Free Scan / BC346

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

Finally I decided to stop driving myself crazy by manually programing my radio. So I used free scan. All my analog frequencies went in fine. But my Motorola Type 2 didnt. I cant scan them, I cant even find them if I manually scroll through the dial. I can find it if I goto the program section. Nothing is locked out.
Where did I go wrong?

Tnx in advance

 

[byndhlptom]

If my memory serves me correct (sometimes yes, sometimes not), the 346 does not support the digital modes.....

$.02

 

[ka3jjz]

Yes digital isn't available on that model. It would be helpful to know what trunk system you are trying to hear....Mike

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

It has the option when you manually program it for Motorola type 2

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

Im looking to program the following

 

[byndhlptom]

Freescan supports multiple scanners, some support Digital, some don't. I believe that it by default does not program/load digital systems to non-digital scanners (a check box on the load page?).....

$.02

 

[W4ELL]

Im looking to program the following

There is a checkbox that tells Freescan to not import digital talkgroups as you are writing to scanner. The screenshots show analog talkgroups so your scanner should receive those just fine.

Finding the system in your scanner... Did you assign a quick key to the system that is currently turned off?

Maybe we could be more help if you uploaded the freescan file you used to program the scanner?

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

I'll look for that check when I get home. Thank you

 

[hiegtx]

I'll look for that check when I get home. Thank you

The system that you linked above is Motorola Type 2. Looking at it in the database, as well as your screenshots above, the example talkgroups you chose show to be analog, not digital, so you could receive those. The only listed digital TGIDs are a couple for radio techs, two for "law enforcement surveillance", and a half dozen for FDNY, in Special Operations and Incident Management. The FDNY talkgroups are digital, and at least partly encrypted. That's indicated by the lower case e next to the D in the mode column. Whenver encryption is being used, you would not be able to receive them on any scanner.

As W4ELL noted, if you can attach your programming file to a post, we could take a look and see if there are any errors or omissions.

Attaching a FreeSCAN file to a post:

FreeSCAN uses file extension *.996, which cannot be directly attached to a post. What you’ll need to do is one of these two ways:

Compress your file into a *.zip file, which can be attached. This can be done with a file utility such as WinZip, or the free 7Zip. If your original file was named “MyFile.996”, the compressed file would be “MyFile.zip”.

The other method is to rename your file, using Windows Explorer. Again, for illustration, if your original file was named “MyFile.996”, find the file on your PC and rename it. <Right><Click> on the file and select ‘Rename’ from the pop-up menu. Rename your file to either “MyFile.txt” or “MyFile.996.txt”.

The zipped or renamed file can now be attached to a post. Whoever is going to take a look, to see anything missing or incorrect, can then download the file from your post, rename or unzip it, and open with FreeSCAN to view.

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

thank you! file attached

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

here is the winzip. hope this is correct, I don't know this stuff

 

[kruser]

here is the winzip. hope this is correct, I don't know this stuff

Both files made it so hopefully someone will see something.

Did you watch for that checkbox that must be unchecked to all import of Digital channels or systems??
That one does sound as though it may be the problem unless Freescan is having issues with these mixed mode systems.

Even though you can't receive digital, you may need to uncheck that so it will import the system so you can hear the analog talkgroups on that system.

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

You mean here?

 

[OldSchoolScannerBuff]

You mean in this area?

 

[kruser]

You mean here?

Yes, the files you uploaded here are fine so hopefully someone can give you some help.
From what I can see, it looks like the talkgroups imported but the systems or sites did not so there are no frequencies for the radio to scan.

 

[kruser]

You mean in this area?

Okay, I misunderstood you!
I'm not real familiar with Freescan so I'm not sure where the checkbox is that may prevent you from downloading digital systems.
It may be visible when you actually select a system to download under an options tab or something.

I'm thinking you may have not selected the site you are after though being as your file has no frequencies or sites in it.
You must select both, the talkgroups plus the site(s) you want when importing a trunked system.

 

[W4ELL]

thank you! file attached

It looks like there were 2 Motorola Type II systems created in your file but neither had any frequency/TG info. I have imported the system into your file and assigned QK 6 to the Simulcast site.

You should be able to program your scanner using the attached file (unzip and open the .996 file with Freescan) and then make sure QK 6 is activated.

 

[W4ELL]

By the way, the checkbox in question: 'Don't send digital channels to an analog scanner'



You get this screen after choosing to upload the systems to the scanner.

 

[ka3jjz]

I don't have FS on this laptop, but from the database entry, you will need to enter a custom table. There's a base and offset that you will need. Hopefully the file W4ELL has given you already has this information....Mike

 

[W4ELL]

I don't have FS on this laptop, but from the database entry, you will need to enter a custom table. There's a base and offset that you will need. Hopefully the file W4ELL has given you already has this information....Mike

I imported the system directly from the database so the custom table is included in the attached file.