BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Programming for Motorola P25 Phase II

[Rox1]

Hi,
I am programming this scanner for a friend. I am currently using the free version of ProScan. I have exported the hpe file from Sentinel, that I used to program my BCD536HP, and everything works except Wicomico (Maryland) It is picking up everything else I have uploaded to it except that. I have attached a picture of the config for it. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Hi & welcome to the RR forums:
Have a read here about simulcast distortion. It is one of the most discussed topics/issues on these forums and can really wreak havoc on a non-SDS series Uniden. Basically it all boils down to location relative to two or more simulcasting towers

 

[Rox1]

HI,
Thanks, I checked that out, and I have updated the firmware. However, I am not receiving any distortion, It is just not picking it up at all. I have it attached to my home antenna which is 15" above my roof. The simulcast in my screenshot is just what the location is called for Wico, like I said, it is the same program I am using on my BCD536HP.

Also, I'll add, When I remove everything but Wicomico, it shows zero signal, like its not picking it up at all, meanwhile when I hook the same antenna to my 536 its full bars.

 

[hiegtx]

Hi,
I am programming this scanner for a friend. I am currently using the free version of ProScan. I have exported the hpe file from Sentinel, that I used to program my BCD536HP, and everything works except Wicomico (Maryland) It is picking up everything else I have uploaded to it except that. I have attached a picture of the config for it. Thanks in advance for any help.

Here's a map of the transmitter locations for your county's simulcast site:

The link in John's post, to a Wiki page regarding simulcast problems, gives a description of what the problem is, along with a few things that work for some people, though not all.

The problem is that all of those sites are transmitting the same radio traffic, using the same frequency, at the same time. Since those are at varying differences from your location, the signals arrive at your scanner out of sync. While the time differential is very minuscule, it is still enough to prevent your scanner from successfully monitoring the system. In some cases, using "less" antenna can mean that the strongest signal overrides the weaker out of sync ones. That is especially true if you are very close to one of the transmit towers. Failing that, you may find that moving the scanner around, inside your house, makes a lot of difference, finding a spot where conflicting signals are weaker due to siding on the house, or foil backed insulation in the walls. In other cases, you might be able to use a directional antenna, such as a yagi, aimed at one specific tower, so that your scanner is mostly seeing the one signal. The downside to that is that reception from other systems, that are not in that same direction, may be compromised or lost.

 

[Rox1]

I am close (6 Miles) to only the Mardela tower. What I am not getting is that my 536 has full bars, while the 996 has none, its has zero signal. Moving the scanner is not going to help me as its attached to an antenna on the roof of my house.

 

[tvengr]

BCD996P2: Programming for Motorola P25 Phase II

I am programming this scanner for a friend. I am currently using the free version of ProScan. I have exported the hpe file from Sentinel, that I used to program my BCD536HP, and everything works except Wicomico (Maryland) It is picking up everything else I have uploaded to it except that. I have attached a picture of the config for it. Thanks in advance for any help.

Which scanner are you programming? Please attach your ProScan [programming file so that we can take a look at it. Click on Attach files and Open the file.

 

[Rox1]

Hi, I am programming a BCD996P2.

Exported the hpe files from Sentinel where my scanner is working great. Imported into the 996 with ProScan and everything works great except Wicomico.

I'll mention that the "FIRST" that is the MD State system is also P25 Phase II and it picks up fine. Its just Wicomico will not give any signal.

 

[tvengr]

Is the Simulcast site system quick key enabled? Press 1 on the keypad to toggle it on and off. The Bivalve site has no system quick key which means that it scans all of the time. I don't see any problems with the programming of the system. If the Simulcast site is enabled, I agree that you most likely are experiencing simulcast distortion. While you are receiving the Simulcast site with no talkgroup activity, you should see the control channel frequency (856.7125) on the third line from the bottom on the scanner display. If you see NFM, the scanner is not detecting the control channel. That is a classic symptom of simulcast distortion. I am attaching a PDF file which will answer all of your questions about using quick keys. A couple of things to try to minimize simulcast issues is to turn on the attenuator, vary the length and orientation of the antenna, remove the antenna and replace it with a paper clip, and move the scanner around the room. If you lower the signal level, you will reduce the number of towers you receive and possibly improve the control channel decoding.

 

[Rox1]

We got it working, We believe it was the squelch turned up to high.

 

[wtp]

and when i ask that, some people laugh...
good catch.

 

[Rox1]

I am just glad it was something that simple.