Easier to Read BC246T Scanner Manual

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Last Updated October 26, 2019

 

Contents
Overview Creating 'Groups'
Main Features   Edit Group Menu
Scanning Terminology Programming Channels (Freqs/IDs) into 'Groups'
Understanding Dynamic Memory   Quickly Storing a Frequency
Understanding Quick Keys   Quickly Storing an ID
Conventional Simplex and Repeater Systems   Manually Programming Frequencies or IDs
Understanding CTCSS/DCS   Edit Channel Options Menu
Understanding Trunking Priority/Priority Plus Scan
Understanding IDs Scanning 'Systems'
Turning on the Scanner/Setting the Squelch   Viewing (tagged) Channel Frequency or ID
Keypad and Knob Controls   Changing ID Scan/ID Search Mode
Navigating the Menu   Turning System Quick Keys On/Off
  Menu Outline   Turning Group Quick Keys On/Off
A Look at the Display   Holding...
Default Step Size Chart   Lockout...
Other Settings   Storing a Displayed ID (In ID Search Mode)
  Set Backlight   Viewing Active IDs
  Adjust Key Beep Locking/Unlocking Systems
  Set Battery Save Locking/Unlocking Groups
  % Memory Used Locking/Unlocking Channels
  Firmware Version/Updates   Reviewing L/O IDs
  Xfer Information **Search/Close Call Options Menu**
  Cloning **Search For... Menu**
  Locking/Unlocking the Keypad   Service Search
  Scanner Reset   Custom Search
Entering Text   Search and Store
Planning 'Systems' and 'Groups' Searching
  Worksheets   Quick Search
**Program 'Systems' Menu**   Storing a Displayed Frequency
  Conventional Systems   Reviewing Locked out Frequencies
  Motorola Systems **Close Call Menu**
  EDACS Systems   Close Call Only
  LTR Systems   Close Call Auto store
  Edit System Name   Managing Close Call Hits
  Trunked System Attenuation **Weather Operation Menu**
  Copying/Deleting Systems   Weather Scan
Edit 'System' Options Menu   Program SAME
    Weather Alert
    Related Links/Info

Overview Contents
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.
 
First of all, finally, Uniden has come out with a handheld scanner that uses batteries instead of the dreaded battery pack. Again, the manual is like trying to set a watch made in China. It took me a while just to figure out how to turn the thing on (page 41??). 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 'tone search' is enabled for searching or for a channel, 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 Close Call and Weather Alert features will run in the background while scanning or searching. I have also been able to enter partial IDs for Motorola (type I,IIi) and LTR systems, not just in EDACS systems. 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 for re-banding.
 
Now the annoying stuff. Dynamic Memory has it's drawbacks because you have to build everything then program it. No military air band. 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. One thing to remember is that IDs go into channels also (no more scan lists). Does not show the frequency and the text tagged of the channel; but you can select one or the other. Alpha tagging is best left to the software. Scans multiple trunking systems relatively slow even with the hold time set to 0 (especially if you have a lot of IDs programmed). The channels and IDs 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
Trunking 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.
 
For those of you who are new to trunking, dynamic memory, or haven't had a scanner in the last 10 years it is a good idea to read the respective sections on those topics. You really have to know how trunking works in order to program a trunking system. It won't do you any good to try to program a trunking system unless you know what the radio needs and is going to do with the data (control channel, IDs, LCN order, etc).
 
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
Multi-System Trunking - follows conversations on analog Motorola, W/N/SCAT EDACS, and LTR trunked radio systems in VHF/UHF, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same time.
Close Call RF Capture Technology - you can set the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions.
Close Call Do Not Disturb - checks for Close Call activity in between channel reception so active channels are not interrupted. (Requires firmware version 2.60.00).
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - organized into 'Systems', 'Groups' (within systems), and channels (within groups). As many channels as memory allows. Typically about 1600 channels with alpha tags.
Preprogrammed Systems - your scanner is preprogrammed with systems with the 25 most populated counties in the US.
Quick Keys - you can set the scanner so you can select a system (or multiple systems) or a group (or multiple groups) 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 Service Searches - frequencies are preset in separate public safety, news, amateur radio, marine, railroad, air, CB radio, FRS/GMRS, racing, and special (itinerant) searches, to make it easy to find specific transmissions.
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.
Frequency/ID 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 or automatically store all new talk group IDs into a trunked 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.
Pager/UHF TV Screen - you can set the scanner so it ignores hits generated by common UHF or pager frequencies or while using the close call or search features.
CTCSS/DCS Search - lets you search for CTCSS and DCS tones when it finds an active frequency in search and close call modes.
Control Channel Only Scanning - if the scanner is set to scan Motorola trunking frequencies, you can set it so it scans using only control channel data. You do not have to program voice channel frequencies into memory in this mode.
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, talk group ID, custom search range, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.
Adjustable Channel/Frequency Step - allows you to set the step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) of each conventional channel or search band or select auto mode.
Channel Alert - you can set the scanner so it alerts you when there is activity on any channel you specify.
Adjustable Scan/Search Delay - from 1 to 5 seconds or off (per channel or band).
Attenuator - you can set the scanner's attenuator to reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 18 dB per channel, search band, close call band, or trunked system.
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 on conventional systems.
Duplicate Frequency Alert - alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in the scanner.
SAME Weather Alert - (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 or talk group ID location.
Scanning- the process of stepping through conventional channels in groups, which are in programmed 'systems'.
ID Scan Mode- the process of monitoring trunked systems for programmed active talkgroup IDs in ID groups, in programmed 'systems'.
ID Search Mode- the process of monitoring trunked systems for all active talkgroup IDs in ID groups, in programmed 'systems'.
Searching- the process of searching for active frequencies in quick search, service, custom search, Close Call search, Search and Store, or Close 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, IDs, trunking frequencies/systems/groups/fleet maps, 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.

Since you can only program one trunking system per bank in a traditional scanner, and lets say you only have 10 banks, you can only store 10 trunking systems. Also, since some trunked systems might have hundreds of talk groups you wish to monitor, you might have to enter those systems into multiple banks in order to monitor all the ID's.
 
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, talk group ID's, 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'. Conventional systems have frequency groups and trunking systems have ID groups (no more scan lists). The trunking frequencies go into a 'system editor', not a system or a group.

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

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

'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 system(s) or group(s) they become the 'Quick Key' for the system(s) or group(s). System quick keys work like bank keys-press them to turn systems on or off. To turn groups on and off for each system you have to press and hold Func then the number key (when scanning each system). You can also have systems and groups that are not programmed to quick keys that will always be scanned (unless you lock them out).

You can program one or more 'Systems' to any system quick key or, program one or more systems with no quick key. You can also program one or more 'Groups' to any group quick key or, program one or more groups with no quick key. If you have a single system or group you want to turn on or off once and a while, program it to its own quick key.

My advice is to program 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 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.

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.

