I just got this scanner today and ordered it with Oklahoma County frequencies pre-programmed. I can actually get more signals by going to Broadcastify than I do from my scanner.
BCD325P2/BCD996P2: New BCD996P2; Not impressed
- Thread starter cfrank01
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Learn to program it. The scanner simply parrots back how it's programmed.
Do you have all the trunked systems programmed in as well? Also if you're trying to pick up Oklahoma City on their trunk system, it's a Phase II simulcast trunk, which means that scanner will only give you marginal performance. You would be better off with a SDS series designed for simulcast Phase II trunking.
TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
Which is another good reason that I am against 3rd party programming by scanner retail outlets. Program it yourself, and get to know your radio. Only you can program your scanner according to your specifications. DIY and do it right 
1) I bought this directly from Uniden, so they should know how to program their own scanners
2) For $400, I shouldn't have to program my own scanner and I don't have the time or patience
3) I'm not going pay $700 for an SDS scanner.
I can get 10 yrs of scanning as a premium member of Broadcastify for the same price as I paid for the scanner I did buy.
2) For $400, I shouldn't have to program my own scanner and I don't have the time or patience
3) I'm not going pay $700 for an SDS scanner.
I can get 10 yrs of scanning as a premium member of Broadcastify for the same price as I paid for the scanner I did buy.
Uniden may know the scanner but they don’t necessarily know OKC and your personal preferences. Return it, no sweat off our backs, since it doesn’t seem you want to take any suggestions for improving your situation.
I didn't realize Uniden did programming. Is it possible you actually bought it from a dealer, like maybe Bearcat Warehouse?
Did you place your order through the Uniden website?, or through a dealer such as Bearcat Warehouse.
The problem with anyone not in your area trying to program a scanner for you is that they are unfamiliar with the current status of system and talkgroup usage in your area. A local business contacted me some time back, and asked why they were not hearing certain agencies on scanners programmed by a dealer. I took a look at their radios and found that the obsolete trunked systems listed for two of the larger suburbs here in Dallas County were programmed, instead of the new system that the two had moved to.
Even if someone out of the area does manage to program your scanner correctly, systems and users change all the time. What's correct today may be hopelessly out of date in a month or two, or additional channels and talkgroups may have been added. The scanner is not going to program itself. If you have no interest in maintaining your own programming, then JT is correct. Send it back & stick to Broadcastify
Actually, they do programming, but more "after the fact" (send it to Uniden for programming after you receive the scanner).
Their pricing is somewhat above ScannerMaster & Bearcat Warehouse, and as already noted, they're only going to program what they see in the database, which may be only part of what is needed.
I didn't realize that. Thanks.
I will repeat what @W1KNE said SIMULCAST SIMULCAST SIMULCAST, no matter how good the scanner is programmed if it is a simulcast system you are likely to have reception issues with it.
If you don't want to spend the $700+ for the SDS series try a $30 SDR
So, what's the problem cfank01? Send the scanner back and listen on Broadcastify.
I agree with jtwalker. There are people here who can help you but it seems like you don't want to listen
I agree with jtwalker. There are people here who can help you but it seems like you don't want to listen
What hiegtx said is spot on- this stuff can change at any time so it's better to do it yourself. Only thing I can think to add is try programming on a computer using proscan/freescan (I like freescan because it's FREE)- you can import what you want from the database (which is like 90% of the work) for you. It's not as hard as it seems.
If you don't want to program anything yourself, you should probably call Scanner Master; they can program your SD card for your local area, for a pretty modest price. They can also walk you through the basics of how computer-based programming works. As others will be probably tell you. Broadcastify only gives you a TINY amount of radio activity for your area; in fact a broadcastify feed and a scanner aren't really comparable in any meaningful sense.
HOWEVER, if you're trying to listen to a simulcast system, you should seriously consider returning that 996P2 IMMEDIATELY and saving up for a SDS100. You COULD get a $30 rtl sdr and use it with DSD+ or OP-25, but if you aren't comfortable programming a scanner, I'm guessing that would be even more difficult for you.
I'm sorry to be (yet another) bearer of bad news but the stark reality is simulcast systems will not work with almost any scanner, I believe the SDS100/200 is the only exception.
