Uniden BcT7 User Manual

Table of Contents

Welcome! ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Types of Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Included With Your Scanner .. ... ... ... ... ... ... 6

Fast Start ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7

Power ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

How Squelch Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Scanning the Alert Monitor Frequency Banks . . . . . . . 9

Selecting the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Selecting a Frequency Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Scan Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Warning Alert. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Alert Tone Volume. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Muting the Alert Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

One Moment Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Continuous Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Canceling Mute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Warning Light Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Power On Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Priority Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Scanning Fire, News, Weather and Private

Frequency Banks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Scan Hold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Frequency Lockout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Lockout Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Restore a Locked Out Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . 17

Restore All Locked-Out Frequencies . . . . . . . . 17

Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

CB Channel Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Hold/Resume While Searching. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Programming Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Clearing a User-Programmed Frequency. . . . . 23

Memory Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Memory Back-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Mobile Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Connecting the Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Base Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Tips and Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Trunking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Scanner Care & Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Optional Accessories and Replacement Parts ... ..33

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Welcome!

Congratulations on your purchase of the BCT7 Highway Communications System & Scanning Radio! State-of-the-art engineering and advanced electronics provide you with a preprogrammed information radio designed for easy operation and dependability.

With the BCT7 Scanning Radio, you can listen to thousands of Highway Patrol, police, and DOT frequencies, as well as Fire, News, Weather, CB and Private frequencies you program.

Plus, the new built-in technology sounds an alarm when you are within an approximate 3 mile radius of a Highway Patrol unit!

Best of all, you don’t have to program any frequencies. Just set the BCT7 for your state, and the scanner will do the rest. Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before attempting to operate the unit.

What are Highway Patrol Warning Alerts?

Most highway patrol vehicles on the road today are equipped with a secondary radio system known as a “mobile extender” or “vehicular repeater.” Whenever the dispatcher transmits to any vehicle in the district, activated.

Using a constant PRIORITY check of specific frequencies in each state, the BCT7 recognizes and alerts you to transmissions from “mobile extender” radios as well as from car-to-car, aircraft-to-car and other special-purpose frequencies. You receive an audible (beep tone) and visual (flash of warning light) alert whenever you are within an approximate three mile radius of many Highway Patrol/State Police units.

every

“mobile extender” in every car within the district is

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications (listed on the page 5) do not transmit continuously. The BCT7 scans channels per second until it finds an active frequency.

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

While the BCT7 scans channels, it is in Scan mode. When you stop scanning with H, it is in Manual mode.

What is Searching?

The BCT7 can search 12 bands to find active frequencies. This gives you the opportunity to find new frequencies that have not been programmed.

While the BCT7 searches for active frequencies, it is in Search mode. When you stop the search with H, it is in Search Hold mode.

Where to Get More Information

Because your BCT7 is fully pre-programmed, you do not need to enter frequencies into the radio. However, should you desire to enter specific frequencies which have not been factory pre-programmed, the BCT7 provides this capability.

For publications which list frequencies around the United States, call the enclosed Mr. Scanner 800 number.

The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have publications, information on computer bulletin boards, and even contests for the radio enthusiast. Also, your local library has more information.

programmed

channels at the rate of nearly 100

Features

Pre-programmed frequencies specific to each state (except Hawaii). Pre-programming by the following categories:

-Highway Patrol/State Police

-Local Police and County Sheriffs

-State Departments of Transportation (DOT)

-Fire and Emergency Medical Services

-News Media

-Weather (continuous NOAA weather and Canadian Coast Guard broadcasts) 100 channels of user-programmable frequencies available

-Program frequencies into each of the above banks, or

-Program your own bank of 25 Private frequencies Highway Patrol Priority Alert

-Receive audible and visual alert when within three miles of many Highway Patrol/State units CB Search - Search all 40 CB channels

Band Search Search through 12 bands of radio spectrum for frequencies. 26 MHz - 956 MHz - Scan these frequency ranges with your BCT7. (Note: the

frequency coverage is not totally continuous.) Data Skip - Skip certain data signals and unmodulated transmissions. Memory Backup - In case of a power failure, user-programmed frequencies are retained

in memory for approximately 30 days.

