Uniden UBC780XLT User Manual

500-Channel Trunk Tracking Scanner

UBC780XLT

TRUNK TRACKER III

Introduction

The UBC780XLTis a state-of-the-art radio with TrunkTracking™and automatic scanning capabilities. It can store frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, railroad, air, amateur, and other communications into 10 banks of 50 channels each.

Use your new scanner to monitor:

•Police and Fire Departments (including rescue and paramedics), and Ambulance Services Private and Government Trunked Systems

•VHF High Band, UHF, 800MHz

•Trunking for Motorola, EDACS and LTR Systems

•Business/Industrial Radio

•Utilities

•Marine and Amateur (ham radio) Bands

•Air Band

•And much more...

The chart below identifies the scanner band numbers, the frequency range, the modulation mode and the default step size settings.

Band Frequency Range Mode Step

No. (MHz) (kHz)

1 25.0000–27.9950 AM 5 2 28.0000–69.9900 FM 10 3 70.0000–87.9875 FM 12.5 4 88.0000–107.9000 WFM 100 5 108.0000–136.9875 AM 12.5 6 137.0000–147.9950 FM 5 7 148.0000–173.9875 FM 12.5 8 174.0000–224.9950 WFM 100

9 225.0000–399.9500 AM 50 10 400.0000–512.0000 NFM 12.5 11 806.0000–956.0000 NFM 12.5 12 1240.0000–1300.0000 NFM 12.5

Important Notice

•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 Manual are violations that could void your authority to operate this product or claim warranty on this product.

•The screen displays used in this manual are representations only of what will appear when you use your scanner.

•This Owners Manual may include foreign terms not applicable to Australian version and conditions.

Front View and Display

SVC

1. VFO/SELECT Control

2. VOLUME/SQUELCH Control

3. Scan Key (SCAN)

4. Manual Key (MAN)

5. Display

6. Search Key (SRCH)

7. Hold/Up Key (HOLD/▲)

8. Numeric Keypad (each banks channel numbers)

9. Menu Key (MENU)

10. Trunk Key (TRUNK)

11. Limit/Down Key (LIMIT/▼)

12. Select/Mute Key (SELECT/MUTE)

13. Decimal/Reverse Key ( /RVRS)

14. Lockout Key (L/O)

15. Priority Key (PRI)

16. Service Key (SVC)

17. Enter/Remote Key (E/REM)

18. Trunk Mode Indicator

19. Trunk Type Indicators

20. Frequency Display

21. Priority Channel Indicator

22. Channel Number Display

23. Bank/Trunk Scan List Indicator

24. Scanner/Channel Mode Indicators

25. Receiving Mode Indicators

26. Frequency/Channel Indicators

27. CTCSS/DCS Indicators

28. ID/Code/Frequency Display

29. Trunk Repeater Activity Indicators

30. Enter Lock Indicator

31. Signal Meter

32. Character Display

18 19

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

30 31

34 5 67 8

9 10 11121314151617

Rear View

33. Antenna Connector

Uniden®and Bearcat®are registered trademarks of Uniden Corporation.

34. Tape Recorder Output Jack

35. External Speaker Jack

36. DC Power Jack

37. Remote Control Terminal

33 34 35 36 37

NOTE: SMART SCAN NOT APPLICABLE IN AUSTRALIA

UBC780XLT Flow Charts

UBC780XLT Flow Charts (continued)

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside front cover

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

What is Scanning? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

What is Searching? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

What is Trunk Tracking? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Feature Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Included with Your Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Connecting an Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Mounting an Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Optional Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Typical Mounting Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Applying Power for Vehicle Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Desktop Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Applying Power Using Standard AC Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Connecting an External Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Connecting an Earphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Listening Safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting the Clone Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting the Tape Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Turn the Scanner On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Understanding the Menu System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Storing Frequencies into Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Duplicate Frequency Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Storing Text Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Beep Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Programming Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Deleting a Stored Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

RF Attenuation Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Setting the Delay Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Channel Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Restoring a Locked-out Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Restoring All Locked-out Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..24

