Uniden America UB318 MOBILE OR DESKTOP SCANNER User Manual MANUAL

Uniden America Corporation MOBILE OR DESKTOP SCANNER MANUAL

MANUAL

PrecautionsBefore you use this scanner, please observe the following:WARNING!Uniden America Corporation does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce therisk of fire, electrical shock, or damage to the unit, do not expose this unit to rain ormoisture.IMPORTANT!• This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it will not tune radio frequenciesassigned by the FCC for cellular telephone usage. The Electronic CommunicationsPrivacy Act of 1986, as amended, makes it a federal crime to intentionally interceptcellular or cordless telephone transmissions or to market this radio when altered to receive them.• The installation, possession, or use of this scanning radio in a motor vehicle may beprohibited, regulated, or require a permit in certain states, cities, and/or local jurisdictions.Your local law enforcement officials should be able to provide you with information regarding the laws in your community.• Change or modifications to this product not expressly approvided by Uniden, or operationof this product in any way other than as detailed by this Operating Guide, could void yourauthority to operate this product.• The screen displays used in this manual are representations of what might appear whenyou use your scanner.** U.S. Patent Number 4,841,302 is licensed from Gray Electronics, Inc.** These products contain Uniden proprietary information. Software, control codes, protocolsand other such related matter may be the copyrighted work of Uniden America Corporation.© Copyright 2002-2003, Uniden America Corporation. All Rights Reserved.© 2003 Uniden. This product contains Uniden proprietary information.Software, control codes, protocols and other such related matter may be the copyrightedwork of Uniden America Corporation.Uniden ® is a registered trademark of Uniden America Corporation.Bearcat ® is a registered trademark of Uniden America Corporation.May be covered under one or more of the following U.S. patent:4,627,100 4,841,302 4,888,815 4,932,074 4,947,4565,014,348 5,199,109 5,408,692 5,428,826 5,438,6885,448,256 5,465,402 5,471,660 5,483,684 5,530,2965,548,832 5,551,071 5,574,995 5,577,076 5,598,4305,600,223 5,642,424 5,710,992 5,896,422 5,991,3465,991,603 6,012,158 6,025,758 6,034,573 6,064,2706,266,521BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page ii
ContentsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Front and Rear Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Icon Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4What are Highway Patrol Alerts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4What is Scanning? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4What is Searching? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4What is Trunk Tracking? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Feature Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Where to Obtain More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Information on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Included with Your Scanner Package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Optional Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Installing the BCT8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9For Home Use (Desktop Installation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Typical Mounting Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Applying Power for Vehicle Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12DC power Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Applying Power Using Standard AC Powe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Connecting an External Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Listening Safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Connecting the Clone Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Scanning Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Turn the Scanner On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14How Squelch Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Highway Patrol Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Selecting the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Scanning Highway Patrol Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Highway Patrol Scan Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Highway Warning Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Alert Tone Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Muting the Alert Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Alert Light Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Storing Highway Patrol Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Skip Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Priority Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Trunked Highway Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Private Bank Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Programming Frequencies into Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Deleting a Stored Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Duplicate Frequency Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Memory Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Scanning Private Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Hold/Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Channel Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Restoring a Locked-out Channel in Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Restoring All Locked-out Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Priority Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Changing the Priority Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Service Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Band Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Setting a Search Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Search Hold Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Frequency Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Storing Search Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28iiiBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page iii
Trunk Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Programming Trunking Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30STEP 1: Selecting Trunking System Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30STEP 2: Programming Trunking Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Programming Talk Group ID/Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Scan Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Receiving Trunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33ID Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33ID Scan Hold Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34ID Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34ID Monitor Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35ID Search Hold and Direct Entry ID in Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Programming Scan Lists During Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Deleting a Stored ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35ID Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Review ID Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Restoring Locked-out IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Setting the Delay Mode for Trunking Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Trunking Frequency Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Setting Priority in Trunking Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Moving between Scan List Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Multi-Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38EDACS®Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39EDACS®Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Programming EDACS System Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39An EDACS®Trunked system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Special EDACS®Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41EDACS ID Range Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41EDACS SCAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41LTR®Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42LTR®Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Motorola Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Motorola Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Fleet Map Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Selecting Preset Fleet Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Programming a User Fleet Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Programming a Hybrid System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for Motorola VHF/UHFTrunked Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Toggling the Status Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Control Channel Only Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Disconnect Tone Detect Option (End Code) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Remote Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48PC Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48Clone Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56One Year Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61ivBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 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1IntroductionThe BCT8 is a state-of-the-art Trunk Tracking Scanner with BearTracker technology whichwill alert you when the highway patrol is within approximately a 3 mile radius. It can store250 frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, railroad, air, amateur, and othercommunications into 5 banks of 50 channels for a total of 250 channels.Use your new scanner to monitor:• Highway Patrol• Local Police and Country Sheriffs• Trunking for: MotorolaType IType IIType II: (Hybrid)EDACSWide bandScatLTR• Business/Industrial Radio• Utilities• Marine Band• Aircraft Band• And much more...The chart below identifies the scanner band numbers, the frequency range, the modulationmode and the default step size settings.12345678910111213AMFMFMFMAMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMFM5kHz5kHz5kHz5kHz12.5kHz5kHz5kHz5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz 25.0000 - 27.9950 28.0000 - 29.9950 30.0000 - 49.9950 50.0000 - 54.0000 108.0000 - 136.9875 137.0000 - 143.9950 144.0000 - 147.9950 148.0000 - 174.0000 400.0000 - 419.9875 420.0000 - 449.9875 450.0000 - 469.9875 470.0000 - 512.0000 806.0000 - 826.9875 849.0125 - 868.9875 894.0125 - 956.0000Citizens Band10 Meter Amateur BandVHF Low Band6 Meter Amateur BandAM AircraftMilitary Land Mobile2 Meter Amateur BandVHF High BandFederal Govt. Land Mobile70 cm Amateur BandUHF Standard BandUHF “T” BandPublic Service BandBandNo.Range(MHz) Mode Step TransmissionBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 1
Front and Rear Views1. Squelch Control / Flash BrightnessSelector (SQL,FLASH)2. Alerting Light (ALERT)3. Volume Control / Alert Tone Selector(VOL)4. Mute Key (MUTE)5. Display6. Lockout Key (L/O)7. Delay Key (DELAY)8. Service Key (SVC)9. Private / Highway Scanning Key(PVT/HWY)2STATEHWYPVTSVCSRCHTRUNK11-504151-200DELAYL/ODATAPRISQLBCT8VOLpushALERTpushFLASHMUTEALERT7.RMT251-1005201-250803101-15069EM-LOCKHOLD/RESUME121342315 6 7 8 9 10 1119 20181716141521. Antenna Connector (ANT.)22. External Speaker Jack (EXT. SP.)23. DC Power Jack (DC 12V)24. Remote Control Terminal (REMOTE)ANT.EXT.SP.DC 12V REMOTE21 22 23 2410. State Key (STATE)11. Numeric Keypad12. Up Key (▲)13. Down Key (▼)14. Data Key (DATA)15. Priority Key (PRI)16. Search Key (SRCH)17. Trunk Key (TRUNK)18. Decimal/Remote Key (, RMT)19. Enter / Memory Lock Key (E,M-LOCK)20. Hold/Resume Key (HOLD/RESUME).BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 2
Icon DisplayUniden®, BearTracker®and Bearcat®are registered trademarks of Uniden AmericaCorporation.TrunkTracker is a proprietary trademark of Uniden America Corporation.3110 11 12 13 14 15 16 1718 192 3 4 5 6 7 8 9202821 22 21 23 24 25 26 271. Trunk Tracking mode (TRUNK)2. Motorola trunking channel (M)3. EDACS trunking channel (E)4. LTR trunking channel (L)5. Scan list (LIST)6. Scan bank (BANK)7. Bank’s number and ID’s list number(12345)8. Remote control mode (RMT)9. Memory locked (M-LOCK)10. Highway Patrol scan mode (HWY)11. Private bank scan mode (PVT)12. Police scan mode (POL)13. Weather scan mode (WX)14. Fire and Emergency scan mode(FIRE/EMS)15. News scan mode (NEWS)16. Citizen Band scan mode (CB)17. Aircraft band scan mode (AIR)18. Railroad scan mode (RR)19. Marine scan mode (MRN)20. Scan hold and Search hold mode(HOLD)21. Search direction (▲,▼)22. Band and ID search mode (SRCH)23. Priority function option (PRL)24. Lockout channel and talk group (L/O)25. Delay option (DLY)26. DATA Skip option ( )27. While Alert Light is off ( )28. Priority channel and talk group (P)BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 3
