Uniden BCD996T User Manual
Precautions
Before you use this scanner, please read and observe 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 or 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.
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
, DPL®, Digital Private Line®, Motorola®, PL®, PRIVACY PLUS®, Private
®
Line
, SMARTNET®, and SMARTZONE® are registered trademarks of Motorola,
Inc.
2
®
LTR
is a registered trademark of E.F. Johnson Co.
EDACS
Uniden
®
is a registered trademark of M/A-COM Private Radio Systems Inc.
®
and Bearcat® are registered trademarks of Uniden America Corporation.
Trunk Tracker™, Trunk Tracking™, and Close Call™ are proprietary trademarks of
Uniden America Corporation.
Other trademarks used throughout this manual are the property of their respective
holders.
Power Related Issues
Important: To prevent memory from being corrupted, do not unplug the AC
adapter during the time the memory is accessed for programming or auto store.
Notes:
• If when you connect the AC adapter the [VOL] /Power Switch is ON, the
scanner may not power on. Should this occur, simply turn the control OFF, then
ON again.
• If the scanner loses power (as when you turn off your car’s ignition with the
scanner’s power switch on), it can lose some system settings such as display
color and backlight. To ensure that such settings persist, either change the
setting using the scanner’s menu or power the scanner off then back on using
the power switch after making such setting changes.When you turn off the
scanner using the power switch, the scanner remembers the last settings and
mode. When you turn power back on, it resumes the previous mode.
Precautions
3
Table of Contents
Precautions........................................................................................................................................ 2
Power Related Issues ...................................................................................................................3
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 4
The FCC Wants You To Know ......................................................................................................... 9
Scanning Legally ............................................................................................................................. 9
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 11
Feature Highlights .......................................................................................................................... 12
General ....................................................................................................................................... 12
GPS ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Weather ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Search ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Auto Store 16
Priority ......................................................................................................................................... 16
PC Control and Cloning 16
Memory Storage Limits .................................................................................................................. 16
Search Lockout Limits ................................................................................................................... 17
About This Manual ......................................................................................................................... 17
Using the Scroll Control [FUNC] ................................................................................................. 17
How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual ................................................... 18
Entering Text Within A Menu Option ........................................................................................... 18
A Short User’s Guide to Assist the First-Time Scanner Enthusiast .......................................... 19
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T ................................................................................ 21
Understanding the Scanner’s Memory .......................................................................................... 21
Understanding Quick Keys ............................................................................................................21
What is Scanning? ......................................................................................................................... 22
What is Searching? ........................................................................................................................ 22
What is CTCSS/DCS? ................................................................................................................... 22
Conventional Scanning .................................................................................................................. 23
Simplex Operation .........................................................................................................................23
Repeater Operation .......................................................................................................................24
What is Trunk Tracking? ................................................................................................................ 24
Trunked Scanning .......................................................................................................................... 25
Types of Trunking Systems ........................................................................................................... 25
Motorola Trunking .......................................................................................................................25
EDACS Trunking ......................................................................................................................... 26
LTR Trunking .............................................................................................................................. 27
Startup Configuration ..................................................................................................................... 28
Setup/Operation .......................................................................................................................... 28
Multi-Site Trunking ......................................................................................................................... 28
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS) ................................................................................................................ 29
Where To Get More Information .................................................................................................... 29
Information On The Internet ........................................................................................................ 29
Included With Your Scanner ......................................................................................................... 30
Setting Up Your Scanner ............................................................................................................... 31
Base Station .................................................................................................................................. 31
4
Setting Up an Audio Recording Device or Computer Recording ................................................... 33
Vehicle Installation ......................................................................................................................... 33
Mounting Using the Bracket ........................................................................................................ 33
Mounting Using the DIN-E Sleeve .............................................................................................. 34
Removing the Scanner from the DIN-E Sleeve ........................................................................... 36
Mounting Using ISO Technique .................................................................................................. 36
Removing the Display Sticker ..................................................................................................... 37
Connecting an Optional Antenna ................................................................................................... 37
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone ........................................................................................... 37
Connecting an Extension Speaker ................................................................................................38
Controls, Keys, and Functions ..................................................................................................... 39
A Look At The Display ................................................................................................................... 44
Operation ........................................................................................................................................ 45
Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch ......................................................................... 45
Startup Key Operation ................................................................................................................... 45
Conventional ............................................................................................................................... 45
Trunked ....................................................................................................................................... 45
Search Range ............................................................................................................................. 45
Scanning Systems ......................................................................................................................... 46
Preprogrammed System Tips ........................................................................................................ 47
