Uniden BC250D User Manual

5 (1)
Uniden BC250D User Manual

Contents

 

Introduction ...........................................................................................

1

Front View ............................................................................................

2

Icon Display ..........................................................................................

3

BC250D SHORTCUTS.........................................................................

4

Important Notice ...................................................................................

6

Terminology ..........................................................................................

7

What is Scanning?............................................................................

7

What is Searching?...........................................................................

7

What is Trunk Tracking?...................................................................

7

What is APCO Project 25 Digital Communications? ........................

8

Feature Highlights ................................................................................

9

Where to Obtain More Information .....................................................

11

Information on the Internet .............................................................

11

Included with Your Scanner Package ................................................

12

Setup ..................................................................................................

13

Installing the Battery Pack ..............................................................

13

Charging the Battery Pack..............................................................

13

Low Battery Indicator ......................................................................

13

Flexible Antenna .............................................................................

14

Beltclip ............................................................................................

14

Listening Safely ..............................................................................

14

Connecting the REMOTE Cable.....................................................

14

Basic Operation ..................................................................................

15

Turn the Scanner On ......................................................................

15

Setting the Squelch ........................................................................

15

Understanding the Menu System ...................................................

16

Menu Description and Numeric Keypad Equivalents .....................

17

Programming ......................................................................................

26

Storing Frequencies into Channels in Menu Mode ........................

26

Deleting a Stored Frequency..........................................................

27

Editing a Stored Frequency ............................................................

27

Duplicate Frequency Alert ..............................................................

27

Transfer Frequencies......................................................................

28

Storing Text Tags ...........................................................................

28

Beep Alert .......................................................................................

29

Programming Tips ..........................................................................

29

Scanning.............................................................................................

31

Storing Frequencies During Scanning............................................

31

RF Attenuation Feature ..................................................................

32

Setting the Delay Mode for Frequency...........................................

32

Channel Lockout.............................................................................

33

Restoring a Locked-out Channel ....................................................

34

Restoring All Locked-out Channels ................................................

34

Priority Scan ...................................................................................

34

Changing the Priority Channel........................................................

35

Prioroty Channel Plus Scan............................................................

35

Searching............................................................................................

36

Setting a Search Range .................................................................

36

Starting Chain Search.....................................................................

37

Search Hold Feature.......................................................................

37

Data Skip ........................................................................................

37

Frequency Skip...............................................................................

38

Storing Search Frequencies ...........................................................

38

Auto Storing ....................................................................................

39

Squelch (SQ) Mode ........................................................................

40

Additional Menu Options for Searching .........................................

42

Service Search ...................................................................................

43

Service Search Skip .......................................................................

44

NWR-SAME Alert ...........................................................................

44

Testing the Alert Siren ....................................................................

45

Programming FIPS Code................................................................

45

Digital and Trunked Systems .............................................................

47

Programming and Receiving Digital and Trunked Systems...............

49

STEP1: Selecting or Changing Trunking System Type..................

49

STEP2: Programming Trunking Frequencies.................................

50

STEP3: Programming ID Scan List Manually.................................

51

Scan Lists .......................................................................................

51

Setting the Squelch ........................................................................

54

Receiving Trunked Systems ...........................................................

54

ID Scan Mode .................................................................................

55

ID Scan Hold Feature .....................................................................

56

Trunked Search ..............................................................................

56

ID Monitor Mode .............................................................................

56

ID Search Hold and Direct Entry ID Hold Mode .............................

57

ID Lockout.......................................................................................

57

Review ID Lockout..........................................................................

58

Restoring Locked-out IDs ...............................................................

58

Setting the Delay Mode for Trunking Mode....................................

59

Setting Priority in Trunking Mode ...................................................

60

Programming Scan Lists During Search ........................................

60

Deleting a Stored ID .......................................................................

60

Moving between Scan List Memories.............................................

61

I-Call (Motorola/EDACS).................................................................

61

Multi-Track ......................................................................................

62

EDACS Reception ..............................................................................

64

EDACS Tracking.............................................................................

64

Programming EDACS System Frequencies...................................

64

An EDACS Trunked system ...........................................................

65

Special EDACS Features ...............................................................

66

EDACS SCAT.................................................................................

67

LTR Reception....................................................................................

68

LTR Tracking ..................................................................................

68

Motorola Reception ............................................................................

69

Motorola Tracking ...........................................................................

69

Fleet Map Programming .................................................................

70

Selecting Preset Fleet Map ............................................................

70

Programming a Fleet Map ..............................................................

71

Programming a Hybrid System.......................................................

71

Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for

 

Motorola VHF/UHF Trunked Systems ...............................................

72

Toggling the Status Bit ...................................................................

73

Control Channel Only Mode ...........................................................

73

Disconnect Tone Detect Option (End Code) ..................................

75

APCO Project 25 Reception...............................................................

76

Installing the APCO P-25 Card.......................................................

