Uniden BCD 996xt no good in Park City!
- Thread starter KSPILOT536
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Yes and Yes
I will try close call..have not tried that one yet.
The scanner does have all of the simulcast freqs loaded..I checked that.
Freescan loaded everything
fp5930
Member
Uniden BCD996XT No Good In Park City
I live about one mile west of KSPILOT536 and I experience the same problem he is having with the simulcast reception of local police, sheriff, fire and EMS communications. Once I drive a couple of miles south of where I live I begin receiving traffic. I have also tried paper clips, 8-10 different antennas, different settings on my hand helds (Pro 106 and BCD396XT) but with no success. I am holding out hope the folks who manage the system will continue to make adjustments which will improve the reception in our area but other than that it seems hopeless.
I live about one mile west of KSPILOT536 and I experience the same problem he is having with the simulcast reception of local police, sheriff, fire and EMS communications. Once I drive a couple of miles south of where I live I begin receiving traffic. I have also tried paper clips, 8-10 different antennas, different settings on my hand helds (Pro 106 and BCD396XT) but with no success. I am holding out hope the folks who manage the system will continue to make adjustments which will improve the reception in our area but other than that it seems hopeless.
I_am_Alpha1
Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2014
- Messages
- 264
I live just south of Wichita and own a 396T, HP-1, 436, and a 536. I also program a 996xt for one of the control centers at McConnell and used to own a 996t. I also have a ham license and run 5 radios for that (simulcast and error rate was on the test). Most of the post above are pure garbage--don't listen to them (except for ofd8001's explanation of simulcast which was remarkable and much appreciated). They may work for some people, but they have different systems than you do--they are not the same.
You and fp5930, like many others, are stressed about the $$ you spent and it's not working--been there. There is NO scanner on the market that works well with simulcast systems--explained by ofd8001. But you can expect fair to good. Judging by your location, you should be able to get good to very good, but don't expect perfect because it can't be done.
Simulcast and programming are your issues. DON'T change your settings--it will only make it worse. Go with the standard decode automatic settings (auto and 8). Like I said before, DITCH freescan--it's **** and doesn't program the radios correctly--use ARC PRO. Then watch the error rates--look up in the manual how to display that--lower is better and it should improve over time (don't turn the radio off, just turn down the volume).
My 436 and 536 sit next to each other--there is no rhyme or reason, but sometimes one will receive and the other won't--then vice versa. Sometime both won't work, sometimes both will. The HP-1 is worse--but what confuses me is that the Derby PIC channel comes in on my HP-1, but not the 436 or 536 (the only talk group that does that). I did dumb down the antenna on the 536 to a rubber ducky on a 90 degree adapter--seemed to help.
You have to program it correctly--all the frequencies have to be programmed (there are 20 of them), not just control channels since a P25 phase 1 system can and does change control frequencies to any and all, not just the ones that say control. Use WIDE FM--NFM makes it worse. Use the standard decode with automatic and 8--the radio will learn after some time and get a little better (thus the automatic). I've tried all the other settings and auto 8 is the best for now.
I got some news for you--Butler County is a simulcast system, the State system is simulcast too, and the Highway Patrol uses the Sedgwick County simulcast system--same one as Wichita PD. So it may be a programming issue.
I sent you a file for the 996XT for Sedgwick County--try it.
You can also take it to the Derby Radio Shack and they will program it for you for a few $$--or buy me lunch. In the mean time, double and triple check your programming. Lower the antenna (which is better for UHF anyway) and try different locations in the house (my living room works best, office not so much since it's closer to multiple towers). Try to place it where it will see only one tower (i.e., not next to a window, more house blocking the towers west and south of you.
They are still tweaking the system--even after 10 months, but it is fully operational and covers the entire county and most of the surrounding counties. My 396t is in my car and works fairly well--I hear plenty when I'm at Hartman Arena or the Pavilions.
PM me if you want me to program it for you using ARC--won't cost you anything and you said you work on the side so it's not to far out of your way. Will only take a few minutes and is not permanent.
You and fp5930, like many others, are stressed about the $$ you spent and it's not working--been there. There is NO scanner on the market that works well with simulcast systems--explained by ofd8001. But you can expect fair to good. Judging by your location, you should be able to get good to very good, but don't expect perfect because it can't be done.