Understanding Trunking Contents
Trunking systems let a large group of 2-way radio users (or even different groups of 2-way radio users) efficiently use a set of frequencies. Instead of selecting a specific frequency for a transmission, the user’s radio selects a programmed trunking bank in the system when that user presses their PTT (push to talk) button. The trunking system automatically transmits the call on the first available frequency, and also sends (on a different frequency called a Data or Control channel) a code that uniquely identifies that transmission as a talkgroup ID (or just ID.) So when you are trunktracking a system, you are listening to active IDs transmitting in the system (each using the first available frequency in the system.) Trunking systems in general allocate and use fewer frequencies among many different users.

Since the trunking system might send a call and its response on different frequencies, it is difficult to listen to trunked communications using a conventional scanner. These scanners let you monitor the control channel frequency so you can hear calls and responses for users and more easily "follow" conversations than with a conventional scanner.

This scanner trunktracks the following types of systems:
  • Motorola Type I
  • Motorola Type II
  • Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
  • Motorola Type II Smartnet
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink
  • EDACS Standard (Wide)
  • EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
  • EDACS Networked (Wide/Narrow)
  • EDACS SCAT
  • LTR Standard
When you program Motorola and EDACS system frequencies into the scanner, one frequency is the control (or data) channel, and the rest are voice frequencies shared by all the users. There may be 3 or 4 frequencies assigned as (primary or alternate) control channels but only one control channel will be active at a time. These scanners will allow you to program just Motorola control channels into the trunking system and the voice channels will automatically be found (but not programmed). EDACS systems need all the frequencies for the system programmed and in the correct LCN (Logical Channel Number) order.

The control channel is continually transmitted to the field units and has a sound similar to listening to a boat engine over the phone (in manual mode; you won't hear this when you are trunking the system.) This control channel is also a good check to see if you can trunktrack the system. If you can't hear a control channel when you step through the trunking frequencies (in manual mode), you either don't have all the frequencies or are too far away to receive the control channel and the system.
Motorola systems are limited to a maximum of 28 frequencies per system or site. Ericsson EDACS systems are limited to 25 frequencies per system or site. Motorola and EDACS systems can be either analog, digital, or mixed (digital and analog talkgroups). This scanner can't monitor digital systems.

LTR systems work a little differently. LTR systems typically do not have a dedicated control channel.
This type of system encodes all trunking information as digital subaudible data that accompanies each transmission. The frequencies also have to be in LCN (Logical Channel Number) order or the correct 'slot' for the system to trunktrack properly. Each repeater has its own controller, and all of these controllers are synchronized together. Even though each controller monitors its own channel, one of the channel controllers is assigned to be a master that all controllers report to. Each of these controllers sends out a data burst approximately every 10 seconds so that the subscriber units know that the system is there. This data burst is not sent at the same time by all the channels, but happens randomly throughout all the system channels. If you listen to the frequencies of an LTR system in manual mode (not trunking), on every channel in the system you will hear this data burst that will sound like a short blip of static like someone keyed up and unkeyed a radio within about 500 msec. LTR systems are limited to 20 frequencies per system.

Trunkscanning is basically scanning IDs that are programmed into ID locations (same concept as frequencies into channels.) You can then trunkscan just the programmed IDs. Trunktracking is searching for all IDs in a system (same concept as searching for frequencies in a band).
 
Radio Reference.com has an excellent page explaining the various types of trunking systems in more detail here.

Understanding IDs Contents
Motorola IDs come in two formats: Type I and Type II. Each format displays and uses talk group IDs in slightly different ways. Type I/II hybrid systems use both fleet-subfleet and 5-digit formats for talk group IDs.
 
Type I IDs are in the format FFF-SS where FFF is the fleet and SS is the sub-fleet. Type I systems are usually organized with different IDs assigned to different fleets. For example, a valid fleet/subfleet ID identifying all detectives within a police department might be 000-12, where 000 identifies all police IDs and 12 identifies the Detective division. To properly trunk a Type I system, you have to program the fleet map for the system.
Type II IDs are identified by a 5-digit number.
 
EDACS IDs come in two formats: AFS and Decimal.
 
AFS IDs are in the form AA-FFS where AA is the agency, FF is the fleet, and S is the sub-fleet. EDACS systems are organized with different IDs assigned to different fleets and agencies. For example, a valid agency/fleet/subfleet ID identifying all detectives within a police department in an agency might be 06-101, where 06 identifies the agency (Police), 10 identifies the Police division (East side), and 1 identifies the Detective division.
Decimal IDs are shown as a decimal number from 0 to 2047.
You can find a chart showing Decimal and AFS IDs here: Conversion Chart.
 
I-Call IDS (Motorola/EDACS only) are direct unit-to-unit transmissions that are not heard by other system users. I-call IDs are usually 6-digit numbers (ex: 700152).
 
LTR IDS are in the format A-HH-UUU where A is the area code (0 or 1), HH is the home repeater (01-20), and UUU is the user ID (000-254).

Turning on the Scanner/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.

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)
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 and review 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 a conventional system.
/ Turns the display backlight on or off. Func+ / locks and unlocks the keypad.
Press and hold for more than 2 seconds to turn the scanner on or off. Press quickly to cancel a prompt.
Number Keys Enters a frequency, selects system quick key numbers, and selects a custom search range in custom search mode. Func+Number key selects group 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 or talk group ID, enters an "i" for I-Call input. 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 or ID in ID search mode. At a prompt, answers Yes. Func+E/Yes/Att turns the scanner's attenuator on or off for the current channel (for conventional systems) or system (for trunked systems).

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 L/O or 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 Scan Mode:
The first line will show the system name.
The second line will scroll "SCAN", "ID-SCAN", or "ID-SEARCH".
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.
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 blink at the right of a conventional channel (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 Cose 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.

Receive Bands and Default Step Sizes  
Frequency Range Step Mode Band Frequency Range Step Mode Band
25-26.960 5 AM Petroleum 162-174 12.5 NFM Federal Government
26.965-27.405 5 AM CB 216-224.980 20 NFM 1.25 Meter Ham
27.410-27.995 5 AM Business 400-405.9875 12.5 NFM Misc
28-29.800 20 NFM 10 Meter Ham 406-419.9875 12.5 NFM Federal Trunked
29.700-49.990 10 NFM VHF Low 420-449.9875 12.5 NFM 70 cm Ham
50-54 20 NFM 6 Meter Ham 450-469.9875 12.5 NFM UHF Standard
108-136.975 25 AM Commercial Air 470-512 12.5 NFM UHF TV
137-143.9875 12.5 NFM Military Land Mobile 806-823.9875 12.5 NFM Public Service
144-147.995 5 NFM 2 Meter Ham 849.0125-868.9875 12.5 NFM PS Trunked
148-150.7875 12.5 NFM Military Land Mobile 894.0125-956 12.5 NFM UHF Hi, 33-cm Ham
150.800-161.995 5 NFM VHF High 1240-1300 25 NFM UHF Hi, 25 cm Ham

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

Set Priority: When you turn on the Priority feature, the channel(s) set for priority will be scanned every 2 seconds.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Set Priority' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Backlight: To use the backlight press . There are 5 different ways to use the backlight:
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Set Backlight' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 1 of the 5 settings and press E/Yes.
'10 sec' - The backlight stays on for 10 seconds after you press .
'30 sec' - The backlight stays on for 30 seconds after you press .
'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 then stays on until you press again.
Press Scan to exit.

