Probably my last uniden

[OldDeadOne]

I've used uniden scanners for years(mainly desktops) and bought a 296D which I had bought to cover the WVIRP system(ON MY BOX it says APCO 25 Digital Scanner Including 9600 baud) so I can listen while I'm outside,etc. It parks on a control channel but no talkgroups and maybe a transmission or two with no way of knowing who's who. Frankly I've given up on Uniden as I can't trust to buy their handheld scanners anymore as I'm afraid of getting dunned. I've done all I can to get it to work and can safely say that the next update will probably not fix it to where I can be happy monitoring like my Pro 2096 does(hard to lug outside lol). I'm probably going to get a Pro 96 as it's basically the same as my 2096 and no worries there. If anyone can tell me how I can get my 296D to cover the WVIRP and see talkgroups etc,I would be happy,but I'm willing to bet for sure no one will have a solution.

 

[SCPD]

I've used uniden scanners for years(mainly desktops) and bought a 296D which I had bought to cover the WVIRP system(ON MY BOX it says APCO 25 Digital Scanner Including 9600 baud) so I can listen while I'm outside,etc. It parks on a control channel but no talkgroups and maybe a transmission or two with no way of knowing who's who. Frankly I've given up on Uniden as I can't trust to buy their handheld scanners anymore as I'm afraid of getting dunned. I've done all I can to get it to work and can safely say that the next update will probably not fix it to where I can be happy monitoring like my Pro 2096 does(hard to lug outside lol). I'm probably going to get a Pro 96 as it's basically the same as my 2096 and no worries there. If anyone can tell me how I can get my 296D to cover the WVIRP and see talkgroups etc,I would be happy,but I'm willing to bet for sure no one will have a solution.

If it parks on a CC. it must NOT be programmed correctly??

 

[davidmc36]

Seems simple

Somebody correct me if I am wrong here but it appears all you have to do is select number 4 under trunk type, Type II/P25 UHF, and jam in some freqs and talkgroups (or just put it in search mode if you don't want to bother programming the TG's). Also reqd would be the Base, spacing, and offset settings.

 

[OldDeadOne]

Alabama,from what I understand getting help from fmon and doing alot of testing,my 296D is useless on WVIRP's system due to poor coding on Uniden's part when this radio came out. I don't think it'll ever be fixed. I think I've done just about every configuration imaginable to get it going.

 

[OldDeadOne]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong here but it appears all you have to do is select number 4 under trunk type, Type II/P25 UHF, and jam in some freqs and talkgroups (or just put it in search mode if you don't want to bother programming the TG's). Also reqd would be the Base, spacing, and offset settings.

It is under type II/P25 and with WVIRP settings....and has been.

 

[davidmc36]

Maybe some folks in Eastern Canada Forum or on the Ontario Yahoo Groups who monitor this system can help you out:

Scanner Frequencies: Government of Ontario (GO) Transit Trunking System, Golden Horseshoe Area, Ontario

 

[KE4ZNR]

Considering it appears that your only experience with Uniden digital receivers is the 296D (which is at least 2 generations old) I think giving up on all of Uniden's radios is premature... the 396 was a good radio and the 396xt will be an even better rig once released...I can understand your frustration but don't give up on all of Unidens radios just because you have issues with a model from several generations ago...and I also recommened stopping by your local area forum to get local advice...
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[dave3825]

I don't know that system, but can you do cc channel only? I mean can you just enter the known control channel and put it in id search mode..
Again I am not familiar with that radio so if there is an id search mode or a cc only mode so don't laugh at me..

Dave

 

[davidmc36]

Considering it appears that your only experience with Uniden digital receivers is the 296D (which is at least 2 generations old) I think giving up on all of Uniden's radios is premature... the 396 was a good radio and the 396xt will be an even better rig once released...I can understand your frustration but don't give up on all of Unidens radios just because you have issues with a model from several generations ago...and I also recommened stopping by your local area forum to get local advice...
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR

I just browsed his local forum and it appears that fmon has already shown him why the 296 will not track the West Virginia System. It appears there is no solution other than, as you say, getting an updated model. The rebanding update will do nothing to address this either as it is a completely different matter. I guess scanners are like computers now, better get a new one every few years to keep up with the latest situation and do you research well before deciding what model to buy.

 

[OldDeadOne]

If I had known that the 296D would not work(bought a few months ago) with the WVIRP I would have not bought it,just going by what was advertised by Uniden. So I've already figured out what a waste of money that was......and they don't care.

 

[Dubbin]

and they don't care.

