HELP! PRWN BCD99T cannot hear anything

[mesocyclone]

HELP!

I live in PV and have, over the last year or two, tried all sorts of things to monitor PRWN with my BCD996T, with very little luck. I've just heard a few transmissions an hour, and they were garbled.

I would like to be able to chat with someone who uses a BCD996T to monitor PRWN.

I'd really like to know if
1) my scanner is broken, or
2) I can't get enough signal, or
3) I don't have the data set up right.

Please email me at john AT tinyvital.com and I'll send u my phone #.

THANKS!

 

[cratliff]

First, you should make sure your scanner is set up right. I use a 996 also and have never had a problem. I can hardly find a quiet time with it on.

Anyways, I have attached a .zip file that has basically everything that I have programmed into my 996 for Phoenix, all in the proper format and includes text tags. I use the freeware program BCtool, so you'll have to download the program to open the file after you unzip it. If you have the data cable you can just upload all of that to your scanner using BCtool and see what happens (make sure to back up what is already on your scanner first just to be sure). If you are still having problems after that, we'll go from there. PV is kind of in the mountains but I wouldn't think there would be THAT bad of a problem with reception. What kind of antenna are you using?

I would email and try to chat over the phone, but I work REALLY long days and go to school so I dont really get much free time, especially during the week.

 

[mesocyclone]

Thanks a bunch. With the help of another reader, I was able to determine that the scanner works. Unfortunately it appears that my location doesn't work very well, which isn't too surprising. If the South Mountain site had the good stuff on it, I would be fine. As it is, I can only get Temp Buttes, Mesa, and Sky Harbor.

I'll try your file. Thanks again.

 

[cratliff]

Post back your results if you can. I am curious to know if you get better results with the "new" freqs.

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

Paradise Valley is a tough spot, with the hills and all. The Phoenix simulcast a is for, well, Phoenix. So it really was never made to be heard there. But I believe there is hope for you. If you are getting SOME signal, you will probably be ok with a yagi antenna. For about $100 you can set yourself up with a yagi in the attic or on the roof aimed the correct direction, and you should be in business.

If you want to try it, check out this thread:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?p=796401#post796401

It is really pretty simple to do once you understand the basics.

 

[AZ165]

How can I open that file with BuTel's ARC program for the 996T?