76

Precautions for Iistalling the BCi25D Card .....................................

77

Turning ON/OFF the APCO P-25 Card ..........................................

77

APCO P-25 Sound Quality Fine Tuning .........................................

78

Remote Interface ................................................................................

80

PC Control Mode ............................................................................

80

Clone Mode ....................................................................................

81

Additional Features.............................................................................

84

Care and Maintenance .......................................................................

87

Troubleshooting ..................................................................................

88

Specifications......................................................................................

90

Glossary of Terms ..............................................................................

91

Appendix.............................................................................................

95

One Year Limited Warranty..............................................................

105

Introduction

The BC250D is a state-of-the-art Digital Capable radio with TrunkTracker III and automatic scanning capabilities. It can store frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, railroad, air, amateur, and other communications into 10 banks of 100 channels for a total of 1000 channels.

With the optional BCi25D, APCO-P25 Digital Card installed you can monitor Public Safety Organizations who currently use Conventional, Trunked at 3600 and Mixed Mode APCO 25 systems.

Use your new scanner to monitor:

Police and Fire Departments (including rescue and paramedics)

Trunked for: Motorola

Type I Type II

Type I,II (Hybrid) EDACS

Wide band Narrow band Scat

LTR

Digital Communication for APCO Project 25 Conventional

Trunked at 3600 Mixed Mode at 3600

NOAA Weather Broadcasts

Business/Industrial Radio

Utilities

Marine and Amateur (ham radio) Bands

Air Band

And much more...

The chart below identifies the scanner band numbers, the frequency range, the modulation mode and the default step size settings.

Band

Frequency Range

Mode

Step

Band

Frequency Range

Mode

Step

No.

(MHz)

 

(kHz)

No.

(MHz)

 

(kHz)

1

25.0000

- 26.9600

AM

5

15

162.0000

- 173.9875

FM

12.5

2

26.9650

- 27.4050

AM

5

16

174.0000

- 215.9500

WFM

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

27.4100

- 27.9950

AM

5

17

216.0000

- 224.9950

FM

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

28.0000

- 29.6900

FM

10

18

225.0000

- 399.9500

AM

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

29.7000

- 49.9900

FM

10

19

400.0000

- 405.9875

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

50.0000

- 53.9900

FM

10

20

406.0000

- 419.9875

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

54.0000

- 71.9500

WFM

50

21

420.0000

- 449.9875

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

72.0000

- 75.9950

FM

5

22

450.0000

- 469.9875

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

76.0000

- 87.9500

WFM

50

23

470.0000

- 512.0000

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

88.0000 - 107.9000

WFM

100

24

806.0000

- 823.9875

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

108.0000

- 136.9750

AM

25

25

849.0125

- 868.9875

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

137.0000

- 143.9950

FM

5

26

894.0125

- 956.0000

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

144.0000

- 147.9950

FM

5

27

1240.0000

- 1300.0000

NFM

12.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

148.0000

- 161.9950

FM

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Front View

11

12

1

13

2

14

3

4

CH/

 

15

 

 

5

FRQ

RSM

16

MAN

 

HOLD/

 

 

6

 

 

17

SCAN SERVICE

SEARCH

18

 

MENU/BACK

TRUNK

19

7

20

 

 

8

L/O

 

21

9

REVERSE

SELECT

22

10

.

E

23

1.Antenna Connector

2.Speaker

3.Display

4.DC Power Jack

5.Hold/Manual/Channel/Frequency Key (HOLD/MAN)

6.Scan Key (SCAN)

7.Menu/Back Key (MENU/BACK)

8.Lockout Key (L/O)

9.Light/Keypad Lock Key ( / )

10.Decimal/Reverse Key ( . )

11.Earphone Jack

12.Volume/ON/OFF Control

13.Squelch Control

14.Remote Jack

15.VFO Control

16.Resume Key ( RSM )

17.Service Key (SERVICE)

18.Search Key (SEARCH)

19.Numeric Keypad

20.Trunk Key (TRUNK)

21.Priority Key (PRI)

22.Transfer/Mute Key (TRNSFR/MUTE)

23.Enter/Select Key (E)

2

Icon Display

ICON

DESCRIPTION

PPriority Channel Indicator

L/O

Lock Out Mode Indicator

 

Scan/Search Direction Indicator

SRCH

Chain Search Mode Indicator

SRVC

Service Search Mode Indicator

 

 

SCAN

Scan Mode Indicator

ID SCAN

ID Scan Mode Indicator

ID SEARCH

ID Search Mode Indicator

C

Channel Type

 

Conventional Type

Trunk Type

MMorola Tracking Type

LLTR Tracking Type

EEDACS Tracking Type

 

P25

Digital Communications

 

P25: APCO Project 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AM,FM

Receiving Mode Indicators

WFM,NFM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signal Meter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Battery Indicator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uniden® and Bearcat® are registered trademarks of Uniden America Corporation.

