Newbie...Please Help!

[couger77]

I just got a used BC235-XLT and have no clue what I am doing. Read the manual, twice. I have entered the Sedgwick County trunked codes from this website (http://www.trunktracker.com/states/ks.html)

I put them into my first 'Bank' following the directions. It tells me that when I press the TRNK and SCAN button it will scan like crazy (which it does) until it finds the "Data Channel"

Huh?

Anyway, so I guess my question is why it won't find anything. It just keeps searching. Do I have the wrong codes? I was able to pick up a siganl on one freq. so I know at least one of them is right.

Also, I am just using the reg ducky antenna. Should I get a telescoping for better distance?

Thanks all for being patient with me. I really want to learn this and get involved. Thanks in adavnce for any help that is offered.

Regards,

J. D.

 

[JoeyC]

If your scanner doesn't pick up a control channel (buzzing in conventional mode) it'll never trunk anything.

Program in trunked mode.
Program the proper trunk type.

FYI the 235 doesn't do EDACS.

 

[couger77]

If your scanner doesn't pick up a control channel (buzzing in conventional mode) it'll never trunk anything.

Program in trunked mode.
Program the proper trunk type.

FYI the 235 doesn't do EDACS.

Ok,

So how do I program the proper trunk type? And what is EDACS? Is that something I need if I want to be able to scan the latest freqs?

 

[JoeyC]

You don't need to be concerned with EDACS, looks like your system is Motorola.

Follow the directions in the manual explains how to set the trunk type.

 

[couger77]

You don't need to be concerned with EDACS, looks like your system is Motorola.

Follow the directions in the manual explains how to set the trunk type.

Ok, Thanks for the help.

I have determined that Wichita is Type II and therfore does not require a fleet map. Correct me if I am wrong. That said, I have the scanner programmed to "E2" (My other choise was E1) So I will assume that means type I/II repectively.

Still no joy after setting this to E2. No tones, just static on all channels.

What gives?

 

[JoeyC]

Static?? If you can't hear a control channel on those freqs designated as controls, you need a better antenna.

 

[fmon]

J.D., Look at the four red freqs at this Sedgwick link. What JoeyC is trying to tell you is if you do not hear CC noise on at least one of the four, you must be out of range, or have the attenuation on which will reduce the signal level. Also, make sure the freqs are not set in AM mode, this may also reduce the level. Any other mode should give you a loud and clear CC noise. I've seen discussion recently regarding this system on RRDatabase page and it's current.

 

[couger77]

J.D., Look at the four red freqs at this Sedgwick link. What JoeyC is trying to tell you is if you do not hear CC noise on at least one of the four, you must be out of range, or have the attenuation on which will reduce the signal level. Also, make sure the freqs are not set in AM mode, this may also reduce the level. Any other mode should give you a loud and clear CC noise. I've seen discussion recently regarding this system on RRDatabase page and it's current.

Thanks Frank for that link.

I had all of the "Red" programmed and all I get is static. I will venture out today and see if I can pick up a signal. The fact that I am in the middle of Wichita has me worried.

I bought this radio on ebay used a few days ago. Why would the antenna be faulty on a factory ones? And what does 'Attenuation' mean? And should I ONLY have the red codes entered in my trunk bank? I have about 29 entered now.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

 

[fmon]

The fact that I am in the middle of Wichita has me worried.

In view of your location, you should be hearing the CC noise with no problem, even without an antenna. The scanner must be defective/out of tune.

I bought this radio on ebay used a few days ago. Why would the antenna be faulty on a factory ones? And what does 'Attenuation' mean? And should I ONLY have the red codes entered in my trunk bank? I have about 29 entered now.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

I took a look at the manual on the Internet and could not find an 'Attenuation' feature on the scanner, so rule that out. I hate to think it, but you may have purchased someone else's damaged goods. If thats the case, I would first try to recover from the person with whom you made the purchase, then if no help, seek assistance from Ebay, PayPal and/or your Credit Card Co. I think Ebay has a link with tips on how to resolve defective goods issues.

 

[couger77]

The fact that I am in the middle of Wichita has me worried.

In view of your location, you should be hearing the CC noise with no problem, even without an antenna. The scanner must be defective/out of tune.

I bought this radio on ebay used a few days ago. Why would the antenna be faulty on a factory ones? And what does 'Attenuation' mean? And should I ONLY have the red codes entered in my trunk bank? I have about 29 entered now.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

I took a look at the manual on the Internet and could not find an 'Attenuation' feature on the scanner, so rule that out. I hate to think it, but you may have purchased someone else's damaged goods. If thats the case, I would first try to recover from the person with whom you made the purchase, then if no help, seek assistance from Ebay, PayPal and/or your Credit Card Co. I think Ebay has a link with tips on how to resolve defective goods issues.

