Easier to Read BC346XT Scanner Manual
 

Scanning Quick Reference Cards available at Scanner Master

Click here to buy a printed, bound, formatted in color, copy of this manual from Scanner Master

Home

Last Updated October 26, 2019

 

Contents  
Introduction Scanning 'Systems'
Main Features   Display Modes 1, 2, and 3
Scanning Terminology   Changing ID Scan/ID Search Mode
Understanding Dynamic Memory   Turning System/Site/Search Quick Keys On/Off
Understanding Quick Keys   Turning Group Quick Keys On/Off
Conventional Simplex and Repeater Systems   Holding...
Understanding CTCSS/DCS   Lockout...
Understanding Trunking   Storing...
Understanding Multi-Site Trunking   Attenuation
Understanding IDs   Modulation
Turning on the Scanner and Setting the Squelch   Channel Volume Offset
Navigating the Menu   View Repeater Frequency
Keypad and Knob Controls   Intermediate Frequency Exchange
A Look at the Display   Changing Priority Modes
Auto Step Size Chart   Weather Alert Priority
  Setting Band Defaults   Changing Close Call Modes
**Settings Menu** Using Number Tags
  Set Backlight Locking/Unlocking Systems/Sites/Searches
  Setting GPS Format Locking/Unlocking Groups
  Memory Used Locking/Unlocking Channels
  Firmware Version/Updates   Reviewing L/O IDs
  Locking/Unlocking the Keypad Band Scope Mode
  Viewing Battery Level **Search/Close Call Options Menu**
  Cloning   Broadcast Screen
  Scanner Reset **Search For... Menu**
Planning Systems, Sites, and Groups   Service Search
  Worksheets   Custom Search
Entering Text   Set Search Key
Programming 'Systems'   Search and Store
  Private Systems Searching
  Conventional Systems   Quick Search
  Motorola Systems   Storing a Displayed Frequency
  EDACS Systems   Reviewing Locked out Frequencies
  LTR Systems **Close Call Menu**
  Copying/Deleting Systems   Close Call Only
Creating 'Sites'   Close Call Auto store
  **Edit Site Menu**   Managing Close Call Hits
Creating 'Groups'   Hits with Scan
  **Edit Group Menu** **Weather Operation Menu**
Programming Frequencies/IDs   Weather Scan
  Quickly Storing a Frequency   Program SAME
  Quickly Storing an ID   Weather Alert
  **Edit Channel Options Menu** **Tone-Out For... Menu**
Using the BC346XT with a GPS Key Safe Mode
  Location-Based (GPS) Scanning Related Links/Info
  Non Radio Location-Based GPS Features Preprogrammed Systems
  GPS Display Mode  
  GPS Review Location Mode  
  **Program Location Menu**  
Priority/Priority ID/Priority Plus Scan  
Using Startup Keys  

Introduction Contents
Here we go again. Uniden has put out this fabulous scanner that will do a multitude of scanning achievement and you are here to find out how. This scanner is exceptionally harder to program for many (even seasoned programmers) because, there is no printed manual and the CD manual is too cluttered. I have written this manual to keep all of you from giving up hope, loosing you mind, trying to return your scanner, or all of the above. This manual is a culmination of the Wiki, the CD manual, the BC346XT Complete Reference, and all other previous 'Easier to Read' and Uniden manuals.

There are quite a few improved and new features the 346XT has that the 246T didn't have. 9,000 channels, 100 quick keys,
a battery level display, Search with Scan for service and custom searches with assigned quick keys, a  keypad backlight, 10 custom bands for Broadcast Screen, the newer SMA antenna connection (w/ BNC adapter), a signal strength meter,  Multi-Site trunking, temporary system, site, group, channel, and location lockout, 500 (250 temporary + 250 permanent) search lockouts, Startup Configuration, control channel data output, negative delay (forced resume), unit (or radio) IDs can now be viewed with trunking systems, number tags for your systems/channels/searches, Priority IDs, Preemptive Priority on Motorola analog systems, EDACS ESK support, an adjustable priority check interval with an adjustable number of channels to be checked, visual alerts, adjustable volume offset for each channel, a 1-16 hour timer for charging, GPS enabled scanning, a Band Scope Mode, Intermediate Frequency Exchange, Key-Safe Mode, and the ability set a system as 'Private'. Fire Tone-Out will now search and find your tones to program. You don't have to press and hold the Function button anymore; just press and it will stay in Function mode for 3 seconds like the base models (takes a little getting used to if you had the older hand-helds). There are 3 'Search Keys' that allow you assign any (1) custom or service search, 'Band Scope Mode', or a Tone-Out search to. You can edit the default receive bands of the scanner to better and quicker suit your scanning preferences. For the 'techs', you can now enter your Motorola IDs in hexadecimal format.
 
Now the annoying stuff. Uniden apparently doesn't think this scanner (or the BCT15-X) deserves AGC. Number tags should be viewed with the rest of the channel info so you can just scroll to them. With Key-Safe Mode you are stuck with just the last mode the scanner was in when you turned off the radio (i.e. Close Call, Scan, etc.). (Maybe they should've called it Mode-Safe Mode?). 'Private' systems can be set to Private only with software. Startup Configuration can't be canceled once you start using it; the scanner remembers the last use configuration unless you use another, (still) scans multiple trunking systems relatively slow even with the hold time set to 0 (especially if you have a lot of IDs programmed). You have to hold on a channel first, to attenuate it. There is no 'per channel' delay; you must set the delay for the whole system (all sites, all groups, all channels). Updating the firmware (after trying to get it from Uniden's website) is still very complicated. And, the biggest complaint was no printed manual.

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 700+ 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.

I should also mention that Rich Barnett, president of Scanner Master, was kind enough to lend me a 346XT so I could write this manual. Without this personal gesture, you would not be reading this. And, thanks to the many people who have posted their valuable insight on the Radio Reference forums and Yahoo groups.

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 scanners if you don't have it. See checking Firmware Version.  Another recommendation is the freeware BCprogtool that allows POI, DRD, and DXG editing and can run with Macintosh operating systems.
 
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 have included links to other information in the Wiki (not relevant to the operation of the scanner) so you can still find the rest of the info such as specs, weather event codes, deciphering trunked systems, etc. and concentrate on the programming and operation 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. 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.
 
Check back often as this document will be updated and revised from time to time.

Main Features Contents
Trunk Tracker III Operation - follows conversations on analog Motorola, EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands.
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - organized into 'Systems', 'Sites', (within trunking systems), 'Groups' (within systems), and channels (within groups). Up to 500 systems, 1,000 total sites (max 256 per system), 20 groups per system, and 9,000 channels (500 max IDs or 1,000 frequencies per system).
Multi-Site Trunking - lets you program the scanner to share trunked system IDs across multiple sites without duplicating IDs, and turn each site on and off independently so that you can select the best site to scan for your area.
Control Channel Only Scanning - allows you to enter just the control channels to trunktrack a Motorola system and the scanner will find the voice channels.
System/Channel Number Tagging - number tags allow you to quickly navigate to a specific system or channel. You can assign number tags to systems, channels, service searches, and custom search ranges. You can also assign a number tag to the 'Close Call' system created during 'Close Call Auto Store' and the temporary system 'Close Call Hits'.
Band Scope Mode - Band Scope mode is a special type of search mode where the scanner displays the strength of any signal it finds.
Priority/Priority Plus Scan - priority channels let you keep track of activity on your most important channels while monitoring other channels for transmissions and you can scan just the priority channels.
Priority ID Scan - allows you to set priority to talkgroup IDs.
Preemptive Priority - a feature that works on Motorola systems. If the Motorola system has priority channels, and you assign one of those talkgroups as priority in the scanner, then when one of those channels becomes active, the scanner will jump to it even if it is on a different system voice channel (i.e. it preempts your current reception).
EDACS ESK Support - provides the ability to monitor analog talkgroups on those systems.
Adjustable Scan/Search Delay/Resume - set a delay up to 30 seconds or a forced resume up to 10 seconds. (per system or search).
Intermediate Frequency Exchange - changes the IF used for a selected channel/frequency to help avoid image and other mixer-product interference.
Individual Channel Volume Offset - allows you to adjust the volume offset for each channel.
Control Channel Data Output - allows the analysis of control channel data without the need to perform invasive modifications to the scanner.
Private Systems - lets you flag a system so that it cannot be read out of the scanner or modified (only with optional software).
Key Safe Mode - lets you hand the scanner to a novice user and prevent programming from being modified.
Start-up Configuration - you can program each of your conventional systems, trunked sites, service searches, or custom searches with a 'Startup Key' (0-9) so that when you power up the scanner and press the key number, just those systems/sites/searches assigned to the key will be enabled for scan (groups are not effected).
Location-Based Scanning - using an optional GPS unit you can scan your systems based on a set range from your current location.
GPS (Location-Based) Alerts - notifies you when you are near an area you have programmed as a dangerous road, dangerous intersection, or a general point of interest.
Preprogrammed Systems - your scanner is preprogrammed with several conventional and digital agencies covering police, fire, and ambulance.
Search with Scan Operation - lets you include and/or assign quick keys to selected service/custom search ranges during scan operation.
100 Quick Keys - you can scan conventional systems/trunked sites, groups, and searches by assigning them to quick keys.
3 Search Keys - you can assign 3 of the number keys to start a search range, Tone-Out search, or view the 'Band Scope' mode.
Temporary Lockout - automatically unlock temporarily locked out channels/systems/searches/locations when you cycle power.
CTCSS/DCS Tone Decode - decodes and displays Continuous Tone Code Squelch System tones being transmitted and plays Digital Coded Squelch being received.
CTCSS/DCS Search - lets you search for CTCSS, or DCS tones when it finds an active frequency in search and close call modes.
Close Call RF Capture Technology - lets you 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.
Close Call Temporary Store - temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close Call hits in the 'Hits with Scan' system.
Fire Tone-Out Standby/Tone Search - lets you set the scanner to alert you if a two-tone sequential page is transmitted. You can set up to 10 settings (transmit frequency, tone frequencies) then select one for standby monitoring. The scanner will also search and display unknown tones.
Frequency/ID Search and Store - the 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.
Custom Alerts - you can program your scanner to alert you when, a channel is received, you receive a Close Call hit, a talkgroup ID is transmitted with an emergency alert, you get close to a POI (Point of Interest)/Dangerous Road/Dangerous Crossing, or you receive a Tone-Out hit. For each alert in the scanner, you can select from 9 different tone patterns, 15 volume settings, and 2 blink patterns.
Repeater Reverse - allows the scanner to try to switch to the repeater if an input frequency is found.
Broadcast Screen - allows the scanner to ignore hits on known broadcast frequencies including pager frequencies in search and Close Call modes. You can also program up to 10 custom frequency ranges that the scanner will ignore.
Text Tagging - you can name each system, site, group, channel, talk group ID, custom search range, location, Tone-Out, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.
SAME Weather Alert/Priority  - (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.
Adjustable Hold (Scan) Time per System/Search - allows you to adjust the length of time spent scanning each system or 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.
Multi-Level Display and Keypad light - makes the display and keypad easy to see with three light levels.
Signal Strength Meter - shows the signal strength for the more powerful transmissions.
11 Service Searches - frequencies are preset in separate marine, railroad, air, CB radio, racing, FM broadcast, public safety, FRS/GMRS, news, amateur radio, 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 or channel or enter a frequency and start searching.
Automatic Channel Setup - accepts frequencies on any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within the band plan's default steps.
Configurable Band Defaults - allows you to set the step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) and modulation (AM, FM, NFM, WFM, or FMB) for 31 different bands.
Attenuator - you can set the scanner's attenuator to reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 20 dB per channel, search band, close call band, or trunked system.
Duplicate Frequency Alert - alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in the scanner.
Search Lockouts - you can lock out up to 500 frequencies (250 temporary, 250 permanent) in search or close call search.
Built-in Battery Charger - allows you to charge the batteries in the scanner with a timer to set up to 16 hours.

