Uniden BC350A User Guide

Table of Contents

About Your New BC350A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

What is Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Types of Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Where to Obtain More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Summary of Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Installing the BC350A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

For Home Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

For Mobile Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Controls and Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Scanning Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Adjusting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Programming Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Program Lock Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Channel Lock Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

A Word About Memory Back-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Weather Channel Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Helpful Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

About Your New BC350A

The BC350A is not with automatic scanning capabilities. The built-in Service Scan system brings you instantly into the exciting world of scanning action. What’s more, you don’t even have to program the scanner to begin using it!

The BC350A comes with five Service banks for monitoring police, fire/emergency, marine, air, and weather frequencies. Not only that, there’s even a fully programmable bank for storing

lection

With the BC350A, you can scan almost 1,000 channels. In addition, the BC350A has 11 separate band search capabilities for even greater scanning action.

Two Service Scan banks, POLICE and FIRE/EMG, are also programmable. So whenever you encounter a newly activated local frequency for either service category, you can add it to the bank for that category. This gives you quick access to the frequencies

So enjoy your BC350A!

of favorite frequencies.

just

a scanner. It is a brand new

you

information radio

your own private col-

want to hear.

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications (listed below) do not transmit continuously. The BC350A scans programmed channels at the rate of up to 100 channels per second until it locates an active frequency. When scanning stops on an active frequency, it remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanner stays on the channel for 2 more seconds, waiting for another transmission. If no response is detected, the scanning cycle resumes until another transmission is received.

Types of Communication

You will be able to monitor communication such as:

• Police and fire department (including rescue and paramedics)

• NOAA weather broadcasts (7 pre-programmed channels)

• Business/industrial radio

• Motion picture and press relay

• Utility

• Land transportation frequencies, such as trucking firms, buses,

taxis, tow trucks, and railroads

• Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands

• Air band

• And many more in the 29-54 MHz, 137-174 MHz, and 406-512

MHz ranges

Where to Obtain More Information

The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have publications, information on computer bulletin boards, and even contests for the radio enthusiast. See the enclosed pamphlets for more information. Additional information is also available through your local library.

Unpacking

Carefully check the contents against this list:

• BC350A Auto Scanner

• Telescoping Antenna

• AC Adapter (Model AD-140U)

• Mobile Mounting Bracket with Hardware

• DC Power Cord

• Cigarette Lighter Power Cord

• This Operating Guide

• Registration Form (in this Operating Guide)

• Frequency Directories Order Form and other pamphlets

If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase immediately.

Complete and mail your Registration Form immediately. Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scan-

ner.

Optional Accessories

The following optional accessories for your BC350A are available from your local Uniden Dealer or through the Uniden Customer Service Center by calling: (317) 842-2483, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.

BC AT Mobile Antenna

designed for multi-band coverage, such as the Uniden BC AT mobile antenna.

PLG-134 Antenna Adapter

type plug.

- For mobile installation, use a mobile antenna

- Use only if your antenna has a Motorola-

Summary of Features

The BC350A is a compact mobile/base scanner, and one of the most advanced communication products available today.

The BC350A features:

Super Turbo Scan*

•

BC350A to scan and search nearly 100 channels or steps per second. The BC350A scans about scanner sold in the United States. Because the frequency coverage within the service banks is so large (see below), a very fast scanning system is essential. That is why we combined our latest technology-- Super Turbo Scan-- into the BC350A.

*Super Turbo Scan: US patent pending

Six Banks

Five pre-programmed Service banks and one stand-

ard, programmable Private bank. These banks include:

This lightning-fast technology enables the

five times faster

than any standard

POLICE:

FIRE/EMG:

AIR:

MRN:

WX:

PRIVATE:

11 Search Bands:

•

search.

Band Frequency Coverage Steps 29 - 30 29.000 to 30.000 MHz 5kHz 30 - 50 30.000 to 50.000 MHz 5kHz 50 - 54 50.000 to 54.000 MHz 5kHz 108 - 137 108.000 to 136.975 MHz (AM) 25kHz 137 - 144 137.000 to 144.000 MHz 5kHz 144 - 148 144.000 to 148.000 MHz 5kHz 148 - 174 148.000 to 174.000 MHz 5kHz 406 - 420 406.000 to 420.000 MHz 12.5kHz 420 - 450 420.000 to 450.000 MHz 12.5kHz 450 - 470 450.000 to 470.000 MHz 12.5kHz 470 - 512 470.000 to 512.000 MHz 12.5kHz

739-frequency (non-erasable memory) Service bank with 20 additional programmable channels.