Adjust Key Beep: This setting turns the key beep on or off.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Adjust Key Beep' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to 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.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Set Battery Save' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

% Memory Used: This setting lets you view the amount of memory left in the scanner.  
  Press Menu. 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 already have it. Uniden has a new Wiki where you will find all the information necessary to upgrade your firmware.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'See Scanner Info' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Firmware Version' and press E/Yes.
Press Scan to exit.

Xfer Information: 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.
  Press Menu. 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.
Press Scan to exit.
Contents
Cloning: To clone (copy) data from one BC246T scanner to another BC246T 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 '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: Func+ / unlocks 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 Systems 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, alpha tags, and IDs easily with the software.

Unless you live in a 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, 1-Trunked PS systems, 2-Air, 2-Air Trunked systems, 3-Military, 3 Military Trunked systems, 4-Federal, etc. Then I will nest my groups (ex: Fire, Police, EMS) within the conventional systems, (Fire IDs, Police IDs, EMS ID within trunked 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.

  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.
Settings Worksheet   Conventional Worksheet   Motorola 800/900 Worksheet   Motorola VHF/UHF Worksheet   EDACS Worksheet   LTR Worksheet

Entering Text  
To program text you must first program the system, group, channel, custom search, or SAME group. There are links there 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, Edit a Custom Search, or Program A SAME Group.

Programming Systems  
You have to create systems first, create groups in the systems, create channels in the groups, then program your frequencies or IDs into the channels. Or, you can Quickstore freqs and Quickstore IDs (after you program the trunking system). Trunking IDs go into trunking system groups and conventional frequencies go into conventional system groups. You can only store one trunking system per 'system'. You can store up to 200 systems, up to 20 groups per system, and up to 200 channels or IDs 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 reduced from 2500 (1600 is typical). Also, remember that conventional frequencies and IDs are considered as channels.

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 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.
  Contents
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.
   
To Program a New Motorola 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 'MOT' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the type of Motorola system you want to program and press E/Yes.
  Use '800MHz Standard' for 800 MHz systems that use the standard band plan.
Use '800MHz Custom' for rebanded 800 MHz systems that use a custom band plan.
Use '800MHz Splinter' for 800 MHz systems that use the splinter band plan
(analog 800Mhz  systems with frequencies between 866-869 MHz [or rebanded 851-854 MHz] ending with 0 instead of 5 e.g. 852.1250, not 852.1375).
  At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See
Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/Yes.
At 'New Frequency' and press E/Yes.
At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Frequency' press Menu to return to 'Sel Frequency', scroll to 'New Frequency', and press E/Yes to program the rest of the trunking frequencies. Press Scan to exit.
Then see
Editing System Options to customize the system.
Then see
Creating Groups. Then see Programming Channels to program IDs.
   
To Program a New EDACS 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 'EDCS' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'WIDE', NARROW' and press E/Yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
  Note: Use 'Wide' for 800 MHz systems that use the standard band plan (most systems).
Use 'Narrow' for 800 MHz systems that use the splinter band plan (typically systems near the international borders).
EDACS Wide is the same as EDACS Standard. EDACS Narrow is the same as EDACS Networked.
  At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/Yes.
At 'New Frequency' and press E/Yes.
At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Input LCN' enter the LCN number and press E/Yes. See
Finding EDACS LCN Order.
At 'Edit Frequency' press Menu to return to 'Sel Frequency', scroll to 'New Frequency', and press E/Yes to program the rest of the trunking frequencies. Press Scan to exit.
Then see
Editing System Options to customize the system.
Then see
Creating Groups. Then see Programming Channels to program IDs.
  Contents
To Program a New LTR 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 'LT' and press E/Yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See
Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/Yes.
At 'New Frequency' and press E/Yes.
At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/Yes.
At 'Input LCN' enter the LCN number and press E/Yes. See
Finding LTR LCN Order.
At 'Edit Frequency' press Menu to return to 'Sel Frequency', scroll to 'New Frequency', and press E/Yes to program the rest of the trunking frequencies. Press Scan to exit.
Then see
Editing System Options to customize the system.
Then see
Creating Groups. Then see Programming Channels to program IDs.
     
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 Set the Attenuator for a Trunked System: This setting controls whether the attenuator will be on or off for the system. Turn on this setting if you are near strong signal sources. Attenuation can help reduce interference by about 18 dB. The default setting is off.
  While scanning the system, press the Func then E/Yes(Att).
Or
, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/Yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system you want to attenuate and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes.
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  
Once you have your Systems Built you can configured your System options.
To Edit Conventional 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 Edit Band Plan (Custom Motorola only) Set Emergency Alert (Moto/EDACS only)
Set Lockout Edit Band Plan (Motorola VHF/UHF only) Set C-Ch Only (Motorola only)
Set Hold Time Edit Fleetmap (Motorola 800MHz Type I/lli only) EDACS ID Format
Set Delay Time Set Status Bit (Motorola only) Rvw ID:Srch L/O
Set Data Skip (Conventional only) Set End Code (Motorola only) Clr All L/O IDs
Set ID Scan/Search Set I-Call (Motorola/EDACS only)  
Contents
Set Quick Key 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.
Scroll to 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 for trunking systems, 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.
Tip: set your systems to 0.
  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 (conventional systems only) 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 off.
  Scroll to 'Set Data Skip' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.
 
Set ID Scan/Search sets whether the scanner scans the programmed ID groups (ID Scan) or searches for all IDs (ID Search) in a trunking system. The default setting is ID search.
  Scroll to 'ID Scan/Search' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'ID Scan' or 'ID Search' and press E/Yes to save and exit.
   
Edit Band Plan (Motorola Custom/VHF/UHF only) Band plans are required so the scanner can correctly determine the voice channel frequencies.
For Custom (rebanded) Motorola Systems (Requires firmware 2.60 or newer) allows you to create a custom band plan for rebanded systems. Custom band plans require that you enter both a lower and an upper base frequency value. The lower base frequency (or base) is always the base frequency as provided in the Radio Reference Database. Use this Excel spreadsheet to calculate the upper base frequency value: CustomBandPlanCalculator.xls. If you don't have Excel you can download and install a viewer here. If you don't have the lower base frequency value, the Trunked Radio Systems User’s Page has an explanation on how to find it. Look for 'Determining Base and Offset Frequencies for the BC245xlt' by John C.
  Scroll to 'Edit Band Plan' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Plan' scroll to 'Band Plan 1-6' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Base Freq' press E/yes.
At 'Input Lower' enter the lower base frequency and press E/yes.
At 'Input Upper' enter the upper base frequency and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Offset' and press E/yes.
At 'Input Offset' enter the offset and press E/yes.
At 'Select Polarity' scroll to  + or - and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Spacing' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the step size and press E/yes.
Press 'Menu' to return and repeat for each band plan as needed. Press 'Menu' to return.

