Scanner Frustration - Why is it SOO Difficult

[SamHill2]

Wondering what fun it would be to monitor Police and local activity, I've tried learning what device to buy and how to find & enter frequency etc...FAIL using Boafeng UV-5RM newest handheld analog scanner. So I'm only into this for about $35 and a couple days fert'n around trying to get it to work.

Using RR database to see what's available in my area for frequency lists then assuming everything is analog FMN, I entered the numbers and tried scanning with no results. Maybe someone can take a look and simply explain what equipment or special setting is needed to monitor Police in these cities....

State: Texas
County: Henderson (SE of Dallas)
City(s): Tool & Seven Points & Gun Barrel City

The Boafeng UV-5RM can only be PC programmed with CHIRP if you have Windows 10 or better. I have Windows 7 not upgrading. I've been thru all the menu options and believe to have understanding of the functions using keypad to enter data. I have no need or desire to transmit.

I was able to get weather stations also some guys tracking a tornado 10 miles away. The radio works and scans....Just not what I need it to do. There must be something keeping me from listening to Police in my area.

I'm confident one of you guys can help solve my issues....

 

[ScannerSK]

The following website shows frequencies which might still be in use (unlikely for police/fire/EMS) and monitorable with a Baofeng:

Henderson County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Henderson County, Texas (TX)

www.radioreference.com

Otherwise, you will require a P25 Phase 2 capable scanner/receiver which can monitor the following digital systems:

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System, Various, Texas

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Henderson County P25 Trunking System, Athens, Texas

Henderson County P25 Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[KC1THE]

Check your Tone Codes to make sure you entered the correct one. Not sure if the Baofengs default to a particular code when programming manually.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Using RR database to see what's available in my area for frequency lists then assuming everything is analog FMN, I entered the numbers and tried scanning with no results. Maybe someone can take a look and simply explain what equipment or special setting is needed to monitor Police in these cities....

The following website shows frequencies you may be able to monitor with a Baofeng if they are still being used:

Henderson County, Texas (TX) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Henderson County, Texas (TX)

www.radioreference.com

Otherwise, you will require a P25 Phase 2 capable scanner/receiver which can monitor the following digital systems:

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System, Various, Texas

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Henderson County P25 Trunking System, Athens, Texas

Henderson County P25 Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

@ScannerSK provided you with all the resources you need to find what is available to monitor. Check the MODE column for type of transmission (NFM (analog for the Baofeng), DMR, NXDN or P25) if there is a "e" it means encryption is used sometimes, or a "E" is fully encrypted and can not be monitored.

 

[16b]

Couple of things...

1. The Baofeng radio you have is just that--a two-way radio, *not* a scanner. While it does have the ability to receive a wide range of frequencies, and can (in some ways) perform scanner-like functions, referring to it as a scanner is inaccurate and it is not really the best tool for the job if your goal is to listen to local police.
2. Baofeng and similar Chinese-made radios are known to be difficult to program from the keypad, which is why the vast majority of people use software like Chirp.

I point out the above just to set a baseline understanding that you have chosen a harder than normal approach. Between buying a radio vs. a scanner, and your refusal to use a modern operating system so that you can program said radio, you have some extra work cut out for you. A great deal of patience will likely be required.

Having said that, as far as I can tell you got really lucky in the sense that your area appears to be using radio systems that are quite easy to listen to. If your area were using, for example, a P25 trunking system (which is the case in many parts of the country), your radio simply would not work. However, if the RR database page is accurate, an analog receiver that covers VHF is all you need, which would mean that your Baofeng will work fine.

Before beginning, you need to make sure you know how to 1) set an arbitrary frequency in your radio, 2) ensure the mode (should be FM) setting is correct, and 3) ensure that CTCSS/DCS function is completely disabled. Details like wideband vs. narrowband, setting CTCSS/DCS, and scanning multiple frequencies can be worked out after you have mastered the basics. If you know how to do 1, 2, and 3 above, then pick a frequency on the RR database page for your county that is likely to be more active, like the county Sheriff. Smaller police departments often go long stretches of time without radio traffic which can make it difficult to confirm that your setup is working. Once you can pick up the Sheriff, try the frequency for one of the departments you are interested in.

 

[SamHill2]

Check your Tone Codes to make sure you entered the correct one. Not sure if the Baofengs default to a particular code when programming manually.
View attachment 163508

Thanks for direction....Maybe RR labels things one way and Boafeng lists it some other way for settings. I do know the "PL" after TONE# is a Boafeng CTCSS setting and "DPL" after the TONE# number is a DCS setting. I've set & unset these and also scanned for CTCSS & DCS tones set to save if it hears any.