TrunkTracker is a proprietary trademark of Uniden America Corporation.

3

BC250D SHORTCUTS

MENU/

3

2

1

MENU/

3

3

2

BACK

BACK

MENU/

3

1

1

MENU/

3

1

1

BACK

BACK

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

the neat entry Programming.

MENU/

3

4

1

BACK

(for example; replace the frequency on channel 5 to 155.000)

SCAN

HOLD/

5

HOLD/

MAN

MAN

1

5

5

.

 

E

To receive an alert for activity on a specific channel, turn on the "Beep Alert" for that channel.

MENU/

2

1

BACK

E

4

1

MENU/

3

9

1

BACK

Rotate the VFO control to enter the text and using RSM or HOLD/MAN to move the cursor. After the text is entered, press E

To receive an alert for activity on specific IDs while trunk tracking, turn on the "Beep Alert" for that ID.

MENU/

2

2

BACK

E

3

select

ID MEMORY

E

3

1

This shortcut card is designed to assist you in getting through the menu screens using the direct entry mode for commonly used features. Please read the manual thoroughly before using this card. Be sure to back out of the menu screen after each shortcut by repeatedly pressing MENU/BACK or by pressing SCAN or SEARCH Keys.

4

BC250D SHORTCUTS

MENU/

1

CHAIN

E

BACK

SERCH

6

1

select

SEARCH

bank

MENU/

1

CHAIN

 

BACK

SERCH

 

E

2

select

E

range

1

 

 

 

E

To begin searching between the Range press SEARCH .

To set up a system for trunk tracking, select a bank, then enter the trunk type.

BACK

2

2

MENU/

 

 

E

1

1

Then enter the trunk type you want to track. Press E .

To change the alpha tag on the specific search range of frequencies that you set, do the following:

MENU/

1

CHAIN

E

BACK

SERCH

2

select

E

4

range

Rotate the VFO control to enter the tag and use RSM or HOLD/MAN to move the cursor forward or back and then press

E .

MENU/

2

1

BACK

E

5

1

To silence the scanner's audio output, set the scanner to "Mute On".

Press and hold MUTE .

MENU/

2

1

BACK

E

1

E

Rotate the VFO control to enter the tag and use RSM or HOLD/MAN to move the cursor and then press E .

To program and control your scanner remotely from a PC using Uniden's E-Scanner software, do the following:

Press

MENU/

3

5

select

BACK

speed

 

 

 

 

If you need any assistance with this product, please call our Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-297-1023. A Uniden representative will be happy to help you with any matters regarding the operation of this unit, available accessories, or any other related matters.

Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central time.

Also please check out our website at scanner.uniden.com

5

Important Notice

This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it will not tune radio frequencies assigned by the FCC for cellular telephone usage. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, as amended, makes it a federal crime to intentionally intercept cellular or cordless telephone transmissions or to market this radio when altered to receive them.

The installation, possession, or use of this scanning radio in a motor vehicle may be prohibited, regulated, or require a permit in certain states, cities, and/or local jurisdictions. Your local law enforcement officials should be able to provide you with information regarding the laws in your community.

Changes or modifications to this product are strictly prohibited, or operation of this product in any way other than as detailed by this Owner's manual. Could void your authority to operate this product.

The screen displays used in this manual are representations of what might appear when you use your scanner.

6

Terminology

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not transmit continuously. The BC250D scans the Frequencies you have programmed into the Scanner’s channels until it finds an active frequency.

Scanning stops on an active frequency and remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until another transmission is received.

What is Searching?

The BC250D can search each of its 27 bands to find active frequencies. This is different from scanning because you are searching for frequencies that have not been programmed into your Scanner’s channels. The scanner automatically chooses between two speeds while searching. Turbo Search, can search the VHF FM bands at up to 300 steps per second.

What is Trunk Tracking?

Conventional scanning is a simple concept. You enter a radio frequency in your scanner’s memory which is used by someone you want to monitor. For example, the police in your area may broadcast on 460.500 MHz, the fire department on 154.445 MHz, the highway department on 37.900 MHz, etc. So when your scanner stops on a frequency, you usually know who it is, and more importantly, you can stop on a channel and listen to an entire conversation. This type of scanning is easy and fun.

As the demand for public communications has increased, many public radio users don't have enough frequencies to meet their needs, and this has created a serious problem. Trunking radio systems solve this problem.

In a trunked radio system, which contains up to 28 different frequencies, radio users are divided into groups, often called talkgroups, and these talkgroups are assigned specific IDs. When someone in a talkgroup uses their radio, a brief burst of data is broadcasted before each transmission. The trunking system computer uses this data to temporarily assign each radio in a talkgroup to an available frequency. If the group using a frequency stops broadcasting or pauses between replies for a few seconds, they are removed from the

7

frequency so another talkgroup can use it.

