Lost data sync

[msp563]

I've lost data sync on my BCD536HP after changing antennas. New antenna gives a bit better signal but can't get the sync. Switched back to the old antenna and still no data sync. BCD436HP sitting on the desk with it's rubber antenna is working fine. I fear I may have accidentally hit some control while moving the scanner to install the antenna but not sure where to start looking. I'm in Holden and listening to Bald Mt, BOMARC (Bangor), and Passadumkeag Mt sites. No previous problem like this.

 

[buddrousa]

Please define DATA SYNC?
Does the scanner not work on Trunking?
Does the scanner not receive at all?
Does the scanner hear the weather channels?
We need a better explanation.

 

[msp563]

Data Sync is displayed as DAT on the display when it receives a signal with traffic on it. The receiver is receiving analog signals okay. Signal strength is good on all three sites. The 536 doesn't stop scanning for any traffic despite the 436 is hearing it all. The only thing that's different from earlier is there's no indication of a data sync on any of the sites as it scans.

 

[buddrousa]

Is it possible you could have locked out the Control Channel when swapping antennas?
Double check your programming 1st.
Is it possible to have introduced an electrical charge from the antenna and caused damage to the scanner?

 

[msp563]

It appears to be seeing all the control channels on the three sites. I suppose an electrical charges is possible, but I was switching antennas between two scanners. No problem on the other scanner, though it is analog.

 

[buddrousa]

Do you have any other Digital Frequencies you can test with?
Is it possible that the Control Channels Switched and you do not have them in the scanner?
Why were you switching antennas?

 

[tvengr]

What is the firmware version of the BCD536HP? A couple of years ago, it was found that the BCD536HP could not receive digital signals above 171.2 MHz in the VHF high band due to a hardware change. A firmware update was issued to fix the problem. The Bald Mtn and Bangor sites use frequencies in that range. It is possible that the sites changed control channel frequencies the same time you changed antennas. That is how my luck runs. The BCD436HP was not affected. Check that you have all of the same site frequencies in both scanners.

 

[msp563]

I'll check. I believe the City of Bangor is on a P25 system. If so I can program that system up to see what happens.

I'm running version 1.28.16 in the scanner. I don't believe I've done any upgrades since I bought the scanner. The latest database programming was built in ProScan and was written to both scanners.

 

[tvengr]

I'm running version 1.28.16 in the scanner.

That is the version that fixed the problem.

1.28.16 Release Notes (07/13/2022)​

Release Notes:
1. Fixed an issue where the new radio hardware could not decode digital communications in the frequency range of 171.2250 – 173.9875MHz.

 

[msp563]

There are no other P25 systems in my area. Medical dispatch uses an LTR system. Not sure if adding that will tell me anything.

 

[KevinC]

What is the firmware version of the BCD536HP? A couple of years ago, it was found that the BCD536HP could not receive digital signals above 171.2 MHz in the VHF high band due to a hardware change. A firmware update was issued to fix the problem. The Bald Mtn and Bangor sites use frequencies in that range. It is possible that the sites changed control channel frequencies the same time you changed antennas. That is how my luck runs. The BCD436HP was not affected. Check that you have all of the same site frequencies in both scanners.

I believe that was the BCD996P2.

Nix that, it was the 536 also.

 

[tvengr]

Double check that you have the same frequencies in all of the sites in both scanners.

 

[msp563]

Done. Programming matches in both scanners for all three sites.

 

[tvengr]

Try writing the favorites list to the scanner again. That would remove any changes you may have recently made in the scanner.

 

[buddrousa]

I still would like to think a spike from the antenna swap may have caused your problem. But before I would say send it off how old is the SD Card and I would try it on another digital frequency first.

 

[msp563]

I can do this.

Company just arrived it'll have to wait for a bit.

I still would like to think a spike from the antenna swap may have caused your problem. But before I would say send it off how old is the SD Card and I would try it on another digital frequency first.

I'm still using the original SD card but it shouldn't be hard to try a new one, just to be sure.

 

[msp563]

I can do this.

Company just arrived it'll have to wait for a bit.


I'm still using the original SD card but it shouldn't be hard to try a new one, just to be sure.

When I can get back to this, I will add one of the other local systems and see what happens.

 

[msp563]

I have been tweaking my antenna location and I'm happy to report that I am receiving traffic again. I'm still not catching every transmission but things have improved noticeably. I am, at the very least, happy to see that I don't have a programming or a hardware problem. I will continue to experiment with the antenna placement to see if I can get more improvement. My eventual goal is to get an antenna on the roof but I'm not capable of doing it so I'll be saving up to have someone do the install for me. Thanks for helping me find what my problem was.

 

[Adenosine]

Make sure you are listening to the control frequencies for Site 005 (5) Bald Mountain(Dedham). You should not be missing anything from Holden. That site is incredibly strong. You could have the antenna buried in your led basement and you should be getting your bell rung.