Something noticed while scanning the entire VHF range, it will stop on a frequency with a hum sound then stop on others with squelch off noise sound. I'll fiddle around more with the TONE Code settings. SO, my area is still analog...right? No special P25 or TxWARN fancy smancy whatever equipment needed?

 

[SamHill2]

Couple of things...

1. The Baofeng radio you have is just that--a two-way radio, *not* a scanner. While it does have the ability to receive a wide range of frequencies, and can (in some ways) perform scanner-like functions, referring to it as a scanner is inaccurate and it is not really the best tool for the job if your goal is to listen to local police.
2. Baofeng and similar Chinese-made radios are known to be difficult to program from the keypad, which is why the vast majority of people use software like Chirp.

I point out the above just to set a baseline understanding that you have chosen a harder than normal approach. Between buying a radio vs. a scanner, and your refusal to use a modern operating system so that you can program said radio, you have some extra work cut out for you. A great deal of patience will likely be required.

Having said that, as far as I can tell you got really lucky in the sense that your area appears to be using radio systems that are quite easy to listen to. If your area were using, for example, a P25 trunking system (which is the case in many parts of the country), your radio simply would not work. However, if the RR database page is accurate, an analog receiver that covers VHF is all you need, which would mean that your Baofeng will work fine.

Before beginning, you need to make sure you know how to 1) set an arbitrary frequency in your radio, 2) ensure the mode (should be FM) setting is correct, and 3) ensure that CTCSS/DCS function is completely disabled. Details like wideband vs. narrowband, setting CTCSS/DCS, and scanning multiple frequencies can be worked out after you have mastered the basics. If you know how to do 1, 2, and 3 above, then pick a frequency on the RR database page for your county that is likely to be more active, like the county Sheriff. Smaller police departments often go long stretches of time without radio traffic which can make it difficult to confirm that your setup is working. Once you can pick up the Sheriff, try the frequency for one of the departments you are interested in.

I would upgrade PC OS but it works as is no probs. Maybe upgrade a spare PC if it meant to get a scanner working along with proper equipment. Hope you can see my logic....if it takes a bunch of money and equipment to simply listen to ONE SINGLE PD frequency...it ain't gonna happen. OK...maybe a couple hundred at most.

ALSO...other member posted link to Henderson Co P25 Trunk sys Athens....at the second to last entry (long scroll dwn) Tool PD has a "Te" mode thingie.

I appreciate your reply and things to test/check. You may be right about the long stretches of time that PD doesn't transmit for me to hear. Maybe pay attention to radio when I hear sirens or see Jimbob 1-toof pulled over on my way home. I actually know & talk to Tool PD but maybe not wise to go asking shtuff.....

 

[ScannerSK]

I've set & unset these and also scanned for CTCSS & DCS tones set to save if it hears any.

No special P25 or TxWARN fancy smancy whatever equipment needed?

Baofeng radios default to receiving all CTCSS/DCS codes. If you enter a specific code then you will limit the reception to transmissions with just that single specific code. If you want to receive everything, leave these codes set to "OFF" in the Baofeng radio.

It appears most likely all the police and fire for your area have migrated over to digital trunked P25 Phase 2 systems:

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System, Various, Texas

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Henderson County P25 Trunking System, Athens, Texas

Henderson County P25 Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

So, you will probably not be able to receive much of anything related to fire/police on a Baofeng radio.

 

[TAC4]

What he said ^^^^

 

[SamHill2]

Baofeng radios default to receiving all CTCSS/DCS codes. If you enter a specific code then you will limit the reception to transmissions with just that single specific code. If you want to receive everything, leave these codes set to "OFF" in the Baofeng radio.

It appears most likely all the police and fire for your area have migrated over to digital trunked P25 Phase 2 systems:

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System, Various, Texas

Texas Wide Area Radio Network (TxWARN) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Henderson County P25 Trunking System, Athens, Texas

Henderson County P25 Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

So, you will probably not be able to receive much of anything related to fire/police on a Baofeng radio.

That's what I needed for someone to tell me...Boafeng el-cheapo may have worked but info on RR is misleading in a sense as I thought my area was still analog of FMN type. So to conclude....I need scan equipment that will do trunk P25 & Te conversion?

 

[fxdscon]

.I need scan equipment that will do trunk P25 & Te conversion?

Te (lower case e) means that transmissions are encrypted part of the time. When those agencies are actually transmitting in an encrypted mode, they can't be converted or monitored by any scanner.

