New Bc 396xt

[bear780ks]

I went and took the plunge and i got myself the Radio that i see a quite a few folks using on here. The 396xt it's a sharp little dude

I did have mine programed the Software that was used was the ARC-XT-SW and Radio Reference.com I don't know much about this software but i hope it serves the purpose as intended for.

As time goes on and i learn more on the Radio i will program it my self but what i was wondering is the software that i mentioned worthy of using in this scanner. It seems to be working ok but if there is something that is a little better at setting up the System please advise..


I wanted to ask on using batteries i thought i'd try this as an experiment i put in some of Duracell's ultra power batteries and they lasted out 10.hrs. which wasn't to bad but i thought i'd go a step further and try lithium one reason being is because i have some around that i can use and i have used them in all of my Nintendo Products and they done really well on the Duracell's in my Nintendo controllers might get a week use out of them on the Lithium i might get a Month and a half so i thought why not try it.

But only if it is Safe my Question on this has any one tried the Lithium's and have had good success or is best to leave them out of the Scanner..

All suggestions would be great. from b780 thanks

[Supersmt]

I just got one on the RS sale a few days ago too.
Very nice radio, but a steep learning curve on the trunking stuff.

I use Freescan and am using it to import the RadioReference database.

It works well, but I'm a bit disappointed that the RadioReference database
seems incomplete for my area on the Starcom & EDACS stuff.

Fun radio and a lot to learn!

[bear780ks]

I'll go with that and i got mine at the Shack too.! got it with a 10% off Military disc. you can't beat that but learning it's scanning patters is a thing to learn from what i had in the Hp-1. lol

[ka3jjz]

This article contains all the links you need to get yourself started, including the links to the Easier to Read manuals. Don't even try to use the mess Uniden put together...

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

Re the batteries - it's been mentioned here many times, but it bears repeating. DON'T try to charge the batteries within the radio. There is nothing but a flimsy timer in one of the options, and no control over sensing the heat or current discharging. Doing this for any length of time will shorten the life of the batteries, and in extreme cases, could rupture and cause significant damage (and maybe a fire). Get a good external charger, such as those from Maha (there are many others)

Use the search tools on this forum to find out the ones folks report good results from their own use.

Mike

[bear780ks]

Hey Mike thanks for the Info: And what do think about a good charger from the Shack and maybe one that has some batteries with it) I want kind of the same as what came with the scanner the Ni-MH

[bear780ks]

I wanted to ask how can you turn off ID search or does it stay on or scroll by all the time like on my 396 my city is listed up on top and right under neath that ID search is scrolling by it show the id when it stops but not the Alpha Tag say like Hutch Fire is it doing that so i can enter the Alpha Tag or is impossible to do that..

[ka3jjz]

Originally Posted by bear780ks

Hey Mike thanks for the Info: And what do think about a good charger from the Shack and maybe one that has some batteries with it) I want kind of the same as what came with the scanner the Ni-MH

I don't know anything about that charger - however I would highly recommend one from Maha, or Powerex that has ways to discharge batteries and control the heat buildup that occurs during charging. I use the Powerex MH-C801D on some Energizer rechargeables and get great service out of them

Like I said, use the search tools to see other peoples' recommendations. Look up at the blue toolbar just right of center that says 'SEARCH' ...Mike

[bear780ks]

Thanks Mike..

[NHdave]

Personally I wouldn't use a charger from RS, This is what ka3 meant by a good charger.

Newegg.com - POWEREX MH-C800S8AA27 8-Pack AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries w/ Eight Cell AA/AAA Smart Charger

I have one with 16 AA and 4 AAA batteries, works very well. Has fast and slow charge plus conditioning.

[bbtkd]

Originally Posted by bear780ks

Hey Mike thanks for the Info: And what do think about a good charger from the Shack and maybe one that has some batteries with it) I want kind of the same as what came with the scanner the Ni-MH

Just want to say - in case you didn't know - do not charge Lithium cells. You can recharge Lithium-Ion, but don't ever try to charge Lithium batteries. If they are AA type then they are Lithium, and non-rechargeable.

[W8RMH]

Originally Posted by bear780ks

I wanted to ask how can you turn off ID search or does it stay on or scroll by all the time like on my 396 my city is listed up on top and right under neath that ID search is scrolling by it show the id when it stops but not the Alpha Tag say like Hutch Fire is it doing that so i can enter the Alpha Tag or is impossible to do that..

