BCD325P2/BCD996P2: How to program Uniden BCD996P2

[hiegtx]

The linked Freescan user guide contains a link that is not working
> (A paid subscription to RadioReference is required to use the following features: )

If you are a Premium Subscriber, you can use software to log into the main RadioReference database, and import only what you want into a programming file. That works, for the 996P2, with FreeSCAN, ProScan, & ARC-XT. Besides the ability to do selected imports from the database into a programming file, there are other features that Premium Subscribers can utilize, not available for those who are not subscribers. See this for more details. You can choose either $15 for 180 days membership, or $30 for 360 days.

However, should you forgo becoming a Premium Subscriber, FreeSCAN has a feature called EZ-Grab, where you can copy details from a database page, then direct the software to paste specific fields (from the clipboard) into specified fields of a programming file. See this.

Although it works differently than FreeSCAN, ProScan also has the ability to copy information from a database page and paste it into the corresponding fields of a programming file. (I don't have the Butel software, ARC-XT, so I cannot confirm whether or not it can also acquire & paste information from a webpage into a programming file.

While this does not currently appear to be something you need at present, FreeSCAN does not correctly support programming DMR systems, and has zero capability for handling NXDN systems. Both ProScan & ARC-XT handle DMR & NXDN correctly.

 

[mscir]

Thank you for your detailed reply I will be a Subscriber once I feel competent to try to program my (first ever) radio. I'm reading through the entire manual, looking up (many) terms I'm not familiar with, trying to understand the logic of Systems, Sites, Groups, IDs, Frequencies, etc. I've done computer programming so I need to find clear definitions to understand how the hierarchy works. Based on recommendations in the Uniden FB group I got a Diamond D-130 25-1300MHz antenna roof-mounted connected w/LMR-400.
I have questions, if you don't mind me asking here:

1. Do you have a FAQ which includes a key for your database so I can understand all of the information I'm seeing?
2. Do subscribers get access to more frequencies?
3. Is it true that I need to search your site to find frequencies for Military, Commercial Aircraft, Forestry, Coast Guard, State Police, etc. whatever is not included in the basic *database listings for my county Santa Cruz, Ca.?

Thank you for your site, I've learned a lot here already.
Mike Scirocco,
Santa Cruz, CA
* Santa Cruz County, California (CA) All Identified Frequencies

 

[buddrousa]

Subscribers can download directly into scanner software such as PROSCAN and BUTELL

 

[RandyKuff]

If you are unfamliar with the terminology... Try sniffing thru the WIKI info...

The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[hiegtx]

Do you have a FAQ which includes a key for your database so I can understand all of the information I'm seeing?

Start with this Wiki page (as Randy has already noted):

Search results for "database" - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

There is a wealth of information, on many topics, contained in the Wiki.

Do subscribers get access to more frequencies?

As far as frequencies themselves go, subscribers don't get access to "more frequencies" than non-subscribers. There are some downloadable reports that are only available to subscribers, but access to the main database (using a web browser) is the same. Subscribers that also use software for programming can import only the specific systems, and their related details, into programs such as FreeSCAN (as long as you are dealing with a DMA scanner such as the 996P2, and do not need to deal with DMR or NXDN systems). ProScan, and the Butel (ARC) software, as mentioned by buddrousa, have more capability than FreeSCAN. ProScan supports multiple Uniden scanners, from the newest, and back to models that were discontinued a decade or more ago. The ARC software has various programs specific to a set group of scanners, whereas ProScan covers all of them without needing to buy additional programs.

Is it true that I need to search your site to find frequencies for Military, Commercial Aircraft, Forestry, Coast Guard, State Police, etc. whatever is not included in the basic *database listings for my county Santa Cruz, Ca.

The database page for your specific county will reference the various systems in use (locally) in your county.(as long as someone has submitted them to the database). There are additional pages, in the Wiki, for statewide agencies (for your state as well as others). Systems that are used in various parts of the county, such as the Coast Guard & Military, also have pages showing the frequencies used in various parts of the country.

See this page for a more extensive breakdown of the features available to subscribers.

 

[ka3jjz]

Many people find videos to be helpful, so here's quite a list of them from our DMA FAQ....

Uniden DMA Resource Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Keep in mind that anything written for the 325P2 will likely apply to the 996P2, as the 325 is the 996P2's baby brother

Mike

 

[Chris0516]

Thank you for your detailed reply I will be a Subscriber once I feel competent to try to program my (first ever) radio. I'm reading through the entire manual, looking up (many) terms I'm not familiar with, trying to understand the logic of Systems, Sites, Groups, IDs, Frequencies, etc. I've done computer programming so I need to find clear definitions to understand how the hierarchy works. Based on recommendations in the Uniden FB group I got a Diamond D-130 25-1300MHz antenna roof-mounted connected w/LMR-400.
I have questions, if you don't mind me asking here:

1. Do you have a FAQ which includes a key for your database so I can understand all of the information I'm seeing?
2. Do subscribers get access to more frequencies?
3. Is it true that I need to search your site to find frequencies for Military, Commercial Aircraft, Forestry, Coast Guard, State Police, etc. whatever is not included in the basic *database listings for my county Santa Cruz, Ca.?

Thank you for your site, I've learned a lot here already.
Mike Scirocco,
Santa Cruz, CA
* Santa Cruz County, California (CA) All Identified Frequencies

I am not a Subscriber, but. I did have the 325p2. As a paying Subscriber, you can also search by frequency.

