Uniden SC230 User Manual

SC230

OWNER’S

MANUAL

OWNER’S MANUAL

Precautions

Before you use this scanner, please read and observe the

Precautions

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

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.

Motorola Private Line

, PL®, Private Line®, DPL®, and Digital

are registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc.

NASCAR Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.

Uniden Uniden America Corporation.

Close Call America Corporation.

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

is a registered trademark of the National

and Bearcat® are registered trademarks of

™

is a proprietary trademarks of Uniden

Precautions

Contents

The FCC Wants You to Know ............................................................ 7

Scanning Legally ............................................................................... 7

Introduction.......................................................................................... 9

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

About This Manual........................................................................... 14

How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual ... 15

Entering Text ............................................................................... 15

Understanding Scanning .................................................................. 16

Understanding the Scanner’s Memory ............................................ 16

What is Scanning?........................................................................... 16

What is Searching? ......................................................................... 16

What is CTCSS/DCS?..................................................................... 17

Using the Scanner at the Racetrack................................................ 19

Conventional Scanning.................................................................... 19

Where To Get More Information...................................................... 20

Included With Your Scanner............................................................. 22

Setting Up Your Scanner .................................................................. 23

Using Internal Batteries ................................................................... 23

Using Rechargeable Batteries......................................................... 25

Using AC Power .............................................................................. 26

Connecting the Antenna .................................................................. 26

Connecting an Earphone/Headphone ..............................................27

Connecting an Extension Speaker ...................................................27

Attaching the Belt Clip ......................................................................27

Attaching the Wrist Strap..................................................................28

Installing the Demo Software............................................................28

A Look At The Keypad......................................................................29

A Look At The Display ......................................................................32

Using Menu ......................................................................................33

Using Func .......................................................................................33

Using the Scroll Control....................................................................33

Basic Operation ................................................................................. 34

Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch ........................... 34

Scanning Systems........................................................................... 34

Scanning Preprogrammed Races ................................................... 35

Before You Get To The Track ..................................................... 35

When You Get To The Track....................................................... 35

Selecting Systems to Scan...............................................................36

Selecting System Channel Groups...................................................37

Locking/Unlocking Systems..............................................................37

Locking/Unlocking Channels ............................................................37

Temporarily Holding On a System................................................... 38

Holding On a Channel ..................................................................... 38

Quick-Storing Channels................................................................... 38

Quickly Recalling Channels............................................................. 39

Other Settings.................................................................................... 40

Displaying System Information ........................................................ 40

Viewing Memory Used ................................................................ 40

Viewing the Firmware Version .................................................... 40

Contents

Adjusting the Key Beep .................................................................. 40

Locking/Unlocking the Keypad ....................................................... 40

Turning Power Save On or Off ........................................................ 40

Priority Scan ................................................................................... 40

Using the Backlight ......................................................................... 41

Initializing the Scanner’s Memory ................................................... 41

Using the PC Control and Cloning Options ..................................... 42

Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer .................... 42

Cloning the Scanner ................................................................... 43

Using the Menu ................................................................................. 44

Programming Radio Systems .......................................................... 46

Quickly Programming Racing Systems ........................................... 47

Manually Programming Racing Systems ........................................ 49

Editing the Car ............................................................................ 49

Entering/Editing a Car Number ................................................... 50

Editing a Driver ...........................................................................50

Setting a Car’s Quick Key ........................................................... 51

Editing a Car’s Channel .............................................................. 51

Deleting a Car ............................................................................. 51

Setting Lockout On A Car ........................................................... 52

Programming Conventional Systems.............................................. 52

Entering/Editing Conventional Channel Groups ......................... 53

Entering/Editing Conventional Channels .................................... 53

Programming/Editing Optional Settings......................................... 55

System-Level Settings ....................................................................55

Editing the System Name ...........................................................55

Editing the System Quick Key (Conventional Systems Only) ..... 55

Setting System Lockout .............................................................. 56

Setting the System Hold Time ....................................................56

Setting the Channel Delay Time ................................................. 57

Setting Data Skip ........................................................................ 57