Sharing of the available public service frequencies, or trunking, allows cities, counties, or other agencies to accommodate hundreds of users with relatively few

frequencies. Following a conversation on a trunked system using a scanner is difficult, if not impossible. Because when there's a short break during the conversation you're monitoring, it’s possible that the talkgroup will be assigned to a completely different frequency in the trunked system. This type of scanning is difficult and frustrating.

TrunkTracker III changes this! Not only does your new BC250D scan channels like a conventional scanner, it actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once you know

a talkgroups ID, you won’t miss any of the action.

If you're a new scanner enthusiast, you may want to read the first part of this manual and use your scanner in conventional mode before you begin trunk tracking. Understanding scanning fundamentals and its terminology will make trunk tracking much easier. A glossary of other commonly used terms is provided in the back. (Refer to the "Glossary of Terms" section.) But if you're already an experienced scanner operator, you may want to skip to Programming and Receiving Digital and Trunked Systems on page 49.

What is APCO Project 25 Digital

Communications?

APCO Project 25 is a modulation process where voice communications are converted into digital communications. This conversion is similar to the technology used with digital mobile phones. There are several types of project 25 systems available!

-Conventional – one frequency with digital voice.

-Trunked with analog control channel and digital voice – control channel operates at 3600 baud.

-Mixed Mode – trunked system with an analog control channel alternating/mixing analog and digital voice communications.

-Trunked with digital control channel and digital voice. Control channel operates at 9600 baud. (This type of APCO P-25 System is not supported with this radio.)

8

Feature Highlights

Trunk Tracking – Follow VHF High Band UHF 800/900MHz trunked public safety and public service systems just as if conventional two-way communications were used.

Digital Capable – With the APCO 25 Digital card (BCi25D) installed, you can monitor supported project 25 systems.

Multi-Track – Track more than one trunking system

at a time. Scan conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

1000 Channels – Program one frequency into each channel. You must have at least one channel programmed to use the Scan mode.

27 Bands – Includes 27 bands, with aircraft and 800 MHz.

10 Banks – 10 banks with 100 channels each are useful for storing similar frequencies to maintain faster scanning cycles or for storing all the frequencies of a trunked system.

25 MHz-1300 MHz – Indicates the range of frequencies that can be searched within the bands of your scanner.

Note: The frequency coverage is not continuous and excludes the cellular band, 512-806MHz.

10 Priority Channels – You can assign one priority channel in each bank. Assigning a priority channel allows you to keep track of activity on your most important channel(s) while monitoring other channels for transmissions. You can also assign Trunking priority Talkgroups.

Priority Plus Scan – Allows you to scan only priority channels.

Preprogrammed Service Search – Allows you to toggle through preprogrammed public safety, news media, TV broadcast audio, Ham, CB, FRS, special low power, railroad, aircraft, marine, racing, and weather frequencies.

Unique Data Skip – Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies.

Memory Backup – If power is disconnected, the frequencies programmed in your scanner are retained in memory.

Direct Channel Access – Go directly to any channel without entering the Menu mode.

Attenuator – Reduces the signal strength on a per frequency basis.

9

PC Programmable – Allows you to easily program all frequencies and Trunking Talk Groups into your BC250D through Uniden’s E-Scanner software running on your PC.

– For more information on E-Scanner Programming software visit our website at scanner.uniden.com.

Turbo Search – Increases the search speed to 300 steps per second. This applies only to transmission bands with 5 kHz steps.

Text Tags – You can customize your scanner by storing text tags (up to 16 characters).

Auto Store – The scanner automatically stores found active frequencies into an assigned bank.

CTCSS/DCS – The scanner can receive and search for subaudible tones.

NWR-SAME Alert – The scanner is compatible with warning siren and message transmissions.

FIPS Code – Six digit FIPS Code (emergency and geographic area code) programmable.

LCD Back-Light – LCD illuminates when you press the Light/Lock ( ) key. You can select the lighting length of time in the Menu mode.

Battery Save – In Scan Hold mode and no transmission, your scanner automatically reduces its power requirements to extend the battery life.

10

Where to Obtain More Information

Before using your scanner, you must program frequencies into available channels. The Betty Bearcat Frequency Guide lists typical frequencies used around the U.S.A. and Canada that you may program into your new scanner.

To obtain frequency information for your area, contact one of the following:

Bearcat Frequency Hotline

(937)299-0414 (Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.)

Bearcat Radio Club

(800)423-1331 (Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.)

Scanner Master

(800)722-6701 (Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.)

To obtain another copy of the frequency guide, contact one of the following:

Uniden Parts Department

(800) 554-3988 (Hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.)

Local Dealer

Information on the Internet

If you have access to the internet, you may want to visit one of the following websites for additional information:

scanner.uniden.com

www.bearcat1.com

11

Included with Your

Scanner Package

If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase or Uniden Customer Service at: (800) 297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday.

