Newbie Scanning Tips Requested

[Vikingpiper]

I am new to scanning. I just received a Bearcat BCD996P2 as a gift and would like any 101 tips you could throw my way. I live in the Queen Creek area and I will mostly be scanning TOPAZ (since I work in that system), as well as any other public safety I can pick up in my area. I have FreeSCAN and will use that for programming, and with a bit of University of YouTube research, I believe I grasp that concept pretty well.

I am interested in knowing what antennae is necessary. I'm limited to my attic because of HOA. Any helpful tips and input would be appreciated as I'm used to creating radio traffic, not scanning it. Thx.

 

[doctordialtone]

I am new to scanning. I just received a Bearcat BCD996P2 as a gift

Great scanner and what a gift!

I'll start with a common tip/mistake.

Decide whether you want to scan in ID Scan or ID Search mode.

ID Scan scans only the groups you enter.
ID Search scans ALL ID's on the system.



An excellent reference for you is the "Easier to Read" manual here:

996 P2 Easier to Read Manual

Enjoy!

 

[Vikingpiper]

Great scanner and what a gift!

I'll start with a common tip/mistake.

Decide whether you want to scan in ID Scan or ID Search mode.

ID Scan scans only the groups you enter.
ID Search scans ALL ID's on the system.

View attachment 95620

An excellent reference for you is the "Easier to Read" manual here:

996 P2 Easier to Read Manual

Enjoy!

Being that I have to program the empty scanner from scratch, will it scan other than what I specifically program? (Literally have no idea how this works.)

 

[doctordialtone]

Being that I have to program the empty scanner from scratch

You can use the EZ Grab feature in FreeScan to speed up programming.

FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

The scanner will only scan the Systems you program in normal operation.

Within the systems are GROUPS. You determine which groups are scanned through programming.


Also, read up on Quick Keys, which are used to toggle Systems and Groups on and off.

There are System Quick Keys and Group Quick Keys.

Also, check out this free program which displays the scanner on your PC

Baton Rouge Area Scanning - ID Tracker

It also logs information that you are scanning.

 

[Vikingpiper]

Ok. I'll start looking into this. I'll be back for questions, I'm sure.

 

[buddrousa]

Here is you a fellow HOA and what he has built.

N9JIG 2020 Shack

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Vikingpiper]

Here is you a fellow HOA and what he has built.

N9JIG 2020 Shack

forums.radioreference.com

That's insane. I ain't got time for that. But sweet.

 

[buddrousa]

The point was it can all be done with attic antennas.

 

[jaspence]

Don't limit yourself. I started out using my scanner as a way to monitor the sheriff when I became a trained storm spotter. After moving to an area with less tornado watches and lots less snow, I started listening to other services. I live by a major airport and each year we have a major airshow. This is just one area that I added, and now with the IC-R30, which scans very fast, I listen to many different services. Hearing the Thunderbirds fly in for the air show and their absolutely nonsensical chatter was a real surprise.