Selecting Systems to Scan ............................................................................................................ 47
Selecting System Channel Groups ................................................................................................47
Locking/Unlocking Systems ........................................................................................................... 48
Locking/Unlocking Channels ......................................................................................................... 48
ID Scan/ID Search Mode ............................................................................................................... 48
Holding On a System ..................................................................................................................... 49
Holding On a Channel ................................................................................................................... 49
Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search ........................................................................................ 49
Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s (TGID) ...................................................................... 49
Trunking Activity Indicators ............................................................................................................ 50
Toggling the Display Mode ............................................................................................................ 51
Optimizing P25 Performance ........................................................................................................ 52
Conventional System .................................................................................................................. 52
Trunked System .......................................................................................................................... 52
Using the Menu .............................................................................................................................. 54
Programming General Settings .................................................................................................... 55
Setting and Using the Backlight ..................................................................................................... 55
Setting the Dimmer ..................................................................................................................... 55
Setting the Backlight Color .......................................................................................................... 56
Adjusting the Key Beep ................................................................................................................. 56
Setting the Audio AGC .................................................................................................................. 56
Setting the Display Orientation ...................................................................................................... 57
Adjusting the Display Contrast ...................................................................................................... 57
Setting the GPS Format ................................................................................................................ 57
Setting the Position Format ......................................................................................................... 57
Setting the Time Format .............................................................................................................. 58
Setting the Time Zone ................................................................................................................. 58
Setting the Distance Units ........................................................................................................... 58
Table of Contents
5
Setting the Serial Port Speed ........................................................................................................ 58
Displaying Scanner Information ..................................................................................................... 59
Viewing Memory Used ................................................................................................................ 59
Viewing the Firmware Version and Electronic Serial Number ..................................................... 59
Initializing the Scanner’s Memory .................................................................................................. 59
Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer ....................................................................... 60
Volume/Squelch with PC Control ................................................................................................ 60
Wired Cloning ................................................................................................................................ 60
Programming Your Scanner .......................................................................................................... 62
System Settings ..........................................................................................................................63
System Options ........................................................................................................................... 63
Site Settings ................................................................................................................................ 65
Channel Settings ......................................................................................................................... 66
Programming Conventional Systems ............................................................................................ 66
Programming Trunked Radio Systems .......................................................................................... 67
Programming System Settings ......................................................................................................67
Editing the System Name ............................................................................................................ 67
Specifying the Correct System Type ........................................................................................... 68
Programming System Options ....................................................................................................68
Programming Sites ........................................................................................................................ 76
Programming Channel Groups ...................................................................................................... 83
Setting Up a Channel Group ....................................................................................................... 83
Editing a Channel Group Name .................................................................................................. 83
Setting the Group Quick Key ....................................................................................................... 84
Editing Channels ......................................................................................................................... 84
Locking Out Channel Groups ...................................................................................................... 84
Deleting Channel Groups ............................................................................................................ 85
Programming Channels ................................................................................................................. 85
Creating a Channel ..................................................................................................................... 85
Editing the Channel Name (Alpha Tag) ...................................................................................... 85
Editing Frequencies .................................................................................................................... 86
Editing the Talk Group ID ............................................................................................................ 86
Setting the Audio Type ................................................................................................................ 87
Selecting CTCSS/DCS Tones ..................................................................................................... 87
Quick CTCSS/DCS Save ............................................................................................................ 88
Setting Channel Modulation Method ........................................................................................... 88
Setting Channel Attenuation ....................................................................................................... 89
Setting Channel Priority .............................................................................................................. 89
Setting Channel Alert ..................................................................................................................90
Set Record ..................................................................................................................................... 90
Searching and Storing ................................................................................................................... 93
Service Search .............................................................................................................................. 93
Quick Search ................................................................................................................................. 94
Custom Search .............................................................................................................................. 94
Editing a Custom Search Range ................................................................................................... 95
