BCD396T not stopping on active channels?

[steve_eg]

Has anyone else noticed that they'll pick up traffic on a channel, but the screen doesn't show which channel is active? (Screen just shows "ID SEARCH") I've been noticing it quite a bit lately. This is occurring on a P25 system, in ID Search Mode. I haven't noted it in ID Scan mode, but I seldom use that mode, since this is a new system and TGs are still being "discovered".

Is this an issue with the scanner, this particular system, or possibly the local P25 system that I'm trying to monitor?

It's not doing this on conventional channels, nor have I noticed this on "regular" TRS.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[jpm]

mines working fine. just figured out how to use the quick keys last two days. but so far no need to id search on a trunked system. i noticed if there locked out they won't search.

 

[kikito]

I've noticed something similar happens to me but I think I know what's happening in my case.

I usually program the primary and alternate control channels in each system. The alternate control channel is frequently used for voice and when I'm in a fringe area and not picking up the control channel clearly or at all, the radio will start looking for another one and if there's digital voice going on the alternate frequency, the radio stops and analizes that channel and stays there long enough to decode and pass some audio. It'll move on in a couple of seconds but if that's the only system you're scanning, it'll go back and stop on the voice frequency again and keeps happening until you regain the actual CC. Sometimes it'll do that enough to hear almost a full conversation. What I do is move the radio until it locks on properly to a CC.

When this is happening to you, is the radio locked on to a good CC?

 

[steve_eg]

I didn't notice, but I'll definitely watch for that. Thanks for the advice, maybe this is the problem. I've got 1 primary, and two alternates. If it is locked onto a "good" control channel, I'll make a note of it, to see if it's consistently happening on that particular channel.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[rdale]

If you lose the data channel and any voice is being transmitted on any other channels in that bank (alternate CC's or whatever) you can get a temporary amount of audio with nothing showing on the screen. You will notice that the CC freq is no longer showing up...

 

[steve_eg]

I just picked one up. It seemed that the control channel was okay. It was still visible under the ID SEARCH. I also made note of which control channel it was. Hopefully this is something simple.

 

[jpm]

when i noticed this problem the talk group was l/o. i freaked out when the 796 p/u a tg and the 396 didn't. figured out that the group the tg was in was locked out of the scanner mode.

 

[kikito]

I just picked one up. It seemed that the control channel was okay. It was still visible under the ID SEARCH. I also made note of which control channel it was. Hopefully this is something simple.

When you say the CC seemed okay, did you check by looking just at the signal strength meter or at the actual frequency displayed? Just checking....

 

[steve_eg]

The signal strength indicator was maxed, and the CC showed up.

Since this system is still being tested, and is only partially operational, I'm still running primarily in ID SEARCH mode.
Here's my setup: I've got two groups-
TEST and CENCOM
TEST has numerous TGIDs in it, identified by their TGID.
CENCOM (this the group where I've got the local country-wide dispatch center TGIDs in) has 13 TGIDs in it.

What I do, when I've confirmed what a particular TGID is (ie, Sheriff Dispatch, Car-Car, etc.) I copy the TGID from TEST into CENCOM group. I then rename the alphatag in DISPATCH to the appropriate channel name. I go back to TEST, and lockout that TGID. This makes it easy if they move things around, or reallocate a TGID (which has happened a couple of times already). I simply delete the channel from CENCOM, then repeat the process with the new channel name.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Voyager]

Has anyone else noticed that they'll pick up traffic on a channel, but the screen doesn't show which channel is active? (Screen just shows "ID SEARCH") I've been noticing it quite a bit lately.

You might want to try uploading the firmware to the scanner again. It sound like your last upload my have gotten 'dingged'.

Joe M.

 

[rdale]

Joe - it is a problem with the radio. If the radio loses a CC, but picks up voice comms on any other channel in that system, it will let bits and pieces of audio through without any change of the display.

 

[Voyager]

Joe - it is a problem with the radio. If the radio loses a CC, but picks up voice comms on any other channel in that system, it will let bits and pieces of audio through without any change of the display.

Hmmm... half the solution to the multi-site single systems tracking (ala PRO-96).

I only mention that since I had a similar problem, but it went away on reflash. Mine wasn't losing the control channel, though.

Joe M.

 

[steve_eg]

I only mention that since I had a similar problem, but it went away on reflash. Mine wasn't losing the control channel, though.
Joe M.

Mine's not losing the control channel either-I've got a really strong signal. When yours was doing it, was it consistently on the same system, or was it occurring on multiple systems?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[exalti]

Try pressing the scan button again. I think it does this when it is already in id scan mode and you press the scan key on a system. It will convert to an id search instead of id scan.

-Al

 

[Voyager]

Mine's not losing the control channel either-I've got a really strong signal. When yours was doing it, was it consistently on the same system, or was it occurring on multiple systems?

Thanks,

Steve

I was only scanning one system at the time.

Joe M.

 

[steve_eg]

Greetings, All,

I reflashed the Firmware on my 396 Saturday morning, and it's not been a problem since. No more hearing a conversation, and wondering what TGID it was. Thanks for the tip!

Now, the obvious question: what might cause the firmware to get "dinged" as Voyager so aptly put it-

Thanks again-

Steve

 

[kikito]

I reflashed the Firmware on my 396 Saturday morning, and it's not been a problem since.

That's good to know and thanks for following up with the outcome. Perhaps this might be a tip to put in any available FAQs.