BC346xt New User Display Question

[aukland17]

My scanner was programmed by Scanner Master for my county public service, pd, etc. When I first received the scanner (2 days ago) it was scanning more frequencies than it is now. I think that when locking out a weak signal that was keeping the scanner from moving on, I may have inadvertently stopped the scanning of several of the pre-programmed frequencies. Since I'm a newbie, I'm not sure what the display was previously showing, but now, the System Number line (SO) has several * where numbers should appear. Also, I believe that numbers (1, 2, and 3) appeared alongside names of the scanned frequencies, such as NYSP, County Transit, etc. Now, no numbers appear there. How can I return the unit to scan the programmed frequencies installed by Scanner Master?
Thanks for any assistance.

 

[captclint]

You have to press lockout twice in rapid succession to permanently lock out a channel. Chances are you only hit it once, so turning off/on the scanner and would cancel any temporary lockouts. Chances are you hit Quick Keys, which would cause the scanner to skip over all frequencies/channels in the system. So here's a quick way to check that out.

1. Take note of all the numbers that show up after the "S"ytem. "S0" If you don't see an "S0', hit keys 1, 2, 3, etc to see if "S0" appears. If you do see an "S0", go to 2
2. Hit any number which has an * while scanning and see if a new system comes back.
3. Continue until all numbers 0-9 show up. This should get back most of the missing systems.
4. Next, see if you see "S1". If not, hit "." 10, and see if you now see "S1" If you do, then try "." 11, "." 12, "." 13, etc and see if any new numbers appear.
5. Repeat for S2 and enter "." 21, S3 and enter "." 31, etc

This is fairly "unscientific, but should get back some of the things you lost. There is a way to drill down the menus to see what quick keys are assigned so you know for sure, but that's for another day

 

[aukland17]

THANKS!, CaptClint. Your directions worked and I now see 9 SO numbers. I assume that the "." is the .no button, right? I tried that, but no additional numbers appeared. When I press "." and 10, I get a double beep when the zero is pressed. I now have numbers 1-9 on the SO line display. I'm not sure that I am following your directions correctly here. On the display, there is a - after the 9.
I'm still missing my county police. I know the frequencies because I receive them on an old radio shack scanner. Could you tell me how to add those frequencies to the ones Scanner Master put in so that it scans along with them?? Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it. Best Regards, Steve

 

[captclint]

I assume that the "." is the .no button, right?

Yes

I tried that, but no additional numbers appeared. When I press "." and 10, I get a double beep when the zero is pressed. I now have numbers 1-9 on the SO line display.

That means there is no 10 Quick key, so try .no button 11, 12, 13, etc. If no new numbers appear, there are no more quick keys in the range 10-19. Repeat for 20-29, etc until no new numbers appear.

I'm still missing my county police. I know the frequencies because I receive them on an old radio shack scanner. Could you tell me how to add those frequencies to the ones Scanner Master put in so that it scans along with them??

Will need to know your state, county, and any city you are near. You should read Uniden DMA and Marks Easier to Read Manual first. Basically, you will be creating a new CONVENTIONAL system and group into which you will put the things you are missing, so this is of specific importance: Programming Conventiional Systems

I like to think of a system as a main folder on my PC, and a group folder as a sub folder under the main. You will create a new system, called "local agencies", and a group folder(s) into which you will put the actual frequencies. For instance, you might have a group folder for NYSP, County Transit, Fire, one for Police, and one for EMS, or just one folder with everything in it. It really is just a matter of how organized you want to be so that you can quickly turn off and on these folders.

Another approach is to create new systems for each of these, and one group where NYSP will go, etc. The advantage of this is you can more easily turn systems on and off(like you have been doing to restore the Scanmaster stuff) with quick keys. There really is not right of wrong way to to do this.

 

[aukland17]

Thanks, CaptClint.
It looks like I have quite a bit to read! I did not find any other quick key numbers...I went up to 30.

As I watch the display showing the sites programmed by Scanner Master, I notice that there are three NY WESTCHESTER groups (I live in Westchester County, NY) and as each comes on the screen, there is a large number 1, 2, or 3, next to that title (they are all titled NY Westchester). Within each, there are various agencies, such as NYSP, NY Common Shared, and when broadcasting, various local police departments in the county. Would these large numbers be the "systems" you referenced in your letter; or "groups"?
I'll begin reading the sections you suggested...I'll probably get back to you and I do appreciate your assistance. I never realized how complicated these little scanners are.
Best regards,
Steve

 

[captclint]

As I watch the display showing the sites programmed by Scanner Master, I notice that there are three NY WESTCHESTER groups (I live in Westchester County, NY) and as each comes on the screen, there is a large number 1, 2, or 3, next to that title (they are all titled NY Westchester). Would these large numbers be the "systems" you referenced in your letter; or "groups"?

If they show up on the "S" line while the groups you mentioned show up on the GRP line as various numbers, then they are systems. I think the 1-3 in the title is simply Scanner master's way of identifying them as 3 separate and distinct systems.

 

[K7CAR]

I would suggest going to the Software section or doing a Search on this Forum for FreeScan. You'll eventually want to do programming with your computer, so software makes it a 1,000 times easier. Plus you'll be able to download the database from your scanner and keep it updated, protected and see what you actually have.