Search With Scan .......................................................................................................................... 96
Set Delay Time .............................................................................................................................. 98
Set Attenuator ................................................................................................................................ 98
Set Record ..................................................................................................................................... 98
6
Assigning a Search Range to a Search Key ................................................................................. 98
Saving a Found Channel (Quick Save) ......................................................................................... 99
Auto Search and Store .................................................................................................................. 99
Selecting a System to use for Storing ......................................................................................... 99
Conventional Search and Store ..................................................................................................99
Trunked Search and Store ........................................................................................................ 100
Using the Close Call Feature ...................................................................................................... 101
Setting Close Call Options ........................................................................................................... 101
Close Call Hits ............................................................................................................................. 103
Close Call Hits with Scan ............................................................................................................ 103
Search and Close Call Options ................................................................................................... 105
Managing Locked-Out Frequencies .......................................................................................... 105
Unlocking All Frequencies ......................................................................................................... 106
Reviewing Locked-Out Frequencies ......................................................................................... 106
Searching for Subaudible Tones ............................................................................................... 106
Screening Out Broadcast Sources ............................................................................................ 106
Finding Repeater Output Frequencies ...................................................................................... 107
Setting the Maximum Auto Store Value .................................................................................... 108
Setting the Modulation Type .................................................................................................... 108
Setting Attenuation .................................................................................................................... 109
Setting Data Skip ...................................................................................................................... 109
Setting the Delay Time .............................................................................................................. 110
Setting the Search Frequency Step .......................................................................................... 110
Setting Record .......................................................................................................................... 110
Adjust P25 Level ....................................................................................................................... 111
Priority Scan ................................................................................................................................ 111
Using Weather Alert (SAME) ....................................................................................................... 113
Searching For a Weather Broadcast ........................................................................................... 113
Turning Weather Alert On/Off ...................................................................................................... 114
Programming a SAME Group ...................................................................................................... 114
Setting WX Alert Priority .............................................................................................................. 115
Fire Tone-Out ................................................................................................................................ 116
Setting Tone-Out Standby ........................................................................................................... 116
Setting Up Tone-Out .................................................................................................................... 116
Tone-Out Multi-Channel Monitoring ............................................................................................ 118
Set Record ................................................................................................................................... 118
Using the BCD996T with a GPS .................................................................................................. 119
Device Compatibility .................................................................................................................... 119
Connecting Your Scanner to a GPS Device ................................................................................ 119
Initial Scanner/GPS Operation .................................................................................................... 119
Location-Based (GPS) Scanning ................................................................................................. 120
Another Example of Multiple Site Creation .................................................................................. 121
Non-Radio Location Based GPS Features .................................................................................. 121
Setting the Options ...................................................................................................................... 122
For POI Only ............................................................................................................................. 123
For Dangerous Xing, and Dangerous Road Only ........................................................................ 123
Deleting a Location ...................................................................................................................... 124
GPS Display Mode ...................................................................................................................... 125
Table of Contents
7
GPS Review Location Mode ........................................................................................................ 126
Care and Maintenance ................................................................................................................. 128
General Use ................................................................................................................................. 128
Location ....................................................................................................................................... 128
Cleaning ....................................................................................................................................... 128
Birdies .......................................................................................................................................... 128
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................... 129
Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 132
Reference ...................................................................................................................................... 135
Preset Fleet Maps ....................................................................................................................... 135
User Defined Fleet Maps ............................................................................................................. 137
Type I Programming Information .............................................................................................. 137
Size Code Restrictions ............................................................................................................. 138
Preprogrammed Systems and Lockout Options ....................................................................... 139
Preprogrammed Systems with Quick Keys ............................................................................... 140
CTCSS Frequencies .................................................................................................................... 141
DCS Codes .................................................................................................................................. 141
Index .............................................................................................................................................. 143
One-Year Limited Warranty ......................................................................................................... 150
8
The FCC Wants You To Know
This scanner has been tested and found to comply 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.
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:
• 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
The FCC Wants You To Know
9
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 and/or portable 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.
