BCD99XT Scan Question

[dhughe2]

This is my first post on the forum. I am a new scanner user, and I recently programmed my BCD996XT to include Baltimore County's P25. This is the first system I have programmed and have questions regarding the scanner in scan mode.

I have finally succeeded in programming it properly. My question is, can I set the scanner to listen to a particular channel, such as Fire Dispatch, and then switch to a new channel when I want to listen to that channel? So far, what I've noticed is that the TGID will jump all around to include all police, fire, sheriff, PW, etc. That's all well and good, but I haven't quite figured out how to control what I'm listening to to tune into the traffic I really want to hear, followed by everything else that comes over the waves.

Also, what is the difference between ID scan and ID search modes?

And finally, I'm looking to use this in a mobile installation. The stock collapsible antenna isn't going to fit too well in my truck, so I'm looking for a mobile antenna. This will likely be a permanent installation, and I am looking for an antenna with good performance, while not being too long. I spend a considerable amount of time in off-road settings and do not want an antenna with a long whip that could be bent by a overhanging tree branch. I am looking for something around 16" or shorter.

Thanks for your help.

 

[russianspd]

I can help with a couple of those questions. Lets say you have channel 1 you like the most, set that to priority and make sure priority is on. Then lets say you have your scanner divided with Police on group 1 (your fav priority channe) and Fire on group 2 (Your second favorite). As long as you have group 1 active where the priority channel is you can be on any other frequency on your scanner and it will switch to the pri channel when it's active and then switch back to what you had it held on. If group 1 is disabled but 2 is active and the pri mode is on it will not switch to your fav.

The group or key command needs to be active where your priority channel is set to have it switch to it will be specifcally on another channel.

For my mobile use I used the long stock antenna for awhile. Then I went and got an angled connector and used a Radio Shack 800MHZ which worked really well. Now I have a Larson Tri-band mounted on my car and just screw in the BNC connector and all is well.

 

[UPMan]

ID SCAN = Only stop on those channels you have programmed.
ID SEARCH = Stops on all comms.

To hold on a single channel, you would press HOLD. Then, if not already on that channel, scroll to it.

 

[dhughe2]

Thank you for the replies. So you used the radioshack antenna in a vehicle and had no problems?

 

[ofd8001]

I use a Comtelco antenna which was purchased from Scanner master.

Comtelco All-Band Low-Profile Scanner Antenna

This is on my fire department vehicle. Since I have an issue with overhead garage door clearance, I have a Pro fit bracket to mount the antenna to a front fender.

On my personally owned vehicle I've used a Spectrum Force antenna with magnetic mount as well as a Radio Shack magnetic mount antenna. One performs as well as the other.

 

[russianspd]

Thank you for the replies. So you used the radioshack antenna in a vehicle and had no problems?

Yup, I used it for a good bit. It helped with PD and such. Only issues was CHP. The one that did help with CHP was the long stock.