Programming BCD396XT

[harrison414]

I just received this scanner for christmas and I am very confused upon how to program it. I got as far as creating a new system, but after that, I was lost. I live in the cincinnati area and want to include police, fire, and some other local entities in my scanner. Do I create one system and put everything into that or do I have to create more than one system? After that, I am confused about sites, groups, and channels. Do I have to create all of those and if so, how many? I also need to understand fleet maps?? I see that mine is preprogrammed with 16 different ones. Do I pick one or create one? How do I know what to use? Any help on any of this topics would greatly be appreciated. I noticed that you can download directly from this site. I purchased the BuTel software ARC XT Pro last night, but realized that the serial port will not work with my new HP computer. I ordered a usb cable from Uniden last night. Will everything be created with the download from the computer (systems, groups, sites, channels, etc...)??

Thanks in advance!

 

[captclint]

I just received this scanner for christmas and I am very confused upon how to program it. I got as far as creating a new system, but after that, I was lost. I live in the cincinnati area and want to include police, fire, and some other local entities in my scanner.

Welcome to RR. This should be a great help to you, Easier to Read BCD396XT Digital Scanner Manual as well as this: Uniden DMA FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki This may address your specific area where you are stuck: Creating a Conventional System (Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.)

There really is no right or wrong way to organize your agencies. One scheme is to create one system for State Police, one for Local Police, Fire, EMS, Utilities, etc. The advantage of that is you can turn these systems on/off quickly with quick keys. I like to think of Systems as main folders on the PC, and groups into which you put frequencies(or TGID's) as sub folders under the main folder. You could actually have only one CONVENTIONAL system(each Trunking System must it's own system, but could have several sites under each) , and one group folder under it into which you put absolutely everything you want to hear. However, it is generally better to think about organizing into more systems and groups to suit your scanning style(which will constantly be evolving).

For example, I have a system call Local Emergency, into which I have a Group for Police, Fire, County, EMS, and other systems for State Police, All County frequencies(which I usually have off), Utilities, Forestry and Game. and Quick Search(into which I put all the stuff I find that needs more work to ID). The problem with all those groups under Local Emergency is that it is harder to turn off Groups, but I rarely ever want them off

Downloading from RR will automatically set up arbitrary systems, sites, TGID's and groups that seem to make sense to the Database Admin, but not always the way you would want. However, it is the quickest way to get going. You can always cut and paste stuff into new systems and groups once you get comfortable with the process and the way you prefer to monitor(mostly turn things on and off easily)

 

[harrison414]

Thanks captclint, that helps a lot in terms of organization of frequencies. Are you familiar with the fleet maps? If so, does it make much difference which one I pick of the pre-programmed 16 or create one somehow? Thanks again

 

[captclint]

Thanks captclint, that helps a lot in terms of organization of frequencies. Are you familiar with the fleet maps? If so, does it make much difference which one I pick of the pre-programmed 16 or create one somehow? Thanks again

I'm not an expert on this subject. If you are really talking about a trunking system, usually, you don't need to specify a fleet map. Conventional Systems should not have any menu choice for fleet maps. Please tell us the state and county, and the name of the trunking system you are trying to program.

 

[RoninJoliet]

Im not from Ohio but looking at the Cinn system there are NO fleet maps, its a P25 Digital system so thats how you program it...Just make a Motorola P25 Digital system , put in the 800 red and blue CC freqys, make a "group" with the listed Talkgroups and press search, you should if your close enough to those towers listed hear the action....

 

[fullmoon]

Ronn is the best!

 

[harrison414]

Thanks to all who have commented on how I would program my 396xt. This is very new to me and somewhat difficult to understand the logic of the scanner.

Thanks,
Doug