Official BCD996T Post Release Thread

[justdan]

I can't listen to one of the systems in my area and I'm sure it's my lack of understanding of how to program the 996T. I'm new to scanning but I do have the 996T listening to an 800Mhz Motorola Type II analog voice system already. I've read about all I can, tried this and tried that, and still can't get the scanner to pick up any traffic on the frequencies shown in the database. I'd bet their good and that I'm just doing something dumb. Any help would be appreciated.

Here's the system I'm trying to listen to (The NC Viper system): http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=TRSDB&sid=4087

I've got the system programmed as follows (snapshot of the system file from the database for those who can read it). If there's a better way to quote or supply this info, let me know.

SystemCT,MP25,"NC Viper System",.,2,UNLOCKED,OFF,2,OFF,0,0,AUTO,8,None,OFF,"Blue Ridge Road",OFF
SystemT,SEARCH,Disabled,Disabled,DECIMAL,OFF,OFF,AUTO,,0
Band-Plan-P25,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
FGroup,"System Frequency"
LCN,,08687875,UNLOCKED,OFF
LCN,,08685625,UNLOCKED,OFF
LCN,,08685375,UNLOCKED,OFF
TGroup,"State Hwy Patrol",3,UNLOCKED
TGID,"Troop C Dist 3",2096,UNLOCKED,OFF,AUTO,OFF,OFF,ALL
Point,OFF,,00000000N,000000000E,1000

The system does show up in the scanner, it looks like ID Search is trying to find something but it never does. NFM shows up on the display although I have it programmed as AUTO I believe. The signal strength flashes briefly with 4 bars before going back scanning my other system ... but I'm wondering if the signal strength is in-sync with the actual system being displayed. That is, I'm wondering if the flash could be that associated with my other system. Just wondering. Any ideas to help this new scanner enthusiast would be greatly appreciated.

-Dan

 

[UPMan]

The system you link to is a Motorola Type 2 800 MHz system. You have it programmed as a P25 system.

 

[justdan]

Thanks Paul. I saw the "APCO-25" description on the RR page and must have connected that with P25 somehow. OH well, I'll be learning for a while what all these terms are. Thanks, I'll make that correction & give it a shot.

 

[justdan]

Well I feel like a dumb "new user" now ... asking for help. Thanks Paul for the advice, that looks to have helped. Now the scanner's signal is much stronger mostly staying at 4-5 bars. But ID search is rarely stopping on a TG and when it does (it's stopped 3 times on diff TGs in 10 minutes) it's been static only each time.

Any ideas? I only have one TG programmed ... but I thought ID Search found whatever were active on the system, right?
Thanks again
Dan

 

[justdan]

BTW, the squelch is turned down all the way.

 

[wm8s]

As far as I can tell, there isn't anything in the protocol to allow GOTO a channel. You can get close, with the QSH command (which stands for Quick Search Hold, but which is nearly a QSY!). It will drop the scanner to VFO mode at a particular frequency. But that wouldn't work well as a substitute for going directly to a channel, esp., e.g., if it's trunked. You can press the keys from the interface, so I suppose if you knew how many times to press which keys, you could do that. Hardly elegant. There are VERY few commands that work in the non-programming mode.

It has many truly awesome features, and it's certainly computer programmable. But as a fellow code-writer, I was afraid Uniden would not make the scanner "truly" computer controllable, and it isn't. Maybe the next one...

...R

 

[justdan]

Well I feel like a dumb "new user" now ... asking for help. Thanks Paul for the advice, that looks to have helped. Now the scanner's signal is much stronger mostly staying at 4-5 bars. But ID search is rarely stopping on a TG and when it does (it's stopped 3 times on diff TGs in 10 minutes) it's been static only each time.

Any ideas? I only have one TG programmed ... but I thought ID Search found whatever were active on the system, right?
Thanks again
Dan

Ah! Found the problem. The "control channel only" setting defaulted to OFF and I only programmed in the control channel. It needed to be set to ON since I only programmed in the control freqs.

(This is all using the UASD) ...
I thought that was "funny" since my other 800Mhz system I didn't explicitly set to ON but when I looked, it was set to ON. Now I know why the diff. If you set a site to P25 to start with (like I did erroneously), the "control channel only" setting is "----" but if you then set the site to 800Mhz Standard the "control channel only" setting will default to OFF. This behaviour is a bit inconsistent if you ask me ... because if you create the site as an 800Mhz Standard to start with the "control channel only" setting starts out with a default value of ON.

Anyways, thanks for all the help ... I'm up and listening

-Dan

 

[RISC777]

Same here I have fried 2 fuses for the same reason and lucky for me in the middle of BF Colorado I found a Radio Shack

You found a Radio Shack that actually had anything of use in it in CO? wow!