For standard Motorola 800 MHz rebanded systems you need to set Band Plan 1 and Band Plan 2 as follows:

Band Plan Lower Base Freq Upper Base Freq Offset Polarity Spacing
1 851.025 854.000 440 + 25 kHz
2 851.0125 868.9875 0 + 25 kHz
 
For VHF/UHF Motorola Systems allows you to set the base frequency, step size, and offset for the system. A band plan is required so the scanner can correctly determine the voice channel frequencies. You can set up to 3 different band plans. I have found an explanation at the Trunked Radio Systems User’s Page  that describes how to find some of this information. Look for 'Determining Base and Offset Frequencies for the BC245xlt' by John C. Radio Reference.com also has an explanation.
  Scroll to 'Edit Band Plan' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Band Plan 1' and press E/yes.
At 'Input Base Freq' enter the base frequency and press E/yes.
At 'Select Step' scroll to the step size and press E/yes.
At 'Offset' enter the offset and press E/yes.
Repeat for each band plan. Press 'Menu' to return.
Contents
Edit Fleetmap (Motorola 800MHz Type I/lli systems only) allows you to select a preprogrammed fleetmap or program a fleetmap for Motorola Type I systems. You must program a system fleet map in order for the scanner to properly track and display talk group ID's. If you don’t know which fleet map to use, you can try a method I found at Radio Reference.com. Since it is rather lengthy, I will just give you the link. Determining Type I Motorola Fleet Maps by Dave Goodson.
  Scroll to 'Edit Fleetmap' and press E/Yes.
  To select a Preset Fleetmap, scroll to 'Preset' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the number of the preset fleetmap and press E/Yes to save and exit. See
Preset Fleetmaps.
To program a Custom Fleetmap, scroll to 'Custom' and press E/Yes.
At 'Block 0' scroll to the size code (0-14) and press E/Yes. See
Size Codes.
The scanner will prompt you to the next block (1) to scroll to the size code (0-14) then press E/Yes.
Repeat for each block (0-7) and you will return to the 'Edit Sys Option' menu.
  Note: If you select size code 12, 13, or 14, these restrictions apply:
  12 can only be assigned to Blocks 0, 2, 4 or 6.
  13 can only be assigned to Blocks 0 and 4.
  14 can only be assigned to Block 0.
  Since these size codes require multiple blocks, you will be prompted for the next available block. For example, if you assign Block 0 as 12, the scanner prompts you for block 2, the next block available, instead of block 1. If you assign Block 0 as 14, you would not see another prompt because 14 uses all available blocks.
 
Set Status Bit sets how your scanner works with status bits (also called S-bits), letting you control how the scanner interprets and displays Motorola talkgroup IDs. The default setting is ignore. For more info see Type II Special Status Bits.
  Scroll to 'Set Status Bit' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/Yes to save and exit.
Ignore- the scanner rounds all received ID's down to the next interval of 16.
Yes- the scanner treats all received ID's as unique ID's.

Set End Code  
Sets how the scanner handles the transmission end code sent by most Motorola systems. The default setting is Yes.
  Scroll to 'Set End Code' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/Yes to save and exit.
Yes- the scanner immediately returns to the control channel when it detects the end code.
Ignore- the scanner does not return to the control channel until the carrier drops.
 
Set I-Call (Motorola/EDACS systems only) sets whether the scanner will monitor I-call IDs. I-calls (or private calls) are transmissions made from one radio user to another radio user and not heard by everyone else in the trunking system. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set I-Call' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to one of three settings and press E/Yes to save and exit.
Off- the scanner ignores I-call IDs.
On- the scanner tracks I-call IDs.
Only- the scanner tracks only I-call IDs and ignores other radio traffic on the system.
 
Set Emergency Alert (Motorola/EDACS systems only) sets how your scanner handles radio traffic that has the emergency flag set. The default setting is ignore.
  Scroll to 'Emergency Alert' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/Yes to save and exit.
Ignore- the scanner will alert you by beeping 3 times.
Alert- the scanner will not alert.
Contents
Set C-Ch Only (Motorola only) allows you to enter just the control channels for a Motorola system. The scanner will then find (but will not program) any active voice channels and any new voice channels. Tip: Enter all of the frequencies and set the system for C-Ch Only in case the control channels change. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set C-Ch Only' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/Yes to save and exit.
Off- you must enter all voice and control channel frequencies.
On- you only need to enter control channel frequencies.
 
EDACS ID Format sets how your scanner displays EDACS IDs. They can be displayed in two formats: AFS and Decimal. The default setting is AFS.
  Scroll to 'EDCS ID Format' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'AFS Format' or 'Decimal Format' and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Rvw ID:Srch L/O allows you to view the locked out IDs in a system.
  Scroll to 'Rvw ID:Srch L/O' and press E/Yes.
At '
Unlock?' press Y to unlock ID or N to continue review.
'Nothing Locked' appears if nothing is locked out.
Press Scan twice to resume scanning.

Clr All L/O IDs allows you to unlock all the locked IDs in a system.
  Scroll to 'Clr All L/O IDs' and press E/Yes.
At 'Confirm?' press E/Yes.
'Nothing Locked' appears if nothing is locked out.
Press Scan to resume scanning.

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 (no EDACS SCAT), 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 to 'New Group' to create more groups.
Continue at '
Edit Name' below.
Then see
Programming Channels to program frequencies or IDs.
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 for the group and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Edit Channel Edits channel options. See Programming Channels.

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 (even with its quick key enabled).
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked' or 'Lockout' and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Programming Channels (Frequencies/IDs) into Groups Contents
Once you have your Systems Built , Systems Options configured, and Groups Created you can (finally) 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, Edit Group Options, and Edit Systems Options to customize the channel(s), group, and system.
 
  To Program a Frequency into an Existing Group, 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' scroll to the group where you want to store the frequency and press E/Yes.
  Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, '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).

Quickly Storing an ID  
  To Program a ID into a 'Quick Save Group', Hold on any channel.
. Enter the ID (see Entering IDs) and press E/Yes.
  At 'Quick TGID Save?' press E/Yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the ID and press E/Yes.
  Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press No(.) to return.
  The scanner stores the ID into a (created) channel group called 'Qck Save Grp' (with no quick key 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 ID or Scan to exit.
Then see
Edit Channel Options and Edit Group Options to customize the channel(s) and group.
   
