BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Trouble scanning trunked systems

[WillB]

Last year I received a 996P2 knowing that the state of Iowa was switching to a 7/800 phase 2 digital system. Due to me not understanding programming of trunked systems, I had a guy I know who is familiar with them write a Freescan program for both me and a friend who has the same scanner. His has worked fine for the better part of 8 months or so. I finally got around to uploading it to my scanner. I have yet to hear anything on the State of Iowa ISICS system that is programmed in.

I have no problem picking VHF analog and P25. Ive had a couple other people who are familiar with the state system and that scanner look at the programing and have made some changes,, things like no quick keys etc.. with the same results. Im willing to send the freescan program to someone and have them loo at it also. Im just confused as to why its not picking anything up.

Scanner is hooked to an outdoor antenna approximately 25ft up. Im using LMR400 cable.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

There are a number of simulcast sites on this system. Have a read about simulcast distortion here. An SDS200 should pick up this system much better

 

[hiegtx]

Last year I received a 996P2 knowing that the state of Iowa was switching to a 7/800 phase 2 digital system. Due to me not understanding programming of trunked systems, I had a guy I know who is familiar with them write a Freescan program for both me and a friend who has the same scanner. His has worked fine for the better part of 8 months or so. I finally got around to uploading it to my scanner. I have yet to hear anything on the State of Iowa ISICS system that is programmed in.

I have no problem picking VHF analog and P25. Ive had a couple other people who are familiar with the state system and that scanner look at the programing and have made some changes,, things like no quick keys etc.. with the same results. Im willing to send the freescan program to someone and have them loo at it also. Im just confused as to why its not picking anything up.

Scanner is hooked to an outdoor antenna approximately 25ft up. Im using LMR400 cable.

There is not a site for the statewide system in your county (Henry, based on the location your profile shows).

Make sure that you have the sites closest to you programmed, and that they are not locked out. If you can post your FreeSCAN file, any number of people, including myself, can take a peek & see if there is something that needs to be changed or added.

Attaching a FreeSCAN file to a post:

FreeSCAN uses file extension *.996, which cannot be directly attached to a post. What you’ll need to do is this:

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder where your FreeSCAN programming file is saved.
<Right><Click> on your file.
You'll get a pop-up menu. One of the options is "Send To"


Select that, which will open another, shorter, menu.


Select the option for "Compressed (zipped) folder.

That will create a file with the *.zip extension, which can be attached to a post.

 

[WillB]

There is not a site for the statewide system in your county (Henry, based on the location your profile shows).

Make sure that you have the sites closest to you programmed, and that they are not locked out. If you can post your FreeSCAN file, any number of people, including myself, can take a peek & see if there is something that needs to be changed or added.

Attaching a FreeSCAN file to a post:

FreeSCAN uses file extension *.996, which cannot be directly attached to a post. What you’ll need to do is this:

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder where your FreeSCAN programming file is saved.
<Right><Click> on your file.
You'll get a pop-up menu. One of the options is "Send To"
View attachment 96550

Select that, which will open another, shorter, menu.
View attachment 96551

Select the option for "Compressed (zipped) folder.

That will create a file with the *.zip extension, which can be attached to a post.

Correct there is no tower in Henry Co. There is towers in 4 or 5 towers in the counties directly around Henry Co, which I have programmed. We do have a state district office in town but that has nothing to do with this.

Attached is the 996p2 file

 

[a29zuk]

First of all, none of the systems you are trying to monitor are simulcast so that is not an issue.

It looks like your programming is correct as far as I can see, unless someone else spots something wrong.. I use freescan for my 325p2 which is a handheld equivalent to your scanner.

A couple of things to check:
While scanning is there a 0 (all the way to the right) flashing in the S0 row on the display? All of the sites programmed for the P25 system are set to "quick key" 0. If there is a * in that spot the quick key is turned off and you will not receive that system. Hit the "0" key while it is scanning to turn it on. Since you are receiving the conventional and analog trunk system okay the 8 and 9 should show up in the S0 row while scanning.

