Washington County BCD325P2 Programmer Needed

[csbelliston75]

Purchased a Uniden handheld BCD325P2 the other day and either I'm programming it wrong or the frequencies I'm using are out of date for Washington County... Anyone know who I can go to that can program this bad boy for me? Or perhaps has newer frequencies that I can try that arent deprecated?

 

[ka3jjz]

I don't know where you got your 'incorrect' information, but here's what we have in our database (links are in blue)

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=6451

Programming these scanners takes a lot of knob twerling- probably better to get an app to do it. FreeScan, ProScan and ARC-XT are the big 3. But before we go there, let's get the basics, and this article will help...

https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Program_your_DMA_Scanner

Mike

 

[letarotor]

I never bought the 325P2 but it's not likely going to be a frequency issue. I don't know if you have a paid RadioReference account or if Uniden even put out any software for that radio? But there's bound to be some free software I would think out there that would allow you to download straight from the RadioReference database if you have a paid account. And you may not even need a paid account to do it? Maybe somebody can tell you if FreeScan is still available and usable on that radio?

One thing to consider is that Uniden radios for years have required that you use the decimal point when putting the frequency in. They didn't use to require that in the older models of scanners. You may be doing this already? But any frequency from the past that would work in a scanner then will be programmable into a scanner now. I'm guessing that you're programming the frequencies looking at Radio Reference, right? If I had ever bought that radio I'm sure I could help but since I haven't I can't really recommend anything else. I can tell you that it should be pretty easy though and once you get it figured out you should never have a problem again. Have you looked in the manual to see how it tells you to program frequencies or trunk radio systems of various types in? And is this a trunk radio system? Hopefully somebody else here will be familiar with your radio and the area you are trying to program in. Sorry I couldn't be of more help but it should be a pretty easy process and the frequencies I'm confident we will not be the problem.

Brian (COMMSCAN)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[ka3jjz]

Here is the conventional side - tho there are several deprecated freqs, there's many there that aren't....

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=1209

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

I see numerous talkgroups on the trunk system that are marked DE - that means digital and encryption. Sorry but no scanner will get those.

Mike

 

[wtp]

csbelliston75

look for a personal message, up top at the welcome box.

 

[K4EET]

Hi csbelliston75,

First let me say Welcome to Radio Reference!

As for your Uniden BCD325P2 scanner, this manual may also be of some assistance:

Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual

Cheers! Dave

 

[csbelliston75]

Thank all of you for the help, greatly appreciate it. So after reading everything, I've programmed the frequencies that I'm interested in... got a very brief hit on one, and its been quiet ever since. I'm using the standard antenna that the unit came with, and signal strength is full, but blinking? Appreciate everyone being patient and giving me all this info, haven't used a scanner since the late 90's

 

[K4EET]

Hi csbelliston75,

It would help us if we knew what frequencies, etc. you are programming into your scanner. That would let us do some additional investigating... Thanks!

Cheers! Dave

 

[csbelliston75]

I input the frequencies in red, blue, and black from the link above from ka3jjz, and also input 33.86000 for fire dispatch. My location may be an issue since even cell phone signal is only 1 bar...

33.86000*
453.150
453.2875a
453.3125a
453.7625
460.075
460.1375
460.150
460.2125c
460.3875
453.2375a

 

[wtp]

csbelliston75

did you read my PM ?

 

[letarotor]

Thank all of you for the help, greatly appreciate it. So after reading everything, I've programmed the frequencies that I'm interested in... got a very brief hit on one, and its been quiet ever since. I'm using the standard antenna that the unit came with, and signal strength is full, but blinking? Appreciate everyone being patient and giving me all this info, haven't used a scanner since the late 90's

Have you checked your squelch level on the scanner to be sure that it's not set too high? To do that you press the function key at the top of the left side of the radio and then press down on the volume knob. You will see at the bottom of the screen what your squelch is set at and I recommend trying 2 or 3 if it is set any higher than that. This may or may not be the issue but it's definitely worth checking.

Brian (COMMSCAN)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[maus92]

The frequencies for the Washington County P25 radio system in the RRDB are correct, and you will be able to monitor the local government and fire service if your radio is programmed correctly. The police and sheriff's departments are encrypted and therefore unmonitorable.

I strongly suggest that you get somebody to help you program the radio. From your description, it doesn't sound like you have programmed the Washington County radio system properly since you do not mention talk groups. If you want to do it yourself, I suggest using Freescan (free software) to program your radio, as programming by hand is a complex and tedious procedure. Here is a link to the software:

Downloads - Sixspot Software

If you still want to program by hand, this video shows a very basic setup of a radio system similar to WashCo. The only frequency you need to program using this method would be the priamary control channel: 460.2125 (Ideally you would also want to program the 3 alternate control channels for the system, as control channels may change for various reasons.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq8-kis4WFM

Your scanner would then receive every non-encrypted talk group on the system

 

[freqhopping]

Get FreeScan.
Saved attached text file and remove .txt from file name.
Load .996 file in FreeScan and load into scanner.

 

[Linkero]

I'm in Washington Co. I also have the 325p2. Everything in the database is correct as far as I have tested. The signal flicking in and out is a mystery I'm still trying to solve. It happens to me on both the scanner, and my SDR. No clue why. I have an antenna I'm going to test in the coming weeks, but I doubt there will be a difference. If you need help programming it, just shoot me a message. I'm just north of Hagerstown.

One thing to note, the FD isn't too active. Most of the time, I only hear about a call an hour, sometimes more. There are some nearby systems you may be interested in. Mainly the surrounding counties in WV, VA, and PA. There was a bad accident with 1 fatality last week on 81 in PA and I heard every minute of it with the stock antenna. MSP is pretty active on MDFiRST. Those guys like to joke around so it's always a good listen.

Here's what I have on my 325p2, aside from washington co:
Franklin Co, PA - Fairly active. Strong signal. I only have the Mount Quirak site programmed in.
Adams Co, PA - East site gives me a good signal, West doesn't. Regardless they have their share of activity. Also a strong signal
Fredrick Co, MD - For me, it depends on the day. Some days it's strong, other days it's pretty weak. With 70 and 270, it can be pretty interesting with accidents.
MDFiRST - I have it limited to MSP, and it comes in quite good. The most activity I get from it is MSP Hagerstown and Westminster.
WVSIRN - I have it limited to Berkley, Morgan, and Jefferson Co. Pretty active and a nice clear signal

As said, I'll be glad to help you out programming it. Just shoot me a message sometime

 

[BM82557]

Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network (PA-STARNet) P25 - https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=9276

also has two sites active in Franklin County.