BCD325P2/BCD996P2: New User Programming Issue

[SootyScan]

I just uploaded (with FreeScan) the area P25 II system for my area into a BCD996P2. The transfer is correct and all is working except one thing, it's not picking up anything. There was one error in the upload, Band Plan info is missing. Indeed there is no info there. Antenna and volume both up, but no signal hits. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[wtp]

well our first question is... what system are you trying to listen to.
and on a different note, what is the squelch set to ?

 

[SootyScan]

Palmetto 800, Greenville County. Squelch is wide open.

 

[SootyScan]

I solved the problem, operator error of course. Thanks! The scanner is great and I look forward to the digital scanner world.

 

[JethrowJohnson]

What state?
Never mind I found it. 👍
Okay, the squelch usually works better on 2, but if there's a lot of interference you might have to adjust it higher. And in the database I see a simulcast site for Greenville County and the BCD996P2 can sometimes get confused with those sites so the audio could be garbled or choppy, you might miss some transmissions, or you might not receive any signal at all. It really depends on location location location. The Uniden Bearcat SDS100/SDS200 is designed specifically for those but they're really expensive. If you can't afford one of those, there are also the Unication G4 or G5 pagers, and the Bluetail P25RX, or an SDR dongle which is probably the cheapest option.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If you're seeing solid bars of signal I'd be willing to bet you're experiencing simulcast distortion (one of the most discussed issues here on the forums) . You can try the mitigation methods mentioned in the link I provided but they work in very few cases depending on your location relative to two or more simulcasting towers. You'd be much better off listening to this system using a Uniden SDS100 or SDS200 which are much better at coping with LSM multipath / simulcast distortion

I solved the problem, operator error of course. Thanks! The scanner is great and I look forward to the digital scanner world.

Well then, consider yourself lucky. Hope it keeps up for you

 

[wtp]

i will take it as a win, on to the next.
thanks for getting back even if it was just the squelch or volume !

 

[JethrowJohnson]

I solved the problem, operator error of course. Thanks! The scanner is great and I look forward to the digital scanner world.

Glad ya got it working! Happy Scanning! 👍🙂 If you have any questions, just ask, we're here to help.

 

[SootyScan]

Thank you for your feedback. I really appreciate the advice. It turns out antenna location and squelch settings needed fine tuning. I have to say that I am very impressed with the BCD996P2. I have noticed a bit of the interference you mentioned but partly attributed to signal strength. The spot I have it in gives me very clear reception and I am really impressed with the quality, documentation and support. Kudos!