Uniden America UB305C Trunk Tracker Scanner User Manual Pages 56 to 74

Uniden America Corporation Trunk Tracker Scanner Pages 56 to 74

Pages 56 to 74

49EDACS®ReceptionEDACS®TrackingTrunkTracker III now allows tracking of EDACS®trunked systems. Until now these widelyused systems have been almost impossible to monitor with a conventional scanner. Withyour TrunkTracker III listening to EDACS(s) is remarkably easy, and perhaps even easierthan conventional scanning.EDACS systems use 'Transmission Trunking', which means that each transmission isassigned a new frequency. As the conversation moves through the system's frequencies,your TrunkTracker II automatically follows it.This chart shows a 30 second sample of EDACS transmissions. Eight different talkgroupsare using the system as their transmissions switch between the thirteen system frequencies.Notice how the dotted line shows talkgroup 02-023 moving from channel to channel.YourBC780XLT can clearly and automatically follow this talkgroup, or any other, as you select.EDACS systems are organized in a logical way that keeps related talkgroups together. Yourscanner is designed to take maximum advantage of this organization to make your scanningeasy. It lets you zero in on just the part of the system you want to hear, whether it is anindividual channel or an entire department or city.Programming EDACS System FrequenciesWhen you program EDACS frequencies, it is critical that you store each one in theCORRECT LOCATION. By the nature of EDACS systems this is necessary for tracking. Thisoften is not the frequency order, so you must be sure you have the right sequence. Sourcesfor this information include www.trunktracker.com and www.bc780xlt.com.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:02 PM Page 49
50An EDACS®Trunked systemThis chart shows how talkgroups are organizedwithin an EDACS system at the AGENCY level.The individual talkgroups cannot be shown at thisscale because there are over 2000. However thechart can show the 16 Agencies in this example.The system is logical and easy to understand.EDACS systems are typically arranged in anoutline structure.The system users are given blocks of talkgroups.Sizes vary but most large cities and other agencieshave blocks of 128 channels. Smaller cities haveonly 64 or 32 channels.In this example, the County Sheriff is agency 01.The city of Sullivan is Agency 03. Adams Hill andMatthew Junction share Agency 08.Your scanner shows EDACS talkgroups in AFS(Agency-Fleet-Subfleet) format. This helps you see,at a glance, who you are monitoring. And with thepartial-entry feature you can easily include nearby,related channels in the same Fleet or Agency. Youcan just as easily exclude entire unwanted Fleetsand Agencies.When in Search mode, with the system frequenciesprogrammed, and your scanner locked to the controlchannel, you can select a desired city by keying inthe AGENCY part of the AFS talkgroup. Forexample, you can select the entire city of Sullivanwith 4 key presses zero, three, , SRCH.When you hear an interesting talkgroup, capture it toyour scan list by pressing Eduring the transmission.Or HOLD on it by pressing the HOLDkey.If you want to monitor the Sullivan Police Dispatchchannel (which is talk group 03-062), press zero,three, , zero, six, two, HOLD.Your scanner can also work in DECIMAL format. Thistalkgroup in decimal format is 434. But decimalformat does not give you any information about thesystem hierarchy. For example Sullivan, in decimal,uses channels from 384 to 511. This is not as easyto remember as Agency 03. But decimal is useful ifyou need to work from decimal talkgroup lists.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:02 PM Page 50
51Special EDACS®FeaturesAFS Partial Entry FeatureAFS is Uniden's method of encoding EDACS talkgroups. AFS stands for 'Agency-Fleet-Subfleet'.AFS talkgroups are used in all EDACS reception -- in ID SEARCH, ID LOCKOUT and ID SCANscanlists.The powerful AFS Partial Entry feature designed into the BC780XLT lets you use either acomplete talkgroup code, or just the most significant part.This feature lets you expand or narrow searching andscanning to one of 4 levels. By entering only the desiredpart of an AFS talkgroup, you can select 2048 talkgroups,128 talkgroups, 8 talkgroups, or a single talkgroup. Forexample, you could program every talkgroup in a policedepartment with just 4 key presses.You can use the AFSPartial Entry feature anywhere that you need to specify EDACS talkgroup.Your BC780XLT can also enter or display EDACS talkgroups in decimal format (0-2047).Press MENU - TRUNK DATA, and for banks selected as EDACS banks, select Item 8,EDACS ID FORM and change it to Decimal.You can use this feature to translate decimaltalkgroups lists to the much