BCTool Importing from RR - Organizing Systems

[fuzzymoto]

So I finally found time to start actually importing from RR into BCTool on my new 996T. The import process seems pretty straight forward and the frequencies are loading in OK. My real question is about organizing systems as I import them.

I'm trying to bring in the PA State information. http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?stid=42

As I import the info, BCTool is creating a new system on the scanner for each RR grouping. For example the Department of Conservation is broken down into two areas: DCNR Forestry and DCNR State Parks. When I import PA, each of these (DCNR Forestry & DCNR State Parks) gets created as its own system with a Group Name of "Imported." What I'd prefer is to create a System called "Department of Conservation" and have two groups in that system called DCNR Forestry and DCNR State Parks. I can certainly do this manually by moving the "Imported" group of each into a system I create, but I'm wondering if there's a way to accomplish this as part of the import without all the manual movement. Is there a way to do this in BCTool? Do any of the other software packages that import RR data just import in this manner, and/or allow you to import a full county in one shot?

Also on a non-related note...isn't there a way on the 996T to display the Alpha Tag AND frequency? I know on the 330T I have you have to enter the freq as part of the alpha-tag and.or toggle with FUNC-5...but I thought the 996 can display both and I can't find the toggle command either to show the freq when the alpha tag is displayed.

Thanks in advance....I'm learning the new scanner and software all at once...

[ka3jjz]

First, If you are using version 3 firmware for the 996, you might want to use FreeScan instead. BCTool hasn't been updated for the firmware changes yet (poor Rob has been swamped at work, but promises he will get to it over the Xmas holiday). Why can't you just change the group name? Doesn't make sense.

Anyway, I just installed version .7e of FreeScan, and used the import on the Dept of Conservation. I got 2 groups named 'DCNR Forestry' and 'DCNR State Parks' and it looks OK on the face of it. FreeScan does support version 3 firmware NOW. We host its user manual in our wiki, and you can get to it directly from FreeScan. Assaf's done a real nice job, and has created a nice package for the DMA scanners. He hasn't gotten around to recording support yet, but ID Tracker II I understand works pretty well, and it too is undergoing active development and is free.

Here's the URL for the user manual

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index...can_User_Guide

73 Mike

[fuzzymoto]

I'll try it out....so far it seems like FreeScan is better at importing. BCTool seems like an easier interface, but FreeScan it OK too. I'll test more. Any insight on the freq display question?

[ka3jjz]

Sri, as mentioned, I don't have a 996 (yet) only a 396. Throw a question in the Uniden forum and no doubt you'll get the answer, or probably even better, check the Easier to Read manual

73 Mike

[hiegtx]

Originally Posted by fuzzymoto

I'll try it out....so far it seems like FreeScan is better at importing. BCTool seems like an easier interface, but FreeScan it OK too. I'll test more. Any insight on the freq display question?

Fuzzy,
I think what you want, is to tap (or press, not hold) the large scroll knob + the '0', that toggles between display mode 1 & 2. It's on pg 5 of the downloaded manual (pdf file).

[fuzzymoto]

Thanks.....I figured it out and the setting I was looking for was in Freescan but not anywhere in BCTool...