BCD396T/BC996T: BCD996T First time programming.

[F6twistersrwindy]

Hey. I have a BCD996T that has been half reprogrammed No trunking added just local frequencies. I want to start from scratch but I have never programmed a scanner or used one. Ive read the manual. I understood most of it. My question is, I am using windows 11 laptop and I need advice on what programming software to use. I want to be able to add updates easily as they come out. User friendly to because I have never done this. Also I'm having a brain fart understanding Uniden I-Call. The manual said it is to pick up local one on one comunications. What is that? Then I read from google saying I-Call is the same as the CloseCall feature. I thought Closecall was picking up emergencies close to home? I using this as a base unit only. All advice welcome. I'm just starting. 🙂

 

[tvengr]

From what I understand, the original programming cable that came with the 996T will not work on Windows 10/11, and requires purchase of a new compatible cable. Such as the one below.

The original cable that came with the 996T is a RS232 serial cable with a Hirose connector on one end and a DB9 female connector on the other. You can insert this adapter between the USB port on your computer and the other cable. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insign...rolific-chipset-black/5883029.p?skuId=5883029 That is what I use to program my 996T on my Windows 10 & 11 computers. Lucas County and Toledo use this system: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System Trunking System, Toledo, Ohio It is P25 Phase 1 which your scanner can receive. Your scanner can receive any talkgroup with a D in the Mode Column. Mode DE is fully encrypted and cannot be received by any scanner. Mode De is encrypted part of the time. You may have problems receiving the Lucas County Simulcast site depending upon your location.. Simulcast distortion results in missed transmissions and garbled audio.

 

[Enforcer52]

I have a BCD996T. NWORPSS is heavily simulcast. That BCD996T will have a very hard time decoding that.

I figured that was the case.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

Lucas county is P25 Phase 1 Simulcast on the Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System, all public safety is on this system.

The 996T is not made to handle simulcast systems, it will depend on the location of the towers in relation to your location. You may receive garbled transmissions or nothing at all. You will just have to try and see. In your case the inside antenna may actually work better to mitigate the simulcast issues.

You will also have to try the cable and see if it works or not.

This scanner belonged to my mom it was programmed by a cb shop in 2009. She was able to clearly pick up police & ems at her home. I'll cross my fingers lol

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

This scanner belonged to my mom it was programmed by a cb shop in 2009. She was able to clearly pick up police & ems at her home. I'll cross my fingers lol

She was still using it in 2022

 

[Enforcer52]

Check your PM messages, top right corner.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

I have a BCD996T. NWORPSS is heavily simulcast. That BCD996T will have a very hard time decoding that. Some days it will work fairly well other days not so much. I have a SDS200 and a Unication G4. They both decode flawlessly.

I have seen the Sds200, I really really like the display with the full information. Definitly have that in consideration for an upgrade eventually.

 

[GILLIG40]

That was Jerry’s CB shop that programmed that for your mom. I bought mine from him in 2006. He was the only place locally that you could get a Uniden scanner from. She may have just lived in a great spot for that particular scanner. Mine never decoded anything much at all. Once I retired in 2022 and had time to read through some threads on these forums I was able to figure out a few settings to get it to work. I also move out of the city of Toledo. Just in case you’re interested all that you want to listen to is available on the Broadcastify Calls platform . Look up Node 255

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

That was Jerry’s CB shop that programmed that for your mom. I bought mine from him in 2006. He was the only place locally that you could get a Uniden scanner from. She may have just lived in a great spot for that particular scanner. Mine never decoded anything much at all. Once I retired in 2022 and had time to read through some threads on these forums I was able to figure out a few settings to get it to work. I also move out of the city of Toledo. Just in case you’re interested all that you want to listen to is available on the Broadcastify Calls platform . Look up Node 255

Yes! Thats where it was programmed. Cool that you know that. Hmm. Ok I'll take a peek as soon as I look up what a node is. 😅

 

[GILLIG40]

I have to run out for a bit. If someone doesn’t point you to node 255 I will when I get back

 

[Enforcer52]

Look up Node 255

Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System - All Calls Live

Trunked System: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System - All Received Calls

www.broadcastify.com

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System - All Calls Live

Trunked System: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System - All Received Calls

www.broadcastify.com

I didnt see anywhere to type 255. Im listening though. This has alot more then Scanner Radio Pro. I usually use that. This is pretty cool. Thanks. What does node 255 do?

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

I have to run out for a bit. If someone doesn’t point you to node 255 I will when I get back

I didnt see anywhere to type 255. Im listening though. This has alot more then Scanner Radio Pro. I usually use that. This is pretty cool. Thanks. What does node 255 do? I'm getting lost in these threads I'm not sure who I'm even replying to lol

 

[Enforcer52]

What does node 255 do?

It allows you to listen to individual TGID/Channels instead of the whole system. You click on a Group number to listen to that channel only. Or can create you own Playlist and choose up to 30 channels to listen to.

Node 255: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System (Site: Lucas County Simulcast) - Live

BCFY Calls Node: Node 255: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System (Site: Lucas County Simulcast) - Live

www.broadcastify.com

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

It allows you to listen to individual TGID/Channels instead of the whole system. You click on a Group number to listen to that channel only. Or can create you own Playlist and choose up to 30 channels to listen to.

Node 255: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System (Site: Lucas County Simulcast) - Live

BCFY Calls Node: Node 255: Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System (Site: Lucas County Simulcast) - Live

www.broadcastify.com

The page said that listening option is no longer available to the public. 🤷‍♀️

 

[Enforcer52]

he page said that listening option is no longer available to the public.

Yeah you use node 255 to setup your own playlist. The first link I sent is what you listen to if you don't want to setup your own playlist.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

I didnt see anywhere to type 255. Im listening though. This has alot more then Scanner Radio Pro. I usually use that. This is pretty cool. Thanks. What does node 255 do?

Is this pre-recorded transmissions or live?

I didnt see anywhere to type 255. Im listening though. This has alot more then Scanner Radio Pro. I usually use that. This is pretty cool. Thanks. What does node 255 do?

 

[Enforcer52]

Is this pre-recorded transmissions or live?

If you play a file in the node 255 page it is pre-recorded. If you use the other All Calls Live link, then it is live with a 1-3 second delay.

 

[GILLIG40]

If you open the link that Enforcer52 provided (Thanks) then login. Scroll to the public playlists. There is a playlist titled Toledo,Wood,Fulton, PD & Fire. OHSP. That’s a playlist I made up. Has just about everything you’d want to listen to.

 

[F6twistersrwindy]

If you open the link that Enforcer52 provided (Thanks) then login. Scroll to the public playlists. There is a playlist titled Toledo,Wood,Fulton, PD & Fire. OHSP. That’s a playlist I made up. Has just about everything you’d want to listen to.

Ok cool. Thanks

 

[GILLIG40]

If you listen to the playlist it’s only a couple seconds delay. You’re able hold onto any talkgroup on the playlist.
You’re also able to access the archives and listen to past transmissions. I also have a FreeScan file for NWORPSS if you decide to try and program your 996