  To Program a ID into an Existing Group, Hold on any channel.
. Enter the ID (see Entering IDs) and press E/Yes.
  At 'Quick TGID Save?' press No(.).
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the ID and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group where you want to store the ID and press E/Yes.
  Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press No(.) to return.
  After storing the ID, 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 Frequencies or TGIDs Contents
  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' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group 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 (or TGID)' enter the frequency or ID and press E/Yes.
  To enter a Conventional Frequency enter the Frequency and press E/Yes.
  To enter a Motorola Type II ID enter the ID and press E/Yes.
  To enter a Motorola Type I ID enter the fleet number, press No(.) once for a hyphen, then enter the subfleet and press E/Yes.
  Note: If you omit the subfleet (still need the hyphen), the scanner treats this field as a wildcard (will treat the subfleet as 1 ID).
  To enter a Motorola I-Call ID, press No(.) once then enter the ID and press E/Yes.
  To enter a Motorola Wildcard (receive any) I-Call ID, press No(.) once then enter 0 and press E/Yes.
  To enter a EDACS ID in AFS (default) format, enter the agency number, press No(.) once for a hyphen, then the fleet and subfleet and press E/Yes.
  Note: If you omit the fleet and/or subfleet (still need the hyphen), the scanner treats these fields as wildcards (will treat the fleet and/or subfleet as 1 ID).
  To enter a EDACS ID in Decimal format, enter the ID and press E/Yes.
  To enter a EDACS I-Call ID, press No(.) once then enter the ID and press E/Yes.
  To enter a EDACS Wildcard (receive any) I-Call ID, press No(.) once then enter 0 and press E/Yes.
  To enter a LTR ID, enter the area code (0 or 1) and press No(.) once, then enter the home repeater number (01-20) and press No(.) once, then the user ID (1-254) and press E/Yes.
  Note: If you omit the user ID (still need the hyphen), the scanner treats this field as a wildcard (will treat the home repeater as 1 ID).
  Note: If the channel is already stored in the group, 'TGID or 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 back 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(s).

Edit Channel Options Menu Contents
Once you have your Systems Created , Systems Options configured, Groups 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' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group 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' scroll to the group 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 Copying/Pasting Channels Set Attenuator (Conventional only)
Set Priority (Conventional only) Edit Frequency or TGID Set Step (Conventional only)
Set Alert Set CTCSS/DCS (Conventional only) Set Lockout
Deleting Channels Set Modulation (Conventional only)  

Edit Channel Name  
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 or the talk group ID (or I-call ID) for trunked systems when it stops on a channel.
  At 'Edit Name' press E/Yes. See Entering Text.
Press Scan to exit or Menu to return.

Set Priority (conventional channel only)  
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 but remember, all the priority channels are checked 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.

Set 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' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group 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 trunking to trunking.

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

Set CTCSS/DCS (conventional channel only)  
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 (conventional channel only) Contents
This setting controls the demodulation (receive mode) method used for the channel. The default setting is auto (NFM for FM channels).
  Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Auto', 'AM', 'FM', or 'NFM' and press E/Yes to save and exit.

Set Attenuator (conventional channel only)  
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 (conventional channel only)  
This setting selects the frequency step used for setting the channel. The default setting is auto.
  Scroll 'Set Step' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the step size and press E/Yes to save and exit. See
Default Step Sizes.

Set Lockout The default setting is unlock.  
  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  
To use the priority feature, you must first set your (conventional) priority channels. See Channel Priority.
To Turn the Priority Feature On, press Hold to hold on any conventional 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 Quick Keys' on and off (within each 'System'). 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, all (unlocked) systems belonging 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 within the systems are scanned with the same rules. Conventional channels within the groups are scanned in order of creation.

IDs are not really scanned. The scanner checks for any activity in the trunking system and if any ID becomes active, the scanner will display it in 'ID Search' mode. In 'ID Scan' mode, the scanner will only display IDs programmed in to groups.

Then the scanner starts all over.
 
 

Press Scan. The scanner scans a system for the duration you set using the 'system hold time' option. For trunked systems, the scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, the current transmission ends, and the channel delay expires. Conventional systems operate similarly, but all (unlocked) channels are scanned at least one time regardless of the hold time setting.
 
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 conventional system, trunked 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 (assuming you haven't deleted or changed them). 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 view the frequency or ID of a tagged channel, quickly press E/Yes when the channel appears in the display. Scroll to 'Edit Frequency' and press E/Yes. To resume scanning, press Scan.

 

Note: You can't view the frequency in 'control channel only' mode (with just the control channel programmed) scanning a Motorola system.

To change between ID Scan or ID Search mode for a trunked system, press the Scan button while scanning each trunked system.
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 always 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.
See
Locking/Unlocking Systems.
To turn Group 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 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 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 not assigned to a quick key (and not locked out) will always be scanned.
  To turn a single group (not a group key) on or off, or a group not assigned to a quick key, you have to unlock it or lock it out.
See
Locking/Unlocking Groups.
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' scroll to the group that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel 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 specific ID in the current system Hold on the system. Enter the new ID (press .. [2 dots] for a dash-EDACS AFS) and press Hold. Press Hold to resume.
To hold on a system, press and hold Func. To hold on a different system, scroll to select the system. Scanning resumes 2 seconds after you release the Func button.
  To edit the current channel press E/yes.
To lock out a channel (frequency or ID), press L/O while the channel is in the display.
  To store a displayed ID into a group (during ID search), press E/Yes. Then see Storing a Displayed ID.
  To toggle the attenuation on or off for a (conventional) channel, quickly press and hold Func then press E/Yes(Att) while the channel is in the display.
  To toggle the attenuation on or off for a trunking system, press and hold Func then press E/Yes(Att) while scanning the system.
To check for a repeater frequency, press and hold Func then press and hold No(.)/(Rev). See Repeater Systems.
To view active IDs in a trunked system, press Hold while scanning the system you want to monitor. Scroll to the (noisy) control channel. Active IDs will appear in the display.
  To toggle Priority Modes, press Hold to hold on any conventional 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.
  To toggle Weather Alert Priority on or off, (in addition to scanning),
  To turn Close Call on or off, (in addition to scanning), press and hold Func then press Hold. See also Close Call Hits.
  To unlock a conventional channel, see Locking/Unlocking Channels.
  To review and/or unlock locked out IDs, see Reviewing Locked out IDs.
  To unlock all IDs, see Clear All IDs.

Storing a Displayed ID (in ID Search Mode) Contents
  To program a displayed ID into an existing group during ID Search, press E/Yes.
You will see 'Quick TGID Save?' in the display then press No(.).
At the 'Select Group' prompt, scroll to the group where you want to store the ID and press E/Yes.
After storing the ID, 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 Scan to return to scanning.
  To program a displayed ID into a 'Quick Save Group' during ID Search, press E/Yes.
You will see 'Quick TGID Save?' in the display then press E/Yes again.
The scanner stores the ID into a (created) channel group called 'Qck Save Grp' and 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 Scan to return to scanning.
 
  Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press No(.) to return to searching (or search hold) or E/Yes to go to the 'Edit Channel' menu.

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'  
Remember, unlocking or locking out a group is not the same thing as enabling/disabling it (turning the quick key on or off).
 
To Lock out or Unlock a Group 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 and press E/yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group you want to lock or unlock.
Press and hold Func then L/O to lock or unlock the group.
Press Scan to exit.
Or, use Menu to drill down to the group options and lock/unlock it out there. See 'Edit Group 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 (enabled) system that contains the channel and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group 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).
 
