Uniden UBC126AT Owner's Manual
UBC126AT
Scanning Receiver
For more exciting new products please visit our website:
Australia: www.uniden.com.au
New Zealand: www.uniden.co.nz
PRECAUTIONS
Before you use this scanner, please read and observe the
following.
EARPHONE WARNING!
Be sure to use only a monaural earphone with this scanner. You
can also use an optional stereo headset. Use of an incorrect
earphone or mono 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 headset.
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 re or electrical shock, do not expose this unit to rain
or moisture.
CONTENTS
PRECAUTIONS ..................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION ........................................ 6
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS ............................................. 7
FREQUENCY RANGE .............................................. 10
Band Plan .......................................................10
INCLUDED WITH YOUR SCANNER .................................. 11
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .......................................... 11
SCANNING BASICS ....................................12
WHAT IS SCANNING? .............................................. 12
WHAT IS SEARCHING? ............................................. 12
UNDERSTANDING SCANNING ..................................... 13
What is CTCSS/DCS? .............................................. 13
Conventional Scanning ........................................... 14
Simplex Operation ...............................................14
Repeater Operation ..............................................15
UNDERSTANDING BANKS ......................................... 15
Channel Storage Banks ........................................... 15
Service Search Banks ............................................. 15
Custom Search Banks ............................................16
WHERE TO LEARN MORE .......................................... 16
SETTING UP YOUR SCANNER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA ...................................... 17
Connecting an Optional Antenna .................................18
CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/HEADPHONE ........................ 18
CONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER ............................ 18
ADJUSTING THE BELT CLIP ........................................19
POWERING THE SCANNER ......................................... 19
Installing Non-Rechargeable Batteries ............................20
Installing Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries ..........................20
Charging the Ni-MH Batteries ..................................... 21
ABOUT YOUR SCANNER ...............................23
GETTING TO KNOW THE SCANNER ................................. 23
TURNING ON THE SCANNER ....................................... 26
A LOOK AT THE DISPLAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SETTING UP YOUR SCANNER ...................................... 29
Using the SCROLL CONTROL Knob ...........................29
Adjusting the Volume ............................................29
Adjusting the Squelch ............................................30
Setting the Backlight .............................................30
Adjusting the Contrast ...........................................31
Setting the Charging Timer .......................................32
Using the Keypad Lock ...........................................33
Setting the Beep Tone ............................................33
Resetting the Scanner ............................................33
PC Programming ................................................. 33
PROGRAMMING CHANNELS ...........................34
PROGRAMMING CHANNEL TEXT TAGS ............................. 35
SETTING CTCSS/DCS FOR A CHANNEL ............................. 36
SETTING CHANNEL MODULATION ................................. 37
SETTING THE PRIORITY CHANNEL ................................. 38
SETTING CHANNEL DELAY ........................................ 38
DELETING CHANNELS ............................................. 39
Clearing a Bank .................................................. 40
SCANNING STORED CHANNELS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Priority Scan Modes ..............................................42
MANUALLY SELECTING A CHANNEL ............................... 43
Locking Out Channels ............................................43
Unlocking Channels .............................................. 44
Unlock all Channels in Banks Currently Enabled for Scan ...........44
SEARCH MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Service Search Receive/Hold Modes ...............................44
Custom Search Mode ............................................. 45
Custom Search Receive/Hold Modes ............................... 46
Quick Search Mode ...............................................47
Quick Search Receive/Hold Modes ................................48
Search Options ..................................................49
Programming Custom Search Ranges .............................49
Storing Found Search Frequencies ................................51
Locking Out Search Frequencies ..................................51
Unlocking Search Frequencies ....................................52
Set Pager Screen for Searching ....................................53
CLOSE CALL ...................................................... 54
Using the Close Call Feature ......................................54
Selecting Close Call Modes ........................................55
Close Call Only Mode .............................................55
Set Close Call Bands ..............................................57
Close Call Alert ...................................................58
Close Call Hits Bank ..............................................58
Close Call Delay .................................................. 59
Close Call CTCSS/DCS Search .....................................60
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ..........................61
REFERENCES ..........................................66
CTCSS FREQUENCIES ..............................................66
DCS CODES ....................................................... 67
BIRDIES .......................................................... 67
WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a Uniden UBC126AT Handheld
Scanner. The scanner is versatile, compact, and easy to use. In
addition to its standard scanning features, your scanner also
includes Close Call™ RF capture technology designed to help you
detect and identify strong local radio signals in your area. You
can program up to 500 frequencies into the scanner's memory
either manually or using optional computer software. The
scanner lets you scan transmissions and is preprogrammed with
service banks for your convenience. You can quickly search those
frequencies most commonly used by police and other agencies,
without tedious and complicated programming. The scanner
gives you direct access to over 40,000 exciting frequencies. Use
your scanner to monitor unencrypted analogue transmissions
from these services:
• Aircraft
• UHF CB Radio
• Police
• Ambulance
• Racing
• Marine
• CB Radio
• Fire
• Railroad
COUNTRY MODE AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
The UBC126AT is set to the Australian mode by default. The
Police, RailRoad, Fire, Ambulance and CB banks have select preprogrammed frequencies. One set for Australia and another set
for New Zealand. Turn on the scanner by pressing and holding a
following key to select the country band plan.
