BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Talkgroup Issues

[Bolts2013]

I am having trouble scanning and programming talkgroups. I have tried reading the manual and have tried doing everything manually and even with the Sentinel software. But the main problem is I cant hear or my scanner wont pick up the talkgroups. I used to use the BC125AT scanner but then I upgraded to the BCD436HP. I have tried looking this stuff up online but couldnt find many answers or videos. I did not think this scanner would be that hard to setup and program. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ka3aaa]

proscan isa much better software package than sentinel and it works on the 436hp.

 

[drdispatch]

First things first.
Is the system you're trying to program using simulcast in your area? Are the departments/talkgroups you are trying to monitor encrypted?
Post a link for the RR page of the system in question, and we can help you figure it out.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Hi & welcome to the RR forums:
Taking a look at the database for Frederick, MD & focusing on this trunked radio system, I'm seeing there are simulcast cells contained within. Have a read about simulcast distortion, it's one of the most discussed technical issues here on the forums. It seems to fit what you're describing pretty well & can really wreak havoc on a non Uniden-SDS series scanner. Basically most scanners lock up, stutter, sputter, etc when dealing with the same frequencies coming from multiple different TX sites at the same time. The Uniden SDS100 & 200 are the only currently marketed scanners designed to mitigate the effects of simulcast distortion. There are workarounds for other scanners mentioned in the wiki I linked but they work in very few cases

 

[Bolts2013]

First things first.
Is the system you're trying to program using simulcast in your area? Are the departments/talkgroups you are trying to monitor encrypted?
Post a link for the RR page of the system in question, and we can help you figure it out.

they aren’t encrypted and some are using simulcast and some aren’t.

Hi & welcome to the RR forums:
Taking a look at the database for Frederick, MD & focusing on this trunked radio system, I'm seeing there are simulcast cells contained within. Have a read about simulcast distortion, it's one of the most discussed technical issues here on the forums. It seems to fit what you're describing pretty well & can really wreak havoc on a non Uniden-SDS series scanner. Basically most scanners lock up, stutter, sputter, etc when dealing with the same frequencies coming from multiple different TX sites at the same time. The Uniden SDS100 & 200 are the only currently marketed scanners designed to mitigate the effects of simulcast distortion. There are workarounds for other scanners mentioned in the wiki I linked but they work in very few cases

I already did all that and nothing worked.

First things first.
Is the system you're trying to program using simulcast in your area? Are the departments/talkgroups you are trying to monitor encrypted?
Post a link for the RR page of the system in question, and we can help you figure it out.

Frederick County, MD Trunking System, Frederick, Maryland

Frederick County, MD Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

 

[wtp]

why not just listen to the regular system and turn off the simulcast to hear the difference ?
if you listen to two it would be hard to tell.

 

[drdispatch]

why not just listen to the regular system and turn off the simulcast to hear the difference ?
if you listen to two it would be hard to tell.

If he can't receive that Brunswick site, turning off the simulcast will result in hearing nothing.

 

[tvengr]

I am having trouble scanning and programming talkgroups. I have tried reading the manual and have tried doing everything manually and even with the Sentinel software. But the main problem is I cant hear or my scanner wont pick up the talkgroups.

Try setting the squelch to 2.

 

[wtp]

they aren’t encrypted and some are using simulcast and some aren’t.

my take on that, drdispatch, is that he has more than one thing running.

 

[Bolts2013]

i have multiple favorites list scanning is that why?

 

[Bolts2013]

i

Try setting the squelch to 2.

i have tried all squelch numbers. i have it set to 2

 

[wtp]

i don't know how many things you have going but the old saying here is
the more you try and listen to, the less you hear.
that is your radio could be doing other things and you are not hearing the stuff you want.
i have many older radios doing other things and i listen to my counties trunking system on one radio an only have that system running.

 

[Bolts2013]

i don't know how many things you have going but the old saying here is
the more you try and listen to, the less you hear.
that is your radio could be doing other things and you are not hearing the stuff you want.
i have many older radios doing other things and i listen to my counties trunking system on one radio an only have that system running.

ok thanks!