BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BCD996P2 used for Southeast Texas Regional Radio System (SETRRS) (P25)

[12NewsBeaumont]

BCD996P2 used for the Southeast Texas Regional Radio System (SETRRS) (P25) in Beaumont, Texas. I factory reset a unit and it is only receiving from one tower of the many towers around. Before being factory reset, it received multiple towers. I have verified all frequencies, sites and groups are entered correctly and the antenna is correct. What else should be checked?

 

[Enforcer52]

You do know the SETTRS system in Beaumont is on a Simulcast System and the 996P2 is not a simulcast capable scanner. Although it will work, on the system you can get simulcast distortion on the scanner. The proper scanner to use would be a Uniden SDS200 which is the only simulcast capable scanner made. All channels on the main simulcast channel are received from Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin Counties, so really no need to program in all the towers.

With that being said. How was the scanner programmed? Manually or with a computer and software?

If you post a copy of the programming file, someone here on RR can take a look at it and see what the problem is. You may have to zip the file to post it here, but files that end in .txt will also post.

 

[12NewsBeaumont]

I can post the file when I'm at work tomorrow (that's where the scanner is today.) It's the same scanner I've used for a few years, but it was missing some new talk codes. Because of this, I factory re-set it, then programmed it using ARC-XT PRO software. I downloaded the data for this system directly from Radio Reference internet interface in the software, then tried manual adjustments, and I'm only getting stuff from the Jefferson Co Simulcast tower, and nothing from the other towers on the system. My antenna is 50' in the are and not obstructed. Not sure what changed. Again, it was receiving the other towers before i factory reset.

 

[wtp]

less signal is better.
so if you program the neighboring towers only, things might improve.
if i drive around my neighboring simulcast county the 325 is horrible.
when i get home, outside of that county, the radio is fine.
and you might try an antenna on the radio and not the 50' high one.
again, less is more.

 

[Enforcer52]

Here is a .txt file for the SETTRS system with all the towers included, Use your ARC-XT-PRO to import the file and write to the scanner, and see if that works out for you. Let me know.

 

[wtp]

12newsbeaumont, i sent a PM.

 

[tvengr]

I can post the file when I'm at work tomorrow (that's where the scanner is today.) It's the same scanner I've used for a few years, but it was missing some new talk codes. Because of this, I factory re-set it, then programmed it using ARC-XT PRO software.

I use ARC XT also and will be happy to take a look at your file. What is your squelch setting? It should be at 2. Are quick keys enabled if using them?

 

[n1chu]

There is another SDR radio from Unication. However, it’s a pager. It aint cheap but it is software defined and fights the simulcast issue nicely.

Too bad if all you needed were additional TG’s to be added, you didn’t just add them to the system without resetting the scanner.

 

[K9KLC]

There is another SDR radio from Unication. However, it’s a pager. It aint cheap but it is software defined and fights the simulcast issue nicely.

Too bad if all you needed were additional TG’s to be added, you didn’t just add them to the system without resetting the scanner.

While this is a great idea, he mentions in the OP needing to receive multiple towers which I took to mean sites. If he needs multiple sites at one time, he's not going to get that on a Unication. (at the same time). This is why I have 2 G5's and a G4, for when things get wild and I need to do that.

Honestly though, prior to loaning my son my 996XT it honestly worked pretty well here for the simulcast stuff, it actually outdid the BCD536 I have here. In a different area in the county not so much but here, it worked pretty well.