Official BCD996T Post Release Thread

[dfw1417]

Goto.... cont'd

Sorry, there is no thread by that name that I see.

If you design the software similiar to what I did with my alphatag editor then ALL the information you desire is ALREADY in arrays in the software and can be referenced by using the system, group, channel index arrays, so for me to add a GOTO button to that software it is a walk in the park since ALL the data is already stored in arrays. So when I get the index I can display ALL the settings for the channel desired when I send the unit to it. Using Dynamic memory you have to realize there are numerous pointers, indexes and data commands to get all the info you want then store it ALL in arrays whether you think you need it or not. Then when you decide you want to do something like a GOTO button 80% of your work is already done since you designed it from the beginning. The 996T is FULLY computer programmable even more so than the 796 especially since we can now control the squelch and volume controls!

I am looking forward to the 996 control thread when it shows up.

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).

 

[wm8s]

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

But how do you press [HOLD] something [HOLD] and jump to a talkgroup in a system that you're not currently parked on? And how do you press [HOLD] something [HOLD] and jump directly to a particular conventional channel in a particular system? Can't do it.

...R

 

[ofd8001]

I'm treading on dangerous ground with the following question. Before I ask it, I know how far a radio wave propogates depends on a lot of stuff - antenna height/gain, frequency, weather, foliage, and so on.

Is there a simple rule of thumb to use when programming a range for a given transmitter? For example, I want to listen to 154.445, and the effective radiated power as shown on the FCC license is 350 watts. I set my lat/long to the transmitters location, but I haven't got a clue on what range to select.

This is backwards to the notion of putting in the center point of the geographical area and using the range of that locale, make the settings accordingly.

Where I'm coming from is I'm going on a trip. I want to listen to a certain radio system, but there is no sense in scanning it if I'm too far out of range. I want my scanner to turn on that system when I get close enough to hear it.

Thanks!

 

[STiMULi]

Mode and terrain are 2 you forgot. Assumming you are speaking of an FM freq, terrain and antenna height will be your biggest friends or foes. Can you find a map of the terrain since you know the LAT & LON? If you can, you can guess coverage by using antenna height and RF saturation. If there is a bunch of RF in the area it brings up the noise floor and it will take more power to get the signal out than areas with less RF.


Tons-O-Variables


Program it anyways and give it a fair range with the location setting

 

[UPMan]

Also consider whether you want to set the channel to a range based on where you can hear it vs where it is relevant. For example, I can hear Azle PD from my house, about 30 miles away. But, Azle is only about 3-miles wide...I really don't need/want to hear it unless I'm within about 5 miles of the city center.

For my around-town, GPS stuff, I've sliced and diced up all the systems such that if I'm not in that city (and in some cases that PD sector), I don't hear it.

 

[mclove]

When Is Arc-coming Out For Bcd996t I Hope Soon ?

 

[ofd8001]

Where I can hear it is relavent. I'm driving from Louisville to Chicago and want to listen to the Indianapolis system when I get close enough to, whille I'm passing through and until I get too far away.

So I set the lat/long for Indianapolis, but I don't know whether 30 miles is too far away, or 10 miles is too restrictive (because it could be heard 20 miles away).

 

[dropkick]

GPS lockout override?

Is there a way to override the GPS temporary lockout on a system? I have a system with a rather small GPS radius, but on occasion I need to turn it on (to monitor a mutual aid call for instance) when I'm not within the normal listening radius. I've hit FUNC, spun the knob to the system, and removed the Temporarly L/O, but the unit just locks it out again in a few seconds.

I can hear all my systems for miles and miles beyond where I care about them. It seems the GPS feature is designed more for "you're out of range, so I'll turn it off for you" rather than for "you've driven out of the city, I'll temporarily hide this system for you."

Am I going back to non-GPS usage? May as well erase all the GPS points then... :/

 

[UPMan]

If it is only one specific particular system, you could make a non-GPS version of it. If it is a semi-random occurance (i.e. could be any system), you could temporarily turn off your GPS. All systems will stay in their current state, and if you manually change one, it will stay changed until you turn the GPS on again (or cycle power).

 

[RFL]

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!