Press function then scan while the scanner is scanning that system to toggle between search and scan.

In search it will stop on every talk group. In scan it will only stop on the groups you have programmed.

The Easier-to-Read Manual is a must for this scanner.

[bbtkd]

Originally Posted by W8RMH

Press function then scan while the scanner is scanning that system to toggle between search and scan.

In search it will stop on every talk group. In scan it will only stop on the groups you have programmed.

The Easier-to-Read Manual is a must for this scanner.

If you're running a scanner feed, it is a good idea to use scan mode. If you run search mode then you could have a new talkgroup added to the system that you don't want or is disallowed by radioreference. In scan mode you don't get new talkgroups unless you add them.

Note that in search mode it will skip talkgroups you have programmed but locked out.

[sfdf]

[QUOTE=It works well, but I'm a bit disappointed that the RadioReference database
seems incomplete for my area on the Starcom & EDACS stuff/QUOTE]

StarCom21 Statewide Illinois P25 Trunking System, Statewide, Illinois - Scanner Frequencies
is this system you talking about and what are you missing ?

[sfdf]

what I can tell tj\he only system not encrypted are.
1776 6f0 D MWRD Police1 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago: Police Law Dispatch
1777 6f1 D MWRD Police2 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago: Police Law Tac

If you look at the Data Base anything with an E is encrypted and you are out of luck Listing to it.

[bear780ks]

thanks bb i give that a try.. i wished i could figure out how to set a specific color to like P.D. Sheriff, and E.M.S and fire i heard it can be done but not sure were to find but i bet it's something that has to be done in the programing..

[mule1075]

Originally Posted by bear780ks

thanks bb i give that a try.. i wished i could figure out how to set a specific color to like P.D. Sheriff, and E.M.S and fire i heard it can be done but not sure were to find but i bet it's something that has to be done in the programing..

Quick way you can do by hand.Let's say hold on your city fire freq press enter scroll down to set alert and press enter again use the volume knob to switch it from set alert tone to set alert light and press enter again and choose your color for that channel and hit enter again and set the pattern the way you would like.

[bear780ks]

Thanks mule we'll give it a try and nice ladder Truck for the Avatar one thing i did find is the Firmware it is 1.10.00 and i'm wondering if it would be need's to be updated)

The KSICS system that the state uses is common air interface which i think is allot different than what the update is intended for which is for L.S.M's but if ones think it would help even on our system i would get the Update if i can figure out how to do it.. i guess it's close to like when i done updates on my Hp-1

[bbtkd]

Originally Posted by bear780ks

Thanks mule we'll give it a try and nice ladder Truck for the Avatar one thing i did find is the Firmware it is 1.10.00 and i'm wondering if it would be need's to be updated)

The KSICS system that the state uses is common air interface which i think is allot different than what the update is intended for which is for L.S.M's but if ones think it would help even on our system i would get the Update if i can figure out how to do it.. i guess it's close to like when i done updates on my Hp-1

Almost always good to update the firmware. Might want to check the forums for comments on each, though be aware that as with any complex device, updating firmware can produce varying results. The latest update is no exception; some hated it so much they wanted to revert, others noticed nothing, and some loved it. It depends on what system types you have, your level of knowledge, etc.

[FD5722]

You made a great choice in the 396XT. As others have stated there is a learning curve that comes with this scanner but it is the most feature packed one on the market.

I've tried the ARC-XT sooftware and it's ok but I prefer to use FreeSCAN software instead, especially since it's free Here's a link for it :

FreeSCAN - Sixspot Software

Stick with it and it'll get a lot easier, and as stated before read that manual someone posted the link to earlier and that'll help you a lot. Enjoy that new radio !!!

[bear780ks]

Hey thanks Dan:

I uploaded a Video it's a little on the Scratchy side but it gives a little perspective of what i was listening at the time. I uploaded this video to ask is this what it's supposed to look like when Monitoring a system like the Wichita system is it supposed to show the site as 1-2 Mot that's what i'm not understanding to much. To me i though it should just show like Wichita or Sedgwick Co. And not 1-2 Mot. but maybe it is..

Here's the Video: it's my first Video enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr1iEpFpQXY