4TerminologyWhat are Highway Patrol Alerts?Most highway patrol vehicles on the road today are equipped with a secondary radio systemknown as a “mobile extender” or “vehicular repeater.” Whenever the dispatcher transmits toany vehicle in the district, “mobile extender” in every car within the district is activated.Using a constant PRIORITY check of specific frequencies in each state, the BCT8recognizes and alerts you to transmissions from “mobile extender” radios as well as fromcar-to-car, aircraft-to-car and other special-purpose frequencies. You receive an audible(beep tone) and visual (flashing Alert light) alert whenever you are within an approximatethree-mile radius of Highway Patrol/ State Police units using a mobile extender unit.What is Scanning?Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not transmitcontinuously. The BCT8 scans the Frequencies you have programmed into the Scanner’schannels until it finds an active frequency.Scanning stops on an active frequency and remains on that channel as long as thetransmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes untilanother transmission is received.What is Searching?The BCT8 can search each of its 13 bands to find active frequencies. This is different fromscanning because you are searching for frequencies that have not been programmed intoyour Scanner’s channels. The scanner automatically chooses between two speeds whilesearching. During search mode the scanner will search 100 frequencies per second for bandwith 12.5 kHz steps and during Turbo SEARCH mode the scanner can achieve up to 300frequencies per second for bands with 5 kHz steps.What is Trunk Tracking?Conventional scanning is a simple concept. You enter a radio frequency in your scanner’smemory which is used by someone you want to monitor. For example, the police in yourarea may broadcast on 460.500 MHz, the fire department on 154.445 MHz, the highwaydepartment on 37.900 MHz, etc. So when your scanner stops on a frequency, you usuallyknow who it is, and more importantly, you can stop on a channel and listen to an entireconversation. This type of scanning is easy and fun.As the demand for public communications has increased, many public radio users don'thave enough frequencies to meet their needs, and this has created a serious problem.Trunking radio systems have been implemented to solve this problem.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 4
5In a trunked radio system the frequencies are shared among the police and fire departmentsand a computer systematically assigns available frequencies when they are needed forcommunications.Sharing of the available public service frequencies, or trunking, allows cities, counties, orother agencies to accommodate hundreds of users with relatively few frequencies. Followinga conversation on a trunked system using a scanner is difficult, if not impossible. Becausewhen there's a short break during the conversation you're monitoring, it’s possible that thetalkgroup will be assigned to a completely different frequency in the trunked system. Thistype of scanning is difficult and frustrating.TrunkTracker Technology changes this! Not only does your new BCT8 scan channels likea conventional scanner, it actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once youknow 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 anduse your scanner in conventional mode before you begin trunk tracking. Understandingscanning fundamentals and its terminology will make trunk tracking much easier.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 5
6Feature Highlights• Pre-programmed frequencies specific to each state (except Hawaii).• Pre-programmed Trunked and conventional Highway Patrol frequencies• Highway Patrol Priority Alert -Receive audible and visual alert when within three miles of many Highway Patrol/Stateunits• Pre-programmed frequencies for the following categories: -Local Police and County Sheriffs -Fire and Emergency Medical Service -News Media -Weather (continuous NOAA weather and Canadian Coast Guard broadcasts)-CB Radio-Aircraft-Railroads-Marine Band-Department of Transportation•Trunk Tracking – Follow VHF High Band UHF 800MHz trunked public safety and publicservice systems just as if conventional two-way communications were used. •Multi-Track – Track more than one trunking system at a time. Scan conventional andtrunked systems at the same time. •250 Channels – Program one frequency into each channel. You must have at least onechannel programmed to use the Scan mode.•13 Bands – Includes 13 bands, with aircraft and 800 MHz.•5 Banks – 5 banks with 50 channels each are useful for storing similar frequencies tomaintain faster scanning cycles or for storing all the frequencies of a trunked system.•25 MHz-956 MHz – Indicates the range of frequencies that can be searched within thebands of your scanner.Note: The frequency coverage is not continuous and excludes the cellelar telephoneBand.•5 Priority Channels – You can assign one priority channel in each bank. Assigning apriority channel allows you to track activity on your most important channel(s) whilemonitoring other channels for transmissions. You can also assign trunking prioritytalkgroups.•Data Skip – Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and reducesbirdies.•Direct Channel Access – Go directly to any channel without entering programming mode.•Turbo Search – Increases the search speed to 300 steps per second. This applies only totransmission bands with 5 kHz steps.•PC Programmable – Allows you to easily program all frequencies and Trunking TalkGroups into your BCT8 through Uniden BCT8 Scanning software running on your PC.– For more information on BCT8 SS Programming software visit our website atscanner.uniden.com.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 6
7Where to Obtain More InformationBefore you can scan the PRIVATE bank, you must program frequencies into the scanner’schannels. The Frequency Guide lists typical frequencies used around the U.S.A. andCanada that you may program into your new scanner. However, this is not a complete list offrequencies for your area. To obtain frequency information for your area, contact one of the following:• Scanner Master1 (800) Scanner (7226634) (Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Mondaythrough Friday.) frequenciew@scannermaster.coTo obtain another copy of the frequency guide, contact one of the following:• Uniden Parts Department(800) 554-3988 (Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Monday throughFriday.)• Local DealerInformation on the InternetIf you have access to the internet, you may want to visit one of the following websites foradditional information:scanner.uniden.comwww.bearcat1.comBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 7
8Included with Your Scanner Package• BCT8 Scanner• AC Adapter (AD 140U)• DC Power Cord• Cigarette Lighter Adapter Plug (Model CD007)• Telescopic Antenna (Model AT129)• Window Mount Antenna (Model AT002)• Operating Guide• Trunk Tracker Frequency Guide • Other Printed MaterialsIf any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase orUniden Customer Service at: (800) 297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Time, Mondaythrough Friday.Optional AccessoriesThe following optional accessories for your BCT8 are available from your local UnidenDealer or through the Uniden Parts Department by calling: (800) 554-3988, 8:00 AM to 5:00PM CST, Monday through Friday. We can also be reached on the web at www.uniden.com.Mobile Mounting Bracket (Model MB-007) - For mobile use (in-car installation), use it toinstall the BCT8 in your car.DC Power Cord (Model PS-001) - For hard wiring power from your car to your scanner.Motorola Antenna Adapter (Model PLG-134) - Use only if your antenna has a Motorola-type plug.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 8
9Installing the BCT8For Home Use (Desktop Installation)1. Insert the DC plug end of the AC Adapter into the DC 12V jack on the rear panel.2. Plug the AC Adapter into a standard 120V AC wall outlet.3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT connector.Extend the antenna to its full height. For frequencies higher than 406 MHz, shorteningthe antenna may improve the reception.4. Use the desktop stand for a better viewing and operating angle.Helpful Hints• If strong interference or electrical noise is received, relocate the scanner or its antennaaway from the source.• If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or need to improve reception, use anoptional antenna designed for multi-band coverage. (You can purchase this type ofantenna at a local electronics store.)• If the optional antenna has no cable, use 50-70 ohm coaxial cable for lead-in. A matingplug may be necessary for the optional antennas.For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation)Mounting the Radio for every day useInstallation for Temporary Use:A Cigarette Lighter Power Cord is provided for easy, temporary installation.Warning: Do not use the cigarette lighter power cord in a positive ground vehicle.Plug one end of the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord into the cigarette lighter jack and the otherend into the DC 12V jack on the back of the scanner.Connecting the Antenna PlugConnect the mobile antenna plug into the ANT connector on the rear panel. (For moreinformation on antenna installation, please refer to the instruction guide that came with yourantenna.)The BCT8 can be mounted using the mounting bracket (optional).This bracket is available from the Uniden parts department (see page 8)1. Select an ideal location in your vehicle to mount the BCT8. Avoid a location that couldinterfere with your driving. In a passenger car, the ideal location is underneath thedashboard on the passenger side.2. Use the mounting bracket (optional) as a template for marking the location of themounting screws. Note: If there are screws already holding the dashboard, you can usethe same screw holes to mount the bracket.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 9
103. Drill the necessary holes and secure the mounting bracket in place using the screwsprovided.4. Mount the radio to the bracket only after the wiring has been connected to the rearpanel.Connecting the Power CordNote: If you are not experienced in connecting accessories to the vehicle fuse box, pleasesee your automotive dealer for advice on proper installation.Installation for everyday use:1. Check the vehicle battery connections to determine which battery terminal (positive ornegative) is grounded to the engine block or chassis. Most of today’s vehicles use anegative ground. If your vehicle has a negative ground, follow Steps 2 and 3. Otherwise,skip to the note following Step 3.2. Connect the RED wire of the DC power cord to the accessory contact in your vehicle’s+12V DC fuse box.3. Connect the BLACK wire of the DC power cord to the negative side of the vehicle(usually the chassis).Note: In vehicles with a positive ground, the RED wire connects to the chassis and theBLACK wire connects to the accessory contact in the fuse box.4. Insert the DC plug into the DC 12V jack on the back of the scanner.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 10
11Typical Mounting MethodsThe BCT8 can be conveniently mounted on a table, bulkhead, overhead, or any otherdesired location with the optional mounting Bracket (MB007) (refer to figure below for typicalmounting methods).Caution: Make sure there are no hidden electrical wires or other items behind the desiredlocation before proceeding. Check that free access for mounting and cabling is available.Mounting the Scanner in Your VehicleBefore you mount the scanner, make sure you have all the necessary materials. Thenconfirm that the scanner fits your vehicle’s mounting area. This unit requires a mountingarea of 2.44 inch high by 7.06 inch wide by 6.10 inch deep (50.8 x 176.5 x 152.5 mm).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 forthe mounting screw holes.2. In the marked positions, drill holes slightly smaller than the supplied screws.3. Attach the mounting bracket to the mounting locationusing the supplied screws and lock washers.4. Attach the scanner to the mounting bracket using thesupplied mounting knobs.5. Connect the antenna’s cable to the ANT. connectoron the rear 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 adapter (available at a local electronics store).• Table top mount • Bulkhead mount • Overhead mountSQLVOLANT.EXT.SP.DC 12VREMOTEBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 11