I learned this the hard way at my local mall several years ago. I happened to be in an apple store listening to a uniden scanner with an earbud, and officers were responding to a shoplifting call. The store was crowded and I happened to be standing right next to an officer's radio mic (the officer was using an XTS 5000), and I was shocked to realize I was only hearing portions of the traffic on that radio system (the irony is the mall had excellent in-building radio coverage for the system users). The remarkable thing is that for over a year I had no idea what I WASN'T hearing while regularly monitoring a very active simulcast system.
These forums have hundreds if not thousands of posts where people share very similar stories, but suffice it to say the only realistic solution for the vast majority of people is an SDS100, a couple RTL SDR dongles with the proper software, or a Unication pager (which is roughly in the same price range as an SDS 100; it has great audio, but far less "scanning friendly" features than the SDS).
HOWEVER, if you're trying to listen to a simulcast system, you should seriously consider returning that 996P2 IMMEDIATELY and saving up for a SDS100. You COULD get a $30 rtl sdr and use it with DSD+ or OP-25, but if you aren't comfortable programming a scanner, I'm guessing that would be even more difficult for you.
I'm sorry to be (yet another) bearer of bad news but the stark reality is simulcast systems will not work with almost any scanner, I believe the SDS100/200 is the only exception.
I learned this the hard way at my local mall several years ago. I happened to be in an apple store listening to a uniden scanner with an earbud, and officers were responding to a shoplifting call. The store was crowded and I happened to be standing right next to an officer's radio mic (the officer was using an XTS 5000), and I was shocked to realize I was only hearing portions of the traffic on that radio system (the irony is the mall had excellent in-building radio coverage for the system users). The remarkable thing is that for over a year I had no idea what I WASN'T hearing while regularly monitoring a very active simulcast system.
These forums have hundreds if not thousands of posts where people share very similar stories, but suffice it to say the only realistic solution for the vast majority of people is an SDS100, a couple RTL SDR dongles with the proper software, or a Unication pager (which is roughly in the same price range as an SDS 100; it has great audio, but far less "scanning friendly" features than the SDS).
doctordialtone
Member
A 996P2 doesn't use an SD card
1) No, they wont for your area, they just get it from here and some stuff here is wrong
2) Yes you should its a "Programmable" Scanner and $400 is cheep
3) Then as they say " You get what you pay for"
I have 5, 996P2s and they all work great, I got 2 for $400 off E-Bay
Like my papi used to say, If you buy $1000 of the best dirt but don't know how to plant seed, you will never see grass
Ubbe
Member
Those who provide the streams usually have very good antenna loacation high above ground that hears a lot of systems. Most other users have antennas at lower grounds and perhaps even just a antenna stuck to the back of the scanner and get a lot less signals levels and some local systems might not even open squelch.
And if there's a simulcast system that are being monitored by a non SDS scanners then there will be other problems that needs solution to only receive one site and not several that will interfere with the reception. A directional $30 antenna can be used and a variable $10 attenuator to set a receive level that only include one site and exclude the others. But it will also reduce the signal levels from other non simulcast ones and at other frequency bands.
/Ubbe
#1. To the OP cfrank01 it is a hobby learn it.
#2. Is it Unidens fault you bought the wrong scanner?
#3. It must be nice to pay people to do everything for you.
A. Mow the Yard.
B. Drive your car.
C. Cook your food.
D. Take your kids to the park.
Take the blame when it is your fault.
#2. Is it Unidens fault you bought the wrong scanner?
#3. It must be nice to pay people to do everything for you.
A. Mow the Yard.
B. Drive your car.
C. Cook your food.
D. Take your kids to the park.
Take the blame when it is your fault.
Yes you may be able to listen to your area online, but your stuck listening to whatever the feed owner provides. If you just want to monitor one police area or hold on fire talkgroup during a big fire your can't stop or change what is being provided by the feed.
Looking at the database for this system it must be a Harris System, as all the frequencies are listed for control channels or alternates. Maybe the programming is missing one of the frequencies that is the current control channel.
Looking at the database for this system it must be a Harris System, as all the frequencies are listed for control channels or alternates. Maybe the programming is missing one of the frequencies that is the current control channel.
Send it back and get your money back. It's not for you.
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