Uniden BCD396T User Manual

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BCD396T

OWNER’S

MANUAL

OWNER’S MANUAL

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Precautions

Before you use this scanner, please read and observe

Precautions

the following.

IMPORTANT!

This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it will not tune to the 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 not expressly approved by Uniden, or operation of this product in any way other than as detailed by this Operating Guide, could void your authority to operate this product.

EARPHONE WARNING!

Be sure to use only a monaural earphone with this scanner. You can also use an optional 32 Ω stereo headset. Use of an incorrect earphone or stereo headset might be potentially hazardous to your hearing. The output of the phone jack is monaural, but you will hear it in both headphones of a stereo headset.

Set the volume to a comfortable audio level coming from the speaker before plugging in the monaural earphone or a stereo headset of the proper impedance (32 Ω). Otherwise, you might experience some discomfort or possible hearing damage if the volume suddenly becomes too loud because of the volume control or squelch control setting. This might be particularly true of the type of earphone that is placed in the ear canal.

Precautions

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WARNING!

Uniden does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.

Astro PL SMARTNET

trademarks of Motorola, Inc.

LTR

EDACS Private Radio Systems Inc.

Uniden Uniden America Corporation.

TrunkTracker are proprietary trademarks of Uniden America Corporation.

, DPL®, Digital Private Line®, Motorola®,

, PRIVACY PLUS®, Private Line®,

,and SMARTZONE® are registered

is a registered trademark of E.F. Johnson Co.

is a registered trademark of M/A-COM

and Bearcat® are registered trademarks of

™

, Trunk Tracking™, and Close Call™

Other trademarks used throughout this manual are the property of their respective holders.

Precautions

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Contents

The FCC Wants You to Know ..................................................................... 8

Contents

Scanning Legally ........................................................................................ 8

Introduction ............................................................................................... 10

Feature Highlights ..................................................................................... 11

About This Manual .................................................................................... 16

Using the Multifunction Scroll Control .................................................... 16

Entering Text ......................................................................................... 17

How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual .............. 17

Understanding Scanning .......................................................................... 19

Understanding the Scanner’s Memory ..................................................... 19

What is Scanning? .................................................................................... 19

What is Searching? ................................................................................... 20

What is CTCSS/DCS? .............................................................................. 20

Conventional Scanning ............................................................................. 22

Simplex Operation ................................................................................. 23

Repeater Operation ............................................................................... 23

What is Trunk Tracking? ........................................................................... 23

Trunked Scanning .....................................................................................24

Types of Trunking Systems ...................................................................... 25

Motorola Trunking .................................................................................. 25

EDACS Trunking ................................................................................... 27

LTR Trunking ......................................................................................... 28

I-Call (Motorola/EDACS) ........................................................................... 29

Where To Get More Information ............................................................... 29

Information On The Internet ................................................................... 29

Included With Your Scanner ..................................................................... 31

Setting Up Your Scanner .......................................................................... 32

Using Internal Batteries ............................................................................ 32

Using Rechargeable Batteries .................................................................. 33

Removing the Display Sticker ................................................................... 34

Using AC Power ....................................................................................... 34

Connecting the Antenna ........................................................................... 35

Connecting an Optional Antenna ........................................................... 35

Connecting an Earphone/Headphone ...................................................... 35

Connecting an Extension Speaker ........................................................... 35

Attaching the Belt Clip .............................................................................. 36

Attaching the Wrist Strap .......................................................................... 36

A Look At The Keypad .............................................................................. 36

A Look At The Display .............................................................................. 39

Using Menu ............................................................................................... 41

Using Func ................................................................................................ 41

Basic Operation ......................................................................................... 42

Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch .................................... 42

Scanning Systems .................................................................................... 43

Preprogrammed System Tips ................................................................ 43

Selecting Systems to Scan ....................................................................... 44

Selecting System Channel Groups ........................................................... 45

Locking/Unlocking Systems ...................................................................... 45

Locking/Unlocking Channels .................................................................... 45

ID Scan/ID Search Mode .......................................................................... 46

Temporarily Holding On a System ............................................................ 46

Holding On a Channel .............................................................................. 46

Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search ................................................... 47

Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s .............................................. 47

Quickly Recalling Channels ...................................................................... 48

Monitoring Trunking Activity ...................................................................... 48

Toggling Channel Alpha Tags ................................................................. 48

Using the Menu .......................................................................................... 49

Programming Systems Menu ................................................................... 51

Contents

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Other Settings ............................................................................................ 53

Displaying System Information ................................................................. 53

Viewing Memory Used ............................................................................53

Viewing the Firmware Version ................................................................53

Adjusting the Key Beep ............................................................................ 53

Locking/Unlocking the Keypad and Scroll ................................................ 53

Turning Power Save On or Off ................................................................. 54

Priority Scan ............................................................................................. 54

Using the Backlight ................................................................................... 54

Setting the Audio AGC .............................................................................. 55

Adjusting the Display Contrast .................................................................. 55

Initializing the Scanner’s Memory ............................................................. 56

Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer .................................. 56

Using the Cloning Options ........................................................................ 57

Wired Cloning ........................................................................................ 57

On-Air Cloning ....................................................................................... 58

Programming Radio Systems ....................................................................59

Programming Conventional Systems ........................................................60

Entering/Editing Conventional Channel Groups .....................................60

Entering/Editing Conventional Channels ................................................61

Programming Motorola Systems .............................................................. 62

Setting System Frequencies ...................................................................63

Setting Modulation ..................................................................................64

Setting Attenuation .................................................................................64

Entering/Editing Motorola Channel Groups ............................................65

Entering/Editing Motorola Channels .......................................................65

Programming EDACS Systems ................................................................ 66

Setting System Frequencies .................................................................. 67

Entering/Editing EDACS Channel Groups ............................................. 68

Entering/Editing EDACS Channels ........................................................68

Programming LTR Systems ...................................................................... 69

Setting System Frequencies .................................................................. 70

Entering/Editing LTR Channel Groups .................................................. 70

Entering/Editing LTR Channels/Talkgroups ........................................... 71

Programming/Editing Optional Settings ................................................. 72

System-Level Settings .............................................................................. 72

Editing the System Name .......................................................................72

Editing the System Quick Key ................................................................73

Setting System Lockout ..........................................................................73

Setting the System Hold Time ................................................................74

Setting the Channel Delay Time .............................................................74

Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only) ...................................75

Editing the Fleet Map (Motorola Systems Only) .....................................75

Setting the Motorola Status Bit (Motorola Systems Only) .......................76

Setting the End Code Operation (Motorola Systems Only) ....................77

Setting I-Call (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only) ..............................77

Setting Emergency Alert (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only) ...........78

Setting Control-Channel Only (Motorola Systems Only) ........................78

Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies .......................................................79

Clearing All Locked-Out IDs ...................................................................79

Adjusting the P25 Level (Motorola and Conventional Systems Only) ....79

Setting the EDACS ID Format (EDACS Systems Only) .........................80

Setting System Attenuation (Trunked Systems Only) .............................81

Deleting Systems ....................................................................................81

Copying Systems ....................................................................................81

Group-Level Settings .................................................................................82

Entering/Editing the Group Name ...........................................................82

Setting the Group Quick Key ..................................................................83

Setting Group Lockout ............................................................................83

Deleting Groups ......................................................................................83

Contents

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Channel-Level Settings ............................................................................. 84

Editing the Channel Name ..................................................................... 84

Editing Frequencies (Conventional Channels Only) .............................. 85

Setting Channel Priority (Conventional Channels Only) ........................ 85

Setting Channel Alert ............................................................................. 86

Editing the Talk Group ID ...................................................................... 86

Setting CTCSS/DCS (Conventional Channels Only) ............................. 87

Setting the System Frequency Modulation ............................................ 88

Setting Channel Attenuation (Conventional Channels Only) ................. 88

Setting Channel Lockout ........................................................................ 89

Deleting Channels ................................................................................. 89

Copying/Pasting Channels .................................................................... 90

Searching and Storing .............................................................................. 91

Service Search ......................................................................................... 91

Quick Search ............................................................................................ 92

CTCSS/DCS Search ................................................................................. 92

Custom Search ......................................................................................... 93

Editing a Custom Search Range ........................................................... 94

Editing a Service Search ....................................................................... 95

Auto Search and Store ............................................................................. 97

Selecting a System ................................................................................ 97

Storing a Conventional System ............................................................. 97

Storing a Trunked System ..................................................................... 98

Using the Close Call Feature .................................................................. 100

Setting Close Call Options ...................................................................... 101

Close Call Hits ........................................................................................ 103

Search and Close Call Options .............................................................. 104

Managing Locked-Out Frequencies ........................................................ 104

Unlocking All Frequencies ...................................................................104

Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies .................................................... 104

Searching for Subaudible Tones ............................................................ 104

Screening Out Broadcast Sources ......................................................... 105

Finding Repeater Output Frequencies .................................................... 106

Setting the Maximum Auto Store Value .................................................. 107

Setting the Modulation Type ................................................................... 107

Setting Attenuation ................................................................................. 107

Setting Data Skip .................................................................................... 108

Setting the Delay Time ........................................................................... 108

Setting the Search Frequency Step ........................................................ 109

Using Weather Alert (SAME) ................................................................... 110

Searching For a Weather Broadcast ...................................................... 110

Turning Weather Alert On/Off ................................................................. 110

Programming a SAME Group ................................................................. 111

Setting WX Alert Priority ......................................................................... 112

Using Tone-Out ........................................................................................ 113

Fire Tone-Out Operation ......................................................................... 113

Setting Tone-Out Standby ...................................................................113

Setting Up Tone-Out ............................................................................113

Care and Maintenance ............................................................................. 115

General Use ............................................................................................ 115

Location .................................................................................................. 115

Cleaning .................................................................................................. 115

Repairs ................................................................................................... 116

Birdies ..................................................................................................... 116

Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 117

Specifications .......................................................................................... 121

Contents

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Optional Accessories .............................................................................. 124

Appendix .................................................................................................. 125

Preset Fleet Maps ................................................................................... 125

User Defined Fleet Maps ........................................................................ 127

Type I Programming Information ......................................................... 127

Size Code Restrictions ........................................................................ 128

Planning .................................................................................................... 129

Collecting Information ............................................................................. 129

Filling Out The Conventional System Worksheet ................................... 131

System Name and Quick Key .............................................................. 131

Group Name and Quick Key ................................................................ 131

Frequency-Alpha Tag-Priority-CTCSS/DCS ........................................131

Filling Out The Motorola Worksheet ....................................................... 131

System Name and Quick Key .............................................................. 131

System Type ........................................................................................ 132

System Frequencies ............................................................................ 132

Fleet Map (Type I or Type I/Type II Hybrid Only) ................................ 132

Band Plan (VHF or UHF Only) ............................................................. 133

Group Name and Quick Key ................................................................ 133

Talk Group ID-Alpha Tag-Alert ............................................................ 133

Filling Out the LTR and EDACS Worksheet ........................................... 133

System Name and Quick Key .............................................................. 133

System Frequencies and LCN .............................................................134

Group Name and Quick Key ................................................................ 134

Talk Group ID-Alpha Tag-Alert ............................................................ 134

Conventional System Worksheet ............................................................ 135

Motorola System Worksheet ................................................................... 136

LTR/EDACS System Worksheet ............................................................ 138

Preprogrammed Systems ....................................................................... 140

One-Year Limited Warranty .................................................................... 146

Contents

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The FCC Wants You to Know

This scanner has been tested and found to comply

The FCC Wants You to Know

with the limits for a scanning receiver, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This scanner generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this scanner does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the scanner on and off, you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the scanner and the receiver

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Scanning Legally

Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups, including police and fire departments, ambulance services, government agencies, private companies, amateur radio services, military operations, pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service providers. It is legal to listen to almost every transmission your scanner can receive. However, there are some transmissions that you should never intentionally listen to. These include:

The FCC Wants You to Know

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• Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other private means of telephone signal transmission)

• Pager transmissions

• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions

According to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), you are subject to fines and possible imprisonment for intentionally listening to, using, or divulging the contents of such a conversation unless you have the consent of a party to the conversation (unless such activity is otherwise illegal). This scanner has been designed to prevent the reception of cellular telephone transmissions and the decoding of scrambled transmissions. This is done to comply with the legal requirement that scanners be manufactured so they are not easy to modify to pick up these transmissions. Do not open your scanner’s case to make any modifications that could allow it to pick up transmissions that are illegal to monitor. Modifying or tampering with your scanner’s internal components or using it in a way other than as described in this manual could invalidate your warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate it.

In some areas, mobile use of this scanner is unlawful or requires a permit. Check the laws in your area. It is also illegal in many areas (and a bad idea everywhere) to interfere with the duties of public safety officials by traveling to the scene of an incident without authorization.

A license is required to use this product in Canada.