BC250D Hand held Scanner

AC Adapter/Charger (AD-600U)

Ni-MH Battery (BP-250)

Rubber Antenna

Remote Cable

Beltclip

Operating Guide

E-Scanner Programming Software CD-ROM

Trunk Tracker Frequency Guide

Other Printed Material

12

Setup

Installing the Battery Pack

1.Open the cover.

2.Connect the battery pack connector observing the correct polarity.

3.Replace the cover and press down until it clicks into place.

Charging the Battery Pack

Use the AC Adapter/Charger to power the BC250D from an AC outlet.

You can use your scanner while the battery charges. To fully charge the battery,

leave the AC Adapter/Charger connected for 14 — 16 hours.

CH/

FRQ

HOLD/

 

RSM

MAN

 

 

SCAN

SERVICE

SEARCH

MENU/BACK

 

TRUNK

 

 

L/O

 

 

REVERSE

 

SELECT

 

MUTE

Use only the supplied AC Adapter

Note: Disconnect the AC Adapter/Charger from the unit when charging is complete.

Low Battery Indicator

When the battery pack is low and needs to be charged, appears on the display. You will also hear a beep every 15 seconds as an audible alert.

13

Flexible Antenna

Attach the flexible antenna to the antenna connector.

Beltclip

The beltclip is designed to fit snugly on the back of the scanner.

Line up the four arms on the beltclip with the four tabs on the scanner and slide the beltclip into place, as shown on the right.

Listening Safely

To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use an earphone or headphones.

Do not use the earphone to listen to the WX alert siren test. The volume is not adjustable and damage to your hearing could occur.

Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.

Set the VOLUME to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust the VOLUME to a comfortable level.

Once you set the VOLUME, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing.

Connecting the REMOTE Cable

You can transfer the programmed channels, talk group ID’s, etc. to and from another BC250D or BC785D scanner using a remote cable. See "Clone Mode" on page 81. You can also upload or download the programmed data to or from a PC using Uniden’s E-Scanner software. See "PC Control mode" on page 80.

14

Basic Operation

Turn the Scanner On

Turn the VOLUME control clockwise out of the detent position. The scanner automatically starts scanning.

Since there are no frequencies programmed in your scanner initially, you may not receive any signals. Once you set the squelch and program some frequencies, you will begin hearing conversations regularly.

Note: If you turn the scanner on when the optional APCO card is not installed, APCO P25 CARD NOT INSTALLED appears on the display. To delete the message, select 2:DISABLE in the Menu mode (see page 77).

Setting the Squelch

To set the squelch, you must be in the hold mode, and you should not be receiving a signal on your scanner.

1.Press HOLD/MAN until you do not hear a signal.

2.Make sure that the VOLUME is set to a comfortable listening level.

3.Think of the Squelch Control as a gate. Turn the SQUELCH control fully counter-

clockwise. This raises the "Squelch Gate" so high that only very strong signals can get through.

4.Turn SQUELCH clockwise until you hear a hiss. This lowers the "Squelch Gate" so that everything gets through – noise, weak signals, medium signals and strong signals.

5.Turn SQUELCH back counter-clockwise just until the hiss stops. Now the "Squelch Gate" allows only clear signals through.

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

15

Next you must program some frequencies (page 26). It is recommended that you read the next part "Understanding the Menu System" because it will assist you in accessing and understanding many of the features. Later in a section called "Additional Features", you will find explanations on how to disable the keypad acknowledgement tones, mute the audio, change the appearance of the display and other general features.

Understanding the Menu System

It is very important for you to understand the Menu screen. To navigate through the Menu screen is really quite simple. Many of the features of this scanner, can only be accessed by the Menu screens. There are several ways to get through the screens. First of all, press MENU/BACK to get started. Anytime you want to exit this mode or simply quit from where you are, repeatedly press MENU/BACK until the scanner returns to the original state or you can press SCAN or SEARCH to exit directly out of Menu mode. Anytime you are in the Menu mode, the audio will be muted.

To assist you in understanding the Menu screen, flow charts are provided towards the back of the manual so you can follow along. Two things to remember are rotate the VFO through the menu and press E to execute the command.

For simplicity, we have chosen to rotate the VFO control up or down in order to scroll through the menu and the E key for entering or executing a command. Once you have pressed the E key and executed the final choice (for instance, ON or OFF), the display backs up to the previous level of options.

Also direct entry of the numbers in the flow chart will get you through the screens, but the other screen options are not visible. This method should be used only after you have gone through the manual at least once. Tearout shortcut cards (see pages 4 and 5) are provided to assist you in the direct entry methods for commonly used features.

The illustration on the next page shows the first level of the Menu screen. These levels are then provided in a flow chart on pages 102 to 104. You will find a description section to explain the meanings of these functions on the next pages. Then, you will be walked through all the steps of programming, scanning, searching, and trunktracking.

Hint: You can check the various options you programmed on the display when you press and hold MENU/BACK for 2 seconds in the following modes.

