New to Scanning

[Boone2]

I just received my SDS200 today. This is my first scanner ever so I'm not really sure what I need to start enjoying this hobby. Should I buy a longer antenna for my roof? I pick up some traffic but not my local police. I put in some frequency numbers that I found online but that didn't work. All in all, it been fun just listening to the city workers talk about fixing a water leak and some railroad people talking about some rail cars, I guess. I'm thinking I don't have my scanner set up right.

 

[bearcatrp]

First, read the manual to get a feel for it. Are you in the USA? If so, use zip code scanning until you’re ready to make favorites. Also, install sentinel on your computer. You will need this to upgrade firmware software and to make favorites. If you’re not in the USA, I don’t know how your scanner is set up. Someone will be along to assist you on overseas scanning. This web site helps understand the manual better.

Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

If your in USA and do use zip code, enter your zip code, the enter the distance. Do 10 miles to start. When you have read the manual and have questions, come back and ask away.

 

[KK4JUG]

He's in the Netherlands.

 

[Boone2]

I'm in Nederland Texas

 

[RaleighGuy]

I pick up some traffic but not my local police. I put in some frequency numbers that I found online but that didn't work.

I'm thinking I don't have my scanner set up right.

First, is your local police encrypted, if they are there is nothing you can do to listen to them. Second how sure are you that these frequencies you found online are current and correct.

There is a lot of missing information here and we can't really advise without it. Is the police analog or digital, is it a system or individual frequencies, if it is a system are you using the right talkgroups?

Also, what scanner are you using, is it compatible with the police radios being used?

 

[Boone2]

as I am new to this scanner hobby some of this info, I have no clue

 

[tvengr]

First, is your local police encrypted

Police are not encrypted. There is very little encryption in Jefferson County.

Central Dispatch​

​

Central Dispatch dispatches for Port Neches, Groves, and Nederland.​

DEC	HEX	Mode	Alpha Tag	Description	Tag
285	11d	D	Central Police 1	Police Dispatch	Law Dispatch
287	11f	D	Groves PD 2	Groves Police Ch. 2	Law Tac
289	121	D	Nederland PD 2	Nederland Police Ch. 2	Law Tac

Here are the conventional frequencies for Jefferson County: Jefferson County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
Here is the SETRRS trunked system: Southeast Texas Regional Radio System (SETRRS) (P25) Trunking System, Various, Texas

 

[Boone2]

Thanks a lot. Between this website and YouTube and reading a lot somethings are starting to come together. Now if I can just figure out what to do with the DEC or HEX numbers how to input it into my scanner, I should be able to enjoy this a little more.

 

[buddrousa]

The DEC or HEX are the TALKGROUPS for the TRUNKING SYSTEM in the scanner or software you pick DEC or HEX.

 

[Boone2]

so, if I input the DEC or HEX number into my SDS 200 I can receive this talk group?

 

[Boone2]

Thanks for the reply buddrousa I'm slowly navigating through this new hobby.

 

[buddrousa]

See what your scanner is set to DEC or HEX then enter the correct number in as the TALKGROUP

 

[Boone2]

That was the first video I watched before I turned on my scanner.

 

[Boone2]

still doesn't show me how to input the DEC and HEX numbers

 

[RaleighGuy]

still doesn't show me how to input the DEC and HEX numbers

The RR wiki has a lot of links to references to help you with programming using Sentinel

Sentinel (Uniden software) - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[phask]

Not going to bother to look, but I'd bet they are already in the Full Database and in Sentinel.

 

[Boone2]

Thanks for the support guys!

 

[Boone2]

I have been trying to program some frequencies for the place I work at on my scanner. I have read some literature and tried programming and failed watched YouTube videos and failed screen shot some instructions and failed. The frequencies or on the sentinel program but when you try to select append to favorites list it does not highlight that option. I found Manually input the channels and still cannot pick them up. The system is a P25 system, and the business is about 10 miles from my home I'm kind of at a loss here. ill keep trying but any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I have been trying to program some frequencies for the place I work at on my scanner. I have read some literature and tried programming and failed watched YouTube videos and failed screen shot some instructions and failed. The frequencies or on the sentinel program but when you try to select append to favorites list it does not highlight that option. I found Manually input the channels and still cannot pick them up. The system is a P25 system, and the business is about 10 miles from my home I'm kind of at a loss here. ill keep trying but any help would be greatly appreciated.

What are you using for your antenna ? The Zip code method for your City should include the system as long as you have the correct Service Type turned on too. I'm not the Guru some of these guys are, but I try.

 

[hiegtx]

I have been trying to program some frequencies for the place I work at on my scanner. I have read some literature and tried programming and failed watched YouTube videos and failed screen shot some instructions and failed. The frequencies or on the sentinel program but when you try to select append to favorites list it does not highlight that option. I found Manually input the channels and still cannot pick them up. The system is a P25 system, and the business is about 10 miles from my home I'm kind of at a loss here. ill keep trying but any help would be greatly appreciated.

What system are you trying to set up? Company name and location?