ARC250, BC296D, and Bandplans

DaveNF2G · #1 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 09:29 AM

I don't know whether the problem is in the software or the scanner.

I can't get my 296 programmed with both AM frequencies in the 138-144 military band and 7.5 kHz split channels on VHF at the same time.

(One specific example is 154.570 MHz, a legitimate business channel. The scanner rounds it to 154.5725 because there is a "guard band" of more than one full channel between two segments of VHF high band in the FCC allocations.)

Is there a way to get the 296 to accept frequency input from ARC250 uncritically - no rounding, no error checking, just take what's entered?

Alternatively, is there some written guidance somewhere on editing the bandplan text file. I can understand the default file, but will it take additional subband designations?

Thanks for any help.

Butelsoftware · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNF2G

(One specific example is 154.570 MHz, a legitimate business channel. The scanner rounds it to 154.5725 because there is a "guard band" of more than one full channel between two segments of VHF high band in the FCC allocations.)

Change the step to 5 kHz. The step must 'match' the frequency else the scanner rounds to nearest step.
In the ARC250 software setup there are several options to change the software behaviour.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

DaveNF2G · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 10:07 PM

That's what I've had to do as a workaround, but in terms of searching and other functions, it's not acceptable. The VHF band is not allocated in 5 kHz steps, it is now in 7.5 kHz steps.

By the way, how come none of the current scanner models offer 15 kHz stepping on VHF, even though that's been the standard in the Western Hemisphere for decades? (Not really an ARC*96 question, I know.)

Can I create a "custom bandplan" - one of the options in the software - by directly editing the bandplan.txt file? If so, what are the acceptable parameters, particularly for designating frequency ranges? Can I just throw in any dividing points that I want to use? Do they have to be at whole MHz intervals, or can I set up subbands?

Butelsoftware · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 04:43 AM

The newer Uniden models are not that 'picky' anymore. Older models the step must match the frequency else the freq is rounded. newer models do not have a step setting anymore.

The bandplan format is:

FRfff.fff MDm STs

'fff.fff frequency 410.010
'm=: ( MD ) 0=FM 1=WFM 2=AM 3=NFM
's=: ( ST ) 0=5.0 1=7.5 2=10.0 3=12.5 4=25.0 5=50.0 6=100.0

You can use any frequency as long as it is in range of the scanner.

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

DaveNF2G · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 09:11 AM

Thanks, Gommert. When I get a chance later I will create a new bandplan and see if I can get the results I need. If I do, I'll post my bandplan file here.

DaveNF2G · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 08:23 PM

I have figured out how to solve the 154.570 MHz problem using ARC250 on my BC296D. Here is my bandplan.dat file:

FR25 MD2 ST0
FR29.3 MD0 ST0
FR30 MD0 ST2
FR88 MD1 ST6
FR108 MD2 ST4
FR144 MD0 ST2
FR145.8 MD0 ST0
FR146.4 MD0 ST1
FR148 MD0 ST3
FR151 MD0 ST1
FR154.57 MD0 ST0
FR154.65 MD0 ST1
FR162 MD0 ST3
FR225 MD2 ST4
FR380 MD0 ST3
FR420 MD3 ST3
FR944 MD1 ST5

'mode: ( MD ) 0=FM 1=WFM 2=AM 3=NFM
'step: ( ST ) 0=5.0 1=7.5 2=10.0 3=12.5 4=25.0 5=50.0 6=100.0

Note that my setup leaves AM as the default mode from the VHF air band all the way up to 144 MHz so I get military aircraft in the 138-144 subband. If you want to receive FM in that range instead, then you should insert the following line after the one that starts with "FR108"

FR138 MD0 ST3

Also, the third line from the last changes the default mode for the old upper military air band to FM so you can monitor the new UHF base systems that are being deployed.

DaveNF2G · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 08:27 PM

While I'm at it, here is a search.txt file for ARC250 that reflects post-rebanding frequency divisions, among other things.

