BCD396XT/BCD996XT: BCD396XT doesn`t scan all my programmed systems at once.

[bryanp1025]

I recently bought a BCD396XT, and I`m slowly learning how to use it. I haven`t had a scanner since I owned a Pro-2005, so it`s been awhile. I have found out that scanning is not as easy as it used to be. I`m sure there are aspects of this radio that I won`t be able to or want to figure out.
I live about 10 miles south of Boston, and used Freescan to program a few different systems, like Mass State Police trunking system, Boston frequencies, MBTA freqs, Norfolk County (where I live), and Barnstable county (for when I am on Cape Cod). I have heard some Boston freqs, MBTA PD, and Norfolk County freqs close to me. I haven`t heard any MSP.
When I try to scan, only one system scans. Does this radio only scan one system at a time, or is there a way to get all of them to scan at once? Do I have to put everything under one system?
Sorry in advance for the stupid question, but a lot of this is foreign to me, and even the Easier to Read Manual isn`t that easy to find the answer I need (I did try to find this answer using the manual, Google, YouTube, etc). Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ce2576]

Your question would be better asked in this forum:

Massachusetts Radio Discussion Forum

Forum for discussing Radio Information in the State of Massachusetts.

forums.radioreference.com

There's already a thread there regarding issues hearing MSP:

Broken up crackling audio Massachusetts State Police

Hi All, I am trying to scan the Massachusetts State Police. I get audio but its all broken up. Even when I go outside its still all broken up. I have all the trunk sites programmed in. The site I believe is closet to me also has the issue. Any idea what could be causing this?

forums.radioreference.com

It looks like MSP also uses this new trunked system as well:

Commonwealth Of Massachusetts Interoperable Radio System (CoMIRS) Trunking System, Regional, Massachusetts

Commonwealth Of Massachusetts Interoperable Radio System (CoMIRS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[dmfalk]

The 395XT doesn't handle Phase II.

 

[ka3jjz]

Correct. The newer brother to the 396XT would be the 325P2 as it would handle Phase 2, but if simulcasting is involved, the SDS scanners, altho expensive, are the only game in town

MIke

 

[Enforcer52]

In both Mass State Police and CoMirs the towers are simulcast, the 396XT and the 325P2 will not work correctly on them.

You need a SDS100 for simulcast systems and the Boston Area.

 

[ka3jjz]

Skipping thru the db entry most entries are phase 1 which means older scanners would work, simulcast issues aside. If they ever decide to flip the switch on phase 2 older scanners won't deal with that. The aforementioned SDS100 and 200 would work on the simulcast sites- and not everyone is, at least from the db entry

Mike

 

[Enforcer52]

Here is a file I put together with Freescan has Mass State Police and CoMirs, with Troop A and H and Statewide channels. Also some other Boston stuff. Give it a try and see if it works. If you still are having trouble receiving or the channels are breaking up and/or garbled, I would return the scanner if you are still within time and get a SDS100 or 200.

Unzip the file and import the Boston Area.996 file to the scanner.

Let us know if it works or still having problems.

 

[bryanp1025]

I bought the scanner used so there is no returning it. But it works fine.
I know MSP is planning to switch to phase 2, but I wasn`t sure if it happened yet. If they did, that explains it. Everything else in my area is analog with a couple of conventional P25 channels like Holbrook PD. Quincy PD is trunked and doesn`t come in at all. Maybe it`s phase2? Quincy fire is on analog and comes in fine.
My other question about the 396XT is why can I only scan one system at a time? If I scan Norfolk County, it doesn`t scan Barnstable County, or Boston channels. Is it because I have them on different systems?

 

[Enforcer52]

You would have to post your program file (zip it first) and let someone take a look at it.

 

[wtp]

brycnp1025, i sent a PM to you. look to the top right of this post.

 

[bryanp1025]

You would have to post your program file (zip it first) and let someone take a look at it.

Thanks. I checked out your program and it`s pretty much the same program I already have. But, I deleted mine and installed yours anyway.

 

[Enforcer52]

I checked out your program and it`s pretty much the same program I already have. But, I deleted mine and installed yours anyway.

Was there any difference once you loaded it. If not then simulcast is probably your problem.

 

[bryanp1025]

Was there any difference once you loaded it. If not then simulcast is probably your problem.

I`ll let you know. I haven`t given it a listen yet.