Thank you very very much for your in depth help. I will contact the seller imediately. I just hope he doesn't give me the run-around.

I noticed a BC245XLT for sale on ebay. I think I will try that model next. Or do you have another suggestion in the $150 range? Used of course.

Thanks!

JD

 

[click23]

You can get a Pro95 brand spankin new for $130 at radioshack. Last year they were $250, they are on clearance right now making way for the Pro97. While you are there you can pick up a 20-289 cable. With this cable you can program the Pro95 with Don Starrs Win95 software, which is free, instead of typing everything in on the keypad. You can compare all of the trunking scanners here here. The Pro95 is a much better and newer scanner than a BC235XLT.

Please don't flame me for promoting a RS scanner in a Uniden room. :lol:

Robert

 

[couger77]

The fact that I am in the middle of Wichita has me worried.

In view of your location, you should be hearing the CC noise with no problem, even without an antenna. The scanner must be defective/out of tune.

I bought this radio on ebay used a few days ago. Why would the antenna be faulty on a factory ones? And what does 'Attenuation' mean? And should I ONLY have the red codes entered in my trunk bank? I have about 29 entered now.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

I took a look at the manual on the Internet and could not find an 'Attenuation' feature on the scanner, so rule that out. I hate to think it, but you may have purchased someone else's damaged goods. If thats the case, I would first try to recover from the person with whom you made the purchase, then if no help, seek assistance from Ebay, PayPal and/or your Credit Card Co. I think Ebay has a link with tips on how to resolve defective goods issues.

I just got word back from the seller. He claims that all electronic goods on ebay are sold "as is". Is that true? He says that he used it in CO and was able to get local freqs.

 

[fmon]

I just got word back from the seller. He claims that all electronic goods on ebay are sold "as is". Is that true? He says that he used it in CO and was able to get local freqs.

Look in My Ebay, your recent activity (including this seller) should still be listed. Click into and review the conditions of the sale. If it states 'as is' then you may be out of luck.

You can get a Pro95 brand spankin new for $130 at radioshack.

This is a much better deal, and a great scanner with a warranty.

 

[couger77]

I just got word back from the seller. He claims that all electronic goods on ebay are sold "as is". Is that true? He says that he used it in CO and was able to get local freqs.

Look in My Ebay, your recent activity (including this seller) should still be listed. Click into and review the conditions of the sale. If it states 'as is' then you may be out of luck.

I see nothing in is auction that states that it is sold as is. (#5749798478)

 

[fmon]

Check your PM.

 

[click23]

If all you are hearing is static, maybe you need to adjust the squelch. It is the knob between the volume and the antenna try turning and see if the static stops.

Robert

 

[JoeyC]

If all you are hearing is static, maybe you need to adjust the squelch. It is the knob between the volume and the antenna try turning and see if the static stops.

Robert

If he isn't even hearing a control channel, adjusting the squelch is irrelevant. The 235 doesn't do CC trunking so he has to program all of the system freqs.

The 235 was the first trunking scanner. Although it works its very limited in its capacities. He should be picking up traffic on all the freqs conventionally if he is located within the city.

Does it even pick up one of the weather channels?
Have you heard ANYTHING on it?

 

[couger77]

Robert[/quote]

If he isn't even hearing a control channel, adjusting the squelch is irrelevant. The 235 doesn't do CC trunking so he has to program all of the system freqs.

The 235 was the first trunking scanner. Although it works its very limited in its capacities. He should be picking up traffic on all the freqs conventionally if he is located within the city.

Does it even pick up one of the weather channels?
Have you heard ANYTHING on it?[/quote]

I can hear the WX if I have the vol cranked up loud enough. I took a drive downtown to see if I could hear anything and all I got were faint chatting between what sounded like dispatch and another patrol or patrol to patrol.

What stinks is that I have to have the vol maxed, and even then barely can make out what they are saying. They could be speaking in klingon and I wouldn't even know it.

The only thing I can pick up clearly was last night when I went to the airport to listen to the tower. Of course, I had to have the vol jacked up to listen clearly, but it was clear.

Thanks for your input

JD

 

[couger77]

If all you are hearing is static, maybe you need to adjust the squelch. It is the knob between the volume and the antenna try turning and see if the static stops.

Robert

The funny thing about the squelch, and maybe it is normal for older models, is that I still pick up static when the squelch gate is closed all the way down.

Plus, if I open it up, get static, then try to close it down to rid of the static, it won't. What gives?

JD

 

[JoeyC]

Sounds like you got a defective scanner.

Take my advice and remove Ebay from your surfing habits. I learned the hard way myself a LONG time ago. People will sell you whatever garbage they can, claim it worked perfectly when they shipped it and thats that.

I wouldn't buy anything that is worth more than about $5 on ebay, especially these days...