Types of Communications

Monitor communications such as:

Highway Patrol, police and fire department (including paramedics) Aircraft NOAA weather broadcasts Business/industrial radio Motion picture and press relay Utility Land transportation frequencies, such as trucking firms, buses, taxis, tow trucks, and

railroads Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands And many more in the following 12 Bands:

Frequency Range Transmission

29.0-30.0 MHz

30.0-50.0 MHz 118-137 MHz 137-144 MHz 144-148 MHz 148-174 MHz 406-420 MHz 420-450 MHz 450-470 MHz 470-512 MHz 806-956 MHz

26.965-27.405 MHz

10 Meter Amateur Band VHF Low band AM Aircraft Military Land mobile 2 Meter Amateur Band VHF High Band Federal Govt. Land Mobile 70 cm Amateur Band UHF Standard Band UHF “T” Band Public Service Band except Cellular Band Citizens Band

Included With Your Scanner

BearTracker 800

WARNING

MUTE

HOLD/RESUME

FIRE/NEWS

STATE HIGHWAY POL/DOT

Hard Wire Cord

(PS001)

Other Printed

Material

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aid of the party. Four

party. Four score

good men to come to the

to the aid of the

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all good men to come Now is the time for

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party.

time fo4r all good men

to the aid of the

garden wall. Now is the

all good men to come

fox jumped over the

Now is the time fo4r

equal. The quick brown

overthe garden wall.

all men are created

quickbrown fox jumped

the proposition that

created equal. The

Libertyand dedicatedto

that all men are

nation conceived in

to the proposition

fathers set forth anew

Libertyand dedicated

score yeas ago our

nation conceived in

aid of the party. Four

set forth a new

good men to come to the

yeas ago our fathers

Now is the time for all

party. Four score

to the aid of the all good men to come Now is the time for

BCT

LOCKOUT

WX/PVT

to come to the aid of the party. Nowis the time fo4rall good men foxjumped overthe garden wall.

created equal. The quick brown proposition that all men are in Liberty and dedicated to the

setforth a new nation conceived Fourscore yeas agoour fathers tocome tothe aid of the party.

Nowis thetime forall good men

to come to the aid of the party.

Nowis the time fo4rall good men foxjumped overthe garden wall. created equal. The quick brown

proposition that all men are in Liberty and dedicated to the setforth a new nation conceived

Fourscore yeas agoour fathers tocome tothe aid of the party. Nowis thetime forall good men

Operating Guide

(OMBCT7)

Betty Bearcat

Starter Frequency

Flexible Mobile Antenna

(ANT002)

Guide

BCT7

PUSH FLASH

BAND

VOL

PROG

PUSH ALERT

BCT

HighwayCommunications System &Preprogrammed Warning Scanner

WARNING

HOLD/RESUME

FIRE/NEWS

STATE HIGHWAY POL/DOT

Mobile Mounting Bracket

Assembly Kit

MUTE

LOCKOUT

PUSH

WX/PVT

FLASH

VOL

BAND

PROG

PUSH ALERT

OPERATINGGUIDE

Telescoping Antenna

(AT124)

AC Adapter

(AD140U)

(MB007)

If any Items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase. Read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scanner. Complete and immediately mail the Registration Form in this Operating Guide.

Fast Start

Note: Fold out the illustration from the front cover to see the controls and LCD display while reading this guide.

Power ON

1. Turn the volume knob clockwise. The scanner performs a self-test: the Warning Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps loudly.

VOL

PUSH ALERT

Turn

Warning Light

WARNING

HOLD/RESUME

STATE

MUTE

FIRE/NEWS

HIGHWAY

2.The currently selected state

e.g., TX for Texas

(

) appears and

scanning starts.

How Squelch Works

Think of “SQUELCH” as a gate. If the gate is too low (squelch too low), everything (all noise as well as signals) gets through.

Setting the Squelch

No signal should be present when setting Squelch.

Press If needed, press < or >

until you do not hear a signal.

to stop scanning.

➪

If the gate is set too high (squelch too high), nothing gets through.

Turn until hiss heard. This lowers the “squelch gate,” allowing all signals and noise to get through.

