Some help PLEASE!

[FestersYourDaddy]

Good morning all, I am getting very frustrated over here. I am not new to the scanning world, in fact I have about 3 scanners running at all times. However, I have made the venture last week to buying my first digital scanner the BCD396T. The scanner is, well "ok" I guess. Feels kinda cheep to me but whatever. That's not my problem, let me try to explain...

Ok, so like I said I'm new to this whole digital thing and I have read EVERYTHING on this site and still I seem to pick up no traffic. I live in Salem right outside of Colchester and Troop K, so I'm guessing that I'm going to be scanning in Zone 5 or at least that's what I'm told. The ONLY thing that I care to listen to is Troop K seeing as I dispatch out of "KX". So, after looking though my scanner seems I have like 43 freq's programed in for the CSP. Doesn't make much sense to me so I put in only the control channels (red and blue) and still get nothing. I'm in MOT type 2 standard mode and it worked before. Now nothing. Shouldn't I be in APCO 25 mode? I understand all the "groups" or ID's but just can't figure out how to get it to work well for me.

My ultimate goal is to get everything set up so I can scan trunked and conv easily without much delay.

Please help! Thanks!

p.s. I'm using the ARC396 for the programing software.

 

[EFjohnsonVHF]

Make sure you have the proper talk-groups programmed in, I lived in Colchester when I first got a digital scanner, and I had no problems picking them up, Just watch out, those Colchester cops/troop K don't like finding you with a digital scanner.

 

[bobmich52]

I Have a 396/996/796 & They All work well With Troop K, I Live In Their Terrotory.

1. Where Did you Purchase The 396??

2. Somewhat Related To #1

Since I Don't Have The Patience/ Comp Knowledge

I Purchased All Of My Scanners From J&S In Willi & They Programmed The CSP Total For Me & Some Of The Local Stuff For Free, The Have The Arc Software.

If You Want Them To Do More Than What They Have Or You Did Not Purchase It From them, It will cost You A Fee, Unsure What It would Be.

To Me No Matter what, Spend The $$$$ To Have It Programmed Right & For What You want.

For The Amount Of $$$$ You Spent On Your 396, Spend A Little More To Get It Right.

The 396 Is A Good radio, You Just Gotta Get It Going Right & You will Like!

 

[moonies]

Hi! You have chosen a great scanner for digital. Dont let the size fool you into believing its cheap!! It has great features which will greatly improve your listening pleasure once you become more familiar with p25 systems. Why you arent hearing traffic is strange. Be sure you program ALL control channels red AND blue from this website.It may be that it was unusually quiet that time you were listening? Also,since you said you ONLY wanted to listen to troop k then be sure you didnt lockout any of their control channels.

 

[Dave520]

Also make sure you have it in ID Search mode in case you do not have the talkgroups programmed in correctly.

I have a 396 and I love it. I use both the Uniden software and the Butel software.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[FestersYourDaddy]

thanks for your help guys, I did in fact buy it from J&S and have good luck with them. I am anal about programing my stuff so I do it all myself. I deleted everything once again off the scanner and just put in the channels (all 5) for c&k and all is working well. I'm using it just for digital now since with it doing all i miss alot of the conv stuff. Going to go buy the BCT-15 i think it's called this week. I love alpha tagging.

Now when I went to Hartford today, I realized that I missed hearing the troops up there. So I guess I'm going to have to set it up for the entire state now...arrg... any tips?

 

[EFjohnsonVHF]

So, How are things over at KX?

 

[jdemers]

I wish Fester was my daddy.

Dude... I told you I would do it for you... just a matter of time. By the way, want some gently used white uniform shirts with the company patches already on for your new job adventure? Size 2XL