BCD996XT cannot access preinstalled TX DPS Freqs.

[RLynch]

I purchased a BCD996XT last week to replace my 2005 BC796D that I sold to a friend. I live in Keller, TX, surrounded by several TX DPS repeaters. TIn the ID Scan mode, the BCD996XT scanner will not stop on any of the preinstalled TX DPS frequencies.

I have downloaded the 1.04.00 firmware update and installed the rebanded NE Tarrant County and Ft. Worth / Tarrant County frequencies, from Radio Reference. All of these frequencies work as advertised.

TX DPS is normally loaded as a Conventional System, P25, digital and uses NAC codes. Their system is not trunked. It is my understanding that the scanner automatically checks if the signal is analog or digital and selects the correct type. The NAC code can either be the assigned code for that frequency, or the catch-all, open code of F7E (hexidecimal), or 3966 (decimal) for any frequency.

I have contacted Uniden by e-mail and explained the issue. They replied that I would need add a new system as rebanded, Motorola II, P25, Custom and then reload the DPS frequencies as groups. However, this is done only, for trunked systems. As expected, this did not work for TX DPS freqs, since the TX DPS radio system is not a trunked system.

After exchanging several e-mails, Uniden finally asked me to call them to talk through the issue. I called and left a message for them to call me back.

In the meantime, I have tried several system configurations, both Conventional and Trunked, with different settings and still have not received any transmissions. The signal meter activity is not visible.

On the last configuration, I entered multiple Conventional systems with single DPS frequencies and NAC codes for each system. The scanner would pause when it detected activity on a system/frequency, but there was no audio, and no indication on the signal strength meter.

Has anyone else on the forum experienced this issue with accessing the TX DPS frequencies and what did you have to do to correct it?

At this point in the game, I probably need a step-by-step configuration lesson. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. 73's, Richard - K5RHL

 

[UPMan]

If you are seeing ID Scan, then the DPS system is programmed incorrectly as a trunked system. DPS is all conventional using P25 encoding on their channels.

The easiest way to program them is to use FreeScan and a premium subscription to pull the info directly from the RadioReference database. Otherwise, program the channels per the database (Department of Public Safety (DPS) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference). Set the modulation for the channels to Digital and enter the appropriate NAC for each.

 

[RLynch]

Still cannot access preinstalled TX DPS Freqs for BCD996XT.

To: UPman,

Thanks for your reply. As I mentioned, I made a mistake on the scan mode. When scanning the preloaded TX DPS database, it is in SCAN mode, not ID Scan. The scanner just does not stop on any frequency, even though DPS repeaters are all around me.

I tried downloading and using FreeScan. It is the same as a manual setup and using ARCXT Pro, in that when you enter a new Conventional System setup, the program does not ask for, or allow digital, P25 or NAC setups, selections or entries.

At least, I have not been able to find it, under a Conventional system setup. P25 and NAC entry fields are only available when setting up a trunked system. TX DPS is not a trunked system. Either that, or I am missing a step.

I would love to be able to set the modulation to Digital and enter the appropriate NAC for each, if I had those field options available on a Conventional setup. I have gone through the Conventional setup process numerous times and those fields are just not there.

If you disagree, please give me the step-by-step setup procedure for creating this file. This thing is about to drive me nuts!

Setting up the trunked NE Tarrant Co and Ft. Worth/Tarrant Co Public Safety systems were easy, since all the required fields were available and the required entries could be made.

Richard - K5RHL

 

[UPMan]

The scanner has the option. I haven't used ARC XT, so can't help with that software.

It is a channel option. First you change the channel's "Audio Type" setting from "All" to "Digital Only", then you are prompted for a NAC.

I am in the DFW area (used to live in NRH) and very seldom hear DPS.

 

[ka3jjz]

In FreeScan, you would go to the group in question, and there's a column called 'Audio Type'. That's where you would set the 'Digital' type for each frequency. You can then use the pulldowns to program the NAC. Make sure the 'Simple view' checkbox is EMPTY. It's right above the first line for the alpha tag, and below the tag name for the group

best regards..Mike

 

[RLynch]

Still trying to receive TX DPS

Thanks, Mike and UPman.

The "Simple View" change did the trick on the NAC code. I changed the Audio Type to "Digital", copied the TX DPS frequencies, added the NAC codes and uploded the system from FreeScan to the scanner. The scanner is in the Scan mode, but not stopping on a frequency. Same song, second verse and a few more gray hairs....

This is the same issue I had with the preloaded TX DPS and using ARCXT Pro.

The preloaded TX DPS I downloaded to ARCXT Pro had the Audio Type already set to Digital and the NAC code fields installed.

I have tried using the RR frequency lists and setting up the TX DPS freqs and systems from scratch, but with the same results.

I must have some setting wrong, but I can't determine what it is...

I will keep looking. Maybe I need a 60' antenna...

Thanks for your help.

Richard - K5RHL

 

[hiegtx]

Thanks, Mike and UPman.

The "Simple View" change did the trick on the NAC code. I changed the Audio Type to "Digital", copied the TX DPS frequencies, added the NAC codes and uploded the system from FreeScan to the scanner. The scanner is in the Scan mode, but not stopping on a frequency. Same song, second verse and a few more gray hairs....

This is the same issue I had with the preloaded TX DPS and using ARCXT Pro.

The preloaded TX DPS I downloaded to ARCXT Pro had the Audio Type already set to Digital and the NAC code fields installed.

I have tried using the RR frequency lists and setting up the TX DPS freqs and systems from scratch, but with the same results.

I must have some setting wrong, but I can't determine what it is...

