Hello everyone and thank you for taking time to read this and hopefully someone can assist me. I’m a longtime scanner user but up until yesterday have been using an old Bearcat without trunking capabilities when a friend gifted me a Uniden BCD996P2 after he couldn’t figure it out. I’m technically savvy but will admit this thing has me scratching my head a bit. I’ve read the owners manual and while it is somewhat helpful it also leaves me with many more questions. Basically I would like to program the entire state of Washington and Oregon into this scanner and have downloaded the FreeScan software to my PC. I’ve read it is possible to download database files but am unsure of how to properly go about this. Can anyone assist me??? Thank you in advance and happy scanning!
Please help! BCD996P2
- Thread starter jenniferpdx80
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Hi Jennifer
Welcome to RadioReference
In order to be able to download from the database directly into FreeSCAN, you must be a Premium Subscriber to RadioReference.
However, FreeSCAN has a feature called EZ-Grab, which allows you to copy information from a web page, such as the database here on RadioReference, then paste selected fields into the software.
There is a User Guide for FreeSCAN in the Wiki.
FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki
Also see Freescan Tips - The RadioReference Wiki
You can find an "Easier to Read Manual" for your scanner here:
There are multiple pages in the Wiki to help you, such as:
Programming FAQs and Tips for Uniden Scanners
Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki
Uniden DMA FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki
There are also a number of YouTube videos that cover programming. Start here:
As far as "programming the whole states of Oregon & Washington, that might not be your best move. You do have a specific amount of memory in the scanner, and trying to include everything may well stretch that limit. Also, if you really did program as much as possible, it would take the scanner forever to wade through all the systems & then start back at the beginning for another run. You would be better off to program what is in range for your particular area, in other words, what is in range. Adding multiple systems out of range is not really going to be productive. Now, if you often visited another part of one of the states (away from home), you might want to create a file for that area as well.
If you include the location information for all the systems that you program, you could use a GPS to turn systems on, or off, as they come into, or pass out of range.
What is your location? City (or county) & state is sufficient for someone to take a look at what you need for your area.
Hi and thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post as it’s greatly appreciated! I guess I could have offered a little more Information with my original post. The reason I wish to program the entire states of Washington and Oregon is because I am based out of Seattle area and travel both states for work. I would like to setup the different systems so I could use quick keys to access the programs for the areas I’m in or purchase a GPS unit to do it for me. I’ve watched a few of the YouTube videos on programming which is where I learned about freescan. I’ve known about radio reference for years now but didn’t realize I could get a premium membership so I will look into that today. Mainly wanting to cover police, fire/ems, with some DOT and air traffic as well. I’m technically savvy but not experienced in Trunked systems yet so there’s a learning curve lol.
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This is what I did with my BCD325P2 @jenniferpdx80 . The 325P2 is the handheld equivalent to your 996P2. I have my whole state programmed, but when I am away from given counties I turn them off since they won't come in anyway. Each county is assigned a different quick key for ease of turning on and off.
@darkness975 did you use FreeScan or a similar program to setup your scanner or did you do it manually? I understand it’s a lot of information and I fully intend to only scan groups when I’m within range of them
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I use FreeScan for my BCD325P2
What you want to do as far as statewide programming is "do-able" but it will take time and planning.
I can't tell if either Washington or Oregon have state wide trunked systems yet. If they do, that will be real challenging and you may need to consider a regional programming scheme. Unfortunately this line of scanner (it is for the most part a BCD996XT upgraded for phase 2) and this line of scanner doesn't have the memory resources needed for large trunked systems.
If conventional is all you have to contend with, then you should be fine but would appreciate a GPS device.
I can't tell if either Washington or Oregon have state wide trunked systems yet. If they do, that will be real challenging and you may need to consider a regional programming scheme. Unfortunately this line of scanner (it is for the most part a BCD996XT upgraded for phase 2) and this line of scanner doesn't have the memory resources needed for large trunked systems.
If conventional is all you have to contend with, then you should be fine but would appreciate a GPS device.
Thank you everyone for replying as it’s greatly appreciated! I bought premium membership to radio reference today and used FreeScan to download the King County database to the scanner and have been playing around with it a bit. Obviously I r only touched the top of the iceberg and I still have a ton of questions but at least I can hear more than just the weather now 😂
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