Easier to Read SC230/USC230 Scanner Manual

As you have found out by now, this is a whole different animal as far as scanners go. I have tried to write my manual to follow the menu sequences as close as possible so you can find things a little easier in the radio.

Again, the manual is like trying to set a watch made in China. My biggest gripe is that it doesn't follow the menus of the radio. So, I have written this manual for myself so I can actually use the scanner and will share it with you.

It does have some cool new features: Close Call, Dynamic Memory, an adjustable 'Hold (scan) time' for each system, Search and Store (actually an old feature brought back), and the ability to hold about 1600 (tagged) channels. You can store up to 200 different systems (if there is enough memory). The 'quick keys' allow you to scan any combination of systems. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many priority channels you can program. It has a very bright display and the sound quality is great for a 'mini' scanner. When set to tone search it will search for CTCSS and DCS tones, not just one or the other. You can program alerts for selected channels and Close Call hits with different alert sounds and adjustable volumes. The Race Track Operation is a plus for race fans but the preprogrammed races are probably outdated. The Close Call and Weather Priority features will run in the background while scanning or searching. And, of course, computer upload/download/clone and control. An AC adapter, computer cable, and batteries come with the scanner. The firmware is supposed to be upgradeable.

I've been able to program over 200 cars (Butel software only sees 100) and program at least 150 freqs for a driver. One trick would be to program a conventional system as a race system, use the 'driver' for the alpha tag because race systems show the frequency in the display. Too bad you can only scan 1 race system at a time.

Now the annoying stuff. Dynamic Memory has it's drawbacks because you have to build everything first then program it. Press and hold for 2 seconds to turn the scanner on?? There is too much stuff that is only in the menu; you should be able to access more features (like unlocking a channel) with just the keypad. Alpha tagging is best left to the software. The channels aren't numbered so they can be hard to find if you have a lot of them in a group. There is no 'per channel' delay; you must set the delay for the whole system (all groups, all channels).

There are better antennas out there to use than the one that comes with the scanner. The stock rubber duck isn't fabulous. RS has the Center-Loaded Telescoping Whip for $15 - better for VHF/UHF. The 800MHz Scanner Antenna for $25 - 100% better for 800+ MHz. You may be able to find others on the web but RS is convenient so you can buy it and take it back in the same day if you don't like it. Read the reviews for each at the site.

An overview of the features can also be viewed at my Conventional Radio Comparison Chart page.

It is also recommended that you download and install the latest firmware upgrade for the scanner if you don't have it. See checking Firmware Version. If you have a big database of channels to program you will definitely need the programming software.

I will assume you know how to obtain the basic information from the original manual such as following safety procedures, putting the batteries in, connecting the antenna, finding specs, etc. and concentrate on the main functions of the scanner.

I hereby absolve myself from anything that happens to anyone or the scanner as a result of the information you will be reading. You are welcome to copy and/or print these pages and use them in the scanning hobby as long as you don't change, redistribute, or charge/accept money for them.

Check back often as this document will be updated and revised from time to time. I have tried the best I can to make sure everything is accurate here but if I missed a step or you see something that's obviously wrong, please email me.

Main Features

Contents

Close Call RF Capture Technology - you can set the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions.

Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - organized into 'Systems', 'Groups' (within systems), and channels (within groups). As many channels as memory allows. Typically about 2500 (1600 with tags).

Race Track Operation - you can set the scanner to scan races using a frequency list or preprogrammed into the scanner. You can scan by car number and driver name, assign the car to a quick key, and set the scanner so it sounds an alert when the car you are scanning transmits.

Preprogrammed Races - your scanner is preprogrammed with major races.

10 Service Searches (Air only w/USC230) - frequencies are preset in separate public safety, news, amateur radio, marine, railroad, air, CB radio, FRS/GMRS, racing, and special searches, to make it easy to find specific transmissions.

Channel Alerts - you can set the scanner so it alerts you when there is activity on any channel you specify.

Quick Keys - you can set the scanner so you can select systems by pressing a single key. This makes it easy to listen to or quickly turn off those systems or groups you don't want to scan.

10 Custom Searches - lets you program up to 10 custom search ranges.

Quick Search - lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you are searching a conventional system.

Pager Screen (not w/USC230) - Sets the scanner so it ignores Close Call or search hits on known pager frequencies.

Search and Store - scanner can be set to automatically store all active frequencies from a service or limit search in a conventional system you select.

Priority/Priority Plus Scan - priority channels let you keep track of activity on your most important channel's) while monitoring other channels for transmissions and you can scan just the priority channels.

Adjustable Channel/Frequency Step - allows you to set the step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33[USC230 only],10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) of each conventional channel or search band or auto select mode.

CTCSS/DCS Search - lets you search for CTCSS and DCS tones when it finds an active frequency in search and close call modes.

Adjustable Hold (Scan) Time per System - allows you to adjust the length of time spent scanning each system.

CTCSS and DCS Tone Decode - decodes and displays Continuous Tone Code Squelch System tones being transmitted and plays Digital Coded Squelch being received. Also, a tone code only receive option (per channel).

Text Tagging - you can name each system, group, channel, custom search range, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.

Adjustable Scan/Search Delay - from 1 to 5 seconds or off (per channel or frequency).

Attenuator - you can set the scanner's attenuator to reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 18 dB per channel, search band, or close call band.

Repeater Reverse - tells the scanner to try to switch to the repeater if an input frequency is found.

Data Skip - allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies.

Duplicate Frequency Alert - alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in the scanner.

SAME Weather Alert (not w/USC230) - (with programmable FIP codes) lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displays the alert type.

Search Lockouts - you can lock out up to 200 frequencies in search or close call search.

PC Control/Clone - you can transfer data to and from your scanner or another scanner and your personal computer, and control the scanner using a computer.

Low Battery Alert - the scanner alerts you if the batteries need to be recharged or replaced.

Battery Saver - you can set the scanner so it reduces the amount of power it needs if there are no transmissions.

Key Lock - you can deactivate the scanner's keys to help prevent accidentally changing the scanner's programming.

Scanning Terminology

Contents

Channel- a programmed frequency location.

Scanning- the process of stepping through conventional channels in groups, which are in programmed 'systems'.

Searching- the process of searching for active frequencies in quick search, service, custom search, Close Call search, Search and Store, or Cose Call Auto Store.

Function Mode- the mode the radio is in when it's waiting for another key press or scroll.

Hold Mode- used for monitoring a single channel, frequency, or Close Call Hit.

Menu Mode- used for programming frequencies, systems, groups, and other 'system' settings.

Understanding Dynamic Memory

Contents

The scanner's memory is organized in an architecture called Dynamic Allocated Channel memory. This type of memory is organized differently and more efficiently than the bank/channel architecture used by traditional scanners. Dynamic Allocated design matches how radio systems actually work much more closely and make it easier to determine how much memory you have used and how much you have left. No memory space is wasted.

Instead of being organized into separate banks and channels, the scanner's memory is contained in a pool. You build the systems and groups then use as much memory as you need in the pool to store frequencies and alpha tags. With all previous scanners, you selected banks to scan that had channels stored in them. With this scanner, you select 'Systems' to scan that have channel 'Groups' stored within the 'Systems'.

Within the Racing 'Systems', you can store 'Cars'. Cars are like 'Groups' but you can store more than 20 of them (Butel software only sees up to 99). You can store as many as 200(?) frequencies for each Car (if you have enough memory). One trick would be to program a conventional system as a race system and use the 'driver' for the alpha tag because then you can see the frequency AND the alpha-tag in the display. It is a little more work to program even with the software, uploads to the scanner slower, and takes up more memory but remember, you can only scan 1 race system at a time.

You can store as many as 200 'Systems' and you can have as many as 20 groups per 'System' with up to 200 frequencies in each 'Group' (if you have enough memory). The manual says up to about 2500 channels but with alpha tags you get about 1600.

Understanding Quick Keys
'Quick Keys' are used to turn systems and groups on and off (enable or disable for scanning). This is not the same as locking out or unlocking systems or groups (which you can also do). They are just the number keys on the scanner but once programmed to systems or groups they become the 'Quick Key' for the systems or groups.

There are 10 'System Quick Keys' (0-9) and 10 and 'Group Quick Keys' (0-9).

'Quick Keys' are used to turn systems, channel groups, and cars on and off. This is not the same as locking out or unlocking systems/groups/cars (which you can also do). They are just the number keys on the scanner but once assigned to systems/groups/cars they become the 'Quick Key's. You can program one or more system/group/car to any quick key or, program one or more system/group/car with no quick key. Any system, Close Call system, group, car, or 'Quick Save' system/group not assigned to a quick key (and/or not locked out) will be scanned.

My advice is to assign everything to quick keys so you don't have to remember what to turn off/on or what to unlock/lockout. There are no indicators in the display showing systems/groups/cars with no quick key so you won't know if they are being scanned unless you see (or don't see) them scroll by in the display.

'Race' systems don't have system quick keys. You can only scan one race system at a time (with any other conventional/trunked systems) by unlocking a race system which will then lockout any other race system that is already unlocked. They do have car quick keys that are used just like group quick keys.

Conventional Simplex and Repeater Systems

Contents

Simplex systems use a single frequency for both transmit and receive. Most radios using this type of operation are limited to line-of-sight operation. This type of radio is frequently used at construction job sites, and with inexpensive consumer radios such as GMRS/FRS radios. The range is typically 1-8 miles, depending upon the terrain and many other factors.

Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the repeater to other radios in the system. With a repeater based system, the repeater is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower that provides great visibility to the area of operation. When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output frequency). The user's radios always listen for activity on the output frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since the repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of sight. Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to about a 25-mile radius from the repeater location.

Understanding CTCSS/DCS

Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) are two methods used to prevent interference by other radio communications. Your scanner can receive transmissions that use these codes (or more commonly referred to as tones).

CTCSS and DCS systems all use some form of coded squelch. Coded squelch techniques involve the transmission of a special 'code' signal along with the audio of a radio transmission. A receiver with coded squelch only activates when the received signal has the correct 'code'. This lets many users share a single frequency, and decreases interference caused by distant transmitters on the same channel. In all major metropolitan areas of the United States, every available radio channel is assigned to more than one user. Public safety radio systems on the same frequency are usually set up at a distance of 40 miles apart, or more. This means that you may hear transmissions from a distant system when your local system is not transmitting. By programming the CTCSS tone for a local channel the scanner will not stop on transmissions from the distant system. With few exceptions, such as the VHF Aircraft and Marine bands, almost every other VHF or UHF radio system uses some form of coded squelch. By far, CTCSS is the most popular mode among non-trunked systems.

For more information visit Radio Reference's respective pages on CTCSS and DCS.

Turning on the Scanner and Setting the Squelch

1. Turn Sql fully counterclockwise.
2. Press and hold

for about 2 seconds to turn on the scanner, then turn Vol clockwise until you hear a hissing sound.
3. Turn Sql clockwise until the hissing stops.

The only thing you will be able to scan right out of the box are the preprogrammed systems in the scanner (quick key 9). You will, however, be able to do a service search, custom search, weather search, search and store, close call search, or close call auto store.

SC230 Default Step Sizes and Modulation

Frequency Range	Step (kHz)	Mode	Band	Frequency Range	Step (kHz)	Mode	Band
29.700-49.990	10	NFM	VHF Low	400-405.9875	12.5	NFM	Misc
50-54	20	NFM	6 Meter Ham	406-419.9875	12.5	NFM	Federal Trunked
108-136.975	25	AM	Commercial Air	420-449.9875	12.5	NFM	70 cm Ham
137-143.9875	12.5	NFM	Military Land Mobile	450-469.9875	12.5	NFM	UHF Standard
144-147.995	5	NFM	2 Meter Ham	470-512	12.5	NFM	UHF TV
148-150.7875	12.5	NFM	Military Land Mobile	806-823.9875	12.5	NFM	Public Service
150.800-161.995	5	NFM	VHF High	849.0125-868.9875	12.5	NFM	Public Service
162-174	12.5	NFM	Federal Government	894.0125-956	12.5	NFM	UHF Hi, 33-cm Ham
216-224.980	20	NFM	1.25 Meter Ham	1240-1300	25	NFM	UHF Hi, 25 cm Ham

Selecting a Band Plan (USC230 only)

Contents

The charts below identify the scanner band plans, the frequency range, the modulation mode and the default step size settings.

To Change the Band Plan:
1. Maker sure the power is turned off.
2. While holding down 1, 2 or 3 (corresponding number of the band plan), turn on the scanner.

The modulation settings for the channels/frequencies in the above receive bands are default settings. The user can change the modulation from AM/FM/NFM/WFM or AUTO for each channel or custom (not service) search band.

Band Plan 1
Frequency (MHz)		Modulation	Step (kHz)
Lower	Upper	Modulation	Step (kHz)
25.000	29.995	FM	5
30.000	79.9875	FM	12.5
80.000	82.990	FM	10
83.000	87.2875	FM	12.5
108.000	136.9875	AM	12.5
108.000	136.99166	AM	8.33
137.000	137.995	FM	5
138.000	157.9875	FM	12.5
158.000	160.590	FM	10
160.600	162.5875	FM	12.5
162.600	173.9875	FM	12.5
216.000	224.995	FM	5
400.000	405.9875	FM	12.5
406.000	439.99375	FM	6.25
440.000	465.995	FM	5
466.000	469.990	FM	10
470.000	512.000	FM	6.25
806.000	960.000	FM	12.5
1240.000	1300.000	FM	12.5

Band Plan 2
Frequency (MHz)		Modulation	Step (kHz)
Lower	Upper	Modulation	Step (kHz)
25.000	49.995	FM	5
50.000	84.010	FM	5
84.015	87.295	FM	20 with 15kHz Offset
108.000	136.9875	AM	12.5
108.000	136.99166	AM	8.33
137.000	143.995	FM	5
144.000	145.9875	FM	12.5
146.000	155.990	FM	10
156.000	157.425	FM	12.5
157.4375	160.5875	FM	12.5
160.600	162.025	FM	12.5
162.0375	173.9875	FM	12.5
216.000	224.995	FM	5
400.000	405.9875	FM	12.5
406.000	439.99375	FM	6.25
440.000	449.99375	FM	6.25
450.000	469.990	FM	10
470.000	512.000	FM	6.25
806.000	960.000	FM	12.5
1240.000	1300.000	FM	12.5

Band Plan 3
Frequency (MHz)		Modulation	Step (kHz)
Lower	Upper	Modulation	Step (kHz)
25.000	29.995	FM	5
30.000	79.99375	FM	6.25
80.000	82.99375	FM	6.25
83.000	87.29375	FM	6.25
108.000	136.9875	AM	12.5
108.000	136.99166	AM	8.33
137.000	137.995	FM	5
138.000	157.99375	FM	6.25
158.000	160.59375	FM	6.25
160.600	162.59375	FM	6.25
162.600	173.99375	FM	6.25
216.000	224.995	FM	5
400.000	405.9875	FM	12.5
406.000	439.99375	FM	6.25
440.000	465.99375	FM	6.25
466.000	469.99375	FM	6.25
470.000	512.000	FM	6.25
806.000	960.000	FM	12.5
1240.000	1300.000	FM	12.5

Keypad and Knob Controls

Contents

Your scanner's keys have various functions labeled on the key tops and below the keys. To select the function labeled on a key, simply press the key. To select the function labeled below a key, hold down Func on the left side of the scanner (

appears in the display) then press the key.

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

Key

Function(s)

Scroll Control	Press to select a menu item or save an entry in Menu Mode. Turn to select scan/search direction and to continue scan/search in Scan/Search Modes. Turn to select channel or frequency in Scan/Search Hold Modes. Turn to scroll to a menu item in Menu Mode. Turn to select characters when editing text.
Sql, Vol	Turn to adjust the squelch and volume.
Menu	Press to enter Menu Mode. Press to return to previous menu. Press and hold Func then Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current system in Scan Mode. Press and hold Func then Menu to go to the 'Search for...' menu in Search Mode. Press and hold Func then Menu to go to the 'Close Call' menu in Close Call Only Mode.
Func	Press and hold to enter Function Mode.
	Selects a car in Race Scan Mode. Func+ locks and unlocks the keypad.

Hold/

Holds on a frequency or channel.
Func+Hold turns close call on or off.

Scan/Srch

Scans the stored channels. Func+Scan/Srch starts quick search or quickly accesses the search menu.

L/O

Lets you lock out a selected channel or skip a specified frequency.
Func+L/O locks or unlocks a selected system in Scan or Scan Hold Mode.
Func+L/O reviews search lockout frequencies in Search or Search Hold Mode.
Press and hold for more than 2 seconds in Scan Hold Mode to unlock all channels in the current conventional system.

Press and hold for more than 2 seconds to turn the scanner on or off.
Press quickly to cancel a prompt.
Func+

turns the display backlight on or off.

0/Race

Selects the race in Scan Mode.
Selects a custom search range in Custom Search Mode.

Number Keys 1-9

Enters a frequency and selects system quick key numbers.
Selects a custom search range in custom search mode.
Func+Number key selects group/car quick keys in Scan Mode.

Func+1/Pri

Selects the Priority Mode in Scan Hold Mode.

Func+2/WX

Selects the weather menu in Hold Mode.

Func+</4

Moves the active character to the left while editing data.

Func+6/>

Moves the active character to the right while editing data.

Func+7/Rcl

Displays a series of prompts to quickly select a specific channel in the Scan Hold Mode.

No/. /Rev

Enters a decimal point or dash in a frequency.
Func+No/. /Rev monitors the currently-tuned frequency's reverse frequency.

E/Yes/Att

Press to select input and menu items, to quickly edit a channel in Scan Hold Mode, and store a frequency into memory in Search Hold Mode.
At a prompt, answers Yes.
Func+E/Yes/Att turns the scanner's attenuator on or off for the current channel.

Navigating the Menu

The scanner's menu lets you select options that let you set up and use the scanner. To use the menu, press the Menu button on the left side of the scanner. In most cases, the current menu position appears on the upper line of the menu. Menu items and a place to input information appear on the lower line of the menu. To select a menu item, turn the scroll control on top of the scanner clockwise or counterclockwise. When the menu item you want to select appears, press E/Yes or press the scroll control down to select it. To back up a level or return to the previous level, press Menu. To exit the menu mode, press Scan. To see a complete outline of the menu go here.

