Need help programming BC996 in Ontario

[125]

I got my 996 back in Feb, I really have not had much time to play with it and from what I haved read and downloaded is still all greek to me.I am computer ignorant so the download ths and that not work for me. The only thing I want to do is clear out what is on the scanner already and install 3 VHF fleetnet systems with the 1st system having 11 tower sites and 42 talk groups, the 2nd system has 10 tower sites and 22 talk groups, and finally the 3rd system has 2 tower sites with 4 talk groups. HOW DO I DO THIS ? help. I tried the arc996 I gave up after 3 hours back in early May and the UASD996T was not much better because it still does not tell you where to start and where to stop, ie: what do you use first , Write to scanner or Configuration editor or System editor. I did manage to upgrade my firmware (this was a big step for me !). Now I read Mikes 396 comment and I know that I will have to enter my systems many times so I can monitor multiple towers sites but I can't get pasted turning my scanner on. and I think for what I want to do it would be easier for me just to enter all my info rather than download and edit.

 

[LordJ]

I agree, it was very intimidating/confusing for me at first too. Maybe someone could meet up with you and step you through it? If your open to that you could post where you are.
First to entirely clear the memory, turn the scanner off, then, while holding down the "2", "9" & "Hold" buttons, power it back up. I can send you a file that will be close to what you want, you would just have to lockout the ID's you didn't want. PM me with more detail on the tower/systems you want and I'll see what I can do.

 

[125]

Thanks LordJ The clearing the memory was the thing that stumped me. And from what Mike said I basicly have to enter fleetnet zone 1 then my tower group then my talk groups and repeat the same process for my next tower site because here in Muskoka I get 16 towers from King city to Northbay and from Owensound to Bancroft at my new place I'm building where I sit at 1157' above sea level with a 4 bay sinclabs antenna up a 140' white pine, so thats why I think I have to enter the systems each time for a tower site if I don't do that my scanner will only lock on to the stongest channel group right. now with that said, talk groups I read that you can have 250 (TGID) channels then what throws me is up to 20 groups this is where I start the head banging, I'm hoping that I can put more than 20 talk groups in a tower site and that the 20 group thing means 20 channels per tower. Now can I use the Control channel only option ( not a problem if I can't ). If I'm right so far we are almost there. If my scanner is cleared and I use the BCD 996T UASD I have already made a back up of the original software that should not be affected right? I start from connecting the 996 to PC, I then do read from scanner and when the reading is finished my screen should have no frequencies or groups listed. Now if all is still ok do I then go to System editor and enter my systems and then go to Configuration editor and set that up and then write to scanner I hope. DO I HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA if not I have to go get some more tylenol. and I don't want to use any quick keys other than the WX. THANKS I hope this explains where I am at this point. again I could be way off base.

 

[LordJ]

I don't think you can CC-Only the fleetnet system, Not truly sure about the TGID amount, I'll look into it later. Sounds Like you have it right on for the programming, though I think you should devise a system and use the Quick-Keys, you may find that you will want to shut off certain thins, and with no QK you will not get a chance, other than the normal channel L/O.
I'll chime in more later when I am free...

 

[mikewazowski]

I don't think you can CC-Only the fleetnet system,

Once the bandplan is setup, you only need the control channels to follow the system.

 

[LordJ]

Good to know, thanks Mike..

 

[125]

I think I got IT!!!! I'm using CC only but I am picking up all talk groups like ambulance so I guess I have it on ID search not scan. I'll get to play with it again this weekend Thank you for all your help. tune in this weekend. Thanks again everyone.