Priority Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Changing the Priority Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Searching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Setting a Search Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Search Hold Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Frequency Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Storing Search Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Auto Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Squelch (SQ) Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Additional Menu Options for Searching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Service Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Service Search Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Programming and Receiving Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Programming Trunking Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Selecting Trunking Programming Menu Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Selecting Trunking System Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Receiving Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Trunked Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

ID Hold and Direct Entry ID Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

ID Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Restoring Locked-out IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Channel Activity Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Programming ID Scan Lists Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

ID Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Setting Priority in Trunking Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Programming Scan Lists During Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Deleting a Stored ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Moving between Scan List Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

I-Call (Motorola/EDACS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Multi-Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

EDACS Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

EDACS Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Programming System Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

An EDACS trunked System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Special EDACS Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

LTR Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

LTR Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Motorola Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Motorola Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Fleet Map Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Selecting a Preset Fleet Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Programming a Fleet Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Programming a Hybrid System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for Motorola VHF/UHF Trunked Systems .51

Toggling the Status Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Control Channel Only Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Disconnect Tone Detect Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Remote Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Remote (PC Control) Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Clone Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Additional Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

One Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside back cover

Terminology

What is Scanning?

Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not transmit continuously. The UBC780XLT scans the channels you program 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.

What is Searching?

The UBC780XLT can search each of its 24 bands to find active frequencies. This is different from scanning because you are searching for frequencies that have not been programmed into your scanner. The scanner automatically chooses between two speeds while searching. Turbo Search, can search the VHF FM bands at up to 300 channels per second.

What is Trunk Tracking?

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

As the demand for public communications has increased, many public radio users don't have enough frequencies to meet their needs, and this has created a serious problem. Trunking radio systems solve this problem.

In a trunked radio system, which contains up to 28 different frequencies, radio users are divided into groups, often called talkgroups, and these talkgroups are assigned specific IDs. When someone in a talkgroup uses their radio, a brief burst of data is broadcasted before each transmission. The trunking system computer uses this data to temporarily assign each radio in a talkgroup to an available frequency. If the group using a frequency stops broadcasting or pauses between replies for a few seconds, they are removed from the frequency so another talkgroup can use it.

Sharing of the available public service frequencies, or trunking, allows cities, counties, or other agencies to accommodate hundreds of users with relatively few frequencies. Following a conversation on a trunked system using a scanner is difficult, if not impossible. Because when there's a short break during the conversation you're monitoring, it’s possible that the talkgroup will be assigned to a completely different frequency in the trunked system. This type of scanning is difficult and frustrating.

TrunkTrack™ changes this! Not only does your new UBC780XLT scan channels like a conventional scanner, it actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once you know a talkgroups ID, you won’t miss any of the action.

If you're a new scanner enthusiast, you may 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 its terminology will make trunk tracking much easier. A glossary of other commonly used terms is provided in the back. (Refer to the “Glossary of Terms” section.) But if you're already an experienced scanner operator, you may want to skip to Trunked System on page 32.

Feature Highlights

• Trunk Tracking – Follows VHF High Band, UHF, 800MHz trunked public and government service systems just as if conventional two-way communications were used.

• Multi-Track – Track more than one trunking system at a time. Scan conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

• 500 Channels – Program one frequency into each channel. You must have at least one channel programmed to use the Scan mode.

• 24 Bands, 10 Banks – Includes 24 bands, with Aircraft and 800 MHz.10 banks with 50 channels each are useful for storing similar frequencies to maintain faster scanning cycles or for storing all the frequencies of a trunked system.

• 25 MHz-1300 MHz – Indicates the range of frequencies that can be searched within the bands of your scanner.

Note: The frequency coverage is not continuous and excludes the 512-806MHz band.

• 10 Priority Channels – You can assign one priority channel in each bank. Assigning a priority channel allows you to keep track of activity on your most important channel(s) while monitoring other channels for transmissions. You can also assign trunking priority talkgroups.

• Preprogrammed Service (SVC) Search – Allows you to toggle through preprogrammed Police, UHF CB, railroad, aircraft, and marine frequencies.