A Look at the Display

Contents

The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status. The display information helps you understand how your scanner operates. The dark area shown above the icons in this illustration is the text display area. Information about the currently tuned frequency appears here.

In Conventional Scan Mode:

The first line will show the System name.
The second line will scroll "SCAN".

SYS shows the system quick keys that are turned on for scanning.

ATT will appear if the (currently scanned) trunked system is attenuated.

PRI will appear if the priority feature is on and blinks when the priority plus mode is selected.

will appear if the keylock is on.

will appear and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.

GRP shows the group quick keys that are turned on for scanning for each system.

appears when you hold down Func to select a function.

will appear if the Close Call Feature is on.

Conventional Receiving (or Holding) Mode:

The first line will alternate between the system name and the group name in the system (and 'Scan Hold' if in Hold mode).
The second line displays the frequency (or text tag if programmed).
The CTCSS or DCS tone will appear at the right of the frequency (if a tone is received with the channel set to tone search mode).

SYS shows the currently active system quick key and blinks.

ATT will appear if the conventional channel is attenuated.

PRI will appear if the priority feature is on and blinks when the priority plus mode is selected.

will appear if the keylock is on.

will appear and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.

GRP shows the currently active group quick key and blinks.

AM/FM/NFM will show the receive mode of the channel.

appears when you hold down Func to select a function.

will appear if the Close Call Feature is on.

In Search (or Holding) Mode:

The first line will show the name of the service or custom search or 'Quick Search' (and alternate 'Search Hold' if in Hold mode).

The second line displays the frequency (and channel in Marine search) with the search direction (or will scroll 'SEARCH' if No/. is pressed).
'SEARCH AND STORE' will scroll in the display during Search and Store and Close Call Auto Store.

The third line (custom search) displays the search ranges turned on for searching and the currently active search range blinks.

will appear if the keylock is on.

will appear and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.

The fourth line displays the receive mode of the search.

will appear if the Close Call Feature is on.

Note: No Icons will appear in the display to tell you if weather alert priority or the battery save feature is on or off.

In Race Scan Mode:

The first line will show the Race name.
The second line will scroll "SCAN".

PRI will appear if the priority feature is on and blinks when the priority plus mode is selected.

will appear if the keylock is on.

will appear and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.

GRP shows the car quick keys that are turned on.

appears when you hold down Func to select a function.

will appear if the Close Call Feature is on.

Racing Receiving (or Holding) Mode:

The first line will show the car number and driver.
The second line displays the frequency (and tone code if in tone search mode if one is received).
The CTCSS or DCS tone will appear at the right of the frequency (if a tone is received with the channel set to tone search mode).

ATT will appear if the racing channel is attenuated.

PRI will appear if the priority feature is on and blinks when the priority plus mode is selected.

will appear if the keylock is on.

will appear and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.

GRP shows the currently active car quick key and blinks.

AM/FM/NFM will show the receive mode of the channel.

appears when you hold down Func to select a function.

will appear if the Close Call Feature is on.

Other Settings

Contents

To Edit Settings:
Press Menu. Scroll to the settings and options below (in Blue) and press E/Yes.
Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Set Backlight	See Scanner Info		PC Control
Adjust Key Beep		% Memory Used		Cloning
Set Battery Save		Firmware Version	Locking/Unlocking the Keypad and Scroll
			Scanner Reset

Set Backlight To use the backlight press and hold Func then

. There are 5 different setting for the backlight:

Scroll to 'Set Backlight' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 1 of the 5 settings and press E/Yes to save and exit.
'10 sec' - The backlight stays on for 10 seconds after you press and hold Func then

.
'30 sec' - The backlight stays on for 30 seconds after you press and hold Func then

.
'Squelch' - The backlight turns on when the squelch opens then stays on for 5 seconds.
'Keypress' - The backlight turns on when any key is pressed then stays on for 10 seconds.
'Infinite' - The backlight turns on when you press and hold Func then

then stays on until you press and hold Func then

again.

Adjust Key Beep This setting turns the key beep on or off and adjusts the volume level.

Scroll to 'Adjust Key Beep' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Battery Save This setting turns the battery saver on or off. The scanner goes into low-power mode when you monitor a conventional channel that has no activity.

Scroll to 'Settings' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set Battery Save' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.

See Scanner Info

% Memory Used This setting lets you view the amount of memory left in the scanner.

Contents

Scroll to 'See Scanner Info' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to '% Memory Used' and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Firmware Version Allows you to view the firmware version. It is recommended that you download and install the latest firmware upgrade for the scanner if you don't have it. See Firmware Upgrades.

Scroll to 'See Scanner Info' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Firmware Version' and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

PC Control: To connect your scanner to a personal computer, you must first set the scanner's baud rate (the rate at which data is transferred between the scanner and the computer, in bits per second [bps]). Try the fastest settings first. If you have trouble transferring data between your scanner and your computer, try setting the baud rate to a slower setting.

Scroll to 'Xfer Information' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'PC Control' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 9600, 19200, 38400, or 57600 and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Cloning: To clone (copy) data from one SC230 scanner to another SC230 scanner, you must first connect the scanners to each other using the included connection cables and a DB9 null modem adapter and DB9 gender changer (neither included), available at most computer stores. Then you must set one scanner as the master (source) and the other as the slave (destination). Plug the smaller end of each of the included connection cables into the Remote jack on the right side of each scanner. Then connect the other end of the cables together using the null modem connector and gender changer.
Then set up both scanners:

For each scanner, press Menu. Scroll to 'Xfer Information' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Wired Clone' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Master' and press E/Yes for the source scanner.
Scroll to 'Slave' and press E/Yes for the destination scanner.
When you are ready to clone the scanner, press Scan on the slave scanner first, then Scan on the master scanner. The master scanner checks the connection between the two scanners, then transfers its data to the slave scanner. When the transfer is complete, 'Complete' appears on both scanners. If the transfer did not work, 'Error' appears on the master scanner.
Press Scan to exit.

Locking/Unlocking the Keypad: press and hold Func then

to lock or unlock the keypad.

Scanner Reset: To initialize the scanner's memory, turn off the scanner. Then press 2, 9, and Hold while turning it on.

Important! This deletes all preprogrammed data. You cannot restore preprogrammed data that has been deleted.

Planning Conventional Systems and Groups

Contents

Planning your systems will be very important even if you do have the software. Organizing your quick keys will be the hardest part of the planning. You can assign quick keys and copy and paste most of the freqs, and alpha tags easier with the software.

Unless you live in a real big city, most people can get everything they scan into the scanner. I like to scan by general interest so I set my system quick keys accordingly; 1-Public Safety systems, 2-Air, 3-Military, 4-Federal, etc. Then I will nest my groups (ex: Fire, Police, EMS) within the conventional systems and give them all group quick keys. Unless you always want a group or system on, assign it a quick key; it's easier to turn the quick key off than to lockout or unlock the group or system (IMHO). If you do live in a big city, you might want to get the BCD396T with more channels, quick keys, and digital capabilities because you'll need it eventually.

So, you have to figure out which systems and groups to assign to your quick keys so you can scan them without a table of contents and with some sort of logic you can remember. Use the worksheets below to help you plan your systems and groups.

Alerts You can program your scanner to alert you when, a channel is received, or you receive a Close Call hit. For each alert in the scanner, you can select from 9 different tone patterns, and 15 volume settings.

Planning Race Systems

Most people would scan the race system and then conventional systems that compliment the race (officials, scoring, radio, etc.). So, program all the drivers and their frequencies for each race system. Program your conventional systems with groups for officials, scoring, radio, etc. Use the worksheets below to help you plan your systems and groups.

Worksheets

I have put together complete worksheets ready to print to help you plan your systems, Close Call, and search etc. settings. Even if you don't fill them out, they are a good check list for programming.

Conventional worksheet Racing worksheet

SC230 Settings worksheet
USC230 Settings worksheet

Entering Text

Contents

To program text you must first program the system, group, channel, custom search, or SAME group. There are links to refer you back here when you have finished programming.

To enter a letter, turn the scroll control until the character you want appears.
To enter a number, press a number key. (entering numbers will move to the cursor to the right).
To enter a decimal point, press No(.)
To move the cursor to the right, press and hold Func then press 6> or rotate the scroll control to the right.
To move the cursor to the left, press and hold Func then press <4 or rotate the scroll control to the left.
To clear a character or enter a space, press No(.) twice.
To clear all characters, press No(.) 3 times.
Press E/Yes when finished to exit.
Return to Programming Systems, Copying a System, Program New Channel, Creating a Group, Creating Cars/Drivers, Edit Driver, Edit a Custom Search, or Program A SAME Group.

Programming Systems

Contents

You have to create systems first, create groups or cars in the systems, create channels in the groups/cars, then program your frequencies into the channels. Or, you can Quickstore freqs. You can store up to 200 systems, up to 20 groups per system or 200+ cars per race system, and up to 200 channels per group. Total channels are limited to about 2500. Channels that have text tags use more memory than those that do not. If you use a text tag for every channel, total channels are about 1600.

One suggestion; assign every group and every system to a quick key. You can assign as many systems you want to a system quick key and as many groups as you want to a group quick key. That way you can just turn systems and groups on and off and not have to worry about locking them out. If you don't assign a system or group to a quick key, you have to lock it out if you don't want to scan it.

Use the worksheets to help you program your systems and groups.