I have a similar problem and posted it earlier in this thread.
Red or Green, mine changes to high, but only when I have it set to low and if I don't touch the radio for a while. Occurs anywhere between a half an hour to 2 hours, and I have even seen it happen while watching the radio scan.
I noticed that after it changes to high, and I then push the Vol switch, the display goes to medium intensity, pushing again changes it to high. After it changes to high, and since it changes to medium when I next press to Vol ctrl (and Not low), I think this indicates it still "thinks" its in the low intensity mode. Still wondering if this is a SW or HW issue..

I will also probably exchange it for a new unit..

 

[UPMan]

What is the MENU --> SETTINGS --> Set Backlight --> Set Dimmer set to?

 

[STiMULi]

I really, really wish that there was a defaut LAT LON setting when a GPS was not detected.

While I am at it I really, really wish that "Attenuate" had temporary attributes as well

 

[n5gqb]

Try setting the backlight to manual instead of auto. Mine was doing that too until I switched it over.

I have a similar problem and posted it earlier in this thread.
Red or Green, mine changes to high, but only when I have it set to low and if I don't touch the radio for a while. Occurs anywhere between a half an hour to 2 hours, and I have even seen it happen while watching the radio scan.
I noticed that after it changes to high, and I then push the Vol switch, the display goes to medium intensity, pushing again changes it to high. After it changes to high, and since it changes to medium when I next press to Vol ctrl (and Not low), I think this indicates it still "thinks" its in the low intensity mode. Still wondering if this is a SW or HW issue..

I will also probably exchange it for a new unit..

 

[wm8s]

I really, really wish that there was a defaut LAT LON setting when a GPS was not detected.

By this, do you mean that you wish when the radio did not get GPS, it "pretended" like it was getting GPS from a specified lat/long? Without thinking much about it, what would the difference be between getting a spoofed GPS and getting no GPS? Getting no lat/long wouldn't lock out any systems, while getting a spoofed lat/long would lockout systems too far from the spoofed location. Are you shooting for something like, "If you don't know where I am, then instead of not doing anything, pretend like I'm home."?

 

[RFL]

What is the MENU --> SETTINGS --> Set Backlight --> Set Dimmer set to?

Yes UPMan/N5gqb, I have set it to Manual/Low via menu many times.. no difference... and when it changes to High, the menu still reads Low.

But.. Today....a first....it has not changed...and its been on (scanning) for at least 4-5 hrs without me touching the radio!!!
I do not recall doing anything unusual yesterday or after turning it on today.

 

[WX5JCH]

UPMan, I got the cable for my Garmin GPSIII today, it's working fine with the 996. fyi...

Jim

 

[STiMULi]

By this, do you mean that you wish when the radio did not get GPS, it "pretended" like it was getting GPS from a specified lat/long? Without thinking much about it, what would the difference be between getting a spoofed GPS and getting no GPS? Getting no lat/long wouldn't lock out any systems, while getting a spoofed lat/long would lockout systems too far from the spoofed location. Are you shooting for something like, "If you don't know where I am, then instead of not doing anything, pretend like I'm home."?

More like when it did not sense a NMEA sentence it would go to a default setting like your house or your work or choose from a few defaults and let them use some of the 6000 channels like locations do.

 

[ICLRK625]

Alright, so I've put in the frequencies for Detroit, Michigan State Police, Warren, and Grosse Point, as well as the TGIDs.

My problem is, whenever I go to scan a Site, I get bars, however no results and no sound. What I mean is the TGIDs don't show up, and all I get is bars, and no voice.

I get analog perfectly, and have a 30 ft out door antenna.

This makes no sense to me, as I also have it on ID Search, which should come up with it's own TGIDs.

Am I doing something wrong? I have all the information in correctly, under there own sites and groups.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[DaveIN]

If you look at the owners manual on page 145 you will find information about preprogrammed systems. In the list is Michigan Quickkey 37. If you lock out all but the the Detroit, Michigan State Police, Warren, and Grosse Point sites, then you may not need to reprogam.

Have you downloaded the UASD software by the way?
http://www.uniden.com/index/downloadfile.cfm?product=BCD996T&dwnld_id=125

 

[ICLRK625]

Yes I have.

I am not using preprogrammed systems, as I have done this completly manually.