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 system, site, channel, frequency, or Close Call Hit.
Menu Mode- used for programming frequencies, IDs, trunking frequencies/systems/sites/groups/locations/fleet maps, and other 'system' settings.
Band Scope Mode- the mode the radio is in while doing a Band Scope search.
GPS Display Mode- the mode the radio is in where you can see location information and information about your position relative to a selected POI (Point of Interest).
GPS Review Location Mode- If you have programmed data for a POI (Point of Interest), Dangerous Crossing, and a Dangerous Road, you can review each set on a screen dedicated to showing just that data.
Tone-Out Mode- the mode the radio is in when it's monitoring paging tones.

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 let's 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 conventional 'Systems' (or trunking 'Sites') to scan that have channel 'Groups' stored within the 'Systems'. Conventional systems have frequency groups and trunking systems have ID groups. For trunking systems, you have to create at least 1 'Site' (Motorola and EDACS only) or multiple sites first that hold the trunking frequencies for each site. The ID channel 'Groups' stored within the trunking systems can be used with all the sites.

You can store up to 20 'Groups' per 'System' with up to 1000 frequencies or 500 IDs in each 'Group'. You can have 1000 total channels per conventional system and up to 256 'Sites' if you have enough memory. You can have a maximum of 500 Systems, 1000 Sites, and 9,000 Channels.

Understanding Quick Keys
There are 100 'System/Site/Search Quick Keys' (0-99) and 10 'Group Quick Keys' (0-9).

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

My advice is to assign everything to quick keys so you don't have to remember what to turn off/on or what to unlock/lockout. There are no indicators in the display showing systems/sites/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 Contents
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 tone codes).

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
  • Motorola Type II VOC
  • EDACS Standard (Wide)
  • EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
  • EDACS Networked (Wide/Narrow)
  • EDACS SCAT
  • EDACS ESK
  • 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).
 
Understanding Multi-Site Trunking  
Some Motorola and EDACS systems covering a very large geographic area use multiple antenna sites that each operate on different frequencies and use the same talkgroup IDs for traffic. Each site will have its own set of trunking frequencies and is monitored like a single system. Each site can have its own quick key, so you can turn each individual site on or off while you scan. Program your talkgroups into channel groups within that system and all talkgroups in the system are available to every site so they don't have to be reprogrammed for each site. Since all sites share all the talkgroups within the system, multi-site trunking is much more efficient than programming each site as a separate system.
 
Radio Reference.com has an excellent page explaining the various types of trunking systems in more detail here.

Understanding IDs Contents
IDs are what you see instead of frequencies when you monitor a trunking system.
 
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 IDs (ex: 700152).
 
Unit IDS (or Radio IDs) are 7 or 8 digit numbers identifying individual radios. Note: To view unit IDs you have to turn the option on in the 'Settings' menu.
 
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 and Setting the Squelch Contents
Note: this applies to a fresh scanner right out of the box or one that has been reset.

Press and hold for about 2 seconds to turn on the scanner. The scanner should start scanning one of the preprogrammed systems after the welcome screen disappears. If the screen is too dark, press to turn on the
backlight. Press Hold. Press the scroll control to display the volume level. Turn the scroll control (within 10 seconds) to adjust the volume. Press the scroll control again to close the volume level (or let it disappear after 10 seconds). Press Func then press the scroll control to display the squelch level. Turn the scroll control counter-clockwise all the way then clockwise until the noise stops, then one notch more. Press the scroll control to close the squelch level.
 
Right away you may want to check these settings in the 'Settings' menu. Set Backlight, Adjust Key Beep, Adjust Contrast, and Set Serial Port (if you plan to upload/download).
 
The only things you will be able to scan right out of the box are the preprogrammed systems in the scanner. You will also be able to do a service search, custom search, weather scan, search and store, close call search, or close call auto store.

Navigating the Menu  
The scanner's menu lets you select options that let you set up and use the scanner using the Menu key. To use the menu, press the Menu button on the left side of the scanner. To select a menu item, rotate the scroll control clockwise or counterclockwise. The currently-selected menu item is highlighted with a bar on the display. When the menu item you want to select is highlighted, press E/yes or the scroll control to select it. To back up a level, press Menu. To exit all menus press L/O or Scan.

Keypad and Knob Controls Contents
 
Each of the knobs and keys on the BC346XT produce several different results depending upon how you activate them. You can, for example, rotate the knobs as well as press them. Some keys provide one operation when briefly pressed while pressing and holding a key or knob gives a different result. Many controls and keys behave differently depending on the mode your radio is in when you use the key or control.
Key Function(s)
Scroll Control,
Sql, Vol
Press to select a menu item or save an entry in Menu Mode.
Press then turn to adjust volume level in Scan Mode.
Press to view battery info in Scan Mode.
Turn to select scan/search direction and to continue scan/search in Scan/Search Modes.
Turn to select channel or frequency in Scan/Search Hold Modes.
Turn to scroll to a menu item in Menu Mode.
Turn to select POIs in GPS Display Mode.
Turn to select locations GPS Review Location Mode.
Turn to temporary lock out an alert in GPS Display Mode.
Turn to select Tone-Outs in Tone-Out Standby.
Turn to select characters when editing text.
Press Func then Vol to adjust squelch in Scan Mode.
Press Func then turn Vol
skips to the location that starts with the next letter of the alphabet in GPS Review Location Mode.
Menu Press to enter Menu Mode.
Press to return to previous menu.
Press to go to a channel and/or a system number tag after entering.
Press to return to GPS mode in Review Location Mode.
Press Func then Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current system in Scan Mode.
Press Func then Menu to go to the 'Search for...' menu in Search Mode.
Press Func then Menu to go to the 'Close Call' menu in Close Call Only Mode.
Press Func then Menu to go to the 'WX Operation' menu in Any Weather Mode.
Press Func then Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current POI in GPS Display Mode.
Press Func then Menu to go to the 'Tone-Out for...' menu in Tone-Out Standby/Search.
Func Press to enter Function Mode for 3 seconds.
Press and hold to lock Function Mode. Press again to unlock.
Hold/ Press to hold on a channel, frequency, search, Close Call hit, or Tone-Out search. Press again to resume.
Press to hold in Band Scope Mode.
Press to recall the last Close Call Hit in Close Call Only Mode.
Press and hold to hold on a system in Scan Mode. Press and hold to resume.
Press Func then Hold/ to toggle Close Call DND, Close Call Priority, or Close Call Off in Any Mode except Tone-Out.
Press Func then press and hold Hold/ to turn on Close Call Only in Any Mode except GPS.
Scan/Srch Press to start/continue/resume scanning in Scan/GPS Modes.
Press Func then Scan/Srch to change from 'ID Scan' to 'ID Search' while scanning a trunking site in Scan Mode.
Press Func then Scan/Srch to start/continue/resume searching in Search Mode.
Press Func then Scan/Srch to start a 'quick search' at the current frequency while scanning a conventional system in Scan Mode.
Press Func then Scan/Srch to toggle 'Srch' and 'Max Hold Search' displays in Band Scope Mode.
L/O Press to toggle the lockout status of a channel in Scan Mode.
Press to toggle the lockout status of a frequency in Search Mode.
Press to toggle the lockout status of a location in GPS Review Location Mode.
Press and hold to unlock (and enable) all groups and channels in a system in Scan Hold Mode.
Press and hold to unlock all frequencies of all search ranges/Close Call in Search Hold Mode.
Press and hold to unlock all locations of the current type (POI, DRD, or DXG) in GPS Review Location Mode.
Press Func then L/O to toggle the lockout status of a conventional system/site/search in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then L/O to review and unlock search frequencies in Search/Close Call Only Modes.
Press Func then Press and hold L/O to unlock (and enable) all systems, groups, channels, and search ranges in Scan Mode.
Press Func then Press and hold L/O to unlock all locations of all types (POI, DRD, or DXG) in GPS Review Location Mode.
Press to exit Menu Mode or return to the last mode.
/ Press and hold for more than 2 seconds to turn the scanner on or off.
Press to turn the display backlight on or off.
Press Func then
to toggle the key lock on or off in Any Mode.
Number Keys Enter any 3-digit channel number tag then Menu to access a channel in the current system in Scan Hold Mode.
Enter any 3-digit system number tag then (.)no then any 3-digit channel number tag then Menu to access a channel in another system in Scan Hold Mode.
Enter any frequency/ID then Hold to go directly to in Scan/Search Hold Modes.
Press 0-9 to toggle single-digit system/site/search quick keys on or off in Scan Mode.
Press 0-9 to toggle custom searches on or off in Search Mode.
Press 1-6 to toggle Close Call bands on or off in Close Call Only Mode.
Press 4 to move the cursor to the left when editing text.
Press 6 to move the cursor to the right when editing text.
Press Func then 0-9 to toggle group quick keys on or off in Scan Mode.
Press Func then 1(sr 1)-3(sr 3) to turn search keys on in Any Hold Mode except GPS.
Press Func then 4(ifx) to toggle intermediate frequency exchange for a channel/frequency in Scan/Search/Weather Hold Modes.
Press Func then 5(lvl) to toggle the volume offset for a channel in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then 6(disp) to toggle
display modes (1, 2, or 3) in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then 6(disp) to toggle POI displays in GPS Display Mode.
Press Func then 7(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a conventional channel in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then 7(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a trunked site in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then 7(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off in Search/Close Call Only/Tone-Out/Weather Modes.
Press Func then press and hold 7(att) to toggle global attenuation on/off in Any Hold Mode except GPS.
Press Func then press and hold 8(rev) to view the repeater frequency in Scan/Search/Close Call Only Hold Modes.
Press Func then 9(mod) to toggle the modulation for a conventional channel in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then 9(mod) to toggle the modulation for a trunked site in Scan Hold Mode.
Press Func then 9(mod) to toggle the modulation for a search/Close Call/Tone-Out in Search Mode.
Press Func then 0(wx) to enter Weather Alert Priority mode in Any Hold Mode.
Press Func then 0(wx) to switch to Weather Alert in Weather Scan Mode.
Press Func then 0(wx) to switch to Weather Scan in Weather Alert Mode.
.no(pri) Press to cancel an error or warning message.
Press to enter a decimal point after a system number tag.
Press before entering a 2-digit system quick key to turn on or off in Scan Mode.
Press to enter a decimal point for a frequency while programming.
Press to delete current character when editing text.
Press twice to delete all characters when editing text.
Press to enter a hyphen when entering an ID while programming.
Press to enter an 'i' when entering an 'I-Call' ID while programming.
Press to return to GPS Display Mode in GPS Review Location Mode.
Press Func then .no(pri) to toggle Priority On, Priority Plus, Priority Off in Scan Hold Mode.
E/yes(gps) Press to select a menu item or save a name in Menu Mode.
Press to enter the Menu mode for a displayed channel in Scan Mode.
Press to enter the Menu mode for the current Tone-Out in Tone-Out Standby/Search.
Press to store a (blinking) CTCSS/DCS tone in Scan Mode.
Press to store an ID in 'ID Search' mode while scanning a trunked system in Scan Mode.
Press to 'quick store' a frequency in Search/Close Call Only/Weather Modes.
Press to store found tones in Tone-Out Search Mode.
Press to enter the Menu mode for the current Tone-Out in Tone-Out Standby/Search.
Press to enter 'Review Location' menu in GPS Display Mode.
Press Func then E/yes(gps) to enter GPS mode in Scan Mode.
Press Func then press and hold E/yes(gps) to store (overwrite) current location (with a GPS device connected) in GPS Display/Review Location Mode.