Deleting Systems ........................................................................ 58

Copying Systems........................................................................ 58

Group-Level Settings ...................................................................... 58

Entering/Editing the Group Name ............................................... 58

Setting the Group Quick Key ......................................................59

Setting Group Lockout ................................................................ 60

Deleting Groups .......................................................................... 60

Channel-Level Settings................................................................... 60

Editing the Channel Name (Conventional Systems Only) .......... 60

Setting Channel Priority .............................................................. 61

Setting Channel Alert .................................................................. 62

Setting CTCSS/DCS ................................................................... 62

Setting Channel Modulation ........................................................ 63

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

Setting the Frequency Step ........................................................ 64

Setting Channel Lockout ............................................................. 65

Deleting Channels ...................................................................... 65

Copying/Pasting Channels ......................................................... 66

Contents

Searching and Storing ......................................................................67

Service Search ................................................................................67

Quick Search ................................................................................... 68

CTCSS/DCS Search .......................................................................68

Custom Search ................................................................................68

Editing a Custom Search Range ................................................ 69

Auto Search and Store ............................................................... 70

Selecting a System ......................................................................70

Storing a System .........................................................................71

Using the Close Call Feature ............................................................72

Setting Close Call Options ...............................................................73

Close Call Hits .................................................................................74

Search and Close Call Options ........................................................75

Managing Locked-Out Frequencies ................................................75

Unlocking All Frequencies ........................................................... 75

Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies ............................................75

Searching for Subaudible Tones .....................................................75

Screening Out Paging Systems .......................................................76

Finding Repeater Output Frequencies ........................................... 76

Setting the Maximum Auto Store Value .......................................... 77

Setting the Modulation Type ........................................................... 77

Setting Attenuation ......................................................................... 78

Setting Data Skip ............................................................................ 78

Setting the Delay Time .................................................................... 78

Setting the Search Frequency Step ................................................ 79

Using Weather Alert (SAME) ........................................................... 80

Searching For a Weather Broadcast .............................................. 80

Turning Weather Alert On/Off ......................................................... 80

Programming a SAME Group.......................................................... 81

Setting WX Alert Priority ................................................................. 82

Care and Maintenance ......................................................................83

Troubleshooting ................................................................................ 85

Specifications .................................................................................... 87

Optional Accessories ....................................................................... 89

Planning ............................................................................................ 90

Collecting Information ..................................................................... 90

Filling Out The Racing System Worksheet ..................................... 92

Race Name.................................................................................. 92

Car #/Driver-Frequency-Priority-CTCSS/DCS ............................ 92

Racing System Worksheet ............................................................. 93

Filling Out The Conventional System Worksheet ........................... 94

System Name and Quick Key ..................................................... 94

Group Name and Quick Key ....................................................... 94

Frequency-Alpha Tag-Priority-CTCSS/DCS ............................... 94

Conventional System Worksheet ................................................... 95

Preprogrammed Systems ................................................................ 96

One-Year Limited Warranty ............................................................. 97

Contents

The FCC Wants You to Know

This scanner has been tested and found to comply with

The FCC Wants You to Know

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:

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

• Pager transmissions

• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions

The FCC Wants You to Know

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.

The FCC Wants You to Know

Introduction

Your SC230 scanner is a state-of-the-art scanner radio

Introduction

with automatic scanning capabilities. You can store frequencies such as racing, police, fire/emergency, marine, air, and other communications into the scanner. You can carry it with you wherever you go, use it at home as a base unit, or install it in your vehicle as a mobile unit.

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:

• Automobile races

• Public safety systems

• Police and fire departments (including rescue and paramedics)

• NOAA weather transmissions

• Business/Industrial radio

• Utilities

• Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands

• Air band

• Railroad

This table lists the frequency ranges, default frequency step, default mode (AM or Narrowband FM), and type of transmissions you can hear for each range.

