Frustrated

[hooten3]

I am a new user. I used FREESCAN to "Program" my scanner. Everything appears to be working. However, my city uses a Project 25 Phase II system. I am not apparently receiving decoded audio or information. I am growing increasingly frustrated. BTW - The manual is of little help. Can someone please help me get this bad boy working?
THX
Lonestar

 

[doctordialtone]

I used FREESCAN to "Program" my scanner.

Great scanner!

It would help if you post a link to the system you are trying to monitor and let us know where you are. (Location in your profile?)

What do you mean by "Decoded:? If you mean Encrypted. you're out of luck. No scanner can decode that.

In the meantime, check out this 'Easier to Read" manual:

Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual

Enjoy!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Also have a read at this, it may also be a factor

 

[N9JCQ]

Is this the system you are looking to listen to?Lubbock City-County Mutual Radio System Trunking System, Lubbock, Texas - Scanner Frequencies

 

[hooten3]

Is this the system you are looking to listen to?Lubbock City-County Mutual Radio System Trunking System, Lubbock, Texas - Scanner Frequencies

Yes it is.

Great scanner!

It would help if you post a link to the system you are trying to monitor and let us know where you are. (Location in your profile?)

What do you mean by "Decoded:? If you mean Encrypted. you're out of luck. No scanner can decode that.

In the meantime, check out this 'Easier to Read" manual:

Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual

Enjoy!

No, it just appears that the scanner doesn't lock on to a frequency. Even though I can see that the signal strength is average. When I hold on a group, I will hear static and not even a weak voice. That's what I meant by "Decode".

 

[Hit_Factor]

Sounds like it may be simulcast, see link in post 3.

 

[ka3jjz]

There are a couple of possibilities here. One is that you haven't programmed the system type correctly. I'm unsure what the right type would be for a Project 25 type 2.

Yes, if this system is simulcast, this scanner won't deal with that all that well. Unfortunately only the SDS100 and 200 have a chance of trunking a simulcast system well.

How far away are you from the site you are trying to hear? 800 doesn't go very far - 20-25 miles is typical, less with obstructions all around you. The little antenna that comes with handhelds is a compromise at best and a wet noodle at worst. A better antenna might be in order.

Don't program all the sites at once. Unidens will attempt to lock onto the first control channel it hears and ignore anything else. If you need to have all the sites (if you drive around with it, that's certainly possible), program them separately..Mike

 

[tvengr]

That system is multi-site simulcast. Can you please attach your FreeSCAN programming file so that I can check it for problems.

 

[hooten3]

There are a couple of possibilities here. One is that you haven't programmed the system type correctly. I'm unsure what the right type would be for a Project 25 type 2.

Yes, if this system is simulcast, this scanner won't deal with that all that well. Unfortunately only the SDS100 and 200 have a chance of trunking a simulcast system well.

How far away are you from the site you are trying to hear? 800 doesn't go very far - 20-25 miles is typical, less with obstructions all around you. The little antenna that comes with handhelds is a compromise at best and a wet noodle at worst. A better antenna might be in order.

Don't program all the sites at once. Unidens will attempt to lock onto the first control channel it hears and ignore anything else. If you need to have all the sites (if you drive around with it, that's certainly possible), program them separately..Mike

Really good points. I was thinking that I could go back in and delete everything but one group. I am within 5 miles of towers.

 

[hooten3]

Really good points. I was thinking that I could go back in and delete everything but one group. I am within 5 miles of towers.

BTW - I am reasonably sure that there is something wrong in the programming. I used FreeScan and loaded it all into the scanner.

 

[tvengr]

The correct system type is P25 Standard (Digital XT). I would try the Simulcast site by itself first. You can program each site with a system quick key so that you can easily toggle each one on and off from the keypad. Don't be concerned with the simulcast issue until you try the site. The scanner may work very well. It all depends on your location.

 

[hiegtx]

BTW - I am reasonably sure that there is something wrong in the programming. I used FreeScan and loaded it all into the scanner.

If you can attach your programming file to a post, someone can look it over and perhaps offer a suggestion. For Lubbock, you would want the Simulcast site. The other sites are fill-in sites, supporting smaller cities that also use the system. You can see a map of the site locations for the Simulcast here:

RR Database Home

The most complete database of radio communications data

www.radioreference.com

Attaching a FreeSCAN file to a post:

FreeSCAN uses file extension *.996, which cannot be directly attached to a post. What you’ll need to do is one of these two ways:

Compress your file into a *.zip file, which can be attached. This can be done with a file utility such as WinZip, or the free 7Zip. If your original file was named “MyFile.996”, the compressed file would be “MyFile.zip”.

The other method is to rename your file, using Windows Explorer. Again, for illustration, if your original file was named “MyFile.996”, find the file on your PC and rename it. <Right><Click> on the file and select ‘Rename’ from the pop-up menu. Rename your file to either “MyFile.txt” or “MyFile.996.txt”.

The zipped or renamed file can now be attached to a post. Whoever is going to take a look, to see anything missing or incorrect, can then download the file from your post, rename or unzip it, and open with FreeSCAN to view.

 

[tvengr]

In the file explorer, you can also right click on the file and send it to a compressed (zipped) folder to be able to attach it to your post.

 

[hooten3]

I am a new user and I finally got my 325p2 programmed. However, I remained somewhat confused. I have strong signal strength when I press hold. But, I don’t always get voice, or it is garbled. I am within 10 miles of towers. When I move or drive around I get good audio. I don’t understand. Can someone clear that up for me. Our city uses the system is Project 25 Phase II. The Audio is APCO 25 Exclusive.

 

[tvengr]

You most likely are suffering from simulcast distortion at your home location. Try turning on the attenuator, setting the scanner flat on a table and pointing the antenna in different directions, and moving it to different locations in the room. If you have a rooftop antenna, disconnect it and use the scanner antenna.

 

[ka3aaa]

lock out all the control channels but one.

 

[hooten3]

I appreciate the input. It just seems that my home is more problematic than anywhere else. Im wondering if a Yagi might boost DB's . I replaced the standard Rubber duck with an 800mhz with little improvement. And it seems that I often hear the dispatchers but not always the patrol units - one sided conversations. Now Im in that fine tuning mode and I really don't know what i'm doing.

 

[hooten3]

BTW - If i turn on the Attenuator i actually get extremely weak (one bar) signal wherever I move or turn the scanner.

 

[tvengr]

The attenuator was just something to try. Sometimes, if you have plenty of signal and you turn it on, it reduces the number of towers you receive which improves the control channel decoding and reduces the garbled audio.

 

[hooten3]

I understand - thanks.