Created a favorite list by appending from Sentinel and the BCD436HP is receiving Puna and Hilo talk groups on Kulani, Hilo and Pepeekeo sites fine.
Hawai'i County Radio System Upgrade
- Thread starter ccs247
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It still sounds as if the scanner is attempting to scan more than just the Kailua site and trying to lock onto a control channel that you don't want. I would make absolutely sure that you are scanning ONLY the favorites list with the one Kailua site and nothing else. Make sure that Monitor Full Database Is turned off.
Bagdeppa, just checking in, was wondering what systems you've been monitoring on your G5?
I received my G5 recently and been playing around with it, but not a whole lot to listen to with this unit from my location. I am anxiously waiting for the phase 2 update which is supposed to be released in July so I can see how it performs on the new Hawaii County system. For now, I can listen to the HIRIN phase 1 system on it, but there is very little activity on the sites that I can receive.
I'm going to take it with we when I travel to South Carolina in June/July and I am going to try to monitor a new P25 phase 1 system there. Hopefully, the phase 2 update will be available when I get back.
Well after a lot of reading old threads, found the one with the 1.11.23 Beta firmware. Loaded it and it works perfectly. The LNK/DAT indicator stays solid on DAT now, and no signal strength fluctuations.
Some complained of the audio, but I have not listened successfully to the radio long enough to notice anything. The P25 audio is an improvement over the over-modulated and distorted system they had before.
Using ccs247's HPE file and it works great so far. Getting 0 BER on the Kailua tower. No other tower is in range so put them on avoid until one of them goes active.
In thrashing around, found some issues with my half-arsed coax distribution scheme, and other decay, so a cleanup is in order.
Thanks for the help and support.
Some complained of the audio, but I have not listened successfully to the radio long enough to notice anything. The P25 audio is an improvement over the over-modulated and distorted system they had before.
Using ccs247's HPE file and it works great so far. Getting 0 BER on the Kailua tower. No other tower is in range so put them on avoid until one of them goes active.
In thrashing around, found some issues with my half-arsed coax distribution scheme, and other decay, so a cleanup is in order.
Thanks for the help and support.
Great news!
Recommend turning on fire department quick keys FL.1.41, 42, 45 and 46. The fire dispatch talk group has been changing so it would be best to turn on all fire talk groups.
Will do. Really helps me to look at the file in Sentinel to see what the keys will do. That damn "." between numbers was really throwing me for a loop. Must be in that manual, somewhere....that you have to type in that period.
Why my radio needed this firmware and others do not must come from changes in the internal chip programming. Probably several PLA devices in there that all get tweaked over time.
For any of you guys on the fence about a handheld P25 scanner, the Uniden BCD325P2 works like a champ on the Hawaii system. Grabbed one of Amazon for $251 on some deal they had for a short time.
Unlike my 536 that needed new firmware, the 325 locks up and receives the system out of the box.
Nice form factor. Good ears will probably be fine with the speaker, I will try ear buds due to my damaged hearing. Only loaded the Public Safety system for now using Freescan. which needed a additional driver to see the radio..
Unlike my 536 that needed new firmware, the 325 locks up and receives the system out of the box.
Nice form factor. Good ears will probably be fine with the speaker, I will try ear buds due to my damaged hearing. Only loaded the Public Safety system for now using Freescan. which needed a additional driver to see the radio..
I noticed today that Fire Dispatch is using different tones. I can't really tell yet if they are different for each station or not, I've only heard a few calls and they are 2 short tones. Certainly much less jarring than the single obnoxious hi-lo tone they were using before.
Ever had any luck decoding what they mean?
I know the radios have "fire tone out" but no idea what to do with it.
I've tried to use the TwoToneFinder program to decode the tones, but they seem to be too short and not quite stable enough to get good readings.
I think the fire tone out feature on most radios is only for conventional freqs anyway.
Anyone else having a hard time with the P25 audio on the Kona site? I find the female dispactchers mostly unintelligible, very harsh and distorted sound. BER is zero, not missing calls as far as I can tell. Male voices are heavy and muddy, but somewhat intelligible, fire more clear than police, maybe. The over-driven (it sounds like) female voice is painful. I have crappy hearing in only one ear so have to use some volume. Headphones are only a light improvement.