Applying Power for Vehicle InstallationYou can power your scanner using the supplied DC cigarette lighter power cord or an DCpower cord.DC power InstallationTo power the scanner from a vehicle’s 12V power source (such as a cigarette-lightersocket), you need a cigarette-lighter adapter.To connect an DC cigarette-lighter power cable, insert its barrel plug into the DC 12V jack on the rear of the scanner, then plug the power cable into your vehicle’scigarette lighter socket.Note : If you use a cigarette-lighter power cable and your vehicle’s engine is running, youmight hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal.Caution: DC 12 V Jack can use a power source that supplies 12V DC at least 500 mA.You must use a power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least 500 mA. Your standard 12V car battery should be sufficient. The cord connector’scenter tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s DC 12V jack.The supplied DC power cord meets these specifications. Using a power cord thatdoes not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.• Always connect the adapter or DC power cord to the scanner before you connect it to thepower source. When you finish, disconnect the adapter or DC power cord from the powersource 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 DC power cord.1. Connect the power cord’s black wire to a chassis ground, such as a metal screwattached to a metal part of the vehicle’s frame. Be sure that the screw is not insulatedfrom the frame by a plastic part.2. Connect the power cord’s red wire (with in-line fuse) to a sourceof voltage that turns on and off with the ignition switch, such asa spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box.3. Insert the power cord’s barrel plug into the DC 12V jack onthe rear of the scanner.4. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery’s negative (-)terminal.12ANT.EXT.SP.DC 12VREMOTEBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 12
13Applying Power Using Standard AC PowerTo power the scanner from an AC outlet, use the provided AC adapter with a 5.5 mm outerdiameter/2.1mm inner diameter tip.Caution: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least500 mA. The cord connector’s center tip must be set to positive and its plug mustfit the scanner’s DC 12V jack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifi-cations could damage the scanner or the adapter.• Always connect the AC adapter to the scanner before you connect it to AC power. Whenyou finish, disconnect the adapter from the AC power before you disconnect it from the scanner.1. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the DC12V jack on the rear of the scanner.2. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.Note: Use only the AC adapter supplied withyour scanner.Connecting an External SpeakerIn a noisy area, an external speaker (available at a local electronics store) positioned in theright 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.Listening Safely•Do not use the earphone. The volume is not adjustable for the Warning Alert anddamage to your hearing could occur.Connecting the Clone CableYou can transfer the programmed data to and from another BCT8 scanner using a RS232CStraight Cable (9 pin to 9 pin) (not supplied). Connect the cable between each scanner’sREMOTE jacks. See "Clone Mode" on page 49. You can also upload or download theprogrammed data to or from a PC using optional programming software available throughyour local electronics store.ANT.EXT.SP.DC 12VREMOTE12VANT.EXT.SP.DC 12VREMOTEBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 13
Scanning OverviewYou can scan in one of three ways:1. Highway Patrol Scanning After selecting a state to scan, press PVT/HWY to activateHighway Patrol Scanning. You can scan pre-programmed Highway Patrol frequencies.2. Service Scanning Press SVC to select one of the nine services to find an activefrequency.3. Band Search Select a frequency band to search. The Search function is different fromscanning. It searches for any active frequency step by step within the lower and upperlimits of the band. When an active frequency is found, the scanner will stop and stay onthat frequency as long as that transmission lasts. If that frequency is interesting to you,press HOLD/RESUME to hold the frequency on the display. Then program it into theprivate bank you want to store. If you do not want to program that frequency, pressHOLD/RESUME or just wait until the transmission ends. The search resumesautomatically 2 seconds after the last transmission and looks for more activefrequencies.4. Private Scanning If you have programmed frequencies into this bank, press PVT/HWYto scan only those that you have programmed in this bank.Note: Before you can scan the Private Bank, you must program frequencies into thechannels. To program frequencies, see “Programming Frequencies into Channels” onpage 21.When scanning stops on an active frequency, it remains on that channel as long as thetransmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanner will remain on the samechannel for 2 more seconds, waiting for a responding transmission. If there is no respondingtransmission within 2 seconds, the scanning cycle resumes.Turn the Scanner On1. Turn the VOL knob clockwise. The scanner is turned on: the Alert Light flashes and the AlertTone beeps loudly.Note: The Alert Tone depends on the currently setting selected(see page 17).2. The last setting mode selected before starts.14VOLpushALERTMUTEALERTTu r nSQLVOLpushALERTFLASHMUTEALERTAlert LightBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 14
15How Squelch WorksThink of “SQUELCH” as a gate. If the gate is too low (squelchtoo low), everything (all noise as well as signals) gets through.If the gate is set too high (squelch too high), nothing getsthrough.If the gate is set just right (squelch set properly), just the desiredsignals get through.Setting the Squelch1. To set the squelch, press HOLD/RESUME to stop scanning. If needed, adjust VOL until you do not hear a signal (seepage 17).2. Turn SQL fully clockwise until hiss heard. This lowers the “squelch gate,” allowing all signals and noiseto get through.3. Turn SQL fully counterclockwise just until hiss stops. This raises the “squelch gate,” allowing only strong signals toget through.In the city, you may want to adjust the Squelch even furthercounterclockwise to decrease the range of the Highway WarningAlert signal.This prevents the alert from sounding unnecessarily due tofarther, less important sources.Strong SignalsMedium SignalsWeak SignalsNoiseStrong SignalsMedium SignalsWeak SignalsNoiseStrong SignalsMedium SignalsWeak SignalsNoiseSQL pushFLASHMUTEALERTTu r nSQL pushFLASHMUTEALERTTu r nBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 15
Highway Patrol ScanningHighway Patrol frequencies are pre-programmed on a U.S. state-by-state. While HighwayPatrol scanning, Highway Warning Alert will be activated.Selecting the State1. Press STATE to select the state you are operating in. Press and hold STATE to scroll rapidly. Hint: For the State Cord Order, please see page 56.2. To step forward through the states (A - W), press STATEand, within three seconds, press the ▲key repeatedly. Tostep backward through the states (W - A), press STATE and,within three seconds, press the ▼key repeatedly.3. To scroll rapidly, press and hold the ▲or ▼ key.Scanning Highway Patrol FrequencyYou can scan Highway Patrol frequencies and/or User-programmed Channels by pressingPVT/HWY.1. Press PVT/HWY repeatedly until “HWY” appears on thedisplay to scan through pre-programmed Highway Patrolfrequencies.2. Press PVT/HWY repeatedly until “PVT” appears on thedisplay to scan through User-programmed channels. Thebank indicators selected flash on the display as UserProgrammed channels are scanned (Refer to “Private BankScanning” on page 21).Note: You must program a frequency into at least one channel before the Private bankscanning.3. Press PVT/HWY repeatedly until “HWY” and “PVT” appearson the display to scan through Highway Patrol frequenciesand User Programmed channels continuously. Note: Priority Scanning is disabled. When both “HWY” and“PVT” are in operation. “PRI” will remain on the display.4. When the scanner receives communications, scanning stops,the state code and the frequency displays.When the transmission ends, the scanner holds for twoseconds on that frequency for a response. For moreinformation on Delay feature, please see page 28.If there is no response, scanning resumes.16BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 16
17Highway Patrol Scan Hold 1. When scanning stops on a desired frequency, pressHOLD/RESUME to hold on that frequency as long as youlike. When in the HOLD mode, press the ▲or ▼key to stepup or down the frequency. To step up or down rapidly, pressand hold the ▲or ▼key.If you change into a frequency which is a control channel, thescanner may display the Active ID (When TRUNK mode isactive).2. To resume scanning, press HOLD/RESUME.Note: Highway Warning Alert does not work while in the HOLDmode.Highway Warning AlertThe scanner alerts you when Highway Patrol/State Police units using mobile extenders arewithin an approximate three mile radius.1. The ALERT Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps twicewhen a signal is received. 2. The ALERT Light glows steadily for approximately threeminutes. Then, if no other mobile extender transmissions arereceived, the light goes out.3. If more transmissions are received before three minutes have passed, the ALERT Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps once.Alert Tone VolumePush VOL to select Loud, Medium, or Soft.The Alert Tone beeps and the ALERT Light flashes to yourchoice.Muting the Alert ToneTemporary MutePress MUTE during the Highway Warning Alert. The Alert Tonestops and the MUTE LED flashes until the alarm cycle (threeminutes) is finished.Continuous MutePress and hold MUTE for two seconds to turn Continuous Mute on whenever you wish. Youhear two beeps and the MUTE LED lights continuously. No Alert Tones will beep.Canceling MuteTo cancel Mute,SQVOLpushALERTFLASHMUTEALERTAlertLightFlashesVOLpushALERTMUTEALERTPush InVOLpushALERTFLASHMUTEALERTMUTE LEDFlashesBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 17
• Press MUTE to cancel One Moment Mute.• Press and hold MUTE for two seconds to cancel Continuous Mute. You hear two beepsand the MUTE LED goes out.• Change states. The MUTE LED goes out after scanning starts.• Turn the scanner off and on.Note:IfMUTE is pressed for less than 2 seconds during the Continuous Mute mode,nothing will be changed.Alert Light AdjustmentThe ALERT Light has three settings: Bright, Dim, and Off.Push FLASH to select Bright, Dim or Off. The ALERT Lightflashes and the Alert Tone beeps. If you select Off, “ ” on the display reminds you the ALERTLight is off.WARNING: You can turn off the ALERT Light and completelymute the Alert Tone at the same time. This deactivates the Highway Warning Alert.Storing Highway Patrol FrequenciesYou can quickly store any frequency you find during scanning. When in Hold mode or thescanner stops on the frequency you want to store, you can store the frequency. For detailsee page 21.Skip FrequenciesTo skip a frequency, press L/O.You can program up to 50 skip frequencies for priority channels. And also you can programup to 100 skip frequencies for other frequencies (See page 27). If you skip apreprogrammed frequency in one state and that frequency is programmed into another state,the frequency is skipped of both states. If you change the state code, skipped frequenciesare cancelled as soon as scanning starts.Priority ChannelsEach state preprogrammed in the scanner contains a number of Priority channels. Thescanner automatically checks a state’s Priority channels every two seconds for activity. Ifthere is activity on one of the Priority channels, the ALERT Light will flash and the alarmtone will beep (see “Highway Warning Alert,” page 17).18SQL pushFLASHMUTEALERTPush InBCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 18
19You will experience a slight in the conversations you hear as the scanner checks thePriority channels. You can cancel the priority check and the interruptions in theconversations by pressing HOLD/RESUME to hold on the frequency.Note: The Highway Warning Alert is inoperative while the scanner is on Hold.Remember to press HOLD/RESUME to return to normal priority-scan operation.Priority channel cannot be changed, but you can lock-out priority channels using L/O.Priority channels have been pre-determined by the manufacturer as those Highway Patrolfrequencies most commonly used for mobile extenders and for car-to-car and aircraft-to-caroperations. Mobile extenders re-transmit every radio broadcast received on the patrol carradio to the officer’s walkie-talkie at low-power. Every time any officer or dispatcher talks(transmits), the signal is broadcast like a beacon at low-power whether or not the officer isout of the car.You can select Priority Scanning mode by pressing PRI.• Normal Priority Scan mode.The scanner checks the Priority frequency every two seconds. “PRI” will be displayed.• Priority only mode.When no sound is heard for long interval in Priority Scanning mode, Priority only mode iseffective. Especially for the following states, this mode is recommended.(Arizona) (Michigan)(Delaware) (Oklahoma)(Florida) (Wisconsin)The scanner checks only Priority Alert frequency “PRI” will flash.• Priority off modeThe scanner does not check the Priority frequency. “PRI” will not displayed.BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 19
