LMRN Programming onto Uniden 996P2 with FreeSCAN

[EVANTYSEVEN]

Howdy everyone.

I am currently using FreeSCAN to attempt to program a Uniden 996P2 with the MTO Central Patrol Group on the LMRN system. The process I'm following is how I typically program the scanners for my tow truck - use FreeSCAN to import RRDB database, select my local towers (King City, Ballinafad, Primrose, and Mississauga have always given me the coverage I need in my day-to-day), and then select the channels I want to hear.

I can't seem to get any hits while driving around. I had the Broadcastify link open while I was parked, and can hear plenty of activity through it - yet nothing is coming through my scanner. At first, FreeSCAN had imported the LMRN network as Type: MOT Type II / P25, but after doing some looking around on the forums for help I've changed the type to P25 Standard (Digital XT). Still I am having no luck with receiving any audio. My band plans are all set as 0's,

I'm attaching some screenshots of my FreeSCAN file - I was wondering if anyone could help me identify where I'm going wrong? I have a couple channels locked out for areas I have no interest in hearing (Niagara and Orillia) but other than that and the P25 Standard change, I haven't altered what was imported by FreeSCAN.

Any help in regards to fixing this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks very much for reading and enjoy your day!

 

[Enforcer52]

When programmed in with ProScan, then upload to the scanner, then downloaded from the scanner with FreeScan, the system shows up as P25 Standard (Digital XT). So your file should work.

But here is my copy of the file created in ProScan and then converted to FreeScan for you to try.

 

[Enjoi19]

There's been a few people with bandplan issues. You may need to enter it manually.

  Bandplan #0:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.02   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #1:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.02   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #2:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.05   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #3:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.05   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #4:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.235  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #5:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.235  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #6:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.145  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #7:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.145  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #12:  Base=769.000    Offset=+30     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5
  Bandplan #13:  Base=769.000    Offset=+30     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #14:  Base=851.0625     Offset=-45     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5
  Bandplan #15:  Base=851.0625    Offset=-45     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5  Slots=2

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

When programmed in with ProScan, then upload to the scanner, then downloaded from the scanner with FreeScan, the system shows up as P25 Standard (Digital XT). So your file should work.

But here is my copy of the file created in ProScan and then converted to FreeScan for you to try.

Thank you very much! I’ve uploaded it to my scanner and reinstalled in the truck. Still haven’t heard anything yet through it. When I press “Hold” on the King City tower, on any of the channels I have 5 bars of strength but nothing comes through still. Not sure what I’m missing.

 

[Enforcer52]

Have you turned on all the service types on the scanner? Specifically you need Public Works turned on for the MTO Central channels.

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

There's been a few people with bandplan issues. You may need to enter it manually.

  Bandplan #0:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.02   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #1:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.02   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #2:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.05   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #3:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.05   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #4:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.235  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #5:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.235  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #6:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.145  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #7:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.145  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #12:  Base=769.000    Offset=+30     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5
  Bandplan #13:  Base=769.000    Offset=+30     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #14:  Base=851.0625     Offset=-45     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5
  Bandplan #15:  Base=851.0625    Offset=-45     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5  Slots=2

Thank you for sharing the Band plan. Everything was set to 0’s when I checked mine, wasn’t sure if it was necessary.

The band plan editor looks differently from this one in FreeSCAN… would you recommend purchasing ProScan instead? In the scanner menu > site > King City > Band Plan It has Band Plan 1-9 and then A through E

Have you turned on all the service types on the scanner???

I feel silly admitting this but I haven’t checked. Still an amateur. Let me drive home and plug it back in to check!

 

[Enforcer52]

You change service types in the menu of the scanner.

How to Manage Service Types

1. Access the Menu: Press the Menu button on your BCD996P2.

• Find Service Types: Navigate to the "Edit Service" or "Service Types" option.
  
• Select and Adjust: Choose the service type you want to change and toggle it to be "On" (for scan) or "Off" (to lock out).
  
• Save Changes: Exit the menu and process the changes for the new settings to take effect.
  

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

You change service types in the menu of the scanner.

How to Manage Service Types

1. Access the Menu: Press the Menu button on your BCD996P2.

• Find Service Types: Navigate to the "Edit Service" or "Service Types" option.
• Select and Adjust: Choose the service type you want to change and toggle it to be "On" (for scan) or "Off" (to lock out).
• Save Changes: Exit the menu and process the changes for the new settings to take effect.

I don't have any option along those lines beyond the "Service Search" function, but I have all of them locked out because if I don't the scanner picks up random feeds that I have no interest in.

There's been a few people with bandplan issues. You may need to enter it manually.