10
Introduction
Your BCD996T scanner is a state-of-the-art scanner radio with Trunk Tracker IV™
and automatic scanning capabilities. You can store in the dynamic memory
conventional frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, air, amateur, and
other communications. You can store and scan services that use Trunked Radio
Systems and so much more. 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 Auto Store feature. Use your scanner to monitor:
• Analog and digital trunked public safety systems (unencrypted only)
• 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
• Military and Civilian Aircraft
Your scanner can monitor the following bands
Frequency (MHz)
Lower Edge Upper Edge Modulation Step (kHz)
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 FMB 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 379.9750 AM 25.0
380.0000 512.0000 NFM 12.5
764.0000 775.9875 NFM 12.5
794.0000 805.9875 NFM 12.5
Introduction
11
Frequency (MHz)
Lower Edge Upper Edge Modulation Step (kHz)
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
Note: The scanner’s frequency coverage is not continuous and does not include
the cellular telephone or UHF TV bands.
Feature Highlights
General
Close Call™ RF Capture Technology — Instantly detects and tunes to nearby
transmissions with no additional programming. See “Using the Close Call Feature”
on Page 101 for more information.
Close Call Do-Not-Disturb — Checks for Close Call activity in between channel
reception so active channels are not interrupted.
Close Call Temporary Store — Temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close
Call hits so that you can continue to monitor activity on those frequencies, even
after you are out of Close Call detection range.
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory — Your scanner’s 6,000 channels are
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 500
agencies covering police, fire, and ambulance operations in the 25 most populated
counties in the US, plus the most popular digital systems. A list of the scanner’s
preprogrammed systems is 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.
13 Service Searches — Frequencies are preset in separate Public Safety, News,
HAM Radio, Marine, Railroad, Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS, Racing, TV Broadcast,
FM Broadcast, Military, Air, and Special searches, to make it easy to search for
specific transmissions.
“Soft” Search Keys — Lets you quickly search specified ranges.
12
Channel 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.
Frequency Lockout — You can lock out up to 500 frequencies (250 permanently
locked out + 250 temporarily locked out). The scanner skips locked-out
frequencies while using the Close Call™ feature or while searching.
CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes — Prevent interference from stations not using
the tone code 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. Up to ten tone-outs on
the same RF setting can be scanned at one time.
Broadcast Screen — Sets the scanner to ignore Close Call™ or search hits on
known broadcast frequencies including common pager frequencies.
Custom Screen — Lets you input up to 10 frequency ranges that the scanner will
ignore during Close Call™ or search operation.
Scan/Search Delay — 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 — Reduces the input strength of strong signals by about 20 dB.
Repeater Reverse — Automatically switches to the input frequency on a
conventional repeater system.
Channel Alert — Alerts you when there is activity on any channel you specify
using your choice of nine unique alert tones.
Memory Check — Lets you see at a glance how much total memory is left.
Search with Scan 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 can select from 9 different tone patterns and also set
the alert volume level independently from the main volume level.
Introduction
13
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 search mode.
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.
Data Skip — Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and
reduces the affect of 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.
Temporary Lockout — Makes it easy to temporarily lock out a system, channel,
or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you
don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.
Startup Configuration — Lets you easily manage multiple configurations for your
scanner.
Single-Handed Function Control Operation — You can tap the Function/Scroll
Control to enable the Function mode. It reverts to normal mode in about 3 seconds
from your last press if no other action occurs.
Record Out Jack — Using the appropriate cable and audio recording device with
signal control, you can record live audio of designated channels.
Display and Keypad Backlight — Makes the display and keypad easy to see in
dim light using two color options and six light levels plus off.
Vehicle Power Connection (Orange Wire) — Lets you connect to your vehicle’s
dimmer circuit to also dim the scanner’s display with the vehicle’s dimmer control.
Trunk Tracker IV™ Operation — Follows unencrypted conversations on analog
Motorola, Motorola Astro 25 (APCO 25), EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked
radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz
bands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same
time.
Multi-Site Trunking — Lets you share system channels across multiple sites to
more efficiently use the scanner’s memory and more easily select sites to monitor.
14
Control Channel Only Scanning — If the scanner is set to scan a Motorola
system, 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 as long as all
possible control channels are programmed.
Adaptive Digital Threshold — Automatically sets the digital decode threshold for
APCO 25 systems.
GPS
Location Based Scanning — If you connect a GPS unit to the scanner it can
automatically enable and disable systems based on the Location Information
(longitude, latitude, Range) that you provide.
