Not picking up channels

[Okranchmama]

Hi I am a newbie but bought a BCD325P2 and did some research and programmed it to my local area in Oklahoma using Proscan. The scanner is quickly scanning thru all of the channels but rarely picks anything up. I even took it to a much larger town and wasn't getting hardly anything. I live in a rural area and nothing is coming thru at my house and nothing at my work (in town). We were driving the other day and were able to pick up something from the police in a town about 40 miles away, but that is it so far. My previous coworker had a very old scanner (non portable) that she used in my office and we picked up all kinds of stuff. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks!!

 

[garys]

You may not be doing anything wrong. I just sent back a new to me 325P2 because it has poor sensitivity on 800Mhz.

If you are using the factory antenna, you might want to try a different one. Also, check the Squelch setting to make sure it's not set to high.

 

[EastCoastSunrise]

You may want to check your scan times / hold times and ensure they are set up correctly. As if they are setup in a weird way you can end up hearing just about nothing. The proscan manual should have some info on how to change those settings or check the 325 manual. One thing that you may want to try to check your reception is to hold your scanner on a known frequency (The more traffic the better) Ex. the Local PD / Fire or if you think you have good reception on a trunking system try to hold on a local site and see what you can find. If you are still using the stock antenna upgrading that may be a benefit to you. Seeing that most of Oklahoma's public safety radio is on the statewide trunk on 800 mhz. I would look for a tuned 800 mhz antenna and see what you can find.

Good luck,
East

 

[tvengr]

Hi I am a newbie but bought a BCD325P2 and did some research and programmed it to my local area in Oklahoma using Proscan.

Welcome to Radio Reference! It would help to know your closest cities and county to see what is available to scan. Which agencies are you interested in monitoring? If you attach your ProScan programming file, we can check it for errors. Click on Attach files and Open the file.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the forums! Perhaps simulcast distortion is the issue here? It's been known to plague everything that isn't an SDSx100 or Unication pager. I wouldn't suspect a faulty antenna or connector if a transmission from 40 miles away is able to be received. Could you post the database link to the frequency(ies) and/or system(s) you're having trouble picking up?

 

[Okranchmama]

Thanks everyone! I ordered a new antenna and so far, nothing. I am not sure how to attach my scanner file here but I'm in Oklahoma and specifically trying to pick up stuff from Pawnee County and close areas. I literally work in Pawnee and I'm getting nothing at all.

 

[ka3aaa]

what is the squelch set at, should be around 2 or 3 just enough to silence the white noise.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Thanks everyone! I ordered a new antenna and so far, nothing. I am not sure how to attach my scanner file here but I'm in Oklahoma and specifically trying to pick up stuff from Pawnee County and close areas. I literally work in Pawnee and I'm getting nothing at all.

Database shows a number of DMR conventional frequencies in Pawnee County (Sheriff Fire, EMS, etc). Does your scanner have the DMR upgrade? If not you won't pick up anything but data noise here

 

[Okranchmama]

what is the squelch set at, should be around 2 or 3 just enough to silence the white noise.

Yes I’m just one click above the white noise.

Database shows a number of DMR conventional frequencies in Pawnee County (Sheriff Fire, EMS, etc). Does your scanner have the DMR upgrade? If not you won't pick up anything but data noise here

Yes it does. Also, my coworker had a super old desktop scanner and was able to pick up lots of things in Pawnee.

 

[tvengr]

In the scanner, do this to verify that the DMR upgrade is activated: Press MENU > Scroll 1 click to the left to Settings > Press E > Scroll to Upgrade > Press E > Scroll to DMR/MotoTRBO > Press E > If upgrade has been done, you will see this message: DMR/MotoTRBO has already been activated. If it asks for a key, enter the key you purchased. > Press SCAN twice to exit menus.

 

[Okranchmama]

Ok I guess it’s not. I don’t know that I want to spend more money if that doesn’t work either. I feel like the signal strength isn’t enough. I took it to Stillwater and once on the turnpike it came on and showed a few bars and then went back off. Most of the time it’s showing no bars at all, even with this new antenna.

 

[wtp]

Okranchmama, i sent a PM look for the little envelope at the top of this page.