To Create a New Conventional System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select System Type' scroll to 'Conventional' and press E/Yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Then see Editing System Options to customize the system.
Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Channels to program frequencies.

Tip: If you want to see the frequency and alpha tag in the display program the conventional system as a race system, use the car number for a channel (or group quick key number) and the driver for the channel name (and then just add more freqs for the same alpha tag). Remember, you can only scan 1 race system at a time.

To Create a New Race System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.
See also Quickly Programming a Race.

At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select System Type' scroll to 'Racing' and press E/Yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Then see Editing System Options to customize the system.
Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Channels to program frequencies.

Quickly Programming a Race

Contents

You can follow the on screen prompts as described in this section to quickly program your scanner. These prompts are designed to help you quickly enter a new race from a frequency list purchased at the track. You can save time at the track by setting up as much as possible before you leave.

While scanning, press 0. Scroll to 'New race' and press E/Yes.
At 'Name the race' enter the name of the race and press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
At 'Enter Car No' enter the first car number (up to 3 digits) and press E/Yes.
At 'Enter Driver' enter the first driver name (up to 12 characters) and press E/Yes. Again, see Entering Text.
At 'Enter Frequency' enter the driver's frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Set CTCSS/DCS' scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
At 'Advanced Options' press E/Yes for more or No(.) to skip.
At 'Set Modulation' scroll to the preferred modulation and press E/Yes.
At 'Set Attenuator' scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
At 'Set Priority' scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
At 'Set Alert' scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
At 'Another Freq for This Driver?' press E/Yes for another (and repeat) or No(.) to skip.
At 'Another Car for This Race?' press E/Yes for another (and repeat) or No(.) to skip.
At 'Complete' press E/Yes to exit.
See Edit Systems Options Menu to customize the system.

To Edit the System Name, press the Menu button. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to the system that you want to assign a name to and press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Scan to exit.

To Delete a System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to the system you want to delete and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Delete System' and press E/Yes.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

To Copy a System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to the system you want to copy and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Copy System' and press E/Yes.
At 'New Sys Name?' enter the name of the new copied system. See Entering Text.
Press Scan to exit.
Copying a system will copy all settings for the system including quick key assignments.

Edit System Options Menu

Contents

Once you have your Systems Built you can configure your System options.

To Edit System Options:
Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes. At 'Select System' scroll to the system that you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Option' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/Yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Set Quick Key (Conventional only)

Set Lockout

Set Hold Time

Set Delay Time

Set Data Skip

Set Quick Key (Conventional Systems only) assigns a system to a quick key and will be scanned when the key is turned on. The default setting is no quick key.

Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/Yes.
Enter the quick key number (or . for no quick key) you want to assign to the system and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Lockout determines whether a system will be scanned or not even if the quick key for the system is turned on. The default setting is Unlocked .

Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Locked or Unlocked and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Hold Time sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner will scan the system before moving on to the next (unlocked) system. If you select 0, the scanner stays on the system for at least 1 second. For conventional systems, all unlocked channels will be scanned at least once regardless of this setting. The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires. The default setting is 2 seconds for each system.

Scroll to 'Set Hold Time' and press E/Yes.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Delay Time for the system sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before moving to the next channel. This setting applies to all channels in the system. You cannot set the delay on a 'per channel' basis. The default setting is 2 seconds.

Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the desired delay time and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Data Skip sets what the scanner does when it receives a data signal. With the setting set to on, the scanner stops briefly on the channel, but then immediately resumes scanning automatically. With the setting set to off, the scanner remains on the channel until the transmission stops. The default setting is On.

Scroll to 'Set Data Skip' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Creating Groups

Contents

Once you have your Systems Built and your Systems Options configured you can create your groups to store channels.

To Create a New Group, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to system where you want to create a group and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to 'New Group' and press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Menu and scroll back to 'New Group' to create more groups.
Press Scan to exit.
See below to edit the group.
Then see Programming Channels to program frequencies.

To Edit Group Options press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system that has the group you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/Yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Edit Name	Edit Channel	Set Lockout
Set Quick Key	Delete Group

Edit Name allows you to change the name of a group.

At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Scan to exit or Menu to return.

Set Quick Key sets the quick key for the group.

Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the quick key number (or . for no quick key) you want to assign to the group and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Edit Channel Edits channel options. See Programming Channels first.

Delete Group deletes a group.

Scroll to 'Delete Group' and press E/Yes.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Lockout locks or unlocks a group.

Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked' or 'Lockout' and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Creating Cars/Drivers

Contents

Once you have your Systems Built and your Systems Options configured you can create your cars and store frequencies for them.

To Quickly Create a New Car, when scanning a race system, press CAR.

At 'Enter Car No' enter the car number press E/Yes.
At 'No Such Car No Create?' press E/Yes.

To Create a New Car, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to race where you want to create a car and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Car' scroll to 'New Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Car No' enter the car number and press E/Yes.
Press Menu and scroll back to 'New Car' to create more cars.
Continue at 'Edit Car No' below.
Then see Programming Channels to program frequencies.

To Edit Car Options, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.

At 'Select System' scroll to the race system that has the car you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Car' scroll to the group you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/Yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Edit Car No	Set Quick Key	Delete Car
Edit Driver	Edit Channel	Set Lockout

Edit Car No allows you to change the number of a car.

At 'Edit Car No' press E/Yes.
Enter the car number and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Edit Driver assigns a driver to the car.

Scroll to 'Edit Driver' and press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Scan to exit or Menu to return.

Set Quick Key sets the quick key for the car.

Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/Yes.
Enter the quick key number (or . for no quick key) you want to set for the car and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Edit Channel edits channel options. See Programming Channels.

Delete Car deletes a car.

Scroll to 'Delete Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Lockout locks or unlocks a car.

Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked' or 'Lockout' and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Programming Channels

Contents

Once you have your Systems Built , Systems Options configured, and Groups Created or Cars Created you can program your channels.

Quickly Storing a Frequency

To Program a Frequency into a 'Quick Save Group' in a 'Quick Save System', Hold on any channel.
Enter the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press E/Yes.

Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, 'Frequency Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.

The scanner will save the frequency in a (created) group called 'Qck Save Grp' in a (created) system called 'Qck Save Cnv Sys' (with no quick keys assigned) and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to 'Hold' to enter another frequency or Scan to exit.
Then see Edit Channel Options, Editing Groups, and Edit Systems Options to customize the channel(s), group, and system.

To Program a Frequency into an Existing Group or Car, Hold on any channel.
Enter the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press No.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car where you want to store the frequency and press E/Yes.

Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group/car, 'Frequency Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.

After storing the frequency, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to 'Hold' to enter another frequency or Scan to exit.
Then see Edit Channel Options to customize the channel(s).

Manually Programming Channels into Groups/Cars

To Program a New Channel, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to system where you want to program a channel and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Group/Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car that you want to program the channel in and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to 'New Channel' and press E/Yes.
At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/Yes.

Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group/car, 'Frequency Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.

At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Menu to return to 'Select Channel'. Scroll to 'New Channel' and press E/Yes.
Program the rest of the channels the same way.
Then see Edit Channel Options to customize the channel.

Edit Channel Options

Contents

Once you have your Systems Created , Systems Options configured, Groups Created, Cars Created, and your Channels Programmed you can set your channel options.

To Edit Channel Options:
Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Group/Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car that has the channel you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' press E/Yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel you want to edit and press E/Yes.
Or, while scanning, Press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then press 7/Rcl.
At 'Select System' scroll to system that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel and press E/Yes twice.
You can also edit any displayed channel in scan mode by pressing E/Yes.

Scroll to the options below and press E/Yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Edit Channel Name (Conventional only)	Copying/Pasting Channels	Set Attenuation
Channel Priority	Edit Frequency	Set Step
Channel Alert	Set CTCSS/DCS	Set Lockout
Deleting Channels	Set Modulation

Edit Channel Name (Conventional channel only)

The channel name appears on the second line of the display when the scanner stops on a channel. If you do not enter a channel name, the scanner displays the frequency for conventional systems when it stops on a channel.

Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Scan to exit or Menu to return.

Channel Priority

This setting controls whether the scanner treats the channel as a priority channel while scanning. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many channels you can set. When you turn on the Priority feature, the channel(s) will be scanned every 2 seconds. P appears at the end of the default (not the tagged) name in the display to denote the channel is a priority channel. The default setting is off.

Scroll to 'Set Priority' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Channel Alert

This setting controls whether the scanner will alert you (with 3 beeps) when the channel becomes active. The default setting is off.

Scroll to 'Set Alert' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Deleting Channels

Contents

Scroll to 'Delete Channel' and press E/Yes.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/Yes to save and exit.

Copying/Pasting Channels

The scanner can copy a channel (and all its settings) into a copy buffer to paste into the same system (in a different group) or a group in another system.

Scroll to 'Copy Channel' press E/Yes to save to the channel buffer.

To Paste the Channel, press Menu until 'Select System' appears.
At 'Select System' scroll to system where you want to paste the channel and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Group/Car' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car that you want to paste the channel in and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to 'Paste Channel' and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Note: You can only copy and paste from like systems -conventional to conventional or racing to racing.

Edit Frequency

Scroll to 'Edit Frequency' and press E/Yes.
Enter the frequency and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set CTCSS/DCS

This setting controls how a subaudible CTCSS or DCS is used for the channel. The default setting is off. See Understanding CTCSS/DCS.