The FCC Wants You to Know

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Introduction

Your BCD396T scanner is a state-of-the-art scanner

Introduction

radio with TrunkTracker IV™ and automatic scanning capabilities. You can store frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, air, amateur, and other communications into the scanner. You can carry it with you wherever you go. You can use the scanner’s scroll control to quickly select channels and frequencies, and you can automatically program channels in a system using the AutoStore feature. Use your scanner to monitor:

• Analog and digital trunked public safety systems

• Police and fire departments (including rescue and paramedics)

• NOAA weather transmissions

• Business/Industrial radio and utilities

• Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands

• Air band

• Railroad

Your scanner can monitor the following bands.

Frequency (MHz)

Lower Edge Upper Edge Modulation

25.0000 27.9950 AM 5.0

28.0000 29.6800 NFM 20.0

29.7000 49.9900 NFM 10.0

50.0000 53.9800 NFM 20.0

54.0000 71.9500 WFM 50.0

72.0000 75.9950 FM 5.0

76.0000 87.9500 WFM 50.0

88.0000 107.9000 WFM 100.0

108.0000 136.9750 AM 25.0

137.0000 143.9875 NFM 12.5

144.0000 147.9950 NFM 5.0

148.0000 150.7875 NFM 12.5

150.8000 161.9950 NFM 5.0

162.0000 173.9875 NFM 12.5

174.0000 215.9500 WFM 50.0

216.0000 224.9800 NFM 20.0

225.0000 399.9500 AM 50.0

400.0000 512.0000 NFM 12.5

764.0000 775.9875 NFM 12.5

794.0000 805.9875 NFM 12.5

806.0000 823.9875 NFM 12.5

849.0125 868.9875 NFM 12.5

894.0125 956.0000 NFM 12.5

1240.0000 1300.0000 NFM 25.0

* Motorola® Astro®, SMARTNET®,SMARTZONE M/A-COM Private Radio Systems Inc. EDACS® Wide, Narrow, and SCAT,

and E.F. Johnson Co. LTR systems.

Step (kHz)

®,

and PRIVACY PLUS®,

Introduction

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Feature Highlights

General

Feature Highlights

Close CallTM RF Capture Technology - you can set

the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions. See “Using the Close Call Feature” on Page 100 for more information.

Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - your scanner’s memory is organized so that it more closely matches how radio systems actually work, making it easier to program and use your scanner and determine how much memory you have used and how much you have left.

Preprogrammed Systems - your scanner is preprogrammed with over 400 channels covering police, fire, and ambulance operations in the 25 most populated counties in the US, plus the most popular digital systems. A complete list of the scanner’s preprogrammed systems is in “Preprogrammed Systems” on Page 140.

100 Quick Keys – You can set the scanner so you can quickly select systems and groups by using the keypad. This makes it easy to listen to or quickly lock out those systems or groups you don’t want to scan.

12 Service Searches - frequencies are preset in separate Public Safety, News, HAM Radio, Marine, Railroad, Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS, Racing, TV Broadcast, FM Broadcast, and Special searches, to make it easy to search and scan for specific transmissions.

Lockout – You can lock out any system, group, frequency, or channel while scanning. If you lock out a system or group, any channels belonging to that system or group are also locked out.

You can lock out up to 200 frequencies. The scanner skips locked-out frequencies while using the Close Call feature or while searching.

Feature Highlights

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CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes – prevent interference from stations not using the mode you select.

Analog and Digital Audio AGC – Helps automatically balance the volume level between different radio systems.

Fire Tone-Out Standby – Lets you set the scanner to alert you if a two-tone sequential page is transmitted. You can set up to 10 settings (transmit frequency, tone frequencies) then select one for standby monitoring.

Broadcast Screen – Sets the scanner so it ignores Close Call

or search hits on known broadcast

frequencies including pager frequencies.

Custom Screen – Lets you input up to 10 frequency ranges that the scanner will ignore during Close Call

or search operation.

Dropout Delay – You can set whether the scanner pauses at the end of a transmission to wait for a reply. You can set the delay time for each system you scan,

and while searching and using the Close Call

feature.

Attenuator – You can set the scanner’s attenuator to reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 18 dB.

Repeater Reverse – You can set the scanner so it switches to the input frequency on a conventional repeater system.

Channel Alert – You can set the scanner so it alerts you when there is activity on any channel you specify.

Memory Check – Lets you see at a glance how much total memory is left.

Scan and Search Operation – Lets you include selected service searches or custom search ranges during normal scan operation.

Custom Alerts – For each alert in the scanner (such as channel alert, Close Call alert, emergency alert), you

Feature Highlights

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can select from 9 different tone patterns and also set the alert volume level independently from the main volume level.

Automatic Channel Step – Accepts frequencies on any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within the band plan’s default step.

Frequency Step – Lets you select a frequency step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) for manual mode and chain search mode. The scanner’s auto step feature lets you set the scanner so it automatically chooses the correct step.

Quick Recall – Lets you quickly select a specific channel by choosing the system, group, and channel.

Scan/Search Delay – You can set the scanner so it remains on a frequency up to 5 seconds after the last transmission to wait for a possible reply.

Text Tagging – You can name each system, group, channel, talk group ID, custom search range, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.

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

Duplicate Frequency Alert – Alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in a system.

Memory Backup – If power is lost or disconnected, the scanner retains the frequencies you programmed in its memory.

Note: The scanner’s frequency coverage is not continuous and does not include the cellular telephone or UHF TV bands.

Trunk Tracking

Trunk Tracker IV™ Operation – Follows conversations

on analog Motorola, Motorola Astro (APCO 25), EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz,

Feature Highlights

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and 900 MHz bands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

Control Channel Only Scanning – If the scanner is set to scan Motorola trunking frequencies, you can set it so it scans using only control channel data. You do not have to program voice channel frequencies into memory in this mode.

Adaptive Digital Threshold – Automatically sets the digital decode threshold for APCO 25 systems.

Weather

Weather Search – Lets your scanner receive your

local NOAA weather transmission.

SAME Weather Alert – Lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displays the transmitted alert type. This helps you quickly find out about severe weather in your area and lets you avoid false alarms.

WX Priority – Lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather priority alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel.

Service Search – Lets you quickly select and search

the scanner’s preprogrammed frequencies.

Custom Search – Lets you program up to 10 custom search ranges. You can search any of these ranges simultaneously.

CTCSS/DCS Search – Lets the scanner search for CTCSS or DCS tones. You can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS tones.

Quick Search – Lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you are searching a conventional system.

Auto Store

Frequency AutoStore – Automatically stores all

active frequencies within a system you select.

Feature Highlights

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Talk Group ID AutoStore – Automatically stores all new talk group ID’s into a channel group you select.

Priority

Priority Scan – Priority channels let you keep track of

activity on your most important channel(s) while monitoring other channels for transmissions.

Priority Plus – You can set the scanner so it scans only the priority channels

Backlight and Power

Display and Keypad Backlight – Makes the display and

keypad easy to see in dim light. You can adjust the back light so it turns on when you press a key, when squelch breaks during a transmission, or manually.

Low Battery Alert – The scanner alerts you if the batteries need to be recharged or replaced.

Battery Save – You can set the scanner so it reduces the amount of power it needs if there are no transmissions.

Key Controls

Key Lock – You can deactivate the scanner’s keys to

help prevent accidentally changing the scanner’s programming.

PC Control and Cloning

PC Control – You can transfer programming data to

and from your scanner and your personal computer, and control the scanner using a computer. This helps you find frequencies listed on the Internet and load them into the scanner. Free PC control and programming software will be available at http://www.uniden.com.

Clone Mode – You can clone all programmed data, including the contents of the scanner’s memory, menu settings, and other parameters from one BCD396T scanner to another BCD396T scanner.

Feature Highlights

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On-Air Cloning – You can clone all programmed data over the air from a PC to one or more BCD396T scanners.

About This Manual

The screen displays used in this manual are representations of what might appear when you use your scanner. Since what you see depends on the frequencies and user IDs for your area and the settings you select, you might notice some differences between what is in this manual and what appears on your scanner.

Using the Multifunction Scroll Control

The scroll control on top of the BCD396T lets you easily control channel selection, volume, and squelch, and how information appears on the display.

To adjust menu settings, change channels in Hold mode, and resume scanning: Simply rotate the

scroll control.

To change the scanner’s volume: Briefly press the scroll control once, then rotate it. VOLUME LEVEL and the current volume level appear on the display.

To adjust the squelch: While holding down Func on the left side of the scanner, briefly press the scroll control once then rotate it. SQUELCH LEVEL and the current squelch level appear on the display.

To change the display mode: While holding down Func, briefly press the scroll control twice. Extended

receive information, usually applicable to digital scanning, appears on the display. Then briefly press the scroll control again to return to the original display.

Entering Text

To enter a letter, turn the scroll control until the character you want appears, To enter a number, press a number key. To enter a decimal point, press .

Feature Highlights

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To move the cursor to the left, press /4. To move the cursor to the right, press 6/ .

To clear a character, press No twice. To clear all characters, press No 3 times.

To accept an entry, press down on the scroll control or press E.

How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual

To help navigate the scanner’s menus, the steps shown in this manual show the displays you see and the keys you press or control you operate to get a desired result.

This example shows you how to use the scanner’s menu to edit an existing system name. It shows you the key to press ( ) to select a menu option and the option you see (Program System) when you press . It also instructs you to turn the scroll

control (shown as

press the scroll control (shown as (Edit Name).

) to view a series of choices then

) to select a choice

 Program System  



Select the system 



Edit Name 

Follow these steps to enter/edit the system name.

1. The first character of the system name is covered by a cursor. Rotate the scroll control to select the character you want.

2. Press 6/ on the keypad to select the next character. The cursor moves to the next character. To move the cursor to a previous character, press

/4.

Feature Highlights

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3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have entered the system name. Then press down on the scroll control or press E to accept the setting.

Hints:

• Each system name can be up to 16 characters. Abbreviate as necessary to fit.

• The default system names include the following letter in the 16th position to indicate the system type:

M = Motorola E = EDACS L = LTR C = Conventional

• Press twice to delete the current character.

• Press three times to clear the entire alpha tag.

To get the most from this manual, review the contents to become familiar with the basic functions available. If you are new to scanning or trunk tracking, be sure to read “Understanding Scanning” on Page 19 for a quick background on the technology. The first thing you’ll need to do is install batteries in the scanner. Then you need to connect the included antenna to the scanner. See “Setting Up Your Scanner” on Page 32 if you need any help doing this.

Feature Highlights

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Understanding Scanning

This section provides you with background on how

Understanding Scanning

scanning works. You don’t really need to know all of this to use your scanner, but some background knowledge will help you get the most from your BCD396T.

Understanding the Scanner’s Memory

Your scanner’s memory is organized in an architecture called Dynamic Allocated Channel memory. This type of memory is organized differently and more efficiently than the bank/channel architecture used by traditional scanners. Dynamic Allocated design matches how radio systems actually work much more closely, making it easier to program and use your scanner and determine how much memory you have used and how much you have left.

Instead of being organized into separate banks and channels, your scanner’s memory is contained in a pool. You simply use as much memory as you need in the pool to store as many frequencies, talk group ID’s, and alpha tags as you need. No memory space is wasted, and you can tell at a glance how much memory you have used and how much remains.

With a traditional scanner, when you program it to track a trunked system, you must first program the frequencies. Since you can only program one trunking system per bank in a traditional scanner, if there were (for example) 30 frequencies, the remaining 70 or so channels in the bank are not used and therefore wasted. Also, since some trunked systems might have hundreds of talk groups, you would have had to enter those types of systems into multiple banks in order to monitor and track all the ID’s.

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most twoway communications do not transmit continuously. Your BCD396T scans programmed channels until it

Understanding Scanning

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finds an active frequency, then stops on that frequency and remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until the scanner receives another transmission.

What is Searching?

The BCD396T can search each of its 12 bands and up to 10 bands together to find active frequencies. This is different from scanning because you are searching for frequencies that have not been programmed into the scanner. When you select frequency bands to search, the scanner searches for any active frequency within the lower and upper limits you specify. When the scanner finds an active frequency, it stops on that frequency as long as the transmission lasts. If you think the frequency is interesting, you can program it into the scanner’s memory. If not, you can continue to search.

What is CTCSS/DCS?

Your scanner can monitor systems using a Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) system, which allow squelch to open only when the tone you have programmed with a specific frequency is received along with a transmission.

CTCSS and DCS are subaudible tone signaling systems sometimes referred to as PL or DPL (Motorola’s trademarked terms for Private Line and Digital Private Line respectively). CTCSS and DCS are used only for FM signals and are usually associated with both amateur and commercial twoway frequencies. These systems make use of a special subaudible tone that accompanies a transmitted signal.

CTCSS and DCS are used for many purposes. In many cases, CTCSS and DCS are used to restrict access to a commercial repeater, so that only those

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units, which transmit the correct tone along with their signal can “talk” to the repeater.

