BCD396XT - Trying to understand DMA

[Rastaman147]

OK. I ordered the BCD396XT, and I know that programming this unit is not going to be the most straightforward thing I've ever attempted, so I'm trying to get a head start and learn a little bit about it while I'm waiting for it to arrive.

I have actually been researching this unit for a few weeks now, and it looks the easier-to-read manual is probably the closest I am going to come to finding something that makes any sense at all, so I have been reading that.

It seems to me that it would be much, much easier to understand if someone could just go through a step-by-step tutorial for programming one of each type of system, using actual data from the database. Then users could just follow the tutorial, plugging in their own data.

Anyway, I've been going over the steps in the easier-to-read manual for programming conventional systems and Motorola Type II Smartnet systems, trying to translate the somewhat abstract instructions into practical steps.

I've listed how I think I'm supposed to go about setting up a system for listening to police traffic, another system for fire traffic, and a system for my local PD, which is a Motorola Type II Smartnet system.

If someone familiar with the BCD396XT could just take a quick look at this and let me know how close I am to grasping the DMA concept, I would really appreciate it.


system 1 - police
group 1 - anytown PD
channel 1 - dispatch 46.00001
channel 2 - ops 46.00002
channel 3 - tac 46.00003
group 2 - some county sheriff
channel 1 - dispatch/ops/tac 46.00004
group 3 - another town PD
channel 1 - dispatch/ops/tac 46.00005

system 2 - fire
group 1 - anytown FD
channel 1 - 46.00006
group 2 - another town FD
channel 1 - 46.00007

So if I feel like listening to police, I choose system 1. If I'd rather listen to fire, I can choose system 2 or I could listen to both system 1 and system 2.

Except..... My primary interest will by my local PD and FD, which are on a Motorola Type II Smartnet system. So, do I have to set these up separately as a 3rd system?

System 3 - Trunked Local PD and FD
site 1 - MyTown System
(are the frequencies and control channels entered here ???)

group 1 (would this be a talkgroup, ex. Police 1 Law Dispacth?)
channel 1 - (I'm guessing DEC or HEX data goes here???)
group 2 (a different PD talkgroup? Police 2 Law Talk)
channel 1 - (I'm guessing DEC or HEX data goes here???)
group 3 (fire talkgroup???)
channel 1 - (I'm guessing DEC or HEX data goes here???)
group 4 (public works talkgroup???)
channel 1 - (I'm guessing DEC or HEX data goes here???)

If someone could let me know if I'm on the right track to understanding this (or not), or maybe offer any advice about a better way to set up my systems, I would definitely appreciate the help.

[mike_s104]

My suggestion, don't try to group everything as to what they are (PD, FD, EMS). Try to do them by city, county, state, ect. If the area you want to monitor has a trunked system and conventional freqs, do two systems. You can then set groups in both for PD, FD, EMS, whatever. Then, assign both the systems the same quick key number.

I would also suggest getting FreeSCAN and pay for a premium RadioReference membership that will allow you to download what you want straight from the RRDB. You'll then be able to see how it will group/sort everything.

Another great program for it it ProScan.

What area (geographical) are you wanting to monitor?

I know its a great radio but there is a huge learning curve if its your first DMA scanner. You seem to be doing your homework, so you'll figure it out soon enough.

[PVPD730]

mike_s104 has some really good suggestions there. Here's how I have my 396/996 setup using ARC-XT Pro (you can also accomplish this with Freescan)

System: ZN1 KCMO P25 (trunked P25 system)
Site: ZN1 KCMO P25 (with associated TRS freqs added)-Quick key 1
Group 1: KCP-1 Patrol (Quick key 1)
Group 2: KCP-2 Operations (Quick key 2)
Group 3: KCP-3 MCC/UMKC (Quick key 3)
Group 4: KCP-4 Aviation (Quick key 4)
Group 5: KCF-1 KCFD (Quick key 5)
Group 6: KCF-2 MARCER (Quick key 6)
Group 7: RSM-1 Riverside (Quick key 7)
Group 8: KCC Interop (Quick key 8)
Group 9: RGC Interop (Quick key 9)

System: ZN2 Clay Co P25 (trunked P25 system)
Site: ZN2 Clay Co P25 (with associated TRS freqs added) Quick key 2
Group 1: CCC-1 Sheriff (Quick key 1)
Group 2: CCC-2 Cities (Quick key 2)
Group 3: CCC-3 Gladstone (Quick key 3)
Group 4: CCC-4 NKC (Quick key 4)
Group 5: CCC-5 MARCER (Quick key 5)
Group 6: RGC Interop (Quick key 6)

System: ZN3 Platte P25 (trunked P25 system)
Site: ZN3 Platte P25 (with associate TRS freqs added) Quick key 3
Group 1: PLA-1 Sheriff N (Quick key 1)
Group 2: PLA-2 Sheriff S (Quick key 2)
Group 3: PLA-3 Fire North (Quick key 3)
Group 4: PLA-4 Fire South (Quick key 4)
Group 5: PLA-5 Riverside (Quick key 5)
Group 6: PLA-6 MARCER (Quick key 6)
Group 7: RGC Interop (Quick key 7)

System: ZN4 Clay/Platte (Conventional) Quick key 4
Group 1: Clay County (Quick key 1)
Group 2: Platte County (Quick key 2)
Group 3: MSHP Troop A (Quick key 3)
Group 4: MSHP Troop H (Quick key 4)

...and so on.

