BC125AT: Where to start Was:Help

[Unionguy876]

I just bought a Uniden BC 125AT compact scanner so my wife and I could listen to local police and fire, how do I start scanning? Can someone help me with getting going or give me direction to get started, thank you.

 

[engine183]

The best way to provide you help is for you to be more specific with your location and what PD and or FD you are hoping to receive. The BC125 is somewhat limited. It will not work if the agency is transmitting digitally.

 

[tvengr]

What is your city, county, and state, and which agencies do you want to monitor?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the RR forums, Unionguy876. Please reply back with agency specifics so we can have a look at the database to see if your scanner is the right tool for the job. The BC125AT is an analog-only scanner with coverage only up to 512mhz so I'm hoping for your sake your local emergency services are analog with no encryption. Otherwise I hear it makes a superb aviation band receiver.

 

[tvengr]

Otherwise, I hear it makes a superb aviation band receiver.

As well as railroads and VHF marine band.

 

[Unionguy876]

The best way to provide you help is for you to be more specific with your location and what PD and or FD you are hoping to receive. The BC125 is somewhat limited. It will not work if the agency is transmitting digitally.

I live in Livonia MI (Wayne County) so at least my city, what would be a good scanner to get?

 

[wtp]

the 125 will not work.
in fact for your city nothing will work all PD is encrypted.
they are on
Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS)
Project 25 Phase II
APCO-25 Common Air Interface Exclusive

Wayne County (82) Livonia Public Safety​

7035

1b7b

DE

538P911

Police Dispatch

the DE mean P-25 phase 1 full time encryption.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

in fact for your city nothing will work all PD is encrypted.

Well I wouldn't say "nothing" will work. Fire appears to be "in the clear"

2914

b62

D

82F911

County Fire

Fire Dispatch

12747	31cb	D	82LFD1	Base 7 Fire Dispatch	Fire Dispatch
22345	5749	D	82LFD ER	Base 7 Fire Enroute	Fire Dispatch
12748	31cc	D	82LFD2	Base 7 Fireground 1	Fire-Tac

But for that the OP will need a P25 Phase-I capable receiver to bring them in:

APCO Project 25 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[wtp]

i forgot about the fire folks...

 

[Ronaldski]

125AT is not digital, cant get the 800 MHz frequencies and not a trunktracker IV or V scanner. Hopefully you just got it and able to return it.
Ive had a couple people here get these for Christmas and asked me about them and mentioned to return them as well.

Uniden model’s that are digital, prices lowest to highest:
996P2, 325P2, 436HP, Home Patrol2, 536HP, SDS 100, SDS 200.
The SDS models are expensive, but work flawlessly in counties as Wayne with multiple towers, called simulcast which can be an issue for reception on the non SDS' scanners depending on your location. Hopefully if your closer to one of the towers will be better.
Locations - Click the three FCC license links next to "FCC Licenses" Michigan's Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Site: Wayne County Simulcast

Current ones that won’t work, since they are not digital or a trunktracker-
365CRS, 355-all 355 model types, 125AT, BCT15X, BC75XLT, WS1010 and WS1025, All Baofeng’s

Go here https://www.radioreference.com/db/sid/100 then in your browser on computer, do a Find with CTRL-F and type in Livonia or go about 90% of the way down for Livonia listing. Wayne county starts ~80% of the way down.

Under MODE if it’s D or T it’s in the clear, De or Te sometimes clear, sometimes encrypted, DE or TE is always encrypted.