Travelin' BC296D

[EddieTheDrummer]

To begin with, I'm new to scanning and I just purchased a Uniden BC296D as I'm planning an annual cross-country driving vacation that'll take me to the east coast and possibly towards Quebec, and I thought having it along might prove fun and useful.

I understand that major cities are going to have trunk systems and frequencies for the various services [fire, police, etc]. My question: is there a database of all of the most commonly used frequencies that I can download/program into my unit when I reach a city such as Denver or Chicago which will provide coverage of the most commonly scanned channels? I have a laptop computer that will travel with me.

Also, can my unit have these programmed in all at once? I've heard that the Radio Shack Pro-96 can accomodate this, but want to know if my unit can do this as well, given it doesn't have quite the storage capability of the Pro-96.

Thank you!

 

[ka3jjz]

To begin with, I'm new to scanning and I just purchased a Uniden BC296D as I'm planning an annual cross-country driving vacation that'll take me to the east coast and possibly towards Quebec, and I thought having it along might prove fun and useful.

I understand that major cities are going to have trunk systems and frequencies for the various services [fire, police, etc]. My question: is there a database of all of the most commonly used frequencies that I can download/program into my unit when I reach a city such as Denver or Chicago which will provide coverage of the most commonly scanned channels? I have a laptop computer that will travel with me.

Also, can my unit have these programmed in all at once? I've heard that the Radio Shack Pro-96 can accomodate this, but want to know if my unit can do this as well, given it doesn't have quite the storage capability of the Pro-96.

Thank you!

There really isn't a specific set of 'common' freqs as they change from area to area; however, you do have several places to get information, and maybe programming files. Even though the 296 doesn't have virtual folders, since you will have a laptop with you, it's feasible to create them and load them as you go. There's no way the 296 could hold all of the information, after all...

a. You're already a member of RadioReference; use the RR database, and join the state forums where you're going. Ask to see whether folks have files they would be willing to share.

b. There are numerous Yahoo groups that cover various states, and sometimes even clubs. For example, since you mention Chicago, you will want to get in touch with CARMA; the Chicago Area Monitoring Association. They have a Yahoo group, and it's possible they might have programming files you could adapt for your needs. In my case, the Capitol Hill Monitors (which covers Maryland, DC, parts of Delaware and Virginia) maintains a page of ARC250 .mem files for our area. There are even numerous Yahoo groups devoted to the BC296. Take the time to learn as many of the capabilities of the scanner before you travel; it's frustrating to have to look up a specific feature, and find out you left the instruction manual at home....

You will need to plot your trip carefully, so you know in which area(s) you will need files. Be aware of the software folks use for the 296; while ARC250 is the most popular, there are several others. It's also possible that, depending on the software, you could accept csv (comma seperated value) files from other applications. A good software package will make programming it a lot easier; most folks find it too confusing to do by hand.

You're going to have a lot of work to do to get all the files you will need, but in the end, you will have a much more accurate system than going to Police Call or even worse, the FCC database (or it's many various extract formats, such as Percon).

73s and GL....Mike

 

[EddieTheDrummer]

Thanks for the reply and information, Mike. Would it be simpler to get a Pro-96? What are the advantages/disadvantages of this unit vs the BC296D?

Eddie

 

[ka3jjz]

Thanks for the reply and information, Mike. Would it be simpler to get a Pro-96? What are the advantages/disadvantages of this unit vs the BC296D?

Eddie

Personally, I kinda doubt it. Fact is, that the new digital systems do make it a bit more difficult for the newcomers, no matter what model they use. The V folders are a wonderful idea; but systems have changed since the original data (which came from RadioReference, by the way) was formatted. You would need to update them. Fortunately Win96 does this; but you are still forced to do the research and get the corrected data.

Instead of me trying to pull all the PRO96 v.BC296 stuff out of my head, there's a thread - I think it's in the Scanning Forum - on this board where this topic is addressed at great length. Read it and start asking questions there.

Since I can't tell - you don't have a sig line or avatar - where you are, I can't look up whether there's a Yahoo group(s) in your area. City/State will do nicely. I would also poke in your state's forum on this board. Nothing like having some local help.

73s and GL...Mike