[1] for Australia Mode
[2] for New Zealand Mode
FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
10 Channel Storage Banks - You can store up to 50 frequencies
into each bank for a total of 500 frequencies so you can more
easily identify calls.
Close Call™ RF Capture Technology - you can set the scanner
so it detects and provides information about nearby radio
transmissions
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 in the Close Call Hits bank.
PC Programming - you can download information into the
scanner and upload to the scanner via your personal computer.
CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes - rapid search for CTCSS/DCS
tones/codes used during a transmission. You can identify up to
50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
Direct Access - lets you directly access any channel.
Lock-Out Function - lets you set your scanner to skip over
specied channels or frequencies when scanning or searching.
Temporary Lockout - makes it easy to temporarily lock out
any channel or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you
turn power o, then back on so you don’t have to remember to
unlock the channels or frequencies later.
Triple-Conversion Circuitry - virtually eliminates any
interference from IF (intermediate frequency) images, so you
hear only the selected frequency.
7
Text Tagging - you can name each channel, using up to 16
characters per name.
Service Banks - frequencies are preset in 9 separate Police, Fire,
Ambulance, Aircraft, Marine, UHF CB Radio, CB Radio, Railroad
and Racing banks to make it easy to locate specic types of calls
and search any or all of these banks.
Priority Scan with Do Not Disturb - lets you program one
channel in each bank (10 in all) and then have the scanner check
each channel every 2 seconds while it scans the banks so you
don’t miss transmissions on those channels. Do-Not Disturb
keeps the scanner from interrupting transmissions during
receiving.
Priority Plus Scan - you can set the scanner so it scans only the
priority channels.
Scan/Search Delay/Resume - controls whether the scanner
pauses at the end of the transmission to wait for a reply. You can
set the Delay time for each Channel, Close Call Search, Custom
Search, and Service search. You can also set a negative delay
where the scanner stops on transmissions for a set time then
automatically resumes.
Custom Search - lets you program up to 10 Custom Search
Ranges and search any or all of these ranges.
Quick Search - allows you to enter a frequency and start
searching up or down from that frequency.
Turbo Search - increases the search speed from 100 to 300 steps
per second automatically for bands with 5 kHz steps.
8
Search Lockouts - you can lock up to 200 search frequencies:
100 temporary frequencies and 100 permanent frequencies
in Custom Search, Service Search, Close Call Search, or Quick
Search Modes.
Display Backlight - You can turn on/o the LCD backlight, set it
operate on squelch only, keypress only, or both.
Signal Strength Meter - shows the signal strength for more
powerful transmissions.
Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector - provides adequate
reception in strong signal areas and is designed to help prevent
antenna breakage. You can also connect an external antenna for
better reception.
Memory Backup - keeps the frequencies stored in memory for
an extended time if the scanner loses power.
Three Power Options - let you power the scanner using the
included two AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries or the
supplied USB cable.
Built-In Charger - allows you to charge Ni-MH batteries in the
scanner using a USB port on any computer and the supplied USB
cable.
Key Conrmation Tones - You can turn on/o a tone that
sounds when you perform an operation correctly or if you make
an error.
Key Lock - lets you lock the scanner's keys to help prevent
accidental changes to the scanner's programming.
Battery Save - works when there is no transmission for 1 minute
in Scan Hold mode and any Search Hold mode (without
9
Priority Scan and Close Call). This feature turns o RF power for 1
second and turns on it for 300ms to extend the battery life.
BATT
Battery Low Alert - the
icon will blink in the display and a
tone warns you every 15 seconds when the battery power gets
low.
Pager Screen - Sets whether the scanner screens common
pager frequencies from hits during Custom Search, Quick Search
and Close Call (except Service Search).
FREQUENCY RANGE
This table lists the frequency ranges, frequency steps, default
modulation, and type of transmissions you can hear for each
range.
