Fitting AWIN on 996P2

[ukarlala]

Hi all!
I've been experimenting with getting what I can of AWIN into our BCD996P2. I don't need the whole system persey but all told am having trouble quite wrapping my head around all the TGIDs and everything else. I understand splitting a system up like this is asking for trouble hearing anything but my vague stabs in the dark so far have yielded relatively good results but I know they could be better
We've ordered an SDS200 to somewhat negate the issue but I want to keep using the 996P2 as well. What I am running into is the hard limits on programming so many sites and channels etc into one system. And my ignorance is preventing me from finding a good solution of retaining functionality whilst splitting it all up into workable parts.
I know it's unlikely but has anyone else come to any solutions?
Apologies if this question is dealt with elsewhere, I have searched but not found quite what I want.
Thanks a bunch

 

[Magnetsteve]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? IS the 996p2 stationary or going to be in a vehicle? Who/What are you trying to listen to?

 

[ukarlala]

Accomplish? Interest as much as anything. The scanner is sometimes in the vehicle sometimes in the home. We have a few different setups as far as antennae. Ultimately there is a route we travel halfway across the state once or twice a week and there are a few services I sometimes monitor mostly to keep abreast of any situations that may be happening down the road and also just to make the time pass a little quicker.
I fully recognize I'm not likely to be able to receive everything and there will be areas where I am unable to receive anything but I'd like to hear what I can hear largely in the Southwest and along I30 up to Little Rock and maybe Conway or so.

As for trying to accomplish, as I say, not anything specific so much as hearing interesting things and enjoying the radio world around us as we get around. Same reason I often like to tune to the aviation frequencies. It's interesting and makes a bland day more fun.

 

[ukarlala]

For instance right now my first Quick Key is set to whatever i can tend to pick up at home. My second is set to a few conventional frequencies that might be interesting sometimes along our weekly route. Third is the same as 2 but for digital frequencies. 4 is Aviation, 5 is CB and GMRS etc.

Some of 1-3 is PD, some is EMS, some is business frequencies I've never actually heard traffic on but that would likely be entertaining if they did come across.

 

[wtp]

the more you try and listen to, the less you hear.
i would get a radio that uses GPS and can hold the whole U.S.
you then just pick how far away to listen to (be reasonable), and what services you want to hear and you are done.
the 996P2 and do GPS, but you have to put everything in that you want to hear before you leave.

 

[sonm10]

Are you using it mobile or stationary? If stationary, I would not bother programming the whole system like that.

I am in a different state with a statewide system, and only program what is around me. I also leave in ID Search, if anything I'm not familiar with comes across, I can look up in the database, which is rare.


Programming suggestion:
I only have a couple sites programmed, set to a Quick Key. I have the ability to monitor 4 counties, each in its own group. State patrol and DOT are in their separate groups. Statewide and regional interops are in a separate group. All are set with respective Quick Keys.

Yes, you will have the ability to monitor outside agencies from outside local area, but I don't seem to think necessary for situational awareness.

 

[ukarlala]

Thank y'all that's good advice!

As for the GPS idea I likely will pick up the module for the SDS200 for that approach.

As for the advice from sonm that sounds like a good way to approach what I am wanting to To accomplish with the 996 P2. Situational awareness is a big part of it and beyond that just the programming and trying to work out the most efficient way to fit certain things in and pick up different signals. It's just really satisfying to me which is why I really like the 996. Where is my husband really enjoys the capabilities of the SDS. I think what I was running up to. So of course when I go to import the a-win system and start unchecking the parts of it that I don't need. I was having trouble understanding the link between the sites at the top end which was very easy to pick out what I didn't need and then the talk groups. I think it was on the bottom end of the chart. So am I right in thinking that even if I left all of the talk groups out and just chose the sites that I'm interested in, I could set to ID search and still here the traffic on those channels?

 

[sonm10]

So am I right in thinking that even if I left all of the talk groups out and just chose the sites that I'm interested in, I could set to ID search and still here the traffic on those channels?

You will get traffic, but won't be labeled. Adding talkgroups puts a label and name to the traffic.

Remember, there are a few components to trunked systems. Sites, frequencies, and talkgroups. You will have to program all to work properly.

 

[wtp]

ID SCAN, is for the ones you only want to listen to
ID SEARCH, is to hear everyone.

 

[wtp]

you do have to set up the ones you want first, or even later.