programming talkgroups in BC898T

[g1414]

I sure have appreciated the help I received from the forums when I had purchased a radioshack 5250... I returned it and I am now trying to program my new Bearcat 898T. I had never imagined that programming a scanner could be so difficult... I think I have the conventional stuff covered enough to be satisfactory for me at this point. But I have problems with the LTR stuff. I've read all I can on the boards and I'm still confused, but perhaps someone can help me out.
Right now my difficulty is in attempting to program talkgroups. I've followed the instructions and I get an error message. The talkgroup numbers are 0-10-185 and 0-10-253. The list says these are "DEC."
What can I do differently to get the scanner to take the numbers? :?: In place of the hyphens, I used the " . " button, which is what I was instructed to do....{error}.... Then I just left out the hyphens (the .'s) and still, error. I can't seem to find the answer... if there is a link, I'd be so glad if you would lead me to it.
One other question is, is just 2 talk groups gonna give me anything? :?: Or should I toss in a bunch?!! I chose 2 from my town and don't need the rest of the county, uh, or do I in order to hear who Elwood is talking to??? Well, I don't know for sure if my programming of the LTR frequencies was well done or not, but I am doing the best I can. Seems like conventional scanning is giving me more, so perhaps trunking is not that big of a deal? Using the same frequencies in my trunking as in conventional... Using separate banks for trunking than for conventional. Oh, I am trying to put the talkgroups in the trunking bank. Is that the right way to do it? Any input is appreciated.
(I am such a newbie!)
Thanks.
~G1414

 

[DJ88]

First of all, you would have been better off posting this question on the Trunking Forum under "LTR System Discussion Forum" More people would be apt to see it and help you.

I too have an 898T and have an LTR system in mine and it works fine.

Did you program the frequencies in the proper channels in the bank you have it in ? LTR system frequencies must be programmed into specific channels of the bank or it will not work. If you have the information on the system you should see LCN and then a number before the frequency. The LCN number is the channel you have to put the frequency in, in the bank. Example: LCN 5 - Frequency 507.1875 . You would program the frequency into the 5th channel of the bank, and so on with the other frequencies.

I programmed my talk groups in this way: Example: Talk Group 0-05-105. Program it 005105, no dashes, periods or spaces between the numbers. The unit should accept it. If you make a mistake or want to delete a TG you have programmed in, just bring the TG up on your screen and press 0 (zero) and "enter" and it will delete.

Also you don't have to program all of the talk groups. You can just put in the ones you want to listen to. But be sure your scanner is on "ID Scan" to hear just the ones you programmed. If it is on "ID Search" you will hear all of the active TGs in the system. Page 23 of the manual explains Search and Scan for TGs.

You can also listen to an LTR system in conventional mode. Just program the frequencies as you would conventional frequencies. They don't have to be in any specific channels, and you don't enter any talk group IDs as you would if you wanted to monitor it in trunked mode. Of course you will hear all activity, the same as hearing all talk groups.

If you still have a problem or aren't clear on anything I have posted, just post again and I or someone else will help you.

 

[g1414]

Thanks DJ88, I wasn't sure where to post my question.....
I am grateful for the info. The manual does not explain in enough detail about putting frequencies in certain channels. Too bad it gets so durn complicated! I am no good at this stuff at all. I'll see what I can do, and if I hafta, then I will just give up. Maybe someday I will get it right. I think I will hang around and try to soak up some knowledge from others' posts. I like to hang out and read stuff even tho I don't understand.... Eventually sumptin will light a bulb in my head! It's nice to be around others who are interested in the same thing as me. Being such a newbie, I sure don't have much to contribute.... maybe someday I will! Are there any other females around here besdes me? I can't be the only one can I?

I got some private messages that I want to say thanks for -- thanks! I didn't try to respond to those... but I sure appreciate the help from ya'll. I REALLLLLLLLLY do. Everybody is so nice here. And so smart too! Thanks -- hugs and kisses to everybody!heh heh :wink:
Hmmm, hugs and kisses.... maybe that should be my "signature." I bet no one has come up with that one yet!
~G1414

 

[DJ88]

G1414

I sent you a Private Message, reference this topic.