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Originally Posted by HobbyTalk
Yeap, I know that. But there are just so many options and many agencies seems to be listed in many different areas. What agencies use what towers, what towers should be used and what about overlaps in coverages? It might be easy for those that have been at this for a while but for someone new it is hard to figure out just what is what.
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Don't get too bogged down with which agencies use which towers. The truth is that any agency can use any tower that is part of the system. Since you're using a P96 file I'll assume you're using a Pro-96 or Pro-2096.
The best way to program the radio (in my opinion anyway) is to program just the control channels from all of the towers in your area. You only need the control channels to be able to track the system.
Normally, the Pro-96 will scan the bank until it finds the first control channel, monitor that control channel for activity, and then go on to the next bank. There is a trick that can be used with the Pro-96 to get it to scan all of the control channels it finds in a bank. To do that, place a conventional FM frequency beween each tower's control frequency (I use I-Call, 866.0125 for this). This will force the radio to check any and all control channels it finds in the bank.
Once you have the control channels, then you only need to be concerned about the talkgroups. You can look at those as virtual channels used to carry on a conversation. You no longer need to be concerned about the actual frequency being used, only the talkgroups that are being used at that point.
Mike
Help! What the heck should I listen to?
In the past I just had a simple analog scanner. I guess you could call me a casual listener as I'd turn it on when I could hear some sirens or the weather was bad. Since they started going digital around here in Kzoo I got a Pro-96. I even got a copy of Win96.
ops: Looking at the Kzoo area there are a ton to chose from. I'm lucky as I only have about 6 or 7 in my area and that includes surrounding county's. The joy's of rural america. Maybe someone from your area will eventually get back to you and help you get set up. 
Linear Mode
