BCT8: BCT8 Not picking up any channels

[Tgulley66]

I have a Uniden BCT8 bought not knowing if it worked. Purchased new antenna original one was missing. I have purchased the ARC8 software and loaded frequencies according to my county. All i hear is static on some channels. Should i just buy a new scanner or am i missing something.

 

[hiegtx]

I have a Uniden BCT8 bought not knowing if it worked. Purchased new antenna original one was missing. I have purchased the ARC8 software and loaded frequencies according to my county. All i hear is static on some channels. Should i just buy a new scanner or am i missing something.

Without knowing your location (city, or county, & state is sufficient), it's hard to give you a specific answer. If your local agencies are using digital channels, either conventionally or in a digital trunked system, such as P25 Phase I or Phase II, you would only hear "static" on those channels. Advise your location, and we can help clear that up.

There are still things you can hear on your BCT8, such as aircraft, railroads, and non-digital channels, but your location will help narrow down what is still within it's capabilities.

 

[Tgulley66]

Without knowing your location (city, or county, & state is sufficient), it's hard to give you a specific answer. If your local agencies are using digital channels, either conventionally or in a digital trunked system, such as P25 Phase I or Phase II, you would only hear "static" on those channels. Advise your location, and we can help clear that up.

There are still things you can hear on your BCT8, such as aircraft, railroads, and non-digital channels, but your location will help narrow down what is still within it's capabilities.

I am in york county South Carolina zip code 29715 thank you

 

[hiegtx]

I am in york county South Carolina zip code 29715 thank you

Looking at York County in the database, most of the public safety related agencies are using this P25 Phase I (digital) trunked system, which is beyond the capabilities of your scanner:

York County SC Public Safety Trunking System, York County, South Carolina

York County SC Public Safety Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Some of the talkgroups use encryption, which no scanner can monitor, Any talkgroup that is encrypted will be noted by the addition of a capital E in the mode column (example DE) for full time encryption, or a lower case e (i.e. De) is encryption is used only part of the time.

There are a few conventional, non-digital, public safety mutual aid frequencies, as well as some Hospital and EMS channels that you could hear, but not the fire & law enforcement agencies (which are on the trunked system). Most of the schools are using conventional, analog, frequencies that you can program. There are a few NXDN & DMR channels listed for non-public safety users, but those are also beyond the BCT8's usage as well.

You can use the BCT8 for aircraft & railroad channels, if any of those interest you, but for public safety, you'll need a different scanner. This Wiki page will give you a list of scanners capable of handling P25 Phase I, listed as using "FDMA", which is what your county's system is using at this time.

There are some state agencies using the Palmetto 800 trunked system, which is your statewide system. It is P25 Phase II capable, but at present it appears that all the listed talkgroups are still P25 Phase I, which is indicated by the D in the Mode column. Some of the talkgroups on the state system are also encrypted.

So, unfortunately, you'd need a different scanner if you want to monitor public safety in your area.

 

[Chris0516]

Looking at York County in the database, most of the public safety related agencies are using this P25 Phase I (digital) trunked system, which is beyond the capabilities of your scanner:

York County SC Public Safety Trunking System, York County, South Carolina

York County SC Public Safety Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

So, unfortunately, you'd need a different scanner if you want to monitor public safety in your area.

It also says Simulcast on that page. So, Even if DE wasn't being used. That still limits @Tgulley66 to the SDS100, SDS200 n' SDS150.

 

[Tgulley66]

Looking at York County in the database, most of the public safety related agencies are using this P25 Phase I (digital) trunked system, which is beyond the capabilities of your scanner:

York County SC Public Safety Trunking System, York County, South Carolina

York County SC Public Safety Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Some of the talkgroups use encryption, which no scanner can monitor, Any talkgroup that is encrypted will be noted by the addition of a capital E in the mode column (example DE) for full time encryption, or a lower case e (i.e. De) is encryption is used only part of the time.

There are a few conventional, non-digital, public safety mutual aid frequencies, as well as some Hospital and EMS channels that you could hear, but not the fire & law enforcement agencies (which are on the trunked system). Most of the schools are using conventional, analog, frequencies that you can program. There are a few NXDN & DMR channels listed for non-public safety users, but those are also beyond the BCT8's usage as well.

You can use the BCT8 for aircraft & railroad channels, if any of those interest you, but for public safety, you'll need a different scanner. This Wiki page will give you a list of scanners capable of handling P25 Phase I, listed as using "FDMA", which is what your county's system is using at this time.

There are some state agencies using the Palmetto 800 trunked system, which is your statewide system. It is P25 Phase II capable, but at present it appears that all the listed talkgroups are still P25 Phase I, which is indicated by the D in the Mode column. Some of the talkgroups on the state system are also encrypted.

So, unfortunately, you'd need a different scanner if you want to monitor public safety in your area.

Thank you so much for the information