I'm frustrated and need help

[Newbie2]

Hi Everyone,

I got a Uniden BCD996T for Christmas and have been trying to get it to scan without any success. I am new to this game and am trying to scan a trunked system. I have the info from this site on the system I am trying to scan and have programmed it all in. But I'm getting the message "Nothing to Scan". The system name is Bell Fleetnet - Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2. Can anyone help?

thanks

tracy

 

[KE5BCP]

Is the quick key for that system turned off?

 

[Newbie2]

thanks for replying so quick. I didn't set a quick key for the system.

 

[KE5BCP]

Then is the system locked out?

 

[hankv]

Hi Everyone,

I got a Uniden BCD996T for Christmas and have been trying to get it to scan without any success. I am new to this game and am trying to scan a trunked system. I have the info from this site on the system I am trying to scan and have programmed it all in. But I'm getting the message "Nothing to Scan". The system name is Bell Fleetnet - Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2. Can anyone help?

thanks

tracy

Since you are new, I'll touch on some things you may have missed:

1. It is a VHF system so you have to define it as "Motorola VHF" System type

2. Because it is a VHF system, you must enter the Base, Step, and Offset which are found in the Custom Frequency Table here: http://radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=2560


You didn't mention software, but the Uniden UASD programming software is good enough to get you started and it's a free download http://www.uniden.com/index/downloads.cfm?product=BCD996T Later you may want to try more advanced software.

 

[Newbie2]

no I have set the system to "unlocked". When I turn the scanner on I just get "ID SCAN" scrolling across the front with the system name.

 

[Newbie2]

I have entered the Base, Step and Offset in the Band Plan section of Edit Site. Is that correct?

 

[hankv]

I have entered the Base, Step and Offset in the Band Plan section of Edit Site. Is that correct?

That sounds right, but I notice you are using ID SCAN. Until you get everything settled, you need to use ID SEARCH!

 

[Newbie2]

OK. I've changed it to ID SEARCH. Now "ID SEARCH" is scrolling where ID SCAN was before but still I hear nothing.

 

[Newbie2]

I got a hit!! The number that showed on the scanner was not a Talk Group ID that I entered. It is however, a "DEC" number from the Bell Fleetnet - Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2 System that I am trying to scan. What does this mean?

 

[hankv]

OK. I've changed it to ID SEARCH. Now "ID SEARCH" is scrolling where ID SCAN was before but still I hear nothing.

We are are obviously missing something (probably) simple, but I cant put my finger on it right now.

I will think about it and get back to you tomorrow - in the meantime try asking here http://radioreference.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=69

oops just got your latest post - first hit would seem to be good, is it possible that there is just little traffic on the system right now? When you search instead of scan, you get ANYTHING on the system, not just what you entered

 

[hankv]

I have entered the Base, Step and Offset in the Band Plan section of Edit Site. Is that correct?

Did you enter ALL THREE sets of Base, Step, and Offset?

Are you using Control Channel Only mode?

Have you entered frequencies for all listed sites, or just the ones close to you?

 

[Newbie2]

I have entered all three sets of base, step and offset.
Control Channel only mode is off
I had originally entered frequencies for all listed sites but then I deleted them and just left the one close to my location. Should all frequencies be entered?

 

[hankv]

I have entered all three sets of base, step and offset.
Control Channel only mode is off
I had originally entered frequencies for all listed sites but then I deleted them and just left the one close to my location. Should all frequencies be entered?

I think you should leave Control Channel only turned on - it wont interfere even if you enter all frequencies.

It might be a good idea to add the Control Channels for two or three other nearby sites in case something is blocking the closest site. I have five sites programmed in to my scanner because hills block some of them as I drive around. You should also be aware that not all Talk Groups appear on every site in a system that big.

I got a hit!! The number that showed on the scanner was not a Talk Group ID that I entered. It is however, a "DEC" number from the Bell Fleetnet - Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2 System that I am trying to scan.

Did you get this hit while you had all frequencies entered, or when you had just those from the nearest site? Have you had any more "hits" since then?

When ID SEARCH is scrolling across the screen, you should also see the frequency the scanner is searching - it should be one of the Control Channels.

 

[Newbie2]

Hi,

Thanks for all your help. It's working now. I have it on ID SCAN and it's picking up the Talk Groups I programmed in. I also programmed in a conventional system but nothing yet. When the unit is scanning it doesn't show the conventional system. Can I scan both at the same time?

 

[hankv]

Hi,
Thanks for all your help. It's working now. I have it on ID SCAN and it's picking up the Talk Groups I programmed in.

Good!

I also programmed in a conventional system but nothing yet. When the unit is scanning it doesn't show the conventional system. Can I scan both at the same time?

As long as you defined a separate, Conventional System, it should scan both. It will scan the Trunk System, then jump to the Conventional System, then back to the Trunk System.

 

[Newbie2]

It's scanning both systems now. I really appreciate all your help here. What a great site with lots of helpful people.
Should I scan in ID SEARCH or ID SCAN?
Also, should I change the setting in each system to ID Scan or ID Search? - it's only an option for motorola trunked systems.

 

[hankv]

It's scanning both systems now. I really appreciate all your help here. What a great site with lots of helpful people.

I learn more by trying to help people than I could POSSIBLY learn by reading the Useless (oops - User's) Manual.

Should I scan in ID SEARCH or ID SCAN?

Strictly personal preference.

I run in ID SEARCH mode because I can lock out unwanted Talk Groups and still find "unlisted" TG's that I want. We had a major event in town today and I found, and identified, three previously "unlisted" TG's that I will continue to follow.

 

[Newbie2]

I learn more by trying to help people than I could POSSIBLY learn by reading the Useless (oops - User's) Manual.

How true!!



Strictly personal preference.

I run in ID SEARCH mode because I can lock out unwanted Talk Groups and still find "unlisted" TG's that I want. We had a major event in town today and I found, and identified, three previously "unlisted" TG's that I will continue to follow.

Cool. Where is town? I'm in Cobourg.

 

[hankv]

Cool. Where is town? I'm in Cobourg.

Augusta Georgia - The "event" was the James Brown funeral.

Since this is getting "off topic" I'll send you Private Message