OTTAWA - What the heck am I doing wrong? (BC346XT)

[Corgi]

Hello,

I have been, up and down the message boards, reading, and trying to program my new scanner.

Let me explain this as best as I can. In Ottawa, there is some kind of "main dispatch" thing where they announce all of the rescues happening in the city. From there, each rescue is forwarded to another channel... "BRAVO VR2", "CHARLIE VR3", and so on.

All I want, pretty please, is for my BC346XT to pick up the main dispatch, and then to be able to switch to these individual stations (Bravo, Charlie, Delta). I do not want or care about which garbage truck needs a new alternator or which bus driver is about to go on break.

Now, the main feed is already available online, and I have been unable to emulate what is offered in my own scanner.

Here is what I have done: in pictures... (please input the links to your computer for a view of my monitor)

1) http://i.imgur.com/RgGWd.jpg

As you can see, I have purchased the membership and did some research about what I should be inputting. So I have input from here, this listing:

2) http://i.imgur.com/FfDHP.jpg

But I still cannot duplicate the main dispatch as it goes out on RadioReference (see first picture background). I am guessing that would be "ALPHA", but it's not matching up when I play them at the same time.

Now I currently have my scanner set flashing between MOH Ottawa CACC and Ottawa (CARLSL). Underneath that it says "OTT BRAVO". I have set it to "HOLD" this station and it is picking something up although there is tremendous static. Underneath that it says 35472 and two lines, SO: -------------- and DRP: ----------------0 (estimated number of hyphens).

Gentlemen. What am I doing wrong?

Thank you in advance...!!!

Also, if there is anyone in Ottawa with some free time, who could give me a quick tutorial, I would be very greatful and come by and of course happy to pay you something for your generosity!

 

[East_Algoma]

Try this site...its an Easier Programing Web Site...I use to use the 396 one...

Easier to Read BC346XT Scanner Manual

 

[bpsmicro]

Alpha is "main dispatch".

Remember that the internet feed is something like 10 to 15 seconds behind. So it's not surprising that they don't match up.

What's your signal strength? Note that without an external antenna, a portable scanner's usefulness drops off significantly the farther from downtown you go.

Brad.

 

[Corgi]

I am getting 4-5 bars, I'm about 15 minutes from downtown. If I go outside, it is quite clear.

Something is definitely wrong with the channels I have inputted because I am only getting a small percent of the feed broadcast online. There is definitely information missing that I have failed to input.

There are very long moments of silence on the Alpha channel which is impossible for this time of day. Although I get some calls, others are clearly missing. I "figured out" how to put the info from internet >> scanner but the big issue for me is that I am missing something besides that Bell Fleetnet thing.

Any ideas?

 

[Halliganfan]

I am not sure but I have priority channels set up within EDACS (not on Fleetnet though) however with this an example if you have alpha (main) held and the ''BRAVO'' or ''TAC''s as a Priority it will switch to those when there is activity. That may help as I have done this with Ottawa Fire channels, mainly the common dispatch that pertain to districts close to me. Just that if you have to many Priorities at can be a bit of a nuisance.

That being said Fleetnet has very low modulation and occasional static for me where I am at times not like EDACS which booms in where ever I am. One thing you could do is purchase the GRE Superamp, as I hear that for some there is a considerable improvement for Fleetnet.

Hope it helps a tad, more of an EDACS especially fire guy here not to heavy on the EMS

Happy Listening!!!

 

[Corgi]

I keep getting it stuck on certain frequencies, like "CUSTOM 10" or "ID: 8752" which are just static. I do the "temporary lockout" by pressing L/O and "group temporary lockout" by pressing FUNC >>> L/O, but they come back if I turn it off and then on. Any way to lock out permanently on a BC346XT?

Halliganfan, I am not hearing any fire whatsoever on my scanner. Can you please elaborate on how you are getting the fire? If you could take a quick peek at the photos above and advise because I think I see what's missing now. Also I used to get traffic warning, for instance about dangerous drivers, but I no longer get this. I only get EMS dispatch through the ALPHA now. Thanks again.

