MTS2000 III Scan?

[fdscan]

Hi,

My programming cable for my MTS2000 came in last night. I got it working on my XP machine, and I was able to read/write fine.

I originally thought there was an issue with the way the scan feature was programmed, or even the actual adding the channels to the list on the radio (I'm new to model III's) but it turned out both were fine. All of the channels I added via the scan-program feature on the radio showed up on the list in CPS.

Now that that problem was eliminated, I was able to eliminate a programming error from trying to figure out why the radio won't scan.

I will add a channel to my scan list, put the radio in scan mode, switch to another channel (even in the same zone), then take my other radio and key up on the channel that I have in my scan list, and nothing happens. I know in the past, I've put a channel in the scan list and wait for the nightly tone test, and sure enough, another radio receives it, and this one doesn't.

Any ideas what the issue is? Starting to drive me nuts. I'm really hoping it's not an issue with the radio itself.

 

[joetnymedic]

Wow, thru me off. I went looking for that radio and all I was finding were 800 mhz series. then finally toward the bottom of the page the UHF version popped up. Nice radio. Glad you can program with XP. I do my CDM's that way. I went crazy finding an old computer to do my Visars and some HT1000's. Anyway, I may just look into a few of these as they look really nice.

 

[fdscan]

Yeah, there are mostly 800MHz versions out there, because they supported an older analog trunking system (Smartnet/Smartzone) that are now being upgraded to P25 and digital formats and what not. So all the old ones end up on eBay. Some really good deals if you have a use for one... I almost bought one because they were so cheap!!! I've seen them go for like 20 bucks.

I tried programming with 7 but it didn't work, so I switched to XP and it worked fine. If you're in the market for one, these are nice radios. Old, but still great radios.

My only issue is what I mentioned above. Can't get it to pick up scan channels. Not sure what's going on.

 

[jhal94]

Try putting the radio into talk-around mode (if it's simplex) I know that my XTS3000's sometimes act weird and won't unsquelch even if all the programming is right. It is also an occurrence that they will not unsquelch until you key up on the channel my guess is the vocon is old and needs to be woken up.

 

[fdscan]

The channel is simplex, the talkaround mode indicator shows on the screen when on that channel. I keyed up on the channel, made sure scan was on, switch channels, keyed up on the channel in the scan list (with a different radio) and still, nothing! Also, the channel is CSQ.

I've played with scan options in CPS and still no change.

Could this be a hardware or software issue? I'm pretty ticked off it doesn't work. Thank you for your help, though, I appreciate it!

 

[brndnstffrd]

I think your problem may be that the personality is not assigned a scanlist. What you may need to do is go to the conventional personality screen, go over to the scan tab that is a part of the personality, not the regular scan one, but the one in the personality screen and assign a scanlist that will be chosen when that personality is in use. You can have a single personality in more than one scan list, but if you are on a specific personality and press scan, it will scan whichever scanlist is chosen for that personality.

 

[brndnstffrd]

If you cant get it to work, you could send me your codeplug and i can take a look at it to see if i can find anything.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Sounds like brndnstffrd hit it on the head.
What you call a channel is in essence a personality in CPS.
So Zone 1 Channel 1 has personality x in it.. Personality x can be conventional or trunking.
If its Trunking, then it references back to a Trunking Personality. That personality can have 15 talk groups. Each of those talk groups will reference 1 specific scan list.
Now if personality X is conventional. Then that conventional personality can also ONLY reference 1 scan list.
If your radio is set up for conventional channels. Then each channel has the ability to reference 1 scan list. You have to create a scan list, then go to the personalities and associate what ever scan list you want.
If you switch channels, make sure the channel you go to has been set up with the correct scan list via the CPS in the conventional personality tab.
And there you have it, clear as mud.
Dont forget each scan list has options as well.

 

[fdscan]

Well, I read the radio again, and in CPS, the "channel" I'm referring to is personality 5 in zone 1.

If I go into the "scan" tab in the personality, it shows it in scan list 1, as it should... And if I go to the actual scan list, it shows it in there.

I will go on the radio and turn on the scan function on the channel I'm trying to scan, sit in zone 1, and still, nothing.

I'm confused as hell, to be honest with you. Everything seems to be set up like it should. I have another model I that scans as it should, so I'm going to try and compare codeplugs and see if I can figure it out that way.

brndnstffrd, if I can't figure this out on my own after the holiday, I might have to take you up on your offer and email it over to you!

Thank you for the help, both of you, I really appreciate it.

 

[brndnstffrd]

Ok, no problem, feel free to PM me and i can give you my email if you want

 

[fdscan]

Want to bump this...

Can anyone else weigh in?

I'm learning towards a hardware/software issue at this point, unless anyone can pick up any issues from what I've given so far.

 

[brndnstffrd]

Im still willing to take a look at it if you want to send me your codeplug. PM me and i can give you my email.

 

[WX9EMS]

Ok, you have the Scan enable in Conventional Personalities. Do you have all three items in the green circles pointing to the same personality? If one of these three windows don't jive, it will throw the whole thing out of wack. You did not mention if you use priority channels or not.

 

[fdscan]

Disabled all priority channels... Everything in the pic matches.

 

[WX9EMS]

I am assuming still no dice? Can you send me your codeplug to look it over? I'll program it into my MCS2000 and see if does it here. Something doesn't make sense...

 

[mmckenna]

Under each and every personality you want to be able to use the scan function in, you need to select the scan list under the scan tab.

If you don't do this, the radio will not scan while that personality is selected.

 

[fdscan]

Thanks everyone for the help!

Ended up being an issue in the Scan settings.

I'm back in business, works great now!

 

[WX9EMS]

Glad to hear you got it working.