So, your "System" will be whatever trunked or conventional system you're planning to program. Your "site" will be the trunked system's name (you''ll also add the associated frequencies in here). Site is not used with conventional systems. Groups list your frequencies/alpha tags (if conventional) or talkgroups/alpha tags (if trunked). Hope that will guide you in the right direction...

[ka3jjz]

Yes, the site always contains the frequencies in a trunk system.

The links (always blue in color) in this article will help - at the bottom of this article are the links to the Easier to Read manuals...

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

Mike

[K3EP]

Rastaman - I agree with Mike S and PVP ... keep your systems set up as jurisdictions. Easier to manage. Also, I have a pattern for my groups under each system: Group 1 is always Fire & EMS, Group 2 is EMS to hospital, Group 3 & 4 and PD (some areas haev both a Sheriff and PD), Group 5 is OEM, and the rest of the groups are whatever is appropriate for that system. I do it this way so I don't have to remember what what group is what when I travel (and I travel alot). I have about 60 systems programmed; 20 or so for the DC area and another 40 or so for major cities all over the country. The 396 has a bit of a learning curve but its a great scanner.

Have fun!

[Rastaman147]

Thanks to all 4 of you -- This forum is awesome! I will take your advice and start by setting up my systems by jurisdiction the way you recommend. My goal is to set the scanner up properly, the way an experienced user would. Hopefully that results in a scanner that's easier to use.

I live in Carlisle, PA (Cumberland County). The reason why I thought it would be a good idea to create my systems by type of department is because the way I understand it, 95% of everything here is OpenSky and won't be available. All I will be able/wanting to pick up are 3 or 4 local PDs, FDs, which I am assuming will not be busy enough to keep my scanner chattering, so I figured grouping all PDs together would give me a better chance of actually hearing something when I turn on the scanner. All the departments I want to scan hopefully will be within the range of my scanner from home, and I won't need to be scanning in other areas. (strictly hobbyist -- no occupational need to use a scanner.)

But I will set it up like you guys recommend, and I will check out Freescan this evening. Thanks again for your help!

[Rastaman147]

Just wanted to say thanks again and give you guys an update. Scanner arrived tonight around 8:00pm. Following your advice, I installed Freescan and created a few different data files last night. By 9:30, i had removed the preprogrammed systems, uploaded one of my data files, and I'm up and running!

Been listening for the past hour, and really impressed. I can hear the police, EMS, and weather crystal clear, but I'm kind of disappointed that I'm not getting much more than that. I was able to get one or two very brief transmissions from the Harrisburg air traffic channel, and the scanner has paused on that channel repeatedly, but no audible transmission. I'm about 20 miles from the airport. Also live about 1 mile (maybe a little less) from I-81, and expected to pick up some CB traffic, but nothing at all. I guess I will need to start researching antennas.

Anyway, huge success -- After trying to read the Uniden online user manual a week ago, I was prepared for the worst, but I'm really pleased so far. Now, I'll have to start learning how to actually use the scanner, but should be fun.

Peace!

[PVPD730]

Originally Posted by Rastaman147

Just wanted to say thanks again and give you guys an update. Scanner arrived tonight around 8:00pm. Following your advice, I installed Freescan and created a few different data files last night. By 9:30, i had removed the preprogrammed systems, uploaded one of my data files, and I'm up and running!

Been listening for the past hour, and really impressed. I can hear the police, EMS, and weather crystal clear, but I'm kind of disappointed that I'm not getting much more than that. I was able to get one or two very brief transmissions from the Harrisburg air traffic channel, and the scanner has paused on that channel repeatedly, but no audible transmission. I'm about 20 miles from the airport. Also live about 1 mile (maybe a little less) from I-81, and expected to pick up some CB traffic, but nothing at all. I guess I will need to start researching antennas.

Anyway, huge success -- After trying to read the Uniden online user manual a week ago, I was prepared for the worst, but I'm really pleased so far. Now, I'll have to start learning how to actually use the scanner, but should be fun.

Peace!

Congrats! You've knocked out the most daunting task that comes with owning a 396...programming. Everything else is downhill from here (basics of using the scanner, etc). Have fun with the new toy!

[mike_s104]

I think the next step is getting an antenna mounted outside. You'll be surprised at the increase in traffic you'll be able to receive.

[russellmaher]

Hello Rastaman147. Welcome to RR.

Congrats on the new scanner; it sounds like you've got a grasp on it already.

mike_s104 is right on - get an outside antenna if you can and the results will make you happy.

Have fun with it...

Russell