BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BCD992 Programming

[donsutton]

I have the BCD996P2 and it does not use a SD card, it uses a USB cord. The sentinal software does not see the
USB . I've downloaded the drivers and latest software from Uniden website to my Windows 11 computer
abyone have an idea of wht I can try.

 

[KevinC]

Sentinel doesn’t work on that model. You’ll need one of the aftermarket programming software packages if you want to program via software.

 

[hiegtx]

I have the BCD996P2 and it does not use a SD card, it uses a USB cord. The sentinal software does not see the
USB . I've downloaded the drivers and latest software from Uniden website to my Windows 11 computer
abyone have an idea of wht I can try.

Your software choices include:
ProScan
ARCXT
And FreeScan

As the name implies, you can download and use FreeScan at no charge or fee. However, this software was abandoned by the author and no updates for many years past. Also, if, at some point, you add the upgrades for DMR and NXDN, FreeScan does not correctly handle DMR systems, and does not support NXDN at all.

ARC-XT can program this model. The “basic” version is about $40. This handles programming and a couple other things. But if you want “Virtual Control” (controlling the scanner with your PC, you have to buy the “Pro” version, about $70. ARC-XT supports Uniden XT scanners (396xt and 996xt, your 996P2, as well as the 325P3 and BCT15X.

My choice would be ProScan. The cost is $50, and that has programming, logging and recording capabilities, as well as virtual control. It supports multiple Uniden scanner models: the same ones ARCXT does, plus Uniden’s x36HP and SDS series scanners, along with a number of older models which have been discontinued quite a few years ago.

All three of these software programs support downloading systems from the Radio Reference database if you become a premium subscriber. ARC-XT and ProScan correctly handle both DMR & NXDN systems; both of these also provide free updates if something new has been added, or a problem fixed in the software after you have purchased and installed. As already noted, no updates to FreeScan in quite a few years, and no future ones will be released.

 

[n1chu]

Uniden shortchanged us (well, not really), when they didn’t offer a Sentinel program, complete with the ability to use RadioReference download programming capabilities. While other Uniden offerings that include Sentinel do allow for downloading from RR, Uniden paid a royalty to RR, and included it in the price of the radio. (These scanners were at a definite disadvantage if manual programming is attempted… just too many settings to foul up with entry errors, so a collaboration with RR was necessary, otherwise the added expense of third party programming, namely ProScan and Butel’s ARC-XT premium membership would add to the expense of an already expensive scanner.)And while the BCD325P2 does offer the ability to program trunking systems, it was still a radio that could be manually programmed without much difficulty provided you were only interested in conventional analogue systems, it’s only drawback being simulcast distortions. I do know this understanding of the situation is ripe for opposing opinions and expect dissenting opinions, but that’s what forums are for… and all expressions within reason are welcomed.

 

[tvengr]

I don't see any public safety in Ellis County using DMR or NXDN. The free FreeSCAN software will work for you at the present time. I use ARC XT Basic for my BCD396XT, BCD996XT's, BCD325P2, and BCD996P2. ARC XT and ProScan are both excellent programs. ProScan will also program many other Uniden scanners. Both have a free trial period to decide which one you like better. Here is a link for FreeSCAN: Freescan download website

 

[EAFrizzle]

CareFlight medevac helos operate on a DMR T3 system; that might be something for OP to consider. There's also plenty of AirMed helos on analog as well.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Your software choices include:
ProScan
ARCXT
And FreeScan

Welcome to the RR forums @donsutton . As mentioned previously, Sentinel does not offer support for your 996p2. Freescan offers "experimental" support for the 996p2, no product updates for going on 10 years & no support for any of the paid upgrades (DMR, NXDN, PV). If you'd rather have "full" support for all of the aforementioned and regular updates then please consider Proscan. You get a 30 day fully functional trial you can use to program what you need, then $50.00 gets you two product activations and regular app updates/improvements. Its developer is a regular participant on these here forums. Can't beat all of that!

 

[donsutton]

ok thank you I will try Freescan

 

[tvengr]

ok thank you I will try Freescan

Update the firmware if needed. The latest version is 1.11.07. To check your firmware version, press MENU on the scanner > Scroll to Settings > Press E > Scroll to See Scanner Info > Press E > Scroll to Firmware Version > Press E ---- Press SCAN/SEARCH twice to exit the menus. If you need the updater, I can attach it for you. Give this file a try. Scanner squelch should be set at 2. You will need to install the driver for the scanner. There are 2 systems: Ellis Co Trunk & Ellis Co Conv. The trunked system has a system quick key of 1. The conventional system has a system quick key of 2. Pressing 1 on the scanner keypad will toggle the trunked system on and off. Pressing 2 will toggle the conventional system on and off. There are also group quick keys for turning the groups on and off for selecting the talkgroups and frequencies you wish to scan. The second attached file is a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. Print it out and save it for your reference. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. In FreeScan, click on the File tab and open the extracted programming file. Connect the computer and scanner with the USB cable. Go to the Scanner tab and click on Upload Programming. Click on All in the Send to Scanner popup box to select both systems. Select Erase All Systems & Settings (In red). That will clear anything in the scanner and give you a clean start. Click on Start Upload to transfer the file to the scanner. Quick keys as follows:

Ellis Co Trunk
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
1. Ellis Co Trunk
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. Ellis County
2. Ennis
3. Ferris
4. Glenn Heights
5. Midlothian
6. Red Oak
7. Waxahachie
Ellis Co Conv
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
2. Ellis Co Conv
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. Ellis County
2. Ennis
3. Ferris
4. Glenn Heights
5. Italy
6. Palmer
7. Federal

 

[hiegtx]

I don't see any public safety in Ellis County using DMR or NXDN. The free FreeSCAN software will work for you at the present time. I use ARC XT Basic for my BCD396XT, BCD996XT's, BCD325P2, and BCD996P2. ARC XT and ProScan are both excellent programs. ProScan will also program many other Uniden scanners. Both have a free trial period to decide which one you like better. Here is a link for FreeSCAN: Freescan download website

Public safety in Ellis County is almost totally on the regional NTIRN system. A couple of departments occasionally use their old VHF channels, to maintain contact with a couple of small VFDs that can’t afford to buy P25 Phase II radios for all of their members.

Baylor Scott and White’s Waxachie campus, as well as the Target distribution in Ellis County, are using NXDN, though not any of the city/county public safety departments.