Help with new BCD996p2 in Harris County

[zbattles]

I just got back into scanning myself with the same model BCD996P2. I purchased the ProVoice upgrade for my scanner and I am trying to tune in to Harris County Texas public safety channels but can only get a few like HFD Alert460 Station Alerting. I know Houston Police and Fire/EMS can be scanned. It’s on Broadcastify. Any idea why I can’t seem to pick these channels up? I know most of them went digital some years back that’s why I purchased this model. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[KevinC]

ProVoice isn’t used in Harris County or anywhere in SE Texas.

The 992 isn’t the best choice for the Houston area since most sites of interest are simulcast.

What part of Houston do you live in? Maybe we can try to pinpoint a site to concentrate on and see how it works for you.

 

[zbattles]

ProVoice isn’t used in Harris County or anywhere in SE Texas.

The 992 isn’t the best choice for the Houston area since most sites of interest are simulcast.

What part of Houston do you live in? Maybe we can try to pinpoint a site to concentrate on and see how it works for you.

Around the West side of Houston.

 

[zbattles]

Around the West side of Houston.

If you have a better recommendation for a specific scanner that will work, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[KevinC]

Around the West side of Houston.

West side being Spring Branch or Sharpstown or Alief or ??? Either way you probably have several issues

One being the 992 isn’t the best for simulcast as I said and another is you’re probably listening to either the wrong site(s) for your intended agencies or too many sites.

I’d seriously suggest either a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200 as they are specifically designed for simulcast.

Let’s start with this. How did you program it? By hand or using software?

 

[zbattles]

West side being Spring Branch or Sharpstown or Alief or ??? Either way you probably have several issues

One being the 992 isn’t the best for simulcast as I said and another is you’re probably listening to either the wrong site(s) for your intended agencies or too many sites.

I’d seriously suggest either a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200 as they are specifically designed for simulcast.

Let’s start with this. How did you program it? By hand or using software?

Spring Branch area. I programmed it with ProScan. I chose this model because I wanted to get started on a cheaper model that can do Phase II digital. I was looking at the SDS200 but the price made me flinch.

 

[mass-man]

The 996P2 can do Phase 2 digital, but not nearly as well as the SDS models! They were designed for P2…if you can list the agencies you want to monitor and specific problems, there is lots of help available on RR!

 

[KevinC]

Spring Branch area. I programmed it with ProScan. I chose this model because I wanted to get started on a cheaper model that can do Phase II digital. I was looking at the SDS200 but the price made me flinch.

Post your ProScan file and I'll see if I can massage it some to help you. But it may be a lost cause due to simulcast.

 

[zbattles]

Yeah, it sounds like it. No prob. I’ll save my pennies and see if I can get the SDS200 sometime in the near future. I can get some other good channels from Bush Intercontinental and a couple of volunteer FDs but that’s about it. Just thought I’d get into a new hobby. I have an old Pro-79 I’ve been using for years and I used to love listening on it. When I get the SDS200 I’ll take this one to work with me and listen to some air traffic. Working in a skyscraper can have it’s benefits LOL!