more powerful AFS format.Examples of how you might use AFS are shown above in the description of an EDACStrunked system, and elsewhere in this manual. It is very easy to use. Be sure to becomefamiliar with AFS Partial Entry, and your scanning will become far more flexible and efficient.Emergency Call AlertYour BC780 alerts you when an EDACS Emergency transmission occurs.EDACS systems often provide users with an 'Emergency' button on their radios. Users introuble can alert the dispatcher and other units and get priority access to the radio system.When a user activates Emergency mode your scanner will flash EMERGENCY during theentire transmission. At the beginning of each transmission it will sound a distinctiveemergency alert tone three times.Patch TrackingThe BC780 can follow EDACS patched talkgroups.EDACS systems sometimes bring several talkgroups together in a 'Patch'. A patch might beused by a police agency at night to provide a single channel with a single dispatcher for awide area. A patch is created when a single, temporary talkgroup substitutes for the originaltalkgroups. While the patch is running, which may be for hours or days, the originaltalkgroups cease to be used. If you were monitoring one of these talkgroups, you might think there was no traffic, but in fact the talkgroup was operating at the different temporary number.If a talkgroup in your Scan List is patched, your scanner will continue to receive it under itsnew identity until the patch is ended. When a patch is being received, the radio will display[PATCH ID], and will show the temporary common talkgroup plus all the included talkgroupsin a cycling display. The BC780 is limited to following one patch.The temporary talkgroups used for patches are usually found in AFS code 15-xxx, andsometimes 00-xxx.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:02 PM Page 51
52LTR®ReceptionLTR®TrackingLTR®(Logic Trunked Radio) systems are trunking systems used primarily by business orprivate communications service providers, such as taxicabs, delivery trucks, and repairservices. These systems encode all trunking information as digital subaudible data thataccompanies each transmission. Users on an LTR system are assigned to specifictalkgroups, which are identified by the radio as six digit numbers. These numbers are in theform AHHUUU, where:A= Area code (0 or 1)H= Home repeater (01 through 20)U= User ID (000 through 254)When the scanner receives a transmission on a channel set to the LTR mode, it firstdecodes the LTR data included with the transmission. In the ID Search mode, the scannerstops on the transmission and displays the talkgroup ID on the display. In the ID Scan mode,the scanner only stops on the transmission if the LTR data matches a talkgroup ID that youhave stored in the bank’s talkgroup ID list and have not locked out.LTR systems are frequently programmed so that each radio has a unique ID code.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:02 PM Page 52
53Motorola ReceptionMotorola TrackingThere are really two types of Motorola trunking systems. These are usually referred to asType I and Type II systems. Type I only occurs on some 800 MHz systems. All VHF, UHFand 900 MHz trunking systems use Type II.One important distinction between these two systems is the amount of data transmitted byeach radio when its push-to-talk button (PTT) is pressed. Every radio in a trunked system isassigned a unique ID so the central site computer can identify it when it’s used. Both Type Iand Type II systems place radios (or radio users) into groups, called talkgroups, and thesetalkgroups are also assigned unique IDs. Some radios have access to only one talkgroup,while others have access to many talkgroups. The talkgroup(s) each radio can access iscalled the radio’s affiliation(s).In a Type II system, when someone uses their radio, only the radio ID is transmitted whenPTT is pressed, whereas in a Type I system the radio ID and its current affiliation are bothtransmitted when PTT is pressed.Why the difference? Type II systems are slightly more advanced because the centralcomputer maintains a database which is used to determine each radio’s affiliation (s).Changes to a Type II system are easier than Type I because the system manager onlyneeds to update the database instead of reprogramming individual radios.Another difference between the systems is that Type I systems are arranged in a Fleet-Subfleet hierarchy. For example, its possible for a city using a Type I system to designate 4Fleets, each with 8 Subfleets. Their fleets might be the Police Department, the FireDepartment, Utilities, and Administration. The Police may decide to further divide their fleetinto subfleets such as Dispatch, Tactical Operations, Detectives, North, South, East