Need some help!

[w7toc]

Hi, first I want to say thanks for any help you can offer. I have a Uniden BCD396T with the ARC396 software and live in Reno NV. I am having real trouble programming in our local trucking system. I am trying to program in the Nevada Shared Radio System an EDACS trunked radio system. I have read all the manuals more than 3 times, talked to Uniden and tried to talk to the people at Scan Master (They did not want to be bothered with my questions, even though I purchased the software from them.).

I have the system programmed in the standard/wide mode. I have Peavine Freq. 1: 855.46250 2: 856.48750 3: 858.43750 programmed in that order, LCN is 1, 2, 3. in that order. The TGID’s have been downloaded with the ARC396 interface with the Radio Reference website. I have the 396 programmed with the latest firmware.

Not locking on to any stations. I am not sure if I am missing something in the programming steps or maybe my scanner has some software issues.

Thanks again, Rick W7toc

[AlabamaRS]

Make sure EACH channel is checked (programmed) as EDACS (ED), As well as the BANKS

[radio50]

I have a BCD996T and ARC996 and am in Wisconsin, so this may not be worth a lot, but ...

"Hold" the scanning, so it stops on a freq., then listen to all three freqs and see if you hear the characteristic sound "wa-wa-wa-wa-wa" of the EDACS data control channel on one of them. If you don't hear the control "sound" on any channel, then the radio will never track the system.

Since there are only three freqs, try holding on the other freqs for a few minutes each (or longer, depending on how busy that system is), and see if you hear snippets of conversations.

This may not solve the problem, but will provide some clues.

[loumaag]

Originally Posted by AlabamaRS

Make sure EACH channel is checked (programmed) as EDACS (ED), As well as the BANKS

This is not appliable to the scanner he owns.

Originally Posted by w7toc

...I have Peavine ...

Remember, that system is really wide spread; as with all trunking systems you will only hear something on a site if there are any radios affiliated with that site. The Peavine site is a 3 channel site, so that means it is more or less a fill-in site, since one channel is tied up as the CCh all the time, leaving only two channels for any activity. That doesn't mean it doesn't get used, but the use is probably pretty infrequent. Are within range of any other sites? If so program them as a new system and either assign them to the same SQK as the first one you put in or come up with a method to assign them to SQK's that you can recognize to turn them on and off. Also, don't operate in ID Scan mode, operate in ID Search mode until you are sure you have everything working.

If you have a good understanding of trunking concepts than skip this; otherwise, read the article on Trunking Basics in the RR Wiki.

[w7toc]

I am getting the control system wa wa sound. I read the trunking basics, but read it again to make sure I did not miss something in my understanding. I have programmed other repeaters but I made mistakes like using the “paste Freq.” which changed the LCN order. So my step is to program in other repeater sites. I have enough memory to program 4 to 5 sites. I will be programming tonight, so I will let you know what happens. Thanks again for the input. Rick W7toc

[w7toc]

Success! Yea! Thanks Guys. My error was not having a clear understanding of how ACR396PRO software worked. I read the manual from start to finish about 3 times, and it covers a lot. What would have made this simpler for me would be detailed step by step procedures with data examples of real trunked systems. Also, it would be helpful to know “just the basic parameters” which need to be programmed to hear a trunked system in a step 1 and in step 2 to cover the explanation of the rest of the data parameters.

It is Street Vibrations (Harley’s and more Harley’s) this weekend and at 2:20 am the scanner is non stop with all of the problems all of the extra people are causing.

Have a great weekend. Rick W7toc

[loumaag]

Originally Posted by w7toc

Success! Yea! Thanks Guys. My error was not having a clear understanding of how ACR396PRO software worked. I read the manual from start to finish about 3 times, and it covers a lot. What would have made this simpler for me would be detailed step by step procedures with data examples of real trunked systems. Also, it would be helpful to know “just the basic parameters” which need to be programmed to hear a trunked system in a step 1 and in step 2 to cover the explanation of the rest of the data parameters.

It is Street Vibrations (Harley’s and more Harley’s) this weekend and at 2:20 am the scanner is non stop with all of the problems all of the extra people are causing.

Have a great weekend. Rick W7toc

You know, whereas I am firm believer in using software to program scanners for overall efficiency and maintenance, I am also a believer in knowing how to do it manually. There are two reasons for this; one is that it is always handy to be able to edit, or add something new to the radio when out in the field. The other (and this would have helped you here) is you can set up the basics for a small TRS site in the 396 in less than 2 minutes (I did it for your Peavine site) including naming it but not TG's. Doing this then allows you to upload from the scanner into your software to see how it set up in your software; very useful when new to the type of system or software.

Enjoy the weekend activity on the radio!

[w7toc]

Programming without the software is so important. I did try that first but had problems. My call to Uniden followed by your suggestions is what did the trick. It finally clicked in my head. When I get some free time I will do a step by step PDF manual on a real system to help other first timers.

Again, thanks for your help.

Rick W7toc

[ka3jjz]

You can look up topic 10 in this article - there's an Easier to Read manual for the 330 and 396 that might be well worth bookmarking...

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Uniden_DMA_FAQ

73s Mike