Scan mode/Scan Hold mode (as well as Trunk mode).

Chain Search mode/Chain Search Hold mode

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• ID Search mode/ID Search Hold mode

MENU MODE

1:SERVICE OPTION

 

2:SCAN OPTION

 

3:SYSTEM OPTION

Menu Description and Numeric Keypad

Equivalents

Below are the Menu screens and a brief description or purpose of the feature.

1:SERVICE OPTION

Service Search menus are preprogrammed services used around the U.S.

1:WEATHER

1:MONITOR

When you select this mode, the preprogrammed NOAA weather channel begins to activate.

2:ALERT

You can set NWR-SAME weather alert to 1:ON or 2:OFF. With ALERT ON you can enter the mode to program your FIPS code.

2:PUBLIC SAFETY 3:NEWS

4:TV BROADCAST 5:HAM RADIO 6:MARINE 7:RAILROAD 8:AIR

9:CB RADIO 0:FRS :RACING :SPECIAL

:CHAIN SEARCH

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You can program up to 10 search ranges. The first time you program a range you will need to do so through the Menu. After the first time you can program a range as you do on most any other scanner, using the numeric keypad or VFO control. Use this Menu item to select the search range that you want to program. You can program range 1 through 10, one at a time. For each of the ranges, the following options can be modified.

1:CHAIN SEARCH

You must turn Chain Search feature ON, in order to use the Chain Search feature.

2:SEARCH RANGE

1:RANGE

Enter the upper and lower frequency limits of the Search Range.

2:STEPS

You can assign a variety of step sizes to the search range.

Note: The default step is usually acceptable and is listed on page 1.

3:MODE

You can change the Auto receive mode to AM, FM, WFM, NFM.

4:ALPHA TAG

You can enter an Alpha Tag for any or all of the search ranges.

5:TRUNK

During Chain Search mode, when the scanner finds an active frequency. The trunk tracking system will be active. Four frequency plans apply to the Control Channel Only feature (for details see page 73).

3:DELAY

Set the delay for the search ranges to 1:ON or 2:OFF. This applies to Search mode, and Service Search mode (See 2:SCAN OPTION / 1:CONVENTIONAL /

2:DELAY for details).

4:ATTENUATOR

Set attenuation for all search ranges. (See 2:SCAN OPTION/1:CONVENTIONAL / 5:ATTENUATOR for details).

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5:TONE DATA

The default mode is 2:OFF. This means that you will receive all transmissions on any frequencies that are active within your search range(s). By selecting CTCSS or DCS you can set the radio to receive only a particular subaudible tone to be received during your search. You can also lockout a particular CTCSS or DCS tone. You may wish to do this if you want to search a range but not hear transmissions on any frequency that has a particular subaudible tone.

Note: Through the System Menu you can set the radio to operate in Tone Search mode during Search as well. In this mode, the radio will automatically determine the active subaudible tone on any frequency received during the search.

6:AUTO STORE

You can automatically store active frequencies found during a search into the memory. You can select which bank you want to program the found frequencies. The audio will be muted during Auto Store.

2:SCAN OPTION

1:CONVENTIONAL

Choose the channel number. The following options are available for the selected channel only. Repeat using a different channel number, if necessary.

1:FREQUENCY

Allows you to edit or enter a frequency in each channel you select.

Also you can set an alphanumeric text tag for each programmed frequency.

2:DELAY

The delay for all programmed channels is 2 seconds. At the end of any transmission

the scanner will remain on the frequency for 2 seconds before resuming scanning.

This will allow you to catch most replies.

3:TONE DATA

You can set a CTCSS (analog) or DCS (digital) subaudible tone for a frequency.

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To do so you must have the SQ Mode in the System Menu set to Tone SQ. You can also program a subaudible tone easily by pressing the E key in Scan Hold mode after programming a frequency. This will bring up the Tone Data menu without having to navigate the Menu. By doing this you will receive all transmissions on the frequency, regardless of the subaudible tone, except the one which you have locked. Any transmissions with that tone will not be received.

4:BEEP ALERT

You can set a Beep Alert on a per-channel basis to alert you when specific frequencies are active. For example, you may wish to be alerted anytime a mutual aid fire frequency is active. With Beep Alert, you will hear three beeps at the start of each transmission that you have flagged as such. You will also notice that as you scroll pass the flagged channel(s), you will hear three beeps.

5:ATTENUATOR

The BC250D comes with an RF Attenuation feature. If you are near an unusually strong signal source, the signal may overload the scanner. The scanner may stop repeatedly on that signal and miss other transmissions. The RF Attenuation feature works in all modes and attenuates (reduces) the incoming signal strength to prevent stronger signals from overloading the scanner.