CTCSS and DCS are also used in areas that receive interference where there are several stations with output frequencies close to each other. When this occurs, you might hear multiple communications on the same frequency. The stations might even interfere with each other to the point where it is impossible to clearly receive any of the stations. A scanner equipped with CTCSS and DCS (like your scanner) can code each received frequency with a specific CTCSS or DCS frequency. Then, when you receive multiple signals, you only hear the transmission with the CTCSS or DCS tone you programmed. If you do not receive the correct tone with a signal, the scanner’s squelch remains closed and you hear nothing.

You can search for the following CTCSS frequencies and DCS codes.

CTCSS Frequencies (Hz)

67.0 69.3 71.9 74.4 77.0 79.7

82.5 85.4 88.5 91.5 94.8 97.4

100.0 103.5 107.2 110.9 114.8 118.8

123.0 127.3 131.8 136.5 141.3 146.2

151.4 156.7 159.8 162.2 165.5 167.9

171.3 173.8 177.3 179.9 183.5 186.2

189.9 192.8 196.6 199.5 203.5 206.5

210.7 218.1 225.7 229.1 233.6 241.8

250.3 254.1

DCS Codes (Octal)

023 025 026 031 032 036 043 047 051 053 054 065 071 072 073 074

114 115 116 122 125 131 132 134

143 145 152 155 156 162 165 172

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174 205 212 223 225 226 243 244 245 246 251 252 255 261 263 265

266 271 274 306 311 315 325 331

332 343 346 351 356 364 365 371 411 412 413 423 431 432 445 446

452 454 455 462 464 465 466 503

506 516 523 526 532 546 565 606 612 624 627 631 632 654 662 664

703 712 723 731 732 734 743 754

Conventional Scanning

Conventional scanning is a relatively simple concept. Each group of users in a conventional system is assigned a single frequency (for simplex systems) or two frequencies (for repeater systems). Any time one of them transmits, their transmission always goes out on the same frequency. Up until the late 1980s, this was the primary way that radio systems operated.

Even today, there are many 2-way radio users who operate using a conventional system:

•Aircraft

• Amateur radio

• FRS/GMRS users

• Broadcast AM/FM/TV stations

• Many business radio users

When you want to store a conventional system, all you need to know is the frequencies they operate on. When you are scanning a conventional system, the scanner stops very briefly on each channel to see if there is activity. If there isn’t, the scanner quickly moves to the next channel. If there is, then the scanner pauses on the transmission until it is over.

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Simplex Operation

Simplex systems use a single frequency for both transmit and receive. Most radios using this type of operation are limited to line-of-sight operation. This type of radio is frequently used at construction job sites, and with inexpensive consumer radios such as GMRS/FRS radios. The range is typically 1-8 miles, depending upon the terrain and many other factors.

Repeater Operation

Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the repeater to other radios in the system. With a repeater-based system, the repeater is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower that provides great visibility to the area of operation. When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output frequency). The user’s radios always listen for activity on the output frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since the repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of sight.

Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to about a 25-mile radius from the repeater location.

What is Trunk Tracking?

Your BCD396T is designed to track the following types of trunking systems.

• Motorola Astro (APCO 25) trunking systems.

• Motorola Type I, Type II, Type IIi hybrid, SMARTNET, and PRIVACYPLUS analog trunking systems, which are extensively used in 800 MHz communication systems.

• LTR trunking systems

• EDACS SCAT trunking systems

• EDACS trunking systems

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When tracking these types of systems, you might want to remember that your scanner can track more than one trunking system at a time and scan conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

Conventional scanning is a simple concept. You enter a frequency used by someone you want to monitor into your scanner’s memory. For example, the police in your area might transmit 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.

However, as the demand for public communications has increased, many public radio users do not have enough frequencies to meet their needs, creating a serious problem. Trunking radio systems help solve this problem.

Trunked Scanning

While conventional scanning worked great while there were only a few groups wanting to use the frequencies, with the advent of smaller, lower-cost radios more and more agencies and businesses wanted to take advantage of the utility of 2-way radio. As a result, the bands that were used most became full, so new users were not able to take advantage of the technology as quickly as they wanted.

Trunking solved this frequency shortage by allowing multiple groups to use the same set of frequencies in a very efficient way. While each type of trunking system operates a little differently (see the next few sections), they all work on the same basic premise: even in a system with a lot of users, only a few users are ever transmitting at any one time.

Instead of being assigned a frequency, as with conventional systems, each group is assigned a talk group ID. A central computer controls the frequency

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each group operates on...and this frequency selection is made each time a user transmits. So, while on a conventional system queries, replies, and follow-ups are all on a single frequency, they could each be on completely different frequencies on a trunked system. This semi-random frequency assignment made monitoring such a system impossible prior to Uniden’s invention of the TrunkTracker IV scanner.

Not only does your BCD396T scan channels like a conventional scanner, it actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once you know a talk group’s ID, you won’t miss any of the action.

If you are a new scanner enthusiast, you might 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 terminology will make trunk tracking much easier. If you are already an experienced scanner operator, you might want to go to “Programming Motorola Systems” on Page 62, “Programming EDACS Systems” on Page 66, or “Programming LTR Systems” on Page 69 now.

Types of Trunking Systems

Trunking systems divide a few frequencies among many different users, but the way that each system does this is slightly different. This section describes some of the technical data behind Motorola, EDACS, and LTR trunked radio systems.

Motorola Trunking

While there are different types of Motorola trunking systems, they all use the same basic trunking method. The system consists of one control channel (or as many as 4 per system), plus one or more voice channels (typically 10, 20, or 28 total channels). When a user presses Push To Talk (PTT) to transmit, their radio first sends their talk group information to the control channel. The computer then assigns that talk

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group to a specific voice channel and transmits that data over the control channel. All radios in that talk group switch over to the assigned voice channel and the user can begin speaking. This all typically takes place in about a second...the person transmitting hears a beep from their radio when the channel is assigned and then it is OK to start talking.

The systems in use are:

Motorola Type I – the radios send the radio ID, the fleet and subfleet talk group ID to the control channel each time they transmit. To program a Type I system, you need to know the system’s fleet map. The most common fleet maps are included in “Preset Fleet Maps” on Page 125. You can also find fleet map resources on the web.

Motorola Type II – the radios only send the radio ID and radio channel code to the control channel. The central computer keeps a database of radio ID’s and which talk group is assigned to which channel code for each radio, so with this system the user’s radio sends only about

/3 the data as a Type I system with each transmission. Type II systems do not use Fleetsubfleet talk groups; instead they use a 5-digit ID for each talk group.

Type IIi Hybrid — these systems support a mix of both Type I and Type II users. Like Type I systems, you must know the system’s fleet map to ensure proper tracking.

Motorola ASTRO (APCO 25) – these radios are similar to Type II systems, but send only the radio ID and radio channel code to the control channel, transmitting voice in digital form.

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EDACS Trunking

EDACS trunking works in much the same way as Motorola trunking with a couple of major differences. In an EDACS system, each frequency used by the system is assigned a Logical Channel Number (LCN) so that less data needs to be transmitted by the control channel. Also, talk groups are assigned in an Agency-Fleet-Subfleet (AFS) hierarchy. Also, there is one variation of EDACS called SCAT that your BCD396T can monitor.

Logical Channel Numbers – each frequency used by the system is assigned an LCN. This information is programmed into each user radio. When a user presses PTT, their radio sends their AFS information to the control channel. The computer then assigns that talk group to a channel and sends the LCN so that all other radios in that talk group will switch to the correct channel. To program an EDACS system in your scanner, you will need to know both the frequencies used by the system and the LCN for each frequency.

Agency-Fleet-Subfleet – talk group ID’s for EDACS systems are assigned in a way that makes it easy to see at a glance the affiliation of the user. Each radio is assigned a 2-digit agency identifier from 00 – 15. For example, 01 might be used by the police, 02 by ambulance service, 03 by the fire department, and so on. Each agency is then subdivided up to 16 times to provide fleet identification, and then 8 more times to identify subfleets.

For example, the complete AFS for the Police Department West District’s dispatch channel might be 01-062. 01 identifies the agency as the police department, 06 identifies the fleet as the West district, and 2 identifies the subfleet as the dispatch channel. While these assignments are somewhat arbitrary and vary from system to system, there are many resources on the web for finding the assignments for most systems. Because of the logical hierarchy of the AFS

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system, your BCD396T lets you assign wildcard ID’s that let you, for example, use only one ID memory to identify all units in either an agency or a fleet.

EDACS SCAT – EDACS SCAT (Single Channel Autonomous Trunking) systems operate on a single channel and alternate control data with analog voice traffic. While your BCD396T cannot track ID’s in this system, it can eliminate the control data so that all you hear is the voice transmissions when you monitor this type of system.

LTR Trunking

LTR (Logic Trunked Radio) systems are trunking systems used primarily by business or private communications service providers, such as taxicabs, delivery trucks, and repair services. These systems encode all control information as digital subaudible data that accompanies each transmission, so there is no separate control channel. Users on an LTR system are assigned to specific talk groups, which are identified by the radio as six digit numbers.

These numbers are in the form AHHUUU, where:

A = Area code (0 or 1) H = Home repeater (01 through 20) U = User ID (000 through 254)

When the scanner receives a transmission on a channel set to the LTR mode, it first decodes the LTR data included with the transmission. In the ID search mode, the scanner stops on the transmission and displays the talk group ID on the display. In the ID scan mode, the scanner only stops on the transmission if the LTR data matches a talk group ID that you have stored in the talk group ID list and have not locked out. LTR systems are frequently programmed so that each radio has a unique user ID.

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I-Call (Motorola/EDACS)

I-calls are direct unit-to-unit transmissions that are not heard by other system users. Your BCD396T can receive I-call transmissions. See “Setting I-Call (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 77 for more information about monitoring I-call transmissions.

Where To Get More Information

By itself, this manual really only provides part of what you need to know to have fun scanning – how to

program and use the scanner. The two included conventional and trunking frequency guides will give you a good head start on the other part of what you need to know – what frequencies have interesting content.

Information On The Internet

The Internet is a great source for current frequencies and information about scanning. Many web sites have lists of frequencies for your area. You can use a search engine to find and use them.

Make a list of the agencies you want to listen to, then look up the frequencies and systems used by those agencies. Here are a few useful sites:

• http://www.scannermaster.com * - frequency resources and home of Police Call.

You can also call them at 1 800 SCANNER (hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday).

• http://www.radioreference.com premier source for user-supported radio system information.

• http://www.bearcat1.com - frequency information from National Communications.

- the Internet's

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• http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/reports/index.cfm

conventional frequency information on file with the US Government

• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD396T

- a group for people interested in discussing the BCD396T.

* - These web sites are not affiliated with Uniden Corporation.

To purchase another copy of the conventional or trunking frequency guide, contact your local dealer or:

Uniden Parts Department (800) 554-3988 (Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Central Time Monday through Friday.)

For more information about Uniden and our other products, visit http://www.uniden.com.

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Included With Your Scanner

Connection

Cable

Wrist Strap

AC Adapter

Batteries

Scanner

(with antenna

attached)

Belt Clip

BNC/SMA Adapter

Owners Manual

and other

printed

material

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, Monday through Friday.

Included With Your Scanner

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Setting Up Your Scanner

These guidelines will help you install and set up your

Setting Up Your Scanner

new scanner:

• If your scanner receives interference or electrical noise, move the scanner or its antenna away from the source.

• To improve the scanner’s reception, use an optional external 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 Ω coaxial cable for lead-in. A mating plug might be necessary for the optional antennas.

• Use an optional mono earphone or mono headset with proper impedance (32 Ω) for private listening. Read the precautions on the inside front cover of this Owners Manual.

• Do not use the scanner in high-moisture environments such as the kitchen or bathroom.

• Avoid placing the scanner in direct sunlight or near heating elements or vents.

Using Internal Batteries

You can power your scanner using three alkaline or rechargeable AA batteries.

Before installing batteries, set the switch in the battery compartment to match the type of batteries you will use. Select ALKALINE for non-rechargeable battery types and Ni-MH for rechargeable battery types. See also “Using Rechargeable Batteries” on Page 33 when

you use rechargeable batteries.

1. Remove the battery cover and set the battery switch.

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2. Install 3 AA batteries, matching the polarity symbols (+ -).

WARNING!

Set ALKALINE/Ni-MH to Ni-MH for use only with rechargeable batteries. Never attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot and can even burst if you try to recharge them.

3. Replace the cover.

When flashes and the scanner beeps every 15 seconds, replace the batteries.

Using Rechargeable Batteries

You can also use three rechargeable batteries to power your scanner. Before you use rechargeable batteries, you must charge them. The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you recharge batteries while they are in the scanner. To charge the batteries, set ALKALINE/ Ni-MH inside the battery compartment to NI-MH, install the batteries in the scanner, and connect the supplied AC adapter to the scanner's DC 6V jack (see “Using AC Power” on Page 34).