I will keep looking. Maybe I need a 60' antenna...

Thanks for your help.

Richard - K5RHL

Richard,
In the metro area (I'm in Dallas), DPS has been using the MDT's a lot more than the radios. While I'm in range of the DPS Garland office, I don't hear all that much activity from them, even on a couple of scanners on rooftop antennas. I do get the base occasionally, but they operate duplex (base transmits on one frequency, the mobiles answer on an entirely different one). Unless you are close to the field unit, or in an area where they use a repeater, you may never hear the troopers working the roads.

From your location, the ones you are most likely to hear would be either the Aledo repeater (RPT 13, 159.2100, NAC 141), or "Denton Dispatch" (RPT 04, 159.2175, NAC 111). An external antenna would indeed help, though. Make sure you don't have the squelch up too high; that will also affect you.

 

[RLynch]

Cannot access preinstalled TX DPS Freqs.

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I may be chasing my tail...

I think everything has been set up correctly on my scanner. So far, I have used a manual install, plus 3 software products, to load the scanner and all are giving me the same results. No audio.

The loaded DPS frequencies are correct according to Radio Reference. The scanner is set to Conventional system, with Audio Type set to digital and the NAC codes inserted. No lock/outs.

So maybe you are right. The DPS troopers are not using the mobile radios as much, since they have installed MDT computers. That would make sense.

I have a diskcone scanner antenna, but need to put it up. That may make a difference.

A guy in Burleson contacted me today. He has his scanner programmed to receive TX DPS. I will talk to him tonight after he gets off work and see what he has to add.

73's,

Richard - K5RHL

 

[RLynch]

I finally got the BCD996XT scanner to pick up the preloaded TX DPS frequencies. Thanks to all, who have replied to my e-mails.

I changed all of the preloaded TX DPS NAC codes to: Search (SRCH using ARC-XT Pro software). The scanner will then ignore the NAC code and will stop on any TX DPS frequency that is active. However, when it gets a hit, it will still display the NAC code, for that frequency.

After I made this change, the scanner picked up one TX DPS frequency using the included antenna. I decided that I needed a better external antenna, since I live in a low area, which is surrouned by hills.

This morning I installed a RS Disk-Cone scanner antenna in my attic. The antenna is about 20 feet above the ground.

The scanner is now picking up TX DPS frequencies 155.4525, 159.2100 and 159.2175. I logged 121 hits in about 6 hours. The TX DPS frequencies were not as active as I expected, but at least, I know it is working.

BTW, I highly recommend Bu-Tel ARC-XT Pro scanner software and Radio Reference, to setup and operate your scanner. ARC-XT Pro is a little more expensive than most purchased scanner software, but it is easy to use and it is feature rich.

Also, the "Easier To Read BCD996XT Digital Scanner Manual" is a must read, for anyone trying to understand how to operate this radio. You can buy a copy at ScannerMaster.com, or find a searchable copy, on the Internet at: Easier to Read BCD996XT Digital Scanner Manual

73's

Richard - K5RHL

 

[KE4ZNR]

Richard,
Glad to hear you were able to get things up and running
I have always said that being able to receive what you want to hear in
our hobby is based off of:
60% Antenna
30% Quality Scanner
10% LUCK
If you do come across different NAC codes in use (other than what is listed in the database) please submit them so that the local database admin can add/change the info in the database.
Thanks and happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR

I finally got the BCD996XT scanner to pick up the preloaded TX DPS frequencies. Thanks to all, who have replied to my e-mails.

I changed all of the preloaded TX DPS NAC codes to: Search (SRCH using ARC-XT Pro software). The scanner will then ignore the NAC code and will stop on any TX DPS frequency that is active. However, when it gets a hit, it will still display the NAC code, for that frequency.

After I made this change, the scanner picked up one TX DPS frequency using the included antenna. I decided that I needed a better external antenna, since I live in a low area, which is surrouned by hills.

This morning I installed a RS Disk-Cone scanner antenna in my attic. The antenna is about 20 feet above the ground.

The scanner is now picking up TX DPS frequencies 155.4525, 159.2100 and 159.2175. I logged 121 hits in about 6 hours. The TX DPS frequencies were not as active as I expected, but at least, I know it is working.

BTW, I highly recommend Bu-Tel ARC-XT Pro scanner software and Radio Reference, to setup and operate your scanner. ARC-XT Pro is a little more expensive than most purchased scanner software, but it is easy to use and it is feature rich.

Also, the "Easier To Read BCD996XT Digital Scanner Manual" is a must read, for anyone trying to understand how to operate this radio. You can buy a copy at ScannerMaster.com, or find a searchable copy, on the Internet at: Easier to Read BCD996XT Digital Scanner Manual

73's

Richard - K5RHL

 

[RLynch]

Thanks Marshall, for your follow-up e-mail.

I think I am starting to come to grips with my new scanner. So far, I haven't noticed any new NAC codes, but I will let you know if one pops up.

I have copied all of the TX DPS frequencies from RR to an Excel spreadsheet and removed all of the duplicate frequencies, taking into consideration the modes and audio types. This reduced the list of TX DPS frequencies to 34 different frequencies, which I have loaded into my scanner.

I removed the PL/DPL tones and replaced the NAC codes, with the Uniden "SEARCH" command. This should open up the scanner to receive any available TX DPS transmissions, regardless of where I travel in the state.

At least, this is the game plan for today...

And by the way, I agree with you about the importance of a good antenna. A well designed and resonant antenna, at the proper height above ground, is the major key to good reception and transmissions, with any radio.

73's

Richard - K5RHL