6:STEPS

Your BC250D is programmed with default step sizes for each frequency range (see page 1). Steps are important if you are interested in using the VFO to tune off from a frequency programmed into memory or if you wish to program a frequency that the default step size will not accept. For example, in VHF High Band mode, the default step size between 148 and 162 MHz is 5 KHz. However, the FCC has recently instituted 7.5 KHz channel intervals. If you wish to enter 155.4075 into the scanner without changing the default step, the scanner will change the programmed frequency to 155.4100. Use the Menu to change the default step size to 7.5 KHz and then you will be able to enter 155.4075.

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7:MODE

Default Auto receive modes are also programmed into memory. AM for aircraft and CB bands, for example. All frequencies (other than audio TV broadcast) above 400 MHz are received in NFM mode which helps prevent adjacent channel interference. You can change the default settings on a per-channel basis with this Menu item.

2:TRUNK

Choose the Trunk bank. The following options are available for the selected trunk bank only. Repeat using a different trunk bank, if necessary.

1:TRUNK TYPE

You will need to assign the correct trunking type for the bank you are about to program. If you want to listen to a Motorola Type I system, you will need to use this Menu option to assign the same. If you do not know the type of trunking system you are about to monitor, refer to the guide included with the scanner or check out www.bearcat1.com.

Note: Some trunking systems require that you know the channel order. In these cases you will also need to start programming the trunked system at the start of the bank. The scanner defaults to the most common type of trunking system, Motorola Type II 800.

2:TRUNK CHANNEL

1:FREQUENCY

To use Trunk Tracking, you need to program a frequency for at least one channel. Also you can enter an alpha tag for each channel in this Menu.

2:STEPS

You can assign a variety of step sizes to the channel.

3:TALK GROUP

You can program IDs into the Scan List memory either during Trunk Scan or Search without going into the Menu. However, you can also use the Menu to program IDs. This is particularly helpful when you are not near the trunked system you wish to later monitor. You can set it up and have it ready to go at some later time. After you have selected the Scan List location (1-10), you

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can then do the following:

1.Program ID number

2.Set an alpha tag

3.Assign a Beep Alert to the ID. Whenever that ID is active, you will hear three beeps at the start of the transmission.

4:DELAY

You can set a delay for a trunk system on a bank by bank basis. The delay time is 2 seconds, and this setting can not be changed.

5:ID LIST TAG

Assign an alphanumeric tag to any or all of the 10 Scan Lists for the system. During ID Scan Mode, you will see the ID List Tag (on the bottom text line) along with any alpha tag you may have set for an ID. In Search mode, you will see any Bank Tag you have set.

6:L/O ID REVIEW

Use this Menu item to review the IDs that you have locked out during Search and Scan. Rotate the VFO up or down to view the IDs that have been locked out. To leave the lockout IDs unchanged, press MENU/BACK to back out of the Menu. To unlock an ID, press the L/O key. To unlock all the IDs that have been locked out, press and hold the L/O key for about 2 seconds.

7: ACTIVITY ID

When activity ID is set to ON, your scanner receives any transmissions on the ID every 0.5 seconds while scanning.

8:I-CALL (MOTOROLA/EDACS)

Most communications within a trunked system are group calls where one unit (such as a dispatcher) communicates with all the units within his/her group (all the patrol vehicles on the east side of town, for example). The units within this group comprise what is typically known as a talkgroup. There are some communications which are direct unit-to-unit conversations where one individual converses with another individual. The call is initiated by a radio and is directed to another single radio. Within the system, no one outside of these two users hears the conversation.

Your BC250D defaults to I-CALL OFF mode. You can hear these conversations by using this Menu item to turn the I-CALL function to

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ON. In Search mode, with I-CALL ON, you will hear both talkgroup calls and I-CALLs. You can also set I-CALLs to I-CALL ONLY during which you will monitor only I-CALLs in Search mode. You can also program I-CALL IDs into Scan List memory.

OR

8:ID SCAN LIST (LTR)

When scanning an LTR system you can only turn Scan Lists OFF and ON when an LTR talk group that you have entered into memory is active. To provide you with another method to turn Scan Lists ON and OFF, you can use this Menu item which only appears when you have selected LTR in trunk type.

9:EMERGENCY ALT (EDACS)

In EDACS trunked systems, you can set an alert for an EDACS transmission received. Set Emergency Alert to ON, EMERGENCY flashes on the display and you will hear beep alerts when you receive an EDACS emergency transmission.

9:STATUS BIT (MOTOROLA) On Type 2 trunking systems there is a method by which specialized types of communications utilize unique talkgroup

numbers. An emergency call will occur on a unique talkgroup from its primary assignment, for example. Because the

BC250D defaults to Status-Bit ON mode, you never need to worry about missing these transmissions. If you've programmed talkgroup 33264 into Scan List memory, for example, and there is an emergency call within the group, you will hear it on 33264.

0:EDACS ID FORM (EDACS)

You can change to display the talkgroups in decimal mode, but this mode does not provide you with the flexibility that you get with AFS. The BC250D defaults to show the talkgroup number in AFS mode (Agency- Fleet-Subfleet). For details on AFS see pages 65~67.