ARC780 SEARCH DATA FILE
Format: START,STOP,MODE,STEP,TAG Example: 88,108,WFM,100,FM Broadcast
Max. 200 lines
29,29.2,AM,5,Ham 10m AM
29.3,29.51,FM,5,Ham 10m SAT
29.6,29.7,FM,10,Ham 10m FM
30,50,FM,5,VHF Low Band
52,54,FM,5,Ham 6m FM
108,117.975,AM,25,Navaids
118,128.175,AM,25,ATC A
128.2,132,AM,25,ARINC
132,135.975,AM,25,ATC B
136,136.975,AM,25,VHF Air Expansion
137,144,AM,25,VHF Military
137,144,FM,12.5,VHF Federal A
144.3,144.5,FM,5,Ham 2m SAT A
145.11,145.59,FM,10,Ham 2m FM-lo
145.8,146,FM,5,Ham 2m SAT B
146.4,147.57,FM,7.5,Ham 2m FM-hi
148,151,FM,12.5,VHF Federal B
151,160.2,FM,7.5,VHF High Band
160.215,161.565,FM,7.5,Railroad
225,379.975,AM,25,UHF Military
380,420,NFM,12.5,UHF Federal
420,429.975,NFM,25,420
420.0125,429.9875,NFM,25,420 Splinter
435,438,FM,12.5,Ham 70cm SAT
442,449.975,FM,12.5,Ham 70cm FM
450,459.975,NFM,25,450
450.0125,459.9875,NFM,25,450 Splinter
451,451.975,NFM,25,451
451.0125,451.9875,NFM,25,451 Splinter
452,452.975,NFM,25,452
452.0125,452.9875,NFM,25,452 Splinter
453,453.975,NFM,25,453
453.0125,453.9875,NFM,25,453 Splinter
454,454.975,NFM,25,454
454.0125,454.9875,NFM,25,454 Splinter
455,455.975,NFM,25,455
455.0125,455.9875,NFM,25,455 Splinter
456,456.975,NFM,25,456
456.0125,456.9875,NFM,25,456 Splinter
457,457.975,NFM,25,457
457.0125,457.9875,NFM,25,457 Splinter
458,458.975,NFM,25,458
458.0125,458.9875,NFM,25,458 Splinter
459,459.975,NFM,25,459
459.0125,459.9875,NFM,25,459 Splinter
460,460.975,NFM,25,460
460.0125,460.9875,NFM,25,460 Splinter
461,461.975,NFM,25,461
461.0125,461.9875,NFM,25,461 Splinter
462,462.975,NFM,25,462
462.0125,462.9875,NFM,25,462 Splinter
463,463.975,NFM,25,463
463.0125,463.9875,NFM,25,463 Splinter
464,464.975,NFM,25,464
464.0125,464.9875,NFM,25,464 Splinter
465,465.975,NFM,25,465
465.0125,465.9875,NFM,25,465 Splinter
466,466.975,NFM,25,466
466.0125,466.9875,NFM,25,466 Splinter
467,467.975,NFM,25,467
467.0125,467.9875,NFM,25,467 Splinter
468,468.975,NFM,25,468
468.0125,468.9875,NFM,25,468 Splinter
469,469.975,NFM,25,469
469.0125,469.9875,NFM,25,469 Splinter
470,511.975,NFM,25,T-Band
470.0125,511.9875,NFM,25,T-Band Splinter
851,853.9875,NFM,12.5,NPSPAC
854.0125,854.7375,NFM,25,PS/CII
854.7625,854.9375,NFM,25,B/ILT
854.9625,854.9875,NFM,25,PS
855.0125,855.1875,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.2125,855.2375,NFM,25,PS
855.2625,855.4375,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.4625,855.4875,NFM,25,PS
855.5125,855.6875,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.7125,855.7375,NFM,25,PS
855.7625,855.9375,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.9625,856.0875,NFM,25,PS
856.1125,856.1875,NFM,25,SMR
856.2125,856.2625,NFM,25,PS
856.2875,856.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
856.4375,856.4875,NFM,25,PS
856.5125,856.6875,NFM,25,SMR
856.7125,856.7625,NFM,25,PS
856.7875,856.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
856.9375,857.0875,NFM,25,PS
857.1125,857.1875,NFM,25,SMR
857.2125,857.2625,NFM,25,PS
857.2875,857.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
857.4375,857.4875,NFM,25,PS
857.5125,857.6875,NFM,25,SMR
857.7125,857.7625,NFM,25,PS
857.7875,857.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
857.9375,858.0875,NFM,25,PS
858.1125,858.1875,NFM,25,SMR
858.2125,858.2625,NFM,25,PS
858.2875,858.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
858.4375,858.4875,NFM,25,PS
858.5125,858.6875,NFM,25,SMR
858.7125,858.7625,NFM,25,PS
858.7875,858.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
858.9375,858.9875,NFM,25,PS
859.0125,859.1875,NFM,25,SMR
859.2125,859.2625,NFM,25,PS
859.2875,859.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
859.4375,859.4875,NFM,25,PS
859.5125,859.6875,NFM,25,SMR
859.7125,859.7625,NFM,25,PS
859.7875,859.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
859.9375,859.9875,NFM,25,PS
860.0125,860.2625,NFM,25,EXPANSION SMR
860.2875,860.4125,NFM,25,EXPANSION B/ILT
860.4375,860.7625,NFM,25,EXPANSION SMR
860.7875,860.9125,NFM,25,EXPANSION B/ILT
860.9375,860.9875,NFM,25,EXPANSION SMR
860.0125,861.9875,NFM,25,GUARD
862.0125,868.9875,NFM,25,ESMR
902,928.9875,NFM,12.5,Ham 33cm
935,944,NFM,25,900
935.0125,943.9875,NFM,25,900 Splinter

