Uniden BC860XLT User Manual
Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Included with your Scanner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
How Squelch Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Programming Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Channel Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Lockout Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Priority Scan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
To Skip Undesired Frequencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Storing Search Frequencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Weather Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Optional Accessories and Replacement Parts . . . . 39
Controls and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Foldout
1
Introduction
The BC860XLT is a new state-of-the-art radio with automatic
scanning capabilities. Store frequencies into 10 banks of 10 channels
each. Scan all 100 channels at Turbo Scan speed.
What is Scanning?
What is Searching?
2
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications (listed on the next page) do not transmit continuously.
The BC860XLT scans
100 channels per second 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.
While the BC860XLT scans channels, it is in Scan mode. When
you stop scanning with
The BC860XLT can search 12 bands to find active frequencies.
This gives you the opportunity to find new frequencies that have not
been programmed.
Choose between two speeds for the search feature: Normal
(100 steps per second) or Turbo Search (300 steps per second).
While the BC860XLT searches for active frequencies, it is in Search
mode or Turbo Search mode. When you stop the search with
it is in Search Hold mode.
programmed
channels at the rate of nearly
M, it is in Manual mode.
H,
Types of
Communications
Monitor communications such as:
Police and fire department (including rescue and paramedics)
Aircraft
NOAA weather broadcasts (preprogrammed 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
And many more in the following 12 Bands:
Frequency Range Transmission
29.0-29.7 MHz
29.7-50.0 MHz
50.0-54.0 MHz
108-137 MHz
137-144 MHz
144-148 MHz
148-174 MHz
406-420 MHz
420-450 MHz
450-470 MHz
470-512 MHz
806-956 MHz
10 Meter Amateur Band
VHF Low band
6 Meter Amateur Band
AM Aircraft
Military Land mobile
2 Meter Amateur Band
VHF High Band
Federal Govt. Land Mobile
70 cm Amateur Band
UHF Standard Band
UHF “T” Band
Public Service Band except Cellular Band
3
Feature Highlights
100 Channels
must have at least one channel programmed to use the Scan
mode.
29 MHz - 956 MHz
scanner. (
from 29.0 MHz to 956 MHz.)
10 Priority Channels
Keep track of the activity on most important channel(s) while
monitoring others.
Data Skip
Manual Channel Access
Memory Back up
retained in memory. If the power is disconnected, the memory
retains the freque nci es fo r 7 days.
Twin TurboTM Speed
BC
your
Weather Scan
– Program one frequency into each channel. You
– Scan these frequency ranges with your
Note:
the frequency coverage is not totally continuous
– Assign one Priority channel in each bank.
– Skip data signals and unmodulated transmissions.
– Go directly to any channel.
– Frequencies programmed in the channels are
– With both Turbo Scan and Turbo Search,
XLT
860
is truly a
– Use as a weather information radio.
Twin Turbo
TM
Scanner.
Scanner Care &
Safety Tips
4
Do not use the scanner in high-moisture areas such as the
kitchen or bathroom.
Do not plug the scanner into an outlet controlled by a wall switch
as prolonged periods without power causes scanner memory loss.
Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near heating elements
or vents.
Included with your Scanner
If any items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase.
☞
Read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scanner.
☞
Complete and immediately mail the Registration Form.
☞
5
Where to Obtain
More Information
Before you can scan, you must program a frequency into each
channel you want to use. The “
” lists typical frequencies used around the U.S. that you may
Guide
program into the
BC
860
Betty Bearcat Starter Frequency
XLT
.
If the frequencies listed in the “
do not work in your area, call the enclosed “
A Uniden representative should be able to provide you with a few
sample frequencies. Or, use the enclosed order form to purchase a
local frequency list.
The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have
publications, information on computer bulletin boards, and even
contests for the radio enthusiast.
Also, your local library has more information.
Betty Bearcat Starter Frequency Guide
Mr. Scanner
” 800 number.
”
6
Setup
Note
Extend the antenna to its full height. For UHF
frequencies, shortening the antenna may
improve the reception.
If your scanner receives strong interference or
electrical noise, move the scanner or its
antenna away from the source.
If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area
or need to improve reception, use an optional
antenna designed for multi-band coverage.
(You can purchase this type of antenna at a
local electronics store.)
If the plug at the end of the cable does not
match the antenna jack, you may need to
purchase an adapter.
Plug an optional external speaker
(ESP25, 8 ohms) into the EXT.SP jack.
Warning!
Use only the supplied AC Adapter - AC144U
7
8
Basic Operation
Note: Fold out the illustration from the Back Cover to see the Controls and Indicators while reading this Guide.
How Squelch Works
Think of “SQUELCH” as a gate. If the
gate is too low (squelch too low),
everything (all nois e as we ll as si gn al s)
gets through.
The
BC
860
XLT
Squelch has two options.
If the gate is set too high (squelch too
high), nothing gets through.
AUTO
Squelch - a level preset at the factory;
and Manual Squelch, where you can set the squelch level as needed by conditions.
If the gate is set just right (squelch set
properly), just the des ire d signals get
through.
9
Setting the Squelch
Adjust
VOLUME
to a comfortable listening level.
Auto Squelch
is a compromise between tight
AUTO
and threshold. It is a convenience for
listening to stronger signals.
Manual Squelch
To manually set the Squelch, you must
be in the Manual Mode.
No signal should be present when
adjusting squelch.
Press
a signal.
M
until you
do not
hear
Be sure that the Squelch control
Note:
clicks
into the
AUTO
position.
➪
until hiss heard.
Turn
This lowers the “squelch gate,” allowing
all signals and no is e to get t hro ug h.
Turn just until hiss stops.
This raises the “squelch gate” allowing
only strong si gnals to get through.
➪➪
10
Programming
Before the
Repeat this procedure for each channel you program.
Select the frequency.
1.
BC
860
XLT
can scan, you must program a frequency into at least one channel.
Enter MANUAL mode.
2.
➪➪
4. Enter the freq ue nc y. To clear a mistake while ent eri ng
the frequency, press
and start over.
.
twice,
Select the chan nel.
3.
If the entered frequency is outside the
Frequency Range of the scanner,
(See Table on page 3, and the
Technical Specifications at the back of
this Guide), a distinctive beep sound s .
Press
and go back to Step 4.
.
11
Programming Tips
To quickly program a series of channels,
start with the lowest number channel. For
example, when you are programming five
new frequencies into Channels 4 through 8,
start with Channel 4.
After you finish programming a channel,
press
M to step up to the next channel.
To erase the channel, enter 0 and E.
Channels with no frequencies are
automatically locked out.
Record channels and frequencies in some
convenient place in case the scanner
memory is lost.
12
Scanning
When you turn on the power,
the BC860XLT automatically
starts in the Scan mode.
During normal scanning the scanner
skips unprogrammed or locked out
channels.
When a transmission is received, the
Scanner stops on tha t channel.
When the transmission ends,
scanning resumes automatically.
➪➪
To stop on a channel during scanning: To resume scanning:
➪
Note:
If the channel is in the Aircraft Band,
AIR
displays in the LCD.
13
Banks
Channels are groupe d by Bank s
for easy scanning control.
To deactivate a Bank during scanning: To restore a Bank for Scanning:
Active Banks display during scanning.
➪
Note:
Press 0 for Bank 10.
14
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