Simulcast and programming are your issues. DON'T change your settings--it will only make it worse. Go with the standard decode automatic settings (auto and 8). Like I said before, DITCH freescan--it's **** and doesn't program the radios correctly--use ARC PRO. Then watch the error rates--look up in the manual how to display that--lower is better and it should improve over time (don't turn the radio off, just turn down the volume).
My 436 and 536 sit next to each other--there is no rhyme or reason, but sometimes one will receive and the other won't--then vice versa. Sometime both won't work, sometimes both will. The HP-1 is worse--but what confuses me is that the Derby PIC channel comes in on my HP-1, but not the 436 or 536 (the only talk group that does that). I did dumb down the antenna on the 536 to a rubber ducky on a 90 degree adapter--seemed to help.
You have to program it correctly--all the frequencies have to be programmed (there are 20 of them), not just control channels since a P25 phase 1 system can and does change control frequencies to any and all, not just the ones that say control. Use WIDE FM--NFM makes it worse. Use the standard decode with automatic and 8--the radio will learn after some time and get a little better (thus the automatic). I've tried all the other settings and auto 8 is the best for now.
I got some news for you--Butler County is a simulcast system, the State system is simulcast too, and the Highway Patrol uses the Sedgwick County simulcast system--same one as Wichita PD. So it may be a programming issue.
I sent you a file for the 996XT for Sedgwick County--try it.
You can also take it to the Derby Radio Shack and they will program it for you for a few $$--or buy me lunch. In the mean time, double and triple check your programming. Lower the antenna (which is better for UHF anyway) and try different locations in the house (my living room works best, office not so much since it's closer to multiple towers). Try to place it where it will see only one tower (i.e., not next to a window, more house blocking the towers west and south of you.
They are still tweaking the system--even after 10 months, but it is fully operational and covers the entire county and most of the surrounding counties. My 396t is in my car and works fairly well--I hear plenty when I'm at Hartman Arena or the Pavilions.
PM me if you want me to program it for you using ARC--won't cost you anything and you said you work on the side so it's not to far out of your way. Will only take a few minutes and is not permanent.
"I got some news for you--Butler County is a simulcast system, the State system is simulcast too, and the Highway Patrol uses the Sedgwick County simulcast system--same one as Wichita PD. So it may be a programming issue."
Alpha 1,If the HP is on the same simulcast as WPD,why do I get a lot of crisp,clean calls on HP and WPD and Fire have half the calls and some cut out or not received,KHP works 100%.
I know I am not getting all the calls on the WPD or Fire site,because last night should have been continuous action on the WPD but it was not..HP had call after call.
When the airport tragedy was going on,fire and police calls were almost non existant..the scanner should have been on fire with calls.
Don't get me wrong..I get calls on the WPD and Fire freq. some clear and others not so clear but I know from experience that I should be getting much more action on these freq.
The scanner is working better than other times but far from perfect on the WPD simulcast.
By the way..I did not get the file from you for sedgwick co.?
Alpha 1,If the HP is on the same simulcast as WPD,why do I get a lot of crisp,clean calls on HP and WPD and Fire have half the calls and some cut out or not received,KHP works 100%.
I know I am not getting all the calls on the WPD or Fire site,because last night should have been continuous action on the WPD but it was not..HP had call after call.
When the airport tragedy was going on,fire and police calls were almost non existant..the scanner should have been on fire with calls.
Don't get me wrong..I get calls on the WPD and Fire freq. some clear and others not so clear but I know from experience that I should be getting much more action on these freq.
The scanner is working better than other times but far from perfect on the WPD simulcast.
By the way..I did not get the file from you for sedgwick co.?
I_am_Alpha1
Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2014
- Messages
- 264
Unfortunately, that is the simulcast problem that most people are having across the country. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's a paperweight. You just have to stick with it and try different antennas and locations--remember "less is more" with simulcast--meaning dumb down the antenna and block the signal. I do recommend leaving the standard "auto" setting because the scanner will learn and the decode will improve with time. Sometimes they don't use all 10 transmitters--thus your reception will change depending on which ones are in service. I've had problems with freescan in the past--it doesn't direct the scanner to the correct frequency for trunking. I don't know if they fixed it or not--I just switched to ARC XT Pro.