I split the 12.5 kHz spaced UHF bands and do the alternating frequencies at 25 kHz spacing for faster searching and fewer false hits on adjacent channels. You can cut the extra lines out and change the spacing to 12.5 if you want fewer search ranges.

DaveNF2G · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 09:55 PM

After doing a little more research in Part 90, I have updated by ARC250 bandplan file so it looks like this:

FR25 MD2 ST0
FR29.3 MD0 ST0
FR30 MD0 ST2
FR88 MD1 ST6
FR108 MD2 ST4
FR144 MD0 ST2
FR145.8 MD0 ST0
FR146.4 MD0 ST1
FR148 MD0 ST3
FR151 MD0 ST1
FR154.515 MD0 ST0
FR154.65 MD0 ST1
FR161.575 MD0 ST3
FR225 MD2 ST4
FR380 MD0 ST3
FR420 MD3 ST3
FR944 MD1 ST5

DaveNF2G · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 09:57 PM

This new version of the ARC250 search file reflects Parts 90.20 and 90.35 better:

29,29.2,AM,5,Ham 10m AM
29.3,29.51,FM,5,Ham 10m SAT
29.6,29.7,FM,10,Ham 10m FM
30,50,FM,5,VHF Low Band
52,54,FM,5,Ham 6m FM
108,117.975,AM,25,Navaids
118,128.175,AM,25,ATC A
128.2,132,AM,25,ARINC
132,135.975,AM,25,ATC B
136,136.975,AM,25,VHF Air Expansion
137,144,AM,25,VHF Military
137,144,FM,12.5,VHF Federal A
144.3,144.5,FM,5,Ham 2m SAT A
145.11,145.59,FM,10,Ham 2m FM-lo
145.8,146,FM,5,Ham 2m SAT B
146.4,147.57,FM,7.5,Ham 2m FM-hi
148,151,FM,12.5,VHF Federal B
151,154.505,FM,7.5,VHF High Band A
154.515,154.64,FM,5,VHF High Band B
154.65,160.2,FM,7.5,VHF High Band C
160.215,161.565,FM,7.5,Railroad
161.575,174,FM,12.5,VHF Federal C
225,379.975,AM,25,UHF Military
380,420,NFM,12.5,UHF Federal
420,429.975,NFM,25,420
420.0125,429.9875,NFM,25,420 Splinter
435,438,FM,12.5,Ham 70cm SAT
442,449.975,FM,12.5,Ham 70cm FM
450,459.975,NFM,25,450
450.0125,459.9875,NFM,25,450 Splinter
451,451.975,NFM,25,451
451.0125,451.9875,NFM,25,451 Splinter
452,452.975,NFM,25,452
452.0125,452.9875,NFM,25,452 Splinter
453,453.975,NFM,25,453
453.0125,453.9875,NFM,25,453 Splinter
454,454.975,NFM,25,454
454.0125,454.9875,NFM,25,454 Splinter
455,455.975,NFM,25,455
455.0125,455.9875,NFM,25,455 Splinter
456,456.975,NFM,25,456
456.0125,456.9875,NFM,25,456 Splinter
457,457.975,NFM,25,457
457.0125,457.9875,NFM,25,457 Splinter
458,458.975,NFM,25,458
458.0125,458.9875,NFM,25,458 Splinter
459,459.975,NFM,25,459
459.0125,459.9875,NFM,25,459 Splinter
460,460.975,NFM,25,460
460.0125,460.9875,NFM,25,460 Splinter
461,461.975,NFM,25,461
461.0125,461.9875,NFM,25,461 Splinter
462,462.975,NFM,25,462
462.0125,462.9875,NFM,25,462 Splinter
