BCD325P2 & Spotsylvania System

[BlueMoon2]

Hello Everyone,
As the title suggests, I am trying to program a Uniden BCD325P2 for a fellow ham radio operator using FreeScan. He is able to hear all other systems, BUT Spotsylvania. He says he'll leave it on in the Spotsylvania area for about an hour, and not hear a peep. I have double checked the control channels and system type, both are correct. I have even checked all talkgroups, the only error is that the audio type was not set to Digital Only. But I would think, he would have at least heard digital noise if something came through. I am aware that that scanner may suffer from simulcast distortion, but to not hear anything?? Any advice would be helpful. If need be and more helpful, I can use Butel ArcXT or Pro scan. The reason I was using freescan, is that it prints out a listing of all systems and quick keys they're in that are in the scanner. Something better?

I tried to attach my file from freescan, and it's the wrong file type.

 

[tvengr]

You will need to zip the file to be able to attach it. Simulcast distortion may be your issue. Depending upon your location, the scanner may not be able to decode the control channel. I bet you see NFM instead of the control channel frequency on the 3rd line from the bottom on the scanner display.

 

[hill]

Might be a issue with monitoring this system being simulcast and the BCD325P2 doesn't due well on simulcast systems.

With dealing with simulcast systems maybe try to move the radio to different area inside to see if another room has better receive. You could also try reducing the signal by using the attenuator.

Being a Harris system all channels can be rotated in as control channel. Think the database here notes all of the frequencies as possible control channels.

You need to zip the files to post them on here.

 

[BlueMoon2]

Using FreeScan software, attached is the file.

 

[tvengr]

Do you have system quick key 2 enabled? Do you have group quick key 1 enabled on the Spotsylvania trunked system? Here is a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. Print it out and save it for your reference.

 

[BlueMoon2]

Do you have system quick key 2 enabled? Do you have group quick key 1 enabled on the Spotsylvania trunked system? Here is a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. Print it out and save it for your reference.

Yes, I do appear to have system quick key 2 enable. Yes, I also have group quick key 1 enabled.

 

[richardbritt]

I can tell you the bcd325p2 is terrible with simulcast. It's a wonderful receiver with a lot of features for non simulcast sites, but anytime I try to use it for a simulcast system I don't hear anything at all. My 436 copies most everything but the 325 doesn't break squelch. My 536 receives pretty well as well, not the 325p2. The 325 is great for finding new signals using the band scope and non simulcast system talkgroups. It's a sensitive receiver otherwise with some great features, just doesn't like simulcast.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Hello Everyone,
As the title suggests, I am trying to program a Uniden BCD325P2 for a fellow ham radio operator using FreeScan. He is able to hear all other systems, BUT Spotsylvania. He says he'll leave it on in the Spotsylvania area for about an hour, and not hear a peep. I have double checked the control channels and system type, both are correct. I have even checked all talkgroups, the only error is that the audio type was not set to Digital Only. But I would think, he would have at least heard digital noise if something came through. I am aware that that scanner may suffer from simulcast distortion, but to not hear anything?? Any advice would be helpful. If need be and more helpful, I can use Butel ArcXT or Pro scan. The reason I was using freescan, is that it prints out a listing of all systems and quick keys they're in that are in the scanner. Something better?

I tried to attach my file from freescan, and it's the wrong file type.

I hope you know only clear non-encrypted transmissions from them are fire and rescue and some interagency talkgroups only active when used. You can at time listen for hours and not hear anything. As other point out is is P25 P2 multicast and that is a bad radio for that.

 

[KT4HX]

As mentioned there is little substantive Fire/EMS activity over the radio for Spotsy. Police are encrypted. Most of what I do hear is the automated dispatch for FIre/EMS putting out a call and some EMS traffic to local hospitals though generally the EMS side of the transmission is encrypted. Also I will pick up some Fire training activity every so often. The biggest drawback for using the 352p2 is that it cannot handle simulcast as already mentioned.

 

[io401]

Has anybody mentioned it might be simulcast distortion yet??

 

[vavolff]

Might be a issue with monitoring this system being simulcast and the BCD325P2 doesn't due well on simulcast systems.

With dealing with simulcast systems maybe try to move the radio to different area inside to see if another room has better receive. You could also try reducing the signal by using the attenuator.

Being a Harris system all channels can be rotated in as control channel. Think the database here notes all of the frequencies as possible control channels.

You need to zip the files to post them on here.

Not true, the 352P2 handles simulcast just fine with no issues. It could hang with my SDS200 without breaking a sweat. I had a 352P2 for a couple of years and loved it, I gave it to a close friend last year. Wish I didn't get rid of it, oh well lol. Seriously, the 352P2 is a beast of a scanner, a hidden gem.

 

[wtp]

as i live in a county with 700 simulcast, no is does not handle it well in all spots.
mine works ok around most of the county, but not at my house.
1/4 second of audio followed by 1/4 second of silence.
the SDS100 works all the time at home and around the county.
the thing about simulcast is your location.

 

[vavolff]

as i live in a county with 700 simulcast, no is does not handle it well in all spots.
mine works ok around most of the county, but not at my house.
1/4 second of audio followed by 1/4 second of silence.
the SDS100 works all the time at home and around the county.
the thing about simulcast is your location.

Really? Huh, go figure. I stand corrected!

 

[wtp]

thanks for the thanks.
and i had tried my 396T and 396XT with the same results.

 

[vavolff]

thanks for the thanks.
and i had tried my 396T and 396XT with the same results.

The 396 doesn't surprise me, I had a 996 when I lived in NJ, and the digital quality wasn't so hot and sold it. When I moved back to Virginia Beach in 2016, I picked up a 436HP and was decent at that time, then sold it. When I snagged a 352P2 and threw the old Radio Shack 800mhz antenna on it, I was blown away! I've always had the worst luck with scanners, antennas and reception. That 352P2 never missed a thing, even when I compared it with the SDS200 I have now. The only complaint I had has battery life, and VHF/UHF reception was pretty lackluster even with a better antenna. Sometimes I forget that in this day and age with simulcast, one person's mileage can really vary its location and antenna type. That sucks your 352HP mileage was really 1/2 butted, it's a bit of a nicer price point. But I understand, don't even get me started on how HF/Shortwave monitoring goes at my location. There's a big reason why I've gone to online tuneable SDR's lol.

 

[BAH1]

Try programming this system conventionally behind trunk system. It works for me when I visit your location. Also try the old type racing bud intenna Bearcat used to sell with their Scancat radios, its a solid connection Only problem ,you have to temp LO control channels as the Harris system changes them. Should not miss a thing this way on BCD325p2. No 1000.00 dollar radio for meee!

 

[N4VKF]

I owned a 325p2. On the spotsy system it was hit or miss. I could not take it mobile, it performed terrible with distortion. Spotsy a few years back invested heavily in MDT and Cad upgrades. Radio traffic levels are not what they were just a few years earlier. With population increases there will be more and more radio users on that system. FS12 is in the process of being constructed to cover the Massaponax area and staffing should include a new BC and EMS supervisor.