To Review and/or Unlock Locked out IDs in a System:
Press
Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At '
Select System' scroll to the system that has the ID(s) you want to unlock and press E/yes.
Scroll to '
Edit Sys Option' and press E/yes.
Scroll to '
Rvw ID:Srch L/O' and press E/yes.
At '
Unlock?' scroll to the ID and press E/yes to unlock.
'
Nothing Locked' appears if nothing is locked out.
Press '
Menu' to return.
To Unlock
All IDs in a System
Scroll to 'Clr All L/O IDs' and press E/yes.
At '
Confirm?' press E/yes to save and exit.

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 UHF TV Screen Set Modulation Set Delay Time
CTCSS/DCS Search Repeater Find Set Attenuator Set Step
Pager Screen Max Auto Store Set Data Skip  

Freq Lockouts: allows you to review locked out frequencies or unlock all frequencies for Searching and Close Call search.
  Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies:
Scroll to '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 L/O to return or Scan to exit.
  Unlocking All Frequencies:
Scroll to 'Freq Lockouts' press E/Yes.
Scroll to '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 or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.
   
Pager Screen: This setting determines whether the scanner automatically ignores transmissions found during Searching and Close Call operation that are on common paging system frequencies. The default setting is On.
  Scroll to 'Pager Screen' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and 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.
UHF TV Screen: This setting determines whether the scanner automatically ignores UHF TV transmissions found during Searching and Close Call operation. The default setting is Off.
  Scroll to 'UHF TV Screen' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/Yes to save and exit.
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 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.
  Contents
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 to save and exit.
Set Modulation: This setting controls the modulation type used for Quick Search and Close Call Search operations.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Auto, AM, FM, or NFM to choose the modulation then press E/Yes to save and 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.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/Yes to save and 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.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set Data Skip' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/Yes to save and 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.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' 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 the delay then press E/Yes to save and exit.
Set Step: This setting selects the frequency step used for Quick Search. The default setting is Auto. See also Default Step Sizes.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Set Step' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 to set the step then press E/Yes to save and exit.

Search For... Menu  
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.
 
Service Search Search and Store Storing a Displayed Frequency
Edit a Custom Search Quick Search Default Step Size Chart
Custom Search Searching Reviewing Locked out Frequencies

Service Search Contents
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(.).
Or, Press Menu. Scroll to 'Search For...' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Service Search' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the service search and press E/Yes to start searching. Then see
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(.).
Or, Press Menu. Scroll to 'Search For...' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Custom' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to the custom search you want to edit 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 the 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.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 to set the step size and press E/Yes.
  Press Menu to return and scroll to another custom search and repeat the previous steps or press Scan to exit.

Custom Search  
The Custom Search lets you search the scanner's 10 programmed frequency ranges. To re-program the ranges see Editing a Custom Search.
See also
Search/Close Call Options.
  To start a Custom Search, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch. At 'Quick Search?' press No(.).
Or, Press Menu. Scroll to 'Search For...' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Custom Search' and press E/Yes to start searching. Then see
Searching.

Search and Store Contents
Lets you search and store frequencies in a custom search range or in a service search range into a conventional system, or new talk group IDs into a trunked system. To store frequencies or talk group IDs you find during Search and Store, you must first select a system where the frequencies or talk group IDs will be stored. You will not hear any audio in this mode.
See
Max Auto Store first to set the maximum number of hits the scanner will store.

  To Auto Store Conventional Frequencies, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch. At 'Quick Search?' press No(.).
Or, Press Menu. Scroll to 'Search For...' and press E/Yes.
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 a 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.

  To Auto Store IDs, press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch. At 'Quick Search?' press No(.).
Or, Press Menu. Scroll to 'Search For...' and press E/Yes.
Scroll to 'Search and Store' and press E/Yes.
At 'Select Store Sys' scroll to the trunked system you want to store the IDs in and press E/Yes.
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 IDs in otherwise you will see 'System Locked'. If no systems are programmed, 'No System Stored' appears. Search and Store does not work if an EDACS SCAT system is selected.
'ID Search and Store' appears on the display's lower line and the system name appears on the display's upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the ID has already been stored in the system ('Memory Check' in the display). If the ID has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the ID has not been stored, it stores the ID 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.

Quick Search Contents
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 currently displayed frequency:
Press and hold Func then press Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press E/Yes to start searching. Then see
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. Then see
Searching.

Searching  
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) while viewing a frequency.
To attenuate a search band, 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 then 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. See also Close Call Hits.

Programming a Displayed Frequency (while searching)  
  To Program a Displayed Frequency into an Existing Group, 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' scroll to the group 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.
  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 (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, '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.

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. 'Close Call Do-Not-Disturb' will only check for close call signals when you are not receiving transmissions.  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.

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.
 
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.
  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.
  VHF Low 25-54 MHz
  Air Band 108-137 MHz
  VHF High 137-225 MHz
  UHF 400-512 MHz
  800MHz+ 806-956 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.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Mode' press E/yes.
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.
  Contents
Close Call Only: This setting puts the scanner in Close Call Only mode and will search the selected bands. The scanner will not scan or search programmed frequencies.
  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 from the bands selected in 'Set CC Bands'  up to the maximum you specified in the Max Auto Store setting. The scanner looks for active frequencies within the band(s) and 'Search and Store' appears on the display. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the frequency has already been stored. 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. If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search.
  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.
Press Scan to exit.
   

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, 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  
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 subcounty 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 3 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 BC246T 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.

Determining Type I Motorola Fleetmaps  
You can try a method I found at Radio Reference.com. Determining Type I Motorola Fleet Maps. By Dave Goodson.
 
Determining Motorola VHF/UHF Base and Offset Frequencies
I have found an explanation at Radio Reference.com that describes how to do this if you don't have the information. The Trunked Radio Systems User’s Page also has an explanation. Look for 'Determining Base and Offset Frequencies for the BC245xlt' by John C.

Finding EDACS LCN order
EDACS frequencies have to be programmed in LCN (Logical Channel Number) order. I have found a procedure at the Trunked Radio Systems User’s Page which explains how to find the LCN order for an EDACS system if you don't know the order. Look for 'Finding EDACS Logical Channel Numbers' by Todd Hartzel near the bottom of the page.

Finding LTR LCN order
LTR frequencies have to be programmed into certain channel slots for the system to trunktrack properly. Radio Reference has a good webpage here: Mapping LTR Systems.
 
Decimal/AFS Conversion Chart
Here is a Conversion Chart to help convert your IDs.
 