But they do care, that is why they build new radios for us. Now just sell that radio and buy one that will work with the system of your choice, just make sure to research it this time before you buy.

 

[LordJ]

If I had known that the 296D would not work(bought a few months ago) with the WVIRP I would have not bought it,just going by what was advertised by Uniden. So I've already figured out what a waste of money that was......and they don't care.

I believe the 296 was released in 2002. The WVIRP didn't even start prelim testing until 2004...How can you advertise for something that isn't even developed yet? It would be the equivalent of buying a Pentium 2 and being PO'd that it won't run vista....I think your disappointment is misdirected. Uniden can't control the used market, buy new and you get a return policy...

 

[ronenp]

The 296 Have Apco 9600 and can receive (i personaly received with it apco transmittions on the 800 MHZ system in Cleveland Ohio)
I dont know what is the difrence from your system .....
but there is upcoming Flash Software upgrade
mabe you will ask Upman to test it and mabe improve it so you will be able to receive the system you are
trying to receive .....

 

[davidmc36]

I just browsed his local forum and it appears that fmon has already shown him why the 296 will not track the West Virginia System. It appears there is no solution other than, as you say, getting an updated model. The rebanding update will do nothing to address this either as it is a completely different matter. I guess scanners are like computers now, better get a new one every few years to keep up with the latest situation and do you research well before deciding what model to buy.

The 296 Have Apco 9600 and can receive (i personaly received with it apco transmittions on the 800 MHZ system in Cleveland Ohio)
I dont know what is the difrence from your system .....
but there is upcoming Flash Software upgrade
mabe you will ask Upman to test it and mabe improve it so you will be able to receive the system you are
trying to receive .....

If you check the WIKI you will see the difference in a system that has APCO25 digital modulation and a P25 system. The new update for the 296 is just for rebanding the 800 mhz area and will do nothing for the P25UHF system that the OP is having trouble with.

 

[torontokris]

Did you just buy this recently? Was Uniden still selling new 296D's?
This scanner is at least a generation old.

Sell it (they still get great money on ebay) and buy whichever model you like.
If you wish to get a 2096/Pro-96 then go ahead. Youll probably have money left over in the deal

But then if you want i-calls, or LTR trunking they wont do it.

 

[torontokris]

Or program the channels in conventionally (lock out the control channel... and listen to the whole system (you wont be able to track a certain talkgroup - youll hear everything)

 

[ronenp]

Can someone tell me what execly is the problem ?
What system he want to receive and the scanner cant ?
and is there are other scanner that can receive it ?

I have looked in the wiki for the 296D and the 396x and they bothe receive same systems
no special systems that the 396X can receive and the 296 cant .....

so now Im confused ....

and one more question
can any Unden model receive ASTRO 25 systems ? (they use 3600 Baud CC) ?
Thanks Forward
Ronen- 4Z4ZQ
Ronen Pinchooks (4Z4ZQ) WebSite

 

[davidmc36]

Can someone tell me what execly is the problem ?
What system he want to receive and the scanner cant ?
and is there are other scanner that can receive it ?

I have looked in the wiki for the 296D and the 396x and they bothe receive same systems
no special systems that the 396X can receive and the 296 cant .....

so now Im confused ....

and one more question
can any Unden model receive ASTRO 25 systems ? (they use 3600 Baud CC) ?
Thanks Forward
Ronen- 4Z4ZQ
Ronen Pinchooks (4Z4ZQ) WebSite

This is his system:

Scanner Frequencies: West Virginia Interoperability Radio Project (WVIRP) Trunking System, Statewide, West Virginia

Check in the West Virginia forum and search for threads he has posted in. There is a whole discussion between him and fmon about why the 296 will not track that system. The 296 and the 396XT may say they track the same types of systems but the older scanner will not accept some of the programming that they newer one will. As stated above that system did not even come out until after the 296 did. They must have done something that was not anticipated/programmed into the 296.

 

[OldDeadOne]

But they do care, that is why they build new radios for us. Now just sell that radio and buy one that will work with the system of your choice, just make sure to research it this time before you buy.

This was researched and was supposed to work with my system. Then found out through extensive testing that it doesn't.

 

[K8TEK]

I feel ya brother. I have used several Uniden scanners throughout the years, and Uniden still hasn't figured out how to properly monitor a Smartzone system with digital voice. The motorboating issue with the 396T makes me want to throw it out the window, and every other Uniden has had the same problem. I played with a PRO-96 for a few days last month and it never motorboated, not even once. That scanner was GRE's FIRST attempt, and they got it right. Uniden is on their fifth? Sell the piece of junk you have now, you will be happy you did!