Official BCD996T Post Release Thread

[mancow]

Could it be the discone that is overloading the radio? What would happen if you switched to a single tri-band antenna? Maybe use an antenna selector between the discone, and an antenna that is tuned for 150 mhz, 450 mhz, and an 800 mhz.

Also what happens when you lockout these pager and weather frequencies?

The radio is definitely overloaded. The problem is that I like to monitor relatively weak stuff (1/4 s meter or so) in the fed band but I'm getting swamped with the local crap. I have tried locking out the main culprits but the intermod is all across the fed band. I think the radio would probably be a powerhouse for people that live in areas where there isn't alot of strong RF. It's really hot in the Vhf air band as well. It picks up ground comms I could never hear in the past. It seems like they made a nice sensitive receiver but neglected to address the issue of selectivity in that range.
I guess I just have to live with it and continue using the commercial grade transceivers for monitoring digital in that range.

 

[benjaminfs733]

I have asked before, however, never received a definite answer. Will the auto mute developed for the 780 work for the 996? If not is there another "professional" or "commercial" application to mute the 996 when I key up on my mobile? I have received several do it your self tips, but surely there is a better way. Thanks again.

 

[UPMan]

For the GPS question, on conventional and LTR systems, GPS control is accomplished at the "System" level. For Motorola and EDACS systems, GPS control is accomplished at the "Site" level.

So, you have to create a seperate system for each group of conventional channels you want to have turn on and off together via GPS control.

For the "Site" question, all the channels on a particular site (as shown in this DB) are usually at one location (well, except where the "site" is a group of simulcast towers). It is possible for one site to have frequencies that are on different licenses, and it is possible to have licenses that have frequencies from multiple sites (and so would have multiple locations listed). Can get confusing (and I won't guarantee that this is always true 100% of the time, as there are too many variations), but using the "RRDB Site = One Physical Site" theory has worked for all I've programmed so far.

Short answer: Your second solution, but with a multi-site system you might have a mix of "use the geopolitical center" (i.e. Detroit for #701) and use the tower location as the center (rural coverage sites) solutions.

No idea on the auto-mute...maybe someone else will know the answer (might have been a good question to ask on its own thread rather than this catch-all thread).

 

[Universaldecoder]

^ Thanks UPMan!

 

[ResQguy]

Is there anyway to turn off, or not use the "site" field? There are no multi-site systems near me, and I prefer the way the 396 displays systems. At this time, I just program "site #1" with the same tag as the system name.

 

[UPMan]

As you note, just program one site with the same name as the system name. It is a small additional step that provides much functionality for those who are in areas where it is needed.

 

[benjaminfs733]

Thanks UPMan, I created a thread on the Uniden board a while back but no one could give me an answer then. Thanks...

 

[306]

Can someone explain how to configure a USB port to work with a serial adapter. I don't have serial ports on my laptop, and I keep getting communication errors trying to program my BCD996T.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[rclafton]

Which Serial Adapter do you have? And what errors are you experiencing?

I use the KeySpan 19HS which works great.

Can someone explain how to configure a USB port to work with a serial adapter. I don't have serial ports on my laptop, and I keep getting communication errors trying to program my BCD996T.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[306]

I bought on ebay about two years ago. I don't know the brand and it isn't labeled.
It's thick cable and the ends are blue---if that helps.

 

[UPMan]

1) Plug in the cable.
2) Wait for Windows to ker-chunk that the cable is recognized.
3) Look in Windows Device Manager to see what COM port is assigned to the cable.
4) Set UASD to match that COM port.

If no COM port is assigned, or if it still doesn't work, you need to find the latest drivers for your adapter cable. Uniden offically only supports the USB-1 cable (for this very reason...we won't know what drivers or configuration is needed for other brands).

 

[306]

Looks like I'll have to update the drivers.......

 

[bravo14]

I got my 996 today and boy that is confusing at first... It took me over 30 mints figure out why I wasn't trying to set up 800/900 system. That software/radio is different from 396. I see 996 that can do Freq/Channel name or TG/Channel name thats cool.... Now is how to use the GPS

 

[306]

I bought a new serial adapter at Radio Shack with software for the drivers. Problem solved. Thanks for the help.

 

[Theo]

I-Call Programing

How do I program in Arc software or even manually I-Call for the wildcard receive condition ? Thanks.

 

[lzielasko]

BCD996T MOT Digital Reception Garbled

I'm about at wits end. I've used a Radio Shack PRO-96 for some time now and have NEVER had problems receiving clear comms for Nashua NH's Motorola Type II SmartZone system, listed as an analog and APCO-25 Common Air Interface.

Using ARC996PRO, I downloaded the same Nashua system, trying both control channel only and all trunking channels and get only garbled comms once sent to the BCD996T. ARC996PRO shows the downloaded system as MOT Type 2 800 Standard (MOT Type 2 P25) with auto modulation and Apco25 threshold (8). Trunk ID are set to "All" audio type.

The BCD996T configuration is factory default with the exception of the 1.03.11 firmware upgrade.

Weather, conventional, etc. all work fine. Seems to just be a problem with digital freqs.

Anyone's help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[soncorn]

Try this file that I have attached. It should work, although I am not in your area and have no way of testing it. I loaded it with the Fire/EMS and Police Talkgroups, the rest will be up to you to add if you want them.

Hope this works for you.

 

[UPMan]

system as MOT Type 2 800 Standard (MOT Type 2 P25)

Not sure what that means (might be an ARC thing I'm not familiar with), but the correct system type is MOT Type 2 800 Standard (not P25...if you select P25 you'll get garbled or no comms).

 

[lzielasko]

Not sure what that means (might be an ARC thing I'm not familiar with), but the correct system type is MOT Type 2 800 Standard (not P25...if you select P25 you'll get garbled or no comms).

Its definately not set for P25. Very disappointed... looked like a great base receiver with all the bells and whistles. Just doesn't work with my city's digital trunk system (though my PRO-96 does), or I've got a buggy BCD996T.

Not familiar with the ARC996-Pro software? Using Uniden's software then? Regardless, thanks for your reply.

 

[lzielasko]

Try this file that I have attached. It should work, although I am not in your area and have no way of testing it. I loaded it with the Fire/EMS and Police Talkgroups, the rest will be up to you to add if you want them.

Hope this works for you.

No joy... but thanks for trying.