Uniden Scanner Help

[CalfirePhotographer]

have a Uniden BCD396T Digital Scanner that is acting up for some reason. After a normal dispatch or radio transmission the carrier stays open with no voice and won't scan. Then, within a few seconds, the channel is braodcasting radio traffic that has never been imputed to receive. For example, their will be a fire dispatch, then open carrier on that same channel. All of a sudden, their will be Sheriffs traffic from an entirely different part of the county that has never been programmed in. Once I hit scan it clears that traffic until the next dispatch or normal traffic is heard. It is very frustrating to have to monitor visually to make sure the carrier clears and scanning starts again. Can somebody please help with a suggestion?
Thanks

 

[ka3jjz]

It's a little hard to examine this without knowing precisely what frequency and for what system (or county, city, whatever) is involved, but from your description, it sounds like you have a frequency that's common to several different areas - are they differentiated by a PL tone? If so and you programmed that in along with the frequency, in most cases thereafter, all you will hear is that agency.

I say in most cases, because it is possible that another agency could sneak in while the correct one is still on the air. You would hear this as noise or garble; then when the correct one goes off the air, you could hear a second or two of the other agency. I've heard this a number of times in just this kind of situation. It depends on how fast the 396 re-detects the incoming signal and locks it down if the PL is wrong.

A better idea of the frequency, and where precisely this is happening is in order. Use the database (link is in the blue toolbar right under the site title), ad using the resulting pulldowns, supply the URL of the system in question

73 Mike

 

[CalfirePhotographer]

I have had this scanner for almost a year and have never had a problem. All of a sudden last week this started. And it doesnt matter what freq it is. I live in San Diego County. A channel could hit on any of my programmed channels and it happens on all. And it hits stuff that isnt even programmed or even close to the same agency. For example, my cities fire dept will dispatch. The carrier stays open. Then i will start hearing medical transmissions between medics and a hospital that I have never heard of on that dispatch channel. Of course then, I miss a call on another programmed freq.

 

[mke65]

Bcd396xt

I just recently purchased the newer version of this radio and man what a difference.

I know this is not helping you out but if you can afford it do yourself a favor and get the updated model.

I have owned the 396t and this rocks.

 

[SkipSanders]

If one of the trunking transmitters is 'hanging up' in transmit, the system users will never notice, but YOU, using a scanner, will be 'hung' on that channel till the carrier drops in many cases, and then hear whatever trunkgroups next use that frequency.

You need to look and see what actual frequency seems to be hanging in transmit (NOT which talk group), and perhaps listen to it in conventional mode to make sure that it's hanging up in transmit.

There is one option you can set that might help, in the System Options for the specific trunk system you're monitoring, where you can turn on response to 'end codes' that should, if the system is sending them properly, put your scanner back onto control channel at the end of transmission, even if the carrier stays up.

Set End Code (Motorola only) sets how the scanner handles the transmission end code sent by most Motorola systems.

Scroll to 'Set End Code' and press E/yes.

Scroll to one of three settings and press E/yes.

Analog- The scanner recognizes only analog end transmission codes.
Analog+Digital- The scanner recognizes both analog and digital end codes.
Ignore- The scanner waits for the carrier to drop before leaving a channel.

 

[Ablice]

I reckon he's monitoring a trunked frequency.

If you were not aware how a trunked system operates, you should figure that out before you go further. It might also help to know what you are interested in and your location so we can look you up in the RR database.

For instance, BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) has a trunked EDACs system. If you are interested in the yard detail, and picked 866.7625MHz for your frequency, then don't be surprised if you hear the BART Police or maintenance on the same freq.

Your scanner can monitor and trunktrack it, it just likely isn't programmed that way.

 

[CalfirePhotographer]

Thanks for all the info. I am just stumped as to why this started out of nowhere after a year of perfection. I live in San Marcos, CA. Yesterday as my local fire agency, on a trunked freq., dispatched the carrier stayed open with no voice. Almost instantly, I was hearing the Sherrifs Dept. from at least 40 miles away. Then all of sudden I will hear medical transmissions on patient between hospital and medics. Of course while all this is going on, I miss a call on another freq. I tried to find the "system options" but couldnt find that on the menu.

 

[JoeyC]

There is a stuck transmitter/open carrier on 858.2000. You need to make sure the scanner is detecting the END CODE as stated above. My scanners are set this way and am not experiencing the hang-up problem that you are.

What I do have a problem with is one (or more) of the RCS freqs is shared with the Riverside EDACS system, and occasionally the scanner will hang on that freq if the Riverside transmitter is up at the same time the RCS transmitter is on the same freq. Then I have to hit SCAN to get the scanner to move on.

 

[w6pea]

Thank You for the info.
I have been having a few problems with my BCD996T, I will try that.
I had mine hooked to an outside antenna in the top of the stairwell here in my condo (hate the HOA Nazi's) I unhooked it and went back to the stock antenna, seemed to receive better. I moved the scanner from one table to another receives even better.
SkipSanders I will also try what you said to do. I will let you folks know if they help. I am in somewhat of an RF Hole where I am located. I took the scanner with me in the RV a couple of months ago and it was like I had their transmitter right next to me.

 

[W6KRU]

To get to the system options menu: menu > program system> scroll to the system > yes> scroll to system options > scroll to end code> yes. i see the hung transmitter on 858.2 as well.

 

[CalfirePhotographer]

DDan, thanks for the help. I followed your above instructions and so far it has worked perfect.
Thanks again

 

[W6KRU]

DDan, thanks for the help. I followed your above instructions and so far it has worked perfect.
Thanks again

You're welcome. Glad to hear your scanner is working better.

 

[w6pea]

I tried what Skip Sanders and D Dan both said to do.
I did that about 2 or 3 hours ago.
Radio is working fine now and not hanging up.
Thanks much guys.
Also I am going to put my discone antenna out side and see if that helps. Then I will have to figure out how to get it up on my 2m/70cm mast.