BC246T not scanning trunking

gregmk · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 08:30 AM

I bought a refurbished BC246T from Uniden and used radio reference to program local San Bernardino trunking frequencies into it. The scanner appears to be scanning them, but never picks anything up. However, if I hit the Hold button and manually go through the frequencies using the scroll button, I pick up all kinds of activity. Any idea why this might be?

LEH · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 09:57 AM

Greg,

Just checking, but when you entered the frequencies, did you set the system up as a MOT and not any other system type?

Basically a NEW system
Select MOT
Select 800 standard (unless the DB says the system is a splinter system)

If you don't set the system up as a trunked system it will not receive.

If this isn't the problem, then you may want to provide a bit more detail on what you did.

Also check out some conventional systems and see how they work.

gregmk · #3 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 10:22 AM

I did set it up as a Motorola type II system as required. Also, conventional systems appear to scan well. I read another post on here where someone else had a similar problem, although his was intermittent. He ended up sending it back to the factory and when he got it back, it was fine. I've been so frustrated with this that I'm thinking sending it back might be the best bet. If it's a scanner problem, I might have been spinning my wheels for weeks fooling with it.

gregmk · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 10:30 AM

One thought I had... Radio Reference database lists the trunking type as MOT type II 800Mhz Smartnet. Is that the same as MOT type II 800Mhz Standard? Arc246 doesn't have Smartnet as an option. Nor did I see Smartnet as a choice when manually programming the scanner.

LEH · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 12:15 PM

Greg,

Smartnet is a 'brand name' for a type of Motorla system. So you set it up correctly.

Next thing to look for is to ensure you have a control channel. Set the scanner to manual then go through the channels slowly. When you find one that sounds like a machine gun (lots of static/noise) stop and watch it. If you see ID numbers pop in and out, it is tracking.

If you don't find this, check the channels you have entered. If you miss one of the frequencies used for control, then it will not track.

gregmk · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 02:52 PM

Hey, Lynn:
I tried as you suggested, and got sound on the control channels but no ID numbers. The sound just continues with no additional information. Something's gotta be wrong here. It's just doesn't seem that complicated for this thing to work. I called Uniden and they suggested manually programming in just the trunking type and control frequencies (without the talk ID stuff), saying that the scanner is designed to scan trunking at the simplest level with just that minimal amount of information. No dice. It still appears to scan, but doesn't pick up a thing unless I hit the hold button and scroll through the control frequencies manually. Then I pick up all kinds of stuff. I'm going to send this puppy in for repairs and try again when I get it back.

LEH · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 03:39 PM

Greg,

Sounds like what needs to be done. Unless there is someone close by who might help you before you send it off.

Off the top of my head and sitting a contient away, it does sound like you have a problem child radio.

Hope they get it fixed right and that it doesn't take too long. You mentioned refurbished. Any warranty on it for operation? Might save you some money.

n2mdk · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 04:08 PM

One more thing you can do is zip your ARC246 .mem file and post it here so we can look and see if anything looks wrong.

gregmk · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 06:46 PM

I sent the scanner back to Uniden today. Crossing my fingers it'll just work next time.
thanks for your help.
Greg

gregmk · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2007, 10:47 PM

The unit came with a 90 day warranty. Two weeks left on it, which is another reason why I thought I'd better get it in the mail right away.

h4waii · #11 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 08:31 PM

I actually just had this issue with my BC246T, by default control channels are turned OFF for MOT. You need to get into SYS OPTIONS and turn C-CH to ON for the system you're scanning on.

Quite silly, I spent a little bit of time before figuring out that it was turned off and why it was not trunking properly.

Dubbin · #12 (**permalink**) 11-09-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4waii

I actually just had this issue with my BC246T, by default control channels are turned OFF for MOT. You need to get into SYS OPTIONS and turn C-CH to ON for the system you're scanning on.

Quite silly, I spent a little bit of time before figuring out that it was turned off and why it was not trunking properly.

That setting is only for the control channel only option. If he has all of the control channels programmed then it shouldn't make a difference.