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

• Memory Backup – If the battery completely discharges or if power is disconnected, the frequencies programmed in your scanner are retained in memory.

• Manual Channel Access – Go directly to any channel.

• Attenuator – Reduces the signal strength on a per frequency basis.

• Turbo Search – Increases the search speed to 300 steps per second. This applies only to transmission bands with 5 kHz steps.

• Text Tags – You can customise your scanner by storing text tags (up to 16 characters).

• Auto Store – The scanner automatically arranges a memory store for searched frequencies.

• CTCSS/DCS – The scanner can receive and search for subaudible tones.

Included with Your Scanner Package

If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase.

•AC Adaptor •Cigarette Lighter Adaptor Cord

•Operating Guide

•Other Printed Materials

•Mounting Bracket •Telescopic Antenna

•DC Cord

Setup

Connecting an Antenna

You must install an antenna before you can operate the scanner. You have been provided a standard telescopic antenna that works well with this scanner, but you may want to purchases another type to increase the range. To connect the telescopic antenna, simply connect it to the BNC type ANT. connector on the rear of the scanner. You can purchase a variety of scanner antennas for both mobile and base station available at a local electronics store. Choose the one that best meets your needs.

When deciding on a mobile or base station antenna and its location, consider these points.

• The antenna should be as high as possible on a vehicle or a house.

• The antenna and its cable should be as far as possible from sources of electrical noise (ignition systems, gauges, and so on).

• The antenna should be vertical for the best performance.

Mounting an Antenna

Once you choose an antenna, follow the mounting instructions supplied with the antenna. Then route the antenna cable to the scanner.

The antenna connector on your scanner makes it easy to use the scanner with a variety of antennas, such as an external mobile antenna or an outdoor base station antenna.

Always use 50 ohm coaxial cable, such as RG-58 or RG-8, to connect an outdoor antenna. For lengths over 50 feet, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. If your antenna’s cable does not have a BNC connector, you will also need a BNC adaptor (available at a local electronics store).

Follow the Installation instructions supplied with the antenna, route the antenna cable to the scanner, then connect it to the ANT. jack.

Warning: Use extreme caution when you install or remove an outdoor antenna. If the

antenna starts to fall, let it go! It could contact overhead power lines. If the antenna touches a power line, contact with the antenna, mast, cable, or guy wires can cause electrocution and death. Call the power company to remove the antenna. DO NOT attempt to do it yourself.

Optional Antenna

If you have chosen an optional mobile antenna, connect the antenna plug into the ANT connector on the rear of the scanner. (For more information on antenna installation, please refer to the instruction guide that came with your antenna.)

Typical Mounting Methods

The UBC780XLT can be conveniently mounted on a table, bulkhead, overhead, or any other desired location (refer to figure below for typical mounting methods).

Caution: Make sure there are no hidden electrical wires or other items behind the desired

location before proceeding. Check that free access for mounting and cabling is available.

Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle

Before you mount the scanner, make sure you have all the necessary materials. Then confirm that the scanner fits your vehicle’s mounting area. This unit requires a mounting area of 61mm high by 176.5mm wide by 167mm deep.

Caution: Be sure to avoid obstructions behind the mounting surface. Follow these steps to mount the scanner in your vehicle.

1. Choose a mounting location, then use the supplied mounting bracket as a template to mark the positions for the mounting screw holes.

2. In the marked positions, drill holes slightly smaller than the supplied screws.

3. Attach the mounting bracket to the mounting location using the supplied screws and lock washers.

4. Attach the scanner to the mounting bracket using the supplied mounting knobs.

5. Connect the antenna’s cable to the ANT. connector on the back of the scanner.

Note: If the antenna cable’s connector does not fit in the ANT.

connector, you might also need a Motorola-to-BNC antenna plug adaptor (available at a local electronics store).

•Table top mount •Bulkhead mount •Overhead mount

Applying Power for Vehicle Installation

You can power your scanner using either the supplied DC power cord or your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket using DC cigarette lighter power cord.

