NCtimes reporter requesting uniden BC246T scanner help!!!

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.
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sgordon
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:05 pm

NCtimes reporter requesting uniden BC246T scanner help!!!

Post by sgordon »

Hi all,

I thought I could program the thing myself. All I did was erase the preprogrammed settings. I used the demo software to add the channels (motorola talkgroups) I wanted. (I just want the law enforcement and fire dispatch for the north county). I don't know if my system settings are right. In truth, I have no idea how this thing works, even though I read the manual and the fourms here and tried my best.

Is there anyone who would be willing to give me a call and walk me through this?

Thanks so much.

Sarah Gordon
[email protected]
Brian
Posts: 1454
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Post by Brian »

First 246T isn't a digital scanner.

It's a good scanner for fire stuff & those mutual aid talkgroups like Law North Command/Tacs.

All north county law enforcement dispatch is now digital and needs a digital scanner.

About the only non digital dispatch is San Diego police you can hear on 246T

Look at this page for 246T links.
You should try this software. BcTool or FreeScan. (FREE)
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BC246T

Easier to Read BC246T Manual
http://myweb.cableone.net/marksscanners/246/246.html
sgordon
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:05 pm

246T limitations

Post by sgordon »

Thanks for your help. So our old scanners are some heavy duty motorola radios. They get all the sheriff's dispatch we are interested in (encinitas, vista, san marcos etc.) as well as the North Com dispatch. Are you saying that I will not be able to get these on this uniden scanner? I will let my editor know if that is so. Thanks!
Brian
Posts: 1454
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 8:54 pm

Post by Brian »

The only thing you can pick up on 246T is NorthCom Dispatch since they are analog still. and any other analog talkgroups.

The only uniden scanners that can pick up the sheriff dispatch/digital talkgroups. is 396T or the newer version 396XT coming out in January,2009

BCD396T - Handheld
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD396T

BCD396XT - Handheld - will be release in 2009
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD396XT

BCD996T - Base/Mobile Scanners
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BCD996T

To make it easy to understand. Look on this list.
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/? ... all_tg#tgs

Any talkgroups from 16 to 28528 is all analog talkgroups. ( your 246T scanner)
talkgroups from 28816 to 46176 are digital. (needs a digital scanner)

Look at the 'MODE' on the list A = Analog & D = Digital

San Diego, County of (RCS - Public Safety) System.
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=499
JoeyC
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:02 pm

Post by JoeyC »

Brian wrote:The only uniden scanners that can pick up the sheriff dispatch/digital talkgroups. is 396T or the newer version 396XT coming out in January,2009
These are not the only scanners you can use for the digital stuff, there are the older 796D, 785D 250D and 296D as well as the GRE line. The 785 and 250 being first generation digital scanners will not work for trunking once the area is rebanded however.
User avatar
mike
Posts: 647
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:34 am

Post by mike »

The Radioshack PRO-96 is a pretty good too.
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