Virgin scanner with novice questions

[billtoo]

I recently started doing some disaster relief volunteer work and after a hurricane and a landslide bought myself a BC246T and installed both Scancat and ARC246 on my computer.

I've played with the scanner, software and Googled myself to death (hope I don't go blind) but I haven't found answers to many of my questions. So if anyone feels charitable (and knowledgeable) here are a few sticking points for me at the present.

***Be forewarned - adding to my knowledge will only generate more curiosity and more questions.***

Can someone explain why:

I hear Morse code from time to time.

I get a loud steady tone with one or more note (musical) changes. Appears to proceed certain select F.D. transmissions.

I have never heard anything using CloseCall. The scanner signals that a close call has been detected but hitting the "yes" button doesn't bring in anything and ARC246 virtual log does not note anything.

Only transmissions picked up are all FD frequencies from city 10+ miles away however CA highway patrol freq from the same city are never heard.

When local FD transmits I hear nothing however the scanner locks on to it and doesn't resume scanning until I hit the scan button. ARC246 virtual log does not note it.

I have never heard a peep from the town sheriff (multiple cars) although I did hear them the night they pounded on my door with automatic weapons at the ready and told me to evacuate.javascript:emoticon(':|')
Neutral (My next door neighbor is now in prison and his house sold.)

To get continuous uninterrupted scanning I have had to turn CloseCall off and lock-out local FD.

Any web site recommendations for term definitions [i.e. tone (tone lockout), VFO, etc] and general scanner education? Book recommendations.


Muchos gracias (if that's spelt wrong you can correct it also.)

 

[Dubbin]

***Be forewarned - adding to my knowledge will only generate more curiosity and more questions.***

:lol: LOL :lol:

 

[LarrySC]

246 should not be your first scanner. Even the scanner Guru's take a deep breath before they tackle this one. Locate your state forum on this site and see if there is someone near you that already has a 246. This would be the smartest thing you could do at this time. You may get a program that is already "bug free" and working as it should. Good Luck

 

[Tweekerbob]

1. You hear morse code because the radio systems you are listening to are programmed to send their FCC assigned callsign in morse code at specific intervals.

2. The tones you hear are what trigger FD pagers located on specific people or in specific fire stations. This alerts only the appropriate personnel to the call, not everyone else.

3. Under MENU, go to CLOSE CALL, and turn CC OVERIDE to "ON". This will interrupt any signal you were hearing and it will immediately listen to the FOUND frequency. Sometimes the transmissions are long enough to be FOUND, but still very short and you hear next to nothing. This is not uncommon. Go to a mall and set your scanner to CLOSE CALL ONLY mode and I'll bet you, you hear something.

4. Are you listening to the correct CHP frequencies?? Make sure you are listening to the "Base" frequencies for whatever color channel you are listening to. You will rarely hear transmissions on the "Mobile" frequencies from the cars, unless they are relatively close to. Something to try: Run from the cops, don't stop...you will hear CHP mobile frequencies loud and clear. Also, the "base" freqs. are transmitted from various mountain tops, even on the same freq. So for the same city, some transmissions will be loud and strong, others will be faint and weak.

5. Is your squelch set too low? Also possible there is a stuck mic? Is the volume turned up? I am not familiar with the 246 software.

6. Do you have 460.175 plugged in as the freq for SB sheriff? Make sure it's not locked out. I am not too familiar with SB county, maybe you aren't in a good spot to hear them?

Hope this helps.


Ryan
eldoscanner.servebeer.com

 

[billtoo]

I respectfully disagree, Larry

246 should not be your first scanner. Even the scanner Guru's take a deep breath before they tackle this one. Locate your state forum on this site and see if there is someone near you that already has a 246. This would be the smartest thing you could do at this time. You may get a program that is already "bug free" and working as it should. Good Luck

I wasn't looking for a scanner I could just turn on and never have to figure out or know how and why it works. I spent my working years as a computer programmer/analyst and am an avid photographer using a professional digital camera with all of its multi-layer menus. Knowing how the light in the refrigerator goes on and off is half the fun of being able to afford nice toys.

As to scanning I've started absorbing books and have a friend who has me studying the Tech Class Ham test book.

I guess I could sum things up by saying I'd rather have a scanner I will grow into than one that I would grow out of.

 

[whooey]

Re: I respectfully disagree, Larry

[/quote]I guess I could sum things up by saying I'd rather have a scanner I will grow into than one that I would grow out of.[/quote]

NO DOUBT!!! :lol:

 

[eyes00only]

Tweekerbob provided you some excellent info.

Jerry

 

[billtoo]

A very belated "thanks" tweakerbob

Actually I replied within a day or two but I don't see my message which makes me believe I hit the preview button and never the final post.

Sorry about that.

Your suggestions were very helpful albeit one of them was embarrasing. Yes, I did have the squelch up too high for one of the frequencies I was searching for. And I don't know which of the others did the trick but the sheriff showed up along with a fire department some five hundred miles away (on the bay in San Francisco and over the ocean which I live a few blocks from).

If you look at my other posting here you will see that I'm on my way to learning more and getting sucked into another expensive, toy buying, hobby.

Many thanks again for taking the time with your point by point reply.

 

[billtoo]

Thanks for the heads-up Jerry

Tweaker's comments were very helpful and I did thank him when he made them only I hit the preview button instead of the the "submit" button it appears. Your post here brought it to my attention.

 

[eyes00only]

Re: I respectfully disagree, Larry

I guess I could sum things up by saying I'd rather have a scanner I will grow into than one that I would grow out of.

That's a great way to get into the hobby! I have more fun setting up my scanners than I do listening to them. Next time I'm in your area, I'll have many questions, and if your ever in Colorado, please PM or E-MAIL me with any questions you have.

Jerry

 

[Joseph11]

[...]

2. The tones you hear are what trigger FD pagers located on specific people or in specific fire stations. This alerts only the appropriate personnel to the call, not everyone else.

[...]

Hope this helps.


Ryan
eldoscanner.servebeer.com

It could be MODAT also, that's what it sounds like he's telling us.