Hampton Roads help getting 996T on STARS

[Don_Burke]

We just ordered a 996T for work.

I would really appreciate it if someone could get it up and running on STARS for me.

Is anyone in Hampton Roads up for this? Norfolk or Chesapeake would be easiest.

The rest of the progamming I will figure out later.

 

[LEH]

Don,

If you don't get any help before then, PM me and we'll see if we can't get together Saturday. That's the earliset I could help directly. Frank or Jim may be able to guide you through it on the phone or on line.

In fact, one of them may have already posted some info on how to do it out here already.

 

[tuttleje]

I sent you a PM message.

 

[tuttleje]

Stars

Load this file with the Uniden Software. I can send you all the other systems in the area. Let me know what you would like to load.

Jim

 

[Don_Burke]

Don,

If you don't get any help before then, PM me and we'll see if we can't get together Saturday. That's the earliset I could help directly. Frank or Jim may be able to guide you through it on the phone or on line.

In fact, one of them may have already posted some info on how to do it out here already.

I doubt the unit will be here by Saturday.

 

[Don_Burke]

Load this file with the Uniden Software. I can send you all the other systems in the area. Let me know what you would like to load.

Jim

I have saved the file and will give it a shot when the unit arrives.

Stand by for some dumb questions. I am by no means a trunking expert and dynamic memory is a completely new sport for me.

 

[ka3jjz]

Then you can start by reading our DMA FAQ on our wiki. It will take you to UPMan's well known article that introduces DMA, links to our Trunking wiki (where you can get brushed up on the basics) and perhaps most importantly, links for the Easier to Read manuals. Since there isn't one specific to the 996, we'll get close - use the ones for the 396 and BCT15, and you should be good to go.

Getting the UASD from the Uniden downloads area (or FreeScan or BCTool, which are freeware) will also help. BCTool isn't completely set up for trunking yet, but it's coming...and of the 3, FreeScan has the ability to copy data from the database through their own copy/paste tool, so to me it has the edge. ARC996 from BuTel is quite frankly the software champ here, and when you become a premium subscriber, will allow you to download data from the databases.

Lots to think about....73s Mike

 

[dwessman]

May I be of assistance?

Don,

I have a 996 and have it programmed for STARS (statewide), VSP (Statewide), Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth using the GPS lock/unlock site functions. STARS performance is disappointing but I am receiving it. If I can help, let me know. I am located in Chesapeake (Great Bridge area) if that helps.

 

[Don_Burke]

Don,

I have a 996 and have it programmed for STARS (statewide), VSP (Statewide), Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth using the GPS lock/unlock site functions. STARS performance is disappointing but I am receiving it. If I can help, let me know. I am located in Chesapeake (Great Bridge area) if that helps.

That is perfect.

I will contact you when I get the unit in hand.

 

[Don_Burke]

Load this file with the Uniden Software. I can send you all the other systems in the area. Let me know what you would like to load.

Jim

Jim,

I loaded up the file and the scanner says it has nothing to scan.

This is not much of an issue as I will be getting together with dwessman to get this thing programmed, but I sure would like to figure at least some of it out beforehand.

Don

 

[tuttleje]

Did you assign the "sites" quick keys? Go to menu, program system, stars, edit site, select a site (like Chesapeake), go to set quick key, set a key number (like 1 or 2, etc). push menu until you get back to scanning. All the quick keys should be "On" if not push the correct key (like 1 or 2) to turn on the site. It should work.
If you have any problems...give me a call at the number I provided. I can walk you through it.

The 996T uses different "sites" that correspond to the towers and various control frequencies. Once the TG (which should be in the data I provided) are programmed, they are common to all sites under the STARS system. Depending on your location and antenna, you should be able to pick up the following "sites": Chesapeake, Hampton, and possibly Franklin. Unless you have an external antenna with some height, I doubt you'll be able to pick up Williamsburg or Petersburg. I would suggest you scan at least the Hampton and Chesapeake sites.

I strongly recommend you download ARC 996 Pro software and download the database from the below Radio Reference link. Also, the ARC 996 Pro software has a very nice recording feature that captures the audio, TG identification, and times. This data would be very useful in reviewing information for news reports. I use an external hard drive to store my audio files. Even at that, I go back and erase the files every few days. It works great.


For more information about the "site" frequencies see: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3783

Good luck.

Jim

 

[Don_Burke]

Did you assign the "sites" quick keys? Go to menu, program system, stars, edit site, select a site (like Chesapeake), go to set quick key, set a key number (like 1 or 2, etc). push menu until you get back to scanning. All the quick keys should be "On" if not push the correct key (like 1 or 2) to turn on the site. It should work.
If you have any problems...give me a call at the number I provided. I can walk you through it.

The 996T uses different "sites" that correspond to the towers and various control frequencies. Once the TG (which should be in the data I provided) are programmed, they are common to all sites under the STARS system. Depending on your location and antenna, you should be able to pick up the following "sites": Chesapeake, Hampton, and possibly Franklin. Unless you have an external antenna with some height, I doubt you'll be able to pick up Williamsburg or Petersburg. I would suggest you scan at least the Hampton and Chesapeake sites.

I strongly recommend you download ARC 996 Pro software and download the database from the below Radio Reference link. Also, the ARC 996 Pro software has a very nice recording feature that captures the audio, TG identification, and times. This data would be very useful in reviewing information for news reports. I use an external hard drive to store my audio files. Even at that, I go back and erase the files every few days. It works great.


For more information about the "site" frequencies see: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=3783

Good luck.

Jim

I did none of that.

However, now that I know about it, I will be giving it a shot.

The scanner is boxed up right now or I would be trying it. I will be going to work soon and will be trying to hook up with dwessman from there.

I found a file for STARS on the 996 YahooGroup which seems to work fairly well for the moment.

Once I have what dwessman has for me, I will have three files to compare and I expect to learn some things about what is and is not important. At that point, I will give you a call and perhaps we can hook up for more lessons on the 996 and STARS.

I have ARC250 for the 796 and like it. I expect ARC996 is in my future and perhaps a 996 of my own to soon follow.

Thanks for the input. I will be in touch.

Don

 

[richardbritt]

VSP STARS in Chesapeake area

Hi, I have a Pro-2096 and have it loaded with the info from the main page for STARS (on this site). I am hearing Richmind units solid (when I turn on their talkgroups of course) and the game wardens. All signals a pretty good when I am mobile on I-64 from Norfolk to Portsmouth. BUT VSP Div 5 units are really broken and sporatic comms are heard. I monitor the 159.135 at the same time so know they are using the system. I have the custom table info entered as well. I also have the scanner monitoring 4 of the freqs (the ones with the asterics next to them on the Chesapeake STARS column in the data section on STARS). I can manually go thru the indiv 152 MHZ freqs on the scanner and the signals are clear and solid copy, but when I hit scan they are skipped. I do have the Div 5 talkgroups on (I even run the bank in open mode just in case). But the game wardens and Richmond come over fine, which boggles my mind. Any suggestions? I am stumped.

Thanks

Richard Brittingham in Chesapeake Va
(former City of Norfolk Radio Tech)