Newbie here with a Uniden BCD996P2 Any tips or suggestions?

[EricRN]

Just received my scanner and trying to learn. I am in Caddo Parish in NW Louisiana. Can I use FreeScan or do I need Pro?

 

[tvengr]

You can use FreeSCAN if not using DMR or NXDN. What is your city?

 

[EricRN]

Shreveport LA

 

[ka3jjz]

Before you jump into the programming, there are a great many concepts and features you will need to learn. Our DMA FAQ has lots of links (always in blue) that can help with this.

Uniden DMA FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

It's always good to know what to do, but why is almost as important

Mike

 

[tvengr]

Here is a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys with your new scanner. Quick keys allow you to easily select systems, sites, and groups to control exactly what you want to monitor. The manual doesn.t go into much detail about them.

 

[fxdscon]

Just received my scanner and trying to learn. I am in Caddo Parish in NW Louisiana. Can I use FreeScan or do I need Pro?

.
After checking the Radio Reference database for your area to see what systems you want to monitor,

Caddo Parish, Louisiana (LA) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Caddo Parish, Louisiana (LA)

www.radioreference.com

If you decide to purchase any of the available upgrades for your BCD996P2, be sure to get them directly from Uniden rather than a dealer, they will be at a much lower cost if you purchase and install them yourself.

You can register your scanner and purchase the upgrades at this link:

myUniden - Customer Product Registration and Support Area

The cost is:

DMR = $60
NXDN = $50
ProVoice = $50

 

[EricRN]

Do I need FreeScan? I was looking for a link to download it.

 

[tvengr]

Have you downloaded and installed the driver for your scanner? Are you able to communicate with it using FreeSCAN?

 

[EricRN]

My scanner is arriving today, I was just trying to read up on it and looking for a link for Free Scan to download that, if I need it. I purchased membership with RadioReference too.

 

[fxdscon]

looking for a link for Free Scan to download that,

.
The latest available download for Freescan is here:

Releases · mfcallahan/FreeSCAN

FreeSCAN is free and open source software for programming Uniden DMA scanners. - mfcallahan/FreeSCAN

github.com

As noted in post #2 above, it's not useable if you're interested in monitoring DMR of NXDN systems. As of several years ago, the author abandoned all future updates and support for that software.

Freescan is enough to get you up and running, but consider purchasing ProScan for a far superior software program with many, many features that Freescan doesn't offer. It's well worth the $50 cost and it offers a free 30 day fully functional trial with free updates if you purchase it.

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD3600XLT UBCD436PT...

proscan.org

Bob, the author of ProScan, is a member here and offers many frequent updates, additions, and excellent support.

 

[tvengr]

I have a FreeSCAN programming file for you. There are 3 systems. The first is Caddo Par Trunk. Pressing 1 on the keypad will toggle the Caddo Parish trunked system on and off. The second is Caddo Par Conv. Pressing 2 on the keypad will toggle the Caddo Parish conventional frequency system on and off. The third is LA State Police troop G using the Shreveport site on the LWIN statewide trunked system. Pressing 3 on the keypad will toggle the LA State Police system on and off. Download and extract the attached zipped file. Once you have FreeSCAN and the scanner driver downloaded and installed, open the extracted file with FreeSCAN. Go to the Scanner tab and click on Upload Programming. Click on All in the Send to Scanner box so that all 3 systems are checked. Select "Erase All Systems & Settings" (in Red). That will clear anything in the scanner and give you a clean start. Click on Start Upload. If you are unable to communicate with the scanner, close the Send to Scanner box. Go back to the Scanner tab and click on Control Scanner. Click on COM Port Setup. Click on Start Auto. Once you receive a message that the scanner has been detected, click on OK and close the COM Port Setup box. Go back to the Scanner tab and click on Upload Programming again and follow the previous instructions. Quick keys as follows:

SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
1. Caddo Par Trunk
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. Caddo Services
2. Caddo Fire/EMS
3. Caddo EMS/Hosp
4. Caddo Sheriff
5. Caddo Local PD
6 Shreve Fire/EMS
7. Shreve Police
8. Shreve Parks&Rec
8. Shreve Pub Works
8. Shreve Watr&Sewr
9. State of LA
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
2. Caddo Par Conv
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. Caddo Services
2. Caddo Emerg Ops
3. Caddo EMS
4. Shreve EMS
SYSTEM QUICK KEY:
3. LA State Police
GROUP QUICK KEY:
*. LA State Police
(Note: * = None)

 

[Blackink]

Get your Firmware updated if it isn't already: BCD996P2 Firmware Updates