Programming for BCD996XT, Halifax Co, VA

kb4eya · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 10:47 AM

Hello,

I am new to this and just purchased a new BCD996XT. I hope to have it by middle of next week 2/6/2013.
Does anyone have programming saved that cam be loaded into my scanner without me having to manually create all of this. I have a local dealer who wants $60 to do this but it seems a bit pricey to me.

Thanks for any help provided.

Best Regards,
Barry

captclint · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb4eya

I am new to this and just purchased a new BCD996XT. I have a local dealer who wants $60 to do this but it seems a bit pricey to me.

The best way to do this is to get free programming software. which will allow you to download all your local frequencies from this site. This will set up most all of the trunking and conventional systems, including any talkgroups. Even if someone gave you a file, it would soon be out of date, and you would have to add them manually. Get the program here: FreeSCAN. You may also need a programming cable. programming cable

kb4eya · #3 (**permalink**) 02-04-2013, 8:22 PM

Ok, I have ordered my bcd996xt scanner. I have downloaded Freescan and installed it. I have joined the Premium service with Radio Reference. I have tried several times to download or import frequencies so I will be ready to program my local freq into my scanner when it arrives, but Freescan wont connect to Radio Reference to import. What am I doing wrong? I can close the program and logon to Radio Refernce with no problems. Help !!

Barry in Lynchburg, VA

captclint · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2013, 8:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb4eya

Freescan won't connect to Radio Reference to import.

Often, it is CAPS on or other typo with user ID/PW. Sometimes it is firewall..try disabling it. Are choosing Conventional RR or Trunked? What is the error msg after you hit connect?

ka3jjz · #5 (**permalink**) 02-05-2013, 10:01 AM

You didn't mention whether you had a USB cable, and had loaded the drivers before plugging the cable in. There is also a setup procedure on the scanner that takes care of allocating the ports and setting the speed. The procedure is summarized here...

Freescan - Connecting Scanner to PC - The RadioReference Wiki

and the article for the USB connection, and how to use Windoze Device Manager...

Connecting scanners via USB - The RadioReference Wiki

Also make sure that the control channel output is off. If it's on, FS cannot connect to the scanner. I don't have a XT scanner, so I don't know which of the menus has this....

HTH...Mike

kb4eya · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2013, 8:38 PM

CaptClint,

Thanks for the reply. You were correct in that my firewall was blocking the connection. I turned the firewall off and FreeScan was immediately able to connect.

Ka3jjz,

Likewise , thanks for the suggestions. I did not even have the scanner when I was testing. I was simply trying download programming for when it arrives. It came today, so I have some reading to do now.

Thanks...Barry