Newsgroups and Forums
You will have to register for the groups.
Yahoo Groups-BC246T-also data files Radio Reference Uniden Forum
Yahoo Groups-Uniden_BC246T Radio Reference Forums
Yahoo Groups-arc246t-arc246 software FreeSCAN support forum
Yahoo Groups-ScanControl-ScanControl software  
 
Links
Radio Reference.com Radio Reference Data Base
Radio Reference BC246T Wiki Uniden DMA FAQ
eHam.net-reviews  
 
Software
  bcTool-Freeware
FreeSCAN-Freeware BC246T UASD-Uniden software (you have to register)
arc246t-Butel's software ScanControl
DMA Software Support-at Radio Reference Advanced Virtual Control BC246T (AVC246)
  TrunkstarPro
 

Click here to visit Scanner Master

Preset Fleetmaps Contents
There are 16 preset fleet maps programmed into your scanner to choose from. In Motorola II systems, all the blocks have size code 0. In Type I systems, size codes are used in different blocks to denote the maximum number of users in that block. Notice that size code 12 uses 2 blocks. A Motorola Hybrid system (Type IIi) has 'blocks' of the system that are Type I Fleets/Subfleets and Type II talkgroups.
The maps that are Hybrid systems are in bold.
Preset Map 1 Preset Map 2 Preset Map 3 Preset Map 4 Preset Map 5 Preset Map 6 Preset Map 7 Preset Map 8
Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code
0 S-11 0 S-4 0 S-4 0 S-12 0 S-4 0 S-3 0 S-10 0 S-1
1 S-11 1 S-4 1 S-4 1 (S-12) 1 S-4 1 S-4 1 S-10 1 S-1
2 S-11 2 S-4 2 S-4 2 S-4 2 S-12 2 S-4 2 S-11 2 S-2
3 S-11 3 S-4 3 S-4 3 S-4 3 (S-12) 3 S-4 3 S-4 3 S-2
4 S-11 4 S-4 4 S-4 4 S-4 4 S-4 4 S-12 4 S-4 4 S-3
5 S-11 5 S-4 5 S-4 5 S-4 5 S-4 5 (S-12) 5 S-4 5 S-3
6 S-11 6 S-4 6 S-12 6 S-4 6 S-4 6 S-12 6 S-4 6 S-4
7 S-11 7 S-4 7 (S-12) 7 S-4 7 S-4 7 (S-12) 7 S-4 7 S-4
 
Preset Map 9 Preset Map 10 Preset Map 11 Preset Map 12 Preset Map 13 Preset Map 14 Preset Map 15 Preset Map 16
Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code Block Size Code
0 S-4 0 S-0 0 S-4 0 S-0 0 S-3 0 S-4 0 S-4 0 S-3
1 S-4 1 S-0 1 S-0 1 S-0 1 S-3 1 S-3 1 S-4 1 S-10
2 S-0 2 S-0 2 S-0 2 S-0 2 S-11 2 S-10 2 S-4 2 S-10
3 S-0 3 S-0 3 S-0 3 S-0 3 S-4 3 S-4 3 S-11 3 S-11
4 S-0 4 S-0 4 S-0 4 S-0 4 S-4 4 S-4 4 S-11 4 S-0
5 S-0 5 S-0 5 S-0 5 S-0 5 S-0 5 S-4 5 S-0 5 S-0
6 S-0 6 S-4 6 S-0 6 S-0 6 S-0 6 S-12 6 S-12 6 S-12
7 S-0 7 S-4 7 S-0 7 S-4 7 S-0 7 (S-12) 7 (S-12) 7 (S-12)
 
Size Code Fleets Sub Fleets Number of Blocks Number of Talkgroups per Block Max IDs per Talkgroup Max Radios per Block
S0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 512?
S1 128 4 1 512 16 16
S2 16 8 1 128 64 64
S3 8 8 1 64 128 128
S4 1 16 1 16 512 512
S5 64 4 1 256 32 32
S6 32 8 1 256 32 32
S7 32 4 1 128 64 64
S8 16 4 1 64 128 128
S9 8 4 1 32 256 256
S10 4 8 1 32 256 256
S11 2 16 1 32 256 256
S12 1 16 2 8 1024 512
S13 1 16 4 4 2048 512
S14 1 16 8 2 4096 512
 
You can tell which block a Motorola ID is in by its number.
Block Lower ID# Upper ID#
0 0000 8191
1 8192 16383
2 16384 24575
3 24576 32767
4 32768 40959
5 40960 49151
6 49152 57343
7 57344 65535

Thanks to
Radio Reference.com for most of this information.

Type II Special Status Bits Contents
Type II Motorola Smartnet systems use these status bits for special transmissions such as emergency, patches, DES/DVP scrambled transmissions, and multiselects. Motorola trunking radios directly interpret them for their special functions, thus no difference is noticed by the person with the radio. The scanner however interpret these special talkgroup status bits as different talkgroups entirely. The last four bits of a Motorola Type II talkgroup ID (a binary 16-bit code) are the status bits. The default setting is 'Ignore' and assumes that the status bits in a talkgroup ID are set to 0 and ignores them. For example, when the scanner receives the talkgroup ID 010111001110 0011, it reads the ID as 010111001110 0000 and converts the first 12 bits of the ID to 23776 (the talkgroup ID). However, since the status bit value is 3 (0011 converted to decimal equals 3), the ID is actually 23779. Below is the conversion chart for these special status bits.
TT ID + # Usage TT ID + # Usage
ID+0 Normal Talk group ID+8 DES/DVP Encryption talk group
ID+1 All Talk group ID+9 DES All Talk group
ID+2 Emergency ID+10 DES Emergency
ID+3 Talk group patch to another ID+11 DES Talk group patch
ID+4 Emergency Patch ID+12 DES Emergency Patch
ID+5 Emergency multi-group ID+13 DES Emergency multi-group
ID+6 unassigned ID+14 unassigned
ID+7 Multi-select (initiated by dispatcher)

ID+15 Multi-select DES TG

 
Therefore, if a user was transmitting a multi-select call on talkgroup 1808, the scanner would actually receive those transmissions on 1815. Some common uses of these status bits are as follows:
- When a user hits their emergency button, all conversations on the talkgroup revert to the emergency status talkgroup (ID+2) until the dispatch clears the emergency status. Therefore, if someone hit their emergency button and their radio was on talkgroup 16, all communications would switch to talkgroup 18.
 
- A lot of Fire and EMS departments dispatch tone-outs and alarms as Multi-select communications (ID+7). Therefore, if your fire department dispatch talkgroup is 1616, and they do dispatch tone-outs and alarms as Multi-selects, then those communications will be on talkgroup 1623.
Thanks to the Radio Reference.com for this information.

  Menu Outline Contents
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. Below I have mapped out the menu.