andWest Side Patrols, and Supervisors. All the available police radios would then be assignedto one of the police subfleets. Determining the exact Fleet-Subfleet hierarchy for a particulararea is referred to as Fleet Map Programming, which is discussed further in this manual.The disadvantage of a Type I system is that when PTT is pressed, the brief burst of datamust contain the radio’s ID and its Fleet and Subfleet. This is three times the amount of dataa Type II system radio sends, and as a result Type I systems usually accommodate fewerusers than Type II systems.Even though there are many Type II systems, Type I systems are still in use. There are alsoHybrid systems which are a combination of both Type I and Type II. Your scanner defaults tomonitor Type II systems, but its possible to select a Preprogrammed Fleet Map or create aCustom Fleet Map for your area.For VHF and UHF Type II trunking systems, you will need to know the base, spacingfrequencies and offset channels. See page 55 for details.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/11/2000 11:11 AM Page 53
54Fleet Map ProgrammingIf you have programmed a trunk tracking bank for Motorola type and press TRUNKto startMulti-Track, you will see user IDs display on your screen. Since the BC780XLT defaults toType II systems, all the IDs will appear as numbers. However, if you notice a mix of odd andeven user IDs, for example 6477, 2560, 6481, 6144, 1167, etc., then you are probablymonitoring either a Type I or Hybrid systems.You may also notice that you are missing responses when you hold on an active ID. UnlikeType II, Type I/Hybrid systems require a Fleet Map that sets specific Fleet-Subfleetparameters. It is easy to select a Fleet Map for your scanner; what is not always easy isselecting or programming a map that matches your particular area.There are 16 preset Fleet Maps listed in the appendix that you can choose, and these areusually a good place to start when setting up a Type I/Hybrid trunk tracking bank. If youchoose a preset map and still have difficulty following complete conversations, then you'llhave to program your own Fleet Map.Selecting Preset Fleet Map1. Select TYPE 1 for the Trunk Type. (Refer to “Selecting TrunkingSystem Type” on page 38.)2. Select the map you want to program using ▲, ▼orVFO and then press E, SELECTor VFO.For example, PRESET 16.The scanner returns to the other programming items.Note: You will now begin to see Type I Fleet-Subfleet IDs. For example, 100-12, 100-9, 000-12, 400-8, etc. See User Defined Fleet Maps in the Appendix for more informationabout Type I IDs.How do you know if the preset map is correct? You will have to listen to see if you'refollowing complete conversations. If not, you should try another preset map.Programming a Fleet MapYou may want to read User Defined Fleet Maps in the Appendix before programming a FleetMap. It contains a detailed explanation of Scanner Fleet Map Programming, as well as atable listing the Fleet Map Size Codes.1. Select TYPE 1 for the Trunk Type. (Refer to “SelectingTrunking System Type” on page 38.) 2. Select USER CUSTOM using ▲, ▼or VFO and thenpress E, SELECTor VFO.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:02 PM Page 54
553. Select the size code for the first block using ▲, ▼, or VFO.4. Press E, SELECT,or VFO.The next available block displays.5. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you have selected a sizecode for each block.For details about each size code, see Fleet Map SizeCodes in the Appendix.Programming a Hybrid SystemA Hybrid system is simply a Type I system with some blocks designated as Type II blocks. Toprogram a Hybrid system, follow the steps listed in Programming a Fleet Map in the previoussection. However, if you want a block to be Type II, select Size Code S-0.When you begin searching a trunking bank with a Hybrid Fleet Map, you will see both typesof system IDs. That is, Type II IDs usually appear as an even number without a dash; Type IIDs appear as a three or four digit number, followed by a hyphen, followed by a one or twodigit number.Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for MotorolaVHF/UHF Trunked SystemsTo properly track Motorola VHF and UHF trunked systems you must enter what is known asthe base, the spacing frequencies and offset channels for each system.To find these out, check the www.trunktracker.com or www.bearcat1.com/free.htm andother web sites and frequency resources.To enter the base, spacing frequencies and offset channel: (You can set up to three sets ofthese, but almost all systems only use one set)1. Press MENU.2. Select TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - TRUNK TYPE (TYPE2 UHF or VHF) - BASECONFIG using ▲, ▼or VFO and pressing E, SELECTor VFO.3. Enter a new base frequency with the keypad.4. Press E.The display changes for entering the spacing frequency.5. Enter a new spacing frequency with the keypad.Note: You can only enter within a range of 5-100 kHz,and 5 or 7.5 or 12.5 kHz multiples.6. Press E.The display changes for entering the offset channel.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 55
