Freescan

GoNavy · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:24 PM

I got subscription to RR and downloaded freescan. I used FS and downloaded a bunch of stuff from RR. Will be a few days before my BCD996XT gets here, do I need to do anything to my freescan file and freq before I transfer them to the scanner when it gets here.

ka3jjz · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:36 PM

If you don't have a USB-serial converter to connect the scanner and PC, you will need one. Uniden sells them - number USB-1 - and I'm sure other manufacturers/distributors will also work.

Set up your quick keys to your liking/preference. This is probably one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people when they get a DMA radio. These keys set up what you can hear - with a quick key disabled, that group or site is locked out and won't be scanned.

You didn't mention what system(s) you loaded up, but making sure the right system type is set up for each site/system is also very important.

Off the top of my head, those tend to be the things that trip up a lot of folks. I'm sure others will jump in here with more. 73 Mike

GoNavy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:02 PM

It comes with a serial cable, do they not work with freescan. Are the systems not already setup when they are downloaded, looks like they are...

edit: Do I need to assign a quick key to every group of freq I want to scan, if I do not set a quick key what happens to that group/freq or system

KT4HX · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:29 PM

Yes the serial will work as long as your pc has a serial port. A lot of people no longer have a pc with a serial port and utilize a USB to serial converter cable, such as the USB-1 mentioned. It would be nice if Uniden would include the USB-1 with their new scanners now.

ka3jjz · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:38 PM

Most PCs nowadays don't have serial ports - so while the cable will work, it needs something to change the USB levels to serial levels - hence the name USB-serial converter.

If you don't have a quick key enabled and active for a particular group, site or system, it will not be scanned. This is a very important concept to understand and probably one of the least understood for new folks. I believe the Uniden wiki has something on this (all links are in blue)

BCD996XT < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

Therefore, if for example you are using the 996XT mobile you might want to lock out (using the appropriate quick keys) certain sites or groups if you will travel to them, but cannot hear them from your home. That's where location based scanning comes into play, and that's a whole 'nother ballgame..

You should also review the systems you have programmed, and what your setup can realistically do. If you have an outdoor antenna - say a Discone or a ScanTenna for example - your range will increase quite a bit over having a similar antenna indoors or even in an apartment. This thread addresses this issue...

How Far can I Receive?

73 Mike

KE4ZNR · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:42 PM

Welcome to Radioreference.com!

Good to have you join us. Mike has some great links above plus check out your local state forum as there is probably someone around you that can help you get that 996xt tweaked for your area.
Feel free to also read over the Uniden Forum as well.
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR

wayne_h · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 11:00 PM

Okay, I mixed my forums up. Sorry about that. I've put the thread back where it's supposed to be.

MPSCS · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2009, 11:14 PM

Most high-end computers still come with serial ports. You can also buy PCI cards with serial ports on them. The scanners haven't changed, GRE's PCR-500/600, Radio Shack's PRO-106/197, and all of Uniden's digital scanners all communicate via serial ports, although some do so using a proprietary connector. The USB cable supplied with the GRE's, and Radio Shack scanners converts your USB protocols to RS232 serial protocols. The Uniden's do not require the conversion cable, and you're better off to use the serial cable if you can.

While you're waiting for your scanner to arrive, you might want to review the text tags from the data you imported from RR's database. It often requires editing so you can make sense of things while you're scanning.

dracer777 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:05 AM

Wirelessly posted (MOT-QA30/00.72 UP.Browser/7.2.7.5.610 (GUI) MMP/2.0)

Are you familiar with how dynamic memory works? I am monitoring the DTRS in Colorado, I organized mine in counties.

So I created a sys for each county, then each agency in that county. Example, Weld county system, with the appropriate sites in that county. Then weld sheriff group, weld fire group and so on for individual cities, make sense?

Also, the recommendation of reviewing text tags is a good one.

GoNavy · #10 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 06:11 PM

Thanks guys, and thank you for moving me back. I was just kidding about the rabid tech guys, as long as I know where the post is..lol...also I posted in the Arkansas forum for some one too send me their data base for Pulaski Co. so I could take a look at it in Freescan to see how it was set up, but I suppose since I am not going to use it in my scanner anyways, I guess anybodies data would work. I mostly just want to see how things are set up SQK and GQK wise, and delays names etc...I don't know if it is proper Etiquette in the scanner world to ask for someones database, if I offended anyone...excuse me, I new...lol...but post it anyway...lmao...also is it a good idea to download and save the factory stuff that comes with the scanner and merge it or what not with the new stuff I got from RR, just curious...after all I got 25000 freq storage, doubt I will run out of space. And how would you do that, since the factory presets already have Assigned tags and SQK etc...