bc72xlt

[mike90210]

I have this unit and it works fine for CFD I here the dispatch but none of the units, did I do something wrong or am I missing some frequencies or is this unit not capable of listening to portable radios thank you. Also the reception is poor in one spot but if I move it an inch it is clear so traveling with it makes it cut in and out. Is that the best I will get out of this.

 

[robertmac]

Oh boy

I'm not familiar with that scanner. However, it would help greatly if you provided more information when you post! For example, what frequencies are you talking about? Fire Dispatch can be heard on a number of frequencies or trunked system. Please, provide more information and someone may be able to help.

 

[davidmc36]

It is likely that the dispatch center has a tall tower with the transmitter antenna on it. The portables are on the ground like you. Dispatch can hear them with it's tall antenna but you can not since there is too much stuff (hills, trees, buildings) between you and the portables. Also quite often the transmit frequency that the dispatch and any repeater they may be using is different than the receive frequency (what the portables will be transmitting on) and you may not have it programmed in.

 

[EG]

I see Calgary FD has simplex channels in the 800mhz range.
The bc72 doesnt recieve in the 800 MHZ range

 

[mike90210]

I have a uniden bc72xlt and just want to use it for Calgary fire 413.487 in one bank and 463.912 in another and I hear dispatch clear but no moblies. Can some tell me what I did wrong or are the mobile radio all 800 MHZ range.thank you

 

[davidmc36]

I have a uniden bc72xlt and just want to use it for Calgary fire 413.487 in one bank and 463.912 in another and I hear dispatch clear but no moblies. Can some tell me what I did wrong or are the mobile radio all 800 MHZ range.thank you

I did not see right off where you got the 463.xxx freq but the 413.4875 is just voice paging. They page out the call and any talking about what is going on is in the 800 mhz range. You will also need a trunk-tracker for normal ops since the simplex mode that thier radio is capable of is just for in case the trunk system is U/S.

Be sure and read carefully all the info in the database, it will let you know what you need for freqs. and help you figure out what type of radio you will need to hear what you want.

 

[mike90210]

Ok thank you I guess I will get this GRE 500 out of Ontario and go from there I had the same problem when I lived in Toronto with a trunk tracker wile driving reception is cut in and out is their anything I can do.

 

[davidmc36]

Ok thank you I guess I will get this GRE 500 out of Ontario and go from there I had the same problem when I lived in Toronto with a trunk tracker wile driving reception is cut in and out is their anything I can do.

Were you driving around with the scanner inside the car and just the stock duckie antenna? If so, I found it to work pretty poorly on trunk systems like that unless the signal was very strong/close. Even more problem with digital. A good external antenna is the best way to go. I like the mag-mounts cause you do not have to drill a hole to get it into the center of your roof which provides a good ground-plane which is ideal for good reception.

 

[robertmac]

Or if in Calgary could go to NTF and see if they have them here. I really like to support the locals if the prices are close to others. And NTF has been good in the past and are familiar with Calgary area. Read through these forums/database for more info./frequencies. Fire dispatch on your listed frequency [best at 413.4875 with step set at 12.5] does not give everything that is dispatched. And depending on where you are in Calgary, you could also input 418.4875. But look in the Calgary Database for the frequencies.

 

[mike90210]

Ok thank you but I do not understand ( with step set at 12.5 ) And I went to NTF and bought GRE 500 and now I have to try and get CPS program into it and if I trouble with the bc72xlt this will be nightmare

 

[davidmc36]

Ok thank you but I do not understand ( with step set at 12.5 ) And I went to NTF and bought GRE 500 and now I have to try and get CPS program into it and if I trouble with the bc72xlt this will be nightmare

The 12.5 he refers to is the channel size 12.5 khz. There are places too chose that "step size" on many scanners. That would allow you to input the freq in the scanner as 413.4875 rather than the 413.587 that you mentioned. Sometimes the audio will come in at a better level if the freq is a little more accurate.

 

[mike90210]

Yes, I can here alot better now