97-frequency (non-erasable memory) Service bank with 10 additional programmable channels.

1,160-frequency step (non-erasable memory) Service/Search bank which covers the complete AIR band, 108.000 to 136.975MHz.

90-frequency (non-erasable memory) Service bank for all Marine channels.

7 frequency (non-erasable memory) all NOAA Weather Service Broadcasting bank.

20-channel, fully user-programmable bank.

Use the

[BAND]

key to select a band to

Installing the BC350A

For Home Use (Desktop Installation)

1. Insert the DC plug end of the AC Adapter into the DC 13.8V jack on the rear panel.

2. Plug the AC Adapter into a standard 120V AC wall outlet. Warning: Do wall switch.

3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT connector. Extend the antenna to its full height. For frequencies higher than 406 MHz, shortening the antenna may improve the reception.

4. Use the desktop stand for a better viewing and operating angle.

Helpful Hints

• If strong interference or electrical noise is received, relocate the

scanner or its antenna away from the source.

• If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or need to im-

prove reception, use an optional antenna designed for multi-band coverage. (You can purchase this type of antenna at a local electronics store.)

• If the optional antenna has no cable, use 50-70 ohm coaxial cable

for lead-in. A mating plug may be necessary for the optional antennas.

not plug the AC Adapter into an outlet controlled by a

This could cause scanner memory loss.

For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation)

Mounting the Radio

1. Select an ideal location in your vehicle to mount the BC350A. Avoid a location that could interfere with your driving. In a passenger car, the ideal location is underneath the dashboard on the passenger side.

2. Use the BC350A mounting bracket as a template for marking the location of the mounting screws. Note: If there are screws already holding the dashboard, you can use the same screw holes to mount the bracket.

3. Drill the necessary holes and secure the mounting bracket in place using the screws provided.

4. Mount the radio to the bracket only after the wiring has been connected to the rear panel.

Connecting the Antenna Plug

Connect the mobile antenna plug (optional) into the ANT connector on the rear panel. (For more information on antenna installation, please refer to the instruction guide that came with your antenna.)

Connecting the Power Cord

Note: If you are not experienced in connecting accessories to the vehicle fuse box, please see your automotive dealer for advice on proper installation.

Installation for everyday use:

1. Check the vehicle battery connections to determine which battery terminal (positive or negative) is grounded to the engine block or chassis. Most of today’s vehicles use a negative ground.

cle has a negative ground,

the note following Step 3.

2. Connect the RED wire of the DC power cord to the accessory contact in your vehicle’s +13.8 VDC fuse box.

3. Connect the BLACK wire of the DC power cord to the negative side of the vehicle (usually the chassis).

Note:

In vehicles with a positive ground, the RED wire connects to

follow Steps 2 and 3. Otherwise, skip to

If your vehi-

the chassis and the BLACK wire connects to the accessory contact in the fuse box.

4. Insert the DC plug into the DC 13.8V jack on the back of the scanner.

Installation for Temporary Use:

A Cigarette Lighter Power Cord is provided for easy, temporary installation.

Warning:

Do not use the cigarette lighter power cord in a positive

ground vehicle.

Plug one end of the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord into the cigarette lighter jack and the other end into the DC 13.8V jack on the back of the scanner.

Controls and Functions

Front Panel

[HOLD] KEY

[UP] & [DOWN] KEYS

[PRIVATE] KEY

Press

[HOLD]

Press any bank key or Hold Mode. In the Hold Mode,

[DOWN]

These keys are used in several different ways:

to stop scanning or searching.

[SEARCH]

[UP]

are active.

to deactivate

and

To manually step up or down a frequency in any Hold Mode,

steps are all preset for each band (see Technical Specifications).

use

[UP]

[DOWN]

. Frequency

To change the direction of the search during Search Mode,

higher frequency, or ward to a lower frequency.

press

to search upward to a

[UP]

[DOWN]

to search down-

To rapidly search or scan frequencies/channels upwards or downwards,

for more than one second. To stop the search/scan, release the key.