GPS Non-Radio Based Features — The scanner alerts you to Dangerous
Intersections, Speed Alerts, and Points of Interest that you program into the
scanner.
GPS Display Mode — Lets you display extended GPS information such as
Distance to a POI, Direction to a POI, Time to a POI, Speed, Position, and more.
Weather
Weather Search — Lets your scanner receive your local NOAA weather
transmission.
SAME Weather Alert — Lets your scanner sound an alert when a SAME weather
alert signal 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 weather alert is transmitted on
a NOAA weather channel.
Search
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 or
codes on any channel or during a search. The scanner can identify up to 50
CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
Introduction
15
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 into the
selected conventional system.
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 conventional channel(s) while monitoring transmissions on other
channels.
Priority Plus — You can set the scanner so it scans only the priority channels.
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 BCD996T
scanner to another BCD996T scanner.
Memory Storage Limits
Systems Sites Sites per Systems Groups per System Total Channels
500 1000 256 20 6000
Channels per Conventional
Systems
1000 250 750-1000
* depending on the number of TGID in the system.
16
Channels per Trunked
Systems
Trunked Frequencies per
Site*
Search Lockout Limits
Frequencies
500 250 250 Search Mode
Temporary L/O
Frequencies
Permanent L/O
Frequencies
Skipped Review
Menu Mode
Close Call Mode
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.
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, start with
the following short introduction to scanning and follow-up with the enclosed
reprinted article on Programming provided with the courtesy of Popular
Communications magazine.
Using the Scroll Control [FUNC]
The Scroll Control is a dual purpose control. It also lets you switch to secondary
function operations. When used in this manner, you see
prominently on the right of the BCD996T’s front panel, the knob/switch lets you
easily control channel selection, plus Normal and Function Modes, as well as how
most of the information appears on the display.
F in this manual. Located
To adjust menu settings, change channels in Hold mode, and resume
scanning: Simply turn the Scroll Control.
To use
F tap the Scroll Control. This action is written in shorthand as F which is
fully explained in the next section. When you tap the control f appears and
remains in the upper left corner of the display for 3 seconds. During this time,
press any button to access the button’s second function. Or, press and hold the
Scroll Control for 2 seconds. The scanner beeps, and the function is “latched” so
that is does not return to normal mode until you tap the Scroll Control again. f
flashes at approximately 1 second intervals.
If you select Function while scanning, the BCD996T continues to scan, but holds
on the current system until the function operation is cancelled.
Introduction
17
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. We use a form of shorthand symbols to save space.
The following example shows you how to use the scanner’s menu to edit an
existing system name. It shows you the key to press in brackets [MENU] to select
a menu option and the option you see on the LCD in Boldface Courier type
(Program System) when you press [MENU]. It also instructs you to turn the
Scroll Control (shown as
Scroll Control (the shorthand action shown as
Name.
) to view a series of choices then press or tap the
F to enter a choice such as Edit
[MENU]
Program System F
Select the system F
Edit Name F Then, edit the system name.
Entering Text Within A Menu Option
To enter a letter, turn the Scroll Control () until the letter, numeral or other
character you want appears. 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] three
times.
To accept an entry, press
To cancel an entry, press [MENU].
F or press [EYES].
18
A Short User’s Guide to Assist the First-Time
Scanner Enthusiast
Welcome to the family of Uniden scanner users. You have just unpacked your
Uniden BCD996T scanner. You are anxious to scan and hear something so you
rotate the [VOL/POWER] control and wait a moment as the opening Message and
Copyright screens confirm the model information. Then, if you live in a residential
area, you probably hear nothing or very little. Why? The reason is simple. The
programmable BCD996T does not instinctively know where you are and what you
wish to listen to.
Take a few minutes to assist in the ‘educating your scanner’ process so you can
enjoy listening for the first time and feel good about your purchase.
Before proceeding, first follow the steps on Page 45 to set the volume and the
squelch levels. Once set correctly, these settings let you listen at a comfortable
level and let the scanner provide a signal whose strength is sufficient to be heard
clearly. Always be sure to connect the provided antenna.
There are several options that quickly assure you that your scanner works.
The easiest is to activate the scanner’s Weather System. Refer to Page 113 for the
steps to tune to the nearest NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration) broadcast.
