Just bot new 396t scanner. Now what?

[newbiescanner]

OK so do I need to take this scanner in to get programmed? This is my first scanner. I live in Davidson county. I cant hook it up to my laptop because their is no connection other than usb on my laptop. Is their another type of link in need? Thanks for any help, ready to play with my new toy!!

[redhelmet13]

Obtain a USB to serial adapter so you can use the serial cable to program the radio.
(I use the same get up to program my radio).


Good luck, you will succeed.

[troymail]

Originally Posted by newbiescanner

OK so do I need to take this scanner in to get programmed? This is my first scanner. I live in Davidson county. I cant hook it up to my laptop because their is no connection other than usb on my laptop. Is their another type of link in need? Thanks for any help, ready to play with my new toy!!

It's easier with software but all is not lost -- I assume you want to listen to Davidson County Public Safety (trunked system):

Turn the radio on
Hit the MENU button (lower half of the black pad of the left side)
"Program System" should be displayed
Press E/yes (enter)
Using the knob on top, scroll to "New System" and press E/yes (enter)
Scroll to "MOT" and press enter
Scroll to "800Mhz Standard" and press enter
Confirm by hitting enter
**for now, leave the name as "System XX" - just remember the system name (you can change it later)
Scroll to "Set Frequencies" and press enter
"New Frequency" should be displayed - press enter

NOTE: ** you are now entering the system control frequencies **
NOTE: ** RadioReference lists 4 of them ***

enter 856.4875 and press enter
the display should now say "Edit Frequency" ... ignore that...
Press the MENU (side button) to go back to enter the next frequency
Scroll to "New Frequency" and press enter

enter 856.7125 and press enter
the display should now say "Edit Frequency" ... ignore that...
Press the MENU (side button) to go back to enter the next frequency
Scroll to "New Frequency" and press enter

enter 856.9875 and press enter
the display should now say "Edit Frequency" ... ignore that...
Press the MENU (side button) to go back to enter the next frequency
Scroll to "New Frequency" and press enter

enter 857.2625 and press enter
the display should now say "Edit Frequency" ... ignore that...
Press the MENU (side button) to go back to enter the next frequency
Scroll to "New Frequency" and press enter

Press the MENU (side button) to go back as if to enter the next frequency

Press the MENU (side button) to go back

Display should now say "Set Frequencies"

Scroll up to "Edit Sys Option" and press enter

"Set Quick Key" should be displayed... press enter

Scroll and select the Quick Key value you want to use for this system (say, for example, 5) and press enter.

Press scan (the new system should automatically be "active" but if it's not, press the 5 key on the keypad to activate it.)

The 2nd line of the display should scroll the message "ID SEARCH" or "ID SCAN" ... since you haven't programmed any "talkgroup ids", you must be in "ID SEARCH" mode. If the display says "ID SCAN", press the SCAN button a couple of times until the display reads "ID SEARCH"...

As new TGIDs pop up, I think you can hit E/yes (enter) to save them on memory ...

If you're already past this point... it was fun anyway...

[ka3jjz]

Whether you program it with software, or do it by hand, as above, you should understand why and how things work the way they do, particularly with this new breed of scanner. Bookmark this page, as it will get you started on understanding concepts like trunking (anything in blue is a link) and, perhaps most important, at the bottom there are links to the 'easier to read' manual series - these are, by all accounts, a lot easier to read and understand then the Uniden manuals...

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

73s Mike

[troymail]

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

Whether you program it with software, or do it by hand, as above, you should understand why and how things work the way they do, particularly with this new breed of scanner. Bookmark this page, as it will get you started on understanding concepts like trunking (anything in blue is a link) and, perhaps most important, at the bottom there are links to the 'easier to read' manual series - these are, by all accounts, a lot easier to read and understand then the Uniden manuals...