Scroll to 'Set CTCSS/DCS' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 1 of 5 options and press E/Yes to save and exit:
Off - any signal opens squelch.
Search - the scanner searches for and displays any CTCSS or DCS tone that accompanies the transmission.
CTCSS - the scanner only opens squelch if the CTCSS tone you select is also present with the signal. Scroll to the desired CTCSS tone you want present with the signal. Press E/yes to save and exit.
DCS- the scanner only opens squelch if the DCS code you select is also present with the signal. Scroll to the desired DCS code you want present with the signal. Press E/yes to save and exit.
Set Lockout - the scanner does not stop on the channel if the tone/code you select is present. Scroll to 'CTCSS or DCS' and press E/yes. Scroll to the desired tone/code you want locked out.
Press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Modulation

This setting selects the modulation used for the channel. The default setting is auto.

Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Auto, AM, FM, or NFM and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Attenuation

Contents

This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on this channel by about 18 dB. The default setting is off.

Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Step

This setting selects the frequency step used for setting the channel. The default setting is auto.

Scroll to the step size and press E/Yes to save and exit.
See also Default Step Sizes for the SC230 or USC230 band plans.

Set Lockout

Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Lockout or Unlocked to lockout or unlock the channel and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Priority/Priority Plus Scan

Contents

To use the priority feature, you must first set your priority channels. See Channel Priority.

To Turn the Priority Feature On, press Hold to hold on any channel then press and hold Func then press 1/Pri (each time) to select one of two priority modes or off.

	Off - scans normally with no priority.
	On - while scanning a system, the scanner interrupts every 2 seconds and checks the priority channels in each system. Priority channels in systems with lower 'system quick keys' or 'car quick key' (starting with 1) have highest priority. Pri appears in the display when you select this mode.

Plus On - the scanner only scans the priority channels. Pri flashes in the display when you select this mode.

Press Scan to resume scanning.

Or, in scan mode press Menu.
Scroll to 'Set Priority' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the mode you want to use and press E/Yes.

Press Scan to resume scanning.

Note: The quick keys for the system(s) and group(s) containing the priority channel(s) have to be turned on (and groups and systems have to be unlocked) or the scanner will display Priority Scan No Channel.

Scanning Systems

Contents

With all previous scanners, you selected banks to scan that had channels stored in them. With this scanner, you select 'System Quick Keys' to scan that have 'Systems' assigned to them. So, now you turn 'System Quick Keys' on and off and 'Group/Car Quick Keys' on and off (within each 'System'). Race systems don't have quick keys and can be only locked or unlocked. Turning quick keys on and off for systems/groups is not the same as locking and unlocking systems/groups. You can still do that separately (if you really want to confuse yourself). See also Understanding Quick Keys.

First, (unlocked) systems to Quick Key 1 are scanned. Then systems that belong to Quick Key 2,…,9,0 are scanned in order. Systems with the same quick key are scanned in order of creation. Systems with no quick key are scanned last and in order of creation (including created 'Quick Save' systems). Groups/Cars within the systems are scanned with the same rules. Conventional channels within the groups are scanned in order of creation.

Then the scanner starts all over.

Press Scan. The scanner scans a system for the duration you set using the 'system hold time' option. The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, the current transmission ends, and the channel delay expires.

Notes: If no systems are programmed, or all systems (or groups in a system) are locked out or turned off, 'Nothing to Scan' appears. Turn on a system quick key or unlock a system to scan. If you turn off all groups in a system you will not be able to turn any back on and also see 'Nothing to Scan'. This is a bug that frustrates everybody. In that case, while in Scan mode, press and hold Func-don't let go. Scroll to the system then press the number of the group quick key(s) you want to enable then let go of Func.

Any system, group, or 'Quick Save' system/group not assigned to a quick key (and/or not locked out) will be scanned.

To continue scanning (move on to the next channel), press Scan or turn the scroll control.

To scan the preprogrammed systems that come with the scanner, all systems preprogrammed into the scanner are assigned to quick key 9. While scanning, press 9 to toggle the preprogrammed systems on or off. You will see the number 9 (to the right of 'SYS') in the display when the preprogrammed systems are turned on.

To turn a race system on or off, Press 0/Race. Scroll to the race and press E/Yes.

To turn system quick keys on or off, press the corresponding numbers on the keypad that are assigned to the system(s) you want to listen to. You will see the numbers (to the right of 'SYS') in the display of the system keys that are turned on.

Note: Any system not assigned to a quick key (and not locked out) will still be scanned.

To turn a single system (not a system key) on or off, or a system not assigned to a quick key, you have to unlock it or lock it out. Press and hold the Func button. Rotate the scroll control until the system want to lock or unlock appears. Press L/O to lock or unlock the system. Releasing the Func button will return to scanning.

To turn group/car quick keys on or off, while scanning press and hold the Func button-don't let go. Scroll to the system that contains the group/car you want to turn on/off then press the corresponding number key(s) on the keypad. You will see the numbers (to the right of 'GRP') in the display for the group/car keys that are turned on. Releasing the Func button will return to scanning. Or, if you are quick enough, press and hold Func then the corresponding number key(s) on the keypad while the system is being scanned.

Note: Any group/car not assigned to a quick key (and not locked out) will still be scanned.

To turn a single group/car (not a group/car key) on or off, or a group/car not assigned to a quick key, you have to unlock it or lock it out. See Locking/Unlocking Group/Cars.

To hold on a system, press and hold Func. To hold on a different system, press and hold Func then rotate the scroll control to select the system. Scanning resumes 2 seconds after you release the Func button.

To hold on a channel, press Hold. To step through the channels, turn the scroll control back or forward. Press Hold again to resume scanning.

To hold on a channel in a different system, press Hold to hold on any channel.

Press and hold Func then press 7/Rcl.
At 'Select System' scroll to system that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
(Skip for a car) At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel and press E/Yes.
(Skip for a group) Scroll to the frequency and press E/Yes.
Press Hold again to resume scanning.

To hold on a specific frequency, press Hold to hold on any channel. Enter the new frequency and press Hold to set the new frequency.

To hold on a car, press CAR. At 'Enter Car No' enter the car number and press E/Yes.

To edit the current channel press E/yes.

To check for a repeater frequency, press and hold Func then press and hold No(Rev).

To turn the attenuation on or off for a channel, quickly press and hold Func then press E/Yes(Att) while the channel is in the display.

To lock out a channel, press L/O while the channel or frequency is in the display.

To unlock a channel, see Locking/Unlocking Channels.

To turn the priority feature on, press Hold to hold on any channel then press and hold Func and press 1/Pri (each time) to select one of two priority modes or off. Press Scan to resume scanning. See Priority/Priority Plus Scan.

To set the Weather Priority feature, See Weather Alert Priority.

To turn Close Call on or off, press and hold Func then press Hold.

Locking/Unlocking 'Systems'

Contents

Remember, unlocking or locking out a system is not the same thing as enabling/disabling it (turning the quick key on or off).

To Lock out a System in Scan Mode While receiving the system, quickly press and hold Func then L/O.
Or, Hold on any channel/frequency. Press and hold Func then 7(rcl). Scroll to the system you want to lockout and press and hold Func then L/O.
Or, use the Menu to drill down to the system options and lock it out there. See 'Edit System Options'.

To Unlock a System In Scan Mode press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then press 7/rcl.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system you want to unlock.
Press and hold Func then L/O to unlock the system. Press Scan/Srch to return.
Or, use Menu to drill down to the system options and unlock it there. See 'Edit System Options'.

Locking/Unlocking Groups/Cars

Remember, unlocking or locking out a group/car is not the same thing as enabling/disabling it (turning the quick key on or off).

To Lock out or Unlock a Group/Car in Scan Mode press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then press 7/rcl.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system that contains the group/car and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car you want to lock or unlock.
Press and hold Func then L/O to lock or unlock the group/car.
Press Scan to exit.

Or, use Menu to drill down to the group/car options and lock/unlock it out there. See 'Edit Group Options' or 'Edit Car Options'.

Locking/Unlocking Channels

Contents

There are several ways to get to a channel. Some ways are quicker than others. Some ways you have to be quick with those keys, other ways you can take your time pressing them. Use what works best for you.

To Lock out a Channel while Scanning quickly press L/O when the channel appears in the display.

Or, quickly press Hold to hold on the channel. Press L/O.

Or, quickly press E/Yes to go to the menu for that channel.
Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/Yes. Scroll to 'Lockout' and press E/Yes.

Or, use Menu to drill down to the channel options and lock it out there. See 'Edit Channel Options'.

To Unlock a Single Channel in Scan Mode press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then press 7/rcl.
At 'Select System' scroll to system that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/Car that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel and press and hold Func then L/O to unlock the channel.

Or, use Menu to drill down to the channel options and unlock it there. See 'Edit Channel Options'.

To Unlock All Channels in a Conventional System in Scan Mode press Hold to hold on any channel in the system.
Press and hold L/O until 'All Unlocked' appears.
Press Hold or Scan/Srch to resume scanning. Note: This will also enable all your groups (turn the quick keys on).

Search/Close Call Options Menu

Contents

These are the settings you should look at before you perform a Quick Search, Close Call Search, Search and Store, or Close Call Auto store.