Caution: You must use a power source that supplies 13.8 V DC and delivers at least

700 mA. Your standard 12V car battery should be sufficient. The cord connector’s centre tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 13.8 V jack. The supplied DC power cord meets these specifications. Using a power cord that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adaptor.

• Always connect the adaptor or DC power cord to the scanner before you connect it to the power source. When you finish, disconnect the adaptor or DC power cord from the power source before you disconnect it from the scanner.

• For added safety and to protect your scanner, disconnect the cable from your vehicle battery’s negative (-) terminal before you begin.

Follow these steps to connect the supplied DC power cord.

1. Connect the power cord’s black wire to a chassis ground, such as a metal screw attached to a metal part of the vehicle’s frame. Be sure that the screw is not insulated from the frame by a plastic part.

2. Connect the power cord’s red wire (with in-line fuse) to a source of voltage that turns on and off with the ignition switch, such as a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box.

3. Insert the power cord’s barrel plug into the DC 13.8 V jack on the back of the scanner.

4. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery’s negative (-) terminal.

To power the scanner from a vehicle’s 12 V power source (such as a cigarette-lighter socket), use the supplied cigarette-lighter adaptor cord.

To connect the supplied DC cigarette-lighter power cord, insert its barrel plug into the DC 13.8 V jack on the back of the scanner, then plug the power cord into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket.

Note: If you use a cigarette-lighter power cord and your vehicle’s engine is running, you

might hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal.

Desktop Installation

You can place this scanner on a desk, shelf, or table to use it as a base station.

1. Flip up the feet for desk installation.

2. Extend the antenna to full vertical position. Adjust the angle for best reception.

Applying Power Using Standard AC Power

To power the scanner from an AC outlet, use the provided AC adaptor with a 5.5 mm outer diameter/2.1mm inner diameter tip.

Caution: You must use only the AC adaptor provided as power source that supplies

13.8 V DC and delivers at least 700 mA. The cord connector’s centre tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 13.8 V jack. Using an adaptor that does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adaptor.

• Always connect the AC adaptor to the scanner before you connect it to AC power. When you finish, disconnect the adaptor from the AC power before you disconnect it from the scanner.

1. Insert the adaptor’s barrel plug into the DC

13.8 V jack on the back of the scanner.

2. Plug the adaptor into a standard AC outlet. Note: Use only the AC adaptor supplied with

your scanner.

Connecting an External Speaker

In a noisy area, an external speaker (available at a local electronics store) positioned in the right place might provide more comfortable listening.

Plug the speaker cable’s 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) plug into your scanner’s EXT. SP. jack.

Note: Connecting an external speaker

disconnects the scanner’s internal speaker.

13.8V

Connecting an Earphone

For private listening, you can connect an earphone (not supplied) with a 3.5 mm plug to the

EXT. SP. jack on the back of the scanner. Be very careful as damage to your hearing can result if the VOLUME control is not set to the lowest level first. See below for “Listening

Safely” instructions. (Your local electronics store should carry a wide selection of earphones.) Once the earphone is connected, it will automatically disconnects the internal speaker.

Listening Safely

To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use an earphone or headphones.

• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.

• Set the VOLUME to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After you begin listening, adjust the VOLUME to a comfortable level.

• Once you set the VOLUME, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing.

Connecting the Clone Cable

You can transfer the programmed data to and from another UBC780XLT scanner using an RS232C Cable (9 pin to 9 pin) (not supplied). Connect the cable between each scanner’s REMOTE jacks. See “Clone Mode” on page 56. You can also upload or download the programmed data to or from a PC using an optional PC interface kit available through your local electronics store.

Connecting the Tape Recorder

You can use a standard tape recorder or a VOX (Voice Operated Control) recorder. To connect the recorder to the scanner, connect a cable with a 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) plug from the tape recorder’s remote jack to the TAPE OUT jack on the back of the scanner. (Your local electronics store should carry a wide selection of cables and tape recorders.) Refer to the “Record” section under “Additional Features” in the manual.