Radio is a BCD536 HP.
Can try and get a recording with handheld digital recorder if anyone wants to hear it. Using an external speaker, either an old Icom SP-12 or some PC speakers, so it is not the internal speaker at fault.
My BCD325 has better sound, but not perfect..
Radio is a BCD536 HP.
Can try and get a recording with handheld digital recorder if anyone wants to hear it. Using an external speaker, either an old Icom SP-12 or some PC speakers, so it is not the internal speaker at fault.
My BCD325 has better sound, but not perfect..
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Anyone ntersedted in trading an almost new BCD 536HP for a similar condition BCD996P2
About to give up on the audio from this radio. My BCD325P2 is similar electronics and software to the 996P2 and works for my ears. Plenty capable as wel for my usel
Current 1.11.31 firmware. Did not pick up Hawaii County until I loaded the 1.11.23 Beta firmware. Need a scanner for the desk that I can listen to without earphones. My old, damaged hearing does not do well at all with the 536 P2 decode. Uniden may eventually tweak the audio, maybe not. My hearing on he other hand, will not improve and no firmware upgrades are gong to come along..
Do not need the bells and whistles the 536 comes with. Not likely to need zip code programming for my home use. Never tried to use the recording or Wi-Fi capability.
Wife tossed the box, but the dongle and all are here.
If you have a local 996P2 in good shape and are interested in trying out a 536P2, let me know. PM is fine. Do not need the stock antenna or wall wart.
Trying here local on the BI before the RadioRef classifieds to avoid shipping BS.
About to give up on the audio from this radio. My BCD325P2 is similar electronics and software to the 996P2 and works for my ears. Plenty capable as wel for my usel
Current 1.11.31 firmware. Did not pick up Hawaii County until I loaded the 1.11.23 Beta firmware. Need a scanner for the desk that I can listen to without earphones. My old, damaged hearing does not do well at all with the 536 P2 decode. Uniden may eventually tweak the audio, maybe not. My hearing on he other hand, will not improve and no firmware upgrades are gong to come along..
Do not need the bells and whistles the 536 comes with. Not likely to need zip code programming for my home use. Never tried to use the recording or Wi-Fi capability.
Wife tossed the box, but the dongle and all are here.
If you have a local 996P2 in good shape and are interested in trying out a 536P2, let me know. PM is fine. Do not need the stock antenna or wall wart.
Trying here local on the BI before the RadioRef classifieds to avoid shipping BS.
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Does anyone know what is currently being used for EMS-Hospital (MEDICOM) communications? The 453.400 frequency is pretty much silent now and I haven't heard or seen any talk groups being used for this on the new P25 system.
Try 453.725 and 460.275.
Thanks, yeah, I'm getting nothing on those either. I've plugged in all the state medicom freqs I can find and all I'm getting is the EMS stuff on Maui from the Mt. Haleakala site.
I think all the Big Island traffic on 453.400 used to bounce off that site as well and maybe that's why I used to hear it. Oh well, I'll keep digging.
Just heard a medicom transmission today, medic7 to Kona hospital. It was on 453.400.
So guess they are still being used, but not as frequently.
So guess they are still being used, but not as frequently.
The State of Hawaii is upgrading their Medicom radio equipment, but is running into coordination issues with the County of Hawaii (see attachment). The sites were linked before the upgrade began. Now I only hear traffic from the Hilo and Puna medic units.
Interesting, thanks for the links.
So, I'm assuming the county sites were also linked with these sites on Maui?
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?fccCallsign=WGZ747
They must be, because that is the only way to get any coverage in the North Kohala and Hamakua districts. There is no way that any of those sites on that Big Island map would reach to the northern districts.
The Haleakala site would cover your location.
Agreed, thanks.
I just finished reading that extension request from State EMS. I doubt the FCC will be all that sympathetic about the fact that the project has ground to halt just because the project manager is away on medical leave. Seems like they should have someone who can step in and take over so the work can continue.
I just finished reading that extension request from State EMS. I doubt the FCC will be all that sympathetic about the fact that the project has ground to halt just because the project manager is away on medical leave. Seems like they should have someone who can step in and take over so the work can continue.
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