Okay so here's where the newbie part starts. How do i get the program to read the scanner? I think i've gotten it to upload if that's what your suppose to do but nothing shows up. It does give me an error code saying Caution: possible issue sending bandplan and unable to set WX. I am assuming something is supposed to show up when I upload the system to freeSCAN. Would an option be to use freeSCAN or ProSCAN or ARC-XT to just start over and make sure I have all of the right control channels and everything? Just because its been awhile since i've done it and maybe stuff has changed.
Let me first correct one thing. In looking at your system of interest,
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=6561, I was thinking that it was a system that might require the band plan for the site in your county. That is incorrect. The system is a P25 Phase I system, so the band plan information would be provided to the scanner via the data on the control channel. It would not have to be entered separately. Sorry for the confusion on my part. So the issue you are having, poor signal and the 'finding control channel' message indicates either the wrong site programmed, or the active control channel is missing. Looking at the map of the sites for your county's simulcast site,
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?action=siteFCCMap&siteId=20659 , I doubt that you are too far away for reception. While Simulcast Distortion can be a problem, it looks like your city is close enough to one of the sites that the scanner should at least be hearing the control channel.
With the scanner turned on, plug the pc cable into the scanner and your computer. You likely will hear a slight "thump" sound as the scanner connects.
Start FreeSCAN.
Click on the "Start Virtual Control" icon. That is the one that resembles a scanner, the item farthest right, just under the 'View' drop down menu on the top of the screen.
In the Virtual Control window, select the item "Com Port Setup".
At the next screen, select "Start Auto".
FreeSCAN will then find the Com port your PC assigned to the scanner.
Once it connects, it will indicate the port being used, and show "Found BCD325P2" under status.
Now, select the Scanner drop down menu at the top of the screen.
From the menu that pulls down, select Download Programming.
That will generate another pop-up window, labeled 'Things you can do'
Click on the "Queue Systems List' button
That will read all the systems you have on the scanner, and they will show in the window.
Click on Check All
Then select Start Download
That will pull your systems from the scanner into FreeSCAN.
You can ignore the generic error messages about WX (weather) and bandplan.
Now, select the File drop-down menu, then "Save as"
Give your file a name, and save it to your computer. Be sure to note where it is being saved.
With the file saved, use Windows Explorer to go to the place it was saved.
Rename your file as was noted in my previous post, or create a zipped (compressed) copy, using a file utility such as the free
7-Zip.
You can now attach the file to a post.
The use guide for FreeSCAN is in the Wiki on RadioReference.
FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki
You can also download ProScan
here and use it for a thirty day free trial. After that, you would need to either purchase a license for the program ($50.00 lifetime, with free updates) or discontinue use.
ARC-XT can be found
here as well as at
ScannerMaster. It also has a 30 day demo period before you would need to purchase it.
Unless you also purchased the DMR Upgrade for your 325P2, and have one or more DMR systems programmed as well, the file download using FreeSCAN would be sufficient to attach to a post for review. If you have DMR systems, then download ProScan or ARC-XT for the trial period, and use to 'read' your scanner & create a file that can be attached.