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

73s Mike

Yep -- Mike is correct... However, I've always found that a step-by-step tutorial goes a long way to helping to improve the understand of basic usage and can help to lower the frustration level... user's manuals are helpful if you want detailed information on just about everything but they can easily overwhelm the novice user who is excited about getting up and running.

The bottoom line is that you can expect to have everything explained for you so the user's manual (and as some would say - "the wiki") is (are) your friend(s)....

It's cool these days that you can get your hands on so much information (like the user's manual) before you actually get your new toy in hand (and you need it!)

[wannabescannist]

Sometimes I'm amazed with how much people want to program a scanner by software or have someone else do it for them. I know it's just personal preference, but it makes me think maybe scanners should be made with only one or two buttons. I personally have never used software to program any of the scanners I own. Only time I'll use software is if I can replicate the software's actions manually.

[troymail]

Originally Posted by wannabescannist

Sometimes I'm amazed with how much people want to program a scanner by software or have someone else do it for them. I know it's just personal preference, but it makes me think maybe scanners should be made with only one or two buttons. I personally have never used software to program any of the scanners I own. Only time I'll use software is if I can replicate the software's actions manually.

Hmmmmm..... you are a glutton (sp?) for punishment.... there's only so much of that I could take... when I got my PSR500, I started entering systems and VERY quickly got tired of the keystrokes required to alpha tag the talkgroups etc... mostly because my fat fingers were over the tiny little buttons where the labels are...

Last night, I downloaded the data for about 18 Maryland systems with Don Starr's Win500 and installed all of it in my PSR500 in about 20 minutes....

EDIT: I've thought about starting a business loaded data into scanners... using software like this I could make a killing!

[wannabescannist]

Who needs alpha tags? I like memorizing IDs/frequencies. I do, however use text-tags, but keep the tags very short. The 396 text-entry is a PITA, but with the Pro97, it's like typing on a keyboard. Even in my cellphone's address book, I only store initials or no name at all. Makes me use my brain more.

Don't wanna divert the discussion into programming manually vs. software, newbiescanner, but I'll just end saying that I think you get a lot more out of your scanner when you are able to control it, as opposed to software. And since you just bought it, means you haven't even given manual programming a shot!

[troymail]

Originally Posted by wannabescannist

Who needs alpha tags? I like memorizing IDs/frequencies. I do, however use text-tags, but keep the tags very short. The 396 text-entry is a PITA, but with the Pro97, it's like typing on a keyboard. Even in my cellphone's address book, I only store initials or no name at all. Makes me use my brain more.

Don't wanna divert the discussion into programming manually vs. software, newbiescanner, but I'll just end saying that I think you get a lot more out of your scanner when you are able to control it, as opposed to software. And since you just bought it, means you haven't even given manual programming a shot!

I agree for the most part -- as with everything else, it usually comes down to user preferences....

...and now back to our program (ooh, a pun!).

[newbiescanner]

Thanks for all the quick responses guys. I was really getting no where with the Uniden manual. I kind of agree with the guy above and would like to manually enter the frequencies. Im gonna give it a try. Thanks for the info!!!

[bg_nashville]

I do recommend entering everything manually for now. You should learn what the software is doing for you in order to fully understand it and appreciate it.

I would suggest starting slow. Don't try to conquer everything at once. Try programming the Fire and and Police Bravo TGs first. Try to group your TGs like the NFD and Metro Police do, it will be easier to jump from one TG to another manually. For my display I use NFD B1, NFD B2, etc for the fire department and B1 West, B2 East, B3 South, etc. for Police. Mastering the Metro TRS is the most complicated thing you will be challenged with in this area. Once you understand this, everything else should be easy.

You can disregard the police TGs shown for the System B (the system used by NES). Metro police have not used those TGs for months. Even then it was only for 'where are you at' and 'where do you want to meet for lunch' type of traffic.

[newbiescanner]

I have no idea what you just said. I dont know how to program the fire and police or what a TG is. I dont know how to group TGs.

The ones I program in say out of range.

[stewart00311]

newbiescanner check your private messages