 

[Halliganfan]

Ottawa Fire is on EDACS, Ems is on Fleetnet. You have to program Ottawa Public safety in order to get the fire, by-law etc stuff. If you are programming through freescan you can also set your lock outs and priority channels among other radio settings in there. Great program for it really, saves tones of button pressing.

For locking out... To temp lock out its one quick press of the L/O key for perm lock out its 2 quick presses of the L/O key. when its scanning is it displaying ID SCAN or ID SEARCH? you want ID SCAN not the latter. Otherwise you will be picking up all sorts of talk groups that may not be of interest.

See if the ID SCAN works better, if not I can maybe fire off a file to you, there may not be things of interest but when you go to upload just tick off what you want.

 

[Corgi]

when its scanning is it displaying ID SCAN or ID SEARCH? you want ID SCAN not the latter.

I was unfortunately in ID SEARCH mode (with arrow pointing upwards). I just changed it and hopefully it will make the difference =)

Ottawa Fire is on EDACS, Ems is on Fleetnet. You have to program Ottawa Public safety in order to get the fire, by-law etc stuff.

I tried this but I never pick up any fire despite having only selected OTTFIRE dispatch, 1-1, 1-2, etc... instead the scanner keeps getting hung up on a bunch of varying frequencies displaying as "MAIN" which I am guessing are OC Transpo just because of the discussions happening.

For locking out... To temp lock out its one quick press of the L/O key for perm lock out its 2 quick presses of the L/O key.

Thank you this works perfectly exactly what I wanted! =)

I can maybe fire off a file to you, there may not be things of interest but when you go to upload just tick off what you want.

This, would be very appreciated! Thank you again for all of your help it really means a lot!

I tried it in the car just now and it picks up a little rough but all in all no sweat, if I can just get fire going it will be perfect! You're the best!!!

 

[Halliganfan]

Just sent you a Priv Msg

 

[Corgi]

Thanks =)

 

[VE3RADIO]

I think you need to turn on end code and set status bit to ignore. I am from Toronto but know the Ottawa systems well.

 

[bpsmicro]

If you want, PM me your e-mail address and I'll just send you my 346T FreeScan file. It'll have everything you need, and not stuff you don't need.

Brad.

 

[Corgi]

Any recommendations on a car magnet mount antenna for my BC346XT?

Would a regular cb antenna do the trick?

 

[IdleMonitor]

Check out the antennas here. Mobile Antennas - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

I have one similar to this KS3 - Micro Magnet Mobile Scanner Antenna Canada and I use it quite regularly with my 396T with excellent results.

Any recommendations on a car magnet mount antenna for my BC346XT?

I'm an hour Outside of Ottawa and depending on location I can pull in the West Site for the City's Radio system.

Would a regular cb antenna do the trick?

 

[davidmc36]

Check out the antennas here. Mobile Antennas - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

I have one similar to this KS3 - Micro Magnet Mobile Scanner Antenna Canada and I use it quite regularly with my 396T with excellent results.

I second the KS3. It's a nice multiband antenna. I liked it so well that I took the whip out and put it in the base of my hard mount when I drilled a hole in the roof of the car. Works even better like that.

A CB antenna would only work good on CB bands.

 

[VE3RADIO]

Only problem with KS3 is you cant drive to fast or it will fly off your car... the mag part is no larger than a loonie. I have found the Comet duel bander ham antennas to work wonders

 

[DaveH]

A CB antenna might work on FleetNet (VHF) but for 800MHz for City of Ottawa
EDACS, I would expect poor results; you can try but don't expect much. You
need an antenna that's at least good on 800MHz, if not optomized for it.
I use old 800Mhz cellular antennas, which are probably still around on the
surplus market, though not as common as when cellular expanded up to
the 1.9GHz band in the mid 90's .

The west Ottawa site (7) carries much less traffic than the main site (1).
If at all possible, try to get the main site, though it might be hard or impossible
from an hour west (or south-west?) of Ottawa.

Dave

 

[IdleMonitor]

I've had no problems with that. Only time I have to up the speed any is to really pass someone and even at that, maybe doing 120/130 and that's about it and it still stuck on with no worries.

Only problem with KS3 is you cant drive to fast or it will fly off your car... the mag part is no larger than a loonie. I have found the Comet duel bander ham antennas to work wonders