Help with a Uniden BC296D

[geosan1030]

I just bought a BC296D on Ebay and was looking for some help.

First, it has the APCO 25 card installed and I'm trying to program it, but I can't seem to get anything. I'm looking to scan the Louisville Metro. I have posted there, but thought I might find some information here, because I think it's the settings on the scanner that are the problem and not the frequencies.

Second, how do I learn what firmware is installed and do I need to get the update that appears to be available at Uniden?

I haven't really kept up with the technology, but have successfully programmed a trunking system (DFW area) before, but this one seems beyond me and the manual really doesn't shed very much information.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[ka3jjz]

If your trunk system has undergone rebanding (the database for Louisville metro says no), then it's likely you'll need a firmware upgrade at some point. Here is the place to pick up the latest firmware updates (which I would do anyway...)

BC296DFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

As I don't own a 296, can't help with the rest- sorry about that...Mike

 

[DJ88]

If, in fact, this system has been rebanded, no firmware upgrade is needed, as the 4th digit after the decimal point in all of the frequencies is a five. An upgrade is only needed if the 4th digit after the decimal in some or all of the frequencies in a rebanded system is a zero.

The system gets programmed as a Motorola Type 2 P25 800 System. Follow the steps in the Programming Trunk Systems section of the manual, page 49. If you don't have a manual, here's the on line manual:
http://www.uniden.com/content/ebiz/uniden/resources/ownersmanuals/BC296Dom.pdf

 

[ka3jjz]

If, in fact, this system has been rebanded, no firmware upgrade is needed, as the 4th digit after the decimal point in all of the frequencies is a five. An upgrade is only needed if the 4th digit after the decimal in some or all of the frequencies in a rebanded system is a zero.

True - however there's a much older firmware update that has to do with correcting a P25 card connection fault that should be included. As UPMan has stated many times that these firmware fixes are cumulative, I would expect that this update would also be in there.

best regards...Mike

 

[DJ88]

Okay Mike. I was not aware of that.