BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Scanner memory

[lu81fitter]

Good afternoon to all. Let me start by saying that I own 3 BCD996P2 radios and 1 BCD325P2. Every year about this time, I go through the programming and make sure everything is "up to snuff", so to speak. Well I just finished doing that. I use Proscan for all of my programming and each radio is programmed exactly the same using the same file. One in my house, one in my car, and one in my truck. Also, the same program is used on the 325. I just finished going from one radio to the next with my laptop in my hand. When uploading the programming to the radios, one of the 996's said it has 16% of the memory used. The other 2 said 7%, and the 325 said 9%. Is there a reason that the memory usage is different? I thought they were all the same.

EDIT: I also used the option "Delete everything in the scanner that is not in the database" when I did it.

 

[n1chu]

I’ve heard those percentages were arbitrary at best. Instead, I look at the percentage and round it off to 1/4 full, 1/2 full or 3/4 full.

 

[lu81fitter]

OK. It's not a big deal. They all work fine. Also, when the upload is finished, it says I have 2001 channels in my programming. That being said, it comes out to 8% when you do the math.

 

[jtwalker]

Number of recorded files differ between devices? Now that I typed this not even sure these models support record/replay.

 

[lu81fitter]

I don't record anything.

 

[Ronaldski]

While I dont use proscan, but freescan/arc xt. So referring to those if proscan has the same. Be sure you selected every system to upload -select all - and I also select to erase the scanner prior to uploading.

Percentages arent arbitrary, if they are off and especially by that much mentioned you didnt get it all sent to the radio.
Then numbers, percentages should the same. I send ~8,000 to mine and they come out the same in numbers and percent.

 

[smithken]

Number of recorded files differ between devices? Now that I typed this not even sure these models support record/replay.

They don't support recording.

 

[ka3aaa]

proscan supports recording and playback for uniden scanners.

 

[tvengr]

Did you delete everything in the scanners before reprogramming?

 

[lu81fitter]

I'm going to take another look at that to make sure.

 

[ProScan]

lu81fitter,
Are the BCD996P2 using the same firmware version?
Have you tried a factory reset?
Is the memory usage consistently the same after each upload?

 

[lu81fitter]

lu81fitter,
Are the BCD996P2 using the same firmware version?
Have you tried a factory reset?
Is the memory usage consistently the same after each upload?

I'll take a look at that again in a day or so. I have guests until Sunday, probably early afternoon. Hopefully Sunday afternoon I'll have time to do more research. I will re-write using the "delete all items" option. And I'll give the firmware a look too.

 

[ofd8001]

Any chance one scanner has numerous Points Of Interest programmed and another has none? I don't believe these are erased as part of the programming process.

There could be a good explanation for these weird things. Other "stuff" that is programmed, but not remembered.

 

[ProScan]

Any chance one scanner has numerous Points Of Interest programmed and another has none? I don't believe these are erased as part of the programming process.

There could be a good explanation for these weird things. Other "stuff" that is programmed, but not remembered.

I was thinking that too along with permanent locked out frequencies, or even if software in the past that implements the "System Protect" flag as that can cause phantom systems. Perhaps a hardware failure too. A factory reset should reveal more info.

 

[kruser]

I was thinking that too along with permanent locked out frequencies, or even if software in the past that implements the "System Protect" flag as that can cause phantom systems. Perhaps a hardware failure too. A factory reset should reveal more info.

A factory reset (Clear All Memory) is what I did to correct the same problem.
I also have 3 996P2 models using the exact same program file in all three instances of ProScan.
After reading this thread, I checked and sure enough, none of mine agreed with each other regarding free and used memory.
All mine had the same firmware version.
So on a whim last night, I decided to do a Clear All Memory by holding down 2+9+Hold buttons while turning the power on.
Once I did that and reloaded my latest programming file into all three, they all agreed perfectly regarding memory free and used.
It must be something that is not cleared by ProScan's Delete All Systems checkbox when writing all systems and configuration to the the scanner.
I'm suspecting the thought of permanent locked out frequencies as that's something I may have done on just one or two of the three but not all.
I've never ever used any other software on any of these models and never used the System Protect setting anywhere.
Doing the Clear All Memory at power on did fix the discrepancy though but it didn't seem to cause any issues either before I was able to sync them all back to matching memory levels.

I guess it could be something in the IFX table also that could have frequencies added on one radio but not all.

 

[ProScan]

lu81fitter,
Based on the info provided by kruser. Can you see if the memory inconsistent problem is on the system or configuration side. Go to the % Memory Used screen and see if the Systems, Sites, & Channels shows the same on all the scanners. Also download the configuration then go to the Location Alert, Lockout, & IF Exchange tabs and see if they are the same.

 

[lu81fitter]

I'll work on it when I have time.

 

[lu81fitter]

Factory reset, firmware update, and resend programming. Memory usage is like the others now. Thanks for all your help.

 

[lu81fitter]

I bought one radio new. One came from ebay, the other (I think) from a RR member. Just not sure which one had the difference in memory. No worries. All are working fine. I'd buy more P2's over the DB radios. They have been outstanding performers, absolutely no issues (but this memory glitch, which was no big deal), but I have no simulcast. Maybe my tune would change then.

 

[JoeBearcat]

A little late to the thread, but I would put my money on "duplicate systems programmed".