BCD325P2/BCD996P2: 996P2 Simulcast questions

[Rick6975]

I recently purchased a 996p2 scanner and everything works fine but I wanted to see how it would handle simulcast. I programmed two different counties of trunked systems into it using the ARCXT software (which by the way is very easy to use). It scans and appears right accordingly to youtube videos. But it doesn't receive anything. There is nothing locked out, the range is set, I've checked to make sure the control channels are programmed (which they are), ect. I just can't figure out why I'm hearing nothing. If it was slightly garbled or something I would expect that, but nothing. Shouldn't I be able to hear something? All other frequencies work great. I am using the telescopic antenna that came with it. Also, I have an SDS100 sitting right beside it and it picks up all the simulcast in our area perfectly. I use the same type telescopic antenna on it as well. Works great. Could the SDS just be that much more sensitive for simulcast sites?
I have one further question..... my SDS100 misses the beginnings of a lot of transmissions on our local police channel. I am only scanning 3 local channels and it also reacts the same if I have it held on just that channel. It only does it on our city police department which is P25 vhf. Our fire/rescue is a conventional analog vhf channel and no problems there. It acts like it's not breaking the squelch? I have it set on 2. Filter on normal, no att, digital wait time on 400. My 996P2 is much better on these channels. It seems to work fine on other systems. Sorry for the long babble but I'm newer and just trying to figure it out. Any help is appreciated. By the way, I'm in Whitewater, WI 53190 (Walworth county). Thanks!

 

[tvengr]

I use ARC-XT also. If you attach your programming files, I can take a look at them. You will need to right click on the files and Send to Compressed (zipped) folder to be able to attach them. Click on Attach files and Open the zipped folder. I can also look at your SDS100 files.

 

[ofd8001]

What you describe is common for simulcast distortion on the 996P2. You'll get either garble or no audio. You can see if you have a way to turn on site attenuation which may help. I don't have this model scanner, so I'm not sure on this: If there is a way to set P25 threshhold and decode values, you might try tinkering with them. It's trial and error to find the best combination.

The SDS is a different type of scanner which handles simulcast much better.

Missing the first bits of a conversation does happen. It's all part of the digital decoding thing.

 

[mass-man]

Yep that's the way of simulcast! I have a couple of the 996P2 and unless I am sitting near the tower, I get nothing on the simulcast frequencies of a couple of systems. Thankfully the TDMA systems are not something I am interested in hearing...if my local county goes the way of TDMA, as they have 700mhz frequencies already in hand, then I'll reconsider.

 

[Rick6975]

I use ARC-XT also. If you attach your programming files, I can take a look at them. You will need to right click on the files and Send to Compressed (zipped) folder to be able to attach them. Click on Attach files and Open the zipped folder. I can also look at your SDS100 files.

 

[wtp]

i have a 325P2, that is the handheld version of the 996.
it works great everywhere in the county ....except in my house.. it cuts in an out and can miss a sentence or two.
the wife has given me the OK for an SDS100.

 

[tvengr]

It was discovered that new BCD996P2 scanners have a problem receiving P25 frequencies above 170 MHz in the high VHF band. DaneCom uses those frequencies. A firmware update was made available to fix that problem. Update the firmware on your scanner and see if that solves the problem.

 

[tvengr]

Please click on the red envelope on the bar at the top of the page.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Since no one provided a link to the simulcast distortion wiki, I will (it's one of the most discussed issues here on the forums)

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[Rick6975]

Ok. I updated to the latest firmware yesterday and still no luck. It looks like the signal is full. But I hear nothing. Also I'm getting the finding control channel message yet. Those are the only channels programmed in it using ARCXT. Maybe this thing just isn't going to pick up simulcast channels. I am aware that there will be distortion. I've tried on 3 different systems with no luck. My SDS100 gets them all full strength sitting right next to the 996 with a telescopic antenna on both?? I couldn't download a video of what it's doing. Thanks!

 

[wtp]

move the 996 around to see if the reception gets any better, take it for a drive maybe.
but you are describing the simulcast problem perfectly.

 

[tvengr]

Not being able to find the control channel with a good signal is a classic symptom of simulcast distortion. Besides moving the scanner around, try turning on the attenuator and varying the length and orientation of the antenna. With the antenna in a horizontal position, try rotating the scanner 360 degrees in all directions. Reducing the number of towers you receive may improve control channel decoding. If using the scanner at a fixed location, a directional antenna, such as a yagi, may help reduce the number of towers received.

 

[W5ATX]

more reason i wish the sds100/200 had a control channel output, some of us old school guys are still using pro96com