Black Hawk County, I must be missing something.

[bgruman]

I'll start by saying I know almost nothing about programming scanners.
I'll also say I have searched the forums and read for hours but have not stumbled on anything that will help me.

So Here is the situation: Trying to give Dad a Merry Christmas.
When my Dad was in his 20's he was a town cop in Lamont, IA. (Mostly because he was just out of the army and the only guy in town that had any "real" gun training!) Later, the family moved to Black Hawk Co and Dad started working for Deere. For all the years I can remember growing up there was always a big ol "Base" unit CB with a huge "Stick" mounted to the house as well as a scanner sitting by Dad's Chair. Several years ago, Black Hawk Co changed over to the SARA network and Dads scanner quit working. He is not a techy guy, got frustrated and threw it all away... Dad is now almost 80 and us kids thought it would be nice to get him a new scanner. I (being the computer guy of the family) was "volunteered" to make it happen.

This is what I did...
I did a little research and learned about the basic requirements of the SARA Network.
I purchased a Uniden BCD966P2 Scanner.
I paid my $15 for an initial membership to RR.
I installed the Freescan software in my computer.
I imported the info for my area "Allamakee Co" from RR and Uploaded it to the scanner. (as a test to make sure the box worked.)
The box worked perfectly. I got all the Sherrif, Police, and Fire traffic that I was expecting. (I'm a local fireman and have my own scanner so I knew what to expect.)
I then used Freescan to erase the Allamakee Co stuff from the scanner.
I Imported the Black Hawk Co. SARA Network info from RR and Uploaded it to the scanner.
Took it down to Dads, plugged it in and crossed my fingers... Nothing...

So Here is what it is doing:
The display shows the box scanning through the channels. Occasionally it will pause on a channel... sometimes BH Police Ops, sometimes BH Fire Ops, etc, but nothing is coming out of the speaker. (yes it is turned up. The reception bars on the display show strong signal and I have played with the squelch knob just to try doing something... It is acting like it wants to work, but its not and with my almost zero knowledge of these things I have no idea where to go next...

I know the Black Hawk Co SARA Network is P25 Phase II, and the BCD966P2 fits those requirements, but I also know the BCD966P2 will not work with encrypted signals. I can't find any info on Black Hawk Co being encrypted.

Can anyone tell me?
Is the Black Hawk Co SARA Network encrypted?
Did I simply purchase the wrong scanner for Dad's area?
Is there any info/direction/links you could share with a complete novice to help me figure this out?

In advance, thank you all for your time and knowledge sharing!

 

[doctordialtone]

Is the Black Hawk Co SARA Network encrypted?

You can review the various systems here. Looks like they are only partially Encrypted.

SARA Network Trunking System, Various, Multi-State

SARA Network Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Check the "Mode" column.

E means encrypted e means part time encrypted T means trunked.

I'm not in your area so maybe someone else will chime in. That scanner will work if you're in range and not encrypted.

 

[wscranston]

Looks like a lot of encrypted stuff on that system...sorry.

SARA Network Trunking System, Various, Multi-State

SARA Network Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Look for an "E" appended to the Mode designator.

Also several simulcast sites which might be causing issues.

 

[N0ZJT]

All law channels for Black Hawk county are encrypted on SARA. Fire is not encrypted.

You may have purchased the wrong scanner since Black Hawk county uses a type of system called simulcast. To put it in very basic terms, a simulcast system receives signals from multiple towers all on the same frequencies. Older scanners have a hard time with receiving these multiple signals all with a very small time difference. The scanner will show a full scale signal, but you won't hear any voice. The Uniden SDS-100 and SDS-200 scanners are designed to work with these simulcast type signals.

I live just outside Black Hawk county and I've had many different scanners over the years. My older scanners, like the 996P2 you purchased, won't work reliably. I have the SDS-100 and SDS-200 and they work fine. I'm able to listen to fire and ems traffic just fine.

I'm not saying the 996 you have won't work at all, it's usually dependent on location, you can sometimes move it to a different spot in the room or a different place in the house and it will work better. Still not 100%, but better than nothing.

If you have other questions, let me know.

 

[bgruman]

Wow, Thanks for the quick responses!
so that's what the "E" means... Makes sense...

I think my next obvious questions would be: Is there a scanner I can buy that will receive these encrypted police channels?
(I still have a window of time where I can return the BCD966P2 and upgrade if needed.)

 

[bgruman]

Perfect N0ZJT. You posted at the same time I did...
I will look at the SDS-100 or 200.

If I purchase one of these upgraded scanners, is the programming process I have used (freescan through RR import) the same?
or is there a better process to use?

 

[wscranston]

I think my next obvious questions would be: Is there a scanner I can buy that will receive these encrypted police channels?

No.

 

[bgruman]

Ah, so now I'm reading a little closer...
wscranston says "no" to police, and N0ZJT says the SDS-200 works fine but then quotes Fire and EMS traffic.

Assuming your both correct. Now I have a decision to make:
Is it worth $700 for dad to listen to only Fire and EMS but not Police?

Please let me know if I'm reading something wrong here.
Otherwise, Thank You all for your time and advice!

 

[doctordialtone]

I think my next obvious questions would be: Is there a scanner I can buy that will receive these encrypted police channels?

is the programming process I have used (freescan through RR import) the same?
or is there a better process to use?

NO scanner can monitor encrypted traffic.

There is a program called Sentinel that programs the SDS scanners.

Sentinel (Uniden software) - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[bemyax]

I'm the feed provider for Black Hawk County. A simple and cost-effective way for Dad to listen to radio traffic is the Scanner Radio program on an android phone. The feed originates with a BCD536HP. That scanner has a fairly low learning curve and works well. Even with using it right out of the box. Load the updated full database with Sentinel, pick out the service types as desired, enter your zip code, and set a range (like 5 miles, or so).

The SDS100 also performs very well in Black Hawk. Some drawbacks include: additional complexity, higher price, and a small risk of manufacturing errors. Dad could unplug the power cord and take it into the kitchen to continue listening.

I suspect your pop might also enjoy hearing our Troopers at work, or (ham radio) some geezers chewing an old sock from time to time.

 

[Bandit52241]

T is for TDMA

 

[bgruman]

Thanks for the suggestions!

So, the BCD536HP also works well with the Black Hawk Co Simulcast?

per your last line "bemyax" there are other things the Home Patrol version will pick up... that's cool, but still no encrypted police... Right?

 

[bkramm]

Don't know if it would be of interest but may be able to hear other counties on the SARA network.
Grundy County would be the closest and maybe Marshall County.
Also might try the ISICS state network. Most of that is not encrypted.
I can hear Black Hawk County in southeastern Benton County with SDS 200, with roof top antenna,
and also hear it on my SDS 100 with remtronix 800 MHZ rubber duck antenna when outside.
the SDS series is very good on Simulcast systems. I do not have a BCD996P2 so I can't speak to that scanner.

 

[bgruman]

Wanted to send a follow up for the group.
I talked to Dad about what I have learned and the Police channels is really what he is interested in hearing.
With that, we have decided to send the scanner back and do something different for Christmas.

Thank You all once again for your time and info. It didn't work out for Dad, but I certainly learned a lot along the way.