 

[SILVERDOLLAR]

My 996 also has a mind of it's own regarding display intensity. It occurs whether on the AC converter or using the 12 V cig plug. It likes the hi intensity mode. There is no difference whether I select green or red low or medium, you can bet it will change back to high in the next second or next few hours!

I'll keep watching RR some more B4 i decide 2 return it!

 

[dfw1417]

Goto button for the 996T in software

John,

Basically to make this happen you have to set up an array with all the channel pointers in the 996 then display the channel numbers in your list beside the alpha tag for that channel. Then you can make the goto happen when the user selects the channel alpha tag you take the channel # shown beside it and access the channel array pointers previously stored into the array and then send the unit to the channel using the index. Feasible I think I am still developing utilities myself. You may want to download my 996 alphatag editor with utilities in the Files section of the BCD996T Yahoo group to see what I mean.

Enjoy.

I'm going to write software for the 996T (have already for the 796D), but, can you easily go to a channel with the 996 with a channel number?? (I just ordered the unit so I haven't experimented yet) With the 796, I know that a fire freq is on channel 100. so on the keypad I hit 100 then HOLD. On the 996T, how do I do that??

Thanks
John Bush
RemScan products

 

[wm8s]

and then send the unit to the channel using the index

What command will send the scanner to a particular channel, either by index or otherwise? I am unaware of any command to do this.

...R

 

[wm8s]

My 996 also has a mind of it's own regarding display intensity.

Does yours change intensity while it is sitting there? Mine changes intensity from power-on "session" to "session," but I discovered at least one way this happens. If you inadvertently push the power button (the intensity-change command) while you're turning the rig off, and actually turn it off before you release the button, it will change the intensity w/o any feedback. In other words, the action (changing intensity) appears to happen on the leading edge of the control, but the feedback (the beep) happens on the trailing edge. A minor bug, I s'pose.

...R

 

[dfw1417]

Goto.....

I am researching this... Seems to me there should be a way.... its just not standing out yet...

What command will send the scanner to a particular channel, either by index or otherwise? I am unaware of any command to do this.

...R

 

[dfw1417]

Goto .... Conventional Frequency Channel

Ok by building an index array of channel pointers which contain the channel pointer and the channel frequency and channel alphatag you can then select the channel alphatag(such as I do using the alphatag editor as an example) then use the channel index pointer to read the frequency and then use the QSH command provided with the frequency to send the scanner to Quick Search Hold Mode on the channel frequency. This of course has to be done using software. You could construct a goto button referencing a channel number you assigned to the array where the info was stored.

You can only do this for conventional channels though.

What command will send the scanner to a particular channel, either by index or otherwise? I am unaware of any command to do this.

...R

 

[wm8s]

I started a thread for '996 computer control and programming discussions. [We should continue this there.] I suggested QSH as the only thing close in that thread and also pointed out that it will only for for conventional. And even at that, it is hardly a replacement for "goto-a-channel." For example, it lacks alpha tags or any other channel-specific info (like which system or group the channel's in, its lockout status, etc.) The 785 was not really very computer-controllable, and sadly the 996 is even less so. ;^(

The only way I can think of to really go to a channel is to command enough knob-twirls and button-smushes to "dial" the the appropriate system/channel, but even that will be tough, given that dialing through systems is in quick-key order (and in undefined order for multiple systems with the same SQK).

 

[joescanner]

selecting a channel

Although I must admit that the dynamic memory feature is a definite plus, there needs to be a little more flexability for people to program and use like a "conventional" scanner.

The interface is not very friendly at first, but if we can agree for just a moment, I believe there is a way that the firmware could be improved to provide this feature.

1. Add a programmable field to each channel - either conventional (frequencies) or trunked (talkgroups and/or systems (for search mode)). Call it "Direct Entry ID".

2. Similar to the older unidens, be able to press 'Hold', the "Direct Entry ID", and 'Hold' to go directly to that channel.

3. The Direct Entry ID would initially be assigned by the scanner sequentially starting at 1 (if programming manually), and would be either manually or programatically changeable.

Seems to me that this would require no more than a firmware upgrade (and a little testing) to make come around.

I do see a potential problem though, in that, when you originally programmed a system, and had DEID 1 through 100 in that system, then came back and added more channels (either freqs, talkgroups or systems (if that was to be used)) at a later date, unless you reprogrammed all of the DEIDs, you'd then have 1-100 and (say) 250-300 all for the same "system".

Thoughts?

 

[kikito]

1. Add a programmable field to each channel - either conventional (frequencies) or trunked (talkgroups and/or systems (for search mode)). Call it "Direct Entry ID".

2. Similar to the older unidens, be able to press 'Hold', the "Direct Entry ID", and 'Hold' to go directly to that channel.

3. The Direct Entry ID would initially be assigned by the scanner sequentially starting at 1 (if programming manually), and would be either manually or programatically changeable.