Trunked Highway Frequency Trunked Highway frequencies are pre-programmed on a U.S.state-by-state. When the scanner finds the control channel data,the scanner begins to find any active IDs. If the scanner finds anyID, the active ID appears on the display and you will hear it. If you press the ▲key while monitoring on ID, the scanner will check if any other IDs areactive and if none are active, the scanning resumes.When the scanner finds the control channel, it will check if any other IDs are active on thecontrol channel until the control channel is lost. If you don’t want the first pre-programmedtrunking control channel that the scanner receives, press DATA to move to the next controlchannel.Press the ▼key while a talk group ID is active, and thefrequency on which talk group is transmitting flashes on thedisplay.Or press and hold the ▼for two seconds, and the ID and the frequency alternately appearson the display. To return normal display, press the ▼key again.Like conventional scanning, you can lockout reception of unwanted traffic.You can lockout up to 30 IDs. Press L/O on the ID you want to lockout.If you lockout 31st ID, the 1st ID already lockouted is restored. If you want to restore all the lockout IDs, pres and hold L/O for two seconds.Or when the state code is changed, all lockout IDs are restored as soon as scanning starts. If you find an interesting ID you want to continue listening to,press HOLD/RESUME.Press HOLD/RESUME to resume scanning.And also you can set the scanner to hold on an ID for two seconds to wait for a replaybefore the scanning resumes. While trunking, press DELAY and “DLY” appears on thedisplay.20BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 20
21Private Bank ScanningProgramming Frequencies into ChannelsBefore the scanner begins Private Bank scanning, you must program a frequency into atleast one channel. Program frequencies you purchased from your dealer, from various freeand FCC-based sources on the internet, or from the Frequency guide included in BCT8package. You will need to program each frequency into thescanner’s channels in order to hear these frequencies.1. While Private Bank scanning is activated, pressHOLD/RESUME and enter the channel number where youwant to store a frequency by using the keypad, then pressHOLD/RESUME.☞Change the channel by using the ▲or ▼key.2. Enter the frequency you want to store by using the keypadand (decimal key).3. Press Eto store the frequency into the channel.4. If you want to program another frequencies into the channel,select another channel by using the ▲or ▼key.Note: • To clear a mistake while entering the frequency, press (decimal key)repeatedly until the display is cleared.• If you enter a invalid frequency, an error tone will sound and appears on the display. To clear the Error message immediately, press (decimal key).• Even if you don't enter full numbers as a frequency number, the scanner will auto-matically select the nearest valid frequency.Deleting a Stored FrequencyTo delete a stored frequency:a. Select a channel.b. Press 0.c. Then press E.Note: Channels with no frequencies are automatically locked out....BCT8 8/13/03 5:13 PM Page 21
22Duplicate Frequency AlertIf you enter a frequency which has been stored in another channel, you will hear an errortone and the other channel displays.Press (decimal key) to clear and start again.––– OR –––Press Eagain to store the frequency in both channels.Note: The smallest channel appears on the display when you store same frequency in twoor more channels.Memory LockTo avoid the accidental programming frequencies and talk group IDs, you can lock thememory with Memory Lock.Press and hold M-LOCK for 2 seconds to activate this feature ,and “M-LOCK” appears onthe display. If you press Eto program memory, you will hear two beeps. To deactivateMemory Lock, press and hold M-LOCK for 2 seconds again.Scanning Private Bank 1. After programming frequencies, simply press HOLD/RESUMEto begin scanning. Or pressing PRV/HWY repeatedly until“PVT” appears on the display, you can start Private BankScanning. The scanner scans only upward all the channels.2. The bank indicators selected for scanning appear on the display, and the bank beingcurrently monitored flashes. You can deselect banks from active scanning by enteringtheir numbers on your keypad. The indicator for each deselected bank disappears, andthe bank’s channels are not scanned.Note: One bank must always be active. You cannot deactivate all five banks at the sametime. If you try to deselect all the banks, the first bank is automatically selected.To restore a bank to active scanning, enter the bank’s number on your keypad.The bank’s indicator will display again.3. During normal scanning the scanner skips unprogrammed orlocked out channels.4. When a transmission is received, the scanner stops on thatchannel. When the transmission ends, scanning resumesautomatically.Note: You can set the scanner to hold for two seconds on thefrequency for a response. For more information on Delayfeature, please see page 28..13452CHANNELSFrequency not entered or Locked Out (L/O)SCANBCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 22
23Hold/ResumeIf you want to stop on a channel during scanning, pressHOLD/RESUME.If you want to resume scanning, press HOLD/RESUME.Direct channel access:There are several ways to access a specific channel quickly.1. Press HOLD/RESUME.2. Using the keypad, enter the channel number.3. Press HOLD/RESUME again.Note: You can also use the PRV/HWY,▲or ▼key instead ofpressing HOLD/RESUME.Channel LockoutYou can lockout any channel so it is not checked during normal scanning. You can alsorestore the channel to scanning when you wish.Lockout in Hold Mode1. Press HOLD/RESUME and enter the channel number by using the keypad, then pressHOLD/RESUME.––– OR –––1. Press HOLD/RESUME and enter the channel by using the ▲or ▼key.2. Press L/O to lockout the channel.“L/O” appears on the display.Lockout in Scanning ModeIf the scanner keeps stopping on a particular channel due to noise or frequent transmissions,you may want to keep that channel from scanning.1. Wait until the scanner stops on the channel.2. Then press L/O.3. The scanner immediately resumes scanning because the locked out channel is no longerin the scanning sequence.Lockout Tips Write down your locked-out channels and put in a convenient place incase you need to restore them.Restoring a Locked-out Channel in Hold Mode1. Press HOLD/RESUME and select the channel number you want to restore by using thekeypad, the ▲or ▼key, then press HOLD/RESUME.2. Press L/O to unlock the channel. The “L/O” disappears.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 23
Restoring All Locked-out ChannelsYou can restore all locked-out channels in a bank only when a bank is selected for scan. Ifyou have deselected a bank and you want to restore all of its locked-out channels using thesteps below, you must press PVT/HWY until “PVT” appears and then enter the number ofthe bank on your keypad.1. Press HOLD/RESUME.Note: You must be in Hold mode before restoring all locked-out channels.2. Press and hold L/O for about 2 seconds. You will hear two beeps when all the channelshave been restored.Priority ScanWhen Priority Scan is turned ON, your scanner checks the priority channel in the banks youselected every two seconds for activity. If a signal is present on the priority channel, yourscanner monitors the channel until the transmission ends, then resumes normal scanning.You can designate one channel in each bank as a Priority Channel. By default, the firstchannel in each bank is the Priority Channel, but you can change this.To activate Priority Scan (in either the Hold or Scan mode):1. Press PRI. “PRI” appears.Note: If you have locked out the priority channel, error messageappears when you select Priority mode.2. Press PRI again to deactivate Priority Scan. “PRI” disappears.Changing the Priority ChannelYou cannot eliminate the Priority Channel, but you can change it to any one of the 50available channels in each bank.1. Press HOLD/RESUME.2. Select a new Priority Channel:a. Enter the channel number using the keypad.b. Then press HOLD/RESUME.3. Press and hold PRI for 2 seconds to designate this channelas your new Priority Channel.When you hear two beeps, the Priority Channel has beenchanged. “P” appears on the display.Note: Priority in Trunking mode works just the same, except you set them for talkgroup IDsinstead of setting priorities for channels. The scanner only checks priority talkgroupsbetween transmission.24BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 24
25Service ScanningThe service scan feature allows you to rotate through the following nine service banks.qLocal Police and County Sheriffs *1wFire and Emergency Medical ServiceeNews MediarWeather (NOAA, weather and Canadian Coast Guard broadcasts)tCB BandyAircraft *2uRailroadsiMarine BandoDepartment of Transportation *1*1) Frequencies are pre-programmed on every U.S. state.*2) Except Aeronautic Radio Navigation (108-117.9875 MHz)1. Press SVC to select a Service. The current service bank icon appears on the display.2. Continue pressing SVC until your desired Service isdisplayed.3. After a three second delay scanning begins. If you want tostart scanning immediately, press HOLD/RESUME.Note : • Press HOLD/RESUME at any time to hold the frequency. Press the ▲or ▼key tomove up or down the frequency. If you find the frequency you want to store, whilein Hold mode you can store the frequency (see page 21).• If you want to remain on a frequency until a responding transmission is received,press DELAY to activate the delay feature (See page 28).• To skip a frequency, press L/O. You can program up to 100 skip frequencies forLocal Police, County Sheriffs and Department of transportation. And you canprogram up to 50 skip frequencies for other services (See page 27).• If you select POLICE or DOT, press STATE to select the desired state.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 25
26Band SearchSetting a Search BandThe BCT8 can search up to 13 separate frequency ranges to help you discover new stationsin your area.To set a Search Bands, enter into the Band Search mode.1. Press SRCH. The upper and lower limits of the Bandscurrently selected are on the display. 2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select the band you want to search.Wait for about two seconds and the scanner will beginsearching that band. Or press HOLD/RESUME to beginimmediately.Note: • You must set the Search Bands prior to any searching.• The scanner automatically increases its search speed up to 300 steps per secondfor bands having 5 kHz steps. (Turbo Search)• While searching, you can change the search direction by using the ▲or ▼key.Make sure which of icon, “▲SRCH” or “SRCH▼” appears on the display.Band12345678910111213ModeAMFMFMFMAMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMFMStep5kHz5kHz5kHz5kHz12.5kHz5kHz5kHz5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHz12.5kHzDisplay25-2828-3030-5050-54108-137137-144144-148148-174400-420420-450450-470470-512806-956Frequncy Range (MHz) 25.0000 - 27.9950 28.0000 - 29.7000 30.0000 - 49.9950 50.0000 - 54.0000 108.0000 - 136.9875 137.0000 - 143.9950 144.0000 - 147.9950 148.0000 - 174.0000 400.0000 - 419.9875 420.0000 - 449.9875 450.0000 - 469.9875 470.0000 - 512.0000 806.0000 - 826.9875 849.0125 - 868.9875 894.0125 - 956.0000BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 26
27• While Private Scanning in the trunking banks, press SRCH, then it will move to IDSearch mode.Search Hold Feature1. Press HOLD/RESUME at anytime to stop the search. To move up or down 1 frequencystep, use the ▲or ▼key.2. Press HOLD/RESUME to resume searching.Data SkipA scanner will normally stop on any transmission it receives. Thismeans the BCT8 will occasionally stop on data signals andunmodulated transmissions. You can automatically skip many ofthese types of transmissions during search. 1. To activate the Data Skip feature, press DATA in Scan or Search mode. “ ”appears on the display. 2. To deactivate the Data Skip feature, press DATA again. “ ” disappears.When Data Skip is active, your scanner may pause momentarily on an unwanted signalbut will resume searching in two or three seconds. The Data Skip feature is active aswell as Scan mode and Service Search mode. Data Skip does not function duringService Scanning band (for AIR, CB, or Weather band), Priority Scan, and Trunkingmode.Frequency SkipIf a particular frequency continues to interrupt search scanning, it is possible to set thescanner to skip the frequency.To skip over a frequency, press L/O when stopping on the frequency you want to skip orwhen in Search Hold mode.Note: You can program up to 100 skip frequencies. The 101st skip frequency entered causes the first skipped frequency to unlock.To restore a Locked out/Skipped channel.1. Select the desired frequency by using the ▲or ▼key in Search Hold mode.2. Press L/O, and then press HOLD/RESUME.To restore all skipped frequencies, press and hold L/O for 2 seconds in Search Hold mode.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 27
