Cumberland County programming

[kkr8558]

Hey, so I've got a question. I just purchased the BCD325P2 scanner and I cannot figure out how to program it for Cumberland County. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the RR forums:
I strongly recommend Proscan paired with a premium subscription to Radioreference so you can pull info directly from RR into Proscan to program your scanner(s). I don't get paid to endorse either, but sure wish I did with all the referrals I've given here over the years

With regards to Cumberland County as it is today: Their current Opensky system cannot be monitored by any receiver outside those intended agencies provisioned to be on the system. There are plans to replace this system (tentative completion in 2024) with a P25 Phase-II. Law enforcement & EMS dispatch will be fully encrypted here (unmonitorable). Further discussion on the matter in this thread

My best advice to you would be to find other things to listen to with the BCD325P2 and if you plan to listen to the new system a few years down the road, trade in the 325P2 for an SDS100 assuming the new system will be simulcast (seems to be the current trend with new systems) and there will be non-LE traffic in the clear, you'll save yourself from serious issues due to simulcast distortion

 

[kkr8558]

Welcome to the RR forums:
I strongly recommend Proscan paired with a premium subscription to Radioreference so you can pull info directly from RR into Proscan to program your scanner(s). I don't get paid to endorse either, but sure wish I did with all the referrals I've given here over the years

With regards to Cumberland County as it is today: Their current Opensky system cannot be monitored by any receiver outside those intended agencies provisioned to be on the system. There are plans to replace this system (tentative completion in 2024) with a P25 Phase-II. Law enforcement & EMS dispatch will be fully encrypted here (unmonitorable). Further discussion on the matter in this thread

My best advice to you would be to find other things to listen to with the BCD325P2 and if you plan to listen to the new system a few years down the road, trade in the 325P2 for an SDS100 assuming the new system will be simulcast (seems to be the current trend with new systems) and there will be non-LE traffic in the clear, you'll save yourself from serious issues due to simulcast distortion

Thanks for the Info. That's unfortunate about not being able to monitor Cumberland County now. I had read about the future P25 system and being on SCIN.

With regard to the 325P2 scanner, are there any local TDMA systems that it can monitor? The manual says I can monitor Mot X2 TDMA, but I can't tell the difference.

I used to be a scan-a-holic when I lived on the other side of the state. Just got back into it and things have definitely changed. While digital is clearer, conventional analog was easier to follow.

 

[GTR8000]

With regard to the 325P2 scanner, are there any local TDMA systems that it can monitor? The manual says I can monitor Mot X2 TDMA, but I can't tell the difference.

Motorola X2-TDMA is a dead protocol, so none of those systems around anymore. The 325P2 can receive P25 Phase II TDMA systems, which is what replaced the handful of X2 systems years ago.

The only Phase II system in your county is the PA STARNet statewide system. PSP is fully encrypted, but there are other talkgroups in the clear such as PennDOT, DCNR, PGC, etc. Of course activity may vary by county and trunked system site. You may also be able to receive systems in neighboring counties.

The RR database is a wealth of information, I suggest spending some time looking through it to see what is in and around your area.

 

[kkr8558]

I spend most of my time between Cumberland and Dauphin counties. I have Dauphin's SCIN figured out. I started plugging in York, Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Lebanon is very active, but haven't heard anything from York or Lancaster. Maybe I'm just in the wrong spot. I imagine they set up the same way as Dauphin.

I did find it interesting that Shippensburg shill uses their VHF for communications with each other. I though as a cost saving measure, they would have cut their license.

 

[jtwalker]

Adams County is phase 2 also, and simulcast.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I started plugging in York, Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Lebanon is very active, but haven't heard anything from York or Lancaster. Maybe I'm just in the wrong spot.

This is what I meant by simulcast distortion, which I touched on in the final paragraph of post #2. I guarantee you if you picked up an SDS100 you'd be able to pick up these systems with nary an issue

 

[RichardKramer]

I spend most of my time between Cumberland and Dauphin counties. I have Dauphin's SCIN figured out. I started plugging in York, Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Lebanon is very active, but haven't heard anything from York or Lancaster. Maybe I'm just in the wrong spot. I imagine they set up the same way as Dauphin.

I did find it interesting that Shippensburg shill uses their VHF for communications with each other. I though as a cost saving measure, they would have cut their license.

For Lebanon Co LE, plug in 171.4125 P25 , this freq used to be encrypted, but lately in the clear. Locations of calls are in Lebanon Co. Not sure if this is LE from Ft Indiantown Gap or local PD relay.

 

[IStebleton]

For Lebanon Co LE, plug in 171.4125 P25 , this freq used to be encrypted, but lately in the clear. Locations of calls are in Lebanon Co. Not sure if this is LE from Ft Indiantown Gap or local PD relay.

Any clue what NAC that freq is on? I'm going to be in the area soon and can probably figure it out if you don't happen to know.

 

[RichardKramer]

Any clue what NAC that freq is on? I'm going to be in the area soon and can probably figure it out if you don't happen to know.

NAC293

 

[HM1529]

For Lebanon Co LE, plug in 171.4125 P25 , this freq used to be encrypted, but lately in the clear. Locations of calls are in Lebanon Co. Not sure if this is LE from Ft Indiantown Gap or local PD relay.

I would think Lebanon VA Hospital is a good possibility, especially since the frequency listed for there is still analog. But, we are straying from the original thread.

 

[tvengr]

I strongly recommend Proscan paired with a premium subscription to Radioreference so you can pull info directly from RR into Proscan to program your scanner(s).

ProScan software is excellent. I have always used Butel ARC-XT Basic to program my BCD325P2 and BCD996P2. Both have a free trial period for you to decide which one you like best. Here are some of the conventional frequencies for Cumberland County: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference (radioreference.com) Here is a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys with you BCD325P2:

 

[kkr8558]

ProScan software is excellent. I have always used Butel ARC-XT Basic to program my BCD325P2 and BCD996P2. Both have a free trial period for you to decide which one you like best. Here are some of the conventional frequencies for Cumberland County: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (PA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference (radioreference.com) Here is a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys with you BCD325P2:

I've tried to download the ProScan software but But it does not seem possible on a Chronebook. I plugged in all the Cumberland County conventional frequencies that I'm interested in.

 

[tvengr]

You need a Windows PC to run the software.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I've tried to download the ProScan software but But it does not seem possible on a Chronebook. I plugged in all the Cumberland County conventional frequencies that I'm interested in.

You need a Windows PC to run the software.

Yes and this is clearly indicated right below the download link