A Look at the Display Contents

Conventional Display Mode 1 (Function Mode)

Conventional Display Mode 2

Trunking Display Mode 1

Trunking Display Mode 2

Trunking Display Mode 3 (Hold Mode)

Close Call Auto Store
The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status. The display information helps you understand how your scanner operates.
 
Top Line
appears when you press Func to select Function mode in Any Mode.
appears
and blinks when you press and hold Func to lock Function mode in Any Mode.
HOLD appears in Hold Mode.
L/O appears if the system/site/group/channel/frequency/search/location is locked out in Hold Mode.
shows
the system number tag and channel number tag (if programmed) in Function Mode.
PRI appears in priority mode and blinks in priority plus mode in Scan Mode.
appears to show the signal strength of the Receiving channel or frequency.
appears if the keylock is on in Any Mode.
appears and blinks (with a tone) if the battery is low in Any Mode.
GPS appears if the scanner is connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal in Any Mode.
shows the
battery level when you press Vol in Any Mode.
2nd Line
shows the name of the currently scanned site or conventional system in Scan Mode.
shows the name of the currently searched custom/service search in Search Mode.
will
alternate the conventional system name and channel group name for a conventional system in Receiving or Hold Modes.
will alternate the site name and channel group name for a trunking system in Receiving or Hold Modes.
will alternate the custom search name and system name for a trunking system for a 'C-Ch only Search' in Receiving or Search Hold Modes in display modes 1 and 3.
will alternate the custom search name and 'SID' for a trunking system for a 'C-Ch only Search' in Receiving or Search Hold Modes in display mode 2.
3rd Line
will scroll 'SCAN' (for a conventional system), 'ID SCAN', or 'ID SEARCH' (for a trunked system) and show an up or down arrow to indicate the scan direction in Scan Mode.
will display the search frequency range/channels and an up or down arrow to show the scan direction in Search Mode.
shows the frequency or ID (or text tag if programmed) for a channel in
Receiving or Scan Hold Modes.
shows the search frequency (and the channel number for CB, Rail, and FRS/GMRS/MURS service searches) in
Receiving or Search Hold Modes.
shows the ID (with C-Ch only on) in Receiving or Search Hold Modes.
4th Line - Display Mode 1
appears when receiving a conventional priority channel in Receiving or Hold Modes.
shows the acquired control channel frequency of a trunking site in Scan Mode.
shows the modulation and attenuation (if on) of a non-acquired trunked site in Scan Mode.
shows the voice channel of a trunked site
in Receiving or Hold Modes.
shows the receive modulation of the conventional channel
in Receiving or Hold Modes.
shows the receive modulation of the custom/service search
in Search Mode.
ATT appears if the channel/search is attenuated in Receiving or Hold Modes.
shows the tone code (if received) for a conventional frequency if programmed and blinks in CTCSS/DCS search mode
in Receiving or Hold Modes.
IFX
appears if intermediate exchange is on for the channel in Function Hold Mode.
shows the volume offset for the channel in Function Hold Mode.
4th Line - Display Mode 2
shows the acquired control channel frequency of a trunking site in Scan Mode.
shows the modulation and attenuation (if on) of a non-acquired trunked site in Scan Mode.
shows the ID for a trunking site
in Receiving or Hold Modes.
shows the frequency for a conventional channel
in Receiving or Hold Modes.
shows the receive modulation of the custom/service search
in Search Mode.
ATT appears if the search is attenuated in Receiving or Search Modes.
shows the tone code (if received) for a conventional frequency if programmed and blinks in CTCSS/DCS search mode
in Receiving or Hold Modes.
IFX
appears if intermediate exchange is on for the channel in Function Hold Mode.
shows the volume offset for the channel in Function Hold Mode.
4th Line - Display Mode 3
shows only the trunking activity indicators for a trunked system in Scan, Receiving, or Hold Modes. Conventional system/search display is the same as Display mode 1.
5th Line
S0-9: shows the first digit of (systems/sites/search assigned to) the currently scanned quick key on the left with the blinking second digit (1-0) on the right in Scan or Receiving Modes.
S0-9: shows the first digit of the system/site/search quick key assigned to the displayed channel on the left with the second digit (1-0) on the right in Hold Mode.
  a non-blinking number on the right indicates the quick key is enabled waiting to be scanned.
a - (dash) means nothing is assign to the quick key.
an * (asterisk) means the quick key is turned off.
appears if the Close Call 'Priority' feature is on in Any Mode except GPS and Tone-Out.
appears reversed if the Close Call 'Do-Not-Disturb' feature is on in Any Mode except GPS and Tone-Out.
SCR appears if one or more broadcast/custom screen bands are turned on in Receiving or Search Modes.
REP appears if repeater reverse is turned on in Receiving or Search Modes.
6th Line
GRP shows the group quick keys (1-0) for each conventional system/site with (groups assigned to) the currently scanned quick key blinking in Scan or Receiving Modes.
GRP shows the group quick key for the displayed channel in Hold Mode.
  a non-blinking number on the right indicates the quick key is enabled waiting to be scanned.
a - (dash) means nothing is assign to the quick key.
an * (asterisk) means the quick key is turned off.
WX appears if the weather alert priority feature is on in Any Mode except GPS and Tone-Out.
GPS alert information appears if connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal in Scan or Search Modes.

BC346XT Auto Step Sizes/Auto Modulation Contents
Band Defaults  
Frequency Range Step (kHz) Mode Band Frequency Range Step (kHz) Mode Band
25-27.405 5 AM CB/Business 150.8-161.995 5 NFM VHF High
27.41-27.995 5 AM Business/Forest 162-173.9875 12.5 NFM Federal
28-29.68 20 NFM 10 Meter Ham 174-215.95 50 WFM VHF TV
29.7-49.99 10 NFM VHF Low 216-224.98 20 NFM 1.25 Meter Ham
50-53.98 20 NFM 6 Meter Ham 400-405.9875 12.5 NFM Miscellaneous
54-71.95 50 WFM VHF TV 406-419.9875 12.5 NFM Federal Trunked
72-75.995 5 FM Astronomy 420-449.9875 12.5 NFM 70 cm Ham
76-87.95 50 WFM VHF TV 450-469.9875 12.5 NFM UHF Standard
88-107.9 100 FMB FM Broadcast 470-512 12.5 NFM UHF TV
108-136.9916 8.33 AM Commercial Air 806-823.9875 12.5 NFM Public Service
137-143.9875 12.5 NFM Military Land Mobile 849.0125-868.9875 12.5 NFM PS Trunked
144-147.995 5 NFM 2 Meter Ham 894.0125-960 12.5 NFM Public Service, 33 cm Ham
148-150.7875 12.5 NFM Military Land Mobile 1240-1300 25 NFM 25 cm Ham
 
When you select 'AUTO' for a channel or mode’s modulation or step, the above values are used unless you’ve edited the Band Defaults. Although TV bands are listed, the scanner cannot decode digital TV audio.

Settings Menu  
To Edit Settings press Menu. Scroll to 'Settings' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the settings and options below (
in Blue) and press E/yes.
 
Set Backlight Adjust Contrast Set Serial Port Disp. Unit ID Locking/Unlocking the Keypad
Adjust Key Beep Set C-CH Output Band Defaults See Scanner Info Viewing Battery Level
Battery Option Set GPS Format     % Memory Used Cloning
        Firmware Version and Serial Number Scanner Reset
Contents
Set Backlight  to use the backlight press . There are 5 different ways to use the backlight and 3 light intensities.
  Scroll to 'Set Backlight' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Mode' press E/yes.
  Scroll to 1 of the 5 settings and press E/yes to save and exit.
10 sec - The backlight stays on for 10 seconds after you press .
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.
  Scroll to 'Set Dimmer' press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Manual' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'High', 'Middle', 'Low', or 'Off' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Press Menu to return.

Adjust Key Beep this setting turns the key beep on or off and adjusts the volume level.
  Scroll to 'Adjust Key Beep' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Level' scroll to '
Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Battery Option these settings allow you to turn the battery save option on or off and to set the battery charge time. The scanner turns off power for 1 second and turns it on for 300 ms when you monitor a channel/frequency that has no activity for more than a minute. Note: No Icon will appear in the display to tell you if the battery save feature is on or off.
  Scroll to 'Set Battery Save' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to 'Set Charge Time' and press E/yes.
Enter 1-16 (hours) and press E/yes to save and exit.
Press Menu to return.

Adjusting the Display Contrast this setting controls the display's contrast (how light or dark it appears).
  Scroll to 'Adjust Contrast' and press E/yes.
At 'Contrast 1-15' scroll to the preferred contrast level and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set C-CH Output allows you to choose how you want the scanner to handle control channel data output.
  Scroll to 'Set C-CH Output' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 1 of 3 options and press E/yes.
  Off- The scanner will not output the control channel data.
  On- The scanner will output the control channel data.
  Extend- The scanner will output the control channel data along with any description.

Set GPS Format allows you to set the GPS format to DD,MM,SS or decimal degrees (DD.000000), time format, time zone, and units.
  Scroll to 'Set GPS Format' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Pos Format' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'DMS:DDD MM"SS.ss' or 'DEG:DDD.dddddd' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to 'Set Time Format' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to '12H' or '24H' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to 'Set Time Zone' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Your Time Zone' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to 'Set Unit' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'mile' or 'km' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Press Menu to return.
Contents
Set Serial Port allows you to set the baud rate for the serial port. You set the port to match the speed used to communicate with your PC (typically 115200 bps) and to 4800 bps for communicating with a GPS.
  Scroll to 'Set Serial Port' and press E/yes.
Scroll to Off, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, or 115200 and press E/yes to save and exit.

Band Defaults basically, this setting allows you change the 'Auto' values you can select while programming frequencies, searches, etc. to whatever you feel 'Auto' should be for each band (vs. the radio defaults). Since all of the step and modulation settings default to 'Auto', this allows you to skip those settings when programming. Note: This setting has no effect on service searches.
  Scroll to the band you wish to edit and press E/yes. Refer to Auto Step Size chart to help find the bands in the menu.
  At 'Set Modulation' scroll to AM, NFM, FM, WFM, or FMB (Broadcast) and press E/yes to save and exit.
At 'Set Step' scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 kHz and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to any other bands you wish to edit and repeat. Press Menu to return.

Disp. Unit ID (Requires firmware 1.04 or newer). Allows you see the unit ID of the radio currently transmitting on Motorola, and EDACS systems.
  Scroll to 'Disp. Unit ID' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.

% Memory Used this setting lets you view the amount of memory used in the scanner, the number of systems, the number of sites, and the number of channels.
  Scroll to 'See Scanner Info' and press E/yes.
Scroll to '% Memory Used' and press E/yes.
Press Menu twice to exit.

Firmware Version and Serial Number allows you to view the firmware version, the serial number, and the checksum and version. It is recommended that you download and install the latest firmware upgrade for the scanner if you don't already have it. Check the Wiki to find all the information necessary to upgrade your firmware.
  Scroll to 'See Scanner Info' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Firmware Version' and press E/yes.
Press Menu twice to exit.

Locking/Unlocking the Keypad
  Hold on any channel. Press Func then to lock or unlock the keypad. The only keys/knobs that work are Func, Hold, and the scroll control for volume.

Viewing the Battery Level to view the battery level (in volts) press the scroll control and look at the small numbers in the upper right of the display. Press the scroll control again to close the volume level (or let it disappear after 10 seconds).