What a difference a day makes.
I left the scanner on most of the day yesterday and all night last night and I do not know if its the atmosphere or what but I am getting a lot more WPD and Fire calls now and they are nice and clear.
I hope this keeps up!
As long as the criminals are restless..the scanner will be going strong!
I left the scanner on most of the day yesterday and all night last night and I do not know if its the atmosphere or what but I am getting a lot more WPD and Fire calls now and they are nice and clear.
I hope this keeps up!
As long as the criminals are restless..the scanner will be going strong!
I also live in Park City. I just bought a 396XT this week, programed it with ARC-XT and have the same problem. I'm on the south side of Park City. If I drive a mile to the south, I get great Wichita PD coverage, but nothing when I get back north of 53rd. HP comes in great, but nothing from Wichita or Sedgwick County. I am running the stock antenna. I will be monitoring this thread, as I am a newbie also looking for answers.
Yes!
Its a weird deal,I do not know how PC and Valley Center COPs use their radios because they are on the simulcast also!
I called the Chief of police to see how it works for them but he never returned my call.
I have a Yagi antenna on the way, its my last resort,if that doesn't work,nothing else will.
If you are asking whether the system users experience the same problem you do - no reception or poor reception, I'd say the answer is no.
The fire department I retired from uses a similar simulcast radio system. In my fire department vehicle I had a 996XT scanner, the mobile version of the 396XT. In many places I would be hearing radio traffic on the Motorola radio, but the scanner would be deaf or the reception was garbled.
The radios we used and I'm sure the ones your local PD is using cost $2,500 where a scanner is around $500. The more expensive radios probably have different decoding "stuff" in them, which overcome the simulcast distortion.
I believe the newer Uniden scanners (x36) use a different digital decoding technology (AMBE +2), than the x96 scanners. There has been significant simulcast distortion improvement direported with these new models. When I first got my 536, I took it to those places I was having issues and there was a significant improvement. I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, however.
The fire department I retired from uses a similar simulcast radio system. In my fire department vehicle I had a 996XT scanner, the mobile version of the 396XT. In many places I would be hearing radio traffic on the Motorola radio, but the scanner would be deaf or the reception was garbled.
The radios we used and I'm sure the ones your local PD is using cost $2,500 where a scanner is around $500. The more expensive radios probably have different decoding "stuff" in them, which overcome the simulcast distortion.
I believe the newer Uniden scanners (x36) use a different digital decoding technology (AMBE +2), than the x96 scanners. There has been significant simulcast distortion improvement direported with these new models. When I first got my 536, I took it to those places I was having issues and there was a significant improvement. I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, however.
It is not a decoding error or anything like that because when I get just a few miles south signals are crystal clear,its a weak signal issue.I can go all over the city of wichita and hear the police just fine but go north of 53rd street which is about 3 miles from downtown and signal begins to cut out.It can not be interference with cell towers either because there are cell towers everywhere in Wichita and it does not bother the signal as long as you are in the Wichita proper area.
Any luck with the Yagi KSPILOT? I've tried two other antennas with the same poor results.
Read my latest post,I bought a Yagi and YES its works fantastic,I tried everything and the yagi was my last resort,luckely it works good!
fp5930
Member
Uniden BCD 996XT No Good in Park City
After hearing the success KSPILOT536 has with a Yagi antenna I ordered one from the website he provided. Expected delivery date will be in the next couple of weeks, as I believe it comes from China. I also live north of 53rd Street and experience the same problems he had so I hope the Yagi gives me similar positive results. I'm anxious to get the antenna here to see what happens.
After hearing the success KSPILOT536 has with a Yagi antenna I ordered one from the website he provided. Expected delivery date will be in the next couple of weeks, as I believe it comes from China. I also live north of 53rd Street and experience the same problems he had so I hope the Yagi gives me similar positive results. I'm anxious to get the antenna here to see what happens.
Park city
I tried everything when I lived in Park city but nothing it seems north of mile marker 12 no signal
I tried everything when I lived in Park city but nothing it seems north of mile marker 12 no signal
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