Storing Search FrequenciesYou can quickly store any frequency you find during Search.1. During Search, press HOLD/RESUME. If you want to changethe frequency, use the ▲or ▼key to move up or down 1frequency step. Then press E. Or when the scanner stops onthe frequency you want to store, press E.2. Select a bank you want to store by using the keypad. Thesmallest empty channel number and the frequency alternatelyappear on the display. If necessary, you can also change thechannel by using the keypad, the ▲or ▼key.3. Press E.Note : • If the frequency you want to store exists already in a bank, you will hear an errortone and other channel appears on the display. (See “Duplicate Frequency Alert”on page 22.)• After storing the frequency, it moves to the Search Hold mode.• If there is no free channel, the frequency you want to store will automatically bestored in the first channel in the selected bank. 4. Press SRCH to resume searching.DelayTo help prevent missing a reply on a specific channel or frequency, you can program a two-seconds delay into any channel, frequency, service band or band search. When scan orsearch stops on a channel or frequency, there is a two-second pause before the scanningcycle resumes.To activate the Delay feature (in either Scan mode or Search mode):1. For Highway Scan mode or Private Scan mode, when in Hold mode, select the desiredfrequency or channel and then press DELAY. Or when the scanner stops on an activefrequency or channel, quickly press DELAY before it continues scanning again.––– OR –––1. For Search mode, while searching press DELAY.2. “DLY” will appear on the display.28BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 28
29Trunk TrackingYour BCT8 is tracks three major types of trunked radio systems. These systems aredescribed here.❖MOTOROLA - Including Type I, Type II, Hybrid, SMARTNET, and Privacy Plus.Motorola systems are widely used by public safety and business users. Most are onthe 800 MHz band, and recent systems are appearing on other bands. (see page 43).❖EDACS - Including "Wideband" 9600 baud and SCAT. "Wideband" systems are mostly onthe 800 MHz band, and are used by public safety, utilities, and business users. Somesystems are used on the VHF and UHF bands. (see page 39). SCAT systems aresingle-channel EDACS systems, and are mainly used in the Midwestern UnitedStates.❖LTR - These systems are mostly for business users, and found on the UHF, 800 and 900MHz bands. (See page 42).For details on the operation and programming for all of these systems, see pages 29-47.When tracking these types of systems, remember these important points:• Your scanner defaults to monitor Motorola Type II 800; however, you can change this ifthe system in your area is different. (The types of systems are discussed below.)• The frequencies for many of the trunked public safety systems are listed in the TrunkTrackerFrequency Guide included with your BCT8 scanner. Frequencies sometimes change, checkwith www.trunktracker.com.• If you have internet access, you can visit scanner.uniden.com or www.trunktracker.comfor additional information, for current news and frequency information, about TrunkTracking Scanning.* Motorola, SMARTNET, and PRIVACY PLUS are trademarks of Motorola Inc. EDACS is aregistered trademark of the M/A - COM Inc. LTR is a registered trademark of E.F. JohnsonCompany.Setting the SquelchFor trunked reception, a good setting for the SQL control is in thecenter of the range with the color marker pointing up. See theillustration.If it is set too high, it could prevent your scanner from locking to theControl Channel reliably. If it is set too low, it will slightly delay findingthe Control Channel. The best setting is the same as for conventionalreception, and is critical for monitoring trunked systems.SQL pushFLASHMUTEALERTBCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 29
30Programming Trunking FrequenciesThere are three steps for programming a trunked system:1. Program the Trunk Type – What type of system will the scanner be tracking, MotorolaType II, Type I, EDACS, LTR, etc.2. Program the Trunked Frequencies – Within a trunked system, the frequencies areshared among all the users, called “Talk Groups”.3. Program the Talk Groups – Within the trunked system, each agency or department isassigned a Talk Group ID. This ID must be programmed into the scanner in order for it tomonitor that specific agency or department.• When programming you decide which “Location” to program the “Talk Groups”. This issimilar to how you program frequencies into channels. Here you need to program TalkGroup ID’s into Locations.Before you start programming your scanner to track a trunked system, consider thefollowing:• You can only program one trunking system in each bank of your scanner.• Trunked frequencies must be entered while in the Trunk Programming mode.• If you’re in the Trunk Programming mode, you cannot select channels in other banks. For example, if you are programming Bank 4, you can only select channels 151-200 withthe ▲or ▼key.•IMPORTANT: If you are programming an EDACS ®trunked system, you must enter thefrequencies in a specific order. Check the frequency guide included with the radio and thelisted web sites for details.STEP 1: Selecting Trunking System TypeThe first step in a Trunk Tracking system is storing the frequencies in one of the fiveavailable banks in your scanner.1. Press TRUNK for 1.5 seconds.You will hear two beeps, and “BANK” and “TRUNK” will beginto flash on the display.2. Select the bank you want to store the frequency by using thekeypad.3. Select the system you want to track by using the ▲or ▼key, then press E.List of trunking systems as follows:E2-800 (Motorola Type II 800 MHz)E2-Hi (Motorola Type II VHF 136-174 MHz) *E2-UHF (Motorola Type II UHF 406-512 MHz) *E1 (Motorola Type I and Hybrid) **Ed (EDACS®Wide Band: 9600 band)***Ed SCt (EDACD Scat) BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 30
31Lt (LTR) * Requires programming of a Base and Spacing frequency Offset channel (See page 45).** Requires programming of a Fleet map (See page 44).*** Requires programming of frequencies in exact order and location.STEP 2: Programming Trunking Frequencies1. Select and press E. Use the keypad and (decimal key) to enter a frequencyfor the trunked system.For example, enter .Note: To clear a mistake while entering a frequency, press (decimal key) twice, and start over.2. Then press E.The “E” (EDACS), “M” (Motorola) or “L” (LTR) appears depending on the trunkedsystem selected.If the frequency is out of the range of the system chosen in this step, you will hear anerror tone, the channel number flashes and an error message appears on the display.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select the next channel in the bank and press E.4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all frequencies have been entered.5. Press SRCH to begin searching the bank you‘veprogrammed.Then select the programmed bank by using the keypad.☞Remember! To lockout the keypad to prevent re-programming of talkgroups, you canuse Memory Lock (Refer to “Memory Lock” on page 22).Hint: If you want to return to the previous menu screen, press HOLD/RESUME in theTrunk Programming mode.Programming Talk Group ID/Scan ListsScan ListsEach bank of your BCT8 can be a trunk tracking bank and it can be a conventional scanningbank. When you designate a bank as a trunking bank, your scanner sets up 5 Scan Lists,which are simply lists used to store your favorite Talk Group IDs. Each list can contain up to10 IDs, so you can store a total of 50 IDs for each trunk tracking bank. (250 IDs if you useall the banks as trunking banks!)Scan Lists help you organize the trunking system users into categories. For example, youmight use List#1 for police IDs, List#2 for fire department IDs, List#3 for emergency medicalservice IDs, etc. Once IDs are stored in lists, you can scan them as you scan conventionalfrequencies and you can lockout any one (up to 4) of the 5 Scan Lists by pressing thecorresponding numeric key. When an ID is active, the Scan List number will appear on thedisplay. You can program your Scan Lists either manually or during Trunking Search mode.Check the web site www.trunktracker.com for a complete list of talkgroups for your area..BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 31
32that you can program into your Scan Lists.In order to program Talk Group ID’s, you must first complete Step1–“Selecting TrunkingSystem Type”, page 30 and Step 2 – “Programming Trunking Frequencies”, page 31.1. After programming a frequency, press HOLD/RESUME to return to the main screen ofsystem type selected and select . Then press E.2. Select the Scan List location by using the ▲or ▼key.3. Enter the Talk Group IDs for each trunk system as follows.To enter a Type 2 Talk Group ID:1. Enter the ID you want to store by using the keypad.2. Press E.To enter a Type 1 ID:For a Type I ID, the Block number, Fleet number and Subfleet number make up the TalkGroup ID number. For detail please see page 59.1. Enter the ID you want to store by using the keypad (ID = Block number + Fleet number +(decimal key) + Subfleet number).2. Press E.To enter a Full EDACS ID®:1. Enter the Agency number.2. Press (decimal key) for the “dash”.3. Enter the Fleet number and Subfleet number.4. Press E.To enter a Partial EDACS®ID:1. Enter the Agency number you want to store.Use the (decimal key) for the "dash".2. Press E.Or you can program all the Talk Group numbers within one fleet of an Agency.1. Enter the Agency number.2. Press (decimal key) for the “dash”.3. Enter the Fleet number.4. Press E.Hint: Remember that Uniden's AFS format allows you to enter full or partial EDACS IDs forpowerful flexibility in all modes. Be sure to read the section "EDACS Reception" onpage 39 to learn how this works.Note: The BCT8 default to "AFS" talkgroup displays for EDACS®only.To enter a LTR ID:....BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 32
33For a LTR ID, the Area Code, Home Repeater number and ID make up the Talk Group ID.Please see page 42 for more information.1. Enter the Area Code.2. Enter the Home Repeater number.3. Enter the ID you want to store 4. Press E.Note: To clear a stored ID while entering an ID, press 0and Esuccessively, andstart over.Receiving Trunked SystemsWhen you have properly programmed all the frequencies for a trunked system, you canmonitor the system in several different ways. You will find that Search, Hold, Lockout, Scanand Delay are all similar to conventional scanning.❖ID SCAN lets you receive those talkgroups that you store in Scan Lists.❖ID SCAN HOLD lets you selectively listen to a talkgroup in your Scan Lists.❖ID SEARCH lets you hear all system talkgroup activity. This is the best way to getstarted.❖ID SEARCH HOLD works with Search mode to let you quickly freeze reception on aninteresting transmission. Or you can manually specify a talkgroup with DIRECTENTRY in ID HOLD.❖ID LOCKOUT works with Search and Scan to exclude talkgroups that you don't wantto hear.❖ID DELAY works with each talkgroup to be delayed when the communication ends.When receiving EDACS systems, remember that Uniden's AFS talkgroups give you powerfulflexibility. In a few key presses, you can specify a single talkgroup, a fleet, or an entireagency in all the above modes. Read the section "EDACS Reception" to understand howthis works.Hint: If the scanner is not in the Trunking mode, you can enter the Trunk mode by pressingTRUNK. Pressing TRUNK in the Trunking mode will move to the Private Scan Holdmode.ID Scan Mode1. When in the Trunking mode, press PVT/HWY to begin scanning the lists you haveprogrammed.If you haven't programmed any IDs, the scanner cannot stopon an active conversation.2. To remove a Scan List from active scanning, press thenumber of the Scan List on your keypad.The Scan List indicator turns Off, and the IDs in that list are not scanned.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 33
Note: One Scan List must always be active. If you try and deactivate all the Scan Lists,Scan List 1 will automatically be active.3. To restore a Scan List to active scanning, press its number again.☞Remember! When you press TRUNK in the Trunking mode, you can be out of theTrunking mode and enter into Private Scan Hold mode.Note: • appears on the display during Trunk Scan instead of simply .ID Scan Hold FeatureIf you want to stop on a ID during ID scanning, pressHOLD/RESUME.To directly access a specific ID location:There are several ways to access a specific ID quickly.1. Press HOLD/RESUME to enter into Hold mode.2. Using the keypad, ▲or ▼key, enter the ID location number(See page 31).3. Press HOLD/RESUME.If you want to resume scanning, press HOLD/RESUME.ID Search ModeOnce you have programmed all the frequencies for a trunked system, Search will let youimmediately start hearing transmissions.When in the Trunking mode, press SRCH and the scanner begins to find any active IDs.When the scanner finds any ID, you will hear it.Talkgroups display differently in Motorola, EDACS and LTR systems. You should read theappropriate parts of this guide to understand the formats.The display indicates the bank and the type of trunked system you are monitoring. Whilemonitoring on ID, press the ▲key, and the scanner will check if any other IDs are active.Regardless of the system, you won't know exactly who you are receiving until you listen fora while, or refer to frequency guides or internet sites such as www.trunktracker.com.Of course, figuring out who each ID represents is half the fun of Trunk Tracking.Later, when you learn more about a system, you will want to store lists of talkgroups. Thenyou can scan specific agencies and users, and use the many other features your radioprovides.34BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 34
