New BCD996P2 user programming question

[WRTQ479]

I'm using the freescan software to program the BCD996P2. Everything loads fine and works ok except I hear nothing for the city of Cincinnati. I can copy other nearby counties but not this particular city. I can hear it fine on broadcastify but not the scanner. Any help would be appreciated as I am very new to the radio world.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Simulcast distortion might be the issue at hand here. Many cells in close proximity to one another transmitting at the same time on the same frequency might cause you trouble trying to track the system. You'd be better off with an SDS200 to monitor Cincinnati. Welcome to the forums!

Ohio MARCS-IP: Multi-Agency Radio Communications Site: Cincinnati City

Ohio MARCS-IP: Multi-Agency Radio Communications Site: Cincinnati City Details

www.radioreference.com

 

[wtp]

how far from it are you ?

 

[WRTQ479]

Appreciate the info. I'm am about 20 miles from the city

 

[tvengr]

There are 2 sites you must be scanning. One is Hamilton County and the other is Cincinnati City. If you are receiving other talkgroups in Hamilton County, you may be missing the Cincinnati City site. You only need the 4 control channel frequencies (c) in each site. If you lose lock on the control channel due to poor signal or simulcast distortion, the scanner does not need to search through all of the voice frequencies to find the control channel again.

4 (4)	002 (2)	Cincinnati City	Hamilton	851.1125c	851.1875c	851.2125c	851.4625c	851.5625	851.5875	851.6875
				851.8125	851.8375	852.0875	852.1125	852.2625	852.3125	852.3375
				852.6125	852.6375	852.6625	853.6375	853.7875	853.8625
4 (4)	004 (4)	Hamilton County	Hamilton	851.1625c	851.250c	851.300c	851.5375	851.650	851.7875	852.2375
				852.5375	852.7375	852.7625	852.8125	852.850	852.950	853.125
				853.150	853.2625	853.3625	853.5625	853.5875c	853.950

 

[WRTQ479]

Thanks for the response. I do believe I have both sites programmed though

 

[WRTQ479]

At least I checked both boxes on the freescan software

 

[WRTQ479]

I have even tried deleting what I had in the scanner and only programming the city of Cincinnati and then I get nothing

 

[tvengr]

If you attach your FreeSCAN programming file, I will check it for errors. You will need to right click on the file and Send to Compressed (zipped) folder to be able to attach it. Click on Attach files and Open the zipped folder.

 

[WRTQ479]

I would appreciate that. I'm currently at work but I should be able to do it around 4. If you could help that would be great

 

[tvengr]

I should be able to do it around 4.

Waiting for your file.

 

[WRTQ479]

This is the file currently loaded in the scanner

 

[tvengr]

That is not the FreeSCAN programming file. It is the driver for your scanner. A FreeSCAN programming file has an extension of .996

 

[WRTQ479]

I must have clicked the wrong file to zip. I'm not seeing the option to zip the file

 

[WRTQ479]

I think this is it

 

[tvengr]

That is the file. I will be checking it.

 

[tvengr]

Try locking out the Clermont and Mt Orab sites and open the squelch. 20 miles can be a challenge for 800 MHz systems,

 

[WRTQ479]

Locked those out and opened all the way. Nothing. Would a better antenna work or no

 

[wtp]

it might, but many places have cut the output power or directed their antennas to "keep it tight".
just picture what happens when you add height and power.
i used to drive in New Jersey and could hear hackensack medical center almost to the Penn, border 90 miles away.
i there a way to take the radio closer to the city to check programming ?
after that you can tweek stuff.

 

[WRTQ479]

I could take closer to check programming. When I use virtual control the signal strength shows above half consis