InterceptRadio.com Forums

Hey gang, I'm hoping you guys can help me out... because I'm about to pull out the little remaining hair I have. I've entered "trunking mode" and added the attached freq's in order. All are in there correctly (checked more times then I want to admit) and I've added the specific groups I want. When I first turn on the scanner it goes through its initial trunk search, then start scanning in the trunk group (all in the same bank). I've set the squelch per the manual (and tried every other position) and it scans away. It hits on the 4 digit channels and stops there like there is activity, and there is as confirmed by an actual police radio. However I don't hear anything 98% of the time. The other 1% I get either some cracks and pops, the other 1% is a totally clear transmission. Once that channel is clear of traffic it goes on scanning until another sub channel gets activity, but then again, there is no audio.

I've been at this for a few weeks now and I've searched all over trying to find some weird issue as I've checked all the basic settings. ie, making sure I've setup the right trunking type, freq numbers and order, the "hold down svc button" and so on.

The only thing I found that might be my problem is Cellular interference, however I've driven around to remote areas and still have the same issue.. so I don't think that's it. I've also tried with a full charge, even leaving it plugged in. I'm at a total loss... I'd hate to think there is something wrong with the scanner as its in perfect condition and I really don't want to have to buy a new one. The only other thing I can think of is that the trunking Freq's have changed?

Any ideas??

Here's the trunk group I have programed (the only things I have programed in the scanner after a "soft reset")

866.2625 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
867.4125 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
867.200 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
867.175 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
868.3375 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST) (CONTROL CHANNEL)
866.825 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
866.800 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
866.775 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST)
867.9375 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (WEST SIMULCAST) (SECONDARY CONTROL CHANNEL)
868.3625 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)
868.3875 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)
868.5875 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)
868.6125 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)
868.750 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)
868.925 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)
867.675 SNOHOMISH COUNTY (EAST SIMULCAST)


1648 SOUTH SO-SOUTH - Sno Co Sheriff South dispatch
1680 EAST SO-EAST - Sno Co Sheriff East dispatch
1712 NORTH SO-NORTH - Sno Co Sheriff North dispatch
4816 1 SC-POLICE 1 - Snocom PD dispatch - All cities
4848 TAC 1 SC-TAC 1 - Snocom PD car-car
4880 2 SC-POLICE 2 - Snocom PD - Lynnwood

Have you tried it with status bits set to off and set to on to see if it does the same thing either way. This may be your issue if they are patching groups together.

Sorry I forgot to add that to my list of things I've tried. Same result in both on and off mode. Thanks for the reply though... this is driving me crazy.

Any recommendations on a store I could take it too and show someone that knows to see what they think? (not radio shack!) I really want to make sure the scanner is broken before I buy a new one.

you try loading up someone else's programming? See if you got some setting wrong.

_________________
If I had an antenna, I would; but I can only transmit on 160 meters.
_____
DE K7MHI

I had the same issue with Snohomish county. My BC 780 will not track them. Neither will my Pro-97's(both) I gave up trying to listen to Sno county. Its a mute point as far as I'm concerned. I use to live right next to Sno county line as well. Now I'm fuyrther south in King Co. and still get nothing....Its a very weird system apparently.

If someone has a 245xlt that's working with Sno county I'd LOVE to clone it! I really hope there isn't something weird with their trunking system as its the only thing I want to listen too.

Can some of you others try to trunk that system and see if your getting the same issue? If I can find a handheld scanner that works, I'll buy it!

Thanks again for all the replies! You guys seam like a good bunch.

I bought a Pro-97 from someone in Yakima and he had Sno Co programmed in. I just turned that bank on and listened to what sounds like a couple PDs in SnoCo. The control channels that I could pick up showed System ID 7F32 which matches. It probably wouldn't help much but I could send you a .p97 file and you could download Win97 and see the settings.

Can't speak for the 245, but I've been scanning the Sno County System with my BC235 and BC250 for years with no problems. I have Phase 1 and Phase 2 in separate banks.

Have you tried to put the west and east simulcast frequencies into separate banks? Perhaps having frequencies from both simulcast systems in one bank is confusing the radio?

Brad/N7JGX
Whidbey Island, WA

_________________
Whatever.....

After reprogramming a few more times I went to RC to see if a different antenna would help... it didn't. however I programed a Pro 97 to see if it worked with what I had programmed in my scanner... and it did. So to save the little sanity I have left.. I bought it.

Thanks so much for all the help and suggestions, and if you know of someone that wants to buy a perfectly good scanner that can't trunk Sno County, let me know ;)

Cheers!