Once you establish that the scanner operates using the NOAA information, and if
you live in one of the areas listed on the Preprogrammed charts immediately
following Page 140, you are ready to enter the exciting world of trunk tracking.
Uniden has made it easy for you to start scanning. We have preprogrammed the
BCD996T with more than 500 agencies across the U.S. If you live in one of the
preprogrammed areas, simply press [SCAN/SEARCH] to start scanning. Then,
press [.No] and the two-digit quick key for your area.
One of the preprogrammed systems has common frequencies used across the
country. By default, this system is enabled. To turn this system on or off, press
[.No].
If you do not live in one of the preprogrammed system areas, refer to Page 140.
There, you can follow the steps to select and search among the most popular
service systems.
Finally, you may decide to program the scanner yourself. To correctly program the
BCD996T scanner begin on Page 62. The two programming steps are
1. Plan the system
A Short User’s Guide to Assist the First-Time Scanner Enthusiast
19
2. Program the system based on the plan.
Enclosed with the materials provided with your scanner is a reprinted article from
Popular Communications, which, in clear, easy-to-understand language, tells you
how to start the programming session. The article also includes a glossary of
terms and other valuable data. Be sure to take time out to look it over before
proceeding.
To provide you with useful sized worksheets and instructions to complete them, we
have established links at our company website. Visit, http://www.uniden.com/scanners
to see a list of helpful forms. But first, visit http://www.radioreference.com and locate
the system nearest your location that you want to scan. If you register and pay a small
fee, you can download a ready-to-use formatted PDF complete with the data from your
selected system. Otherwise, you can print the blank worksheet on our web page as
you would any other web based page.
The programming data of a large metropolitan area may consist of many pages
depending on how extensive the area’s Public Service System Talkgroups are.
Don’t be overwhelmed. Begin by choosing the Talkgroups of interest to you. Begin
by transferring the data from the Radio Reference website to the worksheets you
obtain from the Uniden website and from there, to the scanner.
You can visit one of the Radio Reference forums and potentially learn of someone
in your immediate area who has programmed the same model scanner in your
area. Then, by using the Clone feature or by exchanging files that you each have
transferred to a computer using the Uniden Advanced Scanner Director (UASD)
software you can install the programmed data into your scanner. Once you have
either programmed or selected the option that lets you start experiencing
scanning, spend the next few minutes learning the basics of trunk tracking for an
even more complete listening appreciation.
20
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T
This section provides you with additional background on how scanning works and
how your scanner provides that feature. You don’t really need to know all of this to
use your scanner, but some further background knowledge will help you get the
most from your BCD996T.
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, and talk group ID’s as desired. 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 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.
Understanding Quick Keys
Traditional “Banked” scanners let you select and deselect banks by pressing a
single digit on the keypad. The BCD996T uses a similar method to turn on and off
scanning sites and systems. When you program a system or site, you assign a
quick key (System/Site Quick Key, or SQK) from 0 to 99. You can use the same
quick key for multiple systems, so that the systems are turned on and off together.
To turn a system/site on or off, just press the digit corresponding to the assigned
SQK. For two-digit SQK’s, first press [.No], then enter the two-digit SQK.
The BCD996T lets you assign another quick key to a group of channels within a
system. This group quick key (GQK) can be from 0-9. To turn on and off channel
groups, you press
F while the scanner is scanning the system containing the
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T
21
channels, then press the GQK within 2 seconds. Systems can have up to 20
channel groups, and multiple channel groups can be assigned to the same GQK.
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not
transmit continuously. Your BCD996T scans programmed channels until it 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 BCD996T can search each of its 13 service search ranges and up to 10
custom search ranges to find active frequencies. This is different from scanning
because you are searching for frequencies that have not been programmed into
the scanner’s channels. You set the upper and the lower values of the range and
then the scanner searches for any active frequency within the 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 sub-audible 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 two-way frequencies. These
systems make use of a special sub-audible 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 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
22
even interfere with each other to the point where it is impossible to clearly receive
any of the stations. A scanner, such as your BCD996T, equipped with CTCSS and
DCS, can code each received frequency with a specific sub-audible CTCSS or
DCS frequency or code. 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.
The tables showing the available CTCSS frequencies and DCS codes are found in
the Reference Section of this manual.
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 are 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.
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 1-15 miles, depending upon the
terrain and many other factors.