Use

[PRIVATE]

collection of favorite frequencies. You can program up to 20 channels in the PRIVATE bank. There are no pre-programmed frequencies in this bank. After programming, press to activate PRIVATE scan. In the PRIVATE Scan Mode, press Then use channels manually (including Locked Out channels).

to instantly access your private

[UP]

press

[HOLD]

[DOWN]

[UP]

to stop scanning. to step through all 20

[DOWN]

[PRIVATE]

[FIRE/EMG] KEY Press [FIRE/EMG] to start scanning fire and

emergency frequencies. The FIRE/EMG bank already has 197 pre-programmed frequencies. They are used for fire department and emergency communications, including paramedics. Because new frequencies may be activated in your local area, ten extra open channels in this bank have been provided for programming additional frequencies. (See the programming procedures for programming new frequencies into this bank.)

[AIR] KEY The AIR band bank key is fully pre-programmed

(108.000 to 136.975 MHz). Press [AIR] to start searching through all 1,160 frequency steps of the AIR band.

[POLICE] KEY Press [POLICE] to start scanning police frequen-

cies. The POLICE bank contains over 700 known frequencies used by the police, including state troopers, local police and sheriff, etc. For new frequencies, 20 more channels in this bank have been provided for you to program. (See the programming procedures for storing new frequencies into this bank.)

[WX] KEY Seven NOAA frequencies are programmed into

the Weather (WX) bank. Press [WX] to find your local weather channel.

[MRN] KEY All 90 marine channels are programmed into the

Marine (MRN) bank. Press [MRN] to start scanning marine channels.

[SEARCH] KEY Press [SEARCH] to start searching active fre-

quencies within the band previously selected with the [BAND] key. Normally, the search continues from the frequency where it left off in the previous search. In Search Mode, (after pressing [SEARCH]), the [BAND] key becomes active. Use [BAND] to select the band you wish to search. When selecting a band to search, release the key and the scanner will automatically start searching upward from the lowest frequency of its band. (The symbol appears next to "SRCH" on the display.) To search from a higher frequency to a lower frequency, press [DOWN]. (The symbol is now displayed next to "SRCH".

[L/O] KEY Press [L/O] to "lock out" or prevent scanning of

the displayed frequency. [L/O] is active only during opened squelch or in the Hold Mode. Locked out channel can be displayed on the screen by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key to manually scan through the selected bank in Hold Mode only. "L/O" appears on the display to indicate that the channel is locked out. Note: Locking out a channel will not erase the programmed frequency.

[BAND] KEY This key is active in Search Mode only (when

"SRCH" is displayed on the screen). When you press [BAND], the upper and lower limits of the band you are searching are displayed for 3 seconds. Then the display returns to the current frequency. Press [BAND] again within 3 seconds to step up one higher band. Press this key as many as it takes to find the band you want to be searched.

Important: This key has a very important secondary function. In Program Mode, you can press

[BAND] to leave this mode.

[PROG] KEY This key initiates and completes programming.

It is active whenever a steady frequency appears on the display. Press [PROG] to start Programming Mode. "CH" appears and blinks, indicating you are in Programming Mode, and urges you to select the channel of the bank to be programmed. Press a programmable bank key ([PRIVATE], [FIRE/EMG] or [POLICE]) to be programmed. Note: Never press non-programmable bank keys ([WX], [AIR] or [MRN]). If you press one of these keys, "Error" will be displayed, and you may lose the frequency you wanted to program.

VOLUME Control/ Power Switch

SQ (Squelch) Control Adjust [SQ] to set the scan threshold. When you

LCD Display The liquid crystal display (LCD) shows the cur-

This control turns the scanner on or off, and also adjusts the volume.

are monitoring a single channel in Manual Mode, adjust [SQ] to eliminate the background rushing noise heard in the absence of an incoming signal.

rent channel or its frequency. It also displays the mode indicators, status indicators, and bank indicators. (See the Screens section for more information.)

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