Remember!

• You must mark a channel, ID, talkgroup, or bank for Recording in order for this feature to work. The LINE icon appears on all channels that have been properly marked.

• This feature does not work if your scanner is set with

MUTE ON.

• The VOLUME control affects the Audio output. Do not set the volume on minimum. Make a trial taping to be certain the volume levels are set correctly.

Basic Operation

Turn the Scanner On

Turn the VOLUME control clockwise out of the detent position. The scanner automatically starts scanning. Since there are no frequencies programmed in your scanner initially, you may not receive any signals. Once you set the squelch and program some frequencies, you will be hearing conversations regularly.

Setting the Squelch

To set the squelch, you must be in the Manual mode, and you should not be receiving a signal on your scanner.

1. Press MAN until you do not hear a signal.

2. Make sure that the VOLUME is set to a comfortable listening level.

3. Think of the Squelch Control as a gate. Turn SQUELCH fully counter-clockwise. This raises the “Squelch Gate” so high that only very strong signals can get through.

4. Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise until you hear a hiss. This lowers the “Squelch Gate” so that everything gets through – noise, weak signals, and strong signals.

5. Turn SQUELCH back counter-clockwise just until the hiss stops. Now the “Squelch Gate” allows only clear signals through.

Next you must program some frequencies. (Page 18) It is recommended that you read the next part “Understanding the Menu System” because it will assist you in accessing and understanding many of the features. Later in a section called “Additional Features”, you will find explanations on how to disable the keypad acknowledgement tones, how to mute the audio, how to change the appearance of the display and other general features.

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

STRONG SIGNALS

MEDIUM SIGNALS

WEAK SIGNALS

NOISE

Understanding the Menu System

It is very important for you to understand the Menu screen. To navigate through the Menu screen is really quite simple. Many of the features of this scanner, can only be accessed by the menu screens. There are several ways to get through the screens. First of all, press MENU to get started. Any time you want to exit this mode or simply quit from where you are, repeatedly press MENU until the scanner returns to the original state. Anytime you are in the Menu Mode, the audio will be muted.

To assist you in understanding the Menu screen, flow charts are provided towards the back of the manual so you can follow along. Two things to remember are scroll through the menu and execute the command. For simplicity, we have chosen to use the up and down arrow keys (▲ and ▼) in order to scroll through the menu and the E key for entering or executing a command. Once you have pressed the E key and executed the final choice (for instance, ON or OFF), the display backs up to the previous level of options.

Other methods for scrolling through the menu screen include rotating the VFO control or press and hold the up and down arrow keys (▲ and ▼) in order to scroll more quickly. Also direct entry of the numbers in the flow chart will get you through the screens, but the other screen options are not visible. This method should be used only after you have gone through the manual at least once. Atearout shortcut card is provided in the front of the manual to assist you in the direct entry method for commonly used features.

Another method for entering or executing the command, press the SELECT/MUTE key or press the VFO/SELECT control.

Below is the first level of the Menu screen. These levels are then expanded on the foldout towards the back of the manual. You will find a description section to explain the meanings of these functions on the next few pages. Then, you will be walked through all the steps of programming, scanning, searching, and trunktracking.

Menu Description and Numeric Keypad Equivalents

Below are the menu screens and a brief description or purpose of the feature.

1:SYSTEM DATA

1:DIMMER

Allows you to change the brightness of the display.

2:SCREEN MASK

Screen Mask allows you to limit what appears on the display to the alpha tags that you have set for a channel along with a few function icons. Screen Mask removes the frequency, receiving mode, tone data, signal strength bars, and the trunking repeater activity indicators. This mode is particularly useful in public safety vehicles where “information overload” is already a problem. Screen Mask does not work in Search mode.

3:KEY BEEP

Use this function to turn off the keypad acknowledgement beep. The default setting is on.

4:ENTER LOCK

Use Enter Lock to prevent accidental re-programming of channels and talkgroups entered into memory. The default setting is off.

