BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Help with Programming BCD436HP

[remle]

Programming Help! I just purchased a BCD436HP and I’m having trouble getting my local police programmed. I have the Sentinel software installed and have setup a profile and a favorite list made. I live in Bartlett,TN. and trying to program Bartlett Public Safety and it looks like they are on Project 25 Phase II system. After sending the favorite list to my scanner all I get is “crickets”. I have searched forums and YouTube and just can’t find anything I maybe missing.

 

[n1chu]

By “crickets” I assume you mean a clicking sound? I’ve looked at RR and see only one Bartlett PD TG as encrypted. Are you using the automated method of getting RR downloaded into Sentinel, creating your FL and then writing it to the scanner? Or are you manually entering the data? The automated (some call it the lazy way) way doesn’t allow the user to incorrectly program. There are a lot of different settings to enter when you do it manually which increases the chances for mistakes to be made. The automated method is literally mistake free and much faster.

 

[remle]

Thanks for replying. Sorry for not being clear about crickets, I meant no sound. I’m not sure what you mean about “using the automated method of getting RR downloaded into Sentinel”.
This is my proces.
I opened up Sentinel and picked Database, USA, Tennessee, Shelby, County Systems, then I right click on Bartlett Public Safety and add to Append to Favorite List. Then I turn on the scanner and plug it into my computer. Select Mass Storage. (F) drive opens and then I close it out. Then I click on Write to Scanner. The window opens showing my scanner. I click both Erase Favorites & Force Write. Then OK. A new window opens Favorites List on scanner will be erased if you proceed. I then click OK. It then Writes to scanner. I then get a window stating Finished Writing. After clicking it I unplug my scanner, it scans and the only Bartlett frequency it stops on is Fire Department on 154.340, just not getting to P25 frequencies.
Thanks again for your help!

 

[tvengr]

Programming Help! I just purchased a BCD436HP and I’m having trouble getting my local police programmed.

Here is a hpe favorites list file for the Bartlett Public Safety trunked radio system. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Using Sentinel, go to the File tab and Import from hpe file (Favorites List). Click on New Favorites List and name it Bartlett TN PS Click on OK. In the Downloads folder, highlight and Open the extracted file (Bartlett TN PS.hpe). The favorites list will appear in Sentinel.

 

[remle]

Thanks for your help. I got your file downloaded and uploaded to my scanner and I'm getting the same results. Could there be some setting somewhere that is keeping me from hearing?
Thanks again!

 

[hiegtx]

Thanks for your help. I got your file downloaded and uploaded to my scanner and I'm getting the same results. Could there be some setting somewhere that is keeping me from hearing?
Thanks again!

Are you seeing an indication of signal strength when the scanner is held on the Bartlet system?

If so, and/or you see the signal strength indicator fluctuating randomly, you might have a simulcast issue,


Try driving as close as you can to one of the transmit tower locations. Those are the top and bottom markers on the map. The middle one represents the mobile units on the license.

If you can get fairly close, like a quarter mile or less, and you start hearing the system, then your issue may be due to simulcast.

Simulcast digital distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[tvengr]

you might have a simulcast issue,

I agree with Steve. Do what he suggests and let us know the results.

 

[remle]

Thanks for all the help! After reading hiegtx posts, I think my problem has been my location and being able to receive the signal. I happened to take the scanner upstairs and started hearing police calls. Yesterday I took it to work and was able to hear really well. I’m going to order another antenna, I read a lot good comments about the Remtronix 800. Any thoughts on this antenna and what about SMA vs BNC? The photo shows the weak signal at home, I had 5 or 6 bars at my work.
thanks again for your help!

 

[remle]

The black dot is my home area and the blue dot is my work area.

 

[StoliRaz]

I own a few Radioshack 800's,they're basically the same as the Remtronics and IMO the best you can get for a portable 800. They do pretty well on VHF/UHF too. I stick with BNC antennas because nearly all of my antennas are BNC, but that's a personal choice.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I own a few Radioshack 800's,they're basically the same as the Remtronics and IMO the best you can get for a portable 800. They do pretty well on VHF/UHF too. I stick with BNC antennas because nearly all of my antennas are BNC, but that's a personal choice.

Actually except for the printing they are exactly the same.

 

[remle]

Update

I received my antenna yesterday and it is a little better (I’m seeing 1 signal bar). I’m going to return is and order try REM-842S. The only problem is that mostly no one has it in stock. Here is the antenna I’m going to return.

 

[remle]

I’m 1.7 miles from one tower and 2.3 miles from another. When I drive around the city it does well, it’s just doesn’t pick up in my house.

 

[iMONITOR]

Make sure you have all the "Services" you want to monitor enabled.

 

[werinshades]

After reading through this, you're describing simulcast distortion issues. It's not the antenna, it's the scanner. It's very location dependent as you're finding out. One of the replies links the Simulcast Distortion WiKi. You'll see alot of suggestions over the years..papaer clips, take antenna off...find a sweet spot. The SDS 100/200 is your solution. Between the scanner price and all the antennas you've purchased, probably could have purchased the SDS series of scanners.

 

[remle]

I have decided to order the SDS100 scanner, it will be here Wednesday. Hopefully this will fix my problem.