Since we already have something so similar, I'm not sure what advantage would your suggestion provide. It'll complicate the firmware even more and give us even more to have to remember. It'll be better and more beneficial in the long run to just memorize actual frequencies and talkgroups than just a number.

If you're willing to enter up to three digits to go to a specific channel, why not just enter five for the specific talkgroup you want or the frequency you want, like we can now and be done with it?

Right now I can do: HOLD, talkgroup, HOLD and I'm there.

 

[n5gqb]

Problem with 996--Missing replies-taking 3-4 sec on stop on active TG

Hello
My 996t tends to have problem of ramdonly taking 3-4 seconds in order to stop on an active conversation. 3/4th of the time it does fine but once out every 3-5 replies it takes 3+ seconds to stop on an active transmission, either missing it or catching it right in the middle. There does not seem to be a pattern.

I am only monitoring this one system, all others are turned off. Close call, priority and wx are not active.
This is on a 800mhz standard moto p16 system and only digital seems to be the problem.The system is programed correctly and I have a strong signal on the system. It is "tuned" in as best as possible. I have also checked and I'm not receiving any outside interference that maybe causing reception problems. I am using control channel only trunking.

I am quite familiar with these radios and scanning as I have a 246t and 396t and several other scanners.
I am using my pro-96 and my 296d to compare it to and it is missing approx 15-20% of the radio traffic

Also have noticed that on a less often frequency the radio does not apply the delay time that I have set. It takes off scanning right after the transmission ends. I have end code set to "yes".

I have tried turing off CC only and putting in all the freqs, have tried both "fm" and "nfm",
have tried programming by hand as well as by computer, have tried resetting the radio.
Have tried other little tricks of the trade and nothing makes a difference.

Has anyone else have problems with this? Is mine an isolated case? I am seriously considering either returning it for an exchange or sending to Uniden for repair.

Any comments or suggestions welcome.
Thanks, Sly

PS-Mine also came missing the cover for the front computer port...

 

[JGP]

Hello
My 996t tends to have problem of ramdonly taking 3-4 seconds in order to stop on an active conversation. 3/4th of the time it does fine but once out every 3-5 replies it takes 3+ seconds to stop on an active transmission, either missing it or catching it right in the middle. There does not seem to be a pattern.

I am only monitoring this one system, all others are turned off. Close call, priority and wx are not active.
This is on a 800mhz standard moto p16 system and only digital seems to be the problem.The system is programed correctly and I have a strong signal on the system. It is "tuned" in as best as possible. I have also checked and I'm not receiving any outside interference that maybe causing reception problems. I am using control channel only trunking.

I am quite familiar with these radios and scanning as I have a 246t and 396t and several other scanners.
I am using my pro-96 and my 296d to compare it to and it is missing approx 15-20% of the radio traffic

Also have noticed that on a less often frequency the radio does not apply the delay time that I have set. It takes off scanning right after the transmission ends. I have end code set to "yes".

I have tried turing off CC only and putting in all the freqs, have tried both "fm" and "nfm",
have tried programming by hand as well as by computer, have tried resetting the radio.
Have tried other little tricks of the trade and nothing makes a difference.

Has anyone else have problems with this? Is mine an isolated case? I am seriously considering either returning it for an exchange or sending to Uniden for repair.

Any comments or suggestions welcome.
Thanks, Sly

PS-Mine also came missing the cover for the front computer port...

My first 996 was locking up on Motorola control channels. I tried reprogramming with even and all odd system quick keys. Nothing I did helped. I returned it for an exchange. The new replacement works fine.

You need to make an exchange, or send it to Uniden for repair. With an exchange, you chance getting a bad one again. Also, the scanner does not come with a computer port cover.

Some people have been having trouble with the display light going bad, but your problem is something new. The 996's seam to be having more problems than the 396's did when they first came out.

Joel

 

[n5gqb]

Yea I've tried the different quick key thing -no change. As for the front port cover, it shows to be one on the box pic. Plus I thought I remember someone talking about there being one way at the first reports. If it really doesn't have one then thats a shame as plenty of dust will get in there due to the mobile enviroment.
No problem (yet) with the light display other than the fact I have notice it changing brightness on its own (while using in the house too) as others have. I just took the light setting off of "auto" to fix that.
Anyway still experimenting with it... I'll probably call my dealer Mon to arrange for an exchange.
Sly

My first 996 was locking up on Motorola control channels. I tried reprogramming with even and all odd system quick keys. Nothing I did helped. I returned it for an exchange. The new replacement works fine.

You need to make an exchange, or send it to Uniden for repair. With an exchange, you chance getting a bad one again. Also, the scanner does not come with a computer port cover.

Some people have been having trouble with the display light going bad, but your problem is something new. The 996's seam to be having more problems than the 396's did when they first came out.

Joel