As the system data, for the minute (in the
database here), does not show that any of the sites have been "rebanded", that may (or may not be an issue (yet). Last night, I looked at the license data for a couple of the sites, to see if they had the "rebanded" frequencies assigned, and the license code (YE) for a rebanded system. The ones I looked at did not, but I did not check all of them, by any means. Here is the FCC license for
Site 001 (as of 10/23/2010). It still shows a code of YF, Public Safety Trunked. Now, just as a comparison, here is a
license for a rebanded system in my area, which is a rebanded system. Note the code "YE", which is used for rebanded systems.
In general, when a system is rebanded, the frequencies in the 866->868mhz range are replaced by ones 15mhz lower. Thus, for site 001 on Connecticut State Police (Troop G simulcast), the current frequencies of 866.71250a, 867.20000, 867.58750, 868.20000a, and 868.75000c would be probably replaced by 851.7125, 852.2000, 852.5875, 853.2000, and 853.7500. I say "probably", because occasionally, the blanket 'subtract 15mhz to get the new frequency' rule is not followed if that would cause one of the new, "rebanded" assignments to possibly interfere with an existing licensee in that frequency band. Also, some systems will add one or more frequencies during the rebanding process, to increase capacity. Additionally, the new control channel, once rebanded, might not be the 'old control channel minus 15mhz'.
I would suggest a couple of things:
To determine if the site or sites) near you have rebanded, try entering the probable 'reband' frequencies in a conventional system, and manually stepping through them via the scroll knob. If there is a control channel on one of them, you'll know that the rebanding process is underway, or soon will be. If you hear voice traffic, on the "new channels", then it has been done. (Note: Instead of creating, & loading a system, you can also do this manually- Press "Hold", now enter one of the frequencies, then press "Hold" again. You're now holding on that one frequency.)
You can also take the existing, pre-rebanding, system, and then set it up with both the old, & projected "new" frequencies, so that when the process occurs, you'll be set up. Just be sure that you make the change to Motorola Type 2 Custom, & set the rebanded bandplan. I would also enter all of the 'projected new channels', in case the new control channel is not the -15mhz 'clone' of the old control. The modified system will work with all of the frequencies entered. Once the reband process is confirmed complete, you can then go back and delete the frequencies that are no longer used (those in the 866--868mhz range).
Are you hearing other 800mhz trunked systems, without a problem? If not, this could be a reception issue, instead of a rebanding or programming issue.
If none of the above hits on the problem, then I'd suggest posting your file for someone to look at, and see if something appears missing. Since your 396T file works, try importing that into the 996, and see if it works. (You can easily do that with FreeScan, if you can't get it into ARC996 to load.) If the 396T file works, and especially if it works when loading into the 996 with FreeScan, then either there's a problem with how the system is set up in ARC996, or it's getting corrupted downloading to the scanner.