WARNING!

Do not connect the AC adapter to the scanner if non-rechargeable batteries (such as alkaline batteries) are installed in the scanner and ALKALINE/Ni-MH is set to NI-MH, or if you are unsure of the switch's position. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot and can even burst if you try to recharge them. Before you use rechargeable batteries for the first time, charge them for 14 hours to bring them to a full charge. Discharged batteries take about 14 hours to fully recharge.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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If an AC adapter is connected to the scanner, the scanner checks the condition of the installed batteries. If the scanner is turned off and the batteries require a full charge, Pre-Charging appears on the display. Then, Normal Charging appears as the batteries are recharged. When the batteries are fully charged, Charge Complete appears.

If no batteries are installed in the scanner, No Battery appears. If there is a problem with the installed batteries, Battery Error appears. If the installed batteries are Ni-MH batteries but ALKALINE/Ni-MH is set to ALKALINE, Charge Off appears and the scanner does not charge the batteries.

Removing the Display Sticker

Before you use the scanner, remove the protective plastic sticker over the display.

Using AC Power

You can power the scanner using the supplied 6V, 800 mA AC adapter.

To use the scanner on AC power, plug the adapter into 6V 800 mA on the right side of the scanner, then plug the AC adapter into a standard AC outlet.

If rechargeable batteries are installed and ALKALINE/ Ni-MH is set to NI-MH, the adapter powers the scanner and recharges the installed batteries at the same time.

WARNING!

To prevent damage to Ni-MH batteries, never charge

them in an area where the temperature is above 113°F (45°C) or below 32°F (0°C).

Setting Up Your Scanner

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Connecting the Antenna

To attach the supplied flexible antenna to the connector on the top of your scanner, simply screw it onto the scanner's SMA connector.

Connecting an Optional Antenna

The scanner's SMA connector makes it easy to connect a variety of optional antennas, including an external mobile antenna or outdoor base station antenna.

Note: Always use 50-ohm, RG-58, or RG-8, coaxial cable and the supplied BNC/SMA adapter to connect an outdoor antenna. If the antenna is over 50 feet from the scanner, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. You can get an SMA adapter at your local electronics store.

Connecting an Earphone/Headphone

For private listening, you can plug a 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) mini-plug earphone or headphones (not supplied) into the headphone jack on top of your scanner. This automatically disconnects the internal speaker. See “Earphone Warning” at the front of the manual for important information about using an earphone/ headphone.

Connecting an Extension Speaker

In a noisy area, an optional amplified extension speaker, positioned in the right place, might provide more comfortable listening. Plug the speaker cable's

/8-inch (3.5-mm) mini-plug into your scanner's jack.

WARNING!

Never connect anything other than an earphone or the recommended amplified extension speaker to the scanner’s headphone jack. This might damage the scanner.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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Attaching the Belt Clip

To make your scanner easier to carry when you are on the go, use the supplied belt clip.

Attaching the Wrist Strap

To keep your scanner safely close at hand, use the supplied wrist strap. Push the small loop on one end of the wrist strap through the lug on the right side of the scanner, then thread the other end of the wrist strap back through the small loop to secure it.

A Look At The Keypad

Your scanner's keys have various functions labeled on the key tops and below the keys.

To select the function labeled on a key, simply press the key. To select the function labeled below a key, hold down on the left side of the scanner then press the key. appears on the display.

Func

Setting Up Your Scanner

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If your scanner's keys seem confusing at first, the following information should help you understand each key's function.

Key Name Description

Hold/

Hold – Holds the scan or the

frequency search when pressed. Resumes the scan or the frequency search when pressed again.

Func

+ – Quickly turns the

Close Call feature on or off (see “Setting Close Call Options” on Page 101).

Scan/Srch Scan – Scans the stored channels.

Func

+ Srch – Starts quick search or quickly accesses the search menu.

L/O L/O – Lets you lock out a selected

channel or skip a specified frequency.

Func

+ L/O – Press quickly to lock and unlock a selected system in Scan or Scan Hold mode and review search lockout frequencies in Search or Search Hold mode. Press and hold for more than 2 seconds to lock all groups and channels in a system.

/ / – Turns the display

backlight on or off.

Press and hold for more than 2 seconds to turn the scanner on or off. Press quickly to cancel a prompt.

Func

+ – Locks and unlocks the keypad.

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Key Name Description

1-9, 0 1-9, 0 – Enters a frequency, enters

quick key numbers, and selects a custom search range in Custom Search mode.

Selects systems by quick key in scan mode.

Func

+ 1-9, 0 – Selects groups by

quick key in scan mode.

1/Pri 1 – Enters a 1.

Func

+ Pri – Selects the priority

mode in scan hold mode.

2/Wx 2 – Enters a 2.

Func

+ WX – Selects the weather function in the menu in the Hold mode.

4 – Enters a 4.

Func

+ – Moves the active

character to the left while editing data.

6 – Enters a 6.

Func

+ – Moves the active

character to the right while editing data.

7/Rcl 7 – Enters a 7.

Func

+ Rcl – Displays a series of prompts to quickly select a specific channel in the scan hold mode.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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Key Name Description

/Rev

– Enters a decimal point or dash in a frequency or talk group ID,enters an extended 2-digit Quick Key, enters an “i” for I-Call input.

At a prompt, answers “No.”

Func

+ Rev – Monitors the currently-tuned frequency’s reverse frequency.

E/Yes/Att E – Press to select input and menu

items, to quickly edit a channel in Scan Hold Mode, and store a frequency into memory in Scan Hold mode.

At a prompt, answers “Yes.”

Func

+ Att – Turns the scanner’s attenuator on or off for the current channel (for conventional systems) or system (for trunked systems).

A Look At The Display

The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status. The display information helps you understand how your scanner operates.

Sx: - appears with a number to show the currentlyselected System Quick Key number. x appears to show the second digit of the Quick Key number. For example, if System Quick Key 75 is selected, S7: appears. The currently active system indicator flashes.

ATT - appears when the attenuation feature is turned on (see “Setting System Attenuation (Trunked Systems Only)” on Page 81).

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PRI - appears when the priority feature is turned on (see “Priority Scan” on Page 54).

- appears when you lock the keypad (see “Locking/Unlocking the Keypad and Scroll” on Page 53).

- alerts you when the battery power gets low.

GRP - shows the currently activated group, appears with numbers (0-9). The currently active group indicator flashes.

AM/FM/NFM/WFM - appears to show the type of transmission.

L/O - appears when you manually select a channel you locked out or a skip frequency.

- appears when you hold down to select a

Func

function.

- appears when the scanner is set to a Close Call feature mode (see “Using the Close Call Feature” on Page 100).

SCAN - scrolls while the scanner is scanning.

GRP - appears with a number to show the currently-

selected group Quick Key number.

DSKP - appears when data skip is turned on.

HOLD - appears while the scanner is set to scan hold

mode.

- appears if priority is turned on

ATT - appears if the attenuator is turned on.

SCR - appears when one or more broadcast screen

bands are turned on.

REP - appears when repeater find is turned on.

P25 - appears when an APCO P25 digital voice

transmission is being received.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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LNK - appears when data on a voice channel is being received.

DAT - appears when data on a control channel is being received.

ENC - appears when APCO P25 encrypted data is being received on a voice channel.

Using Menu

Func

Press on the left side of the scanner to enter the

menu. See “Using the Menu” on Page 49 for more information about the scanner’s menu options.

Using Func

To select the function labeled below a key on the front of the scanner, hold down on the left side of the scanner, then press that key. To hold on a system while scanning or temporarily stop on a channel while searching, press . To select a system in Scan or

Func

Scan Hold mode, hold down and rotate the scroll control.

Func

Setting Up Your Scanner

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Basic Operation

Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch

Scroll

Control

Note: Make sure the scanner's antenna is connected

before you turn it on.

1. Press and hold for about 2 seconds to turn on the scanner.

2. Briefly press the scroll control once. VOLUME LEVEL and a number appear on the display.

3. While VOLUME LEVEL appears, rotate the scroll control to set the volume to a comfortable listening level.

Note: If you do not press any key or turn the scroll control within about 10 seconds, VOLUME LEVEL disappears. If this happens, simply press the scroll control again.

4. While holding down Func on the left side of the scanner, briefly press the scroll control once. SQUELCH LEVEL and a number appear on the display.

5. While SQUELCH LEVEL appears, rotate the scroll control to set the squelch to the level you want.

Note: If you do not press any key or turn the scroll control within about 10 seconds, SQUELCH LEVEL disappears. If this happens, simply press the scroll control again.

Basic Operation

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Scanning Systems

To begin scanning programmed systems, press Scan. The BCD396T scans all unlocked systems in all activated quick-key groups and any searches unlocked for search and scan.

Notes:

• If no systems are programmed, or all systems are locked out, an error message appears. Program a system or select a system to scan.

• When scanning multiple systems, the BCD396T scans systems according to the assigned quick key. Systems assigned to quick key 1 are scanned first, then 2, 3, 4, etc. Systems not assigned to a quick key are scanned last, then unlocked searches. Within a quick key, systems are scanned in the order they were assigned.

• Within a system, channels are scanned according to the assigned channel group, with the same priority as described above for systems.

• The BCD396T scans a system for the duration you set using the System Hold Time option (see “Setting the System Hold Time” on Page 74). For trunked systems, the scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, the current transmission ends, and the channel delay expires. Conventional systems operate similarly, but all unlocked channels are scanned at least one time regardless of the hold time setting.

• Each search range is searched for the amount of time you set using the “Set Hold Time” option. See “Setting the System Hold Time” on Page 74 for more information.

Preprogrammed System Tips

All systems preprogrammed into the scanner are assigned to a Quick Key. See “Preprogrammed Systems” on Page 140 for a list of preprogrammed systems and their Quick Key assignments.

Basic Operation

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Notes:

• The systems preprogrammed into the scanner are located primarily in major metropolitan areas.

• You might hear transmissions on frequencies assigned to very distant stations. This will happen if a local system also uses the same frequency.

You can scan the preprogrammed systems more efficiently by preventing the BCD396T from trying to scan systems that are not in your area. To do this, refer to the quick key assignments listed in “Preprogrammed Systems” on Page 140, and enter the quick key for each distant system to turn them off.

To stop scanning a local preprogrammed system, you can:

• Lock out the system (see “Locking/Unlocking Systems” on Page 45)

• Reassign the system to another quick key so you can easily enable/disable it independently of other systems (see “Editing the System Quick Key” on Page 73)

• Delete the system (see “Deleting Systems” on Page 81)

Important! You cannot restore preprogrammed systems if you delete them.

Selecting Systems to Scan

To select systems to scan, press Scan then press the quick key assigned to the system or systems you want to scan. For quick keys 0-9, press the quick key’s number. For quick keys 10-99, press then press the quick key’s 2-digit number. To stop scanning the system(s), press (if the quick key is a 2-digit quick key) then the number button or buttons again.

The Sx: (system) indicators on the display show the systems that are currently selected.

Basic Operation

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To select or lock out a system that is not assigned to a key, press and hold while you rotate the scroll

Func

control until the desired system is selected. Then, continue to hold and press L/O to either lock out

Func

or unlock the system.

Selecting System Channel Groups

Within a system, you can assign groups of channels to a group quick key (see “Setting the Group Quick Key” on Page 83).

Follow these steps to activate or deactivate a channel group within a system while scanning.

1. Press to hold on the system (or hold down

Func

then rotate the scroll control to select the

system).

2. Continue to hold and press the number key

Func

corresponding to the channel group you want to activate or deactivate.

Locking/Unlocking Systems

Follow these steps to lock out a system so that it does not scan even if its quick key is selected.

1. While holding down , rotate the scroll control

Func

to select the system.

2. Continue to hold down and press L/O to lock

Func

out the system. System Locked appears.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to unlock a system you have previously locked. System Unlocked appears.

Locking/Unlocking Channels

Follow these steps to lock out a channel so that it does not scan even if its system and channel group are selected.

1. While holding down , rotate the scroll control

Func

to select the system where the channel is stored.

Basic Operation

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2. Release then press Hold within 2 seconds

Func

to hold on the system.

3. Rotate the scroll control to select the channel you want to lock or unlock.

4. Press L/O to lock or unlock the channel.

You can also lock out an active channel by pressing

L/O while the scanner is stopped on the channel.

ID Scan/ID Search Mode

While you are scanning a trunked system, the scanner can be in either ID Scan or ID Search mode:

• ID Scan – the scanner only stops on talk group ID’s that you have programmed into the system

• ID Search – the scanner stops on any unlocked talk group that becomes active.

To toggle between ID Scan and ID Search, press Scan while the scanner is scanning the system.