In your situation(325p2). Thankfully, this: California Radio Interoperable System (CRIS) Trunking System, Various, California has no Simulcast towers. Because the 325p2 does not with Simulcast, but. Your county is not listed, so. You will have to use towers from the counties of either, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, or San Mateo.

 

[RandyKuff]

Santa Cruz County, California (CA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Santa Cruz County, California (CA)

www.radioreference.com

 

[mscir]

If you are unfamliar with the terminology... Try sniffing thru the WIKI info...

The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

I'll read the Wiki after I finish the manual. Thank you.

 

[mscir]

I am not a Subscriber, but. I did have the 325p2. As a paying Subscriber, you can also search by frequency.

In your situation(325p2). Thankfully, this: California Radio Interoperable System (CRIS) Trunking System, Various, California has no Simulcast towers. Because the 325p2 does not with Simulcast, but. Your county is not listed, so. You will have to use towers from the counties of either, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, or San Mateo.

Thank you. I'll look into that.

 

[mscir]

Start with this Wiki page (as Randy has already noted):

Search results for "database" - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

There is a wealth of information, on many topics, contained in the Wiki.


As far as frequencies themselves go, subscribers don't get access to "more frequencies" than non-subscribers. There are some downloadable reports that are only available to subscribers, but access to the main database (using a web browser) is the same. Subscribers that also use software for programming can import only the specific systems, and their related details, into programs such as FreeSCAN (as long as you are dealing with a DMA scanner such as the 996P2, and do not need to deal with DMR or NXDN systems). ProScan, and the Butel (ARC) software, as mentioned by buddrousa, have more capability than FreeSCAN. ProScan supports multiple Uniden scanners, from the newest, and back to models that were discontinued a decade or more ago. The ARC software has various programs specific to a set group of scanners, whereas ProScan covers all of them without needing to buy additional programs.

The database page for your specific county will reference the various systems in use (locally) in your county.(as long as someone has submitted them to the database). There are additional pages, in the Wiki, for statewide agencies (for your state as well as others). Systems that are used in various parts of the county, such as the Coast Guard & Military, also have pages showing the frequencies used in various parts of the country.

See this page for a more extensive breakdown of the features available to subscribers.

I'm getting ready to pay for a RR subscription. I am new to this so I'm trying to figure out how to get all non-encrypted frequencies that are available to me, whether local, county, state, national. If you have any suggestions on how to approach this I'd appreciate hearing them.
I noticed this feature, does that "Nationwide" make all of them available: air, ocean, etc.?

A number will show up next to the 'Province/State' pulldown. Select the desired province/state from the list

1. To access the new Nationwide frequencies, select this from the pulldown once you have selected the US as your home country NEW 2.10

 

[DJBio]

I would recommend getting Proscan and a membership to RadioReference to access the database

 

[mscir]

I would recommend getting Proscan and a membership to RadioReference to access the database

I got freescan, RR membership, programmed in several frequencies. I am wondering if I have to search the DB for Coast Guard, Civil Air, Railroad, etc. or if they are all included in the search results I see when I enter my location. I was thinking I'd go ahead and do searches and add all of the entries I might be able to receive, then remove duplicates in case there are any.
I used Freescan to get used to the process, I'll use Proscan to enter a couple of systems Freescan can't handle when I get everything else sorted. I still have to rename and assign quickkeys... Thanks.

 

[dmfalk]

They're in the database, under Nationwide and Statewide systems. (The Coast Guard uses both analogue and P25, with some P25 being encrypted, but not all.)

 

[mscir]

They're in the database, under Nationwide and Statewide systems. (The Coast Guard uses both analogue and P25, with some P25 being encrypted, but not all.)

Thanks, that confirms they aren't all in the default area dataset. I'll add everything I can find then use the FS duplicate removal. Cheers.

 

[dmfalk]

Thanks, that confirms they aren't all in the default area dataset. I'll add everything I can find then use the FS duplicate removal. Cheers.

Be sure to make sure their service types are enabled, too. They're not always on by default!

 

[mscir]

Be sure to make sure their service types are enabled, too. They're not always on by default!

Thanks, I'll have to look up what that means.

 

[buddrousa]

The 996p2 does not have the options to turn on and off Service Types like the 436 536 SDS100 and SDS200.

 

[DJBio]

I got freescan, RR membership, programmed in several frequencies. I am wondering if I have to search the DB for Coast Guard, Civil Air, Railroad, etc. or if they are all included in the search results I see when I enter my location. I was thinking I'd go ahead and do searches and add all of the entries I might be able to receive, then remove duplicates in case there are any.
I used Freescan to get used to the process, I'll use Proscan to enter a couple of systems Freescan can't handle when I get everything else sorted. I still have to rename and assign quickkeys... Thanks.

You should also consider seeing if any others you are looking for use the DMR system if so freescan wont do them but ProScan will

 

[DJBio]

I got freescan, RR membership, programmed in several frequencies. I am wondering if I have to search the DB for Coast Guard, Civil Air, Railroad, etc. or if they are all included in the search results I see when I enter my location. I was thinking I'd go ahead and do searches and add all of the entries I might be able to receive, then remove duplicates in case there are any.
I used Freescan to get used to the process, I'll use Proscan to enter a couple of systems Freescan can't handle when I get everything else sorted. I still have to rename and assign quickkeys... Thanks.

What systems can u only get on freescan and not on Proscan? Maybe @ProScan can look into this