First Post - BC246T Question

[Aikidoka]

Hey everyone, First off I just found this site and I think its great. I've been playing around with scanners since I was a kid. Back then you had to go to Radio Shack and buy the crystal with the freq you wanted to listen to. Anyway I'm thinking about picking up a BC246T but I have a few questions. I've never used software to program a scanner, I've only gone through the keypad, and have never had that much success getting the stuff I've put in. Is using software that much better?? And I know this is going to sound like a really NEWB kinda question but with all the Digital systems out there is the 246T the way to go and is stuff getting harder to hear anyway???

BTW I also have a BC895XLT, Can I use the software with that too??

Any input will be appreciated


Thanks Much

[captclint]

with all the Digital systems out there is the 246T the way to go and is stuff getting harder to hear anyway??? BTW I also have a BC895XLT, Can I use the software with that too??

If your area really has digital, then the 246 is not the right scanner. the 396T is a good choice. Nearly ALL SCANNERS are easier to use with programming software...especially Uniden 246 and 396T I would not attempt manual with these. IMHO, Butel software is the way to go, and is more highly recommended. If you become a paid member on this site, it will nearly seamlessly download all frequencies, and set up the trunking parameters and TGID's...well worth the 90 day subscription.

The 895 will not do digital either. Both the 246 and 895 will do Analog Trunking. The 895 is software programable, but can be done manually without too much pain. . If you let us know your state and county, we can see if you really need digital. I am also from the crystal era...things have gotten a bit more complicated since then

[Dubbin]

Originally Posted by capt_clint

Nearly ALL SCANNERS are easier to use with programming software...especially Uniden 246 and 396T I would not attempt manual with these.

I wouldn't exactly agree with that, they are some of the easiest scanners to program by hand.

[Aikidoka]

Originally Posted by capt_clint

If you let us know your state and county, we can see if you really need digital.

Yeah I did forget to say where I was from. Union County, New Jersey

[captclint]

You don't have any pure digital. One system (New Jersey Troop B North System ) is analog & digital, but not much digital so far. The 246T should be fine for these, but you may find more of New Jersey Troop B North System moving to digital. Get opinions on the NJ forum.

Despite the differing opinions about manual programming, the Butel will download and automatically set up everything in Union County...or any adjacent counties as well. Use the check mark for Control Channel only when downloading the trunked systems. Also load EDACS Standard sites as separate systems. With the 246, you have to load one site of a multi-site system at a time.

[greenham]

Capt Clint.

I too am new to this. I got a 246T and the Bearcat software as a gift. I am unclear if Wake County NC is digital or Analog. Will the BC software work as well as the Butel? I assume the Butel S/W links into this site somehow and d/l all the freqs.

Again thanks for the newbie help

[n2mdk]

ARC246 will download the info from the database directly into the software, with a premium membership to this website. I would have to say because of the complexity of Wake Co, it will be a lot easier to use the BuTel software.
This is a link to Wake Co. in the database, http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=1978
You need to read it carefully,
There is a lot of Wake Co that is on the VIPER system and a good deal of it is Digital but there is analog and a lot of other systems you can listen to.

[UPMan]

Most Wake County operations are on this system and on digital channels. While the 246 can scan that system, you can only receive those channels that are analog (mode A). Channels that are Digital (mode D) will require a digital scanner such as the BCD396T.

[greenham]

So if I understand correctly. None of these channles will be available on the 246T. I am mostly interested in all the Fire Dept channels for Wake County/Raleigh NC.

Wake County Fire Departments Talkgroups

DEC HEX Mode Display Description Tag
26000 659 D FIRE DISP 3 Wake Co Fire Dispatch Ch3
26224 667 A RFD Patch Raleigh Fire Dept to Wake Co Fire Depts 800Mhz Patch
32816 803 D FIRE DISP 1 Wake Co Fire Dispatch Ch1
32832 804 D FIRE DISP 2 Wake Co Fire Dispatch Ch2
32848 805 D FIRE OPS 1 Wake Co Fire Ops 1 Fireground
32864 806 D FIRE OPS 2 Wake Co Fire Ops 2 Fireground
32880 807 D FIRE OPS 3 Wake Co Fire Ops 3 Fireground
32896 808 D FIRE OPS 4 Wake Co Fire Ops 4 Fireground
32912 809 D FIRE OPS 5 Wake Co Fire Ops 5 Fireground
32928 80a D FIRE OPS 6 Wake Co Fire Ops 6 Fireground
32944 80b D FIRE OPS 7 Wake Co Fire Ops 7 Fireground
32960 80c D FIRE OPS 8 Wake Co Fire Ops 8 Fireground
32976 80d D FIRE NORTH Wake Co Fire Depts North
32992 80e D FIRE SOUTH Wake Co Fire Depts South
33008 80f D FIRE EAST Wake Co Fire Depts East
33024 810 D FIRE WEST Wake Co Fire Depts West
33056 812 D FD Firecom Wake Co Fire Dept FireCom
33072 813 D FD EMER 1 Raleigh/Wake Fire Dept Emergency
33088 814 D FIRE ALERT Co Fire Alert (Silmulcasted on VHF 154.190Mhz)
33152 818 D FIRE OPS 9 Wake Co Fire Ops 9 Fireground
33168 819 D FIRE OPS 10 Wake Co Fire Ops 10 Fireground
33184 81a D FIRE OPS 11 Wake Co Fire Ops 11 Fireground
33200 81b D FIRE OPS 12 Wake Co Fire Ops 12 Fireground

[UPMan]

From that list, you will be able to receive:
26224 667 A RFD Patch Raleigh Fire Dept to Wake Co Fire Depts 800Mhz Patch

[MarkEagleUSA]

Originally Posted by greenham

None of these channles will be available on the 246T.

DEC HEX Mode Display Description Tag
26224 667 A RFD Patch Raleigh Fire Dept to Wake Co Fire Depts 800Mhz Patch

This is the only analog TG in the list. The others are all digital.

[greenham]

Thank you Gents.... After exchanging I am sure I will be back.

One other question though. I know Wake Co FD uses other channels known as TAC channels for non Fire Ground activities (Heart Attacks, Injuries, Accidents etc.) I don't see them listed. Are they missing from the database?

[UPMan]

It looks like they are listed here. Since they are in the 700 MHz spectrum, you'll still need the 396 (and note that all those that have the input=output frequency are short-range line-of-sight channels that you'll need to be within just a couple of miles to hear).