To Edit Search and Close Options:
Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/Yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Freq Lockouts	Pager Screen (SC230 only)	Max Auto Store	Set Attenuator	Set Delay Time
CTCSS/DCS Search	Repeater Find	Set Modulation	Set Data Skip	Set Step

Freq Lockouts: allows you to review locked out frequencies or unlock all frequencies for Searching and Close Call search.

Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies:
At 'Freq Lockouts' press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Rvw Search L/O' and press E/Yes. If no frequencies are locked out, you will see 'Nothing Locked'. If there are locked out frequencies, you will see the first locked out frequency and 'Unlock? (Y/N)'.
Press E/Yes to unlock the frequency. Pressing No will bring you to the next locked out frequency.
Press Scan to exit.

Unlocking All Frequencies:
At 'Freq Lockouts' press E/Yes.
At 'Unlock All' press E/Yes.
At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

CTCSS/DCS Search: This setting controls whether the scanner will search for a subaudible tone when it stops on a transmission during Searching and Close Call search. The default setting is Off.

Scroll to 'CTCSS/DCS Search' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On and press E/Yes to search and display tones or Off to not search for tones.
Press Scan to exit.

Even with the feature on, you might still hear some pagers. If the scanner stops on a paging system even with this feature turned on, manually lock out the frequency by pressing L/O.

Contents

Pager Screen (SC230 only): This setting determines whether the scanner automatically ignores transmissions found during Custom Search, Service Search, or Close Call Search that are on common paging systems.

Scroll to 'Pager Screen' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On and press E/Yes to skip known paging system frequencies.
Press Scan to exit.

Note: Broadcast screen is not effective during some service searches.

Repeater Find: This feature sets whether the scanner tries to tune to a repeater output frequency when it detects a transmission on a repeater input frequency in Scan, Search, and Close Call modes. Since you can normally only hear one side of a conversation when you listen to an input frequency transmission, turning this feature on can let you hear both sides of the conversation on the output frequency. The default setting is Off.

Scroll to 'Repeater Find' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On and press E/Yes to set the scanner to automatically apply repeater reverse to detected transmissions. If the scanner detects the transmission on the output frequency, it beeps and 'Repeater Find' appears, and it remains on the output frequency until transmissions end. If it does not detect a transmission on the output frequency, it remains on the original frequency.
If you scroll to Off, the scanner doesn't try to find the repeater frequency.
Press Scan to exit.

Max Auto Store: This value sets how many hits the scanner will automatically store when it is in either Search and Store or Close Call Auto Store mode. When the scanner reaches the maximum number of hits you set, it stops the auto-store operation.

Scroll to 'Max Auto Store' and press E/Yes.
Use the number keys to enter a value from 1- 255, then press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Set Modulation: This setting controls the modulation type used for Quick Search and Close Call Search operations.

Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Auto, AM, FM, or NFM to choose the modulation.
Press Scan to exit.

Set Attenuator: This setting controls the attenuator for Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. Turn on this setting if you are near other strong signal sources. Attenuation sometimes helps to reduce interference and desensitization that strong signals create. The default setting is Off.

Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On to attenuate reception about 18dB.
Press Scan to exit.

Set Data Skip: This setting controls how the scanner behaves when it detects a data transmission during Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. The default setting is On.

Scroll to 'Set Data Skip' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On to skip data signals.
Press Scan to exit.

Note: If you are trying to test the Close Call feature with a nearby transmitter and you do not talk into the transmitter, the scanner will detect this as data and will skip the frequency when Data Skip is on.

Set Delay Time: This setting determines how long the scanner waits after a transmission ends before resuming Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. The default setting is 2 seconds.

Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (seconds) or Off to set the delay.
Press Scan to exit.

Set Step: This setting selects the frequency step used for Quick Search. The default setting is Auto. See also Default Step Sizes for the SC230or USC230 band plans.

Scroll to 'Set Step' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33 (USC230 only), 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 to set the step.
Press Scan to exit.

Search For... Menu

Contents

Important! There are many options and setting in Search/Close Call Options that affect and compliment the settings for searching. Please review those first.
Note: The items below (in Blue) do not follow the radio's menu order because (IMHO) they should be in the following order to properly setup and use the Search features.

Change Air Band Step (USC230 only)	Custom Search	Searching
Service Search (Air only w/USC230)	Search and Store	Storing a Displayed Frequency
Edit a Custom Search	Quick Search	Reviewing Locked out Frequencies

Default Step Size Chart

Change Air Band Step (USC230 only)

You can switch from 8.33 to 12.5 steps in the Air band.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Air Band Step' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 8.33 or 12.5 and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Service Search (Air only w/USC230)

The Service Search lets you quickly select and search the scanner's preprogrammed frequencies.
See also Search/Close Call Options.

To start a Service Search, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press No.
At 'Search for... Service Search' press E/Yes.
Scroll to: 'Public Safety', 'News', 'Ham Radio', 'Marine', 'Railroad', 'Air', 'CB Radio', 'FRS/GMRS', 'Racing', or 'Special' (wireless mic freqs) and press E/Yes to start searching.

Editing a Custom Search

You can edit the 10 custom search ranges. The default custom search range names appear as Custom 1, Custom 2, and so on.

To Edit a Custom Search, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press No.
At 'Search for...' scroll to 'Edit Custom' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the custom search you want to edit (1-10) and press E/Yes.

Scroll to Edit Name and press E/Yes. See Entering Text.

Scroll to Edit Srch Limit and press E/Yes.
At 'Set Lower Limit', enter the lower limit of the search range and press E/Yes.
At 'Set Upper Limit', enter the upper limit of the search range and press E/Yes.

Scroll to Set Delay Time and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (seconds) or Off to set delay and press E/Yes.

Scroll to Set Modulation and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Auto, AM, FM, or NFM the set the modulation and press E/Yes.

Scroll to Set Attenuator and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off to set the attenuation and press E/Yes.

Scroll to Set Data Skip and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off to turn Data Skip on or off and press E/Yes.

Scroll to Set Step and press E/Yes. See also Default Step Sizes for the SC230 or USC230 band plans.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 8.33 (USC230 only), 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 to set the step size and press E/Yes.

Press Menu and scroll to another custom search and repeat the previous steps or press Scan to exit.

Custom Search

Contents

The Service Search lets you search the scanner's programmed frequency ranges.
See also Search/Close Call Options.

To start a Custom Search, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press No.
At 'Search for...' scroll to 'Custom Search' and press E/Yes to start searching.

Search and Store

Lets you search and store frequencies in a custom search range or in a service search range on a conventional system. To store frequencies you find during Search and Store, you must first select a system where the frequencies will be stored. You will not hear any audio in this mode.

To Auto Store Conventional Frequencies, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press No.
At 'Search for...' scroll to 'Search and Store' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Store Sys' scroll to the conventional system you want to store the frequencies in and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Range' scroll to the 'service search' or to 'custom search' to select where to search from and press E/Yes.
If you select custom search, all enabled custom search ranges will be searched for frequencies. Start a custom search and disable search ranges you don't want searched first. See Custom Search.
Press Scan to exit.

Notes: The quick key for the system must be turned on (if one is assigned to the system) and not locked out to select the system to store frequencies in otherwise you will see 'System Locked'. If no systems are programmed 'No System Stored' appears.

When you select a service search or custom search range(s), the scanner looks for active frequencies within the range(s) and 'Search and Store' appears on the display's lower line and the system name and search range name(s) appear on the display's upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the frequency has already been stored in the system ('Memory Check' in the display). If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the frequency has not been stored, it stores the frequency into a (created) group named 'Found Channels', then resumes searching. 'Limit Reached' will appear in the display when the Max Auto Store value is reached. See Max Auto Store.

Tip: Before you start Search and Store, run the custom search or service search first to lock out the birdies, data, noise, etc. channels. This will prevent the scanner from stopping on them and doing a memory check each time it passes.

Quick Search

Quick Search lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you are scanning a conventional system or enter a frequency to start searching from.
See also Search/Close Call Options.

To start searching at the current frequency:
Press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press E/Yes to start searching.

To start searching at a specific frequency while scanning, press Hold to hold on any channel or frequency.
Enter the new frequency you wish to start at then press Hold to set the new starting frequency.
Press Hold again to release hold mode and start searching.

Searching

Contents

To toggle search bands on or off (custom search), press the number key of the search band.

To change search direction or continue searching, turn the scroll control back or forward.

To hold on a frequency, press Hold. Press Hold again to resume searching.

To step through the frequencies, press Hold. Turn the scroll control back or forward while in hold mode. Press Hold to return.

To lock out a frequency, press L/O then E/Yes to confirm.

To unlock frequencies see Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies.

To check for a repeater frequency, press and hold Func then press and hold No(Rev).

To attenuate a search, press and hold Func then press E/Yes(Att).

To turn the scrolling SEARCH in the display off or on (and show or hide the frequencies), press No.

To save a frequency, press Hold to hold on the frequency. See Programming Displayed Frequency.

To set the Weather Priority feature (in addition to scanning), See Weather Alert Priority.

To turn Close Call on or off (in addition to scanning), press and hold Func then press Hold.

Storing a Displayed Frequency (while searching)

To program a displayed frequency into an existing group or car, press E/Yes.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press No.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group/Car' scroll to the group/car where you want to store the frequency and press E/Yes.
After storing the frequency, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel (see Edit Channel Options).
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to searching.

Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group/car, 'Frequency Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press No to return to searching (or search hold) or E/Yes to go to the 'Edit Channel' menu.

To program a displayed frequency into a 'Quick Save Group' in a 'Quick Save System', press E/Yes.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press E/Yes.
The scanner will save the frequency in a (created) group called 'Qck Save Grp' in a (created) system called 'Qck Save Cnv Sys' (with no quick key assigned) and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. Then see Edit Channel Options, Creating Groups, and Edit Systems Options to customize the channel(s), group, and system.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to searching.

Close Call Menu

Your scanner's Close Call feature lets you set the scanner so it detects, alerts you to, and displays the frequency of a nearby strong radio transmission. You can set the scanner so the Close Call feature checks for a Close Call hit every 2 seconds in the background while you are scanning or searching or use Close Call only mode. You can also set the frequency band(s) where you want the scanner to look for transmissions. When the scanner detects a Close Call hit, it alerts you according to the Override and Alert settings. You can also set the scanner to Auto Store Close Call hits. The system 'Close Call' is created when you run a Close Call Auto Store. See Search/Close Call Options for more options with Close Call Search. The Close Call feature does not work for frequencies greater than 956 MHz.

(for the USC230) CC DND (Do Not Disturb) - The scanner checks for a Close Call hit every 2 seconds only if the scanner is not currently stopped on a transmission. If the scanner is on a transmission the scanner waits until the signal ends to perform a Close Call check. This prevents breaks in audio during Close Call checks. CC PRI - Close Call works even if there is a transmission.

The Close Call feature works well for locating the source of strong local transmissions such as mobile and handheld two-way radios in areas with no other strong transmission sources. Several factors affect Close Call performance. Performance is increased with higher transmit power, receive antenna tuned to the target band, and a low background RF level. Other than the antenna, you have no control over these factors, but they explain why performance might vary by both location and time. The Close Call feature works better with some types of transmissions than others. It might not correctly display frequency information for transmitters using a highly directional antenna (such as an amateur radio beam antenna) or if there are many transmitters operating at the same time in the same area.

To Edit Close Call Options press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/Yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Important! There are many options and settings in Search/Close Call Options that affect and compliment the settings for Close Call. Please review those first.
Note: The items below do not follow the radio's menu order because (IMHO) they should be in the following order to properly setup and use the Close Call features.

Set CC Bands	Set CC Override	Close Call Only	Using Close Call Modes
Set CC Alert	Set CC Mode	CC Auto Store	Managing Close Call Hits

Contents

Set CC Bands: Lets you select the Close Call bands to be searched or auto stored. The Close Call feature does not work for frequencies greater than 956 MHz.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set CC Bands' press E/Yes.
Scroll to each band you want searched (or not searched) and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

For the SC230:

For the USC230:

	VHF Low 25-54 MHz	VHF Low 25-87 MHz
	Air Band 108-137 MHz	Air Band 108-137 MHz
	VHF High 137-225 MHz	VHF High 137-225 MHz (except 174-216 MHz)
	UHF 400-512 MHz	UHF 400-512 MHz
	800MHz+ 806-956 MHz	800MHz+ 806-960 MHz

Set CC Alert: Lets you select how the scanner alerts you when it receives a Close Call signal.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set CC Alert' press E/Yes.
Scroll to the alert you want and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Light, the scanner flashes the backlight 3 times.

Beep, the scanner beeps 3 times.

Beep+Light, the scanner beeps 3 times and flashes the backlight 3 times.

None, the scanner does not alert.

Set CC Override: Lets you select how the Close Call feature works while scanning or searching (or doing anything else).

With this feature off, when the scanner detects a Close Call signal while scanning, 'CC Found!' and 'E to Listen' appear for about 3 seconds. Press E/Yes then Hold when this appears to hold and listen to the frequency. Press Hold again the resume.

With this feature on, when the scanner detects a Close Call signal while scanning, 'CC Found!' and 'Press Any Key'. Pressing any key then Hold will hold on and display the frequency with no audio. Press Hold again the resume.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set CC Override' press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Set Close Call Mode: This turns Close Call on when scanning or searching (or doing anything else). You can also do this by pressing and holding Func then pressing Hold while scanning or searching.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set CC Mode' press E/Yes.
(SC230) Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
(USC230)Scroll to 1 of 3 modes and press E/Yes to save and exit.
Off- Close Call is turned off.
CC DND- Close Call checks for frequencies every two seconds between transmissions.
Pri- Close Call checks for frequencies every two seconds.
Press Scan to exit.

Contents

Close Call Only: This setting puts the scanner in Close Call Only mode. The scanner will not scan or search.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
At 'Close Call Only' press E/Yes.

CC Auto Store: Lets you select whether the scanner automatically stores Close Call hits into channels. If you turn this option on the scanner starts Close Call Only mode and stores any Close Call hits in the selected bands up to the maximum you specified in the Max Auto Store setting.

Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'CC Auto Store' press E/Yes.
'Limit Reached' will appear in the display when the Max Auto Store value is reached. See Max Auto Store.
Press Scan to exit.

The scanner looks for active frequencies within the range(s) and 'Search and Store' appears on the display's lower line and the system name and search range name(s) appear on the display's upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the frequency has already been stored in the system. If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the frequency has not been stored, it stores the frequency into a (created) group named 'Found Channels' in a (created) system called 'Close Call' then resumes searching.

Using Close Call Modes
To Start Close Call Only mode press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/Yes. At 'Close Call Only' press E/Yes.
To Use Close Call while Scanning or Searching, press and hold Func then Hold/

to toggle Close Call Priority, Close Call DND (USC230 only), or Off.

Managing Close Call Hits

In Close Call Only Mode:

When the scanner detects a Close Call signal, 'CC Found!' and 'Press Any Key' appears in the display for about three seconds (or until the signal is lost if longer).
Press any key (except Hold) to display the frequency (even if it's gone).

To hold on a CC hit press Hold. Press Hold again to resume. See Close Call Hold Mode.

To store a frequency press 'Any key' then E/Yes then see Storing a Displayed Frequency.

To cancel a CC hit turn the scroll control.

To lock out the frequency press L/O.

	To view the last CC hit press Hold. Press Hold again to resume.
	To toggle the attenuation on or off (for all bands) press and hold Func then E/Yes(att).
	To exit CC only press Scan.

While Scanning or Searching with Close Call Override set to On, when the scanner detects a Close Call signal, the scanner overrides the current audio and goes to the Close Call hit.
'CC Found!' and 'Press Any Key' appear for about three seconds (or until the signal is lost if longer). If you do not press 'Any Key', the scanner will return to scanning.
Press any key (except Hold) to listen to and display the frequency for the delay time set in Search/Close Call Options (even if it's gone).
Quickly press Hold to stay on the frequency. Press Hold again to resume.

While Scanning or Searching with Close Call Override set to Off, when the scanner detects a Close Call signal, the scanner does not override the current audio.
'CC Found!' and 'E to Listen' appear for about three seconds. If you do not press E/Yes, the scanner will return to scanning.
Press E/Yes to listen to and display the frequency for the delay time set in Search/Close Call Options (only if it's still there).
Quickly press Hold to stay on the frequency. Press Hold again to resume.

While in Hold Mode:

	To store a frequency press E/Yes then see Storing a Displayed Frequency.
	To lock out the frequency press L/O.

To start a 'Quick Search' at the current frequency turn the scroll control then press Hold.

To check for a repeater frequency quickly press Hold to hold on the frequency. Press and hold Func then press and hold .no(rev). Press Hold to resume.

Weather Operation Menu (SC230 only)

Your scanner allows you to search for a local NOAA weather broadcast and set it to alert when a SAME weather alert is broadcast on a NOAA weather channel. You can also program FIPS codes into the scanner and use weather priority that will check the weather channel every 5 seconds for a weather alert signal. For a table of all the alerts and the code meanings, click here.

To Edit Weather Options press Menu. Scroll to 'WX Operation' and press E/yes.
Or, in scan or search modes, press Hold to hold on any channel. Press and hold Func then press 2/(WX).
Scroll to the settings and options below and press E/yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Note: The items below do not follow the radio's menu order because (IMHO) they should be in the following order to properly setup and use the weather operation features.

Weather Scan

Weather Alert Priority

Program SAME

Weather Alert

Contents

Listening to the Weather Band

The scanner starts scanning the preprogrammed weather frequencies, and stops on the first signal. If this station is weak, rotate the scroll control to check for other weather broadcasts in your area.

To listen to the weather channel, press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then 2/(WX).
At 'WX Operation-Weather Scan' press E/Yes.
Scroll to select a different weather channel.
Press Scan to exit.

Weather Alert Priority

Turning the Weather Alert Priority feature on allows the scanner to check the weather channels every 5 seconds for a 1050 Hz weather alert signal and still scan or search. If you should receive an alert, you will hear a loud warbling then the weather channel audio. Press Scan to exit.

To turn on Weather Alert Priority, press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then 2/(WX).
At 'WX Operation' scroll to 'WX Alt Priority' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Note: There is no icon in the display that tells you Weather Alert Priority is on.

