BCD396XT/BCD996XT: Programming a BCD996XT

[Jcvpi11]

Hello, I purchased a brand new Uniden BCD996XT. I am trying to program NJSP into the scanner and nothing is working. All I hear is machine gun sounds on one frequency. My setup is the scanner in my Crown Vic, with an antenna on the trunk. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jtwalker]

Did you program as a trunked system? Or you just listening to the listed frequencies?

Sounds like you are ”listening” to the control channels.

What programming software are you using?

 

[Jcvpi11]

Did you program as a trunked system? Or you just listening to the listed frequencies?

Sounds like you are ”listening” to the control channels.

What programming software are you using?

I am manually programming it on the device. I select create a new system and then select Motorola. I found a cheat sheet with NJ frequencies and TGIDs and I programmed them all in. But I hear no talk on any TGID or frequency.

 

[hill]

If it is the XT scanner won't work being P25 phase 2. At minimum you would need 996P2, but the SDS scanners work best.

New Jersey Interoperability Communications System (NJICS) Trunking System, Statewide, Multi-State

New Jersey Interoperability Communications System (NJICS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[Jcvpi11]

If it is the XT scanner won't work being P25 phase 2. At minimum you would need 996P2, but the SDS scanners work best.

Google Search

I thought NJSP was Motorola?

 

[Jcvpi11]

I am returning my XT and will purchase a 996P2. Hopefully then this will work.

 

[hill]

They switched from a Smartzone to P25 Phase 2.

See the screen shot from another post.

 

[jtwalker]

Get some software too, you'll thank me. ProScan, Freescan, or whatever works for you.
Almost impossible for anyone to help you remotely if you aren't using software to program it.

 

[hill]

I am returning my XT and will purchase a 996P2. Hopefully then this will work.

The 996P2 may work, but may have issues due to simulcast issues.

 

[Jcvpi11]

The 996P2 may work, but may have issues due to simulcast issues.

What kind of issues?

 

[fxdscon]

What kind of issues?

There are endless threads on RR dealing with simulcast distortion.

Check these 2 links to start with:

Simulcast - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[wtp]

first i live in Florida.
my county system was on 800 analog and simulcast, no problem.
then they went to 700 digital still simulcast and now we get every other word.
my 325P2 (handheld 996P2) works great around the county, just not at home.
we seem to spend more time at home, go figure.
the wife has OK'd buying one of the SDS scanners because of this.
she misses the tac channels that broadcastify does not carry.

 

[tvengr]

For simulcast systems, the Uniden SDS100 handheld and SDS200 base/mobile are the best scanners. Any other scanner may or may not work depending upon your location in relation to the towers. If you let us know your city and county, we will be able to give you better information. You can use Uniden Sentinel software to program those scanners. It is free software provided by Uniden. For your BCD996XT, you can use FreeSCAN which is also free. Google Sites: Sign-in The BCD996XT is not capable of DMR or NXDN. FreeSCAN will also work for the BCD996P2 if you don't need to program DMR or NXDN. For both the BCD996XT and BCD996P2, you can also use Butel ARC-XT. ARC-XT and ProScan both support DMR and NXDN. Both have a free trial period to determine which one you like better. As stated earlier, NJSP is on the NJICS P25 Phase 2 trunked system which the BCD996XT is not capable of receiving.

 

[tvengr]

I just discovered that my FreeSCAN link will no longer work unless you sign into Google Sites. Same thing with link in Radio Reference Wiki.

 

[Jcvpi11]

Just wanted to update my situation, I recieved my 996P2. I used freescan to load all the channels I wanted (it was way easier this way) and it’s working perfectly fine! I have the unit mounted in my cvpi and it is receiving NJSP with no issues so far. Thank you all for the help and guidance!