396xt programming/operating questions

[W8GFF]

I'm unable to make the startup keys bring up the proper system on my 396xt. Trying to get a conventional system with aircraft frequencies work and NOT scan the trunking systems. I follow the procedure of holding down the desired startup key with the power button but I keep getting the trunking system.

I'm a total newbie with the 396xt. I purchased it because the Navy Blue Angels use it for putting radio transmissions over the sound system at air shows. Its sensitivity on military UHF frequencies is far better than the Radio Shack Pro96.

Anyway, I purchased the 396xt and have used Freescan and ARC-XT software to program the unit. I programmed aviation frequencies into the unit using Freescan but had trouble finding compatible files for police/fire/public service. I was able to get downloads for Hamilton County, Ohio (Cincinnati) frequencies from Radio Reference and successfully used ARC-XT to get them on the 396. The conventional systems - aviation frequencies - have programmed over from the radio to ARC-XT without difficulty.

Any help would be appreciated very much!

Rob

 

[UPMan]

Did you assign the trunking systems to a startup key other than the one the conventional is on?

If you did not assign them to a startup key, their scan status will not be affected by startup key operation (i.e. if they were on, they'll still be on; if they were off, they'll still be off).

 

[W8GFF]

396xt issue

Thanks for the quick reply. I assigned 5 conventional systems, all aircraft frequencies, to startup keys 1-5. Startup key 6 is for the Hamilton County, Ohio/Cincinnati trunking systems. If I hold down 4 and the power buttons, I initially get the aircraft frequencies I want but then it immediately goes to the trunking system. How do I turn that off? I don't see a lockout option for the entire system. That would be easy. What am I overlooking?

This is a great radio but I just need to get a grip on how to run it! I certainly like it better than the Pro96.

Rob

 

[UPMan]

The Hamilton County system should be locked out when you hold down anything other than 6 during startup. Are you sure all the sites are set to 6 and you don't have a duplicate system in there?

F+L/O, L/O while on a system/site locks it out (but that doesn't fix the root problem...).

 

[W8GFF]

The Hamilton County system should be locked out when you hold down anything other than 6 during startup. Are you sure all the sites are set to 6 and you don't have a duplicate system in there?

F+L/O, L/O while on a system/site locks it out (but that doesn't fix the root problem...).

Ahhhh - I think you've got it. I had a startup key of #6 for the system but I didn't expand the "sites" folder. When I did that there were 2 sites and I had not assigned startup keys for them. I just assigned them in the software, and then uploaded the changes to the scanner. That seems to have done the trick!

Thanks a ton. I am sure I'll have more questions. I appreciate your help. I'm an air show announcer and will be using this radio all over the country.

Regards,

Rob
W8GFF
Air Show Announcer
robreiderdotcom

 

[W8GFF]

UPMan - Thanks so much for the help. Now that I am up and running pretty well, I have a question regarding quick keys for groups in a trunking or conventional system.

If I am in a system and want to assign quick keys for a group, will those quick keys operate ONLY in that group or will they take me to the quick key that I have already assigned to a system?

I am truly liking this scanner.

Rob

 

[RoninJoliet]

"GROUP" QKeys operate (off-on) groups within a "SYSTEM-Site only, SYSTEM-SITE QKeys turn on and off Systems only=0-10, then pressing .no then 11-100...You must be scanning the system then press F+group# to turn the groups on or off....