From: "David M. McCormick" Save Address Block Sender To: Subject: [TRUNKCOM]: BC-235, BC-895, Pro-90 Peculiarities: Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 23:14:35 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.71.1008.3 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE Engine V4.71.1008.3 Sender: owner-trunkcom@phoenix.grove.net Precedence: bulk Reply-To: "David M. McCormick" Greetings to all, Just a few thoughts about the Trunktrackers I would like to share. On the BC235 & BC895, Depress the following buttons wile turning on radio: 2,9, and Manual. This produces "Uniden" message on display for aprox. 8 seconds and CLEARS ALL RADIO MEMORY. On the BC895, Change the RS-232 baud rate by holding in the "ALRT-RMT" button while turning the BC-895XLT on. The display shows the current setting (default is 9600bps) and can be changed by either pushing "HOLD" or "LIMIT" buttons and then "E" to enter your choice of 2400, 4800, 9600 bps. Put the radio into conventional scanning mode(not Trunktracking), push the "ALRT-RMT" button until you hear two beeps and RMT is displayed on the screen to the right of the frequency. software can now connect with the radio. Pinout for the socket at the radio using "Scanner master 895" software is: Pin 1 Receive from computer Pin 2 not used Pin 3 Ground to Chassis Pin 4 Transmit to computer Pin 5 not used other software may use pins 2 and 5. On the Pro-90, Depress the following buttons wile turning on radio: 2,9, and Manual. This produces "Clear" message on display for aprox. 8 seconds and clears all memory contents. I replaced my Pro-64 with the 90 because I originally wanted to use the computer frequency download option that only now has materialized from Scancat and word from Bill Cheek, but still not from Radio Shack engineering department! So I guess that they won't be doing it for the new base? Better radio in my opinion anyway! received a birthday discount card from RadioShack to use as well, so no paper money changed hands this time. Only difference in the 90 that I have found from the 235 other than the display "christal" and nice tactile keypad and control knobs with painted white lines that you can see. No worry on replacement antenna if needed (too early to tell and I won't be using it much ;-} ), service plan available for small nominal fee. Owner's Manual is well laid out, my only gripe is that the picture for the Trunktracking squelch setting is upside-down. Squelch would be 180 degrees from where it needs to be if you could turn it that far, one direction or the other. I don't know if this makes too much difference, the instructions also mention that squelch setting for the Trunking mode is automatic. Also a references for a web page www.trunkscanner.com is not available as of yet. Or do they mean www.trunktracker.com? Came with the NPS Trunked system frequency guide also. Only one battery, same Sanyo BP-180 4.5v, 800 MAh ($40.00+ to get replacement) with same adapter w/RadioShack label and no need for outside charger, due to only one battery. Soft Leather case available not the same as the Bearcat LC120, has leather-clad belt clip like Cellphone case (cat no. 20-062). The S/N is 75008xxx does that mean that the 235 ends at 75007999 ?? On all Trunktracker radios, 2,9, and 0 Display Test of all LCD's. Also press any key and the test frequencies are loaded. 2,9, and Scan. This produces "-Load-" message on display for aprox.1 second and loads test frequencies into channels 1 to 19. 2,9, and "."<= decimal puts an "H" on the display; press delay and the display changes to "L" anyone know what this is?? 2,9, and E produces "-Load-" again for 8 aprox. 8 seconds, loading 144.000 in channel 1 to 149.980 in channel 300. 2,9, and Delay puts radio into a Hex Display starting from 000 0f to fff 36 again any ideas?? 2,9, and Service displays the trunk symbol and "Ct - - - - - " ?!? Looks interesting! Press the Manual button and keep it pressed, the unit will begin going a channel up in the bank that you are in and all of the banks in order. The up and down buttons (limit and hold) also work this function. When entering frequencies into the radios, it is not necessary to enter the decimal in the frequency unless you are entering a frequency between 29 to 54 MHz, (Like 50.000 MHz.) in manual mode or limit search. Notes on day to day Trunktracking: I am using an Optoelectronics RD800 antenna for handheld mobile with excellent results, I also have the Condor but, I like the RD800 for it's clear receive, a BNC cover, and that it looks like part of the radio when attached. Plus no lossy BNC adapters to Motorola SMA antennas. A RadioShack replacement Cellphone ant w/9 db gain (no longer available :-/ )currently on my 895. RadioShack adjustable (Cat no. 17-317) Cellphone antennas, nice to lay the 235 on it's back for horizontal operation. I use a Discone antenna for Dx Trunktracking no problem here with a 3 to 5 signal on the 895. I think the best Case must be the one from Scanner World CC015 in a word-rugged! Have been Using Trunker 3.42 with a 100 MHz Pentium laptop in dos, driving an AR8000 in trunk mode from a Optolinx and Realistic Pro-2005 for the data signal. Note: If you use the newer Optolinx, it only has two dip switches in place of the four that is mentioned in the Trunker FAQ. Set switch zero up and switch one down for AR8000 Trunking. I am monitoring type a IIi local public service system and type II state systems locally and still trying to determine the @#$%^ type one sizecode (I think its S-8?!?) not too much business SMR activity yet. Gee this Trunktracking is fun! {;-> Happy Trunktracking to all! Dave K9DV ---- This is the trunkcom mailing list. Trunkcom is devoted to monitoring trunked communications. To post to the list, send an email to : trunkcom@grove.net To unsubscribe the list, send an email to: majordomo@grove.net with only "unsubscribe trunkcom" in the BODY of the email. ----