5:PC CONTROL

Use this function to set the transfer speed (baud rate) at which your personal computer (PC) communicates with the scanner when downloading information into your scanner using the third party software. See page 55 for details.

6:CLONE

You can clone all the programming, including frequencies, talkgroups and alpha tags as well as bank settings and other parameters from one UBC780XLT to another.

7:SMART SCAN

Not applicable.

8:DATA SKIP

A scanner will normally stop on any transmission it receives. This means the UBC780XLT will occasionally stop on data signals and unmodulated transmissions. You can automatically skip many of these types of transmissions during search.

9:SQUELCH MODE

The Squelch Mode allows you to set, at your option, whether the scanner will stop on all active transmissions on a particular frequency or it will only respond to transmissions with a pre-set sub-audible tone. This applies to both conventional search and scan modes.The options are as follows:

1. CSQ - The default setting is CSQ (carrier squelch). In this mode the scanner will stop on any transmission on a programmed frequency (Squelch mode does not apply to trunking).

2. Tone SQ - In Tone Squelch mode, if you have set a subaudible tone (CTCSS or DCS) for a frequency, the scanner will only stop on that frequency if the transmission includes the prescribed tone.

3. Tone Search - In this mode, as soon as the scanner stops on any (non-trunked) channel, the scanner will begin to search for any subaudible tone that is being used on a transmitted frequency. The scanner will check each CTCSS tone sequentially and it will find DCS tones instantly.

0:BANK TAG

Allows you to set an alphanumeric text tag for individual banks in the scanner (1-10).(The “0” key represents Bank number 10.) For example, you may wish to set the Bank One text tag as Law Enforcement, the second bank as Fire, etc.

2:CHANNEL DATA

Choose the channel number. The following options are available for the selected channel only. Repeat using a different channel number, if necessary.

1:ALPHA TAG

Allows you to set an alphanumeric text tag for individual frequencies that you have programmed. For example, you can set CITY PD CH #3.

2:DELAY

The default delay for all programmed channels and talkgroups is two seconds. At the end of any transmission the scanner will remain on the frequency for two seconds before resuming scanning. This will allow you to catch most replies. You can change the delay to 1, or 4 seconds as well as set no delay (the scanner will immediately resume scanning after the end of a transmission). With the UBC780XLT you can also set negative or inverse delays, also known as Pause. With a 5 second pause, for example, the scanner will resume scanning after five seconds even if the transmission you are currently listening to has not ended. Finally, you can set an Infinite Delay. If a transmission is received on a frequency with Infinite delay set, the scanner will stop on the channel and remain on it until you have hit scan, search, etc.

3:TONE DATA

You can set a CTCSS (analog) or DCS (digital) sub-audible tone for a frequency. To do so you must have the Squelch Mode in the System Menu set to Tone Squelch. You can also program a subaudible tone easily by pressing the E (enter) key after programming a frequency. This will bring up the Tone Data menu without your having to navigate the Menu. You can also lock a tone assigned to a frequency. By doing this you will receive all transmissions on the frequency, regardless of the subaudible tone, except the one which you have locked. Any transmissions with that tone will not be received.

4:BEEP ALERT

You can set a Beep Alert on a per-channel basis to alert you when specific frequencies are active. For example, you may wish to be alerted anytime a mutual aid fire frequency is active. With beep alert, you will hear a rapid three-beep tone at the start of each transmission that you have flagged as such. You will also notice that as you scroll pass the flagged channel(s), you will hear the tones.

5:ATTENUATOR

The UBC780XLT comes with an RF Attenuation feature. If you are near an unusually strong signal source, the signal may overload the scanner. The scanner may stop repeatedly on that signal and miss other transmissions.

The RF Attenuation feature works in all modes and attenuates (reduces) the incoming signal strength to prevent stronger signals from overloading the scanner.

6:STEPS

Your UBC780XLT is programmed with default step sizes for each frequency range (see Introduction page). Steps are important if you are interested in using the VFO to tune off-frequency from a frequency programmed into memory or if you wish to program a frequency that the default step size will not accept.