35ID Monitor ModeBy using ID Monitor mode, you can determine which talk groups are the most active withouthearing conversations.1. Press and hold SRCH for 2 seconds until you hear two beeps. Then beginsflashing and all active talk group IDs appear on the display every 0.5 seconds.2. To activate ID search mode, press SRCHNote: Lockout ID also appears on the display.ID Search Hold and Direct Entry ID in Hold ModeJust like in Conventional Search, Hold lets you pause ID Search on an interestingtransmission without storing the talkgroup into memory.If you hear an interesting ID during Search mode, and want to continue listening to it --• Press HOLD/RESUME to stop the search.If you want to listen to a specific ID, while in Hold mode --• Use the keypad to enter the ID you want and press the ▼key.If you want to resume searching --• Press HOLD/RESUME to return to Search mode.Note: ID Hold feature is also applied to ID Scan mode.Programming Scan Lists During SearchTo select a Scan List location and store an ID during Searchmode, follow these steps:1. When your scanner stops on an ID you want to store, pressHOLD/RESUME.2. You can change the Scan List memory location by using the▲or ▼key. And then press E.3. Press SRCH to return to Trunk Tracking Search mode.Deleting a Stored IDTo delete a stored ID:1. Press HOLD/RESUME in the ID Scan mode.2. Select the Scan List location you want to delete by using the ▲or ▼key.3. Press 0.4. Then press E.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 35
36ID LockoutLike conventional scanning, it’s possible to lockout unwanted traffic. This is particularlyimportant in trunked systems because in many areas, water meters, door alarms, trafficsignals, and other mechanical devices are assigned IDs just like other users. Also somedepartments scramble or encrust their communications, and you may want to lock out theseunintelligible broadcasts.To Lockout an ID, press L/O on the ID you want to lockout.The ID is locked out. You can Lockout up to 100 IDs. The 101st skip frequency enteredcauses the first skipped freqnency to unlock.Note: If you Lockout an ID in Search mode, it is also locked out in Scan List mode.Conversely, if you Lockout an ID while in Scan List mode, it is locked out in Searchmode. For information about Scan Lists see page 31.EDACS BLOCKOUT is a powerful form of ID Lockout that can be used only with AFS andEDACS systems. This feature lets you lockout entire Agencies or Fleets, not just individualtalkgroups. Using EDACS Blockout you can, for example, prevent Search from stopping onany of hundreds of talkgroups in the Utilities agency. You can do this with just a few keypresses. To use this mode just enter the Agency-part, or the Agency-Fleet part, of thetalkgroup code and press L/O. For example, to Blockout Agency 4 in Trunk Search, pressHOLD/RESUME,0,4, (decimal key), and then L/O. For other ways to use partial AFSentry, be sure to read the section "EDACS Reception".Review ID LockoutYou can check all IDs already locked out.1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds in the Trunking mode.2. Select the bank you want to review by using the keypad, and then the trunked systemselected appears on the display. Then press E.3. Select by using the ▲or ▼key ,and then press E.4. You can see the locked out IDs by using the ▲or ▼key.Hint: Press and hold L/O for 2 seconds to check all locked out IDs when in the Trunkingmode.Restoring Locked-out IDsTo restore a single ID, follow these steps:1. While in locked out review mode, select the locked out ID you want to restore and pressL/O.The ID is restored and “L/O” disappears. To restore all locked out IDs in a bank once:1. While in locked out review mode, press and hold L/O for 3 seconds. All locked out IDs ina bank are restored..BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 36
37Setting the Delay Mode for Trunking ModeA default delay of 2 seconds is automatically set for each talkgroup for ID Scan mode and IDSearch mode. To set the delay feature on or off, press DELAY while trunking, “DLY” willappear or disappear depending on your setting.Trunking Frequency ConfirmationYou can check the frequency while a talkgroup ID is active.Press the ▼key ,and the active frequency on which the talk group is transmitting will flash onthe display. Or press and hold the ▼key for 2 seconds, the ID and the frequency alternatelyappears on the display. To cancel this mode, press the ▼key again.Hint: This feature is applied to ID Scan mode and ID Search mode.Setting Priority in Trunking ModeYou can set priority in your Scan lists, just as you do in your conventional ones. Defaultsetting for the Priority ID is the first location in each Scan List. You can set the priority bypressing and holding PRI for 2 seconds in ID Scan Hold mode. After you’ve set up yourScan List, press PRI to activate it.It’s very similar to conventional priority although there is no "interrupt" during thetransmissions. Priorities are checked in between transmissions.With Priority ON, you can hold on an ID in your Scan List, such as Scan List 3, memorylocation 7, and the scanner will check all the priorities in all the active Scan Lists in betweenany transmissions on the ID on which you’re holding. The lowest numbered priority will bechecked first. For example, the Priority ID in List 1 will be checked before the Priority in List2, etc.Note: • This function does not work in LTR tracking.• Priority Scan does not operate when Priority IDs are locked out.Moving between Scan List MemoriesThere are a number of ways to step and move through your Scan List memories:1. Press HOLD/RESUME in the ID Scan mode and use the ▲or ▼key to move to up ordown.2. Or, press HOLD/RESUME in the ID Scan mode, next press 0-9 (scan list number), thenpress 0-9 (memory position). For example to move to Scan List 4, memory position 10,press: HOLD/RESUME,4,0,HOLD/RESUMEBCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 37
38Multi-TrackThe BCT8 allows you to track more than one system at a time. Here are some highlights ofthis feature:❖You can actually track up to 5 trunking systems at one time.❖You can trunk scan, or search and scan conventional frequencies at the same time.❖You can program conventional frequencies in the same bank as trunking systems.After the scanner finishes checking a trunked system for activity, it will conventionallyscan the other frequencies in the bank (remember, only trunking frequencies areprogrammed in Trunk mode).To scan a mix of trunking and conventional banks, select the banks you wish to be active,and then press TRUNK. The scanner will instantly begin scanning. You can switch to Searchmode and the scanner will search for any active ID’s on the system.Note: To switch ID Scan or ID Search, press PVT/HWY or SRCH in the trunked system.Multi-Track Operational DetailsWhen more than one trunk system is active (for example two or more trunked systems or atrunked system and one or more conventional frequencies), the radio jumps betweensystems/frequencies as follows:TRUNK SCAN: The scanner moves to a trunked system and looks for IDs in your ScanList(s) for up to 1 second. If it finds no activity on your programmed talkgroups, it moveson to conventional channels in the same bank or to the next active bank.If the scanner finds a talkgroup in one of your active Scan Lists, you will begin to hear thatcommunication and the scanner will of course display the proper talkgroup number. Whenthe communication ends, the scanner will wait for 2 seconds for any further replies and, ifnone, the scanner will move to the conventional channels in the same bank or to the nextbank.The scanner will not look for any other IDs within the same trunked system (as thiswould slow the scan process). If you press the ▲key while you are listening to one ID,the scanner will check to see if another ID in your Scan List is active. It will disregard theID to which you were just monitoring.TRUNK SEARCH: This mode works similarly to Trunk Scan. If the scanner finds any (non-locked-out) ID when it checks the control channel, you will hear it. You will then hear anyreplies that follow within 2 seconds. After that the scanner will move on and notcontinuously search the system for additional IDs (on busy systems you would never leavethe system if this were the case). If you press the ▲key while monitoring one ID, the radiowill check if any other IDs are active (it will disregard the ID you just left), and if none areactive, it will move on. BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 38
39EDACS®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 III 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. YourBCT8 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, 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 can be found at scanner.uniden.com.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 39
40An EDACS®Trunked systemThis chart shows how talkgroups are organized within anEDACS system at the Agency level. The individualtalkgroups cannot be shown at this scale because thereare over 2000. However the chart can show the 16Agencies in this example. The system is logical and easyto understand. EDACS systems are typically arranged inan outline structure.The system users are given blocks of talkgroups. Sizesvary but most large cities and other agencies have blocksof 128 channels. Smaller cities have only 64 or 32channels.In this example, the County Sheriff is agency 01. The cityof Sullivan is Agency 03. Adams Hill and Matthew Junctionshare 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 the partial-entry featureyou can easily include nearby, related channels in thesame Fleet or Agency. You can just as easily excludeentire unwanted Fleets and Agencies.When in Search mode, with the system frequenciesprogrammed, and your scanner locked to the controlchannel, you can select a desired city by keying in theAgency part of the AFS talkgroup. For example, in Holdmode you can select the entire city of Sullivan with 4 keypresses 0,3,(decimal key), SRCH key.When you hear an interesting talkgroup, in Hold modecapture it to your Scan List by pressing Eduring thetransmission.Or hold on it by pressing HOLD/RESUME.If you want to monitor the Sullivan Police Dispatch channel(which is talk group 03-062), press 0,3, (decimal key), 0,6,2, the ▼key. Your scannercan also work in decimal format. Talkgroup 03-62 in decimal format is 402. But decimal format does not give you any informationabout the system hierarchy. For example Sullivan, in decimal, uses channels from 384 to 511. This is not as easy toremember as Agency 03. But decimal is useful if you need to work from decimal talkgroup lists...BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 40
41Special 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 Scan. Thepowerful AFS Partial Entry feature designed into the BCT8 lets you use either a completetalkgroup code, or just the most significant part.This feature lets you expand or narrow searching and scanning to one of 4 levels. By entering only the desired partof an AFS talkgroup, you can select 128 talkgroups, 8talkgroups, or a single talkgroup. For example, you could program every talkgroup in a policedepartment with just 4 key presses. You can use the AFS Partial Entry feature anywhere you need to specify EDACStalkgroup.Your BCT8 can also enter or display EDACS talkgroups in decimal format (0-2047).1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change. 2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.4. Use the ▲or ▼key to select or , then pressE.You can use this feature to translate decimal talkgroups lists to the much more powerfulAFS 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.EDACS ID Range Search When the scanner searches EDACS talk group IDs, the scanner can search within a rangeyou set for Agency or Fleet listings. For example if you want to search within the 01 agency,while in Hold mode press 0,1, (decimal key) then SRCH. Or if you want to search withinthe 01 agency and 01 fleet, while trunking press 0,1, (decimal key), 0,1, then SRCH.To stop the ID range search, press SRCH.EDACS SCATWith the EDACS SCAT feature, the data stream transmissions will be eliminated allowingyou to clearly monitor the voice communications on EDACS SCAT systems.To monitor EDACS SCAT systems you only need to program the frequency in the TrunkTracking Programming mode. You do not need to enter group ID’s.Note: As EDACS SCAT is different from the other tracking feature, and it is not a featurewhich the scanner tracks any ID, you do not need to program Talk Group ID’s...BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 41
42LTR®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 the form 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.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 42
43Motorola 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 andUHF 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 defaultsto monitor Type II systems, but its possible to select a Preprogrammed Fleet Map or createa Custom 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 45 for details.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 43
