I need Help Programming 101! :(

[EJB]

The 246T was my first computer programmed type radio I've ever used, like you say, some people get and some don't right away. We try though...

Yup.
And hopefully this new person will learn.

 

[DaveH]

Not wanting to pull too far off topic or "pile on" the OP, but I recommend
scanner owners learn how to program their scanners manually first, to
get started (i.e. while waiting for software, cables, RR subscription to
download). Complete reliance on software and automatic downloads is
eventually going to backfire such as when the computer is down or
otherwise unavailable etc. An extreme case of this (not among us here,
and will go unnamed), the guy tried downloading which failed for some
reason, he pleaded for help but didn't know what he was actually
downloading, and later found he didn't know how to enter a frequency
manually!

Not fingering the OP here, but it's true that an increasing number of
scanner users want the information on a platter. Participation rate for
scanner community actively finding and submitting good info into the DB
is dismally low. Idle Monitor has done a fair job in his area, but in Ottawa
and to the east is a prime example; there must be hundreds of un-reported
frequencies that don't show in the DB (I myself concentrate on trunked
systems, leaving conventional to people who are not interested in trunking,
don't have the hardware and decoding software etc.).

Dave

 

[pathalogical]

Not wanting to pull too far off topic or "pile on" the OP, but I recommend
scanner owners learn how to program their scanners manually first, to
get started (i.e. while waiting for software, cables, RR subscription to
download). Complete reliance on software and automatic downloads is
eventually going to backfire such as when the computer is down or
otherwise unavailable etc. An extreme case of this (not among us here,
and will go unnamed), the guy tried downloading which failed for some
reason, he pleaded for help but didn't know what he was actually
downloading, and later found he didn't know how to enter a frequency
manually!

Not fingering the OP here, but it's true that an increasing number of
scanner users want the information on a platter. Participation rate for
scanner community actively finding and submitting good info into the DB
is dismally low. Idle Monitor has done a fair job in his area, but in Ottawa
and to the east is a prime example; there must be hundreds of un-reported
frequencies that don't show in the DB (I myself concentrate on trunked
systems, leaving conventional to people who are not interested in trunking,
don't have the hardware and decoding software etc.).

Dave

I agree ! I programed my 246 completely by hand, I have not used any software. Not likely I'll get any software now, because it's pretty much going to stay the way it is. Entering frequencies is easy....alpha tagging them is time consuming. Not everything in my radio is tagged either. Dependency on software to "add a couple of frequencies" is going to be frustrating when your not at your pc or don't have your laptop. There are software problems too: a) Didn't upload completely b) Doesn't communicate with scanner etc. There are several common problems that users have complained about, but I don't know what they are.

alex_mdv, welcome to RR ! It is a good and friendly community here. Keep reading the owners manual over and over, that's what I did. Then try programing EASY frequencies in CONVENTIONAL mode like the airport. Since you're in Mississauga you should get good reception from air traffic control and pilots. Try the following tower freqs : 118.3500 Mhz and 118.7000 Mhz. Hope this helps and good luck cuz scanning is fun !!!

 

[alex_mdv]

I am 100% new to learning about scanners and what really sucks is that i want to know everything, but i belive its hard when u dont know what a TGID is or how to program it in. and even more fustrating when your computer doesnt have the serial port you need. and on top of that you what to know but simply dont understand. i done alot of reading and so know alot of terms. I now know ctcss means Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System and TGID means talk group id and so on. I was just hopeing some one with the same scanner or extensive knowledge about scanners would help me out.
*ALL of you have helped me so much. i didnt think anyone whould, so thank you all.

 

[EJB]

I am 100% new to learning about scanners and what really sucks is that i want to know everything, but i belive its hard when u dont know what a TGID is or how to program it in. and even more fustrating when your computer doesnt have the serial port you need. and on top of that you what to know but simply dont understand. i done alot of reading and so know alot of terms. I now know ctcss means Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System and TGID means talk group id and so on. I was just hopeing some one with the same scanner or extensive knowledge about scanners would help me out.
*ALL of you have helped me so much. i didnt think anyone whould, so thank you all.

Your welcome. Let us know how your experience scanning Peel is. The tower is extremely busy.

Dave H and Idle. I absolutely agree. When I figured out that I would need a trunk tracking scanner(2001) I spent probably about 5 hours reading my Pro 93 manual when the radio arrived. Got it programmed by hand also no software.

That said you guys have gotta admit that the 246 and 396 are totally different to program. I helped a person with a new 996 on here and was blown away how complicated it was to help him on the phone.
They are really hard to program for a total rookie.