OR

0:END CODE (MOTOROLA)

When this function is disabled, the radio looks for squelch before returning to the control channel instead of waiting for the disconnect

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tone. Only in rare instances will you need to adjust the default settings. The condition to return to control channels depends on whether a signal is present or not.

:CNTRL CH ONLY

(TYPE 1/TYPE 2 800, 900)

With this mode you will be able to track Motorola Type I and II 800 and 900 MHz trunked systems by simply entering the control channel which manages the trunked system. You will not have to program the voice channels. There are 4 channel plans which you can select from.

3:SYSTEM OPTION

1:DIMMER

Allows you to change the brightness of the display. Also you can change the lighting length of time.

2:SCREEN MASK

Screen Mask allows you to limit what appears on the display to the alpha tags that you have set for a channel along with a few function icons. Screen Mask removes the frequency, receiving mode tone data and signal strength bars. This mode is particularly useful in public safety vehicles where "information overload" is already a problem. Screen Mask does not work in Search mode.

3:KEY BEEP

Use this function to turn 2:OFF the keypad acknowledgement beep. The default setting is 1:ON.

4:ENTER LOCK

Use Enter Lock to prevent accidental re-programming of channels, tone (CTCSS/DCS) and talkgroups entered into memory. The default setting is 2:OFF.

5:PC CONTROL

Use this function to set the transfer speed (baud rate) at which your personal computer (PC) communicates with the scanner when downloading information into your scanner using the Uniden’s E-Scanner software. See page 80 for details.

6:CLONE

You can clone all the programming, including frequencies, talkgroups and alpha tags as well as bank settings and other parameters from one BC250D to a BC785D or another BC250D.

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7:DATA SKIP

A scanner will normally stop on any transmission it receives. This means the BC250D will occasionally stop on data signals and unmodulated transmissions. You can automatically skip many of these types of transmissions with data skip turned ON.

8:SQ MODE

The SQ Mode allows you to set at your option, whether the scanner will stop on all active transmissions on a particular frequency or it will only respond to transmissions with a pre-set subaudible tone. This applies to both Conventional Search and Scan modes. The options are as follows:

1.CSQ - The default setting is CSQ (carrier squelch). In this mode the scanner will stop on any transmission on a programmed frequency (Squelch mode does not apply to trunking).

2.TONE SQ - In Tone Squelch mode, if you have set a subaudible tone (CTCSS or DCS) for a frequency, the scanner will only stop on that frequency if the transmission includes the prescribed tone.

3.TONE SEARCH - In this mode, as soon as the scanner stops on any (non-trunked) channel, the scanner will begin to search for any subaudible tone that is being used on a transmitted frequency. The scanner will check each CTCSS tone sequentially and it will find DCS tones instantly.

9:BANK TAG

Allows you to set an alphanumeric text tag for individual banks in the scanner (1-10). (The "0" key represents bank number 10.) For example, you may wish to set the bank one text tag as Law Enforcement, the second bank as Fire, etc.

0:P-25 CARD

When you insert the optional card (BCi25D) and select 1:ENABLE in this mode, you can monitor APCO P-25 digital communications. See page 76 for details.

:BATTERY SAVE

When you set Battery Save to ON in this Menu, Battery Save is active in Scan Hold mode (except Priority Scan mode).

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Programming

Before the BC250D can begin conventional scanning, you must program a frequency into at least one channel.

Repeat this procedure for each channel you want to program.

Storing Frequencies into Channels in Menu Mode

1. Select frequencies you received

from your dealer, from various sources on the internet, or from one of the guides listed on page 11.

Here is a list of sample frequencies you should try: 156.800 Marine Calling channel 155.340 Ambulance operations 155.280 Ambulance operations 155.160 Ambulance operations 462.950 Ambulance operations

462.5625 Family Radio Services (channel one)

2.Press MENU/BACK.

3.Select 2:SCAN OPTION / 1:CONVENTIONAL by rotating the VFO and pressing E.

4.Select a channel.

a.Enter the channel number using the keypad.

b.Then press E.

CH/

 

 

FRQ

 

 

HOLD/

 

RSM

MAN

 

SCAN

SERVICE

SEARCH

MENU/BACK

 

TRUNK

L/O

 

 

REVERSE

 

SELECT

. E

C 001 1:FREQUENCY 2:DELAY

3:TONE DATA

5. Select 1:FREQUENCY, and press E. a. Enter the frequency number

using . (decimal key) and the keypad.

b.Then press E.

6.Enter the alpha tag and press E. (See page 28.)

7.The following display appears, select the location you want.

C 001 0000.0000 NFM FREQUENCY

C 001 855.0000 NFM ALPHA TAG

¡

1:OTHER CHANNEL 2:CHANNEL OPTION 3:DONE

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