Cloning to clone (copy) data from one (same) scanner to another, you must first connect the scanners to each other using the included connection cables and a DB9 null modem adapter (not included, available at most computer stores). Plug the smaller end of each of the included connection cables into the Remote jack on the side of each scanner. Then connect the other end of the cables together using the null modem adapter.
Then set up both scanners:
  For each scanner, press Menu. Scroll to 'Wired Clone' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Wired Clone' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Slave' and press E/yes for the destination scanner.
Scroll to 'Master' and press E/yes for the source scanner.

Press Scan/Srch on the Slave
scanner then on the Master scanner. The master scanner checks to make sure the slave is properly connected and ready to receive, then begins the data transfer. When the transfer is finished, both scanners display a 'Complete' message. Reboot the slave scanner to load the new settings. Note: All settings and data saved on the Slave scanner will be erased.

Scanner Reset to initialize the scanner's memory, turn off the scanner. Then press 2, 9, and Hold while turning it on (It helps if you can lay it flat). The scanner will give you the option 'Restore Preprogram List? "Yes"=E/No="."', if you press 'E/Yes', the scanner reloads the preprogrammed systems.
  Important! This deletes all programmed data.

Planning Systems, Sites, and Groups Contents
Planning your systems will be very important even if you do have the software. Organizing your quick keys will be the hardest part of the planning. You can assign quick keys and copy and paste most of the freqs, alpha tags, and IDs easily into the software.

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.

So, you have to figure out which conventional systems/trunked sites 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.

Number Tags Numbers for system and channel tags can range from 0 to 999. Systems can have the same number tag but you will get a warning. Same warning applies to channels. You can assign number tags to channels even if the system does not have a number tag but, without a system number tag, you can only navigate to these channels while holding or scanning in that system. See also Using Number Tags.

If two systems/searches have the same number tag, they will be selected in sequence (the first time you select the number tag, the scanner will go to the first system/search assigned to that number tag; if you select the same number tag again, it will go to the 2nd system/search assigned to that number tag, and so on). The same rule applies to channel number tags (so don't start at 1 for each channel group in the system).

Alerts You can program your scanner to alert you when, a channel is received, you receive a Close Call hit, a talkgroup ID is transmitted with an emergency alert, you get close to a POI (Point of Interest)/Dangerous Road/Dangerous Crossing, or you receive a Tone-Out hit. For each alert in the scanner, you can select from 9 different tone patterns, 15 volume settings, and 2 blink patterns. For more info visit the Wiki alerts page.

Startup Keys you can program each of your conventional systems, trunked sites, service searches, or custom searches with a 'Startup Key' (0-9) so that when you power up the scanner and press the key number, just those systems/sites/searches assigned to the key will be enabled for scan (groups are not effected). See also Using Startup Keys.
 
Worksheets  
I have put together complete worksheets ready to print to help you plan your systems, Close Call, and Fire Tone-Out, etc. settings. Even if you don't fill them out, they are a good check list for programming.
Settings Worksheet   Conventional Worksheet   Motorola 800/900Worksheet   Motorola VHF-UHF Worksheet   EDACS Worksheet   LTR Worksheet

Entering Text Contents
To program text you must first program the system, site, group, channel, location, custom search, Tone-Out, or SAME group. There are links to refer you back here while you are programming.
 
To enter a letter, turn the scroll control until the character you want appears.
(character order clock-wise is upper-case, lower-case, numbers, then special characters).
To enter a decimal point, press (.)no.
To move the cursor to the right, press 6>.
To move the cursor to the left, press <4.
To clear a character or enter a space, press (.)no.
To clear all characters, press (.)no twice.
Press E/yes when finished to exit.
Press the 'Back' button in your browser to return to programming.

Programming Systems Contents
You have to create systems first, create sites in the trunking systems (where the trunking frequencies now go), create groups in the systems, create channels in the groups, then program the frequencies or IDs into the channels. Or, you can Quick store freqs or Quick store IDs (only after you program the trunking system and site). Trunking IDs only go into trunking system groups and conventional frequencies only go into conventional system groups. You can only store one trunking system per 'system'. You can store up to 500 systems, up to 20 groups per system, and up to 1000 frequencies or 500 IDs per group. Total channels are limited to about 9,000. Also, remember that conventional frequencies and IDs are considered channels. Note: Once a system has been created, the system type cannot be changed.

One suggestion; assign every (conventional) system/(trunked) site/group (and search you want to include with scan) to a quick key. You can assign as many systems/sites you want to a quick key and as many groups you want to a group quick key. That way you can just turn systems/sites/groups on and off and not have to worry about locking them out. If you don't assign systems/sites/groups to a quick key, you have to lock it out if you don't want to scan it.

See also
Deciphering Trunked Systems at the Wiki.

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

Private Systems  You can flag a system only in the software so that it cannot be read out of the scanner, modified, or deleted. There are no settings in the scanner to do this. You can still use the system as you would normally (system/channel lockouts/unlock, volume offset, attenuate, etc), you just can't access it in the menu. Also, you can't even upload the system back to the scanner and have to delete it with the software too.
 
To Edit the System Name press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system you want to name and press E/yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See
Entering Text.
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?' see
Entering Text to name the new system.
Copying a system will copy all sites, groups, channels, and settings including quick key assignments.
To Delete a System press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Delete System' and press E/yes.
At 'Confirm Delete' press E/yes.

Programming Conventional Systems  
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 Sys Type' scroll to 'Conventional' and press E/yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See
Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Option' and press E/yes.
Continue at '
Set Quick Key' below.
Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
 
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 Set Number Tag Set Hold Time
Set Start-up Key Set Lockout Set Delay Time
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 (0-99 or . for no quick key) you want assigned to the system and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: Pressing the first number of a 2-digit quick key will get you closer, 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc. then scroll to second digit.

Set Start-up Key allows you to turn on the scanner with the system enabled for scan using the Startup Configuration. The default setting is no startup key.
  Scroll to 'Set Startup Key' and press E/yes.
Scroll to (or enter) the startup key number (0-9 or . for no startup key) you want assigned to the system and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Number Tag allows you to number a system. The default setting is no number tag (blank). See also Using Number Tags.
  Scroll to 'Set Number Tag' and press E/yes.
Enter the number tag (0-999) (Press (.)no to clear the display) 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). 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Temporary L/O', 'Unlocked' or 'Locked' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: You can also toggle system lockout by holding on the system in scan mode and pressing Func then L/O.

Set Hold Time sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner will scan the system before moving on to the next system. 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 sets the delay (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before moving to the next channel. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds. 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 (-10, -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs.) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Programming Trunking Systems Contents
To Create 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 Sys Type' scroll to 'MOT' and press E/yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/yes.
Continue at '
Set Number Tag' below.
Then see Creating Sites. Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
 
To Create 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 Sys Type' scroll to 'EDCS' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'WIDE/NARROW' or 'SCAT' and press E/yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/yes.
  Note: EDACS Wide is the same as EDACS Standard and use a 9600 baud control channel. EDACS Narrow-band systems use a 4800 baud control channel. See here at RR for a description of SCAT.
At 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/yes.
Continue at '
Set Number Tag' below.
Then see Creating Sites. Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
 
To Create 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 Sys Type' scroll to 'LT' and press E/yes. At 'Confirm?' press E/yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See
Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/yes.
Continue at '
Set Number Tag' below.
Then see Edit Site Options. Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.

To Edit Trunking Systems 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.

Note: Not all options will appear for EDACS SCAT and LTR systems.
 
Set Number Tag Priority ID Scan (no EDACS SCAT) Set ID Format (no EDACS SCAT)
ID Scan/Search (no EDACS SCAT) Set Status Bit (Motorola only) Rvw ID:Srch L/O (no EDACS SCAT)
Set Delay Time

Set End Code (Motorola only)

Clr All L/O IDs (no EDACS SCAT)
Edit Fleetmap (Motorola Type I/lli only) Emergency Alert (Moto/EDACS W/N only)  
Contents
Set Number Tag allows you to number a system. The default setting is no number tag (blank). See also Using Number Tags.
  Scroll to 'Set Number Tag' and press E/yes.
Enter the number tag (0-999) (Press (.)no to clear the display) and press E/yes to save and exit.

ID Scan/Search (no EDACS SCAT) 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.

 

Note: You can also toggle this while scanning each trunked system by pressing Func then Scan/Srch.

Set Delay Time sets the delay (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before moving to the next channel. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds. 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 (-10, -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs.) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Edit Fleetmap (Motorola 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 available block so you can scroll to and enter the next size code (0-14) then press E/yes.
Repeat for each block as needed (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.
Contents
Priority ID Scan (no EDACS SCAT) allows you to use Priority Scan with IDs.
  Scroll to 'Priority ID Scan' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'On' or 'Off' and press E/yes.

Set Status Bit (Motorola only) sets how your scanner works with status bits (also called S-bits), letting you control how the scanner interprets and displays Motorola talk group IDs. The default setting is ignore.
  Scroll to 'Set Status Bit' and press E/yes.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/yes to save and exit.
Yes- the scanner treats all received ID's as unique ID's.
Ignore- the scanner rounds all received ID's down to the next interval of 16.

Set End Code (Motorola only) 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.

Emergency Alert (Motorola/EDACS only) sets how your scanner handles IDs that have the emergency flag set. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Emergency Alert' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Alert Tone' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Tone' scroll to the alert (Alert 1-9 or Off) and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to 'Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Light' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Alert Light' scroll to On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink and press E/yes.
  Press Menu to return.
Contents
Set ID Format (DEC/HEX for Motorola or AFS/DEC for EDACS) sets the ID format for the system.
  Scroll to 'Set ID Format' and press E/yes.
(Motorola) Scroll to 'Decimal Format' or 'Hex Format' and press E/yes to save and exit.
(EDACS) Scroll to 'AFS Format' or 'Decimal Format' and press E/yes to save and exit.

Rvw ID:Srch L/O (no EDACS SCAT) allows you to review locked out IDs in a system and unlock them.
  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.

Clr All L/O IDs (no EDACS SCAT) 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 to save and exit.
'Nothing Locked' appears if nothing is locked out. Press 'Menu' to return.

Creating Sites (site automatically created for EDACS SCAT)
Once you have your trunking Systems Created and Systems Options configured you can create your sites. All trunked systems need at least one site to enter trunking frequencies.
 
To Create a Site press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to create a site and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Site' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Site' scroll to 'New Site' and press E/yes.
Continue at '
Edit Name' below.
Then see Creating Groups. Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
 
To Edit Site Options press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system that has the site you want to edit and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Site' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Site' scroll to the site 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.

Note: Not all options will appear for EDACS SCAT and LTR sites.
 
Edit Name (no EDACS SCAT) Set Frequencies Set Modulation Set Location Info
Set Quick Key   Edit Frequency Set Attenuator Delete Site
Set Start-up Key   Set Lockout Set Lockout New Site
Edit Band Plan (Motorola Custom/VHF/UHF only)   Delete Frequency Set Hold Time  
Set Site Type (EDACS only)   New Frequency    
Contents
Edit Name(no EDACS SCAT) assigns a name to the site.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/yes. See Entering Text

Set Quick Key assigns quick key to a site 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 (0-99 or . for no quick key) you want assigned to the site and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: Pressing the first number of a 2-digit quick key will get you closer, 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc. then scroll to second digit.

