Uniden 296 Decode Problem

[jeffmulter]

I hope a couple of you can give me suggestions for problem-solving a digital decode problem for another hobbyist.

He's trying to monitor some digital talkgroups on the Salisbury, Winston-Salem and Greensboro systems when he's in those areas "working."

He uses both a 296 and 796, and both are having the same problem ... which makes me think it's a programmable setting for the scanners. Both scanners will display the correct digital TG I-Ds, but he only hears the communications as raw data.

He's not getting an digital card warning messages on the display. He has tried adjusting the digital audio setting.

Analog talkgroups are received fine, as are conventional channels. He can confirm the talkgroups he is trying to monitor are not encrypted.

I don't know how recently he acquired the scanners, and what firmware version is in them, but it does not appear that the firmware upgrade Uniden has available on their website would impact monitoring the N.C. systems mentioned above.

I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[scanjunkie]

You are positive they are not encrypted?? That's what it sounds like...

 

[randyK]

BC296 Problem

Jeff, Nothing I have heard on the Winston/Forsyth trs or Greensboro/Guilford trs is encrypted.The decode settings for both systems is 333/1985/3542.It shouldn't be anything related to the firmware update because its sounds fine my BC250 & a friends original firmware BC296.Don't know anything about the Salisbury system.
Randy

 

[FireCop]

Jeff,

I haven't been able to decode digital off the Rowan/Salisbury system in trunk mode due to my location. I was able to pick up P25 digital on conventional search mode of one of their freqs. on my BC296D. If you or anyone else could describe what encryption sounds like, I might be able to search the system and see.

Ron

 

[jeffmulter]

Thank you, Mark, Randy and Ron for your input.

>> You are positive they are not encrypted?? That's what it sounds like...

The person asking the assistance, Mark, has a "working relationship" with the people using the talkgroups, and has confirmed with them that the talkgroups in question are not encrypted.

I don't have a 296, but it's my understanding that the 296 display will show "enc" when it receives an encrypted signal.

>> The decode settings for both systems is 333/1985/3542.

Thanks, Randy. I'll pass that along, so the person can make sure his settings are the same.

>> If you or anyone else could describe what encryption sounds like, I might be able to search the system and see.

Ron ... I think you, and others interested in digital communications, will enjoy this link:

http://www.kb9ukd.com/digital

The page offers a collection of clickable wave files of digital modes, starting with some modes common to HF / shortwave. Scroll down the page and you'll come to modes used for VHF / UHF conventional and trunked communications.


Jeff Multer
Fort Mill, S.C.

 

[randyK]

Jeff, this is probably a silly question, but does he have the digital card enabled?
Randy

 

[jeffmulter]

Not a silly question, although the answer might be embarrassing. I will forward that question.

I believe he was going to contact you directly, Randy, to ask about the audio settings.

Again, thank you for your help.


Jeff

 

[jeffmulter]

A quick check of the e-mail between myself and the 296 owner includes his mention of having the digital card "on."

Jeff