Band Plan
FREQUENCY (MHz)
STEP (kHz) MODE
Lower Edge UPPER
25.00000
28.00000 69.99500 5.0 FM
70.00000 88.00000 12.5 FM
108.00000 136.98750 12.5 AM
137.00000 147.99500 5.0 FM
148.00000 174.00000 12.5 FM
27.99500 5.0 AM
225.00000 399.97500 25.0 AM
400.00000 520.00000 6.25 NFM
806.00000 960.00000 12.5 NFM
10
INCLUDED WITH YOUR SCANNER
• UBC126AT scanner with attached belt clip
• Antenna
• Rechargeable 2300mAh Ni-MH Batteries
• USB cable
• AC Adaptor
• DC Adaptor
• Wrist strap
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
• Earphones (mono)
11
SCANNING BASICS
This section provides you with background on how 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 UBC126AT.
WHAT IS SCANNING?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications do not transmit continuously. Your UBC126AT
scans programmed channels until it nds 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 UBC126AT can search for active frequencies. This is dierent
from scanning because you are searching for frequencies that
have not been programmed into the scanner. When you select
frequency bands to search, the scanner searches for any active
frequency within the lower and upper limits you specify. When
the scanner nds an active frequency, it stops on that frequency
as long as the transmission lasts. If you think the frequency is
interesting, you can store it into one of the banks. If not, you can
continue to search.
12
UNDERSTANDING SCANNING
What is CTCSS/DCS?
Your scanner can monitor systems using a Continuous Tone
Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS)
system, which allows the squelch to open only when the tone
you have programmed with a specic 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 even interfere with each other to the point where it is
impossible to clearly receive any of the stations. Your scanner
can code each received frequency with a specic sub-audible
CTCSS frequency or DCS 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
13
with a signal, the scanner’s squelch remains closed and you hear
nothing.
Refer to the Reference section of this manual for tables showing
the available CTCSS frequencies and DCS codes.
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 1980’s
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
• Many business radio users
When you want to store a conventional system, all you need
to know is the frequencies they operate on. When you are
scanning a conventional system, the scanner stops very briey
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
14
radios such as UHF-CB radios. The range is typically 1.5-12km,
depending upon the terrain and many other factors.
Repeater Operation
Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from the
radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the repeater
to other radios in the system. With a repeater-based system, the
repeater is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower
that provides great visibility to the area of operation.
When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is
picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output
frequency). The user’s radios always listen for activity on the
output frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since
the repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of
sight. Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to about a
40km radius from the repeater location.
UNDERSTANDING BANKS
Channel Storage Banks
To make it easier to identify and select the channels you want to
listen to, the 500 channels are divided into 10 channel storage
banks containing 50 channels each. You could use each channel
storage bank to group frequencies by department, location,
area of interest, or any other way you prefer. You can listen to
any or all of the banks by using the number keys to turn them
on or o.
Service Search Banks
The scanner is preprogrammed with many of the frequencies
allocated to Aircraft, Marine, UHF CB Radio, CB Radio, Police,
Fire, Ambulance, Railroad and Racing services. There are 9
15
banks allocated for these searches that can be used just like the
channel storage banks to search these frequencies in Service
Search mode.
Custom Search Banks
Custom Search Banks let you program and search 10 custom
search ranges. During custom search, the scanner starts
searching with the lowest frequency in the search range you
select to the highest frequency in the range. You can search any
or all of these ranges by turning each search bank on or o just
like channel storage banks in Search mode.
WHERE TO LEARN MORE
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 website, www.radioreference.com, is the Internet's
premier source for user-supported radio system information.
This web sites is not aliated with Uniden.
16
SETTING UP YOUR SCANNER
These guidelines will help you install and use your new scanner.
If your scanner receives interference or electrical noise, move
the scanner or its antenna away from the source. You might also
try changing the height or angle of the rubber antenna.
To improve the scanner’s reception, use an optional external
antenna designed for multiband coverage. (You can purchase
this type of antenna at a local electronics store). If the optional
antenna has no cable, use 50 ohm coaxial cable for lead-in. An
adaptor plug might be necessary for the optional antennas.
Use an optional mono earphone or stereo headset with proper
impedance 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.
CONNECTING THE ANTENNA
1. Align the slots around the antenna's connector with the
tabs on the scanner's BNC connector.
2. Slide the antenna's connector down over the scanner's
connector.
3. Rotate the antenna connector's outer ring clockwise until it
locks into place.
