Lost in Palm Beach

[Krieg]

I just picked up a BC895xlt. I am sooooooo lost when it comes to trunk tracking programing.
First, where do I get a computer programing cable? My ol' eyes aren't what the used to be, so I'm hoping to see numbers better on the 'puter screen. Does Radio shack sell anything?.....Or anybody else? Saw info on pin outs, but that's no help. Did find some software.
Been messing with this scanner for hours, so far, I know what the weather is doing. I got frequencies, but can't get them to track. Just want to listen to the palm beach sheriff for a start. I might need some serious spoon feeding here..........help!!!!!!
Krieg

 

[ka3jjz]

Let's start by verifying that we all know what system you are trying to track; note that anything in blue and/or underlined is a link;

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=197

This system has some digital talkgroups which the 895 cannot handle. In fact the 895 was Uniden's first trunking desktop scanner, some 20 odd years old. It can scan the non-digital stuff on this system, but it cannot scan a trunked system and listen to conventional stuff at the same time. That capability came with much later models.

Programming that system should be a piece of cake; do you have an external antenna, or are you just using the whip? If the latter, I would program the site that is closest to you. This site would be called 'E2-800' in Uniden's parlance. The owner's manual is pretty decent in describing how to program the 895 for this system. If you don't have it, you can get it from numerous places for free, including the Uniden website (as a PDF file).

http://www.uniden.com/pdf/BC895XLTom.pdf

In any case, a bit more information is needed here. Are you using a PC that has a serial port or not? The connector on the back of the 895 is a wierd one (even back then, RS232 was around - to this day I can't understand why they used this...). It's the same as the audio connector on a CD Rom drive. However, Scan Control sells both this connector and cable combo, along with the USB-serial cable if you need it. Their software is likely the best for this old bird. Their website is:

http://www.scannersoft.com

 

[Krieg]

Wow

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Computer has both USB and COM port connections. The connection in the scanner is about the same size as a USB, but is not.
I see Palm Beach Co has about 29 frequencies, and when I put them in bank, after pushing the trunk buttin until it beepe twice, it scans as any other scanner. I'm missing something. I thought that if I had the software and the cable, it would be easier for me to see what's going on.

Thanks again............I'm workin' on it......I hear more than weather now!!
Krieg

 

[ka3jjz]

It sounds like you are doing it backwards. You must first hold trunk until it beeps, select the bank you want to define as a trunk, THEN enter all the frequencies. The default trunk type is E2 which is what you want. After you get all the freqs typed in, you should be able to hit 'search' and start seeing talkgroups appear on the screen. If that's the case, then press 'manual' (I think that's the right key...) and start entering talkgroups.

The manual is easy to read, frankly. It's in PDF format....73 Mike

[edit] I finally remembered what the issue is. The 895 cannot distinguish between a bank that is programmed for trunking, and one that is conventionally programmed. It will try to scan all channels regardless. I remember running into this as well. You must lock out the bank you have programmed as trunked when scanning conventional channels. The 895 cannot scan both conventional and trunked at the same time - that ability came with the hand held BC245 and most all of the later models.

To select the trunk bank to be scanned, you must do this manually by hitting 'trunk' then the letter of the bank. In other words, if you programmed bank D as a trunk bank, and you have banks A thru C programmed with conventional channels, if you wish to scan conventionally, bank D must be locked out. If you wish to scan your trunk system, you must hit 'Trunk' then 'D'.

It's been so bloody long I completely forgot about this. M.

 

[Krieg]

Need programming cable for bc895

It looks like I will have to build a programming cable for the bc895. Can't find one anywhere. I have the DB-9 cable, now need to know what the other end will be. Can't find a part number. One post states you can use a CD audio cable, but they are only 4 pin, the scanner is 5. Sure as God made little green apples, I would screw that up. SOO, where might I find a 5 pin cinection for the back of the scanner? Does it have a special name?
Krieg

 

[ka3jjz]

<sigh> Obviously you didn't look here for the cable....

http://www.scannersoft.com/accessories.htm

73 Mike

[edit] You will also need to set up the speed on the 895's data port. It's very easy to do - the instructions are in the 895 FAQ, found here...

http://www.strongsignals.net/access/content/bc895faq.html