Help with BCD325P2

[dkishton1486]

Hello all,
I hope I didnt make a grave mistake.. I just bought a Uniden BCD325P2 and I will get it tomorrow. My main concern is programming it. I suck at programming scanners and never understand how to. My dad had a nice one where you just turned it on input your zip code and it would automatically installed the frequencies. How hard are these to program? Also what would getting a GPS attachment help me do or whats it for?
Thank You all

 

[cg]

I find it very easy to program but if you want alpha tags and even faster programming, use software. FreeScan is, well, free, but there are limitations to it. May be a good place to start. I prefer ProScan because it programs many of the recent Uniden scanners. Software can also import from RR if you are a premium member. Otherwise you can do a bit of copy and paste.

- Plan out what you want to monitor. Research here at RR for
- Look through the manual for the radio to get familiar with the keys and terminology. Easier to read manual online here:

Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual

- be patient, you are not the first one to try programming a more advanced scanner. Lots of hints and help already in the forums here. Use the search function for the forums.

chris

 

[tvengr]

Hello all,
I hope I didnt make a grave mistake.. I just bought a Uniden BCD325P2 and I will get it tomorrow. My main concern is programming it. I suck at programming scanners and never understand how to. My dad had a nice one where you just turned it on input your zip code and it would automatically installed the frequencies. How hard are these to program? Also what would getting a GPS attachment help me do or whats it for?
Thank You all

What is your city, county, and state and what do you want to monitor? I like ARC-XT Basic to do my programming.

 

[dkishton1486]

What is your city, county, and state and what do you want to monitor? I like ARC-XT Basic to do my programming.

City: Boardman, County:Mahoning ,State:Ohio. The normal lol police,fire,ems.

 

[N9JCQ]

If you have "issues" programming scanners, I strongly recommend you get one of the many softwares out there. Start with Freescan (free) and you can upgrade later. You can program the 325P2 by hand if you want to. I have been scanning since the days of crystal contriolled scanners and I would never waste the time hand programming a scanner that you can load files into with a PC. I have the 325P2 and love the thing.

 

[dkishton1486]

If you have "issues" programming scanners, I strongly recommend you get one of the many softwares out there. Start with Freescan (free) and you can upgrade later. You can program the 325P2 by hand if you want to. I have been scanning since the days of crystal contriolled scanners and I would never waste the time hand programming a scanner that you can load files into with a PC. I have the 325P2 and love the thing.

I cant wait to get it. Its on the UPS truck right now. I had an old analog scanner but all the departments around here got new radios and time to upgrade to digital

 

[W5JCK]

Hello all,
I hope I didnt make a grave mistake.. I just bought a Uniden BCD325P2 and I will get it tomorrow. My main concern is programming it. I suck at programming scanners and never understand how to. My dad had a nice one where you just turned it on input your zip code and it would automatically installed the frequencies. How hard are these to program? Also what would getting a GPS attachment help me do or whats it for?
Thank You all

Welcome to scanning!

A good place to start is going to the RadioReference page for Mahoning County, OH. Use this link.

It sounds like you are new to programming scanners. It will be quite a learning curve and a challenge at first, but certainly much easier once you understand the basics, and if you use computer software much faster and easier. I suggest finding a local scanning enthusiast, ham radio operator, etc. that can help you get your scanner programmed. I help out several of my friends with this, but I’m too far away to be of assistance to you. Many of the scanning people, and certainly ham operators, will be more than happy to help you get started.

Good luck!

 

[N9JCQ]

We were all newbies once. So do not ever be afraid to ask questions. This is a great group and we love to help.

 

[wbswetnam]

I prefer ProScan for programming my BCD325P2. I can directly import systems, easily modify them to fit my needs / tastes, then upload to the scanner.

 

[ka3jjz]

There is an article in our wiki that can help you get started.

Uniden DMA FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Along with the aforementioned Easier to Read guide, there's a great deal of other information linked here, including software, terminology, aids to understanding trunking and much more

I will leave it to the Ohio folks to comment on this specifically but I suspect you MAY have trouble hearing the MARCS system very well. This is very geo-dependent, and not everyone will notice this, but if you have trouble understanding things that are coming through on this system (it sounds distorted), or you have a strong signal but aren't hearing anything, you may be experiencing something called Simulcast Distortion. Highly oversimplified, the scanner is hearing more than 1 tower and can't distinguish between the same talkgroups coming at roughly the same time. Only the Uniden SDS100 and 200 have shown some promise in resolving this.

There are some remedies, and it should be considered only if you have this issue. It is otherwise a very good scanner which does, as others have mentioned, have something of a learning curve. Don't try to do too much with it at first - program 1 system (even if it's just a few conventional freqs) at a time. Test it, then back it up then make your next set of changes. This way if you hose something, you have a backup you know is working.

Mike

 

[cfsimmont]

Hello all,
I hope I didnt make a grave mistake.. I just bought a Uniden BCD325P2 and I will get it tomorrow. My main concern is programming it. I suck at programming scanners and never understand how to. My dad had a nice one where you just turned it on input your zip code and it would automatically installed the frequencies. How hard are these to program? Also what would getting a GPS attachment help me do or whats it for?
Thank You all

First of all congratulations on a great purchase, i think you will love the 325P2 once you learn how to use it. There will be a bit of a learning curve from what you were used to with the analog scanners but its worth the invested time. I looked at the local departments in your area, a lot of VHF/UHF and Phase 1 P25 (very awesome). The 325P2 can scan DMR, NXDN, and Provoice systems with paid upgrades but it doesn't look like there are any in you area so no problem there. Here is what I would do...... Buy a premium membership here at RadioReference this will allow you to directly import systems and frequencies directly into Freescan and this is very helpful so you don't make mistakes on the programming. Next download Freescan and choose 1 agency to start with to import. You will be able to load much more into the scanner than you will probably use but start with 1 first and go from there. Programming by PC is awesome because you don't get cramps in your hands from hours of button pushing and your eyes don't cross. You can edit the alpha text display to say anything you want. You can keep the description from the database or use your own. I customize all of mine with all capital letters (easier to read) and make sure everything is centered. Thats what works for me, you will find you own liking. Once you get a few systems in your area programmed you can start modifying quick keys and so on. You will want to upgrade the stock antenna, the rubber duck antenna with new scanners generally suck and upgrading improves reception. The Remtronix 800B works well with the 325P2 preforming well in the 700/800mhz bands and does fairly well on VHF and UHF. There is a huge wealth of information here on this site with the database and the users that have first hand knowledge. Keep us updated on your progress and feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Nasby]

Fortunately, you won't have to worry about simulcast distortion issues in Mahoning County. The sites there are all stand alone sites.

So the scanner you chose will work well for Ohio MARCS as well as the Boardman/Austintown Digital Radio System.

However, sadly most law enforcement in The Valley (including Boardman and Ytown Police) is encrypted.

Meaning that you won't be able to hear them at all.

 

[wbswetnam]

Even with some simulcast systems, the BCD325p2 can hold its own. I was in downtown Little Rock a few days ago, and mine did pretty well on the Little Rock Metro simulcast AWIN site.