17
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 15m from the scanner,
use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If it is less than 15m, use
RG-58. You can get a BNC adaptor at local electronics stores.
CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/HEADPHONE
For private listening, you can plug a 3.5 mm mini-plug earphone
or stereo headphones (not supplied) into the headphone jack
on top of your scanner. This automatically disconnects the
internal speaker.
CONNECTING AN EXTENSION SPEAKER
In a noisy area, an optional 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.
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.
18
ADJUSTING THE BELT CLIP
The factory-attached belt clip makes it easier to carry the
scanner. Use a Phillips screwdriver to adjust (loosen) the
mounting screws or remove the belt clip completely.
POWERING THE SCANNER
You can power the scanner using alkaline (ALK) nonrechargeable batteries (not supplied) or the included Nickel
Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable batteries. [Uniden provides
a USB cable to charge the Ni-MH batteries on initial installation
and to recharge them through your computer or through a
power adaptor that provides USB charge power.
Inside the battery compartment is a switch to set the unit to
either ALK or Ni-MH.
WARNING! Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot or burst
if you try to recharge them.
CAUTIONS:
• When
ashes in the display and the scanner beeps
every 15 seconds, recharge or replace the batteries.
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and
recommended type.
• Always remove old or weak batteries. Batteries can leak
chemicals that destroy electronic circuits.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, dierent types of batteries
(standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable
batteries of dierent capacities.
19
• Do not use and charge Ni-Cd batteries; this may cause a
safety hazard and damage the scanner.
Installing Non-Rechargeable Batteries
1. Make sure the power is turned o.
2. Slide the battery compartment cover o.
3. Use a pointed object such as a ballpoint pen to set the
battery selection switch inside the compartment to ALK.
4. Insert the batteries as indicated by the polarity symbols (+
and -) marked inside the battery compartment.
5. Replace the battery compartment cover.
Installing Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries
You can also use two Ni-MH rechargeable batteries to power
your scanner. The Ni-MH batteries included with your unit are
not fully charged; you must charge them completely after you
install them into your scanner. See Charging the NiMH Batteries,
page 21, for details.
1. Make sure the power is turned o.
2. Slide the battery compartment cover o.
3. Use a pointed object such as a ballpoint pen to set the
battery selection switch inside the compartment to Ni-MH
for Nickel Metal-Hydride batteries.
4. Install two batteries in the compartment as indicated by
the polarity symbols (+ and -) marked inside and replace
the cover.
20
Note: To prevent damage to Ni-MH batteries, never charge them in
an area where the temperature is above 45°C or below 4°C.
Charging the Ni-MH Batteries
The scanner has a built-in circuit that charges the included
Ni-MH batteries when a USB cable connects it to a computer
(NOT to a USB hub) or to an AC or DC adaptor that provides USB
charging power. Verify that the battery selection switch is set to
Ni-MH and that only Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are inserted
in the scanner before connecting it to your computer.
CAUTION: Never attempt to charge non-rechargeable
batteries or install non-rechargeable batteries when
the battery selection switch is set to Ni-MH. The USB
cable will only charge the batteries if the scanner is
turned o.
1. Be sure the scanner is turned o. It will recharge only if it
is turned o, even with the USB cable connecting it to a
computer.
2. Connect the included USB cable to the scanner’s USB port.
3. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the computer's
USB port or to an AC or DC adaptor that provides USB
charging power.
NOTE: If you connect to a computer's USB port, the PC will prompt
you for the drivers for your scanner.
4. The scanner displays Charging while it charges the
batteries and Charge Complete when the Ni-MH batteries
are completely charged.
21
Dierent status messages may display depending on the
battery type and scanner status:
USB Message Batt.
Type
Charging
No Battery
Charge
Ni-MH Scanner is charging. Off
None NO batteries in
Ni-MH Unit is charged. Off
Complete
Charge Off
Alk./NiMH
Battery Error
Ni-MH Batteries cannot
Meaning Scanner
Cond.
Off
scanner.
Scanner is not charg-
Off
ing (Battery selection
switch is set to Alk.)
Off
be charged (dead
battery).
Illegal Voltage
Ni-MH USB external power
Off
is out of range.
See also Setting the Charging Timer, page 32.
If the batteries are good, the scanner charges the batteries.
and it operates normally. If the scanner cannot immediately
determine if the batteries are good and can be charged, it
checks them and displays the battery icon. If the scanner judges
the batteries are good, the scanner starts charging and the
battery icon disappears. If it cannot regard the batteries as good
in 60 seconds, the scanner stops checking and the battery icon
blinks.
22
Loading...