Programing Consumers Energy-EDACS

[1002]

I'm pulling my hair out !!! I can not get my 396 to follow Consumers Energy (cms). I started with the Onondaga site from the R&R home page when it listed the cms system under TRS updates and printed it out (maybe that isn't up to date??) I programed the freqs in lcn order. The r&r does not indicated which freq is the cc for that site but when I put the syst. on hold I could hear the cc as freq 856.36250. I also programed several TGs in the afs mode. Push scan and the 396 scans but does not stop when there is traffic. Push HOLD and the 396 holds on the cc. ( I am identifying the cc by the distinctive sound of a cc). While still holding I scroll thru the list of freqs and find traffic. I have programed the syst in wide and also in narrow with no difference. So I know the 396 is picking up the system. (along with those pesky beeps) but I can live with that. I have successfully programed other EDAC systems so I have all of the bases covered. (well I think I do). The Onondaga site is the closest to me 10 - 12 miles, with a decent signal. I also have tried different sites with the same results. When I scroll thru the various TGs I get "finding cntrl chan". No I'm hung up on this (about 3 days) till I find an answer!!!!!! Help me out!

[seamusg]

Originally Posted by 1002

I'm pulling my hair out !!! I can not get my 396 to follow Consumers Energy (cms). I started with the Onondaga site from the R&R home page when it listed the cms system under TRS updates and printed it out (maybe that isn't up to date??) I programed the freqs in lcn order. The r&r does not indicated which freq is the cc for that site but when I put the syst. on hold I could hear the cc as freq 856.36250. I also programed several TGs in the afs mode. Push scan and the 396 scans but does not stop when there is traffic. Push HOLD and the 396 holds on the cc. ( I am identifying the cc by the distinctive sound of a cc). While still holding I scroll thru the list of freqs and find traffic. I have programed the syst in wide and also in narrow with no difference. So I know the 396 is picking up the system. (along with those pesky beeps) but I can live with that. I have successfully programed other EDAC systems so I have all of the bases covered. (well I think I do). The Onondaga site is the closest to me 10 - 12 miles, with a decent signal. I also have tried different sites with the same results. When I scroll thru the various TGs I get "finding cntrl chan". No I'm hung up on this (about 3 days) till I find an answer!!!!!! Help me out!

Most of the Consumers's site have not been verified for correct LCN or CC. Comsumers should be programed as EDACS WIDE. Someone has verified the one near me so I can hear it ok, but from what I understand it's takes a lot of work to discover the correct LCN.

[B4U]

I have tried all al the things you have listed also. And have asked for help also. Still no luck for me. I would like to listen to the Allegan and Holland area. If the info that is listed does not work why do they list it? I quess it gives us a place to start. It seems to be the right frequencies but wrong order. Can someone tell us how to figure out the order?

[seamusg]

Originally Posted by B4U

I have tried all al the things you have listed also. And have asked for help also. Still no luck for me. I would like to listen to the Allegan and Holland area. If the info that is listed does not work why do they list it? I quess it gives us a place to start. It seems to be the right frequencies but wrong order. Can someone tell us how to figure out the order?

From what I understand it takes two scanners one running a trunktracker program and one to see which freq they transmit on. It would have to be someone in the area who knows how to do it. There is no easy way.

[B4U]

Ok I have more than one scanner one is a uniden 396 And I want to learn more on how can anyone point me to the place to read up on this? Sorry 1002 I would be to far to help you out . Some one has to have the gear to get this done so many people want to listen to Consumers energy.

[rdale]

I can't imagine there's a large group biting at the bit to get CE transmissions! Worst-case scenario is you listen in conventional mode.

[seamusg]

Originally Posted by rdale

I can't imagine there's a large group biting at the bit to get CE transmissions! Worst-case scenario is you listen in conventional mode.

I've tried listening to CE a couple of times ans all I hear is gas shut offs ond turn ons and meeting for lunch. DTE is just as bad with all the safty checks before and after working. I consider both of them a waste of scanner space. You'll probably never find enough people with the equipment and knowledge to find the correct lcn's for CE.

[1002]

Geez, what a hoot! There's a lot more to listen to than CMS. My interest was monitoring severe weather or other emergency related incidents that involved CMS. Other than that I'd lock out the system anyway. The work and time involved of finding the correct LCNs and info is too time consuming at this time anyway. As rdale suggested, conventional will do just fine as I had CMS programed in my pro-39 as a conv. system before it died. (Now on to see what else I can stir up.)