Trouble w/ RR Database, BC246T & Software - Trunking Systems Only

[jnewell]

I am having a lot of trouble setting up good trunking systems for my BC246T when downloading from the RR database. Conventional systems - no trouble. Trunking systems uploaded by other users - no problem scanning those so I don't think it's a scanner setup issue. Problem occurs with ARC246, FreeScan and BCTool. It's gotta be user error but I cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong. Any suggestions would be more than welcome.

[ka3jjz]

<sigh> You might begin by describing what the problem is. No one can help without that information. 73 Mike

[jnewell]

Sorry - the file that results from the download looks fine and uploads fine but when scanned produces no hits. It's as if the wrong cc freqs are there. I have fiddled around manually and I can get results by inputing ccs, but as downloaded from the database the cc freqs appear to be wrong. This occurs whether or not the "cc only" box is checked in the RR database input form in ARC246. Similar results occur with FreeScan and BCTool.

[ka3jjz]

It sounds like you have not allocated any group quick keys for the groups that contain talkgroups. They must be both allocated and enabled. This is a very common mistake; so much so a question in the DMA FAQ in our wiki is devoted to it.

In FreeScan, at the group level, use the 'quick key' pulldown (or use the 'find free' button to its right) to assign a quick key for that group. Do this for every group in the system. Then when you are done doing that to every group in your system, go to the system level and make sure those keys are checked in the 'TGID Group Quick Key Enable/Disable' area. Uncheck those group quick keys that are unused (no sense having them allocated when there's no groups to use them) . Of course, I'm assuming here that you have a system quick key allocated and enabled, and that you can hear the CC well.

If this doesn't work out, let us know what system you are trying to hear. Go to the database (top blue toolbar) and supply the URL. Take your FreeScan file and zip(compress) it, then attach it so we can all take a look. Sometimes this is the easiest way to determine the problem.

You can also check with other users in your state forum to see if a new CC or CCs are being used. If so have the database updated, then update your trunked frequencies at the site screen. It's certainly a possibility 73 Mike

[AlabamaRS]

also they need to be a premium member?

[ka3jjz]

Yep, you're right, that too. Jnewell, what Alabama is talking about is described on this link - this is a must to use the RRDB to program your scanner...

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/subscription/

73 Mike

[jnewell]

Negative on the membership. I am a premium subscriber so I have access to the database but due to a computer issue I'm subscribed under a different user ID so it doesn't show up here. I am fiddling around with the quick key issue - that might be the problem. The funny thing is that it doesn't say "nothing to scan" - it just rolls through ID scan messages.

[ka3jjz]

Yes the 396 would say 'ID Scan' because that's the scan mode you've selected. To test whether you are receiving the system and have the right CCs, switch to ID Search mode (while scanning the trunk system, FUNC+SCAN). You should start seeing IDs (no alpha tags, of course) on your screen

73 Mike

[StevieD]

This sounds like the same problem i have with my radio which is a 996t i used the database for minnesota from here using bctool have the state programed in but not getting any hits even if i put it to id search i do have quick key assinged to the sites but not the TGIDS so may be thats what i need to do to mine unless some one has another idea. Cause i'm using BCtool instead of FreeScan but i do have both on my computer.Oh by the way i have 1system with quick keys assigned & 20 groups and 1037 channels