7:MODE

Default receive modes are also programmed into memory. AM for the aircraft and CB bands, for example. All frequencies (other than TV broadcast audio) above 400 MHz are received in NFM mode which helps prevent adjacent channel interference. You can change the default settings on a per-channel basis with this Menu item.

8:RECORD

You can flag any channel for recording using this menu function. The LINE icon will become active for any such flagged channel. Use your own recording device plugged into the jack on the back of the scanner.

3:TRUNK DATA

Choose the Trunk bank. The following options are available for the selected trunk bank only. Repeat using a different trunk bank, if necessary.

1:TRUNK TYPE

You will need to assign the correct trunking type for the bank you are about to program. If you want to listen to a Motorola Type 1 system, you will need to use this menu option to assign the same. Note: Some trunking systems require that you know the channel order. In these

cases you will also need to start programming the trunked system at the start of the bank. The scanner defaults to the most common type of trunking system, Motorola Type II.

2:DELAY

You can set delay for a trunk system on a bank by bank basis. If you’ve set delay for 1 second, then there will be a one second delay in Trunk Search for that bank and a one second delay for all the talkgroups you have programmed into Scan List memory. You cannot set delay individually by talkgroup. The default delay is two seconds.

3:RECORD

This Record option applies to Trunk Search. If you have set Record on, the LINE icon will be lit. All talkgroups received during Trunk Search will be recordable through the TAPE OUT jack on the back of the scanner. To record individual talkgroups during Scan, see Item 5 on the next page. The default is off.

4:L/O ID REVIEW

Use this menu item to review the IDs that you have locked out during Search and Scan. Use the Up/Down arrow keys or turn the VFO to the left or right to view the IDs that have been locked out. To leave the lockout IDs unchanged, press MENU to back out of the menu. To unlock an ID, press the L/O key. To unlock all the IDs that have been locked out, press the E (Enter) key.

5:PROGRAM ID

You can program IDs into Scan List memory either during Trunk Scan or Search without going into the Menu. However, you can also use the Menu to program IDs. This is particularly helpful when you are not near the trunked system you wish to later monitor. You can set it up and have it ready to go at some later time. After you have selected the Scan List location (1-10) and the memory location (1-10), you can then do the following:

1 Program the talkgroup or I-CALLID number 2 Set an alpha tag for same 3 Assign the Record option for same. Whenever a transmission is active on

the ID the signal can be recorded to a tape recorder using the TAPE OUT jack on the back of the radio.

4. Assign a Beep Alert to the ID. Whenever that ID is active, you will hear a

rapid three beep tone at the start of the transmission.

6:ID LIST TAG

Assign an alphanumeric tag to any or all of the 10 Scan Lists for the system. During Scan Mode, you will see the List Tag (on the bottom text line) along with any alpha tag you may have set for an ID. In Search mode, you will see any Bank Tag you have set.

7:I-CALL (MOTOROLAAND EDCS)

Most communications within a trunked system are group calls where one unit (such as a dispatcher) communicates with all the units within his/her group (all the patrol vehicles on the east side of town, for example). The units within this group comprise what is typically known as a talkgroup. There are some communications which are direct unit-to-unit conversations where one individual converses with another individual. The call is initiated by a radio and is directed to another single radio. Within the system, no one outside of these two users hears the conversation.

Your UBC780XLT defaults to I-CALL

OFF mode. You can hear these conversations

by using this Menu item to turn the I-CALL function to

ON. In Search mode, with

I-CALL on, you will hear both talkgroup calls and I-CALLs. You can also set ICALLs to I-CALL ONLY during which you will monitor only I-CALLs in Search mode. You can also program I-CALL IDs into Scan List memory.

8:ID SCAN LIST (LT)

When scanning an LT system you can only turn Scan Lists off and on when an LT talkgroup that you have entered into memory is active. To provide you with another method to turn Scan Lists on and off, you can use this Menu item which only appears when you have selected LT in Trunk Type.