If the scanner does not scan the system long enough for you to easily do this, press while the scanner is scanning the system (or press then rotate the scroll control to select the system). Then, release

Func

and press Scan within 2 seconds.

Func

Temporarily Holding On a System

To temporarily hold on a system, press and hold . To hold on a different system, continue to hold and rotate the scroll control to select the system. Normal scanning resumes 2 seconds after you release

Func

Holding On a Channel

To hold on a channel, press Hold while the channel is active. To select a different channel, rotate the scroll control. If you scroll past the beginning or end of the current system, the scanner selects channels in the previous or next system. To resume scanning, press Scan.

Basic Operation

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Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search

To quickly store an active talk group ID during ID search, press E. You see:

Quick TGID Save?

To save the ID into a channel, press E. Otherwise, press No. If you press E, the scanner stores the ID into a channel group called Qck Save Grp in the current system.

Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s

1. Hold on an existing channel in any system.

2. Enter the frequency or talk group ID you want to store (press twice to enter hyphens in talk group ID’s).

3. To quick-store the channel or talk group ID, press E. Otherwise, press No.

If you enter a frequency then press E, the scanner stores it in the Qck Save Grp group in a system called Qck Save Cnv Sys. These are created if they do not exist. Then, the scanner prompts you to save other channel settings.

If you enter a talk group ID then press E, the scanner stores it into a channel group named Qck Save Grp in the current system. If the talk group ID’s format is not the type used by the current system, the scanner displays an error message and does not save the talk group ID.

If you pressed No in Step 3, the scanner prompts you to select the system and the group where you want to store the frequency or talk group ID.

Basic Operation

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Quickly Recalling Channels

1. Press Hold to hold on any channel.

2. Press + Rcl. The scanner prompts you to select the system where the channel is stored.

3. Rotate the scroll control to select the system, then press E. The scanner prompts you to select the channel group where the channel is stored.

4. Rotate the scroll control to select the group, then press E. The scanner prompts you to select a channel.

5. Rotate the scroll control to select the channel, then press E to hold on that channel.

Func

Monitoring Trunking Activity

To monitor trunking activity, press Hold then turn the scroll control to select the control channel frequency (for a Motorola or EDACS system) or any system frequency (for an LTR system). Active talk group ID’s appear on the second line of the display.

Toggling Channel Alpha Tags

To change the display so the channel and frequency or Talk Group ID appear instead of the alpha tag, press

Func

+ 5.

Basic Operation

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Using the Menu

The scanner’s menu lets you select options that let you

Using the Menu

set up and use the scanner.

To use the menu, press on the left side of the scanner. To select a menu item, rotate the scroll control clockwise or counterclockwise. The currently-selected menu item is highlighted with a bar on the display. When the menu item you want to select is highlighted, briefly press the scroll control to select it. To back up a level, press . To exit the menu mode, press again.

Menu Menu

This table shows the scanner’s menu structure. To find information about a particular menu setting in this manual, go to the page number shown in parentheses next to the setting.

Note: Not all of the options shown in this table may appear at the same time. To view all available options on

any screen, rotate the scroll control.

Menu Item Submenu

-- M E N U --

Program System

Srch/CloCall Opt Search for ...

Select System

Srch/CloCall Opt

New System

(51)

-- M E N U --

Program System

Srch/CloCall Opt

Search for ...

-- M E N U -Program System Srch/CloCall Opt

Search for ...

Srch/CloCall Opt

Freq Lockouts

Broadcast Screen CTCSS/DCS Search

Srch/CloCall Opt

Repeater Find Max Auto Store Set Delay Time Set Modulation Set Attenuator Set Data Skip Set Step Adjust P25 Level

Search for ...

Service Search

Edit Service Custom Search

Srch/CloCall Opt

Edit Custom Search and Store

(104) (105) (92) (106) (107) (108) (88) (107) (107) (108) (109) (77)

(91) (95) (93)

(94) (97)

Using the Menu

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Menu Item Submenu

-- M E N U -Srch/CloCall Opt Search for ...

Close Call

Close Call Only

CC Auto Store Set CC Mode Set CC Override Set CC Alert Set CC Bands

(101) (101) (101) (101) (101) (101)

-- M E N U -Search for ... Close Call

Set Priority

-- M E N U -Close Call Set Priority

WX Operation

-- M E N U -Set Priority WX Operation

Tone-Out for ...

-- M E N U -WX Operation Tone-Out for ...

Xfer Information

-- M E N U -Tone-Out for ... Xfer Information

Settings

Set Priority

Off (54)

On Plus On

Srch/CloCall Opt

WX Operation

Weather Scan

Weather Alert Program SAME

Srch/CloCall Opt

Set Delay Time Set Attenuator WX Alt Priority

Tone-Out for ...

Tone-Out Standby

Tone-Out Setup

Xfer Information

Wired Clone

On-Air Clone

Settings

Set Backlight

Adjust Key Beep Set Battery Save

Srch/CloCall Opt

Set Audio AGC Adjust Contrast PC Control See Scanner Info

(54)

(54) (54)

(110) (110) (111 ) (108) (107) (112)

(113)

(57) (58)

(54) (53) (54) (55) (55) (56) (53)

Using the Menu

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Programming Systems Menu

This table shows the scanner’s systems menu structure. This menu lets you program new systems or change existing systems. To find information about a particular menu setting in this manual, go to the page number shown under or next to the setting.

To use the systems menu, press then briefly press the scroll control. To back up a level, press

Menu Menu

. To exit the menu mode, press again.

Note: Not all of the options shown in this table may appear at the same time. To view all available options

on any screen, rotate the scroll control

Menu/ Submenu

Select Sys Type

Conventional

MOT EDCS

Srch/CloCall O

“Programming Conventional Systems” on Page 60

Select Sys Type

Conventional

MOT

EDCS

Srch/CloCall O

“Programming Motorola Systems” on Page 62

System 1

P25

800MHz Standard 800MHz Splinter

Srch/CloCall Op

900MHz band VHF Band UHF Band

Select Sys Type

Conventional MOT

EDCS

“Programming EDACS Systems” on Page 66

EDCS

WIDE

NARROW SCAT

Srch/CloCall Op

Option Menu

System 1 C

Edit Name

Edit Sys Option Edit Group

Srch/CloCall Op

Delete System Copy System

System 1 M

Edit Name

Edit Sys Option Set Frequencies

Srch/CloCall Op

Set Modulation Set Attenuator Edit Group Delete System Copy System

System 1 E

Edit Name

Edit Sys Option Set Frequencies

Srch/CloCall Opt

Set Attenuator Edit Group Delete System Copy System

(72) (73) (60) (81) (81)

(72) (73) (70) (64) (81) (65) (81) (81)

(72) (73) (70) (81) (65) (81) (81)

Using the Menu

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Menu/ Submenu

Select Sys Type

Conventional MOT

EDCS

Srch/CloCall O

“Programming LTR Systems” on Page 69

Option Menu

System 1 L

Edit Name

Edit Sys Option Set Frequencies

Srch/CloCall Opt

Set Modulation Set Attenuator Edit Group Delete System Copy System

(72) (73) (70)

(64) (81) (70) (81) (81)

Using the Menu

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Other Settings

Displaying System Information

Viewing Memory Used

  Settings  



See Scanner Info  

% Memory Used 

A bar showing the percent of memory used appears. Press any key to return to the previous menu, then press Scan or Hold.

Viewing the Firmware Version

  Settings  



See Scanner Info  

Firmware Version 

Press any key to return to the previous menu, then press Scan or Hold.

Adjusting the Key Beep

  Settings  



Adjust Key Beep  

Auto - the scanner automatically sets the key beep to

match the master volume setting level you select.

Level 1 - 15 the scanner lets you select a key beep level. You can choose any of 15 different key beep levels.

Off - the scanner turns the key beep off.

Locking/Unlocking the Keypad and Scroll

Press and hold down then press / / to lock or unlock the keypad. Keypad Lock and On (if the keypad is locked) or Off (if the keypad is unlocked) appears. This does not affect the volume setting.

Func

Other Settings

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Turning Power Save On or Off

  Settings  



Set Battery Save  

• On The scanner goes into low-power mode when you monitor a conventional channel that has no activity.

• Off Power save is off.

Priority Scan

  Set Priority  

Or, while holding on any channel, press + 1/Pri to select one of these priority modes:

• Off Normal scanning

• On While scanning a conventional system, the scanner interrupts every 2 seconds and checks the priority channels in each unlocked conventional system. Priority channels in lower priority key numbered systems (starting from 1) have highest priority. PRI appears when you select this mode.

• Plus On The scanner only scans priority channels in unlocked conventional systems. PRI flashes when you select this mode.

Other Settings

Using the Backlight

  Settings  



Set Backlight  

• 10 sec The backlight stays on for 10 seconds after you press .

• 30 sec The backlight stays on for 30 seconds after you press .

Func

• Squelch The backlight turns on when the squelch opens then stays on for 5 seconds.

Other Settings

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• Keypress The backlight turns on when any key is pressed then stays on for 10 seconds.

• Infinite The backlight turns on when you press then stays on until you press again.

Pressing any key while the backlight is on extends the backlight period. Pressing while the backlight is on

turns off the backlight.

Setting the Audio AGC

  Settings    Set Audio AGC 

This setting helps balance the audio level you hear as you listen to different radio sources so you can hear them at a similar volume. Use this setting if you listen to an audio source that has natural changes in audio level for which you want to compensate.

Analog Rotate the scroll control to select. This setting lets you set the audio AGC for receiving analog channels.

• On Press the scroll control to select. Audio AGC is turned on.

• Off Press the scroll control to select. Audio AGC is turned off.

Digital Rotate the scroll control to select. This setting lets you set the audio AGC for receiving digital channels.

• On Press the scroll control to select. Audio AGC is turned on.

• Off Press the scroll control to select. Audio AGC is turned off.

Adjusting the Display Contrast

  Settings  



Adjust Contrast 

Contrast 1 - 15 the scanner adjusts the display to

the contrast level you select.

Other Settings

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This setting controls the display’s contrast (how light or dark it appears). Use this setting to change the contrast for different viewing conditions. There are 15 contrast settings. You see the change in contrast as you scroll through the settings.

Initializing the Scanner’s Memory

Important! This deletes all preprogrammed data.

You cannot restore preprogrammed data that has been deleted.

To initialize the scanner’s memory, turn off the scanner. Then, press 2, 9, and Hold while turning it on.

Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer

To connect your scanner to a personal computer, you must first set the scanner’s baud rate (the rate at which data is transferred between the scanner and the computer, in bits per second (bps)).

Hint: If you have trouble transferring data between your scanner and your computer, try setting the baud rate to a slower setting.

Use the included connection cable to connect your scanner to another BCD396T scanner or your personal computer.

  Settings  



PC Control 

Other Settings

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PC Control Lets you set the baud rate your scanner uses to communicate with a personal computer.

• Off The baud rate is not set.

• 9600 bps The baud rate is set to 9600 bps.

• 19200 bps The baud rate is set to 19,200 bps.

• 38400 bps The baud rate is set to 38,400 bps.

• 57600 bps The baud rate is set to 57,600 bps.

• 115200 bps The baud rate is set to 115,200 bps.

Using the Cloning Options

Lets you set your scanner as a master (source) or slave (recipient), letting you transfer programming to or from another BCD396T scanner. See “Wired Cloning” on Page 57 and “On-Air Cloning” on Page 58.

Wired Cloning

  Xfer Information  



Wired Clone 

• Master Sets the scanner to be the source scanner.

• Slave Sets the scanner to be the recipient scanner.

To clone (copy) data directly from one BCD396T scanner to another BCD396T scanner, you must first connect the scanners to each other using the included connection cables and a DB9 null modem adapter and DB9 gender changer (neither included), available at most computer stores. Then you must set one scanner as the source and the other as the destination.

Plug the smaller end of each of the included connection cables into Remote on the right side of each scanner. Then connect the other end of the cables together using the null modem connector and gender changer.

Then set the scanner containing the programming you want to transfer as the master scanner, then set the other scanner as the slave scanner.

Other Settings

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(Master scanner) Clone Master Press SCAN Key

Scan



(Slave scanner) Clone Slave Press SCAN Key

Scan



When you are ready to clone the scanner, press on the slave scanner first, then on the master scanner. The master scanner checks the connection between the two scanners, then transfers its data to the slave scanner.

When the transfer is complete, Complete appears on both scanners. If the transfer did not work, Error appears on the master scanner.

Scan

On-Air Cloning

You can clone (copy) data from a PC to a BCD396T scanner. This is useful if you want to quickly program 20 or more BCD396T scanners at the same time.

  Xfer Information  



On-Air Clone 

• Start Cloning Start on-air cloning.

• Set Frequency Lets you set the frequency where your scanner receives the cloning broadcast.

• Set Modulation Lets you set the cloning broadcast’s modulation type.