  Bandplan #0:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.02   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #1:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.02   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #2:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.05   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #3:   Base=136.005     Offset=-4.05   Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #4:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.235  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #5:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.235  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #6:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.145  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5
  Bandplan #7:   Base=136.005     Offset=-2.145  Spacing=7.5   BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #12:  Base=769.000    Offset=+30     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5
  Bandplan #13:  Base=769.000    Offset=+30     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5  Slots=2
  Bandplan #14:  Base=851.0625     Offset=-45     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5
  Bandplan #15:  Base=851.0625    Offset=-45     Spacing=6.25  BW=12.5  Slots=2

I went ahead and installed ProScan and hooked up my scanner to it. Does this look correct? First time using this program. I have to do this for each of my four sites too, correct?

Thanks again.

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

Still no dice. Just heard 401 Eastbound Express beyond Kipling on the Broadcastify feed, scanner held on same talkgroup & King City tower, nothing at all from the scanner. I have four bars of strength.

Any ideas?

 

[Enforcer52]

What antenna you using? I'm kinda out of ideas at this point.

 

[Enjoi19]

Have you turned on all the service types on the scanner??? Specifically you need Public Works turned on for the MOT Central channels.

This is not a database scanner, so this does not apply here.

I went ahead and installed ProScan and hooked up my scanner to it. Does this look correct? First time using this program. I have to do this for each of my four sites too, correct?

Thanks again.

Looks right to me. You'd need it on all sites, yes.

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

What antenna you using? I'm kinda out of ideas at this point.

Antenna is an MFJ 1728B Dual Band, approx 3 feet long on a Magmount

I’ve tried on a separate, stationary antenna as well which I use to run Peel Region’s Fire channels with no issues. They run a similar P25 system for their Fire and Rescue operations

Also just to add, I know the receiver in the scanner is good as I was using it to scan the aforementioned Fire & Rescue channels in my house until I switched it off today to exchange scanners from my truck and house.

I had a BCD536HP in the truck which is what I initially programmed the system to using Sentinel achieving the same results - nothing to be heard. I switched to a 996P2 because my buddy is running the same MTO channels on his 996P2 and I was going to try a Master/Slave Wired Clone, but I don't have the right cable.

 

[Enjoi19]

Could you link this Broadcastify feed for reference?

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

Could you link this Broadcastify feed for reference?

Sure, here you go. It is TG 2055 (Milton) on the database. I held my scanner on King City tower, (which was the strongest for me in my area when we were still on FleetNet) on that channel while the Broadcastify feed was speaking - and nothing came through.

 

[Enforcer52]

Your squelch is set to 2?

Since I'm not in your area, I'm going to back out now and let @Enjoi19 help you out since he is in your area.

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

Your squelch is set to 2?

My squelch is set as low as the dial will go, same as what I do on the Brampton Fire P25 system

Also no worries! Thank you for trying to help! I just hope I can get this resolved - the guy who programmed my buddy’s scanner doesn’t answer the phone when I call so I’ll need to figure it out.

 

[Enjoi19]

So the feed you're listening to there is actually coming off the Woodlawn site - pretty far away in Guelph from you. I wouldn't use that as a comparison point.

MTO are not the most active chatters and sometimes can go hours without talking on the system (on weekends even more so). If you have added in the talkgroups, sites, band plan, in theory you're good to go. If you see 5 bars of strength, sit tight and wait it out a little to see if anything changes.

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

So the feed you're listening to there is actually coming off the Woodlawn site - pretty far away in Guelph from you. I wouldn't use that as a comparison point.

MTO are not the most active chatters and sometimes can go hours without talking on the system (on weekends even more so). If you have added in the talkgroups, sites, band plan, in theory you're good to go. If you see 5 bars of strength, sit tight and wait it out a little to see if anything changes.

Does this new system not work the same as FleetNet used to, where you can hear any TG so long as you're within range of a valid tower site? The calls coming through are within the area my towing company services. I've heard various calls on the 401, 427 and 410 while listening. And if I can't hear them in my truck, pointless to have. Not sure how else I can approach this.

 

[ve1sef]

Late to the party. Looking at your programing I noticed that your haven't assigned a quick key to your system or your sites
Try assigning 1 to the system quick key and see if it make's a difference.

 

[EVANTYSEVEN]

Late to the party. Looking at your programing I noticed that your haven't assigned a quick key to your system or your sites
Try assigning 1 to the system quick key and see if it make's a difference.

I’ve done that, set towers as 1-4 respectively and the Group as 1. Still no audible traffic, and the scanner isn’t stopping on any of the Talkgroups but I know there is active traffic.