Need Help BCD996P2

I'm trying to upload Butler County, Ohio MARCS IP to the scanner. I can get the information from this site downloaded into the scanner and after programming it just says trying to find control channel. Any help appreciated

Thanks

Jim

You have either got the control channel locked out or you are out of range of that site.

Doesn't appear that the channel is locked. I am literally on the border to this county with a tower not to far away. Guess I'm just really lost!

klemj4805 said:

I'm trying to upload Butler County, Ohio MARCS IP to the scanner. I can get the information from this site downloaded into the scanner and after programming it just says trying to find control channel. Any help appreciated

Thanks

Jim

Click to expand...

Try programming the control channel in as a conventional frequency and see if you can hear it.

Mike

A couple of other possibilities (some remote):

If there is a Quick Key for the site(s), it could be disabled.

Your antenna could be disconnected, or not firmly seated.

They may be using a frequency for the control channel that isn't marked as a control channel in the database and therefore was not downloaded during programming.

The site(s) may otherwise not be correctly programmed. (A lot of little things are involved, any of which could be an issue).

As a rule "Finding Control Channel" means you are holding on a talkgroup/system and the scanner is not receiving control channel data.

I had the exact same problem, turned out I was experiencing simulcast multipath distortion see here:

Simulcast digital distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

The solution for me was to use a directional antenna

I have never known simulcast distortion to cause a "finding control channel" situation but I guess it is possible. Butler County does use a 15 site simulcast system.

Anytime the scanner cannot decode the control channel, it says "finding control channel". Yes, any interference including simulcast distortion could cause it.

klemj4805 said:

Doesn't appear that the channel is locked. I am literally on the border to this county with a tower not to far away. Guess I'm just really lost!

Click to expand...

Do you have the alternate CC's loaded as well as the main CC?
What is your squelch setting?
What type of antenna are you using?
These all affect how the scanner will receive the signal.
Larry