567. Enter a new offset channel with the keypad.Note: You can only input within a range of 380-759.8. Press E.The display changes for entering the next base frequency.9. To exit from this mode, press MENUrepeatedly.Note: • If the system is not tracking properly, you may need to try a new base frequency or offset channel or you may be missing frequencies from the system.• You can set up to three base, spacing and offsets for Motorola VHF/UHF trunked systems.10. The offset channel for the first set should be CH380 (just press Eto confirm this as the default).11. After you have pressed Eto confirm CH380, the display will change to allow you to setthe second (of a maximum of three) base/space/offset combinations. Since almost allsystems only use one set, press MENUto exit the programming mode and return to scanning.Toggling the Status BitOn Type II trunking systems there is a method by which specialized types of communicationsutilize unique talkgroup numbers. An emergency call will occur on a unique talkgroup from itsprimary assignment, for example. Because the BC780XLT defaults to Status-Bit On mode,you never need to worry about missing these transmissions. If you have programmedtalkgroup 33264 into Scan List memory, for example, and there is an emergency call withinthe group, you will hear it on 33264.The only time you may wish to turn Status Bits off is if you're trying to figure out the properfleet map of a Type 1 trunking system. To turn Status Bits off, enter into the menu mode andselect TRUNK DATA - BANK NO.- STATUS BIT. (This feature does not apply to EDACSand LTR operation within the scanner.) Then use HOLD/▲or LIMIT/▼to change the setting(on to off) and press Eto program your change.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 56
57Control Channel Only ModeWhen this function is activated, trunking is performed using control channel data only. Voicechannel (also known as "working channel") frequencies do not have to be programmed intomemory. When using this feature, the scanner will display "CC" and channel activity indicatorbars will not operate. This feature only applies to Motorola 800 MHz and 900 MHz systems.To turn this function on, choose Motorola Type-2 800 MHz or 900 MHz or TYPE 1 byselecting TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - TRUNK TYPE. Then set to the desired control plan byselecting TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - CTRL CH ONLY.You must choose one of 4 frequency plans before you begin to Control Channel Trunk. Notethat the default, Plan 1, is the most common. Read the description of the Plans below fordetails on which may apply for you.PLAN 1: Use Plan 1 if the last three digits of ALL the frequencies in use end in one of thefollowing three digits: 125, 375, 625, or 875 (example: 856.1125, 860.7375, 859.6625,855.8875).PLAN 2: If the last three digits of frequencies less than 869.0000 end in one of thefollowing three digits (125, 375, 625, or 875) AND if ANY other frequencies end in (000,250, 500, or 750) use Plan 2.PLAN 3: If the last three digits of ALL the frequencies in use end in one of the followingthree digits (000, 250, 500, or 750) use Plan 3.PLAN 4: If the last three digits of frequencies less than 866.0000 end in one of thefollowing three digits (000, 250, 500, or 750) AND if ANY other frequencies end in (125,375, 625, or 875) use Plan 4.Of course you will know the Control Channel frequency itself so that will help you determinethe proper Plan. If you try one plan and you receive errors (such as the scanner jumping tochannels that are obviously not part of the system), you should try an alternate Plan.Note: You can assign a fleet map to Type 1 or Hybrid systems scanned in ControlChannel only mode by going into the menu. You can also program IDs, set delays,alpha tags and all the other parameters for systems scanned in this mode.You canthen either search the system to find new IDs or you can program IDs into memoryand then scan them.Note: The Control Channel Only feature is an extremely powerful tool. You can use it todetermine if systems you are familiar with may have added new frequencies or youcan use it to discover new systems by simply finding active control channels (usingSearch) and then programming them for Control Channel operation only.Remember that this feature only applies to Motorola 800 and 900 MHz systems,that you do have to set the menu for the proper system type (800 Type 1 or Type IIor 900 MHz) and you do have to program the control channel frequency intomemory and press and hold the TRUNKkey to identify the frequency as trunked.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 57
