Kalamazoo APCO 25 system help ?

jonhobbies · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2005, 11:19 PM

I just bought a Uniden BC 796D and would like to scan the digital system used in kalamazoo. What is the best way to set up the scan banks and what should the settings be. I have tried a few things but dont seem to get very much traffic. Thanks for any help

tarantir · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2005, 07:19 AM

Depends how you plan on using it and where your located. If you plan on using it mobile as well as stationary I recommend putting the control channels from site 310 (Plainwell) and 302 (Adams Park) in a single bank. This way as you travel around, since neither site covers the city well you should be able to copy most traffic.

However, if you’re primarily going to be stationary I would recommend putting the control channels for each site in a separate bank. That way you can easily choose which site you want to receive from and at times you may want to receive from both sites. From my experience (I’m located on the NW side) city traffic seems more concentrated on site 310.

Hope this helps.

jonhobbies · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2005, 09:21 AM

This radio will stay at home I live in Scotts, MI. So I should use all 9-channels on tower 310 plainwell in one bank, not just the control channels Red and Blue.

k8tmk · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2005, 10:07 AM

Entering all of a towers frequencies into a bank is a waste of time.

Just enter the control frequency(ies) for the tower and choose plan 2. The control channel will direct the scanner to the correct working channel by itself.

If you enter all of the channels associated with a tower into the bank, what happens if a new channel is added later? You will miss that traffic. By entering the control frequency and choosing plan 2, you will always hear everything.

I have the control frequencies for the Coloma, Sawyer, and Sumnerville entered into three different banks, all set up as plan 2.....works great! Yes, entering only one frequency in a 100-channel bank may be a waste of resources, but with 1000 capability, it's no big deal.

Randy

jonhobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2005, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the info im starting to see how this all works.

jonhobbies · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2005, 09:01 PM

I put the control channel in the first bank and it wont scan any of the other banks I have programed it just sticks on it and does nothing.

jimsokol · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2005, 11:53 PM

Do you have the other banks enabled?

...jim

digitalpimp_n · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 12:50 AM

Let me ask this question?? I have the uniden bearcats, I use all the control channels for all the towers in my surrounding areas in the banks. Does anyone else do it that way? I monitor all digital transmissions with this scanner. I just feel it is such a waste of the bank to put a couple of tower control channels in, plus i travel with my scanner and hope to find a talkgroup that is not programmed in already meaning a possible new one.

Also jonhobbies are you listening for the city (DPS) , township and or the county? I found it the easier to use all the control channels of all the towers near your area. Some will tell you that you don't have to, but what does it hurts if you are listing to digital anyway. I live about 30 miles west of k-zoo and get them find with a whip attenna.