Trunking Help Needed Please!

[jasnboys]

Hi!

I live in the Charlotte area. I have a Uniden BCT -8 Trunking scanner.

I entered some program IDs off this site into the scanner. The scanner IDs come in, but the signal is weak or not clear.

Do I need an outdoor antenna, or did I not enter the IDs in correctly? I entered the IDs right in the order they were listed. I just didn't enter all of them. I used to be able to pick up South Lansing clear, but now I can't.

If anyone would have a friendly step by step user guide, that would be helpful. I think I'm part way there with having my scanner ready to listen to, but not all the way yet.

Thanks in advance.

Jason
jasnboys@aol.com

 

[bigbluemsp]

You will need a Digital capable trunking scanner.

 

[jasnboys]

BCT 8 must not be digital then I take it?

 

[bigbluemsp]

Correct you need a 996 or a 396

 

[rdale]

STOP!!! You do not need a digital scanner to listen to Lansing. There's not much digital in Ingham County or Eaton County of interest, so if you're getting them but the signal is weak you most likely need to throw in an external antenna or move the unit around your house.

But you do not need a digital scanner, yours will work fine.

 

[bigbluemsp]

Rob he didn't say he just wanted to listen to Lansing.

 

[rdale]

Understood - certainly need to get more info but the only agency he mentioned that he can partially hear is Lansing. If he was trying to monitor a digital talkgroup -- he'd get nothing (wouldn't even trunktrack.)

 

[bigbluemsp]

True I guess we both second guessed him on this one.

 

[jasnboys]

Maybe I just need to move around my scanner then. I thought maybe my signal weak because I had inputed the AFS IDs wrong, or something. Like I said, they are coming in, but very weak.

Please be patient with me. LOL. I just got this trunk trakcer III for my birthday, and I'm trying to learn it quickly so I can enjoy it.

Thanks for all your help by the way.