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T
23
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 BCD996T is designed to track the following types of trunking systems.
• Motorola Astro 25 (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
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.
24
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 each group
operates on. 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 scanner.
Not only does your BCD996T scan channels like a conventional scanner, it
actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once you know and program
a talk group’s ID (TGID), 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 can
review the programming worksheets and their associated pages on the Uniden
website.
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 but only one is active at any one time), plus one or more voice
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T
25
channels (typically 10, 20, or 28 total channels). When a user presses Push To
Talk (PTT) to transmit, their radio first sends the person’s talk group information to
the control channel. The computer then assigns that talk 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. 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
the Reference section in this manual. You can also find fleet map resources on the
web such as at http://www.radioreference.com.
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
1
/3 the data as a Type I system with each
transmission. Type II systems do not use Fleet-subfleet 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 25 (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.
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. Talk groups are assigned in an
Agency-Fleet-Subfleet (AFS) hierarchy.There is one variation of EDACS called
SCAT that your BCD996T 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
26
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 the 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 system, your BCD996T
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 — (Single Channel Autonomous Trunking) systems operate on a
single channel and alternate control data with analog voice traffic. While your
BCD996T 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
sub audible 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
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T
27
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.
Startup Configuration
Setup/Operation
The Startup Configuration option lets you quickly and automatically lock and
unlock systems based on your desired configuration. Simply hold down a number
button while powering on the scanner or while the opening screens are displayed.
Systems assigned to that number are automatically unlocked and systems
assigned to other numbers are automatically locked. Systems that are not
assigned to any startup configuration are left unchanged.
You could use this feature to give you quick, single-press Quick Key access to
your favorite systems even when you travel to other locations. For example, if you
program your scanner as follows:
System/Site Quick Key Configuration 1 Configuration 2
1 Fort Worth Phoenix
2 Tarrant County Mesa
3 Arlington Mariposa Cnty
When you are in the Fort Worth area, press [1] while turning on the scanner.
System Quick Keys [1], [2], and [3] then allow you to select between the local
systems. When you travel to the Phoenix area, hold [2] while turning on the
scanner. Now, the Fort Worth systems are locked out and System Quick Keys [1],
[2], and [3] allow selection between the Phoenix-area systems.
Multi-Site Trunking
Some systems covering a very large geographic area use multiple antenna sites
that each operate on different frequencies, but that use the same Talk Group ID’s
for traffic. When programming such a system, you program each site’s frequencies
and other settings into the system, then program the channels into channel groups
within that system. Each site can have its own quick key, so you can turn each
individual site on or off while you scan. Since all sites share all the channels within
the system, multi-site trunking is much more efficient than programming each site
as a separate system.
28
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS)
I-calls are direct unit-to-unit transmissions that are not heard by other system
users. Your BCD996T can receive I-call transmissions. See “Setting I-Call
(Motorola and EDACS Systems Only)” on Page 72 for more information about
monitoring I-call transmissions.
Where To Get More Information
By itself, this manual only provides part of what you need to know to have fun
scanning — how to program and use the scanner. Other sources provide
additional information.
Information On The Internet
The Internet is the best source for current frequencies and information about
scanning. Many web sites are dedicated to providing lists of frequencies for your
area. Many have built-in database search engines to assist you.
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.
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 * — the Internet’s premier source for
user-supported radio system information.
• http://www.bearcat1.com — frequency information from National
Communications.
• http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/reports/index.cfm * — conventional frequency
information on file with the US Government
• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD996T * — a group for people interested in
discussing the BCD996T.
* - These web sites are not affiliated with Uniden Corporation.
For more information about Uniden and our products, visit http://www.uniden.com.
Understanding Scanning and the BCD996T
29
Included With Your Scanner
AC Adapter
(P/N AD-1009)
BCD996T
Scanner
Three Wire DC Power Cord — See Step 5,
“Mounting Using the DIN-E Sleeve” on Page 34
Cigarette Lighter
Adapter Power Cord
Mounting Bracket
and Hardware
Remote PC to Scanner
Cable (scanner plug to
Front PC Connecter)
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.
30
DIN-E Sleeve and
Removal Keys for
vehicle installation
Push-on type
Telescopic Antenna
Owner’s Manual and
other printed material
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