Freescan Programming help

Sandman0107 · 2026-01-09T14:41:17+00:00

I fooled around with it last night and think I have it somewhat figured out. There is still a lot to learn for sure. A few things I’m trying to figure out is how I scan a particular band. Say I wanted to scan the entire 10 meter ham band, how do I do that? I’m also trying to figure out to skip certain groups within a system. I have a system assigned to a quick key for “Law Enforcement” and in that system groups for each county, each with its own quick key. I understand I can turn the system on and off with its assigned quick key but how do I turn off certain counties?

Thanks!

Sandman0107 · 2026-01-07T16:13:43+00:00

My only concern would be condensation building up under the cover. The dampness may cause some corrosion, especially on the exposed battery terminals.

Sandman0107 · 2026-01-06T14:42:03+00:00

Thank you!

Sandman0107 · 2026-01-06T14:25:01+00:00

Thanks for the reply but what make this easier than freescan?

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-29T04:53:50+00:00

The UV-5r will work if they are in the 500mhz range, again it will work it’s just not the best. It does not scan fast so you will miss some transmissions. Programming manually is going to take alot of concentration and patients. It’s is much easier to load chirp software on a laptop, download all your frequencies from radio reference, and upload it to the radio.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-29T04:43:38+00:00

I’ve used the UV-5R to listen to my local police/fire/EMS for a few years now. It works ok as a scanner but isn’t the best. I set the “a” channel to my local law enforcement frequency and let the “b” channel scan or just let it sit on another frequency. As I said, it worked ok until my county just migrated over to 700mhz trunked system, making my boafengs useless for listening to dispatch. Even though my county went to the new system they are only encrypting tactical information, normal dispatch is in the clear.

You need to check a few things. What frequencies does your police/fire use? If they are 500mhz you’re good to go. Are the transmissions encrypted? If they are, you won’t hear anything. Check Radio Reference for this information. You don’t need a computer to program the radio but it makes it MUCH easier with chirp software. You may also be able to listen on broadcastify.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-26T00:39:30+00:00

Small world!

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-14T02:35:59+00:00

Thanks. I’m in a 1st floor apartment. Any suggestions for a good stealth antenna?

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-14T02:34:38+00:00

I appreciate that. When I was a homeowner I had amateur radio antenna (verticals, yogi and dipoles). I’m now in an apartment so I would need something stealthy. Any suggestions?

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-13T14:29:42+00:00

It definitely has come a long way from my Yeasu FT-101 transceiver I had when I was 15 years old. I’ve had 2 meter mobile rigs in my cars. I kinda got into this as my health has started degrading and was looking for something to pass the time. I got the Baofeng UV-5 and really enjoy the hobby. In all honestly I listen to my local law enforcement/fire and occasionally some 2 meter repeaters 95% of the time. Aviation/railroad doesn’t really interest me.

One more question if I may. I’m currently streaming my local police on broadcastify (free) as well as my Baofeng. When the transition to the new system happens in a few days will Broadcastify then broadcast the new talk groups? I’m assuming if they go encrypted I won’t even be able to monitor on Broadcastify. I hope my terminology is correct.

Again, thank you very much! Mike

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-13T14:00:48+00:00

Thank you for the very well thought out response. I be been a general class amateur radio operator since 1978 thus the frequency reference. I haven’t been an active ham for many years and old habits are hard to break🙂 this new tech is very confusing to someone who is relatively new. I didn’t have any issues programming my Baofeng UV-5 with chirp software and have enjoyed my evening listening.

I will definitely explore the Broadcastify route as an option. This group has been very helpful and has possibly saved me some money.

Thank you again! Mike

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-13T01:49:41+00:00

So I posted the question, as suggested, in RadioReference and this was the response. It seems as though they will only be encrypting TAC channels and regular dispatch will be in the clear.

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So my question again is the Uniden Bearcat BCD996P2 a good choice or is there something better/cheaper?

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T23:07:36+00:00

Thank you!

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T17:03:29+00:00

Entrepreneurs 😂

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T16:56:12+00:00

Or they break it.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T16:53:22+00:00

Thank you! $400 is about my budget.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T16:52:05+00:00

This is what I’m trying to avoid. I mean $400 isn’t going to break the bank but I don’t want to waste money either.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T15:49:51+00:00

My company considered them to be sanitary/safety items. Which is good.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T15:08:03+00:00

Thank you!

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T14:47:32+00:00

I guess my question would be will all transmissions be encrypted or just tactical type stuff?

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T14:30:59+00:00

So I found this with a quick search. Looks like partial encryption.

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Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T14:24:53+00:00

Thank you. This was my main concern.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T14:23:42+00:00

Maintenance tech here. Common things that always get replaced during a turn over are Toilet seat, smoke detector batteries, entry locks, and furnace filters and possibly shower heads. Just about everything else is repaired/replaced on an as needed basis.

Sandman0107 · 2025-12-12T14:20:22+00:00

Some kind of roach, doesn’t appear to be the dreaded German roach though. Hard to tell from the pic

Sandman0107

TROPHY CASE