9:STATUS BIT (MOTOROLA)

On Type II trunking systems there is a method by which specialised types of communications utilise unique talkgroup numbers. An emergency call will occur on a unique talkgroup from its primary assignment, for example. Because the UBC780XLT defaults to Status-Bit On mode, you never need to worry about missing these transmissions. If you've programmed talkgroup 33264 into Scan List memory, for example, and there is an emergency call within the group, you will hear it on 33264.

10:EDACS ID FORM (EDCS)

You can change to display the talkgroups in decimal mode, but this mode does not provide you with nearly the flexibility that you get with AFS. The UBC780XLT defaults to show the talkgroup number in AFS mode (Agency-Fleet-Subfleet). For details on AFS see pages 46.

11:END CODE (MOTOROLA)

When this function is disabled, the radio looks for squelch before returning to the control channel instead of waiting for the disconnect tone. Only in rare instances will you need to adjust the default settings. The condition to return to control channels depends on whether signal is present or not.

12:CONTROL CH ONLY (MOTOROLA 800 & 900 SYSTEMS)

With this mode you will be able to track Motorola Type I and II 800 and 900 MHz trunked systems by simply entering the control channel which manages the trunked system. You will not have to program the voice channels. There are 4 channel plans which you can select from.

4:SEARCH EVENT

You can program up to 10 search ranges (one per bank). The first time you program a range for a bank you will need to do so through the Menu. After the first time you can program a range as you do on most any other scanner, using the numeric keypad and the ▲/HOLD or ▼/LIMIT keys.

1:SEARCH BANK

Use this Menu item to select the search bank that you want to program. You can program banks 1 through 10, one at a time. For each of the banks, the following options can be modified.

1:EDIT RANGE

Enter the upper and lower frequency limits of the search range.

2:STEPS

You can assign a variety of step sizes to the search range. Note: The default step is usually acceptable and is listed in the front of the manual. (See inside front cover)

3:MODE

You can change the default receive mode with this menu item.

4:ALPHA TAG

You can alpha tag any or all of the search banks.

2:DELAY

Set a delay for the search ranges. This applies to all ranges (See CHANNEL DATASTEPS for details).

3:ATTENUATOR

Set attenuation for all search ranges. (See CHANNEL DATA-ATTENUATOR for details).

4:TONE DATA

The default mode is off. This means that you will receive all transmissions on any frequencies that are active within your search range(s). By selecting CTCSS or DCS you can set the radio to receive only a particular subaudible tone to be

received during your search. You can also lockout a particular CTCSS or DCS tone. You may wish to do this if you want to search a range but not hear transmissions on any frequency that have particular subaudible tone. Note: Through the System Menu you can set the radio to operate in Tone Search mode during Search as well. In this mode, the radio will automatically determine the active subaudible tone on any frequency received during the Search.

5:RECORD

With Record set to on, any frequency that is active, during the search, can be recorded to an external tape recorder.

6:AUTO STORE

You can automatically store active frequencies found during a search into memory. You can select which bank you want to program the found frequencies. Note that the audio will be muted during Auto Store.

Programming

Before the UBC780XLT can begin conventional scanning, you must program a frequency into at least one channel. Repeat this procedure for each channel you want to program.

Storing Frequencies into Channels

1. Select desired frequency. Here is a list of sample frequencies you can try:

156.800 Marine Calling channel

468.400 Police Channel

476.425 UHF CB

2. Press MAN.

3. Select a channel.

a. Enter the channel number. b. Then press MAN.

4. Enter the frequency.

a. Enter the frequency number. b. Then press E.

Note: • To clear a mistake while entering the frequency, press (decimal key) repeatedly

until the display is cleared.

• If you enter a channel or frequency which is out of the scanner’s range, a distinctive beep will sound and

ERROR appears in the display.

• You can use ▲ or ▼ when selecting a channel. Press and hold ▲ or ▼ for 1 second to move up/down more quickly.

+ 64 hidden pages