Need Help Programming Austin 9600 System on 296D

[kk5sv1]

I have a new 296D. I programmed it for Austin, Texas 9600 APCO 25 system using ARC250PRO software.

I programmed it for Mot Type II 800 MHz trunking. It seems to be trunking, but it never stops on any freqs.

I pulled all the freqs and IDs for this web site for Austin/Travis County.

I've tried downloading and then uploading to see if the freqs/IDs got loaded. I also made sure the APCO 25 Digital card was enabled.

I upgraded to 3.25 Firmware, but that didn't seem to help.

I've never had any problems programming trunk with my 250D and did it routinely. I must be doing something wrong for 9600 digital.

I'm at a loss and need help.

 

[greg_miotke]

U Can't 296 is Not a 9600 Baud Radio,Don't use Software Program's Useless,Need to Get Your Self a RADIO SHACK PRO 96,Program Staright Forward freq's For Site
IN OTHER WORDS.............YOUR NOT TO SMART ARE YOU..i Been Programing Scanner's and Other Radios for the Last 22 yrs

 

[kk5sv1]

I looked to this site for help...not to be insulted. BC296D is a 9600 baud radio per the manual and published labeling.

 

[FPO703]

Ummmm.... Yes, the BC296D Can and Does do 9600 Baud

Check the following link

http://www.uniden.com/productpop/00_productpop.cfm?prd_code=BC296D

As for the problem with reception, I don't know how to help you on that one since I'm not from the area.

 

[n4voxgill]

I have no idea why you would make a statement like, "your not to smart are you", but for your information the BC296 no only does 9600 baud digital it does other things that the Pro96 can't do, such as LTR.

 

[mr_hankey]

hit that firmware twice...

if i remember correctly, there's a FIRMWARE update and a CARD update.

do them both.

it worked for me after i got it all straight, but until i did i had the EXACT same symptoms on my 296 in the Austin area just like you...

 

[mam1081]

If none of the above work, check to make sure you are picking up the digital signal - maybe turn off the "trunk" and see to make sure you are getting a signal. If you are, maybe your audio decoding settings are off a little. To change this, hit hold (stop scanning), then hold the "9" button down (I think this is the correct button - you migth want to check your manual). It might vary per scanner, but I had mine set on 0663-1985-3242 and it seemed to work. If you get close, the scanner should be able to pick it up. I had this problem of adjusting the audio so much that the scanner was unable to decode the digital control channel. Hopefully this works for you - let us know!

 

[eyes00only]

U Can't 296 is Not a 9600 Baud Radio,Don't use Software Program's Useless,Need to Get Your Self a RADIO SHACK PRO 96,Program Staright Forward freq's For Site
IN OTHER WORDS.............YOUR NOT TO SMART ARE YOU..i Been Programing Scanner's and Other Radios for the Last 22 yrs

DUDE!

This site is TO HELP our friends, not to insult them! If it were, I would suggest that you tone up on your spelling, and grammar.

Jerry :roll:

 

[kk5sv1]

hit that firmware twice...

if i remember correctly, there's a FIRMWARE update and a CARD update.

do them both.

it worked for me after i got it all straight, but until i did i had the EXACT same symptoms on my 296 in the Austin area just like you...

Thanks for the info. What is the CARD udpate and where do I get it? I'll look around for it but was hoping you could point me straight to it.

 

[kk5sv1]

I found the CARD update on Uniden web site. I must have overlooked it before. In case anyone else needs this info the link is below:

http://www.uniden.com/rn_productsupport_downloads.cfm?product=BC296d

 

[kk5sv1]

I upgraded Firmware and CARD. It still will not lock on a control channel and trunk.

I know the reception is good as I was getting some activity the other night as I kept trying to adjust the sound quality. IT has stopped trunking the 9600 system, however.

Maybe I should try reseting the CPU and start all over? Does anyone know how to do that on a 296D?

 

[dynamitedjs]

It looks as if Greg is not too smart for 22 years now.....(lol)

 

[dynamitedjs]

Hey KK, I can help you by phone tomorrow if you don't get it today. Also you might want to hook up with someone in Austin who has one and get yours cloned.

 

[mr_hankey]

hey kk, another thing i did was set all the frequencies to "FM" modulation instead of NFM.

i'm sorry i can't help more - prepping for a trip to Laredo.

 

[mam1081]

If it worked before, and you were changing the audio quality right before it wouldn't trunk any more - you need to just change the quality back like you had it before. This will allow the scanner to decode the digital control channel as I said in my last post. I can almost guarantee this will work (unless something really is messed up with the scanner - and I hope it's not!!)....
Good luck.

 

[kk5sv1]

mam1081
-KD5KAK-

What you're saying makes sense, since I was trying to adjust sound quality. Although I don't really understand technically why audio quality settings would have to do with locking onto a FM data channel. Any thoughts on that?

I guess I will have to reset the CPU again since if it is not locking in on a control channel due to audio adj, and you can't adj audio unless you have a digital voice com, I don't see a way around this.

Thanks again for the info. I'll try your suggestion.

KK5SV

 

[kk5sv1]

KD5KAK, I reset the CPU and getting fairly good results. The audio adjustment is very sensitive.

FYI, to reset CPU, hold MAN, 2, 9 while turning on Scanner.

THanks and 73,


KK5SV

 

[mam1081]

The reason you still need to adjust the audio quality is because the control channel is also digital. The scanner uses the same receiver and processor (and a couple of extras) to decode the data channel as well as voice. If you can put the radio on a voice channel and decode voice at a respectable level, then the scanner should be able to trunk the system ("decode the digital data channel"). I have accidentally changed the quality too much many times, only to find I can't trunk the system anymore. Changing the audio quality back allows me to trunk the system again. Whatever the problem was, I'm glad you got it sorted out. Happy listening!

 

[kk5sv1]

KD5KAK, just one more question if you don't mind. Digital scanning is brand new to me.

I've adjusted audio quality to I think the best level I can get it. The quality level shows any where from 20 to 2 sometimes 1 (lower adj = 733). It seems to start out high (100+) and as they continue talking drops to <20.

Some transimissions are CRYSTAL clear (unbelievable actually), while in the same transmission the person on the other end sounds like they are talking into a tunnel underwater. Some transmissions are readable on both ends, some are extremely difficult to understand. All with the same audio setting. It is real frustrating trying to listen.

Is this the nature of the digital scanning beast, or do I have some more adjusting to do. If it is normal for digital scanning, I have to say I'm disappointed in the 296D.

Again, thanks for all your info.

KK5SV

 

[dynamitedjs]

I have never seen the low on that high of an adjustment. Put it on default. Read the manual to do this. I have mine set at low:0333 Mid 1985 upp 3542 but different areas require different adjustments. Also how far are you from the jurisdiction you are trying to monitor?