463,463.975,NFM,25,463
463.0125,463.9875,NFM,25,463 Splinter
464,464.975,NFM,25,464
464.0125,464.9875,NFM,25,464 Splinter
465,465.975,NFM,25,465
465.0125,465.9875,NFM,25,465 Splinter
466,466.975,NFM,25,466
466.0125,466.9875,NFM,25,466 Splinter
467,467.975,NFM,25,467
467.0125,467.9875,NFM,25,467 Splinter
468,468.975,NFM,25,468
468.0125,468.9875,NFM,25,468 Splinter
469,469.975,NFM,25,469
469.0125,469.9875,NFM,25,469 Splinter
470,511.975,NFM,25,T-Band
470.0125,511.9875,NFM,25,T-Band Splinter
851,853.9875,NFM,12.5,NPSPAC
854.0125,854.7375,NFM,25,PS/CII
854.7625,854.9375,NFM,25,B/ILT
854.9625,854.9875,NFM,25,PS
855.0125,855.1875,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.2125,855.2375,NFM,25,PS
855.2625,855.4375,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.4625,855.4875,NFM,25,PS
855.5125,855.6875,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.7125,855.7375,NFM,25,PS
855.7625,855.9375,NFM,25,B/ILT
855.9625,856.0875,NFM,25,PS
856.1125,856.1875,NFM,25,SMR
856.2125,856.2625,NFM,25,PS
856.2875,856.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
856.4375,856.4875,NFM,25,PS
856.5125,856.6875,NFM,25,SMR
856.7125,856.7625,NFM,25,PS
856.7875,856.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
856.9375,857.0875,NFM,25,PS
857.1125,857.1875,NFM,25,SMR
857.2125,857.2625,NFM,25,PS
857.2875,857.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
857.4375,857.4875,NFM,25,PS
857.5125,857.6875,NFM,25,SMR
857.7125,857.7625,NFM,25,PS
857.7875,857.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
857.9375,858.0875,NFM,25,PS
858.1125,858.1875,NFM,25,SMR
858.2125,858.2625,NFM,25,PS
858.2875,858.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
858.4375,858.4875,NFM,25,PS
858.5125,858.6875,NFM,25,SMR
858.7125,858.7625,NFM,25,PS
858.7875,858.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
858.9375,858.9875,NFM,25,PS
859.0125,859.1875,NFM,25,SMR
859.2125,859.2625,NFM,25,PS
859.2875,859.4125,NFM,25,B/ILT
859.4375,859.4875,NFM,25,PS
859.5125,859.6875,NFM,25,SMR
859.7125,859.7625,NFM,25,PS
859.7875,859.9125,NFM,25,B/ILT
859.9375,859.9875,NFM,25,PS
860.0125,860.2625,NFM,25,EXPANSION SMR
860.2875,860.4125,NFM,25,EXPANSION B/ILT
860.4375,860.7625,NFM,25,EXPANSION SMR
860.7875,860.9125,NFM,25,EXPANSION B/ILT
860.9375,860.9875,NFM,25,EXPANSION SMR
860.0125,861.9875,NFM,25,GUARD
862.0125,868.9875,NFM,25,ESMR
902,928.9875,NFM,12.5,Ham 33cm
935,944,NFM,25,900
935.0125,943.9875,NFM,25,900 Splinter