58Disconnect Tone Detect Option (End Code)When this function is disabled, the radio looks for squelch before returning to the controlchannel instead of waiting for the disconnect tone. Only in rare instances will you need toadjust the default settings.The condition to return to control channels depends on whether the signal is present or not.To set this function on/off, enter TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - END CODE.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 58
59Remote InterfaceYou can communicate and program your BC780XLT in numerous ways with peripheraldevices using the Remote Interface Cable port. This radio offers the following modes:❖SMARTSCAN MODEAutomatically load frequencies, trunking talkgroups and fleetmaps from the UnidenNational Frequency Database server into your scanner using an external modem or aninternal modem included with a personal computer (PC).❖REMOTE (PC Control) MODEProgram and control your scanner remotely from a PC using third party software (see theflyer included in the box).❖CLONE MODEClone all the frequencies, trunking talkgroups, and fleet maps programmed into yourscanner to another BC780XLT scanner.SmartScan ModeTo connect Scanner to PC:Plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight interface cable (purchased separately) into theremote port on the rear of your scanner.Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into a personal computers serialport. A few PCs may require an adapter, most will not. You may need a DB-9 to DB-25 nullmodem adapter, or gender changer adapter, available at most computer stores. Of course,make sure your PC is turned on.To use SmartScan mode with an internal modem, you will need a small custom softwareprogram to allow the serial port to talk with the internal modem and act as a simple passthrough device. To download this free program, go to Uniden's website, look up underScanners - “SmartScanner” or the BC 780XLT scanner, for the SmartScanner software. Runthis program and it should automatically set the port setting for you (although you canoverride the settings). Make sure that you have a phone line plugged into the modem jack onthe back of your PC and your scanner is connected to the serial port of the PC using the RS232C straight cable.Cables and connectors are available for purchase by calling 1-800-722-6701 or check out www.bc780xlt.com.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 59
60To connect Scanner to External Modem:Plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight interface cable into the remote port on the rearof your scanner. Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into the externalmodem. You may need a DB-9 to DB-25 (or DB-9) null modem adapter, available at mostcomputer stores. Of course, make sure your external modem is turned on. Make sure thatyou have a phone line plugged into the modem jack on the back.To perform the SmartScan Download:You can automatically download frequencies, talkgroups and fleet maps form the UnidenNational Database server. After connecting to either an internal or external modem, usingthe the steps above, turn the radio on.1. Press MENU.2. Select SYSTEM DATA - SMART SCAN - DOWNLOAD using ▲, ▼or VFO and pressingE, SELECTor VFO.3. Using the keypad, enter the ZIP code for the area youwill be using your scanner.For example, if your ZIP code is 02135.4. Press EorSELECT, the ZIP code is stored into memory.The dial-in telephone number appears on the display.Note: If you want to change the number, input a number(max. 20 digit) using the keypad then press E.5. Press SELECT.The memory clear message appearson the display.Press 1to start clearing.Note: If you want to prevent some banks from beingoverwritten by the frequency download or memoryclear operation, go to Bank Lock. (see page 62.)BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 60
616. After clearing, the DIAL START message appears.Press 1to start dialing.7. If the connection is successful, the scanner startsfrequency downloading.COMPLETEwill be displayedwhen your downloading is completed.8. To start the scanner, turn the unit off then on.If downloading is not successful, one of the following error messages will appear.Modem Access Error:No Carrier:Telephone Line Busy:No Answer:Server Connect ErrorData Idle Time OutNote: If the scanner does not display DOWNLOAD DATA, disconnect the access by pressing E.Then, make sure the modem is connected properly, and try again.Note: The number preprogrammed into your scanner for downloading frequencies is 1-900-225-4822. There is a $0.99 per minute charge for using the SmartScandatabase. To get current frequencies, as well as special /sporting event frequencies,regularly update your scanner by using SmartScan.Note: If you are unable to dial a 900 number, check with your local phone company to findout if you have a 900 block on your phone line. This will prevent you from dialing to the server.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 61
