Setting up channels

[Moody709]

Hello, I just got a uniden bcd 396xt, and I put all the frequencies (that are not p25 phase 2 cause from what I understand this scanner cannot support that) but my scanner is not picking up any type of radio traffic, and I put all the channels as conventional, but do I need to put them as p25 if they are p25 or what could I be doing wrong?
Thank you in advance.

 

[doctordialtone]

what could I be doing wrong?

Please post a link to the system(s) you are trying to monitor.

(That scanner won't be able to monitor phase 2 no matter how you program it.)

 

[Moody709]

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

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

www.radioreference.com

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

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

www.radioreference.com

 

[tvengr]

We need to know your city, county, and state,, and the agencies and systems you want to monitor. Any p25 conventional frequency will be Phase 1. Is what you want to monitor conventional frequencies or a trunked system? We can't help if we don't know what you want to monitor. Are you using programming software. It's a lot faster and easier if you do. You can use FreeSCAN. It is a FREE program. If you don't have software, I suggest you download and install it. Downloads - Sixspot Software You gave us your location just before I posted this. Waco uses a Phase 2 capable system, but you will be able to receive it since all of the talkgroups are presently operating as Phase 1. If you see D in the Mode column, the talkgroup is Phase 1. If the Mode is T, the talkgroup is TDMA (Phase 2) which your scanner cannot monitor. If the talkgroups change to Phase 2 at a later time, you are out of luck.

 

[doctordialtone]

Ok. This system will require a phase II Scanner:

Heart of Texas Regional Radio System (HOTRRS) Trunking System, Various, Texas

Heart of Texas Regional Radio System (HOTRRS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Good luck!

 

[tvengr]

Ok. This system will require a phase II Scanner:

The Heart of Texas Regional Radio System is Phase 2 capable. All of the talkgroups are currently operating as phase 1 which the 396XT can monitor.

 

[hiegtx]

Hello, I just got a uniden bcd 396xt, and I put all the frequencies (that are not p25 phase 2 cause from what I understand this scanner cannot support that) but my scanner is not picking up any type of radio traffic, and I put all the channels as conventional, but do I need to put them as p25 if they are p25 or what could I be doing wrong?
Thank you in advance.

The Heart of Texas system (HOTRRS), used mostly by Waco & McLennan County agencies, is listed as Phase II because it is capable of supporting that format. However, at present, all identified talkgroups are still noted as P25 Phase I (the D in the mode column). Your 396XT is capable of handling P25 Phase I transmissions. You would need to program the primary & alternate control channel frequencies to monitor it. Those are shown in red and blue.

The HOTRRS system should be programmed as a trunked system; in FreeSCAN, use system type P25 Standard (Digital XT).

Lacey Lakeview has a separate P25 system, which your scanner can also receive. There are a number of conventional channels in McLennan, some listed as digital (P25), which you can also program.

For Coryell County, most of the cities are using conventional channels, with some P25. Copperas Cove has an EDACS/ProVoice system, but there are no ProVoice talkgroups listed, so your scanner is capable of monitoring that system as well.

 

[ofd8001]

If you were to become a RR premium subscriber, you could use your programming software to download the system with all of the correct parameters. These scanners have different settings and if one is wrong, you won't receive anything.

 

[Moody709]

Ok so dumb question, is EDACS the same as EDCS? And if so do I choose wide/narrow or scat

 

[Moody709]

The Heart of Texas system (HOTRRS), used mostly by Waco & McLennan County agencies, is listed as Phase II because it is capable of supporting that format. However, at present, all identified talkgroups are still noted as P25 Phase I (the D in the mode column). Your 396XT is capable of handling P25 Phase I transmissions. You would need to program the primary & alternate control channel frequencies to monitor it. Those are shown in red and blue.
View attachment 97258
The HOTRRS system should be programmed as a trunked system; in FreeSCAN, use system type P25 Standard (Digital XT).

Lacey Lakeview has a separate P25 system, which your scanner can also receive. There are a number of conventional channels in McLennan, some listed as digital (P25), which you can also program.

For Coryell County, most of the cities are using conventional channels, with some P25. Copperas Cove has an EDACS/ProVoice system, but there are no ProVoice talkgroups listed, so your scanner is capable of monitoring that system as well.

Yeah I figured it out, where I’m picking up traffic, the only confusing one is coryell, cause with the p25 does that mean I have to make a p25 group for some and then conventional for other. I have a feeling the answer is yes

 

[hiegtx]

Yeah I figured it out, where I’m picking up traffic, the only confusing one is coryell, cause with the p25 does that mean I have to make a p25 group for some and then conventional for other. I have a feeling the answer is yes

If you are referring to the conventional channels, such as Coryell Sheriff's Dept, no. Just set the audio for those as Digital, then enter the listed NAC code. See the screenshot below from FreeSCAN. You can also set them up as conventional 'digital' on ProScan, ARC-XT, or directly on the scanner via the keypad.