Set Start-up Key allows you to turn on the scanner with the site enabled for scan using the Startup Configuration. The default setting is no startup key.
  Scroll to 'Set Startup Key' and press E/yes.
Scroll to (or enter) the startup key number (0-9 or . for no startup key) you want assigned to the site 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 Standard Motorola 800/900/Splinter Systems (Splinter - 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).
  Scroll to 'Edit Band Plan' and press E/yes.
Scroll to '800/900 Standard' or '800Splinter' and press E/yes.
The scanner will use the regular old Motorola band plan and return to the menu.
For Custom (rebanded) Motorola/VHF/UHF Systems allows you to create a custom band plan for rebanded/VHF/UHF 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. If you don't have Excel you can download and install a viewer here. The upper base frequency can also be found using the Band Plan Calculator at the online Wiki. Also, look at Determining Base/Step/Offset for VHF/UHF Motorola Systems at Radio Reference.com.
  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
  Contents

Set Site Type (EDACS only) this is where you select a Wideband or Narrowband EDACS site.
  Scroll to 'Set Site Type' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Wide (Standard)' or 'Narrow' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: EDACS Wide is the same as EDACS Standard and use a 9600 baud control channel. EDACS Narrow-band sites use a 4800 baud control channel.

Set Frequencies this is where you program or change the trunking frequencies, delete frequencies, or lock them out.
  To Program New Frequencies, scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/yes.
At 'Sel Frequency' scroll to 'New Frequency' and press E/yes.
At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/yes.
  For EDACS and LTR sites only:
At 'Input LCN' enter the LCN number and press E/yes. See
Finding EDACS LCN Order. See Finding LTR LCN Order.
  Scroll to 'New Frequency' and press E/yes to enter more frequencies.
Press 'Menu' twice to return to the 'Edit Site' menu.
  To Edit Frequencies, scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/yes.
At 'Sel Frequency' scroll to the frequency you want to edit and press E/yes.
Scroll to' Edit Frequency' press E/yes. Edit the frequency and press E/yes to save and exit.
  For EDACS and LTR sites only:
At 'Input LCN' enter the LCN number and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' press E/yes. Set the lockout status and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to' Delete Frequency' press E/yes. At 'Confirm Delete' press E/yes. You will return to the 'Edit Site' menu.
Press 'Menu' twice to return to the site menu.

Set Modulation This setting selects the modulation used for the site. The default setting is auto (NFM for FM frequencies). See also Band Defaults.
  Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/yes.
Scroll to Auto, NFM, or FM and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: You can also toggle modulation for a site in scan hold mode by pressing Func then 9(mod).
Contents
Set Attenuator This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on this site by about 20 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.
  Note: You can also toggle attenuation for a site in scan hold mode by pressing Func then 7(att).

Set Lockout determines whether a site will be scanned or not (even if the quick key for the site is turned on). 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: You can also toggle lockout by holding on the site and quickly pressing Func then L/O.

Set Hold Time sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner will scan the site before moving on to the next site. If you select 0 for trunking sites, the scanner stays on the site for at least 1 second. The scanner moves to the next site after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires. The default setting is 2 seconds for each site.
Tip
: set your sites 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 Location Info allows you program a location for the site so the scanner will enable/disable it for scanning with a GPS unit attached. See Set GPS Format first to set your units, time zone, etc.
  Scroll to 'Set LocationInfo' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Latitude' press E/yes. Enter the latitude and press E/yes.
At 'Set Longitude' press E/yes. Enter the longitude and press E/yes.
At 'Set Range' press E/yes. Enter the range (
0.5 to 125 in 0.5 steps) and press E/yes.
At 'Set GPS Enable' press E/yes. Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes.
Press Menu to return.

Creating Groups

Once you have your Systems built, systems options configured, (trunking system) Sites Created, and Site Options configured, you can create your groups.
 
To Create a New Group (no EDACS SCAT) press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the 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.

Continue at 'Edit Name' below.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
 
To Edit Group Options press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/yes.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to edit a group 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 Set Location Info Delete Group
Set Quick Key Set Lockout New Group
Edit Channel    
Contents
Edit Name allows you to change the name of a group.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See Entering Text.

Set Quick Key sets the quick key for the group. The default setting is no quick key.
  Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/yes.
Scroll to or enter the quick key number (0-9 or . for no quick key) you want to assign to the group and press E/yes to save and exit.

Edit Channel creates channels and edits channel options.
See
Programming Frequencies/IDs.

Set Location Info allows you program a location for the group so the scanner will enable/disable it for scanning with a GPS unit attached. See Set GPS Format first to set your units, time zone, etc.
  Scroll to 'Set LocationInfo' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Latitude' press E/yes. Enter the latitude and press E/yes.
At 'Set Longitude' press E/yes. Enter the longitude and press E/yes.
At 'Set Range' press E/yes. Enter the range (
0.5 to 125 in 0.5 steps) and press E/yes.
At 'Set GPS Enable' press E/yes. Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes.
Press Menu to return.

Set Lockout determines whether a group will be scanned or not (even if the quick key for the group is turned on). 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes.
Press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.

Programming Frequencies/TGIDs Contents
Once you have your Systems built, systems options configured, Sites Created (for trunking systems), Site Options configured, and Groups Created, you can (finally) program your channels.

Quickly Storing a Conventional Frequency
  To Program a Frequency into a 'Quick Save Group' in a 'Quick Save System', in scan mode press Hold to 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 Conventional Systems Options to customize the channel(s), group, and system.
 
  To Program a Frequency into an Existing Group, in scan mode press Hold to 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.
  Contents
Quickly Storing an ID Note: You have to program the trunking system and site first. See Programming Trunking Systems.
  To Program an ID into a 'Quick Save Group' in scan mode Hold on any channel in the system you want to store the ID in.
. Enter the ID (see Entering IDs) and press E/yes.
  At 'Quick TGID Save?' 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 an ID into an Existing Group in scan mode 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 ID or Scan to exit.

Manually Programming Channel Frequencies/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. See also
Set ID Format.
  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 and receive all IDs in the subfleet).
You can also lock out this subfleet ID so you will not receive it.
  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.
  Note: You can also lock out this wildcard ID so you will not receive I-Calls.
  To enter an 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 and receive all IDs in the fleet and/or subfleet).
You can also lock out this fleet and/or subfleet ID so you will not receive it.
  To enter an EDACS ID in Decimal format, enter the ID and press E/yes.
  To enter an EDACS I-Call ID, press (.)no once then enter the ID and press E/yes.
  To enter an EDACS Wildcard (receive any) I-Call ID, press (.)no once then enter 0 and press E/yes.
  Note: You can also lock out this wildcard ID so you will not receive I-Calls.
  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).
You can also lock out this home repeater ID so you will not receive it.
  To enter a Unit ID (Radio ID), press (.)no once then enter the ID and press E/yes.
  Notes: To view unit IDs you have to turn the option on in the 'Settings' menu. Other channel attributes (alerts, etc.) will not be applied to Unit ID channels.
  To enter hexadecimal IDs see Entering Text.
  Note: If the channel is already stored in the group, 'TGID or Frequency Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)no to return.
  Continue at Edit Name below.
Press Menu to return to 'Select Channel'. Scroll to 'New Channel' and press E/yes.
Program the rest of the channels the same way.

Edit Channel Options Menu  
Once you have your systems built , 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 where the channel is and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/yes.
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.
You can also press E/yes when the channel is displayed in scan mode. (Press (.)no to cancel storing a tone code if asked).
Scroll to the options below and press E/yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
 
Edit Name Set Attenuator (conventional only) Volume Offset
Edit Frequency or TGID Set Priority Copy/Paste Channel
Set CTCSS/DCS (conventional only) Set Alert Delete Channel
Set Number Tag Set Lockout New Channel
Set Modulation (conventional only)    
Contents
Edit Name If you do not enter a channel name, the scanner displays the frequency for conventional systems or the talk group ID for trunked systems when it stops on a channel.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/yes. See Entering Text.
Press E/yes to save and exit.

Edit Frequency or TGID See also 'Entering IDs'.
  Scroll to 'Edit Frequency or TGID' and press E/yes.
Enter the frequency or ID and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set CTCSS/DCS (conventional 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.
At 'Set CTCSS/DCS' scroll to 1 of 5 options and press E/yes.
Off - any signal opens squelch.
Search - the scanner searches and displays any CTCSS or DCS tone with 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.
  Note: you can also store a (blinking) CTCSS/DCS tone/code in when receiving a frequency in scan mode by pressing E/yes.

Set Number Tag allows you to number a channel. The default setting is no number tag (blank). See also Using Number Tags.
  Scroll to 'Set Number Tag' and press E/yes.
Enter the number tag (0-999) (Press (.)no to clear the display) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Modulation (conventional only) This setting selects the modulation 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, NFM, FM, WFM, or WFM Broadcast and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: You can also toggle modulation for a conventional channel in scan hold mode by pressing Func then 9(mod).
Contents
Set Attenuator (conventional only) This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on The channel by about 20 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.
  Note: You can also toggle attenuation for a conventional channel in scan hold mode by pressing Func then 7(att).

Set Priority This setting controls whether the scanner treats the channel as a priority channel while scanning. The default setting is off. See also Priority Scan/Priority ID Scan/Priority Plus Scan.
  Scroll to 'Set Priority' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: To use Priority ID Scan you must also enable Priority ID Scan for each system.

Set Alert This setting controls when and how the scanner alerts you if the channel becomes active.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Alert Tone' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Tone' scroll to the alert (Alert 1-9 or Off) and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to 'Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Light' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Alert Light' scroll to On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink and press E/yes.
  Press Menu to return.

Set Lockout determines whether a channel will be scanned or not. 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes.
Press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.
  Note: You can also toggle lockout for a channel in scan mode by pressing L/O.

Volume OffsetThis setting allows you to adjust the volume offset for the channel.
  Scroll to 'Volume Offset' and press E/yes.
Scroll to
-3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, or +3 and press E/
yes to save and exit.
  Note: You can also toggle volume offset for a channel in scan hold mode by pressing E/yes then 5(lvl).

Copy/Paste Channel 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.
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 where you want to paste the channel and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' press E/yes.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to 'Paste Channel' and press E/yes.
Press Scan or L/O to exit.
  Note: You can only copy and paste from like systems - conventional to conventional or trunking to trunking.

Using the BC346XT with a GPS Contents
Location-Based Scanning
You can connect the scanner to a compatible GPS device and set the scanner to automatically lock and unlock trunked sites and channel groups based on the location information and range settings you program for those sites/groups. This frees you from having to manually enable and disable sites/groups as you change location. The BC346XT uses the data, supplied by an (optional) attached GPS unit, that allows the radio to automatically unlock and lockout sites/groups based on latitude and longitude. It uses the (programmed) center of the site/group, and the (programmed) range - the radius of a circle around the latitude and longitude up to 125 miles from that center.

A good application of this feature would be to set the longitude and latitude for each multi-site system transmitter as usually you can receive at least a handful in any given location.

You can find the physical location of antennas using the databases available at
Radio Reference or the FCC's Antenna Structure Registration site. Both sites list the latitude, longitude, and height of the antenna, and both sites can map the exact location for you. Radio Reference is more user-friendly, so it's easier to find what you're looking for.
 
Non Radio Location-Based GPS Features

When connected to a GPS, you can program specific location information which will trigger an alert from the scanner. The scanner becomes an extension of the GPS device. Even if you don't use the scanner to scan, you can enhance you GPS unit with information the scanner provides. The scanner also allows you to program audio and/or visual alerts for a:

Point of Interest (POI): Stores location and range. If you approach the set location, the radio sounds an alert up to 4 miles/km from the center.

Dangerous Road/Dangerous Crossing: Stores location, direction of travel, and speed. If you are traveling at a speed greater than that specified, in the direction specified, and if you are within range of the set location, the scanner sounds an alert at 1.0, .50, and .10 miles/km from the point. These range distances are also automatic and fixed.

You can also temporarily lockout (cancel) any combination of these alerts.

 
Connecting Your Scanner
The GPS device must have a serial (RS-232) output, and be capable of outputting standard NMEA-0183 v3.01 compliant location data, and GGA/RMC data sentences at 4800 bps. Make sure that the cable terminates in a female, 9-pin serial connector and you select the correct baud rate (4800 bps) for the serial port.