62Menu for SmartScanIn the menu mode (SYSTEM DATA - SMART SCAN), you can change several parametersused for SmartScan.• Bank lock• Transfer speed• Flow control setting• Dial typeBank LockSmartScanner will overwrite frequencies that you have already programmed into yourscanner. To save the previously programmed frequencies, you can lock out specific banksprior to calling the database as follows:To turn on this feature, enter into the menu mode.1. Press MENU.2. Select SYSTEM DATA using ▲, ▼or VFO and pressing E, SELECTor VFO.3. Select SMART SCAN using ▲, ▼or VFO and pressing E, SELECTor VFO.4. Select BANK LOCK using ▲, ▼or VFO and pressing E, SELECTor VFO.5. Press the bank numbers using the 1- 9and 0key (forbank 10) that you wish to lock out from programming sothat they will not be overwritten during the download.6. Press E.Transfer SpeedYou can choose the following transfer speeds.300, 2400, 4800, (9600), 19200 bps9600 is the default.Press Eto exit.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 62
63Flow ControlYou can choose the following flow control settings.Xon/Xoff is the default.The initial display appears.Press HOLD/▲for RTS/CTS.Press HOLD/▲again for non flow control.Press HOLD/▲again to turn off the flow control.Press Ewhen desired setting is displayed.Dial TypeYou can choose the Dial Type setting.TONE is set as a default.You can change it to PULSE by pressing HOLD/▲.Smart Scanner TipsThere are literally hundreds of thousands of public safety radio licenses in the United States.The editors of the Uniden National Frequency Database have poured over these records toprovide you with the most accurate possible download of frequencies for whichever area ofthe country you desire. Because of the volume of data, and because some systems operateon expired licenses or digital radio systems (which are not included in the data set as theycannot be monitored), we cannot guarantee that you will receive every active public safetyfrequency in your area.If you find any flaws in your data and you would like to offer suggestions, please e-mail themto us at smartscanner@aol.com or mail them to us at SmartScanner National Database,P.O. Box 610428, Newton Highlands, MA 02468. Due to the volume of mail we receive, youmay not receive a reply.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 63
64The SmartScanner database downloads frequency and trunking talkgroups (if applicable foryour area) to the scanner using the following order:1. All licenses within your zip code.2. All licenses within your community (with more than one zip code)3. All your county licenses (such as County Sheriff)4. All the licenses for all the communities within your county (in random order).5. Statewide licenses (such as Highway Patrol, state forestry, DOT, but not trunking)6. National licenses (such as common ambulance, marine, and Family Radio Servicechannels).Look at the web sites Uniden.com and Trunktracker.com for further information. Thedownloads are not available through the Internet at this time.A few notes about the frequency download order:1. The scanner fills up less than its allotted 500 channels if there are not more than 500 ofthe above types of licenses in your area.2. If there are more than 500 of the above listed types of licenses, or you have locked-outsome banks prior to the download using the Program Lock feature, the scanner may runout of memory locations and you may not, for example, receive part or all of your county,state or nationwide data.3. If you wish to also receive a download of frequencies and talkgroups from an adjacentcounty, lock those banks you wish to keep, shut the scanner off, turn it back on again andenter the SmartScanner download mode. Then enter a zip code from a community withinthe adjacent county.4. The SmartScanner editors used their best efforts to delete digital and MDT (mobile dataterminal) computer records from the database; however, it would be impossible to deletethem all. Therefore, you may hear some non-voice transmissions on the frequenciesdownloaded into your scanner. Make sure you have TRUNK mode on to see if these arecontrol channels for a trunking system. If not, then you should lock these frequencies outor delete them by entering a new frequency or entering 0, E.5. After the download, be sure to press the TRUNKkey to see if you have trunk systemsnow loaded for your area. The BC 780XLT cannot track such systems unless the trunkingmode is on. Performance of the scanner is not hindered if you have TRUNK mode on andyou do not have a trunk system programmed.6. If you have a trunk system programmed (you can tell by seeing if the display shows IDSCAN at any time), be sure to put the radio into Trunk Search mode at some point todiscover new talkgroups within the trunk system that have not been pre-programmed intothe SmartScanner database.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 64
