Need Help Programming BCD396t

[Choffa]

The department I am using this scanner to monitor uses two different counties frequencies, how do I correctly program it so that it will pick up them? I've had this model before and sold it because of poor reception. My PRO-96 gets much better reception but I've heard much better things about this scanner and like it better, I figure that I'm just doing it wrong. I'm not familiar at all with the software that it comes with nor am I familiar with ARC396 I am trying to program it to the Indiana SAFE-T system with Clark and Floyd Counties frequencies and the Jeffersonville Police Department in Clark County. If anyone can offer some step by step instructions I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Chip

 

[jerk]

Clark and Floyd Cnty Indiana

Here's 2 files covering those sites.

Change the or remove the .txt extension
All you have to do is give them a system quick key and turn the group quick keys on and off for Jeff, all or Clark ISP and so on.

AL

 

[spooney]

Indiana Project Safety is Pre-loaded with all the systems already programmed into the scanner. Just go to: MENU>PROGRAM SYSTEM>(scroll to the Indiana System)>PRESS E>(scroll to EDIT SITE)>PRESS E>(scroll to HENRYVILLE)>PRESS E>(scroll to SET QUICK KEY)>PRESS E>(scroll to 10 for Clark County)>PRESS E>
PRESS SCAN AND NOW YOU WILL BE SCANNING THIS SYSTEM. TO TURN ON AND OFF PRESS .10 WHILE SCANNING.
FOLLOW THE SAME STEPS FOR FLOYD COUNTY, SELECTING FLOYD KNOBS SITE FROM THE LIST AND SELECTING QUICK KEY 22

 

[jerk]

Indiana Project Safety is Pre-loaded with all the systems already programmed into the scanner. Just go to: MENU>PROGRAM SYSTEM>(scroll to the Indiana System)>PRESS E>(scroll to EDIT SITE)>PRESS E>(scroll to HENRYVILLE)>PRESS E>(scroll to SET QUICK KEY)>PRESS E>(scroll to 10 for Clark County)>PRESS E>
PRESS SCAN AND NOW YOU WILL BE SCANNING THIS SYSTEM. TO TURN ON AND OFF PRESS .10 WHILE SCANNING.
FOLLOW THE SAME STEPS FOR FLOYD COUNTY, SELECTING FLOYD KNOBS SITE FROM THE LIST AND SELECTING QUICK KEY 22

It's in the BCD396? Unless it comes with the new firmware, which I did not notice. Now the BCD996 may have it. But the portable did/does not that I am aware of. The files I posted are current and specific to that he wants to monitor. And Henryville is local to me.

AL

 

[spooney]

My mistake about the pre-loaded systems for the 396. They are available though when you download the BCD396t-UASD software. You then can Write To Scanner to program them into the scanner.

 

[Choffa]

So then can I program both of the control frequencies for both systems in the same system to where they are under one quick key? I thought that if they were programmed as separate systems that it would delay it because they use both systems for one talkgroup.

 

[spooney]

When the same TGID's are used it is called a Multi System Setup. Since you have two SITES in your vicinity you need to setup one site for Henryville control channel and I suggest you assign QK 10 for Clark Co and setup another site for the Floyd Knobs Control Channel and assign QK 22 for Floyd Co This way you will be able to SCAN both SITES at the same time or by pressing .10 or .22 while scanning you will be able to turn them on or off as you desire.

 

[Choffa]

So if I turn both of them on then they will both scan?

 

[Choffa]

Is there anything you can do to improve audio reception, it seemed that it didn't get good reception before and reduce the "machine gun" sound for the APCO 25 frequencies? That was one of the problems before that I had with the model.

 

[Choffa]

I programmed everything in there and downloaded it directly from the RR website database--I'm not hearing any traffic at all. What could the problem be? Everything is coming in clear on my 2 Radio Shack scanners but nothing on the Uniden.

 

[jerk]

So if I turn both of them on then they will both scan?

Yes, it will scan Henryville first then Floyd
The files I sent have them set up that way, you pick the quick key to turn them on and off.

 

[jerk]

Is there anything you can do to improve audio reception, it seemed that it didn't get good reception before and reduce the "machine gun" sound for the APCO 25 frequencies? That was one of the problems before that I had with the model.

You can do the tweak for digital as described in the wiki. Do a search or Google it.
Quick way is hold the hold button while turning it on, then function and volume 3 times, and the tweak menu will come up.

Also sometimes setting auto on 7 works better. The new firmware has some problems. Also, the BCD396 will NEVER sound as good as a pro-96. But it is understandable

I can receive Henryville just fine. 868.4250 is Control
AL

 

[spooney]

Sounds like you have gone from BAD to WORSE. Are you using Unidens BCD396T-UASD software to program your scanner?? It sounds like you don't have it programmed properly and what you probably need is to find someone close to you that is willing to take a look at what you have programmed into it. I could have you up and running in no time, but I'm in Evansville. I have every Safe-T site in District 35 which is 10 towers programmed and when I'm out and about I just switch to the site I'm closest to and I can hear all traffic that is available.
Since you have so many issues if you want to get some help over the phone you can send me a private message and I will reply with my phone # for you to call me.

 

[jerk]

Is there anything you can do to improve audio reception, it seemed that it didn't get good reception before and reduce the "machine gun" sound for the APCO 25 frequencies? That was one of the problems before that I had with the model.

Machine gunning is bad with the new/latest firmware... not so bad with the previous version. And some days it will be non-existent, other days every transmission will start with it.

Have not been listening locally so don't know what it's been doing.
Did you try the files I uploaded? Also it has to be programmed as Motorola not APCO 25.

I have attched 2 files here, USAD, Floyd file is not updated with Jeffersonville.
AL

 

[Choffa]

No luck, still nothing.

 

[jerk]

No luck, still nothing.

Then most likely something is wrong with the scanner.
I went back to my Henryville file and put it on Jeffersoville and receiving just fine.

What happen when you press the hold button? Do you get control Channel noise?
Make sure the attenuator is not on, and the squelch is set to 2 or 3.

AL