The scanner will display 'Searching for Satellite' in GPS Display Mode until it receives the signal from the satellite if you have your connections and baud rate set correctly. The first time the scanner starts receiving a signal from the GPS, it beeps and briefly displays 'GPS Connected' and (temporary) locks and unlocks all sites and groups that are 'enabled for scan', unlocked, and whose quick key is enabled according to your current location. If you have a lot of data programmed, it might take the scanner a couple of minutes to complete the process. Once the scanner completes the initial GPS review, if you move into or out of an area covered by a site/group, the scanner beeps and displays the name of the site/group and whether it is being locked or unlocked. If you cycle power, all sites/groups (enabled for scan) are unlocked until the scanner reacquires the GPS signal and completes the initial GPS review.

See also
Set GPS Format in the 'Settings' menu to set relevant options for GPS display modes.
 
To Program a Current Location (when connected to a GPS) press Func then press and hold E/yes(gps) for 2 seconds.
The scanner opens a dialog ('Storing Location') to store your current location (or 'Location Exists', Accept?).
Scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' to select the type then press E/yes.
The default name is P (POI), X (dangerous crossing), R (dangerous road), then YYMMDD hhmmss that indicates the year, month, date, and time you stored the location point. 'Road', 'Xing', or 'POI' Stored and the default name with the position will briefly appear.
Continue at '
Edit Name' below.
 
To Program a New Location press Menu. Scroll to 'Program Location' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Type' scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'New Location' and press E/yes.
The default name is DRD (dangerous road), DXG (dangerous crossing), or POI (point of interest)-####(?).
Continue at '
Edit Name' below.
 
To Edit an Existing Location press Menu. Scroll to 'Program Location' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Type' scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' and press E/yes.
At 'Select 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' scroll to the location 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.
 
  POI
Dangerous Xing or Dangerous Road
  Edit Name   Edit Name
  Set Type   Set Type
  Set Alert   Set Alert Volume
  Set LocationInfo   Set Alert Light
  Set Range   Set LocationInfo
  Set Lockout   Set Heading
  Delete Location   Set Speed Limit
  New Location   Set Lockout
      Delete Location
      New Location
GPS Display Mode
GPS Review Location Mode
Contents
Edit Name the default name is P (POI), X (dangerous crossing), R (dangerous road), then YYMMDD hhmmss that indicates the year, month, date, and time you stored the location point with a GPS unit or ? if you program a location manually.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/yes. See Entering Text.

Set Type If you want to change the location type, the scanner resets the available options based on the new location type and the scanner goes back to the 'Program Location' menu for that location.
  Scroll to 'Set Type' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Type' scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Alert (POI only) lets you configure whether the scanner triggers an alert tone and/or light when you approach a location. The default tone is 'Alert 1',the default level is 'Auto', and default pattern is 'Fast Blink'.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Alert Tone' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Tone' scroll to the alert (Alert 1-4 or Off) and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to 'Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Light' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Alert Light' scroll to On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink and press E/yes.
  Press Menu to return.

Set Alert Volume (Dangerous Road/Xing only) the default setting is 'Auto'. The tone pattern varies depending on what type of location it is.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Volume' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Level' scroll to '
Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes.

Set Alert Light (Dangerous Road/Xing only) lets you configure whether the scanner triggers an alert light when you approach a location. The default pattern is 'Fast Blink'.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Light' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Alert Light' scroll to On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink and press E/yes.
  Press Menu to return.

Set Location Info enter the latitude and longitude for the location. See Set GPS Format first to set your units, time zone, etc.
  Scroll to 'Set LocationInfo' and press E/yes.
At 'Set Latitude' press E/yes. Enter the latitude and press E/yes.
At 'Set Longitude' press E/yes. Enter the longitude and press E/yes.

Contents

Set Range (POI only) enter how far out from this location you want the scanner to alert you. You can also configure the scanner to sound an alert tone and flash a light when you reach the radius entered here. The default setting is '.1 mile'.
  Scroll to 'Set Range' and press E/yes.
Enter a range from (.05 to 4 mi/km in .05 mi/km steps
) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Heading (Dangerous Road/Xing only) sets how the scanner alerts you to the location based on how you approach it. To make the alert direction-dependent, select a direction of approach. Select 'All Range' to be alerted regardless of your direction of approach. The default setting is 'All Range'.
  Scroll to 'Set Heading' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'All Range, North, NE, East, SE, South, SW, West, or NW' and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Speed Limit (Dangerous Road/Xing only) decides whether the scanner alerts you each time you approach the location or only when you are traveling above a certain speed. To make the alert speed-dependent, enter the speed limit for this location. Leave the speed limit blank to be alerted regardless of your speed. The default setting is '0 mile/h (0 km/h)'.
  Scroll to 'Set Speed Limit' and press E/yes.
Enter a speed from 0 through 200 mi/km, in 1 mi/km steps and press E/yes to save and exit.
Set Lockout the default setting is 'Unlocked'.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: you can also do this in 'Review Location Mode' by pressing L/O.

 

GPS Display Mode (POI only)
To view GPS display mode Hold on any channel and press Func then E/yes(gps). In this mode, you can see the current location information as well as information about your position relative to selected POI's. The third line of the screen shows 'Off' if no POI is selected.

Rotating the scroll control will select different POI's.
Press Func then
6(disp) to toggle the Display modes in order.



While in GPS Display Mode: Contents
  To program the current location press Func then press and hold E/yes(gps) for 2 seconds.
  To select a PIO turn the scroll control.
  To scroll through the POI display modes press Func then 6(disp) (each time).
  Note: If no programmed location is displayed ('OFF' in the display), you will only be able to toggle 'Data Display' and the (current) 'Location Display'.
  To temporarily lock out an alert press L/O or turn the scroll control. The scanner automatically unlocks the locked out location when it moves 4 miles or more from the alert point. Quickly pressing L/O press twice permanently locks out the alert and it will not be activated again if you should go near that alert point.
  To toggle 'Hold Mode' on a background scan or search press Hold .
  To return to normal scan mode press Scan/Srch.
  To view 'Review Location' mode press E/yes.
 
  Notes: All sites/groups (with quick keys enabled and gps enabled for the site/group) not within range of your current location will be temporarily locked out. If you try to use a quick key to enable a site/group for scan that is out of range of your current location, you will see 'Location L/O' and then site/group name (only once), and it will temporary lock out the site/group.

When a location alert with a higher priority occurs, the current location alert is canceled and the scanner alerts for the location with the higher priority.
The priority order is:
1- Dangerous Road
2- Dangerous Xing
3- Point of Interest

If you disconnect/turn off your GPS unit, you will see 'No GPS Input' in GPS display mode and the scanner will return to scanning any sites/groups that the scanner did not temporary lock out. To restore all sites/groups, cycle the scanner off then on.

If you lose the satellite signal, you will see 'Searching for Satellite' until the GPS unit reacquires a signal.

If a GPS is detected as soon as the scanner is turned on, the scanner displays "GPS CONNECTED" instead of displaying individual lock/unlock messages for groups/sites. It applies the location-based rules to all systems at one time.

 
GPS Review Location Mode  
If you have programmed data for a Point of Interest, Dangerous Crossing, and a Dangerous Road, you can review the type, range setting, and location information for each location.

Hold on any channel and press Func then E/yes(gps) to enter GPS display mode then press E/yes. The most recently stored location is displayed. Use the scroll control to display the next screen for review.
Note:
the scanner will mute in this mode.
Important:
while you are in Review Location Mode and press and hold GPS for 2 seconds, the data of the new point will overwrite the currently displayed data.

1. POI - Indicates a Point of Interest location.
2. DXG - Indicates a Dangerous Crossing location.
3. DRD - Indicates a Dangerous Road location.
4. Range - Indicates the programmed distance to your POI.
5. Head - Indicates the selected heading to the designated Dangerous Crossing from any direction.
6. Head - Indicates the selected heading to the designated Dangerous Road from a set direction.
7. LS - Indicates the maximum Speed Limit you set.
While in Review Location Mode:  
  To select a location turn the scroll control.
  To return to 'GPS Display' mode press Menu.
  To overwrite and store the current location press Func then press and hold E/yes(gps) for 2 seconds.
  To edit the location press E/yes.
  To toggle the lockout status of the location press L/O to toggle 'Temporary L/O, Locked Out, and Unlocked'.
  To unlock all locations of the current type (POI, DXG, or DRD) press and hold L/O.
  To unlock all locations of all types press Func then press and hold L/O.
  To return to scan mode press Scan/Srch.

Priority/Priority ID/Priority Plus Scan Contents

Priority Scan When the scanner is scanning a conventional system, it interrupts scanning (based on the priority check interval setting) to check priority channels for activity. The more channels you have set to priority, the longer the interruption will be. The scanner is unable to scan over 100 priority channels at once. The quick keys for the system(s) and group(s) containing the priority channel(s) have to be enabled (and unlocked) or the scanner will display 'Priority Scan No Channel'.

Priority Plus Scan The scanner only scans priority channels in (unlocked) conventional systems with system and group quick keys enabled.

The highest priority is for channels in system/site and group quick key 1. The lowest priority is for channels in system/site quick key 90 and group quick key 0. Priority for priority channels in the same channel group follows the order in which the channels were created.

Priority ID Scan This function is similar to conventional priority although there is no interruption during the transmission. Priority ID Scan is always on for a system if enabled in the system setting. Priority is checked in between transmissions, when the scanner is receiving the control channel, and during the channel delay period. The scanner can only look for priority IDs in the trunked system it is currently scanning.

Preemptive Priority Preemptive priority is a feature that works on Motorola systems. If the Motorola system has priority channels, and you assign one of those TGs as priority in the scanner, then when one of those channels becomes active, the scanner will jump to it even if it is on a different system voice channel (i.e. it preempts your current reception). This feature relies on the system itself having talk groups assigned as priority (so the active channel information is included on voice channel low-speed data). If a talk group you assign as priority is not also a priority channel on the transmitting system, then the scanner will use standard trunking priority for the talk group.

To Use Priority Scan you must first set your priority channels.
To Use Priority ID Scan you must also enable Priority ID Scan for each system.
 

To Edit Priority Scan Options press Menu. Scroll to 'Priority Scan' 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 Priority sets the priority mode. You can also toggle these modes by holding on any channel in scan mode then pressing Func then .no(pri).
  Scroll to 1 of 3 options and press E/yes.
Off - the priority feature is off.
On - the scanner checks conventional priority channels. PRI appears in the display when you select this mode.
Plus On - the scanner only scans the conventional priority channels. PRI flashes in the display when you select this mode.
 
Set Interval sets how often the scanner will check the priority channels.
  Scroll to 'Set Interval' and press E/yes.
Enter the number of seconds (1-10
) and press E/yes to save and exit.
 
MaxCHs/Pri-Scan sets the maximum priority channel numbers that are scanned during one priority scan interrupt. If there are more priority channels than the value you select, the channels are divided into more than one group and the scanner scans each group in turn. For example, if you set the maximum channels to 20 and there are 100 priority channels, the scanner checks those 100 channels in groups of 20 and takes a total of 5 intervals to complete the priority scan.
  Scroll to 'MaxCHs/Pri-Scan' and press E/yes.
Enter the number of number of channels to check (1-100
) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Using Startup Keys Contents
The Startup Configuration option lets you quickly and automatically lock and unlock systems based on how you assign your startup keys. Simply hold down a number key (0-9) while powering on the scanner, or while the opening screen is displayed, and systems assigned to that number key are automatically unlocked and systems assigned to other startup keys are automatically locked. Systems that are not assigned to any startup key are left unchanged. You could use this feature to give you quick, single-press access to your favorite systems.

