Is it the Scanner or is it Me ??????

[N9AWO]

I just bought a new BCT15X and can't get it to produce voice audio; only control channel data chatter. I have a 396T and a 996T and both are setting here playing like champs. I have programmed all 3 scanners the same way and have the rebanded frequencies for Indiana Safe-T programmed.

What I see and hear is when the 396T and 996T lock on a frequency and provide good quality audio the BCT15X will lock on that frequency as well and show the group and group ID, but the audio is only control channel data chatter. It doesn't pick up the voice channel. Conventional VHF systems work fine, but not 800 trunked.

I have tried programming the BCT 15X manually and also with freescan duplicating my 396T program. I get the same results both ways. Signal strength is fine. I have tried 3 different antennas creating different signal strength levels. I get the same results at 1 bar signal level as I do with 5 bars signal level. I have done numerous resets and reprogrammings.

I am starting to think I have a bad scanner. I will try calling Uniden support today and see what they have to offer. That should be interesting.

Short of some good info from a forum member or from Uniden looks like I will be returning this 2 day old new scanner.

 

[ofd8001]

I'm think the SAFE-T system a mix of analog and digital (P25)? Some places it may be analog and others it may be digital. The BCT 15X is an analog only scanner.

This is just a guess, however.

 

[scannersnstuff]

ditto. the same thing i just researched thru the database.

 

[mdulrich]

That is correct, that scanner is analog only. Depending on which talkgroups you are trying to listen to the scanner will be unable to decode the digital signal and you will only hear the raw digital signal.

Mike

 

[N9AWO]

Sounds like "My Bad". I didn't realize it was analog only. OOPS !!!

 

[N9AWO]

Thanks guys for the quick replys on my query. Guess next time I will read the description a little closer. Fortunately there is a 14 day return cash back policy so I will be returning for a refund and doing a search for DIGITAL trunking scanners.

 

[ofd8001]

You might be happy with a 996XT, which is the digital version of the 15X, if you are looking for a mobile version. The 396XT is the portable model.