BCT 15 Assistance (newby-kinda)

This is the place to discuss generalized scanner questions and information for San Diego County. Whether it's radios, antennas, or other general scanner related topics, you can talk about it here.
Post Reply
Guajome
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:45 pm

BCT 15 Assistance (newby-kinda)

Post by Guajome »

I have been scanning since the days of the gray box and crystal hooked to the car radio, but always on conventional frequencies.

Now I am in an area (San Diego) that has trunked systems. I am using ScanControl with my BCT 15 and I am having difficulty picking up the truncked sites (ie. RCS). I have read and reread the primmer and two other essays, and...

This tells me I do not know what I am doing.

Would anyone like to deal with a newby of sorts?

Thanks,
[email protected]
Brian
Posts: 1455
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Post by Brian »

We need little more information from you. Just don't know where to start.

What RCS site do you want to program in. ?
Where are you stuck at in programming on the BC15. ?

If it's one of the main sites like Southzone or Northzone.

RCS Northzone = Sprinter (MOT>800MHz Splinter)
RCS Southzone = Standard (MOT>800MHz Standard)

San Diego, County of (RCS - Public Safety) System
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=499

Look at the RCS page from RadioReference.
In most cases, You only need the control channel's in RED and BLUE.

IF you look at the list. Any RCS analog talkgroups from 16 to 28528 can be hard on the BC15 scanner. all the other talkgroups is digital.
Guajome
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:45 pm

BCT 15 Assistance

Post by Guajome »

Thank you for responding Brian.

I figured out I cannot receive the digital talk groups. I need to go back and remove all but the red and blue control channels. I had previously removed the Imperial County sites.

I was attempting to receive from all zones in the RCS system. Since I am at the edge of Camp Pendleton, I did not really expect to hear East County or the South Zone until I was mobile in those zones.. Is that correct?

I am using ScanControl, so I have a PDF file of my current plan or programming.

RCS Public Safety is my primary interest, and within that primarily fire and forestry.

I also need to replace my antenna with one that will be more compatible for the trunked frequencies. My old high and low band antenna may be a part of my problem.

I appreciate your assistance.
Brian
Posts: 1455
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Post by Brian »

Just scan the 800MHz band to see what trunked sites you can pick up from your location.
You might be able to pick up Orange County trunked system for the fire talkgroups only on that system.

Some scanner user can pick up all 4 RCS zones from their location.

for a 800Mhz Antenna. You could keep your eye out for a 800Mhz yagi antenna.

P.S Since you live near Camp Pendlton. This should have some traffic on it.
138.6000 CTCSS 167.9 Camp Pendleton FD

(The main CP fire radio traffic is on the 380MHz P25 digital trunked system)
Post Reply