Fleet Map ProgrammingIf you have programmed a trunk tracking bank for Motorola, press TRUNK to start Multi-Track, and you will see user IDs on the display. Since the BCT8 defaults to Type II systems,all the IDs will appear as numbers. However, if you notice a mix of odd and even user IDs,for example 6477, 2560, 6481, 6144, 1167, etc., then you are probably monitoring either aType 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. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change. 2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select (Type 1 system), then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.4. Use the ▲or ▼key to select the map you want, then pressE. The scanner returns to FLEET Map list item.Note: You will now begin to see Type I Fleet-Subfleet IDs. Forexample, 100-12, 100-9, 000-12, 400-8, etc. See "User Defined Fleet Maps in the Appendix" for more information about 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 User Fleet MapYou may want to read "User Defined Fleet Maps" in the Appendix before programming aFleet Map. It contains a detailed explanation of Scanner Fleet Map Programming, as well asa table listing the Fleet Map Size Codes.1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change. 2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select (Type 1 system), then pressE.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.4. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.5. Use the ▲or ▼key to select the size code for the first block,then press E.44BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 44
45The next available block appears on the display.6. Repeat step 5 until you have selected a size code for eachblock.For details about each size code, see "Fleet Map Size Codes"in the Appendix.Programming a Hybrid SystemA Hybrid system is simply a Type I system with some blocks designated as Type II blocks.To program a Hybrid system, follow the steps listed in "Programming a User Fleet Map" inthe previous section. However, if you want a block to be Type II, select Size Code .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, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channels for each system.To find these out, check the scanner.uniden.com or www.trunktracker.com and otherweb sites and frequency resources.To enter the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel: (You can set up to three setsof these, but almost all systems only use one set)1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change. 2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select (Motorola Type2 VHF) or (Motorola Type2UHF), then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.4. Use the keypad to enter Configuration Block Number(1-3).5. Use the keypad to enter a new Base Frequency, then pressE.6. Press the ▲key and select for entering the SpacingFrequency.7. Use the keypad to enter a new Spacing Frequency, thenpress E.Note: You can only enter within a range of 5-100 kHz, and 5 or12.5 kHz multiples.8. Press the ▲key and select for entering the OffsetChannel.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 45
9. Use the keypad to enter a new Offset Channel, then press E.Notes:• You can only input within a range of 380-759.• If the system is not tracking properly, you may need totry a new Base Frequency or Offset Channel, or youmay be missing frequencies from the system.• You can set up to three Base, Spacing and Offsets for Motorola VHF/UHF trunkedsystems.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 BCT8 defaults to Status-Bit ON mode, younever need to worry about missing these transmissions. If you have programmed talkgroup33264 into Scan List memory, for example, and there is an emergency call within the 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 I trunking system. 1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change.2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select (Motorola TYPE2 800MHz), (Motorola Type2VHF) or (Motorola Type2 UHF), then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select or , then press E. The scanner returns toStatus Bit list item.Control Channel Only ModeWhen this function is activated, trunking is performed using Control Channel data only.Voice channel (also known as "DATA channel") frequencies do not have to be programmedinto memory. This feature only applies to Motorola 800 MHz systems.1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change.2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select (Motorola Type2 800MHz) or (Motorola Type1800 MHz), then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.4. Use the ▲or ▼key to select a plan from 4 frequency plans,then press E. The scanner returns to Control Channel Onlylist item.Note: You must choose a plan before you begin to Control Channel Trunk (Only when 800MHz system is selected). When you deselect Control Channel only mode, appears on the display.Read the descriptions of the Plan 1~4 for details on which may apply for you.46BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 46
47PL1 (plan 1): This plan is the most common. Use Plan 1 if the last three digits of ALL thefrequencies in use end in one of the following three digits: 125, 375, 625, or 875 (example:856.1125, 860.7375, 859.6625, 855.8875).PL2 (plan 2): If the last three digits of frequencies are less than 860.000 and end in one ofthe following three digits (125, 375, 625, or 875) and if ANY other frequencies end in (000,250, 500, or 750) use Plan 2.PL3 (plan 3): If the last three digits of ALL the frequencies in use end in one of thefollowing three digits (000, 250, 500, or 750) use Plan 3.PL4 (plan 4): If the last three digits of frequencies are less than 866.0000 and end in oneof the following 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.Notes:• You can assign a Fleet Map to TYPE 1 or Hybrid systems scanned in ControlChannel Only mode by going into the Trunk Programming mode. You can also pro-gram IDs, set a delay, and all the other parameters for systems scanned in thismode. You can then either search the system to find new IDs or you can programIDs into memory and then scan them.• 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 systems, that you do haveto set the proper system type (800 MHz of Type 1 or Type 2) and you do have toprogram the Control Channel frequency into memory and identify the frequency astrunked in the Trunk Programming mode.Disconnect 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 whetherthe signal is present or not.1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change.2. Use the ▲or ▼key to select (Motorola TYPE2 800MHz), (Motorola Type2VHF) or (Motorola Type2 UHF), then press E.3. Use the ▲or ▼key to select , then press E.4. Use the ▲or ▼key to select or , then press E.Note: Set the SQL control so that you hear a hissing, and the scanner will remain on thevoice channel (even when a disconnect tone is transmitted or there is no signal atall).BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 47
Remote InterfaceYou can communicate and program your BCT8 in numerous ways with peripheral devicesusing a Remote Interface Cable port. This radio offers the following modes:❖PC Control modeProgram and control your scanner from a PC using Uniden’s BCT8 Scanner Software.❖Clone modeClone all the frequencies, trunking talkgroups, and fleet maps programmed into yourscanner to another BCT8 scanner or another BCT8.PC Control ModeTo connect Scanner to PC:Plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight cable into the remote port which is on the rearof the scanner. Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into a personalcomputer’s serial port. A few PC’s may require an adapter, most will not. Of course, makesure your PC is turned ON.To program your scanner:You can program and control your scanner remotely from a PC using Uniden’s BCT8Scanner software.After connecting the scanner to a PC, turn the scanner ON.To use the Remote (PC Control) mode, you must install Uniden’s BCT8 Scanner softwareand use as directed. Make sure that your scanner is connected to the serial port of the PCusing the RS232C straight cable.ANT.EXT.SP.DC 12V REMOTE48BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 48
49Start Remote Mode and Change Transfer Speed:1. Press and hold RMT for 2 seconds to activate the Remotemode.2. Select the transfer speed except for , then press Eandthe scanner will start Remote mode. A unique feature of the BCT8 is that all the front panel keys on the radio remain operationalin Remote mode.For information on purchasing BCT8 Scanner software to program and control your BCT8,you can contact the following:Uniden Parts Department (800) 554-3988 (Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday)scanner.uniden.comPC Control ParameterFor your information:Transfer speed : 9600/19200/38400/57600 bps (adjustable)Start/Stop bit : 1 bit, 1 bitData Length : 8 bitParity Check : NoneCode : ASCII codeFlow Control : NoneReturn Code : Carriage Return onlyClone ModeYou will need to purchase a RS232C straight cable a null modem adapter. RS232C straightcables are available as male to male or male to female. Even if the RS232C straight cableyou buy already has the male to male connectors, you will still have to have the null modemadapter. On the next page you will see the pin connections that are internal to a standarddevice. (These items are available at your local electronics stores.)BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 49
50To connect the Scanner to Scanner:Plug the male end of the RS232C straight interface cable into theremote port on the rear of one of the two scanners. Then connect theDB-9 to DB-9 null modem adapter to the cable. Plug the other end ofthe null modem adapter into the other scanner (DB9 Gender Changersare also available at your local electronics store.).You can clone all of the programming of one BCT8 into another, including frequencies,talkgroup IDs, delay settings, etc. After connecting the two scanners, turn the radios ON.Prepare each scanner for clone mode as follows.After connecting the two scanners, make sure the scanners are turned off.1. While you press and hold E, turn the radio on for each scanner.2. Determine the scanner which has the frequency data that you want to transfer. This onemust be set up as the "First Unit", and the other must be set as the "Clone Unit".3. On the scanner that is the "Clone Unit", use the ▲or ▼keyto select , then press HOLD/RESUME.4. On the scanner that is the "First Unit", use the ▲or ▼key toselect , then press HOLD/RESUME.ANT.EXT.SP.DC 12V REMOTEANT.EXT.SP.DC 12V REMOTEFemaleDB9MaleDB914233246 & 1556478879Not usedNull Modem Adapter Pin connectionsBCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 50
515. The data transfer begins from the First Unit to the Clone Unit.During the data transfer, both scanners show the followingdisplays.When the data transfer is complete, displays.If the data transfer is not successful, the following errormessage will appear.Note: • To clear , press (decimal key).Note • Once you have completed the cloning of the scanners, reset the scanners byturning the scanners OFF and then ON again. This is particularly important to knowif you wish to clone another scanner right away..send datareceive dataBCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 51
Care and MaintenanceGeneral Use• Turn the scanner OFF before disconnecting the power.• Always write down the programmed frequencies in the event of memory loss.• If memory is lost, simply reprogram each channel. The display shows 000.0000 in all channels when there has been a memory loss.Location• Do not use the scanner in high-moisture environments such as the kitchen or bathroom.• Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near heating elements or vents.• If the scanner receives strong interference or electrical noise, move it or its antenna awayfrom the source of the noise. If possible, a higher elevation may provide better reception.Cleaning• Disconnect the power to the unit before cleaning.• Clean the outside of the scanner with a mild detergent. To prevent scratches, do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents. Be careful not to rub theLCD window.• Do not use excessive amounts of water.Repairs• Do not attempt any repair. The scanner contains no user serviceable parts. Contact theUniden Customer Service Center or take it to a qualified repair technician.Birdies• All radios can receive birdies (undesired signals). If your scanner stops during Scan modeand no sound is heard, it may be receiving a birdie. Birdies are internally generatedsignals inherent in the electronics of the receiver.Press L/O to lockout the channel, and then press HOLD/RESUME to resume scanning.52BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 52
