I acquired the 996P2 late October after MERA changed over to a P25 Phase II system... I manually programmed the new system, sites, groups, Freq's, TG's and it received everything as expected. I acquired a BCD325P2 a couple weeks prior with same results... Now this is relevant info because just a couple days ago i noticed that the 996P2 just stopped "broadcasting" MERA traffic while the 325P2 is receiving and broadcasting just fine... Ive tried switching antennas, moving antennas and all that. Ive gone thru the radio system on the 996P2 with a fine tooth comb and it's IDENTICALLY programmed to the hand held 325P2. I even rebuilt the system again and it won't make a peep. The interesting part is that when i "hold" on the first Control Channel on the 996P2 it will show the agencies that are "talking" but No voice is audible. The system ID shows in the display correctly but the agencies that show in the display cannot be heard while the 325P2 is blaring simultaneously sitting side by side. Another possible clue is that after i rebuilt the MERA system again and let it scan for a while the "Fleet map" did not self-populate like it had after i first programmed it. Im really confused as hell as this is very strange... im hoping one of the experts out there can help me navigate this problem. The same radio that stopped "broadcasting" the MERA transmissions blares loudly with all the conventional channels and the NAPA Sheriff traffic. Before anyone suggests to use EZ-Scan or PROscan to reprogram the radio via computer I don't have any Microsoft devices available at this time. Thanks in advance for any help
BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BCD-996P2 no longer broadcasts MERA (Marin Emergency Radio Auth) system
- Thread starter oblivius
- Start date
doctordialtone
Member
My suggestion is a Factory Reset.
You'll need to reprogram by hand.
Good luck!
Edit: I don't think you need a Fleet Map
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That's the nature of the simulcast distortion beast. One moment a scanner might work fine but move it a couple of inches from its "Sweet spot" and you lose it entirely. Feel free to try the multipath mitigation steps in the wiki I linked but ultimately you'd be much better off with a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200 to track simulcast systems
Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) P25 Trunking System, Various, California
Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) P25 Trunking System Profile
www.radioreference.com
6 west sites and 9 or 10 east sites this all is starting to make sense.
They may have added sites or weather, and foliage changes may have come into play.
I would look into old school SIMULCAST tricks like less antenna paperclip for an antenna ect.
Or you could just get an SDS100 SDS200 Scanner.
They may have added sites or weather, and foliage changes may have come into play.
I would look into old school SIMULCAST tricks like less antenna paperclip for an antenna ect.
Or you could just get an SDS100 SDS200 Scanner.
tvengr
Well Known Member
MERA is a Motorola Type II SmartZone system. Make sure you have the same custom band plan in both scanners.
Uniden Custom Band Plan
Lower Base: Upper Base: Offset: Step:
482.0000 484.3625 380 12.5
488.0000 490.1000 570 12.5
490.7250 490.9750 739 12.5
Uniden Custom Band Plan
Lower Base: Upper Base: Offset: Step:
482.0000 484.3625 380 12.5
488.0000 490.1000 570 12.5
490.7250 490.9750 739 12.5
OP is having trouble picking up the new Phase-II system
Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) P25 Trunking System, Various, California
Marin Emergency Radio Authority (MERA) P25 Trunking System Profile
www.radioreference.com
tvengr
Well Known Member
Thanks, I missed that! In that case, it could very well be simulcast problems. Make sure that you have the same frequencies in both sites in both scanners and they are not locked out. They could have switched to an alternate control channel frequency. Try with the attenuator on and off for both sites.
Love this community... I love to try to solve or help solve problems too...
the original post is a lot to digest..
Firstly do any of those above "solutions" apply if the part about the BCD325P2 is true? The hand held Uniden BCD325 receives, decodes, and broadcasts MERA without problems and it's programmed identically to the 996P2. This 996P2 also did NOT "get" MERA while driving around half a county away while the 325 "worked" clearly and i know there are towers within range since mutual aid etc. and DRZ calls are a regular thing.
Im getting a WS 1098 in a few days...Should be interesting..I have avoided Uniden radios since Whichever company started building the "object oriented" scanning radios maybe GRE... I love love love the UI and have owned many... I bought this first BCD325P2 since the first change to P25 Phase II happened in my area... I don't dislike Uniden but the UI is not my favorite and now this 996 problem has me down on them again. Not sure if SDS is the answer as someone suggested.
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the original post is a lot to digest..
Firstly do any of those above "solutions" apply if the part about the BCD325P2 is true? The hand held Uniden BCD325 receives, decodes, and broadcasts MERA without problems and it's programmed identically to the 996P2. This 996P2 also did NOT "get" MERA while driving around half a county away while the 325 "worked" clearly and i know there are towers within range since mutual aid etc. and DRZ calls are a regular thing.
Im getting a WS 1098 in a few days...Should be interesting..I have avoided Uniden radios since Whichever company started building the "object oriented" scanning radios maybe GRE... I love love love the UI and have owned many... I bought this first BCD325P2 since the first change to P25 Phase II happened in my area... I don't dislike Uniden but the UI is not my favorite and now this 996 problem has me down on them again. Not sure if SDS is the answer as someone suggested.
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How are you sure the two scanners are programmed identically?
It does sound like a hardware issue with the 996 based on what you describe, but I’d want to explore any possible differences. Firmware up to date? Since I assume you programmed without a computer/software, I’d be concerned there could be differences. Switch antennas?
It does sound like a hardware issue with the 996 based on what you describe, but I’d want to explore any possible differences. Firmware up to date? Since I assume you programmed without a computer/software, I’d be concerned there could be differences. Switch antennas?
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wtp
Member
squelches set to 2 ?
HO ! LEEEE OVERLOOK BATMAN !!!!... Im so very embarrased because i just spun the squelch dial to the middle and BOOM !... Loud and clear audible transmissions from MERA.... I didn't even think about that and it makes so much sense... squelch = noise gate and that gate was preventing the "voices" from being heard. I am so very sorry for taking everyone's time and member WTP wins the luggage !!! I really should have figured this out but alas.... tunnel vision for sure... Maybe someone wants to explain why i was hearing all the conventional traffic loud and clear? Carry on fine people !! Grateful again
wtp
Member
you are not the first. that is why i usually post just that question,
you are welcome.
and that is why we all come here, to help.
back to the radios.
you are welcome.
and that is why we all come here, to help.
back to the radios.
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