To Use a Startup Key:
1. Turn the scanner off.
2. Press & hold the number key that corresponds to the startup key when you turn the scanner on.
3. Continue holding the number key until the scanner display shows the number of the startup key configuration.

When you use startup configuration, the scanner checks all systems, sites, and search ranges and:
1. All systems, sites, or search ranges that do not have a startup key assigned will be scanned the way they were when you last turned off the scanner.
2. All systems, sites, or search ranges that have a startup key assigned to the one you pressed will be unlocked.
3. All systems, sites, or search ranges that have a different startup key assigned will be locked out.
4. The scanner will remember the last startup configuration you used when you power up the scanner using just the power key.

Caution: If you press the wrong key when you press the power key to set your startup configuration, and that wrong key doesn't have any systems assigned to that key, you will startup your scanner with all systems locked out. You can't start Key-Safe mode and Startup Configuration at the same time (i.e. Power+Func+Startup Key). Also, you can't cancel Startup Configuration, i.e. have your scanner startup with all systems unlocked they way they were before you used a Startup Configuration (unless you reset your systems, sites, and search ranges to 'no startup key').

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', 'Sites', or Custom/Service Searches assigned to them. So, now you turn 'System/Site/Search Quick Keys' on and off and 'Group Quick Keys' on and off (within each 'System' or 'Site'). Turning quick keys on and off for systems/groups/sites/searches is not the same as locking and unlocking systems/sites/searches. You can still do that separately (if you really want to confuse yourself). See also Using Quick Keys.

First, all (unlocked) systems/sites belonging to Quick Key 1 are scanned. Then systems/sites that belong to Quick Key 2,…,9,0,11,…19,10,21,……,99,90 are scanned in order. Systems/sites with the same quick key are scanned in order of creation. Systems/sites with no quick key are scanned last and in order of creation (including created 'Quick Save' systems).
Groups within the systems/sites 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 any (unlocked/enabled) service searches, searching them in the menu order. Then any (unlocked/enabled) custom searches from 1 to 10 in turn.

Then the scanner scans the system called 'Close Call'. This system is created if you do a Close Call 'Auto Store'. If the 'Close Call' system has no frequencies, the scanner does not scan the system.
Then the scanner scans the 'Close Call Hits' system (if you have unlocked it; locked out by default). This is a system that automatically stores the frequencies found by Close Call. If the 'Close Call Hits' system has no frequencies, the scanner does not scan the system.

Then the scanner starts all over.

   
Press Scan/Srch. 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/site quick key or unlock a system/site 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 to lock function mode. Scroll to the system then press the number of the group quick key(s) you want to enable. Press Func to start scanning then press Func again to unlock function mode.

Any conventional system, Close Call system, trunked site, group, service search, custom search, 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/Srch or turn the scroll control.
  To change the scan or search direction turn the scroll control backward or forward.

To toggle between Display modes 1, 2 or 3 Hold on any channel and press Func then 6(disp). Press Hold to resume.

To toggle between ID Scan or ID Search mode while scanning each trunked system, press Func then Scan/Srch.

To toggle System/Site/Search Quick Keys on or off for a single digit system/site/search, press the number key assigned to the system/site/search.
To turn a double-digit system/site/search on or off, Press (.)no first then enter the 2 digits.
To toggle Group Quick Keys on or off while scanning the system, quickly press Func then press the number key assigned to the group.
  To toggle Group Quick Keys on or off in another system press and hold Func to 'lock' Function mode. Scroll to the (enabled) system that contains the (enabled) group you want to turn on/off then press the corresponding number key(s). Press Func twice to 'unlock' Function mode and resume.
To hold on a frequency/ID press Hold. To step through IDs/frequencies, turn the scroll control backward or forward. Press Hold to resume.
  To hold on any specific frequency Hold on any channel in a conventional system. Enter the new frequency and press Hold. Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  To hold on a specific ID in the current site Hold on the site. Enter the new ID (press .. [2 dots] for a dash-EDACS AFS) and press Hold. Press Hold to resume.
To hold on a system/site/search press and hold Func to 'lock' Function mode. Press Func to 'unlock' Function mode to resume.
  To edit the current channel press E/yes.
To lock out a channel or frequency quickly press L/O once while the channel or frequency is in the display to temporary lock out. Quickly press L/O twice to lock out.
  To lock or unlock a group see Locking/Unlocking Groups.
  To lock out a conventional system/trunked site/search while receiving the system/site/search quickly press Func then L/O once to temporary lock out. Quickly press L/O twice to lock out.
To store a displayed ID during ID Search mode press E/yes. Then see Storing a Displayed ID.
  To store a (blinking) CTCSS or DCS tone for a conventional channel set to CTCSS/DCS search, press E/yes. At 'Set Found CTCSS/DCS?' press E/yes. Press Scan/Srch to resume.
  To store a search frequency press E/yes. Then see Storing a Displayed Frequency.
To toggle the attenuation for a conventional channel on or off Hold on the channel and press Func then 7(att). Press Hold to resume.
  To toggle the attenuation for a trunking site on or off Hold on the site and press Func then 7(att). Press Hold to resume.
  To toggle the attenuation for a search on or off press Func then 7(att) while searching. (Or hold first).
  To toggle global attenuation press Func then press and hold 7(att).
To toggle the modulation for a conventional channel or trunked site Hold on the channel/site and press Func then 9(mod). Press Hold to resume.
  To toggle the modulation for a service/custom search press Func then 9(mod) while searching. (Or hold first).
To toggle the volume offset for a channel Hold on the channel and press Func then 5(lvl). Press Hold to resume.
To check for a repeater frequency on a conventional channel Hold on the channel. Press Func then press and hold 8(rev). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle Intermediate Frequency Exchange for a conventional channel on or off Hold on the channel and press Func then 4(ifx). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle Priority Modes Hold on any channel and press Func then .no(pri). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle Weather Alert Priority on or off Hold on any channel and press Func then 0(wx). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle Close Call Modes Hold on any channel and press Func then Hold/. Press Hold to resume.

 

To view a Close Call hit (CC Override On) press any key to view the frequency (even if it's gone).

 

To view and listen to a Close Call hit (CC Override Off) press Func to listen to and view the frequency (only if it's still there).

  To go to a channel number tag in the current system/site Hold on the system. Enter the channel number tag and press Menu. See also Using Number Tags.
  To go to a channel number tag in a different system Hold on any channel. Enter the system number tag, press (.)no, the channel number tag, then Menu.
  To go to a system/search number tag Hold on any channel. Enter the system/search number tag, press (.)no, then Menu.
  To unlock a conventional channel see Locking/Unlocking Channels.
  To unlock and/or review locked out IDs see Reviewing Locked out IDs.
  To unlock all IDs see Clear All L/O IDs.
  To unlock a conventional system/trunked site/search press and hold Func to 'lock' function mode then scroll to the system/site/search and press L/O to unlock and search/scan.
Press Func twice to 'unlock' Function mode and resume. See also
Locking/Unlocking Systems/Sites/Searches.
  To unlock search frequencies press Func then L/O while searching. Scroll to the frequency and press E/yes to unlock.
  To start Close Call Only Hold on any channel. Press Func then press and hold Hold/. Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  To start Weather Scan Hold on any channel. Press Func then press and hold 0(wx). Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  To start Tone-Out Standby/Search assign it to a search key.
  To view GPS Display mode Hold on any channel. Press Func then E/yes(gps). Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  To view Band Scope Mode Hold on any channel and press Func then 3(sr 3). (set to search key 3 by default).

Storing a Displayed ID (in ID Search Mode) Contents
  To store a displayed ID into an existing group during ID Search mode, 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.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press Scan/Srch to return to scanning.
  To store 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.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press Scan/Srch 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.

Using Number Tags Contents

To View Number Tags for a Channel and/or System press Hold to hold on the channel or system. Press Func (or press and hold Func to lock Function mode and view longer) to view the current system and channel number shown in the top left corner of the display as "T000. 000". For example "T002. 043" would indicate the current system is 2 and the current channel is 43.
 
To Go to a Channel in the Current System Hold on the current system. Enter the channel number and press Menu. Press Hold to resume.

To Go to a Channel in a Different System Hold on any system. Enter the system number, press (.)no, then the channel number and press Menu. Press Hold to resume.
 
To Go to a System or Custom/Service Search Hold on any system/search. Enter the system/search number tag, press (.)no, and press Menu. Press Hold to resume.
 
  Notes: Selecting just a system will hold on the first frequency in the system (not ID).
If two systems/searches have the same number tag, they will be selected in sequence (the first time you select the number tag, the scanner will go to the first system/search assigned to that number tag; if you select the same number tag again, it will go to the 2nd system/search assigned to that number tag, and so on). The same rule applies to channel number tags (so don't start at 1 for each channel group in the system).

Locking/Unlocking Systems/Sites/Searches Contents
With the advent of Multi-site trunking, you can no longer lockout a trunking system. You have to lockout the site assigned to the system. You can still lockout conventional systems and searches the same way. Also, with the ability now to assign quick keys the searches you can turn them off and on or lockout/unlock them just like conventional systems and trunked sites.

Remember, unlocking or locking out a system/site/search is not the same thing as enabling/disabling it (turning the quick key on or off).
 
To Lock out a Conventional System/Trunked Site/Search in Scan Mode Hold on any channel/frequency in the system/site/search, press E/yes then L/O to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'. (You have to be quick to get 'Lockout'). Press Hold to resume.
  Note: 'Temporary Lockout' means unlocked the next time you cycle power the site/system/search will be unlocked.
Or, use Menu to drill down to the system/site/search options and lock it out there. See 'Edit Conventional System Options', 'Edit Site Options', 'Edit Service Search', or 'Edit Custom Search'.
 
To Unlock a Conventional System/Trunked Site/Search in Scan Mode press and hold Func to 'lock' function mode.
Rotate the scroll control until the system/site/search you want to unlock appears.
Press L/O (each time) to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'. (You have to be quick to get 'Lockout'). Press Scan/Srch to return.
  Note: You will see 'Nothing to Scan' if the quick key is not turned on for the system/site/search (if one is assigned). Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning.
Or, use Menu to drill down to the system/site/search options and unlock it there. See 'Edit Conventional System Options', 'Edit Site Options', 'Edit Service Search', or 'Edit Custom Search'.
 
To Unlock All Conventional Systems, Trunked Sites, Groups, Channels, and Searches in scan mode press E/yes then press and hold L/O until 'Unlock All Systems?' appears. Press E/yes.

Locking/Unlocking Groups Contents
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 and hold Func to 'lock' function mode.
Rotate the scroll control until the system that has the group you want to lock or unlock appears. Press Menu.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group you want to lock or unlock and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes.
Press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.
  Note: 'Temporary Lockout' means unlocked the next time you cycle power the group will be unlocked.
  Or, use Menu to drill down to the group options and lock/unlock it 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 to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'. (You have to be quick to get 'Lockout').
  Note: 'Temporary Lockout' means unlocked the next time you cycle power the channel will be unlocked.
  Or, quickly press Hold to hold on the channel. Press L/O to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'. (You still have to be quick to get 'Lockout').
  Or, quickly press E/yes to go to the menu for that channel. (Press (.)no to cancel storing a tone code if asked).
Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes. Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or '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 Func and quickly (within 3 seconds) scroll to the system that has the channel you want to unlock then quickly (within 3 seconds) press E/yes.
Scroll to the channel you want to unlock and press L/O until 'Unlocked' is displayed.
  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 A
ll IDs in a System
Scroll to 'Clr All L/O IDs' and press E/yes.
At '
Confirm?' press E/yes to save and exit.