Turn

➪

If the gate is set just right (squelch set properly), just the desired signals get through.

Turn just until hiss stops. This raises the “squelch gate,” allowing only strong signals to get through.

Turn

PUSH FLASH

In the city, you may want to adjust Squelch even further counterclockwise to decrease the range of the Warning Alert. This prevents the alert from sounding unnecessarily due to farther, less important sources.

Scanning the Alert Monitor Frequency Banks

The Alert Monitor works with the Highway Patrol, Police, and Department of Transportation (DOT) frequency banks. Frequencies are preprogrammed at the factory on a state-by-state basis.

Selecting the State

Press S to select the state you are operating in. Press and hold S to scroll rapidly.

Selecting a Frequency Bank

HIGHWAY

to monitor Highway

Press Patrol frequencies.

HIGHWAY appears in the display

and scanning begins two seconds later.

➪

To step forward through the states (A - W), press S and, within two

seconds, press step backward through the states (W -A), press

two seconds, press

Press frequencies.

POLICE flashes in the display and

scanning begins two seconds later.

HIGHWAY flashes, because those

frequencies are scanned, too.

to monitor Police

repeatedly. To

and, within

repeatedly.

➪

To scroll rapidly, press

>or<

hold

Press frequencies.

DOT flashes in the display and

scanning begins two seconds later.

HIGHWAY flashes because those

frequencies are scanned, too.

again to monitor DOT

and

Whenthe BCT7 receives communications, scanning stops, the active bank type replaces the state code, and the frequency displays.

Scan Hold

Active Bank indicators:

HP - Highway Patrol PO - Police DT - DOT

When the transmission ends, a built-in two second delay feature holds the scanner on that frequency for a response. If there is no response, scanning resumes.

When scanning stops on a desired frequency, press H to hold on that frequency as long as you like.

Note: While in the HOLD mode, the alarm circuit is inactive.

➪

To resume scanning, pressH. To scan the other frequency banks,

see “Scanning the Fire, News, Weather, and Private Frequency Banks,” page 14.

Warning Alert

The BCT7 alerts you when Highway Patrol/State Police units using mobile extenders are within an approximate three mile radius.

1. The Warning Light flashes and

the Alert Tone beeps five times when a signal is received.

Warning Light Flashes

WARNING

HOLD/RESUME

STATE

MUTE

FIRE/NEWS

HIGHWAY

4. If more transmissions are

received before three minutes have passed, the Warning Light flashes and the Alert Tone sounds twice.

Alert Tone Volume

Push the VOLUME control knob to select Loud, Medium, or Soft.

The Alert Tone beeps to confirm your choice.

➪

2. The active bank indicator

replaces the state name, and the frequency displays until the transmission ends.

VOL

PUSH ALERT

➪

3.The Warning Light glows steadily for approximately three minutes. Then, if no other mobile extender

transmissions are received, the light goes out.

Push In

Muting the Alert Tone

One Moment Mute Continuous Mute Canceling Mute

Press M during the Warning Alert. The Alert Tone stops and the Mute LED flashes until the

alarm cycle is finished.

➪

Press and hold seconds to turn Continuous Mute on whenever you wish. You hear two beeps and the Mute LED lights

continuously. No Alert Tones will

Note:

Mute LED Flashes

WARNING

HOLD/RESUME

STATE

MUTE

FIRE/NEWS

HIGHWAY

Mute only works in the Highway, Police, and DOT frequency bands.

sound.

Warning Light Adjustment

The Warning Light has three settings: Bright, Dim, and Off. Press SQUELCH to select Bright,

Dim or Off. The WARNING light flashes and the alert tone beeps.

Press In

➪

If you select OFF, the FLASH icon in the display reminds you the Warning Light is off.

for two

➪

To cancel Mute,

1. Press and hold

for two

seconds. You hear two

beeps and the MUTE LED

goes out.

2. Change states or frequency

banks. The Mute LED goes

out after scanning starts.

3. Turn the scanner off and on.

WARNING:

You can turn off the Warning Light and completely mute the Alert Tone at the same time. This deactivates the Warning Alert.

PUSH FLASH

+ 27 hidden pages