I need help programming my new 796D

[sheila114]

New to scanners and just bought a new 796D. I'm trying to follow the manual but can't seem to get anything going. Can anyone help me? Also, in viewing regional frequencies, the frequency list is followed by other listings with a dec etc. Can anyone tell me what that stands for and how I could program those listings? Thank you for any help you can give me with this.

Sheila

 

[ka3jjz]

Sheila, go get a copy of ARC250 from BuTel (actually Scanner Master here in the US sells it, and it's been seen on this site as an ad). It'll make your life a lot easier.

Now as to the frequencies - it would help some if we knew where you were (city/state will do); but your question is a little unclear. All frequencies are generally entered with decimals, but I have a feeling you're looking at a trunked system, where talkgroups - basically, users of that system - can be referred to in hexadecimal (used by professional systems, such as Motorola programmers - and certain Trunking utilities. You can safely ignore them for now) and decimal (used by the usual Uniden and Radio Shack trunkers).

There are a couple of FAQs linked from this site to get you started on what trunking is and how it works. I'd strongly suggest reading them. You can find those links here:

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Web_Links&l_op=viewlink&cid=13

There may well be a Yahoo egroup where you can download a programming file from their files section. Once we know where you are, I have a nice list of them and can easily look it up and see. There is also at least 1 BC296 Yahoo egroup where you also might find files. Using this method allows you to have a file that works, and you can then clone it and start learning without doing anything to really mess you up....

73s Mike

 

[Josephmumma]

I am also kinda new to scanners and recently purchased a bc296d. I thought I was gonna need to get a degree to program it. The Ham Radio Outlet that I bought it from gave me a cd with a file of local frequencies & talk groups, I was able to load that in with the BC software that came with it and it gave me a place to start & helped me understand how to set it up. I am sure you can find a local file in one of the user groups the other gentleman sugested. I also purchased a copy of a local frequency directory and when I got the ARC250 software that really made programming a lot easier.

Good Luck

Joe in Mesa

 

[sheila114]

Thanks for your help! This is where I live.

Hi:

Thanks for your help! I will definitely get the Arc250 software. I'm also trying to find the cable for connecting my scanner to my computer. Do you know where I can get that by any chance?

To answer your question though, I live in Pawleys Island, SC near Myrtle Beach but in Georgetown County.

Thanks again for any and all help you can give me with this.

Sheila

 

[ka3jjz]

Re: Thanks for your help! This is where I live.

Hi:

Thanks for your help! I will definitely get the Arc250 software. I'm also trying to find the cable for connecting my scanner to my computer. Do you know where I can get that by any chance?

To answer your question though, I live in Pawleys Island, SC near Myrtle Beach but in Georgetown County.

Thanks again for any and all help you can give me with this.

Sheila

Hmm, looking at the RadioReference list for South Carolina, then selecting the Georgetown county link from;

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&stid=45

shows that the site doesn't have all that much for your neck of the woods. There are numerous conventional frequencies (pay attention to the ones in green; ignore the inputs for now) which will get you started.

However, all is not lost; go to the South Carolina forum on this board and let people know where you are and what you need. There are also 2 Yahoo groups for your state:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palmetto800/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scansc/

which should help point you in the right direction.

As for the 796 and the cable; you didn't mention whether you have an available serial port for it. Having to use a USB port is possible, as I understand it, but a little trickier. I believe there's a DB9 connector on the back of the 796; you will need a cable that most any WorstBuy - sri, Best Buy or CompUSA should be able to supply.

73s and GL...Mike

 

[rolaids]

BC796D

Hello everyone. I live in Winston-Salem, NC, and just bought a BC796D. Took it to Radio Shack and they couldn't even figure out how to program it. Reading this forum is helping to some degree but still can't figure out talk groups. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Anyone live in or around this area that can program this type radio, please let me know.

Thanks again,
Joan