bcd996xt not rxing trunking?

[fleef]

Moderator/admin, not sure if this thread should be in "State Specific" forum (for user error) or Uniden (for eqpt issue) as I'm unsure of cause of problem- which is:

Model BCD996xt

State AZ city Phoenix

Have a handful of systems programmed

Seems to affect P25 systems only
Unit suddenly only receiving a FEW TalkGroups on RWC (phoenix law enforcement, 1st responders)from a site miles from me - & no trunk channels at all. Tried reprogramming using Freescan and by hand- even using another member's Freescan list (michael ormandy) & checked, re-checked Control channels. I am receiving TG's from only one site in RWC system, but not TG's from others.

I am able to receive Fire calls (analogue, non-trunked frequencies)

It sounds as if it would be a control channel issue, no? yet I've confirmed CC in RR database, & haven't heard anyone else complain of this issue but me.

Moved scanner to other room, switched antennas no difference

I am receiving some Motorola channels from our Sheriff's Dept but it seems to only receive stations that are far away, & not ones near us. It's as if I am in a bubble.

Any ideas? Ive heard of "front end failure" but not sure what it does to a radio, would that be it? Ive nothing that transmits nor an FM radio that has been turned on in the house, the only transmitter was a phone repair guy here a week or so ago.

 

[werinshades]

P25 simulcast issues have been plaguing digital scanners until recently when Uniden released the SDS series. I made a trip to Spring training games few weeks ago and the SDS 100 was chattering away everywhere I went. Might want to look into the SDS200 if you prefer the mobile/desktop version. Also check the Arizona forum for additional tips and clues.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If this is the system you are monitoring (I believe you mentioned it in your OP): https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=2508
then as wereinshades said, LSM simulcast distortion could be your issue. Most of the sites on this system are listed as "Simulcast" meaning more than one tower in close proximity broadcasting signals on the same trunked frequencies. Best bet to monitor this type of system would be an SDS100 (handheld) or SDS200 (base)

 

[fleef]

Oh yeah Im familiar w/simulcast distortion, & I do plan my sites accordingly - I don't believe this is the issue. This is a new issue- all of a sudden, NO P25 trunking channels at all- not even one. It went from receiving my local PD to.. absolutely nothing. Not even our Motorola system channels are working I am finding out now- only Talk Groups are coming in! Weirdest thing.

& PS werinshades- if I could afford the new SDS, I would have it already

 

[werinshades]

Oh yeah Im familiar w/simulcast distortion, & I do plan my sites accordingly - I don't believe this is the issue. This is a new issue- all of a sudden, NO P25 trunking channels at all- not even one. It went from receiving my local PD to.. absolutely nothing. Not even our Motorola system channels are working I am finding out now- only Talk Groups are coming in! Weirdest thing.

& PS werinshades- if I could afford the new SDS, I would have it already

If you haven't done so already, check the Arizona forum as maybe the talk groups in question have switched to Phase 2 which you probably know the 996xt doesn't receive. One day you'll get an SDS scanner and you're problems will be all gone...well most of them...lol!

 

[buddrousa]

#1 Does it see the control channel
#2 Has this system went to type 2

 

[fleef]

buddrousa thank you- how would I know if it is seeing the Control Channel? I don't know how to check that. I tried programming it on a site with ONLY the control channel, got nothing- went ahead & put in the CC and the Alternates- still nothing.

werinshades Phase II possible in some areas- but we're still Phase 1 in most if not all areas- it's not migrated over yet- I mean, I went from receiving normally to zilch. nothing! Even the Conventional frequencies that are P25 aren't receiving either. I sure miss hearing ICE do their jobs.

EDIT- I'm not receiving anything in P25- at all- Conventional or Trunking, except for Talk Groups - & the TGs Im receiving are from sites not even near me (which I would normally receive anyway, just adding for clarification) Is this a thread for the Arizona forum - or Uniden tech? I can't figure if it's an equipment issue or user mistake. Ive programmed it so many times, & can't figure out how or where I could have gone wrong, I can't help but suspect it's the radio.