Frequency Range

Step (kHz)

Mode Transmission

(MHz)

25.0-26.960 5 AM Petroleum/ Broadcast Band

26.965-

27.405

27.410-

27.995

28.0-29.680 20 NFM 10 Meter

5 AM Citizens Band Class D

5 AM Business Band

Amateur Band

Introduction

Frequency Range

Step (kHz)

Mode Transmission

(MHz)

29.7-49.990 10 NFM VHF Low Band

50.0-54.0 20 NFM 6 Meter Amateur Band

108.0-

136.9750

137.0-

143.9875

144.0-

147.995

148.0-

150.7875

150.800-

161.995

162.0-174.0 12.5 NFM Federal

216.0-

224.9800

400.0-

405.9875

406.0-

419.9875

420.0-

449.9875

450.0-

469.9875

470.0-512.0 12.5 NFM UHF TV Band

806.0-

823.9875

849.0125-

868.9875

894.0125-

956.0000

1240.0000-

1300.0000

25 AM Aircraft Band

12.5 NFM Military Band

5NFM2 Meter

Amateur Band

12.5 NFM Military Band

5 NFM VHF High Band

Government

20 NFM 1.25 Meter Amateur

Band

12.5 NFM Miscellaneous

12.5 NFM Federal Land Mobile

12.5 NFM 70 cm Amateur Band

12.5 NFM UHF Standard Band

12.5 NFM Public Service Band

25 NFM 25 cm

Amateur Band

Introduction

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 72 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 Races - your scanner is preprogrammed with NASCAR Nextel, Busch, Craftsman, Indy, ARCA, and Champ series races.

Quick Race Programming – lets you quickly and easily enter information about a specific race.

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

Quick Car Select – You can set the scanner so you can select and listen to a car by pressing a single key.

Pager Screen – You can set the scanner so it ignores hits generated by common pager frequencies while using the Close Call or search features.

Ten Service Searches - frequencies are preset in separate public safety, news, amateur radio, marine, railroad, air, CB radio, FRS/GMRS, racing, and special searches, to make it easy to find 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

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

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 received by the scanner.

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.

Frequency Step – Lets you select a frequency step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 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 race system, conventional system, group, channel, 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 the scanner.

Feature Highlights

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

22 Bands – Includes 22 bands, with Aircraft and 800 MHz.

Note: The scanner’s frequency coverage is not continuous

and does not include the cellular telephone band.

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.

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.

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

Feature Highlights

Backlight and Power

LCD Back Light – Makes the display 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.

Key Beep – You can control whether the scanner beeps when you press a key.

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.

Clone Mode – You can clone all programmed data, including the contents of the scanner’s memory, menu settings, and other parameters from one SC230 scanner to another SC230 scanner.

On-Air Cloning – You can clone all programmed data over the air from one SC230 scanner to another SC230 scanner using a personal computer and a radio transmitter.

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 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.

Feature Highlights

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 view a series of choices then select one choice (Edit Name).

Select the system  E 



To get the most from this manual, review the contents to become familiar with the basic functions available. If you are new to scanning, be sure to read “Understanding Scanning” on Page 16 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 23 if you need any help doing this.

 Program System  E  

Edit Name  E

) to

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 .

To move the cursor to the left, hold then press /4 or rotate the scroll control to the left. To move the cursor to

the right, hold then press 6/ or rotate the scroll control to the right.

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.

Func

Feature Highlights

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 SC230.

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 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.

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not transmit continuously. Your SC230 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 SC230 can search each of its 22 bands and up to 10 banks 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

Understanding Scanning

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 two-way 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 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.

Understanding Scanning

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

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

Understanding Scanning

Using the Scanner at the Racetrack

Keeping up with the action at the racetrack is easy and fun. You can hear drivers communicating with their pit crews, officials communicating with drivers and crews, and track workers communicating with everybody. Each user at the racetrack transmits and receives on one or more frequencies.

The scanner organizes racetrack frequencies by the name of the race you are scanning and by car number. For example, you might hear drivers and their pit crews on the car number frequencies and officials and the news media on the race frequencies. When you are scanning, 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.

You can activate one racing system and as many conventional systems as you want at the same time. Within a racing system, each driver can have multiple frequencies stored, but only one of their frequencies is unlocked at any one time. If you select a driver frequency, their other frequencies are automatically locked.