To clone data from a PC to the scanner, you need a transceiver, a PC that has an audio input, and a cable to connect your PC’s sound card to the transceiver. Follow the directions supplied with the Uniden Advanced Scanner Director Software (available online at http://www.uniden.com) to construct a cable and use on-air cloning.

When you are receiving the cloning broadcast and are ready to clone the scanner, select Start Cloning on the scanner. The scanner receives the data from the transmission

When the transfer is complete, Complete appears. If the transfer did not work, Error appears.

Other Settings

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Programming Radio Systems

Your BCD396T comes preprogrammed with the

Programming Radio Systems

major analog systems used in the 25 most populous counties in the US, as well as the most popular digital systems. However, to get the most enjoyment from your scanner (especially if you do not live near one of these counties), you must customize the programming for your area.

To edit an existing system, use the menu to navigate to the system setting you want to change. This section assumes you are programming a new system.

Programming radio systems is completed in two major steps. Don't skip either step!

1. Plan the system.

2. Program the system into your scanner according to the plan you prepared in Step 1.

To make planning easier, planning worksheets are included in the back of this manual for each system type. Copy the worksheets (or download this manual from the Uniden America Corporation website and print extra sheets), then use them to plan out how you will program the scanner.

Important! Before you start programming your scanner, make sure the batteries are fresh or fully charged. If the scanner loses power while you program it, its memory might be corrupted which will require you to reinitialize it (see “Initializing the Scanner’s Memory” on Page 56). All information programmed in the scanner, including preprogrammed systems, might be lost.

General Notes

• You can store up to 400 systems.

• Trunking systems can have up to 200 channels each. The number of conventional system channels you can have is limited only by the amount of scanner memory remaining.

• You can store up to 20 channel groups per system.

• Total channels are limited to about 6000.

Programming Radio Systems

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Programming Conventional Systems

 Program System  



New System 



Conventional 

Confirm? Yes=”E” / No=”.”

The scanner creates an empty conventional system, with a default name of System n C. n is a number that increments as you add new systems. C indicates that this is a conventional system.

Refer to the appropriate section to set system-wide options:

• See “Editing the System Name” on Page 72

• See “Editing the System Quick Key” on Page 73

• See “Setting System Lockout” on Page 73

• See “Setting the System Hold Time” on Page 74

• See “Setting the Channel Delay Time” on Page 74

• See “Deleting Systems” on Page 81

• See “Copying Systems” on Page 81

• See “Entering/Editing Conventional Channel Groups” on Page 60

Entering/Editing Conventional Channel Groups

To enter channels in a conventional system, first set up a channel group (or groups) to hold the channels. Then, enter the channel and channel parameters in the group(s).

Setting Up a Channel Group

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 



New Group 

Programming Radio Systems

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The scanner creates a group with a default name of Group n. n increments by one for each new group you create within a system. Refer to the appropriate section to set group-wide options:

• See “Entering/Editing the Group Name” on Page 82

• See “Setting the Group Quick Key” on Page 83

• See “Deleting Groups” on Page 83

• See “Setting System Lockout” on Page 73

• See “Entering/Editing Conventional Channels” on Page 61

Entering/Editing Conventional Channels

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 



Select the group  

 Edit Channel   

New Channel 

Refer to the appropriate section to change a channel setting:

• See “Editing the Channel Name” on Page 84

• See “Editing Frequencies (Conventional Channels Only)” on Page 85

• See “Setting Channel Priority (Conventional Channels Only)” on Page 85

• See “Deleting Channels” on Page 89

• See “Copying/Pasting Channels” on Page 90

Note: The scanner automatically sets the step to match the input frequency.

Programming Radio Systems

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Programming Motorola Systems

 Program System  



New System 



MOT 

Next, rotate the scroll control to select the type of Motorola system you want to program, then briefly press the scroll control to select it.

• P25 - Use for Motorola Astro APCO 25 Digital systems in any band

• 800MHz Standard - Use for 800 MHz systems that use the standard band plan

• 800MHz Splinter - Use for 800 MHz systems that use the splinter band plan (typically near international borders)

• 900MHz Band - Use for 900 MHz systems

• VHF band - Use for VHF systems

• UHF band - Use for UHF systems

Confirm? Yes=”E” / No=”.”

Next, refer to the appropriate section to set systemwide options. For most settings, you can accept the default. However, for the items in bold, you must enter information in order for your scanner to scan the system.

• See “Editing the System Name” on Page 72

• See “Editing the System Quick Key” on Page 73

• See “Setting System Lockout” on Page 73

• See “Setting the System Hold Time” on Page 74

• See “Setting the Channel Delay Time” on Page 74

• See “Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only)” on Page 75

• See “Editing the Fleet Map (Motorola Systems Only)” on Page 75 (must be set up for Type I systems)

Programming Radio Systems

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• See“Setting the Motorola Status Bit (Motorola Systems Only)” on Page 76

• See “Setting the End Code Operation (Motorola Systems Only)” on Page 77

• See “Setting I-Call (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 77

• See “Setting Emergency Alert (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 78

• See “Adjusting the P25 Level (Motorola and Conventional Systems Only)” on Page 79

• See “Setting Control-Channel Only (Motorola Systems Only)” on Page 78

• See “Setting System Lockout” on Page 73

• See “Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies” on Page 104

• See “Setting System Attenuation (Trunked Systems Only)” on Page 81

• See “Deleting Systems” on Page 81

• See “Copying Systems” on Page 81

• See “Setting System Frequencies” on Page 63

• See “Entering/Editing Motorola Channel Groups” on Page 65

Setting System Frequencies

 Program System  



Select the system  

 Set Frequencies 

Input a system frequency, then press the scroll control.

To enter additional frequencies, press , use the scroll control to select New Frequency, then repeat the above.

Note: If you select Control Channel Only mode (see “Setting Control-Channel Only (Motorola Systems Only)” on Page 78), you only need to enter the frequency(s) that can be assigned as the control channel. Most frequency lists usually indicate which of the frequencies are the control channel frequencies. Otherwise, you must enter all of the frequencies.

Programming Radio Systems

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Setting Modulation

 Program System  



Select the system  



Set Modulation 

Auto - the scanner uses the default modulation for

the frequency band.

FM - the scanner uses FM (frequency modulation) for the frequency band.

NFM - the scanner uses narrowband FM for the frequency band.

Note: The default setting is Auto.

This setting controls the modulation method used for the frequency band. In most cases, if you leave this set to Auto, the scanner automatically selects the correct modulation type for the system you are programming.

Setting Attenuation

 Program System  



Select the system  



Set Attenuator 

This setting controls whether the attenuator will be on or off for the current system. Select your setting then press the scroll control.

Off - the attenuator is off.

On - system frequencies are attenuated by about 18

dB.

Notes:

• Turn on this setting if you are near strong signal sources. Attenuation can help reduce interference and desensitization that strong signals create.

• You can also turn this setting on or off by holding on a trunked system, then pressing + E.

Programming Radio Systems

Func

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Entering/Editing Motorola Channel Groups

To enter channels in a system, first set up a channel group (or groups) to hold the channels. Then, enter the channel and channel parameters in the group(s).

Setting Up a Channel Group

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 

The scanner creates a group with a default name of Group nn. nn increments by one for each new group you create within a system.

Next, refer to the appropriate section to set group-wide options:

• See “Entering/Editing the Group Name” on Page 82

• See “Setting the Group Quick Key” on Page 83

• See “Deleting Groups” on Page 83

• See “Copying Systems” on Page 81

• See “Entering/Editing Motorola Channels” on Page 65

• See “Setting I-Call (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 77

Entering/Editing Motorola Channels

 Program System  



Select the system  

 Edit Group  

Select the group  

 Edit Channel   

New Channel 

Enter a talk group ID  

Refer to the appropriate section to change a channel setting:

Programming Radio Systems

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• See “Adjusting the P25 Level (Motorola and Conventional Systems Only)” on Page 79

• See “Editing the Channel Name” on Page 84

• See “Editing the Talk Group ID” on Page 86

• See “Setting Channel Lockout” on Page 89

• See “Deleting Channels” on Page 89

• See “Copying/Pasting Channels” on Page 90

To program another channel within the same group, press , then repeat the above. To create another channel group and enter more channels, press

three times, then proceed from “Entering/Editing Motorola Channel Groups” on Page 65.

Programming EDACS Systems

 Program System  



New System 



EDCS 

Confirm? Yes=”E” / No=”.”

Next, rotate the scroll control to select the type of EDACS system you want to program, then briefly press the scroll control to select it.

• WIDE - Use for wideband EDACS systems

• NARROW - Use for narrowband EDACS systems

• SCAT - Use for EDACS SCAT (Single Channel Autonomous Trunking)

Confirm? Yes=”E” / No=”.”

The scanner creates an empty EDACS system, with a default name of System n E. n is a number that increments as you add new systems. E indicates that this is an EDACS system.

Programming Radio Systems

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• See “Editing the System Name” on Page 72

• See “Editing the System Quick Key” on Page 73

• See “Setting System Lockout” on Page 73

• See “Setting the System Hold Time” on Page 74

• See “Setting the Channel Delay Time” on Page 74

• See “Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only)” on Page 75

• See “Setting I-Call (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 77

• See “Adjusting the P25 Level (Motorola and Conventional Systems Only)” on Page 79

• See “Setting the EDACS ID Format (EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 80

• See “Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies” on Page 104

• See “Setting Channel Attenuation (Conventional Channels Only)” on Page 88

• See “Deleting Systems” on Page 81

• See “Copying Systems” on Page 81

• See “Setting System Frequencies” on Page 67

• See “Entering/Editing EDACS Channel Groups” on Page 68

Setting System Frequencies

 Program System  

 Select the system   

Set Frequencies 

 New Frequency 

Input a system frequency, then press the scroll control. The scanner then prompts you to enter the LCN for the entered frequency. Enter the LCN, then press the scroll control.

To enter additional frequencies, press , use the scroll control to select New Frequency, then repeat the above.

Programming Radio Systems

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Note: The scanner only accepts a single frequency and no LCN for SCAT systems.

Entering/Editing EDACS Channel Groups

To enter channels in a system, first set up a channel group (or groups) to hold the channels. Then, enter the channel and channel parameters in the group(s).

Setting Up a Channel Group

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 

The scanner creates a group with a default name of Group nn. nn increments by one for each new group you create within a system.

Next, refer to the appropriate section to set group-wide options:

• See “Entering/Editing the Group Name” on Page 82

• See “Setting the Group Quick Key” on Page 83

• See “Deleting Groups” on Page 83

• See “Editing the Channel Name” on Page 84

• See “Setting Group Lockout” on Page 83

Entering/Editing EDACS Channels

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 

 Select the group    Edit Channel   

New Channel 

Enter a talk group ID  

Refer to the appropriate section to change a channel setting:

Programming Radio Systems

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• See “Editing the Channel Name” on Page 84

• See “Setting Channel Lockout” on Page 89

• See “Editing the Talk Group ID” on Page 86

• See “Deleting Channels” on Page 89

• See “Copying/Pasting Channels” on Page 90

To program another channel within the same group, press , then repeat the above. To create another channel group and enter more channels, press

three times, then proceed from “Entering/Editing EDACS Channel Groups” on Page 68.

Programming LTR Systems

 Program System  



New System 



LT 

Confirm? Yes=”E” / No=”.”

The scanner creates an empty LTR system, with a default name of System n L. n is a number that increments as you add new systems. L indicates that this is an LTR system.

• See “Editing the System Name” on Page 72

• See “Setting the System Hold Time” on Page 74

• See “Editing the System Quick Key” on Page 73

• See “Setting the Channel Delay Time” on Page 74

• See “Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only)” on Page 75

• See “Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies” on Page 104

• See “Setting Channel Attenuation (Conventional Channels Only)” on Page 88

• See “Deleting Systems” on Page 81

Programming Radio Systems

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• See “Copying Systems” on Page 81

• See “Setting System Frequencies” on Page 70

• See “Entering/Editing LTR Channel Groups” on Page 70

Setting System Frequencies

 Program System  



Select the system  



Set Frequencies 

New Frequency 



Input a system frequency, then press the scroll control. The scanner then prompts you to enter the LCN for the entered frequency. Enter the LCN, then press the scroll control.

To enter additional frequencies, press , use the scroll control to select New Frequency, then repeat the above.

Entering/Editing LTR Channel Groups

To enter channels in a system, first set up a channel group (or groups) to hold the channels. Then, enter the channel and channel parameters in the group(s).

Setting Up a Channel Group

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 

The scanner creates a group with a default name of Group nn. nn increments by one for each new group you create within a system.