Note: This is the menu for the 2.05 firmware version.
Menu
Program System
  Select System-Conventional Select System-Motorola Select System-EDACS Select System-LTR
  New System   New System   New System   New System
  Select Sys Type   Select Sys Type   Select Sys Type   Select Sys Type
  Conv,MOT,EDCS,LT   Conv,MOT,EDCS,LT   Conv,MOT,EDCS,LT   Conv,MOT,EDCS,LT
  Confirm? Yes/No   800 Standard,800 Splinter,
800 Custom,900,VHF,UHF
  Wide,Narrow,SCAT
  Confirm? Yes/No
  Confirm? Yes/No
    Confirm? Yes/No    
  System 1,2,3,etc.   System 1,2,3,etc.   System 1,2,3,etc.   System 1,2,3,etc.
  Edit Name   Edit Name   Edit Name   Edit Name
  (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)
  Edit Sys Option   Edit Sys Option   Edit Sys Option   Edit Sys Option
  Set Quick Key   Set Quick Key   Set Quick Key   Set Quick Key
  .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0   .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0   .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0   .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0
  Set Lockout   Set Lockout   Set Lockout   Set Lockout
  Unlocked, Locked   Unlocked, Locked   Unlocked, Locked   Unlocked, Locked
  Set Hold Time   Set Hold Time   Set Hold Time   Set Hold Time
  (0-255 seconds)   (0-255 seconds)   (0-255 seconds)   (0-255 seconds)
  Set Delay Time   Set Delay Time   Set Delay Time   Set Delay Time
  Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)   Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)   Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)   Off,1,2,3,4,5 (seconds)
  Set Data Skip   ID Scan/Search   ID Scan/Search   ID Scan/Search
  On,Off   ID Search,ID Scan   ID Search,ID Scan   ID Search,ID Scan
      Edit Band Plan
(VHF/UHF only)
  EDCS ID Format
AFS Format,Decimal Format
   
      Band Plans 1 thru 3        
    Input Base Freq        
      (base freq)        
    Select Step    
    12.5,25,37.5,50,
62.5,75,87.5,100
   
    Offset (380-759)    
    (offset)    
    Edit Fleet Map (800 MHz only)    
    Custom        
    Blocks 0 thru 7        
    Size Code        
    (1-14)        
    Preset    
    1-16    
    Set Status Bit        
    Yes,Ignore        
    Set End Code        
    Yes,Ignore        
    Set I-Call   Set I-Call    
    Off,On,Only   On,Only,Off    
    Emergency Alert   Emergency Alert    
    Alert,Ignore   Alert,Ignore    
    Set C-Ch Only        
    On,Off        
    Rvw ID: Srch L/O   Rvw ID: Srch L/O   Rvw ID: Srch L/O
    Nothing Locked,
L/O ID-1 Unlock?,etc.
  Nothing Locked,
L/O ID-1 Unlock?,etc.
  Nothing Locked,
L/O ID-1 Unlock?,etc.
    Clr All L/O IDs   Clr All L/O IDs   Clr All L/O IDs
    Confirm? Unlock All   Confirm? Unlock All   Confirm? Unlock All
      Set Frequencies-Motorola   Set Frequencies-EDACS   Set Frequencies-LTR
      Sel Frequency   Sel Frequency   Sel Frequency
      New Frequency   New Frequency   New Frequency
      (Input frequency)   (Input frequency)   (Input frequency)
          Input LCN   Input LCN
          (Input lcn)   (Input lcn)
      Freq 1,2,3,etc.   Freq 1,2,3,etc.   Freq 1,2,3,etc.
      Edit Frequency   Edit Frequency   Edit Frequency
      (Input frequency)   (Input frequency)   (Input frequency)
          Input LCN   Input LCN
          (Input lcn)   (Input lcn)
      Delete Frequency   Delete Frequency   Delete Frequency
      Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
      Set Attenuator   Set Attenuator   Set Attenuator
      On,Off   On,Off   On,Off
  Edit Group-Conventional   Edit Group-Motorola   Edit Group-EDACS   Edit Group-LTR
  Select Group   Select Group   Select Group   Select Group
  Group 1,2,3,etc.
or New Group
  Group 1,2,3,etc.
or New Group
  Group 1,2,3,etc.
or New Group
  Group 1,2,3,etc.
or New Group
  Edit Name   Edit Name   Edit Name   Edit Name
  (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select
characters)
  Set Quick Key   Set Quick Key   Set Quick Key   Set Quick Key
  .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0   .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0   .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0   .,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0
  Edit Channel-Conv   Edit Channel-Motorola   Edit Channel-EDACS   Edit Channel-LTR
  Select Channel   Select Channel (TGID)   Select Channel (TGID)   Select Channel (TGID)
  New Channel- Conventional   New Channel (TGID)-Motorola   New Channel (TGID)-EDACS   New Channel
(TGID)-LTR
  (Input frequency)   (Input TGID)   (Input TGID)   (Input TGID)
  Paste Channel (Only appears if Channel is in buffer)   Paste Channel
(Only appears if TGID is in buffer)
  Paste Channel
(Only appears if TGID is in buffer)
  Paste Channel
(Only appears if
TGID is in buffer)
  Pastes channel into current group   Pastes TGID into current group   Pastes TGID into current group   Pastes TGID
into current group
  Channel 1,2,3,etc.   Channel 1,2,3,etc.   Channel 1,2,3,etc.   Channel 1,2,3,etc.
  Edit Name   Edit Name   Edit Name   Edit Name
  (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select characters)   (scroll to select
characters)
  Set Priority            
  On,Off            
  Set Alert   Set Alert   Set Alert   Set Alert
  On,Off   On,Off   On,Off   On,Off
  Delete Channel   Delete Channel   Delete Channel   Delete Channel
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Copy Channel   Copy Channel   Copy Channel   Copy Channel
  Copies channel
to ‘copy buffer’
  Copies channel
to ‘copy buffer’
  Copies channel
to ‘copy buffer’
  Copies channel
to ‘copy buffer’
  Edit Frequency   Edit TGID   Edit TGID   Edit TGID
  (Enter frequency)   (Enter ID)   (Enter ID)   (Enter ID)
  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   Set Lockout   Set Lockout   Set Lockout
  Unlocked,Locked   Unlocked,Locked   Unlocked,Locked   Unlocked,Locked
  Delete Group   Delete Group   Delete Group   Delete Group
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Confirm Delete?
Yes/No
  Set Lockout   Set Lockout   Set Lockout   Set Lockout
  Unlocked,Locked   Unlocked,Locked   Unlocked,Locked   Unlocked,Locked
  Delete System   Delete System   Delete System   Delete System
  Confirm Delete? Yes/No   Confirm Delete? Yes/No   Confirm Delete? Yes/No   Confirm Delete? Yes/No
  Copy System   Copy System   Copy System   Copy System
  New System Name?   New System Name?   New System Name?   New System Name?
Menu  
Srch/CloCall Opt Search for...
  Freq Lockouts   Service Search  
  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
  UHF TV Screen Racing
  On,Off Special
  Repeater Find Custom Search
  On,Off Edit Custom
  Max Auto Store Select Custom
  (1-255) Srch ranges 1-10
  Set Modulation Edit Name
  Auto,AM,FM,NFM (scroll to select characters)
  Set Attenuator Edit Srch Limit
  On,Off Set Lower Limit
  Set Data Skip (enter lower limit)
  On,Off Set Upper Limit
  Set Delay Time (enter 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
  Off,CC DND,CC Pri 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 Menu
Set Priority Set Backlight
  Off,On,Plus On 10 sec,30 sec,Squelch,Keypress,Infinite
WX Operation 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 Clone
  No. 1 thru 8 Master,Slave
  (FIPS code)            
  WX Alt Priority      
  On,Off

Contents
Last updated
October 26, 2019
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