 

[ScannerSK]

So to conclude....I need scan equipment that will do trunk P25 & Te conversion?

Yes, a P25 phase 2 scanner/receiver is required to receive most if not all police/fire communications in your area. I would guess the VHF/UHF frequencies are no longer in use or rarely if ever used any further.

 

[hazrat8990]

If the frequencies you're trying to listen to are the ones in post#3, the only one that might still have any traffic would be the fire dept. You may only end up hearing fire paging, and nothing else. Most places in the country have migrated almost everything to P25 due to federal grants. Usually, agencies will keep their old licenses for analog stuff active in case of a network failure, or if a site gets wiped out by lightning.

 

[SamHill2]

Te (lower case e) means that transmissions are encrypted part of the time. When those agencies are actually transmitting in an encrypted mode, they can't be converted or monitored by any scanner.

Te = encrypted some of the time.....What are the chances they don't use this feature other than busting down meth-heads labs. Surely not during traffic stops or reporting to a drunk naked neighbor? I ask because I can't afford to invest in equipment that will not work. Then there's Egay.....

 

[SamHill2]

Yes, a P25 phase 2 scanner/receiver is required to receive most if not all police/fire communications in your area. I would guess the VHF/UHF frequencies are no longer in use or rarely if ever used any further.

Ya'll helped me greatly today...It ain't as simple as it seems, buy a device that will scan freq as listed on a website and off ya go...NOT. Glad I didn't spend a bunch a money to learn. Now I am tempted to purchase a used Uniden Bearcat BCD996XT on Egay for $190 free shipping. Then I wonder if those RTL-SDR dongle thingies will do what I'm wanting to do.

 

[W8WCA]

Windows 7 should run Pro Scan and ARC536PRO software for Programing Scanners.
(Some say it will run Sentinel )
Uniden site has drivers for even older Windows

 

[fxdscon]

a P25 phase 2 scanner/receiver is required to receive most if not all police/fire communications in your area.

Now I am tempted to purchase a used Uniden Bearcat BCD996XT on Egay for $190 free shipping.

As mentioned previously you would need a scanner capable of receiving phase 2 transmissions. The Uniden BCD996XT can not monitor Phase 2 transmissions.

There is a list of Phase 2 capable scanners here:

APCO Project 25 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[jtwalker]

Ya'll helped me greatly today...It ain't as simple as it seems, buy a device that will scan freq as listed on a website and off ya go...NOT. Glad I didn't spend a bunch a money to learn. Now I am tempted to purchase a used Uniden Bearcat BCD996XT on Egay for $190 free shipping. Then I wonder if those RTL-SDR dongle thingies will do what I'm wanting to do.

The BCD996XT is not a phase 2 capable scanner.

 

[SamHill2]

You guys are SOO GREAT....The details are being noted P25 phase 2 etc etc...I need to sit on all this not to make any rash purchases making sure everything is in order and will work.

NOW...off to the back acre to clear trees downed by all the storms we've had. That is if my tractor doesn't get stuck in the mud.

BIG THANKS to all !!

 

[hiegtx]

You guys are SOO GREAT....The details are being noted P25 phase 2 etc etc...I need to sit on all this not to make any rash purchases making sure everything is in order and will work.

NOW...off to the back acre to clear trees downed by all the storms we've had. That is if my tractor doesn't get stuck in the mud.

BIG THANKS to all !!

In addition to Henderson County using their own P25 Phase II system, most of your surrounding counties and cities are (or soon will be) using P25 systems.

Canton has their own P25 Phase II system.

Their parent county, Van Zandt, is in the process of building their own Phase II system. That also applies to Hunt County (Greenville). Those systems have been discussed down in the Texas Forum. These two systems, like Henderson's & Kaufman's, are Harris (not Motorola) systems, so all site frequencies need to be programmed, as Harris does not designate a specific set of site frequencies for control channels; any of them may be used. Greenville is building their own system, supplied by Motorola.

The TxWARN system covers just about all the counties near you, though many of them (as noted above) either are, or soon will be, using their own systems. TxWARN P25 is a P25 Phase II capable system, though most of the talkgroups used in your vicinity (on TxWARN) are still using Phase I. Kaufman's system is Phase II capable, but almost all talkgroups are still Phase I.

Smith County, including Tyler, is using Phase I on TxWARN. Gregg County (including Longview) and Rusk County are still Phase I/TxWARN as well.

Many of these surrounding counties and systems may be out of range for you at home (depending on which scanner you end up with, and what sort of external antenna, if any, you use), but if you travel around your area, a\taking your scanner with you where possible, you should have more than enough to listen to.