Why won't my scanner pick up one fire channel?

[stevetimko]

I bought a Radio Shack Pro-163 scanner. It generally works fine. I bought it from Radio Shack specifically so they would program the channels for me.
RadioShack PRO-163 1000-Channel Triple Trunking Scanner : Trunking Scanners | RadioShack.com

For some reason, though, it won't pick up Washoe County, Nevada, gold frequency fire calls. Since this is a trunking scanner and I have all known frequencies programmed into it, this doesn't make sense. I'm guessing I don't understand something here.

If you read some of the reviews, they note this is a tough scanner to program. I have tried to manually add other channels with no luck.

I'm thinking I some how locked out the gold frequency. Anyone able to help me? Thanks in advance for any help.

Here are the Washoe County frequencies
Washoe County, Nevada (NV) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

 

[KB7MIB]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux i686; U; en-US) Gecko/20081217 Vision-Browser/8.1 301x200 LG VN530)

So you're trying to pick up 158.8800, the Fire Gold rebroadcast in Reno? Are you within range of the transmitter? Is it still actively used as listed, or has it been retired from use?

 

[bama9999]

To Unlock IDs in a bank:

1. In Manual mode select any channel of the bank you want to view the locked out IDs in by entering the bank number and channel number (Ex: 001) then press MAN to advance to the channel.

2. Press PGM then TRUNK to put the scanner in program and trunk modes. You will see the ID list.

3. Press FUNC then L/OUT (each time) to view the locked IDs. Press L/OUT to unlock the ID. The next locked out ID will appear.

4. Press MAN to exit programming.

 

[stevetimko]

Again, I could be wrong, but as a trunked channel, Gold isn't a specific frequency. At least, that's how I understand it. I'm almost in downtown Reno, so I'm close. I hear fire calls, the dispatcher says they are transferring them to gold and they drop off my scanner.
I have looked for locked out frequencies and haven't found any.

 

[737mech]

You have the Washoe County EDACS system programmed in right? From here Washoe County Trunking System, Washoe County, Nevada - Scanner Frequencies I would check to make sure that is programmed correctly for a rebanded edacs trunk system.

 

[N8IAA]

Again, I could be wrong, but as a trunked channel, Gold isn't a specific frequency. At least, that's how I understand it. I'm almost in downtown Reno, so I'm close. I hear fire calls, the dispatcher says they are transferring them to gold and they drop off my scanner.
I have looked for locked out frequencies and haven't found any.

Maybe they aren't simulcasting to the VHF frequency anymore. If you have the EDACS trunked system in the scanner, make sure you followed the instructions on programming an EDACS system into your scanner. Otherwise, you won't receive the TGID's. If you programmed it as conventional frequencies, you won't be able to follow the TGID's as they go from frequency to frequency. How are you programming the scanner, by hand, or with software?
Larry

 

[bama9999]

I think he's talking about trying to get it on the trunked system, and not on the conventional frequency simulcast. However, if he IS talking about trying to get it on the conventional simulcast, it could be that he is getting too strong of a signal and it won't stop on it while scanning. My Pro-197 does this on my local Sheriff's frequency when I'm using my outside discone antenna, unless I attenuate it.

 

[bama9999]

One other thing... do you have that trunked system set in open or closed mode? If it's in closed mode, it's possible they've assigned a new talkgroup for Gold and no longer use the old one, thereby keeping you from hearing it.

 

[KF7RAY]

RFD Gold talkgroup has not changed, I have heard plenty of traffic on it lately. Are you using the conventional FREQUENCY or the EDACS system/talkgroups?