BCD325P2/BCD996P2: New and frustrated

[Danwillcountry]

Hello everyone, please forgive me I am absolutely new to the digital scanner world. I purchased a uniden bcd325p2 and the optional gps module. I was under the impression that hooking up the GPS module to the scanner would allow it to receive police activity. Well like I said I never had anything this advanced before. The last scanner I had was an old bearcat that had crystals installed and away it scanned. This says nothing to scan so obviously I'm stupid to believe it could be that simple. Can someone please help me figure how to work this. At the moment I'm so aggravated for spending all that money for nothing. I could not find any informative help videos with my issue so this is my last resort. Thank you🙏

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

This says nothing to scan

Welcome to the RR forums. This is an extremely common issue. So common that a wiki has been created outlining steps to try and deal with it..

Nothing to Scan - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

See also:
Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual

 

[Danwillcountry]

Thanks, I'll look at that. Thank you

 

[bearcatrp]

The 325P2 is different than the database scanners. The easy to read 325P2 that was posted above is good to read. Better than the manual. Explain how you’re trying to listen to PD. Were you able to listen to PD before using the gps? What location are you? If PD in your area is encrypted, you won’t hear anything. Am selling mine as allot of encryption in my area plus heavy simulcast. Plus I bought the 150.

 

[buddrousa]

The BCD325P2 will not receive anything you do not enter into it. It is not like the BCD436 SDS100 or SDS150 that have the entire Radio Reference Database stored in the scanner.

 

[Danwillcountry]

The 325P2 is different than the database scanners. The easy to read 325P2 that was posted above is good to read. Better than the manual. Explain how you’re trying to listen to PD. Were you able to listen to PD before using the gps? What location are you? If PD in your area is encrypted, you won’t hear anything. Am selling mine as allot of encryption in my area plus heavy simulcast. Plus I bought the 150.

I just received both items yesterday. So, literally know nothing about the scanner. I'm in Illinois and no, was unable to receive anything with or without the gps. I did put in the longitude and latitude into the scanner. So I figured with that, and connecting the gps I thought it would scan anything local police and state troopers. But, it doesn't even show that the gps is connected, so I don't get it. Doesn't even pick up analog transmission.

 

[bearcatrp]

What antenna are you using?

 

[Danwillcountry]

The BCD325P2 will not receive anything you do not enter into it. It is not like the BCD436 SDS100 or SDS150 that have the entire Radio Reference Database stored in the scanner.

Okay, thank you. I'll have to try and figure that all out. But now what if I'm driving around? The gps won't scan the area I'm in without programming it?? What if I decided to use it going out of town?

 

[Danwillcountry]

What antenna are you using?

The one that came with it

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I'm in Illinois
I thought it would scan anything local police and state troopers.

Where exactly in Illinois so we can help you get eyes on the database to see what can or can't be picked up?

 

[Danwillcountry]

Will county.

 

[dmfalk]

And just to be clear, GPS is a location system. Is doesn't enable you to receive anything in particular, except for where you're located, depending on what's programmed in, already. (See the above linked Easier To Read Manual for more information.)

 

[Danwillcountry]

And just to be clear, GPS is a location system. Is doesn't enable you to receive anything in particular, except for where you're located, depending on what's programmed in, already. (See the above linked Easier To Read Manual for more

I get that now. Thank you, ill just have to figure out how to program everything in. Looks time consuming 😮‍💨

 

[Enforcer52]

Will County uses the Will County Government system and the Starcom Wescom system. Both are simulcast systems, which your scanner is not designed for. Only the SDS 100/200/150 handle simulcast systems as they were designed for simulcast. Will County does have a none simulcast tower in Braidwood, not sure how far from you that is.

Even if you get the scanner programmed for your area you will experience simulcast distortion and miss transmissions. There is a lot of analog and digital freqs listed in the database, but not sure how many are still being used in Will County.

If the scanner is new and still has a return window, I would suggest returning it and look at getting an SDS series scanner.

Learning to program the new scanners is a BIG learning curve, and best to use a PC and programming software such as ProScan, and a paid subscription to the RR Database. They can be programmed by hand, but it is not easy.

If you decide to keep the 325P2 let us know and someone will probably try to help you get it programmed.

There is also the SDR dongle route to setup a system on your computer, that can then be streamed to the internet and listened to on your phone.

Edit: All the counties surrounding you are mostly on the StarCom system and are simulcast. Kendall County is the only county that is not on StarCom.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Learning to program the new scanners is a BIG learning curve

Yeah, especially if the OP's going right from crystal scanners to a "present day" scanner. Very steep learning curve

The last scanner I had was an old bearcat that had crystals installed and away it scanned.

 

[Enforcer52]

As an alternative you can listen to Will and Grundy Counties Public Safety on the Broadcastify system on you PC and phone at

www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/28965/web

 

[Danwillcountry]

Will County uses the Will County Government system and the Starcom Wescom system. Both are simulcast systems, which your scanner is not designed for. Only the SDS 100/200/150 handle simulcast systems as they were designed for simulcast. Will County does have a none simulcast tower in Braidwood, not sure how far from you that is.

Even if you get the scanner programmed for your area you will experience simulcast distortion and miss transmissions. There is a lot of analog and digital freqs listed in the database, but not sure how many are still being used in Will County.

If the scanner is new and still has a return window, I would suggest returning it and look at getting an SDS series scanner.

Learning to program the new scanners is a BIG learning curve, and best to use a PC and programming software such as ProScan, and a paid subscription to the RR Database. They can be programmed by hand, but it is not easy.

If you decide to keep the 325P2 let us know and someone will probably try to help you get it programmed.

There is also the SDR dongle route to setup a system on your computer, that can then be streamed to the internet and listened to on your phone.

Edit: All the counties surrounding you are mostly on the StarCom system and are simulcast. Kendall County is the only county that is not on StarCom.

Thanks for all that info. I did not know any of that. No I got it off ebay for 250. So looks like I'm stuck with it. But now I know what to look for in the future. I appreciate this. Should of listen to the wife when she said " you don't need that right now! " 🙄

 

[Chris0516]

Will County uses the Will County Government system and the Starcom Wescom system. Both are simulcast systems, which your scanner is not designed for. Only the SDS 100/200/150 handle simulcast systems as they were designed for simulcast. Will County does have a none simulcast tower in Braidwood, not sure how far from you that is.

Even if you get the scanner programmed for your area you will experience simulcast distortion and miss transmissions. There is a lot of analog and digital freqs listed in the database, but not sure how many are still being used in Will County.

If the scanner is new and still has a return window, I would suggest returning it and look at getting an SDS series scanner.

Learning to program the new scanners is a BIG learning curve, and best to use a PC and programming software such as ProScan, and a paid subscription to the RR Database. They can be programmed by hand, but it is not easy.

If you decide to keep the 325P2 let us know and someone will probably try to help you get it programmed.

There is also the SDR dongle route to setup a system on your computer, that can then be streamed to the internet and listened to on your phone.

While StarCOM21 has today's date (1/31/2026). It says to also check this page: Will County Government IL (P25) Trunking System, Joliet, Illinois

Shows one Simulcast tower, and. One (non)Simulcast tower. So, @Danwillcountry could still use the 325p2, on. Either Sttarcom21, or. On the Will County system.

 

[Chris0516]

@Danwillcountry You can download a trial license of Proscan at proscan.org

The registered version, while costing $50. Makes programming a breeze. The software developer has this thread: Proscan Supporrt Thread on RR.

 

[Enforcer52]

Once again Starcom in Will county is SIMULCAST, @Chris0516