 

[buddrousa]

I missed conventional in your 1st post maybe time to by a 996p2 I had a pro106 that did this 1 week left in warranty saved me 300 dollars

 

[buddrousa]

If you put the scanner in limit search it should show site info my 996p2s do

 

[werinshades]

buddrousa thank you- how would I know if it is seeing the Control Channel? I don't know how to check that. I tried programming it on a site with ONLY the control channel, got nothing- went ahead & put in the CC and the Alternates- still nothing.

werinshades Phase II possible in some areas- but we're still Phase 1 in most if not all areas- it's not migrated over yet- I mean, I went from receiving normally to zilch. nothing! Even the Conventional frequencies that are P25 aren't receiving either. I sure miss hearing ICE do their jobs.

EDIT- I'm not receiving anything in P25- at all- Conventional or Trunking, except for Talk Groups - & the TGs Im receiving are from sites not even near me (which I would normally receive anyway, just adding for clarification) Is this a thread for the Arizona forum - or Uniden tech? I can't figure if it's an equipment issue or user mistake. Ive programmed it so many times, & can't figure out how or where I could have gone wrong, I can't help but suspect it's the radio.

The reason you might check the Arizona forum is possibly the site control channels have changed? Maybe look at the database? If you're receiving talk groups not near you, that would lead me to believe Phase 2 was implemented on your primary site or the talk groups you used to receive are now Phase 2? It could always be a scanner issue, but rule out the other issues first.

 

[fleef]

I wondered about that too- but why isn't it mentioned elsewhere? not that I do NOT believe it to be true- but I'd think there'd be some talk about it. I also don't see it in the Database - it say SOME are moving to Phase II, not that it HAS moved to Phase II. It's baffling- I'd think it would be a user error somehow, but I can't think of how? If I *wanted* to screen out all P25 transmissions except for Talk Groups- could one do that? I can't think of a way.

Like yourself werinshades I'm attempting logic to define exactly what the issue is ...

 

[fleef]

EDIT- sorry for confusion- I am unable to receive any P25, Motorola systems included- Conventional, P25 and MOTO unable to receive any P25 trunking. Talk groups do receive, but sparingly! Very few TG's are heard, unlike before.

Reprogrammed 2x manually, 3x using Freescan and no difference I can see.

I was wondering, if it were possible to exclude all trunking channels- yet receive Talkgroups, would it be possible- I ask this trying to use logic to reduce down the variables if it's the radio or programming.

Yes I could use a new radio... I could also use the few hundred dollars it cost to buy lol

 

[buddrousa]

If you lost all p25 both Trunking and Conventional it points me to a digital board like the one I had

 

[werinshades]

EDIT- sorry for confusion- I am unable to receive any P25, Motorola systems included- Conventional, P25 and MOTO unable to receive any P25 trunking. Talk groups do receive, but sparingly! Very few TG's are heard, unlike before.

Reprogrammed 2x manually, 3x using Freescan and no difference I can see.

I was wondering, if it were possible to exclude all trunking channels- yet receive Talkgroups, would it be possible- I ask this trying to use logic to reduce down the variables if it's the radio or programming.

Yes I could use a new radio... I could also use the few hundred dollars it cost to buy lol

You need the Trunking channels to receive a trunking system including the trunking talkgroups so that's not going to work. Start saving those pennies..might need a new one.

 

[fleef]

Yeah - need the trunking channels. Hence, my original post! Husband bought this one when it was not cheap - I don't want to hit him up for another one.

 

[fleef]

OK- AZ's systems have not gone Phase II, so I should be able to receive systems. Does Upman /P Ortiz still come around the forums? I'd like to hear from a Uniden person whether they think it may be a problem with scanner. I'd rather send it in & pay repair than buy a whole new one.

 

[UnidenSupport]

There is a possibility the frequencies are in the process of being changed and it's not been updated on radio reference yet, especially if this is a new problem on a system that was working fine before.

What specific county and frequencies are we having issue with? Simulcast may be the issue, but It's hard to say for sure with what we know.

Edit, I see you said phoenix AZ, i'm taking a look.

 

[UnidenSupport]

Radioreference shows your police is in a phase 2 digital simulcast system and I would suspect that is the issue. Of course there may also be some changes to the frequencies that have made the issue worse, but it's likely you will have difficulty without an SDS scanner.