Are you receiving the control channel from the P25 system? You should see signal bars while scanning from the control channel just like the analog trunk system.
You can shut off quick keys 8 and 9 while scanning to monitor the P25 system by itself. This will allow you to monitor the P25 system alone to see if you are getting a signal. Toggling the quick keys will turn the systems off and on while in scan mode.

If no signal you may need an outside antenna or take your scanner closer to one of the sites to receive the control channel.

There are 2 more conventional systems in your programming that are not assigned a quick key. You will not receive those either.

Jim

 

[WillB]

This is what it shows when scanning.

 

[RobDobbs]

You have 0 Signal bud! Signal bar should be visible in the right hand upper corner.

 

[RobDobbs]

I got my 996p2 comin tomorrow, might anty up 50 bucks and have my local radio shop do mine, it looks complicated somewhat and with my ptsd the scanner may just go out the window lol.

 

[WillB]

Scanner is hooked to an antenna at 25ft going through LMR 400

 

[a29zuk]

While it is scanning that system it should show signal bars. Your display is correct showing the 0 in the S0: row and also shows that it is searching for the control channel. It cannot find the control channel as there is not enough signal. You may need your antenna raised higher.

Take it to a closer location to confirm that it will receive the signal.

Jim

 

[tvengr]

This is what it shows when scanning.

You are in HOLD. You are not scanning. Also, set squelch to 2.

 

[WillB]

You are in HOLD. You are not scanning. Also, set squelch to 2.

Squelch is at either 1 or 2. I put it in HOLD for the pic

 

[WillB]

While it is scanning that system it should show signal bars. Your display is correct showing the 0 in the S0: row and also shows that it is searching for the control channel. It cannot find the control channel as there is not enough signal. You may need your antenna raised higher.

Take it to a closer location to confirm that it will receive the signal.

Jim

When I have the factory antenna hooked up to my scanner it picks up the state system. When it's hooked to my external antenna outside it won't pick up the state system.

This is the antenna that I'm using.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008899J8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_A1VFK7TGRZH9N0YK9TEJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[JoeBearcat]

Excessive feedline loss? That antenna also has 0dB gain.

I've seen many similar cases.

 

[unwinr]

This sounds similar to an issue I had. A small back of set antenna would bring in the control channel with 4-5 bars. An attic mounted discone would not receive the control channel. In a response to this problem Mike G D suggested this: "The Uniden's have a feature called "IFX" or IF Exchange. Try toggling that and see if the scanner still won't receive the desired signal when connected to the discone. It basically swaps the IF mixing from high side to low side or vice-versa so as to attempt to mitigate some types of internal mixing problems like images." IFX would be toggled using Function 4 while in the hold mode for the frequency (CC) you are trying to receive. This solved the problem for me. Good luck.

 

[WillB]

Today I traded scanners with a friend who is running the same scanner and programming as I am. He is able to hear the state system on my scanner using his external antenna. His scanner on mine I hear none of the state stuff. If it wasn't for the single digit Temps and the 6" of snow on my roof I go check my antenna and the connections up there.

 

[firemun]

When I have the factory antenna hooked up to my scanner it picks up the state system. When it's hooked to my external antenna outside it won't pick up the state system.

This is the antenna that I'm using.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008899J8Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_A1VFK7TGRZH9N0YK9TEJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Could easily be a bad connector with an open connection or dead short. Voltmeter can help rule this out.

 

[buddrousa]

Are you sure you have all the CONTROL CHANNELS PROGRAMMED?
I am using a ST2 30 feet above the ground and get 30 plus air miles for 700/800 trunking.
Ice or Water shorting out the connector.
Is the Connector Sealed?

 

[firemun]

Are you sure you have all the CONTROL CHANNELS PROGRAMMED?
I am using a ST2 30 feet above the ground and get 30 plus air miles for 700/800 trunking.
Ice or Water shorting out the connector.
Is the Connector Sealed?

The OP indicated his scanner works on his friends antenna and his friend’s scanner does not work on his antenna...seems like it is narrowed down to an antenna problem.

 

[buddrousa]

Ok sorry line 2 3 and 4 are places to start then.