Next, refer to the appropriate section to set group-wide options:

• See “Entering/Editing the Group Name” on Page 82

• See “Setting the Group Quick Key” on Page 83

Programming Radio Systems

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• See “Setting Group Lockout” on Page 83

• See “Deleting Groups” on Page 83

• See “Entering/Editing LTR Channels/ Talkgroups” on Page 71

Entering/Editing LTR Channels/ Talkgroups

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Group 



Select the group  

 Edit Channel   

New Channel 

Enter a talk group ID  

Refer to the appropriate section to change a channel setting:

• See “Editing the Channel Name” on Page 84

• See “Setting Channel Lockout” on Page 89

• See “Editing the Talk Group ID” on Page 86

• See “Deleting Channels” on Page 89

• See “Copying/Pasting Channels” on Page 90

To program another channel within the same group,

press , then repeat the above.

To create another channel group and enter more channels, press four times, then proceed from “Setting Up a Channel Group” on Page 70.

To direct-enter LTR talkgroups, follow the steps under “Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s” on Page 47.

Programming Radio Systems

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Programming/Editing Optional Settings

This section details the instructions for each of the

Programming/Editing Optional Set-tings

optional programming steps referred to in “Programming Radio Systems” on Page 59. Use the instructions in the appropriate section to enter or edit a setting.

System-Level Settings

These settings apply to the entire system.

Editing the System Name

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Name 

To enter a letter, turn the scroll control until the character you want appears. To enter a decimal point,

press . To move the cursor to the left, press /4 or

Func

hold and rotate the scroll control to the left. To move the cursor to the right, press 6/ or hold

and rotate the scroll control to the right.

Func

To clear a character, press No twice. To clear all characters, press No 3 times.

To accept an entry, press E or press down on the scroll control.

Hints:

• Each system name can be up to 16 characters. Abbreviate as necessary to fit.

• The default system names include the following letter in the 16th position to indicate the system type:

M = Motorola E = EDACS L = LTR C = Conventional

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Editing the System Quick Key

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 

Set Quick Key 

After selecting this option, select any number from 0-99 to assign the system to a quick key or press No to assign the system to no quick key, then press E.

Hints:

• Access single-digit system Quick Keys by pressing the single digit on the keypad during scanning. Access two-digit system Quick Keys by pressing then both digits.

• You can assign as many systems to the same quick key as you want.

• To be scanned, a system’s quick key must be activated and the system must be unlocked.

Setting System Lockout

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Set Lockout 

This setting controls whether the system is scanned when its quick key is enabled. Rotate the scroll control to select your setting, then press E.

Locked - the system is not scanned

Unlocked - the system is scanned

Note: You can also lock or unlock a system by holding

Func

and rotating the scroll control to select the

system, then pressing + L/O.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

Func

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 74 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

Setting the System Hold Time

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Set Hold Time 

This setting controls how many seconds the scanner scans a system before moving to the next unlocked system. Enter a value from 0-255, then press E to save the setting.

Notes:

• This setting is available only when a control channel exists in a trunked system.

• If you select 0, the scanner stays on the system for a minimal time (only long enough to check current system activity).

• The default setting is 2 seconds for each system.

• For conventional systems, all unlocked channels will be scanned at least once regardless of this setting.

• The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires.

• Due to the control method for these system types, the scanner always scans LTR and EDACS SCAT systems for at least 1 second.

Setting the Channel Delay Time

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Set Delay Time 

This setting controls how many seconds the scanner waits after a transmission ends before resuming

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 75 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

scanning. Enter a value from 1-5 or Off, then press the scroll control.

Notes:

• The default setting is 2 seconds for each system.

• This setting applies to all channels within the system.

Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



ID Scan/Search 

This setting controls how the system will be scanned. Select your setting, then press E.

ID Scan - the scanner only stops on channels you have programmed into the system.

ID Search - the scanner stops on any transmission for unlocked talk group ID's.

Note: You can also change this setting by pressing Scan while scanning the system.

Editing the Fleet Map (Motorola Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Edit Fleet Map 

For Motorola Type I systems, you must enter a system fleet map in order for the scanner to properly track and display talk group ID's. The fleet map is usually included in the same resource that provided system frequencies and talk group ID lists.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 76 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

Rotate the scroll control to select the fleet map:

Preset - select from the 16 most common fleet maps (see “Preset Fleet Maps” on Page 125). Press E to select.

Custom - allows you to enter a custom fleet map. Enter the size code for each block. Press E to select.

Notes:

• If you don't know the fleet map for your Motorola Type I system, check the Internet. This information is commonly posted on sites such as those we reference in “Where To Get More Information” on Page 29.

• The default setting of no fleet map is the correct setting for Motorola Type II systems.

Setting the Motorola Status Bit (Motorola Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Set Status Bit 

Motorola analog systems use talk group ID's in multiples of 16. ID numbers that fall between these ID's indicate special status flags for the system. This setting determines how the scanner will handle ID's that are not multiples of 16. Select your setting then press E.

Ignore - the scanner rounds all received ID's down to the next interval of 16.

Yes - the scanner treats all received ID's as unique ID's.

Note: The default setting is Ignore.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Setting the End Code Operation (Motorola Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Set End Code 

This setting determines how the scanner handles the transmission end code sent by most Motorola systems. Select your setting then press E.

Yes - the scanner immediately returns to the control channel when it detects the end code.

Ignore - the scanner does not return to the control channel until the carrier drops.

Note: The default setting is Yes.

Setting I-Call (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Set I-Call 

This setting determines how your scanner treats I-calls while ID Searching.

On - the scanner tracks I-calls. Press E to select.

Off - the scanner ignores I-calls. Press E to select.

Only - the scanner only tracks I-calls and ignores

other radio traffic on the system. Press E to select.

Note: The default setting is Off.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Setting Emergency Alert (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Emergency Alert 

Off - the scanner does not alert you to emergency

transmissions.

Alert 1 - 9 the scanner sounds an alert beep to notify you of the emergency transmission. You can choose any of 9 different beep types.

 Set Level

Auto - the scanner automatically sets the emergency

alert beep to the master volume level.

Level 1 - 15 - the scanner adjusts the volume you hear to the level you select.

Setting Control-Channel Only (Motorola Systems Only)

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 

 Set C-Ch Only 

This setting determines the frequencies you need to enter for Motorola systems. Select your setting, then press E.

Off - you must enter all voice and control channel frequencies.

On - you only need to enter control channel frequencies.

Note: The scanner defaults to On.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Rvw ID: Srch L/O 

The scanner displays the first locked-out frequency and prompts you to unlock the frequency. Press E to unlock the frequency. Or, rotate the scroll control or press No to select a different frequency. To exit the review, press .

Clearing All Locked-Out IDs

 Program System  



Select the system  



Edit Sys Option 



Clr All L/O IDs 

The scanner prompts you to confirm deletion. To confirm and delete all locked-out frequencies, press E. Otherwise, to cancel, press No.

Adjusting the P25 Level (Motorola and Conventional Systems Only)

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Sys Option 



Adjust P25 Level 

This setting determines some system-specific parameters for digital channels. In most cases, setting this to Auto provides the best performance. However, you can also manually set the digital decode threshold. This setting affects all channels in the current system.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 80 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

Auto - the scanner automatically adjusts the digital decode threshold to match the transmission you are hearing when it receives a strong signal and has a high decode rate.

Manual - lets you manually adjust the digital decode threshold. To manually adjust the P25 level, select

Manual.

Default - sets the digital decode threshold to the

default value. Use this setting to return to the value that usually provides adequate performance. This is handy is you have manually adjusted the value to a setting that prevents proper decoding.

Note: This setting has no effect on how these systems are received.

Setting the EDACS ID Format (EDACS Systems Only)

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Sys Option 



EDCS ID Format 

EDACS talk group ID's are commonly provided in one of two formats: AFS and Decimal. This setting determines how you enter EDACS ID's and how the scanner displays them.

AFS Format - the scanner uses AFS format for talk group ID's

Decimal Format - the scanner uses decimal format for talkgroup ID's

Notes:

• The scanner defaults to AFS (agency, fleet, subfleet) format - the format used in most EDACS systems.

• See “EDACS Trunking” on Page 27 for more information about the AFS format.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 81 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

Setting System Attenuation (Trunked Systems Only)

 Program System 



Select the system 



Set Attenuator 

This setting controls whether the attenuator will be on or off for the current system. Select your setting then press E.

Off - the attenuator is off.

On - system frequencies are attenuated by about 18

dB.

Notes:

• Turn on this setting if you are near strong signal sources. Attenuation can help reduce interference and desensitization that strong signals create.

• You can also turn this setting on or off by holding on a trunked system, then pressing + E.

Func

Deleting Systems

 Program System 



Select the system 



Delete System 

The scanner prompts you to confirm deletion. To confirm, press E. To cancel, press No.

Notes:

• Deleted systems cannot be restored. You must re-enter them.

• You cannot restore preloaded systems.

Copying Systems

To copy a system including all settings, groups, and channels:

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 82 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

 Program System 



Select the system 



Copy System 

New Sys Name?

Enter a name for the copied system, then press E.

Group-Level Settings

The settings in this section apply to all of the channels stored in the current group.

Entering/Editing the Group Name

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

Edit Name

 

Follow these steps to enter/edit the group name.

1. Rotate the scroll control to select the first letter.

2. Press and hold down then rotate the scroll control once to select the next letter.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have entered the system name. Then press E or press down on the scroll control to accept the setting.

Hints:

• Each group name can be up to 16 characters. Abbreviate as necessary to fit.

• The group and system name alternate in the top line of the display when the scanner stops on a channel.

• Press twice to delete the current character.

• Press three times to clear the entire alpha tag.

Func

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 83 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

Setting the Group Quick Key

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Set Quick Key  

After selecting this option, press 0-9 to assign the group to a quick key or press No to assign the system to no quick key, then press E.

Hints:

• You can assign as many groups to the same quick key as you want.

• A group’s quick key must be activated to be scanned.

Setting Group Lockout

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Set Lockout  

This setting determines whether the scanner will scan this group when it is enabled. Select your setting, then press E.

Lockout - the group is not scanned.

Unlocked - the group is scanned.

Note: The default setting is Unlocked.

Deleting Groups

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Delete Group  

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 84 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

The scanner prompts you to confirm deletion. To confirm, press E. To cancel, press No.

Note: Deleted groups cannot be restored. You must re-enter them.

Channel-Level Settings

These settings affect only the channel you are programming.

Editing the Channel Name

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Edit Name 

Follow these steps to enter/edit the channel name.

1. Rotate the scroll control to select the first letter.

2. Press and hold down then rotate the scroll control once to select the next letter.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have entered the channel name. Then press E or press down on the scroll control to accept the setting.

Hints:

• Each channel name can be up to 16 characters. Abbreviate as necessary to fit.

• The channel name appears on the second line of the display when the scanner stops on a channel.

• If you do not enter a channel name, the scanner displays the frequency (for conventional systems) or the talk group ID (for trunked systems) when it stops on a channel.

Func

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 85 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

• Press twice to delete the current character.

• Press three times to clear the entire alpha tag.

• Channel names take up extra memory. To maximize channels, use channel names only where necessary.

Editing Frequencies (Conventional Channels Only)

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

Input Frequency

Input the frequency, then press the scroll control. To change the frequency you entered, turn the scroll control to select Edit Frequency, then press the scroll control.

Setting Channel Priority (Conventional Channels Only)

 Program System 

 Select the system  

Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Set Priority 

This setting controls whether the scanner treats the channel as a priority channel while scanning. Select your setting, then press E.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 86 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

On - when you turn on the Priority feature, the channel will be scanned every 2 seconds. appears.

Off - the channel will not be treated with priority.

Note: The default setting is Off.

Setting Channel Alert

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Set Alert 

Off - the scanner does not alert you to emergency transmissions.

Alert 1 - 9 - the scanner sounds an alert beep to notify you of the emergency transmission. You can choose any of 9 different beep types.

 Set Level

Auto - the scanner automatically sets the emergency

alert beep to the master volume level.

Level 1 - 15 - the scanner adjusts the volume you hear to the level you select.

Editing the Talk Group ID

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the talk group ID  

 Edit TGID  

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

BCD396T Paper OM.fm Page 87 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:36 PM

To edit the talk group ID, enter the talk group ID you want using the number keys on the keypad. Then press down on the scroll control to accept it.

Setting CTCSS/DCS (Conventional Channels Only)

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Set CTCSS/DCS 

This setting controls how a subaudible CTCSS or DCS is used for the channel. Select your setting, then press E.

Off - any signal opens squelch.

Search - the scanner searches for and displays any

CTCSS or DCS tone that accompanies the transmission.

CTCSS - the scanner only opens squelch if the CTCSS tone you select is also present with the signal. The scanner then prompts you to enter or scroll to the desired tone.

DCS - the scanner only opens squelch if the DCS tone you select is also present with the signal. The scanner then prompts you to enter or scroll to the desired tone.

Set Lockout - the scanner does not stop on the channel if the tone you select is present. The scanner prompts you to select a CTCSS or DCS tone.