53TroubleshootingIf your BCT8 is not performing properly, try the following steps.Problem Suggestion1. Make sure you are scanning in Highway Mode.2. Check antenna connections.3. Conditions to activate the alarm are variable and depend upon the timing of the dispatcher transmissions and proximity of patrol car to your vehicle. Also, terrain and other factors may be involved.4. Officer has the ability to turn off the mobile extender when off-duty, or when going to court, etc., but will normally leave extender operating when on traffic duty.5. If you’re monitoring user-programmed frequencies, switch to one of the preprogrammed frequency banks.6. Check to see if MUTE and FLASH are both turned off.7. Some priority frequencies may be locked out.1. Check the connections at both ends of the AC Adapter.2. Turn ON the wall switch of your room. You could be using an outlet controlled by the wall switch.3. Move the AC Adapter to another wall outlet.1. Check the antenna connection.2. Move the scanner.3. You may be in a remote area which could require an optional multi-band antenna. Check with your dealer or local electronics store.1. Adjust squelch threshold - refer to page 15, "Setting the Squelch".2. Check the antenna connection.3. Check to see if many of the channels are Locked Out. If so, the scanner has less chance of finding an active channel. 4. Review each channel's frequency to see if it is still stored in Memory and is correct.5. It's possible that none of the programmed frequencies are currently active.1. Press PVT/HWTkey again.2. Adjust the SQLcontrol.3. Check to see if all channels are Locked Out.1. Adjust squelch threshold - refer to page 15, "Setting the Squelch".2. Check the antenna.1. The priority system is checking for alarms. Use HOLD/RESUME to hold on a frequency without checking priority channels every two seconds.2. Select Priority off mode or Priority only mode.Going by patrol cars and not receiving alarms.Scanner won't work.Improper reception.Scan won't stop.Scan won't start.Weather Scan won't work.Radio transmissions (conversations) are cutting in and out in Highway mode.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 53
If you experience difficulty while in TrunkTracker mode, try the following steps.If you still cannot get satisfactory results while using your scanner or if you want additionalinformation, please call or write the Uniden Parts and Service Division. The address andphone number is listed in the warranty at the end of this manual. If you would like immediateassistance, please call Customer Service at (800)297-1023.If you have internet access, you can visit scanner.uniden.com for additional information. Problem Suggestion1. Missing the Data Frequency.2. Change to a Type 1 Scanner setup. Review Fleet Map Programming on page 45.1. No IDs have been programmed.2. The IDs you have stored are not active.1. Adjust the squelch for Trunking mode - refer to page 29.2. Missing the frequency used for the data channel. Check your frequency list.1. Change a Type 1 scanner setup. Review Fleet Map Programming on page 44.2. Try another Preset Fleet Map or Program your own Fleet Map.3. Check to see that all of the system's frequencies have been entered.1. May be a telephone interconnect call, which are intentionally blocked by your scanner.2. The ID on your display is not active.1. Logical channel numbers (frequencies) for the system are not programmed in the correct order. Check frequency resources and reprogram.2. Not all frequencies for the system are programmed. Check frequency resources.Scanner won't track.Scanner won't stop during Scan List mode. Scanner will not acquire data channel.Missing replies to conversations.Channel Activity Indicators are flashing but no sound is heard.Scanner not tracking an EDACS system properly.54BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 54
55SpecificationsCertified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15, Subpart C, as of date of manufacture.Channel: 250Banks: 5 (50 channels each)Service Bands: 9 preprogrammed search bands(including the NOAA and Canada Weather Service band)Frequency Range: 25.0-28.0 MHz Petroleum Prod., CB Class D channels,Business and Forest Products28.0-29.7 MHz 10 Meter Amateur Band29.7-50.0 MHz VHF Low Band50.0-54.0 MHz 6 Meter Amateur Band108-137 MHz Aircraft Band137-144 MHz Military Land Mobile144-148 MHz 2 Meter Amateur Band148-174 MHz VHF High Band400-420 MHz Federal Government420-450 MHz 70 cm Amateur Band450-470 MHz UHF Standard Band470-512 MHz UHF T Band806-956 MHz 800 BandOperating Temperature: –20 °C to +60 °C (-4 °F to +140)Scan Rate: 100 channels per second (conventional mode)Search Rate: 100 steps per second (Normal Search)300 steps per second (Turbo Search)Audio Output: Maximum 2.6W (2.2W normal @ 10% THD)Internal Speaker: 8 ohms (57 mm outer diameter)Power Requirements: AD140U AC Adapter (12V DC, 500mA)Antenna: Telescopic Antenna (included)Window Mount Antenna (included)Antenna Jack: BNC typeExternal Jacks: External Speaker (EXT.SP.) (3.5 mm)DC 12 V Power Jack, (center is positive)Remote Control (REMOTE) Jack (DB-9)Size: 7.06 in. (W) x 6.10 in. (D) x 2.44 in. (H)176.5mm (W) x 152.5mm (D) x 50.8mm (H)Weight: 1.1 kg (38.8 oz.)Features and specifications are all subject to change without notice.BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 55
AppendixState Cord Order1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132AKALARAZCACOCTDCDEFLGAIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMAlasakaAlabamaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDistrict of ColumbiaDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNoth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNO. Code State Name NO. Code State Name3334353637383940414243444546474849505152535455565758596061626364NBNYOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVAVTWAWIWVWYNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming56BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 56
Preset Fleet MapsE1P1Size CodeSIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11Block10234567E1E2Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4Block10234567E1P3Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)Block10234567E1P5Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4Block10234567E1P7Size CodeSIZE CODE 10SIZE CODE 10SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4Block10234567E1P8Size CodeSIZE CODE 1SIZE CODE 1SIZE CODE 2SIZE CODE 2SIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4Block10234567E1P6Size CodeSIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 10SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)Block10234567E1P4Size CodeSIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4Block10234567BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 57
58E1P9E1P11E1P13E1P15 E1P16E1P14E1P12E1P10Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 10SIZE CODE 10SIZE CODE 11SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 3SIZE CODE 10SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 4SIZE CODE 12(SIZE CODE 12)Block10234567Size CodeSIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 0SIZE CODE 4Block10234567BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 58
59User Defined Fleet MapsType I Programming InformationWhen a Type I system is designed, the address information for all the IDs are divided into 8equal sized blocks. When you program your scanner to track a Type I system, you mustselect a size code for each of these blocks. When you have assigned a size code to all 8blocks, you have defined the Fleet Map for the system you're tracking. Each size codedetermines the number of Fleets, Subfleets, and IDs each block will have. For example, asize code of "4" has one Fleet, which is divided into 16 separate Subfleets, and it has a totalof 512 individual IDs.When a block is assigned a size code, the Fleet or Fleets created within the block areassigned a Type I ID. The way these IDs display on your scanner depends on the blocknumber and the blocks size code. When a Type I ID displays, the left most digit representsthe block which contains the ID. The next two or three digits identify which Fleet is active,and the last digit(s) identifies the Subfleet.Your task is to program your fleet map with the same size code assignments as the trunkedsystem. If you do this accurately, you'll track all the Fleet-Subfleet combinations used by thesystem. In other words, you'll hear complete communications while monitoring a trunkedsystem.If you don't already know the size codes used, you'll have to guess at them. But since youdon't have to figure out all the blocks at once, this isn't as hard as it seems. Select a sizecode for a block, and then press SRCH. Now listen to the communications. If you decide youare receiving most of the replies to the conversations with IDs assigned to the block you justprogrammed, then you've probably selected the right size code and can work on the nextblock of the map.Finally, for most public safety systems there are some size codes which are more common.SIZE CODE 3 and SIZE CODE 4 are probably the most common, followed by SIZE CODE10, SIZE CODE 11, and SIZE CODE 12.Block(1 digit)Subfleet(1 or 2 digits)Which Fleetwithin the Block(2 or 3 digits)BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 59
Fleet Map Size CodesSize Code RestrictionsIf you select SIZE CODE 12, 13, or 14, there are some restrictions as to which blocks canbe used for these codes.• SIZE CODE 12 can only be assigned to Blocks 0, 2, 4, or 6.• SIZE CODE 13 can only be assigned to Blocks 0 and 4.• SIZE CODE 14 can only be assigned to Block 0.Since these SIZE CODES require multiple blocks, you will be prompted for the nextavailable block when programming a Fleet Map. For example, if you assign Block 0 as anSIZE CODE 12, you will be prompted for Block 2, the next block available, instead of Block1. And if you assign Block 0 as SIZE CODE 14, you would not see another prompt becauseall available blocks have been used.Size Fleets Subfleets IDs BlocksUsed0 Reserves block for Type II IDs1 128 4 16 12 16 8 64 13 8 8 128 14 1 16 512 15 64 4 32 16 32 8 32 17 32 4 64 18 16 4 128 19 8 4 256 110 4 8 256 111 2 16 256 112 1 16 1024 213 1 16 2048 414 1 16 4096 860BCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 60
63One Year Limited WarrantyImportant: Evidence of original purchase is required for warranty service.WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (Uniden)ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for one year, to the original retail owner,this Uniden product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only thelimitations or exclusions set out below.WARRANTY DURATION: This warranty to the original user shall terminate and be of nofurther effect 12 months after the date of original retail sale. The warranty is invalid if theProduct is (A) damaged or not maintained as reasonable or necessary, (B) modified, altered,or used as part of any conversion kits, subassemblies, or any configurations not sold byUniden, (C) improperly installed, (D) serviced or repaired by someone other than anauthorized Uniden service center for a defect or malfunction covered by this warranty, (E)used in any conjunction with equipment or parts or as part of any system not manufacturedby Uniden, or (F) installed or programmed by anyone other than as detailed by the ownersmanual for this product.STATEMENT OF REMEDY: In the event that the product does not conform to this warrantyat any time while this warranty is in effect, warrantor will either, at its option, repair orreplace the defective unit and return it to you without charge for parts, service, or any othercost (except shipping and handling) incurred by warrantor or its representatives inconnection with the performance of this warranty. Warrantor, at its option, may replace theunit with a new or refurbished unit. THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE IS THE SOLE AND ENTIRE WARRANTY PERTAINING TO THE PRODUCT AND IS INLIEU OF AND EXCLUDES ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER,WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR ARISING BY OPERATION OF LAW INCLUDING, BUTNOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESSFOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER OR PROVIDEFOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OR PAYMENT OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES. Some states do not allow this exclusion or limitation of incidental orconsequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.LEGAL REMEDIES: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also haveother rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is void outside the United States ofAmerica.PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PERFORMANCE OF WARRANTY: If, after following theinstructions in the owners manual you are certain that the product is defective, pack theProduct carefully (preferably in its original packaging). The product should include all partsand accessories originally packaged with the Product. Include evidence of original purchaseand a note describing the defect that has caused you to return it. The Product should beshipped freight prepaid, by traceable means, to warrantor at:UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATIONParts and Service Division4700 Amon Carter BoulevardFort Worth, TX 76155(800) 554-3988, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through FridayBCT8 8/13/03 5:14 PM Page 63

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