This method of placing each frequency in the system in all 20 positions works very well for those frequencies that have been designated as home channels by the system. In my limited experience, that usually amounts to 50-60% of the frequencies. The rest are GOTO frequencies when the Home Channel is busy. When that happens, you will see the TGID but it will not be the actual frequency used by that TGID. For example, if HH 01-10 have users assigned, a user on Ch 01 could be sent to HH 11. You would mistake Channel 11 as assigned to Frequency 1 because the TGID is A-01-GGG. With my variation, you will be sure that when you see TGID A-01-GGG in position 11, you know that frequency is a GOTO and does not belong in postion 01. This is where the really hard work begins with a Uniden scanner.
In my experience, it is more difficult to find HH 11 using the 20 Channel method, since there are no users actually assigned to HH11. Instead, you can use a variation. Once you have most of the HH identified and placed in the proper LCN(I.E. 01-10), you then program all the unknown positions (I.E. 11-20, or, in my recent case, 02, 08, 10, 14-20) with the next unidentified freq. If you hear activity on any channels 11-20, AND you can press hold and Trunk buttons in time, then you probably know you have found a GOTO channel in the system on the scanner position you received it. However, you need to do this several times to confirm
What I found even more productive was to have another scanner programmed with the unidentified frequencies as conventional, not trunked. In fact, I recommend doing this for ALL frequencies before you start. This way, you can hear the active ones, and I concentrate on those. If you don't have another scanner, then program these as conventional in positions 21-30. I have found that many of the registered frequencies in a system are not active until there are enough users to justify them. Also, I have been surprised to find one system that was nearly ALL conventional, even though it was registered as trunked, and most systems have at least one conventional freq.
If you are lucky enough to have only one LTR system in your area, you will eventually find most of the GOTO's. and HH. If there are more, then there can be mix and match frequencies between the systems, and you will get a lot more false positives (TGID's from other systems that appear to be ligitimate on the one you are tracking). The key will be if they switch to other HH's in your system or not.
What I have described is an approach I developed out of frustration. I actually went so far as to write a FAQ, but I am still learning and refining my approach. The FAQ has not been updated to reflect my latest learnings, and I definitely do not consider myself an expert.
http://scannernut00.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=talking&action=display&thread=1143941698
I would welcome any comments that would improve or correct any statements that are incorrect. I have a BC796D, so the 396 should work the same way.
