the Wiki forum in RR.com. It does work depending on where I am. For instance, on the high ground near Rt 40 and Rt 29 I receive it (my work location) so I know I have it set correctly now. I guess I will need a real good outside antenna if I even expect to get something from BaCo at home.

Thanks again;

Kurt WA3TOY

ka3jjz · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2013, 4:05 PM

I highly doubt you're going to get anywhere hearing BaCo from Pasadena - but GL anyway. Good to hear you have it going, at least somewhat.

Your're going to find - as I did - that evidently the southernmost towers are likely pointing into Baltimore county away from AA, and add to the LSM issues, the results aren't going to be pretty

Mike

dcr_inc · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2013, 4:15 PM

One suggestion.. Turn OFF the DSP AGC.. It seems to help

troymail · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2013, 6:21 PM

I've done some drive around tests over the months around the Beltway and find that reception of Baltimore County system dies off as you cross the Key Bridge into AA County and doesn't return until you get near the County line (north/west of 695/295).

These new systems are tough to receive and I agree with Mike - you'll have a hard time receiving that system from Pasadena - unless maybe you're on the water looking across to Baltimore County.

ka3jjz · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2013, 9:03 PM

dcr - Uniden scanners don't have the DSP AGC - good thought anyway

Kurt looking at the system information (which also has the tower locations) in the wiki, I suspect that the closest one to AA county would be the Halethorpe site. Now if they run reflectors pointing into the County, any signal going from the back is going to be heavily attenuated. Given the distance between Halethorpe and Pasadena with an attenuated signal, and LSM to boot, reduces your chances greatly

Troy is of course correct that if you happen to be near the water (or find a sweet spot), you might have a shot - but it's going to be a long haul no matter how you slice it.

Mike

BaltimoreScanner · #9 (**permalink**) 03-13-2013, 4:39 PM

I have a pro 106 and have tried everything to recieve BCPD. I am at a loss now and am wondering if buying a PSR800 would solve my problem. I have done everything that every post on here suggests and have no luck. I am trying to recieve precinct 12 and am only about 1/2-1 mile away. My att is on and all software is up to date. At this point I am so frustrated and need an answer even if it means putting more money out.

ka3jjz · #10 (**permalink**) 03-13-2013, 7:16 PM

Hardly - try running with no antenna at all, or just a paperclip. I would also read the suggestions, if you haven't already, as given in the wiki about programming the OO scanners.

Yes it's wierd, but you might still be getting clobbered by more than one tower at a time. All of the scanners out there now have problems with simulcast distortion - we're not working with USD4K handhelds here. The wiki has the list of transmitter locations - and just because you're close to a particular precinct means nothing at all. It's where you are in relation to the multiple sites that may well be an issue

Mike