New scanner user, question about RISCON

[N1DSM]

Recently received a Uniden 996P2, has been programmed for all RISCON but the scanner never picks anything up. There are other frequencies stored and can hear neighboring cities but nothing on RISCON. I am using a Diamond outdoor antenna. Could this be a programming issue? How would i check? First time messing around with trunk tracking, digital.
Thank you for the help!

 

[faojk911]

RISCON can be difficult depending on your location and the site you’re attempting to monitor. I also have that model scanner and find it not the best when it comes to monitoring this system due to simulcast. If you live in the state, you should have no issue with signal strength from the nearest zone you’re geographically in (north, south, east, or Providence). There are a number of possibilities related to not receiving the system. For starts, make sure you have the control channels correct for the nearest site you’re trying to receive. If you’re able to lock onto the control channel, check if your scanner is set to ID search or ID scan. If it’s set to scan, you’ll need the talk groups you’re looking to monitor programmed into the radio. Search will hold on any talk group active on the site. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Nascar18]

What did you program it with? What is your location? We can start there.

 

[N1DSM]

I received it fully programmed with all local RI, MA, RISCON N,S,METRO. I can receive Fall River FD and PD,Attleboro PD, Pawtucket FD/PD, but absolutely nothing on RISCON.
The location is Johnston, RI.

I was looking at Freescan to possibly reprogram all the RISCON, but honestly don't know where to start. I am an analog guy, love the glow of tubes. This digital stuff i'm not so good with so i appreciate all the help!

 

[Nascar18]

Try this file from Free scan. It has all the Riscon zones.

 

[N1DSM]

Try this file from Free scan. It has all the Riscon zones.

Thank you!!
I am almost tempted to erase everything and start over with this file. Much appreciated!

 

[Nascar18]

Contact the company and tell them. It could be any easy fix. Maybe they are lock out. Put the scanner in manual and scroll through the channels.

 

[pro106import]

see next response

 

[pro106import]

Thank you!!
I am almost tempted to erase everything and start over with this file. Much appreciated!

No need to wipe yours out. Just download the file from here. Unzip it and put the .996 file somewhere where you can find it (desktop or whatever). Open up your file on Freescan. Click file-- Import> Import from freescan. Now click on the "Open" button. That will open up your windows file explorer. Find your file from where you put it and it will add it to your present lineup. Just change the scanlist or whatever from there.
Bob

 

[N1DSM]

I've downloaded the file into the scanner, still no go. I can still hear fall river clear as day, as well as some local. Still nothing from RISCON, i did notice however when in manual mode, on the RISCON channels, the signal meter will flash 1-2 bars, very weak. I guess my antenna is not good enough for that frequency.
Thank you all for the help!

 

[Nascar18]

N1, Any news on the scanner??

 

[Nascar18]

I would say the North zone and Providence zone would be your best bet. Is the firmware up to date? Try just using the stock antenna, see what the results are. Being in Johnston is right in the North zone. Are you picking up the Cranston PD, that is P25.

 

[wtp]

with the dreaded word simulcast on every site, that might be the problem.
this is the full riscon database

1 (1)	001 (1)	Metro Simulcast	Providence	851.0625	851.0875	851.6125	852.425	852.6375	852.700	853.0375
				853.150a	853.275a	853.375	853.550	853.7125c
1 (1)	014 (E)	North Simulcast	Providence	851.150	851.4875	851.850	852.400a	852.675a	852.950	853.2375
				853.5125c	853.6875
1 (1)	015 (F)	South Simulcast	Statewide	851.2375	851.4625	851.6625	852.0875	852.2375	852.450	852.925a
				853.175a	853.4125a	853.875c
1 (1)	018 (12)	East Simulcast	Statewide	851.650	851.925	852.2125	853.7375	854.2875	857.3375	858.3125
				859.3125	860.3125c

 

[N1DSM]

with the dreaded word simulcast on every site, that might be the problem.
this is the full riscon database

1 (1)	001 (1)	Metro Simulcast	Providence	851.0625	851.0875	851.6125	852.425	852.6375	852.700	853.0375
				853.150a	853.275a	853.375	853.550	853.7125c
1 (1)	014 (E)	North Simulcast	Providence	851.150	851.4875	851.850	852.400a	852.675a	852.950	853.2375
				853.5125c	853.6875
1 (1)	015 (F)	South Simulcast	Statewide	851.2375	851.4625	851.6625	852.0875	852.2375	852.450	852.925a
				853.175a	853.4125a	853.875c
1 (1)	018 (12)	East Simulcast	Statewide	851.650	851.925	852.2125	853.7375	854.2875	857.3375	858.3125
				859.3125	860.3125c

How do I check if it is set to Simulcast?

 

[W1KNE]

So you don't set anything to simulcast. Simulcast refers to the trunking system transmitting on the same frequency, simultaneously, from multiple transmitter locations. ("Towers" if you will). The issue comes with how the scanner decodes the signal and is able to keep everything lined up, so the signal is clean with no dropouts. Most, almost all conventional trunking scanners can not do this. Uniden developed a scanner, the SDS series, specifically to resolve this issue and work like commercial radios on simulcast trunking systems. While it's not exactly the case, the scanners DO perform much much better on simulcast systems like RISCON, CLMRN in Connecticut , CoMIRS in Western Mass. You'll see a lot of threads in the Uniden forums here on these.

 

[Nascar18]

N1, Any luck with the stock antenna???

 

[Nascar18]

Mike is probably correct on the simulcast. Box it up and send it back while you can. The SDS models will be your answer.

 

[wtp]

to check things, can you take the radio out for a ride and get near a tower ?
if you then hear the system fine, it is not the programming and is a simulcast problem.
you might even take it around the house and try it that way.
you would be looking for the sweet spot.
i found one in a window at the edge with the radio in a cell phone holder set horizontal and stuck in the corner.
it looks weird and the wife hates it, but it works about 99% of the time. just a rare dropout.
the old name would be "TV rabbitear antenna dance" so have fun.

 

[Nascar18]

WTP,
If you look at the map of RI and his location. Johnston is right inline with the highest point in RI and there is a main Riscon tower there. My bet that is the problem.

 

[wa1lad]

The main RISCON tower is NOT at Jerimoth Hill (814' ASL). It is a bit further east at 730' ASL.