Another question about the BCD396T

[k9marco]

Sorry to bother everyone here with another posted question. If anyone can help me. I am curious I used freescan to program my BCD396T scanner. I input Middlesex and Essex counties into the scanner from the RR database via freescan. When it input them I put each county into its own system. Within each county is a mix of regular convential freqs for non APCO 25 depts and some APCO 25 depts like Lowell and Lexington in Middlesex and Methuen in Essex counites. I recieve the non APCO 25 transmissions fine but do not recieve the APCO 25 ones. once in a while I will get a buzz sound or if I am lucky 2-5 words before it cuts out. My question is can both APCO 25 and non APCO 25 dpets be in the same system like they are imported from RR? If so any ideas what I need to do to fix the issue. I live the next town over from Methuen so I know its not a distance issue or so I believe. I am new to this APCO 25 digital scanner stuff. Thank you in advance for any help. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Junior08]

You can have both analog and P-25 single frequencies in the same system, no issue there. Can you upload a picture of the system from your Freescan file so we can see if it's programmed correctly?

 

[garys]

Yes, you can mix analog and P25 frequencies in a conventional system. It's been a while since I had a 396T, but I don't think you have to select mode when you program frequencies in. It sounds like the radio is not processing the audio properly. There is a manual adjustment process, but I forgot how it works. Check the better user manual for the details.

 

[W4ELL]

If you have CTCSS/DCS Search turned on, P25 will not be decoded.

From the manual:

CTCSS/DCS Search
CTCSS/DCS Search lets you search for CTCSS or
DCS tones when it finds an active frequency in search
and Close Call modes. You can identify up to 50
CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.

Note: The scanner will not detect or decode P25
signals if you turn on CTCSS/DCS search.

 

[Junior08]

Thinking the same. The 396T does not do NAC tones, IIRC? The frequency, if digital, should be set to P25 or digital. Check the manual.

 

[k9marco]

Pictures

Attached is the screen shots of the County main page and the Lowell page on freescan they way I currently have it set up. I will Check the other settings that you guys posted about now and let you know. Thanks again Tom

 

[Junior08]

Seems to be programmed correctly. Unless there is a P-25 setting in the scanner itself that can be adjusted maybe you are just not receiving the signal strong enough for the scanner to decode it? I know you are "close", but if the signal is not there, the scanner will reflect it.

 

[Clark]

Change Audio Type to All.

Clark

 

[JoeyC]

I couldn't tell you why your digital channels aren't coming in unless signal strength is the issue, but I was curious as to why you have 2 CNV systems for each Essex & Norfolk counties and 3 CNV systems for Middlesex county each assigned the same system quick key? It doesn't appear you are utilizing Group QuickKeys so you could easily put all of each individual counties stuff in 1 system for each county.