Beartracker 885: Scanning for dummies turned me in to a dummy.

[k2epm]

Hello,

I have made three trips to Broome County (NY) and while in Binghamton and Vestal my Uniden Beartracker 885, which has Project 25 Phase II scanning capability, has been virtually silent, I don't get it. Yet on my iPhone, using the Scanner Radio (Pro version) App I listen to the Broome County Public Safety (P25) feed every day. So, why can't I hear the actual RF signals on the Beartracker 885?

I use the Beartracker 885 when traveling because....it's easy. I update the database with Uniden's programmer regularly and the GPS knows where you are and it usually works like a charm.

Are any other Beartracker 885 users finding they don't hear activity in areas where the database shows you should be hearing systems?

 

[rhodester]

Broome county is a simulcast system.SDS200 is what you need. Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[SurgePGH]

Hello,

I have made three trips to Broome County (NY) and while in Binghamton and Vestal my Uniden Beartracker 885, which has Project 25 Phase II scanning capability, has been virtually silent, I don't get it. Yet on my iPhone, using the Scanner Radio (Pro version) App I listen to the Broome County Public Safety (P25) feed every day. So, why can't I hear the actual RF signals on the Beartracker 885?

I use the Beartracker 885 when traveling because....it's easy. I update the database with Uniden's programmer regularly and the GPS knows where you are and it usually works like a charm.

Are any other Beartracker 885 users finding they don't hear activity in areas where the database shows you should be hearing systems?

As stated in the other reply, the BearTracker does not handle simulcast well at all. I own one. The BearTracker also only receives primary dispatch talkgroups unless you modify the files in the SD card. There is a tread on RR if you search around for it.

 

[rjdj2000]

Hello,

I have made three trips to Broome County (NY) and while in Binghamton and Vestal my Uniden Beartracker 885, which has Project 25 Phase II scanning capability, has been virtually silent, I don't get it. Yet on my iPhone, using the Scanner Radio (Pro version) App I listen to the Broome County Public Safety (P25) feed every day. So, why can't I hear the actual RF signals on the Beartracker 885?

I use the Beartracker 885 when traveling because....it's easy. I update the database with Uniden's programmer regularly and the GPS knows where you are and it usually works like a charm.

Are any other Beartracker 885 users finding they don't hear activity in areas where the database shows you should be hearing systems?

I also have an 885 and have traveled down there and have received traffic while there. But I have used a modified file while down there so it is not trying to scan absolutely everything in the area. I have not had any issues down there or in my local area and both systems are simulcast, yes there are some "questionable" spots to receive anything, but over all it works fine.

 

[k2epm]

I also have an 885 and have traveled down there and have received traffic while there. But I have used a modified file while down there so it is not trying to scan absolutely everything in the area. I have not had any issues down there or in my local area and both systems are simulcast, yes there are some "questionable" spots to receive anything, but over all it works fine.

How do you modify the file on the SD Card? Thanks.

 

[rjdj2000]

I use Excel to do it. Here is a post I did a couple years ago on it: Beartracker 885 - Editing HPD files

I only have my county P25 system and adjacent counties in my file. I have removed 98% of everything in the NY file except what I wanted.

 

[buddrousa]

Plus when was the last time you updated the database of the 885?