65Remote (PC Control) ModeTo connect Scanner to PC:Plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight interface cable into the remote port on the rearof your scanner.Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into a personal computers serialport. A few PCs may require an adapter, most will not. You may need a DB-9 to DB-25 nullmodem adapter, or gender changer adapter, available at most computer stores. Of course,make sure your PC is turned on.To program your scanner:You can program and control your scanner remotely from a PC using third party software.After connecting the scanner to a PC, turn the radio on.To use the Remote (PC Control) mode, you must purchase third party software and use asdirected. Make sure that your scanner is connected to the serial port of the PC using theRS232C straight cable.Start Remote Mode:Press Ekey for 2 seconds. REMOTE mode isselected. To distinguish from Normal operationmode, “RMT” icon appears.A unique feature of the BC780XLT is that all thefront panel keys as well as the VFO on the radioremain operational in remote mode.For information on purchasing third party software to program and control your BC 780XLT,see the flyer included in the box with this radio.You can also go to www.bc780XLT.com onthe Internet or call 1-800-722-6701 for more information on software custom-designed foryour Bearcat BC780XLT.PC Control ParameterFor your information:Transfer speed : 2400/4800/9600/19200 bps (adjustable)Start/Stop : 1 bit, 1 bitData Length : 8 bitParity bit : NoneCode : ASCII codeFlow Control : NoneReturn Code : Carriage Return onlyBC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 65
66Change Transfer SpeedTo change transfer speed, enter into the menu mode.1. Press MENU.2. Press ▲or ▼to select SYSTEM DATA and thenpress E.3. Press ▲or ▼to select PC CONTROL and thenpress E.4. To change the transfer speed, press ▲or ▼. Then press E.Clone ModeYou will need to purchase an RS232C cable and a null modem adapter. RS232C cables areavailable as male to male or male to female. Even if the cable you buy already has the Maleto Male connectors, you will still have to have the null modem adapter. Below you will seethe pin connections that are internal to a standard device. (These items are available at yourlocal electronics stores.)To connect the scanner to scanner:Plug the male end of the RS232C straight interface cables into the remote port on the rear ofone of the two scanners. Then connect the DB-9 to DB-9 null modem adapter to the cable.Then plug the the other side of the null modem adapter to the other scanner. (DB9 Genderchangers are also available at your local electronics store.)You can clone all of the programming of one BC780XLT into another, including frequencies,talkgroup IDs, alpha tags, delay settings, etc. After connecting the two scanners, turn theradios on. Prepare each scanner for clone mode as follows.1. Press MENU.2. Select SYSTEM DATA - CLONE using ▲, ▼or VFO and pressing E, SELECTor VFO.3. Determine the scanner that has the frequency data that you want to transfer. This onemust be set up as the “Master Unit”, and the other must be set as the “Slave Unit”.4. On the scanner that is the “Master Unit”, selectMASTER, then press E.FemaleDB9MaleDB914233246 & 1556478879Not usedNull Modem Adapter Pin connectionsBC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 66
675. On the scanner that is the “Slave Unit”, select SLAVE, then press E.6. Press the SCAN key on both scanners. The data transfer is started from the Master Unitto the Slave Unit.During the data transfer, both scanners show the following displays.When the data transfer is completed, COMPLETEdisplays.If the data transfer is not successful, the following error message will appear.Note: To clear ERROR, press .To exit the clone mode, press the menu key repeatedly.Note: Once you have completed the cloning of the scanners, reset by turning the scannersoff and then on again. This is particularly important to know if you wish to cloneanother scanner right away.BC780XLT1.qxd 10/08/2000 5:03 PM Page 67

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