Programming SAME Groups

SAME (Specific Area Messaging System) is a system developed by the National Weather Service to reduce the number of alerts received by consumers by allowing them to hear alerts only for the county(ies) they are interested in. Each alert contains information about the type and severity of the alert, as well as the specific geographic locations affected by the alert. In addition, certain special regions and wildcard settings can be assigned. Your scanner can receive all SAME alert signals broadcast within about a 50-mile radius of where you installed it.

To receive SAME alerts and broadcasts about weather occurring only in particular counties within that area, you can program up to 5 (tagable) groups of 8 FIPS codes (40 codes) into the scanners memory. This lets you avoid hearing an alert that applies to an area within a 50-mile radius but not necessarily to your county or parish.

For the purpose of broadcasting weather information, the NWS has divided the United States into regions by state and county (or parish, where applicable) then assigned a 6-digit FIPS code to identify each county or parish. For example, the code for Tarrant County, Texas, is 048439. The first digit in a FIPS code identifies the county subdivision, the next two digits identify the state, and the last three digits identify the county or parish. Most FIPS codes begin with 0, which means the code represents an entire county. The NWS, however, plans to eventually subdivide some large counties. When that happens, each subdivision will be assigned a digit from 1-9, resulting in codes such as 148439, 248439, and so on.

To obtain the FIPS code for the location where you installed your scanner call the NWS toll free at 1-888-697-7263 (follow the instructions you hear) or see FIP codes for the United States and its Possessions.

FIPS codes are in the format nSSCCC:

n: A special sub county designator. For an entire county, use 0.
SS: The state code.
CCC: The county code.

To program SAME groups, press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then 2/(WX).
At 'WX Operation' scroll to 'Program SAME' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select SAME' scroll to the SAME group (1-5) and press E/Yes.
At 'SAME-#-Edit Name' see Entering Text to edit the name otherwise scroll to 'Edit County' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Code No' scroll to the spot for the code# (1-8) and press E/Yes.
At 'Edit FIPS Code' enter the FIPS code and press E/Yes.
The scanner will then prompt you to program the next spot for the next code in the group.
Press Menu twice to return and select a different group.
Press Scan to exit.

Receiving SAME Weather Alerts

This setting determines which types of signals will trigger an alert. In weather alert mode, your scanner functions as a severe weather warning radio. See Programming SAME Groups first.
Warning! If you receive an alert it will be at FULL volume.

To set weather alert mode, press Hold to hold on any channel.
Press and hold Func then 2/(WX).
At 'WX Operation' scroll to 'Weather Alert' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 1 of 7 options and press E/Yes.

'Alert Only' The scanner alerts when it detects the 1050Hz tone that accompanies all weather alerts.

'SAME 1-5' The scanner alerts and displays information about the weather alert when it receives a weather alert signal that includes any FIPS code you have programmed into the specified SAME group.

'All FIPS' The scanner alerts and displays information about the weather alert when it receives any FIPS code.

The scanner will mute and scan the weather channels. When it detects a 1050 Hz tone that accompanies all weather alerts it sounds a tone, displays information about the weather alert, and turns on the audio so you can hear the weather broadcast. This is especially useful when your area is expecting severe weather conditions late at night.

Related Links/Info

Contents

How to view these pages in your browsers

I have formatted these pages so that you can view them with any monitor, in any browser (Opera, I.E., or Netscape), at any zoom level, and in any screen area size (ex: 600x800)-small or large fonts. So if the print is too small, go to the 'view' menu in your browser and adjust it to a bigger level (or smaller if you want to see more on the screen).

Firmware Upgrades

For the latest version for the SC230 you now have to register your scanner at Uniden's site to download the update. You also have to download and install an 'updater' program (BC_VUP_v2.0.07.exe) first to install the upgrade. And, you should also download and read the release notes that have the instructions on how to apply the upgrade. As of this writing, there are no updates available for the USC230.

Newsgroups and Forums

You will have to register for the groups.

Yahoo Groups-SC230

Radio Reference Forums

Yahoo Groups-usc230

Radio Reference Uniden Forum

FreeSCAN support forum

Yahoo Groups-ScanControl-ScanControl software

Links

Radio Reference.com

eHam.net-reviews

Radio Reference SC230 Wiki

Uniden DMA FAQ

Radio Reference Data Base

Discriminator tap mod

Software

FreeSCAN-Freeware

bcTool-Freeware

ARC-Sport-Butel software

ScanControl Racing Edition

DMA Software Support-at Radio Reference

SC230 UASD-Uniden software (you have to register)

Click here to visit Scanner Master

Menu Outline

Contents

Menu

Program System

Quick Program Race

Select System-Conventional

Select System-Racing

Select Race

New System

New Race

Select Sys Type

Name The Race

Conventional,Racing

Confirm? Yes/No

Conventional,Racing

Confirm? Yes/No

Scroll to select characters
(or E/Yes to Set Default Name)

System 1,2,3,etc.

Edit Car No

Edit Name

Enter up to 3 characters

(scroll to select characters)

Edit Driver

Edit Sys Option

(scroll to select characters)

Set Quick Key

Enter Frequency

.,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0

(Enter frequency)

Set Lockout

Set CTCSS/DCS

Unlocked, Locked

Search,CTCSS,DCS, Set Lockout,Off

Set Hold Time

(enter tone)

(0-255 seconds)

Advanced Options

Set Delay Time

Yes="E"/No="."

Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)

Set Modulation

Set Data Skip

Auto,AM,FM,NFM

On,Off

Set Attenuator

On,Off

Set Priority

On,Off

Set Alert

On,Off

Another Freq for This Driver?

(E/Yes,.No)

Another Car for This Race?

(E/Yes,.No)

Complete Press SCAN Key

Edit Group-Conventional

Edit Car-Racing

Select Group

Select Car

Group 1,2,3,etc. or New Group

Car 1,2,3,etc. or New Car

Edit Name

Edit Car No

(scroll to select characters)

Enter up to 3 characters

Edit Driver

(scroll to select characters)

Set Quick Key

.,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0

Edit Channel-Conventional

Edit Channel-Racing

Select Channel

New Channel- Conventional

New Channel- Racing

(Input frequency)

Paste Channel (Only appears if Channel in buffer)

Pastes channel into current group

Channel 1,2,3,etc.

Edit Name

(scroll to select characters)

Set Priority

On,Off

Set Alert

On,Off

Delete Channel

Confirm Delete? Yes/No

Copy Channel

Copies channel to ‘copy buffer’

Edit Frequency

(Enter frequency)

Set CTCSS/DCS

Off,Search,CTCSS,DCS, Set Lockout

(enter tone)

Set Modulation

Auto,AM,FM,NFM

Set Attenuator

On,Off

Set Step

Auto,5,6.25,7.5, 10,12.5,15,20, 25,50,100

Set Lockout

Unlocked,Locked

Delete Group

Delete Car

Confirm Delete? Yes/No

Set Lockout

Unlocked,Locked

Delete System

Confirm Delete? Yes/No

Copy System

New System Name?

Menu

Srch/CloCall Opt

Search for...

Freq Lockouts

Service Search (Air only w/USC230)

Rvw Search L/O

Public Safety

Nothing Locked,freq-1 Unlock?,freq-2 Unlock?,etc.

News

Unlock All

Ham Radio

Confirm? Yes/No

Marine

CTCSS/DCS Search

Railroad

On,Off

Air

Pager Screen

CB Radio

On,Off

FRS/GMRS

Repeater Find

Racing

On,Off

Special

Max Auto Store

Custom Search

(1-255)

Edit Custom

Set Modulation

Select Custom

Auto,AM,FM,NFM

Srch ranges 1-10

Set Attenuator

Edit Name

On,Off

(scroll to select characters)

Set Data Skip

Edit Srch Limit

On,Off

Set Lower Limit

Set Delay Time

Set Upper Limit

Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)

Set Delay Time

Set Step

Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)

Auto,5,6.25,7.5,10,12.5,15,20,25,50,100

Set Modulation

Menu

Auto,AM,FM,NFM

Close Call

Set Attenuation

Close Call Only

On,Off

CC Auto Store

Set Data Skip

Set CC Mode

On,Off

Set Step

Set CC Override

Auto,5,6.25,7.5,10,12.5,15,20,25,50,100

On,Off

Search and Store

Set CC Alert

Select Store Sys

Beep,Light,Beep+Light,None

System 1,2,3,etc.

Set CC Bands

Select Range

VHF Low

Custom 1-10

On,Off

Public Safety

Air Band

News

On,Off

Ham Radio

VHF High

Marine

On,Off

Railroad

UHF

Air

On,Off

CB Radio

800MHZ+

FRS/GMRS

On,Off

Racing

Special

Menu

Set Priority

Set Backlight

Off,On,Plus On

10 sec,30 sec,Squelch,Keypress,Infinite

WX Operation (SC230 only)

Adjust Key Beep

Weather Scan

On,Off

Weather Alert

Set Battery Save

Alert Only,SAME 1 thru 5,All FIPS

On,Off

Program SAME

See Scanner Info

Select SAME

% Memory Used

SAME 1 thru 5

Firmware Version

Edit Name

Xfer Info

(scroll to select characters)

PC Control

Edit County

Off,9600,19200,38400,57600

Select Code No

Wired Clone

No. 1 thru 8

Master,Slave

(FIPS code)

On-Air Clone (SC230 only)

WX Alt Priority

Start Cloning

On,Off

Set Frequency

(Enter frequency)

Contents

Last updated
October 26, 2019

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