Notes:

• The scanner will not detect or decode P25 signals if you turn on CTCSS/DCS search.

• The default setting is Off.

• See “What is CTCSS/DCS?” on Page 20 for a complete list of CTCSS and DCS tones.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Setting the System Frequency Modulation

  Srch/CloCall Opt  



Set Modulation 

Auto - the scanner uses the default modulation for

the frequency band.

AM - the scanner uses AM (amplitude modulation) for the frequency band.

FM - the scanner uses FM (frequency modulation) for the frequency band.

NFM - the scanner uses narrowband FM for the frequency band.

WFM - the scanner uses wideband FM for the frequency band.

Note: The default setting is Auto.

Setting Channel Attenuation (Conventional Channels Only)

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Set Attenuator 

This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on this channel. Select your setting, then press E.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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On - the channel is attenuated by about 18 dB.

Off - the channel is not attenuated.

Notes:

• The default setting is Off.

• For trunked systems, the attenuation is a systemlevel setting.

• You can also toggle this setting by holding on the channel and pressing and E.

Func

Setting Channel Lockout

 Program System  E 

Select the system  E 

Edit Group  E 

Select the group  E 



Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Set Lockout 

This setting determines whether the scanner will scan this channel when its system and group are enabled. Select your setting, then press E.

Lockout - the channel is not scanned.

Unlocked - the channel is scanned.

Notes:

• The default setting is Unlocked.

• You can also lock or unlock a channel by selecting it while scanning or holding, then pressing L/O. See “Basic Operation” on Page 42.

Deleting Channels

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Delete Channel 

The scanner prompts you to confirm deletion. To confirm, press E. To cancel, press No.

Note: Deleted channels cannot be restored. You must re-enter them.

Copying/Pasting Channels

To copy a channel including all settings:

 Program System 



Select the system 



Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Copy Channel 

The scanner copies the channel into a copy buffer. To paste the channel into the same or another system:

 Program System 



Select the system 

 Edit Group 

Select the group  

 Edit Channel  

Select the channel  

 Paste Channel 

Then, if necessary, edit the channel you copied to give it a unique name and other settings.

Note: The paste option appears only if you have previously copied a channel from a system of the same type you are currently editing.

Programming/Editing Optional Settings

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Searching and Storing

Service Search

Service Search lets you quickly select and search the scanner’s preprogrammed search ranges. During service search, the scanner searches starting with the lowest frequency in the search range you select to the highest frequency in the range.

1. Press then turn the scroll control until

Search for . . . appears. Then press down on the scroll control. The search feature options appear.

2. Press down on the scroll control to select Service Search.

3. Turn the scroll control until the type of service search you want appears, then press down on the scroll control to select it. The following search bands appear.

The scanner searches the service you selected, stopping on any transmission it finds and displaying the frequency. Turn the scroll control to change the search direction. An arrow appears, showing the current search direction.

• Public Safety

• News

• HAM Radio

• Marine

• Railroad

• Air

• CB Radio

• FRS/GMRS

• Racing

• TV Broadcast

• FM Broadcast

• Special

To hold searching, press Hold. To resume searching, press then press Scan/Srch. Or, press Hold.

To lock out a frequency found while searching, press L/O. Locked Out appears and the scanner resumes service search.

Func

Searching and Storing

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Notes:

• If all frequencies in the search band you selected

are locked out, All Locked! appears and the scanner does not search the band.

• If the service you select uses channels (such as CB Radio or Marine), the scanner displays the service channel number.

Quick Search

Quick Search lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you are scanning a conventional system or sets the system to ID search if you are scanning a trunked system.

If you are on a conventional system or channel, press

Func

and Scan/Srch to start quick search. Quick Search Yes = E / No = “.” appears. Qck Search Hold appears if you press Hold.

Press E to start quick search or No to go to the search menu.

CTCSS/DCS Search

CTCSS/DCS Search lets you search for CTCSS or DCS tones when it finds an active frequency in search and Close Call modes. You can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.

Turning this option on lets the scanner search for CTCSS/DCS tones. If the scanner detects the tone, it displays the tone’s frequency and DCS code.

Note: The scanner will not detect or decode P25 signals if you turn on CTCSS/DCS search.

1. Press then turn the scroll control until

Srch/CloCall Opt appears. Then press the scroll control. One of the search feature options appear.

2. Turn the scroll control until CTCSS/DCS Search

appears, then press the scroll control to select it.

Searching and Storing

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3. Turn the scroll control until On appears to turn on CTCSS/DCS search or until Off appears to turn it off, then press the scroll control.

Custom Search

Custom Search lets you program and search 10 custom search ranges. You can search any of these ranges simultaneously and select each custom search range you set. During custom search, the scanner searches starting with the lowest frequency in the search range you select to the highest frequency in the range.

Notes:

• Search ranges are preset. See “Editing a Custom Search Range” on Page 94 to change the range.

• You cannot turn off all custom search ranges.

1. Press then turn the scroll control until Search for ... appears. Then press the scroll control. Or, press + Scan/Srch, then select

No. One of the search feature options appear.

Func

2. Turn the scroll control until Custom Search appears, then press the scroll control to select it. The scanner starts custom search of the custom search range you selected, stopping on any transmission it finds and displaying the frequency. Turn the scroll control to change the search direction. An arrow appears, showing the current search direction.

To turn search ranges on or off, press 0 and 1-9. To hold searching, press Hold. To resume searching, press then press Scan/Srch or Hold again.

Func

To lock out a frequency found while searching, press L/O. Locked Out appears and the scanner resumes custom search.

If you turn off the active custom search range, the scanner skips to the next custom search range and continues searching.

Searching and Storing

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Note: If all frequencies in all active custom search ranges are locked out, All Locked! appears and the scanner does not stop.

Editing a Custom Search Range

You can edit up to 10 custom search ranges. The names of the custom search ranges appear on the display. The default custom search range names appear as Custom 1, Custom 2, and so on.

1. Press then turn the scroll control until

Search for ... appears. Then press the scroll control. Or press and Srch, then No. One of

Func

the search feature options appear.

2. Turn the scroll control until Edit Custom appears, then press the scroll control to select it.

3. Turn the scroll control until the name of the custom search range you want to edit appears, then press the scroll control to select it. The following options appear as you turn the scroll control.

Edit Name - lets you edit the custom search range’s name

Edit Srch Limit - lets you view and select the frequency ranges to search. The scanner prompts you to enter the upper and lower search limits.

Set Delay Time - lets you set the amount of time the scanner will delay before continuing to search after a transmission ends

Set Modulation - lets you set the custom search range’s modulation type

Set Attenuator - lets you set whether the scanner will attenuate reception by 18dB during search

Set Data Skip - lets you set whether the scanner will skip data transmissions during search

Set Step - lets you set the custom search range’s step (the gap between frequencies)

Searching and Storing

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Set C-Ch Only - lets you search for a Motorola control channel. If it finds one, the scanner scans the system.

Adjust P25 Level - adjusts the digital decode threshold to match the transmission you are hearing when it receives a strong signal and has a high decode rate.

Search with Scan - sets whether the scanner includes the custom search during scanning. If unlocked, the scanner first scans all selected systems, then searches the selected service searches for the selected hold time (0-255 seconds).

4. Select the option you want to change for the custom search range you selected, then press the scroll control.

Editing a Service Search

You can change the way service search works for each service.

1. Press then turn the scroll control until

Search for ... appears. Then press the scroll control. Or press and Srch, then No. One of

Func

the search feature options appear.

2. Turn the scroll control until Edit Service appears, then press the scroll control to select it.

3. Turn the scroll control to highlight the service search you want to edit, then press the scroll control to select it.

• Set Delay Time This setting determines how long the scanner waits after a transmission ends before resuming quick search or Close Call operation. Select your setting, then press the scroll control.

Off The scanner resumes immediately when

the transmission ends.

Searching and Storing

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1-5 sec The scanner waits the set amount of time after the transmission ends before resuming.

Note: The default setting is 2 sec.

• Set Attenuator This setting controls the attenuator for search operation. Select your setting, then press the scroll control.

Off The attenuator is off. On Reception is attenuated by about 18 dB.

Note: Turn on this setting if you are near other strong signal sources. Attenuation sometimes helps to reduce interference and desensitization that strong signals create.

• Search with Scan This setting controls how search with scan works.

• Set Lockout This setting controls whether the system is scanned when its quick key is enabled. Rotate the scroll control to select your setting, then press the scroll control.

Locked - the system is not scanned Unlocked - the system is scanned

Note: You can also lock or unlock a system by pressing , selecting the system, then pressing + L/O.

Func

• Set Hold Time This setting controls how many seconds the scanner scans a system before moving to the next unlocked system. Enter a value from 0-255, then press the scroll control to save the setting.

Notes:

• If you select 0, the scanner stays on the system for a minimal time (only long enough to check current system activity).

• The default setting is 2 seconds for each system.

Searching and Storing

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• For conventional systems, all unlocked channels will be scanned at least once regardless of this setting.

• The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires.

Auto Search and Store

Your scanner’s Auto Store feature lets you search for new frequencies in custom search ranges or within a service search range on a conventional system, or new talk group ID’s on a trunked system.

Selecting a System

To store frequencies or talk group ID’s you find during Auto Store, you must first select a system where the frequencies or talk group ID’s will be stored.

1. Press then turn the scroll control until Search for ... appears. Then press the scroll control. One of the search feature options appear.

2. Turn the scroll control until Search and Store appears, then press the scroll control to select it.

3. Turn the scroll control until the system where you want to store the frequencies or talk group ID’s appears, then press the scroll control to select it.

If no systems are programmed, or all systems are locked out, No System Stored appears. If you have already stored too many systems, Over Limit appears.

Storing a Conventional System

You can store frequencies into the system you selected in “Selecting a System”. Otherwise, the scanner stores frequencies in a new group it creates.

Searching and Storing

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1. Follow Steps 1-3 under “Selecting a System” on Page 97. A search option appears.

2. Turn the scroll control until the type of search you want appears, then press the scroll control to select it. A search band appears.

If all systems are locked out, All Locked! appears and the scanner does not store any frequencies.

When you select a search range, the scanner looks for active frequencies within that range and Search and Store appears on the display’s lower line and the system name and search range name appear on the display’s upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the frequency has already been stored in the system. If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the frequency has not been stored, it stores the frequency into a group named Found Channels, then resumes searching. The scanner creates this group if it doesn’t already exist.

Storing a Trunked System

You can store talk group ID’s into the system you selected in “Selecting a System”. Otherwise, the scanner stores talk group ID’s in a new group it creates.

Note: Trunked system search and store does not work if an EDACS SCAT system is selected, a system with no frequency is selected, the selected system is locked out or the quick key to which the system belongs is turned off, and the group you selected to store found talk group ID’s contains more talk group ID’s than the maximum set in Max Auto Store.

To store a trunked system, follow Steps 1-3 under “Selecting a System” on Page 97. The scanner enters ID Search and Store mode.

Searching and Storing

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If all systems are locked out, All Locked! appears and the scanner does not store any frequencies.

When you select a search range, the scanner looks for active talk group ID’s within that range and ID Search and Store appears on the display’s lower line and the system name and search range name appear on the display’s upper line. When the scanner finds an active talk group ID, it checks if the talk group ID has already been stored in the system. If it has, the scanner continues to search. If the talk group ID has not been stored, it stores the talk group ID into a group named Found Channels, then resumes searching. The scanner creates this group if it does not already exist.

Searching and Storing

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Using the Close Call Feature

Your scanner's Close CallTM feature lets you set the

Using the Close Call Feature

scanner so it detects, displays the frequency of, and lets you hear a nearby strong radio transmission. You can set the scanner so the Close Call feature works "in the background" while you are scanning other frequencies, turn off normal scanning while the Close Call feature is working, or turn off the Close Call feature and use the scanner normally. You can set the scanner so it alerts you when the Close Call feature finds a frequency. You can also set the frequency band where you want the scanner to look for transmissions.

To turn Close Call detection on or off, press then

. When the feature is on, appears on the display and normal operation is briefly interrupted about every 2 seconds.

Notes:

• The Close Call feature works well for locating the source of strong local transmissions such as mobile and handheld two-way radios in areas with no other strong transmission sources. Several factors affect Close Call performance, however. Performance is increased with higher transmit power, receive antenna tuned to the target band, and a low background RF level. Other than the antenna, you have no control over these factors, but they explain why performance might vary by both location and time.

• The Close Call feature cannot detect satellite dishes or any transmitter with a frequency above or below the frequency ranges listed under “Setting Close Call Options” on Page 101.

• The Close Call feature works better with some types of transmissions than others. It might not correctly display frequency information for transmitters using a highly directional antenna (such as an amateur radio beam antenna) or if there are many transmitters operating at the same time in the same area.

Func

100

Using the Close Call Feature

Uniden BCD396T User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual