BCD325P2/BCD996P2: programming BCD996P2 ; saint petersburg fl.

[ladynewtoSDR]

I just picked up a new scanner and need some assistance with programming it, please.
I live in Pinellas County, FL (St. Petersburg).
I read somewhere that I could download frequencies (etc.) from radioreference.com and use the
'sentinel' software to program it.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated, thank you.
I just bought a premiere membership for a year.

 

[engine183]

Congratulations on the scanner. You will love it!
Search online - Many great videos on using Sentinel for programming. Here are two of many more.

Here is the RR page for Pinellas County, Florida. You need to determine what it is you wish to listen to before starting the programming. It looks like the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (P25) is heavy with encryption. You will not be able to listen to that radio traffic

Pinellas County, Florida (FL) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Pinellas County, Florida (FL)

www.radioreference.com

 

[jtwalker]

You were misinformed. Sentinel does not work with the BCD996P2 scanner. I believe ProScan ($50 for lifetime license on two pc’s) and Freescan work for your scanner. I know ProScan can import from RadioReference, and I think Freescan can also but it has been abandoned by creator and does not support DMR nor NXDN.

 

[doctordialtone]

'sentinel' software

Sentinel is not used to program the 996P2

You can use Freescan or ProScan.

Proscan.org

Sixspot Software - Downloads

FreeSCAN To install FreeSCAN, download and install the .MSI file. For differences between versions and important operating information, see the release notes. This version supports the the SC230, BC246T, BR330T, BCD396T, UBC3500XLT, BCT15, BCD996T, BC346XT(C), BCD396XT, BCT15X, and BCD996XT

sites.google.com

 

[chief21]

@ladynewtoSDR Be aware that most public safety agencies in Pinellas County utilize the Pinellas County P25 trunked radio system, which is a simulcast system. The 996P2 may not receive this system reliably. Only the SDS100/SDS200 scanners are specifically designed to receive digital simulcast signals. If you wish to monitor local public safety, you may want to consider returning the 996P2 (if possible) and upgrading to an SDS model.

 

[DJBio]

I would definitely recommend ProScan to program your BCD996P2

 

[eaf1956]

I just picked up a new scanner and need some assistance with programming it, please.
I live in Pinellas County, FL (St. Petersburg).
I read somewhere that I could download frequencies (etc.) from radioreference.com and use the
'sentinel' software to program it.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated, thank you.
I just bought a premiere membership for a year.

The 996P2 does not use Sentinel, you'll need to buy ProScan or ARC 996XT. Perhaps your HAM friend would help you with your setup and programming.

 

[ladynewtoSDR]

The 996P2 does not use Sentinel, you'll need to buy ProScan or ARC 996XT. Perhaps your HAM friend would help you with your setup and programming.

my ham friend?

 

[ladynewtoSDR]

Sentinel is not used to program the 996P2

You can use Freescan or ProScan.

Proscan.org

Sixspot Software - Downloads

FreeSCAN To install FreeSCAN, download and install the .MSI file. For differences between versions and important operating information, see the release notes. This version supports the the SC230, BC246T, BR330T, BCD396T, UBC3500XLT, BCT15, BCD996T, BC346XT(C), BCD396XT, BCT15X, and BCD996XT

sites.google.com

thank you.

 

[ladynewtoSDR]

I would definitely recommend ProScan to program your BCD996P2

thank you.

 

[ladynewtoSDR]

@ladynewtoSDR Be aware that most public safety agencies in Pinellas County utilize the Pinellas County P25 trunked radio system, which is a simulcast system. The 996P2 may not receive this system reliably. Only the SDS100/SDS200 scanners are specifically designed to receive digital simulcast signals. If you wish to monitor local public safety, you may want to consider returning the 996P2 (if possible) and upgrading to an SDS model.

I also have an SDS 100 which I need help programming as well. I just thought it would be easier to program the 996P2, and thus I was going to start with that.

 

[jtwalker]

my ham friend?

Your previous post:
I forgot to mention in my post that I have a friend with a ham radio who lives in the Florida panhandle, and I would like to be able to talk to him on it. Eventually.

 

[eaf1956]

Your previous post:
I forgot to mention in my post that I have a friend with a ham radio who lives in the Florida panhandle, and I would like to be able to talk to him on it. Eventually.

Yeah that HAM friend

 

[ladynewtoSDR]

Yeah that HAM friend

I had forgotten about that post--it wasn't part of my latest query. I am no longer in contact with that ham radio person.
Thank you.

 

[hiegtx]

I also have an SDS 100 which I need help programming as well. I just thought it would be easier to program the 996P2, and thus I was going to start with that.

ProScan can handle the SDS100 as well as the 996P2. You can create a file for either scanner, then use ProScan to use parts (or all) of that file for any other radio that ProScan supports.

 

[tvengr]

I just picked up a new scanner and need some assistance with programming it, please.
I live in Pinellas County, FL (St. Petersburg).

Here is a FreeSCAN BCD996P2 file for your scanner. First, you will need to download and install FreeSCAN. The first file is the FreeSCAN .996 programming file for Pinellas County. The second file is the driver you will need to install for any of the software programs to communicate with the scanner. The third PDF file will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. You will be able to toggle each of the 5 sites in Pinellas County on and off by pressing 1 thru 5 on the scanner keypad. After installing the driver, save the first attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Connect your scanner to your computer with the cable. Go to the File tab in FreeSCAN and click on Open. Open the extracted programming file (Pinellas Co FL.996). Go to the Scanner tab and click on Upload Programming. Select All in Systems to Upload box. Select Erase All Systems & Settings (In red). Click on Start Upload. Once upload is completed, unplug scanner and press SCAN on keypad. Quick keys as follows:

Pinellas Co FL

STSTEM QUICK KEYS:

1. PineCo Site 002

2. PineCo Site 004

3. PineCo Site 005

4. PineCo Site 010

5. PineCo Site 012

GROUP QUICK KEYS:

1. PineCo Services

2. StPete Services

3. PineCo Interop

4. PineCo Emerg Ops

5. PineCo Fire/EMS

5. StPete Fire/EMS

6. PineCo EMS/Hosp

7. PineCo Sheriff

8. PineCo Police

9. StPete Police

 

[ladynewtoSDR]

Here is a FreeSCAN BCD996P2 file for your scanner. First, you will need to download and install FreeSCAN. The first file is the FreeSCAN .996 programming file for Pinellas County. The second file is the driver you will need to install for any of the software programs to communicate with the scanner. The third PDF file will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. You will be able to toggle each of the 5 sites in Pinellas County on and off by pressing 1 thru 5 on the scanner keypad. After installing the driver, save the first attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Connect your scanner to your computer with the cable. Go to the File tab in FreeSCAN and click on Open. Open the extracted programming file (Pinellas Co FL.996). Go to the Scanner tab and click on Upload Programming. Select All in Systems to Upload box. Select Erase All Systems & Settings (In red). Click on Start Upload. Once upload is completed, unplug scanner and press SCAN on keypad. Quick keys as follows:

Pinellas Co FL

STSTEM QUICK KEYS:

1. PineCo Site 002

2. PineCo Site 004

3. PineCo Site 005

4. PineCo Site 010

5. PineCo Site 012

GROUP QUICK KEYS:

1. PineCo Services

2. StPete Services

3. PineCo Interop

4. PineCo Emerg Ops

5. PineCo Fire/EMS

5. StPete Fire/EMS

6. PineCo EMS/Hosp

7. PineCo Sheriff

8. PineCo Police

9. StPete Police

thank you!!!

 

[DJBio]

If there is DMR or XNDN or provoice in ur area you will want to use Proscan

 

[tvengr]

If there is DMR, NXDN, or ProVoice in your area you will want to use ProScan.

The Pinellas County system is P25. FreeSCAN will work just fine for loading that. Other software can be used at a later time if DMR or NXDN is needed. With the BCD996P2, files can be loaded separately using different programs. ARC XT software can also be used for P25, DMR, NXDN, and ProVoice. ProScan is also excellent software. Both ARC XT and ProScan have a free trial period to decide which one you like better. I use Butel ARC XT Basic to program my BCD325P2 and BCD996P2. The Pro version adds virtual control and logging. I used ARC XT Basic to create the Pinellas County file and then converted it to a FreeSCAN file. I will be happy to share my ARC XT file with you if you decide to go that route.