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

Understanding Scanning

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.

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 repeaterbased 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.

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 included conventional frequency guide will give you a good head start on the other part of what you need to know – what frequencies have interesting content.

Understanding Scanning

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 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 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/SC230

- a group

for people interested in discussing the SC230.

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

To purchase another copy of the conventional 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.

Understanding Scanning

Included With Your Scanner

If any of these items are missing or damaged,

Included With Your Scanner

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.

Connection

Cable

Wrist Strap

AC Adapter

Scanner

Batteries

Belt Clip

Antennas

Frequency Guide

Setting Up Your Scanner

Included With Your Scanner

SC230

OWNER’S

MANUAL

OWNER’S MANUAL

Owners Manual

Setting Up Your Scanner

These guidelines will help you install and set up your 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 two alkaline, or rechargeable AA batteries.

Setting Up Your Scanner

Before installing batteries, set the switch in the battery compartment to match the type of batteries you will use. Select REG. ALK. BATT. for non-rechargeable battery types and NI-MH. BATT. for rechargeable battery types. See also “Using Rechargeable Batteries” on Page 25 when you use rechargeable batteries.

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

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

WARNING!

Set REG. ALK. BATT./NI-MH. BATT. to NI-MH. BATT. 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.

Setting Up Your Scanner

3. Replace the cover.

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

Using Rechargeable Batteries

You can also use two 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 REG. ALK. BATT./NI-MH. BATT. inside the battery compartment to NI-MH. BATT., 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 26).

WARNING!

Do not connect the AC adapter to the scanner if nonrechargeable batteries (such as alkaline batteries) are installed in the scanner and

REG. ALK. BATT./NI-MH. BATT. is set to NI-MH. BATT. , 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.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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.

Using AC Power

You can power the scanner using the supplied 6V, 500 mA AC adapter.

To use the scanner on AC power, plug the AC adapter into a standard AC outlet.

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

Connecting the Antenna

To attach the supplied stub antenna to the connector on the top of your scanner, align the slots around the antenna's connector with the tabs on the scanner's BNC connector. Then slide the antenna's connector down over the scanner's connector and rotate the antenna connector's outer ring clockwise until it locks into place.

Connecting an Optional Antenna

The scanner's BNC 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 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 a BNC adapter at your local electronics store.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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

/8-inch

WARNING!

If you connect an external speaker to the scanner's headphone jack, never connect the audio output line to a power supply and ground. This might damage the scanner.

Attaching the Belt Clip

To make your scanner easier to carry when you are on the go, use the supplied belt clip. Use a Phillips screwdriver and the supplied screws to attach the clip to the scanner.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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.

Installing the Demo Software

You can operate your scanner using a personal computer and the free demo software available at http://www.uniden.com.

Download the software, then double-click on the install package to begin installation. The SC230 Install program installs the software. You must install the software to use the scanner with your computer.

After you install the SC230 Install program, start it by double clicking on the desktop icon or by selecting it in the Start Programs list.

You can upgrade the included software to a full version by purchasing a registration key at http://www.uniden.com.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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.

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

Key Name Description

Func

CAR/

CAR – Selects a car in scan mode.

Func

+ – Locks and unlocks

the keypad.

Hold/

Hold – Holds the scan or the

frequency search.

Func

+ – Quickly turns the

Close Call feature on or off (see “Setting Close Call Options” on Page 73).

Scan/Srch Scan – Scans the stored channels.

Func

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

Setting Up Your Scanner

Key Name Description

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 unlock all groups and channels in a system.

/ – Press and hold for more than

2 seconds to turn the scanner on or off. Press quickly to cancel a prompt.

Func

+ – Turns the display backlight on or off.

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

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

0/Race – Selects the race quick key, enters a frequency, and selects a custom search range in Custom Search mode.

Func

+ 1-9, 0/Race – Selects groups by quick key in scan mode.

1/Pri 1 – Enters a 1.

Func

+ Pri – Selects the priority mode in scan hold mode.

Setting Up Your Scanner

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