Band Scope Mode Contents

Search
Mode with Normal Screen

Max Hold
Mode with Settings Screen
 
Hold Mode in Function Mode Screen

The Band Scope feature lets you have the scanner provide a visual representation of radio activity in a frequency band. The screen is arranged with the frequencies increasing in value from left-to-right, and a signal strength meter for signals. Band Scope Mode searches a frequency range and displays the signal level in real time. You can set the center frequency and span of the frequency range. In Hold Mode, you can monitor the displayed frequency.

The scanner rapidly sweeps between the endpoints of the selected frequency range and updates each bar segment with the relative signal strength in each pass. You can use the band scope in normal mode (the bars are all updated with the most recent signal strength) or 'Max Hold Mode' (the bars update only if there is a stronger signal than one previously stored for the current position).

This feature allows you to get a "picture" of spectrum activity across the selected range, identify intermittently active frequencies, check antenna performance, check coax quality, verify coverage areas, and identify interference.

 
Using Band Scope Mode Contents
To Start Band Scope Mode Hold on any channel and press Func then 3(sr 3) to start Band Scope mode at the frequency you held at. Band Scope mode is assigned to this search key (3) by default.

Search Mode 'SRCH' shows in the display and the scanner searches and displays the signals of the frequency range in real time. The frequency range is shown in 32 bars determined by the center frequency and span. While searching, the center frequency icon and the bar which shows the current frequency blink. The scanner starts from the lowest frequency of the frequency range and searches to the highest frequency of the frequency range. If the scanner finds a transmission, the scanner displays the strongest and most current signal level in the bar for each frequency in the range.

Max Hold Search Mode 'MAX' shows in the display and will freeze the signal strength bars at their strongest signals.

Hold Mode 'HOLD' shows in the display and allows you hold the sweep then scroll to and listen to a frequency.

To toggle between 'Search' mode and 'Max Hold Search' mode press Func then Scan/Srch.
To listen to any frequency under the marker Hold (in either mode) and scroll to the frequency. To return the marker to the center frequency press Func then L/O. Press Hold to return to the sweep.
Normal screen displays the center frequency and start/end frequency of the range on the bottom lines.
To move the marker one frequency step turn the scroll control. Pressing Func first will move the marker faster.
To reset the center frequency to the new frequency under the marker press E/yes.
To return the marker to the center frequency press Func then L/O.

To enter the Settings Screen press .(no). This screen displays center frequency of the range, search step, and span of the range on the bottom lines for 10 seconds and the icon of the selected item blinks. Press .(no) again to move to the next parameter. To exit press L/O (or wait 10 seconds).

To change the center frequency press .(no) until CF is blinking then press E/yes.
At 'Edit Center Frequency' enter the new center frequency and press E/yes to save and exit. Press L/O to
exit
To change the span of the range press .(no) until SPN is blinking then use the scroll control to select .2-500 MHz. Press L/O to exit.
To change the search step press .(no) until STP is blinking then use the scroll control to select the step size from 5-100 kHz. Press L/O to exit.
To toggle the modulation press Func then 9(Mod).
To toggle Intermediate Frequency Exchange on or off Hold and press Func then 4(Ifx). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle the attenuator on or off press Func then 7(att). (Press and hold 7(att) for global attenuation). Note: the ATT icon only shows in Function mode.

Notes:
The search time changes depending on the search step size. The step defaults to the default band step for the channel. 'Att' will not show in the display when on unless in Function mode. If you manually set the mode to NFM or FM, the scanner will not reliably detect signals that are modulated in either FMB or WFM. Close Call, Priority Scan, Weather Scan and GPS functions do not work in Band Scope Mode.

Search/Close Call Options Menu  
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 Repeater Find Set Delay Time
Broadcast Screen Max Auto Store Set Attenuator
CTCSS/DCS Search    
Contents
Freq Lockouts allows you to review locked out frequencies or unlock all frequencies for Searching and Close Call search.
Unlocking All Frequencies:
  Scroll to 'Freq Lockouts' press E/yes.
At 'Unlock All' press E/yes.
At 'Confirm?' press E/yes to save and exit.
Press Menu to return.
  Note: You can also do this in search mode by pressing Func then pressing and holding L/O.
Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies: A 'T' will appear to the right of a frequency if it is temporarily locked out.
  Scroll to 'Rvw Search L/O' and press E/yes. If no frequencies are locked out, you will see 'Nothing Locked'.
Scroll to the frequency (or press (.)no to go to the next) and press E/yes to unlock.
Press Menu twice to return.
  Note: You can also do this in search mode by pressing Func then L/O.

Broadcast Screen these settings determine whether the scanner automatically ignores transmissions that are on common broadcasts, paging systems, and other annoyance radio sources during Custom Search, Quick Search, or Close Call Search. Note: Broadcast screen is not effective during some service searches.
  Scroll to 'Broadcast Screen' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 1 of 4 options and press E/yes.
Set All Bands On - turns on broadcast screen on for all bands. Press Menu to return.
Set All Bands Off - turns off broadcast screen off for all bands. Press Menu to return.
Set Each Band - then scroll to each band and press E/yes to turn off or on. Press Menu to return.
  Pager - the scanner skips known paging system frequencies.
FM - the scanner skips known FM frequencies.
UHF TV - the scanner skips known UHF TV frequencies.
VHF TV - the scanner skips known VHF TV frequencies.
NOAA WX - the scanner skips known NOAA weather frequencies.
Band 1-10 - the scanner skips known frequencies for custom broadcast ranges.
  Program Band - then scroll to the custom band (1-10) and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Lower Limit' enter the lower limit of the frequency range and press E/yes.
At 'Set Upper Limit' enter the upper limit of the frequency range and press E/yes.
Scroll to the next band and repeat. Press Menu twice to return.

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.

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. If the scanner detects the transmission on the output frequency, it beeps and 'Repeater Found' appears, and it remains on the output frequency until transmissions end. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Repeater Find' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and 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.
Enter a value from 1-256 then press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Delay Time this setting determines how long the scanner waits after a transmission ends before resuming Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds. The default setting is 2 seconds.
  Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the desired delay time (-10, -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs.) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Attenuator this setting controls the attenuator for Quick Search, Close Call, and Band Scope operations. Turn on this setting if you are near other strong signal sources to attenuate about 20dB. Attenuation sometimes helps to reduce interference and desensitization that strong signals create. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: You can also toggle attenuation for search/close call mode by pressing Func then 7(att).

Search For... Menu  
Important! There are many options and setting in Search/Close Call Options that effect 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.

Edit Service Search
Set Search Key Storing a Displayed Frequency
Service Search Search and Store Reviewing Locked out Frequencies
Edit Custom Search Quick Search Auto Step Size Chart
Custom Search Searching  
Contents
Editing a Service Search
  To Edit a Service Search, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Edit Service' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the service search you want to edit and press E/yes.
  Scroll to Set Delay Time and press E/yes.
Scroll to the desired delay time (-10, -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs.) and press E/yes to save and exit. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds.
Scroll to
Set Attenuator and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to Search with Scan and press E/yes.
  Scroll to Set Quick Key and press E/yes. (Used for 'Search with Scan' only).
Scroll to 0-99 or (.)no for no quick key and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to
Set Startup key and press E/yes.
Scroll to 0-9 or (.)no for no startup key and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to
Set Number Tag and press E/yes.
Enter 0-999
and press E/yes.
Scroll to
Set Lockout and press E/yes. (Used for 'Search with Scan' only).
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to
Set Hold Time (the amount of time the search will search in Scan Mode) and press E/yes.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/yes to save and exit. (0 will search the whole band before continuing)
Press Menu to exit.
  Press Menu and scroll to another service search and repeat the previous steps or press L/O to exit.

Service Search lets you quickly select and search the scanner's preprogrammed frequencies. See Edit Service Search first.
  To start a Service Search press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/yes.
At 'Service Search' press E/yes.
Scroll to: 'Public Safety', 'News', 'Ham Radio', 'Marine', 'Railroad', 'Air', 'CB Radio', 'FRS/GMRS', 'Racing', 'FM Broadcast', or 'Special' (itinerant?) and press E/yes to start searching.
Or, Hold on any channel/frequency and press Func then the number key (1-3) assigned to the search.
Then see
Searching.
 
Editing a Custom Search allows you to edit the 10 custom search ranges. The default custom search range names appear as Custom 1, Custom 2, and so on. See also Band Defaults.
  To Edit a Custom Search, 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 (1-10) and press E/yes.
  Scroll to Edit Name and press E/yes. See Entering Text.
  Scroll to Edit Srch Limit and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Lower Limit', enter the lower limit of the search range and press E/yes.
At 'Set Upper Limit', enter the upper limit of the search range and press E/yes.
  Scroll to Set Delay Time and press E/yes.
Scroll to the desired delay time (-10, -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs.) and press E/yes to save and exit. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds.
  Scroll to Set Modulation and press E/yes.
Scroll to Auto, AM, NFM, FM, WFM, or FMB (Broadcast) then press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set Attenuator and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set Step and press E/yes. See also Auto Step Sizes.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 kHz then press E/yes to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set C-Ch only and press E/yes. (for Motorola and LTR systems).
  Scroll to 'C-Ch Only Mode' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to 'Set MOT BandPlan' and press E/yes. See also Edit Band Plan.
  Scroll to 1 of 3 options and press E/yes.
800/900 Standard- The scanner will use the regular old Motorola band plan and return to the menu.
800Splinter
-
The scanner will use the regular old Motorola band plan and return to the menu.
Custom
-
Allows you to create a custom band plan for rebanded systems.
  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' 3 times to return.
  Scroll to Search with Scan and press E/yes.
  Scroll to Set Quick Key and press E/yes. (Used for 'Search with Scan' only).
Scroll to 0-99 or (.)no for no quick key and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to
Set Startup key and press E/yes.
Scroll to 0-9 or (.)no for no startup key and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to
Set Number Tag and press E/yes.
Enter 0-999
and press E/yes.
Scroll to
Set Lockout and press E/yes. (Used for 'Search with Scan' only).
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to
Set Hold Time (the amount of time the search will search in Scan Mode) and press E/yes.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/yes to save and exit. (0 will search the whole band before continuing).
Press Menu to exit.
  Press Menu and scroll to another custom search and repeat the previous steps or press L/O to exit.
Contents
Custom Search lets you search the scanner's 10 programmed frequency ranges. See Editing a Custom Search first.  
  To start a Custom Search, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Custom Search' and press E/yes to start searching.
Or, Hold on any channel/frequency and press Func then the number key (1-3) assigned to the search.
Then see
Searching.

Set Search Key
The scanner has three search keys that you can assign to a special search range. The search keys are set to number keys 1 , 2 , and 3. This allows you to start a service, custom, Tone-Out, or Band Scope search without having to go into the menus.
  To program a Search Key, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Search Key' and press E/yes.
At 'Select Key No.' scroll to 'Search Key 1-3' and press E/yes.
Scroll to any service search, custom search, 'Tone-Out', or 'Band Scope' and press E/yes.
Repeat for any other search keys you want to program. Press L/O to exit.
The default settings for the BC346XT are:
SRCH 1: Custom 1
SRCH 2: Public Safety
SRCH 3: Band Scope Mode
 
Search and Store
Lets you search and store frequencies from enabled custom search ranges or 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. Tip: Before you start Search and Store, run the custom search(es) or service search first to lock out the birdies, data, noise, etc. This will prevent the scanner from stopping on them and doing a memory check each time it passes.

  To Auto Store Conventional Frequencies, 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.
  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 'Nothing to Scan'. If no systems are programmed 'No System Stored' appears.
When you have selected 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.

  To Auto Store IDs, 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.
At 'Select Site' scroll to the site you want to store the IDs in and press E/yes.
  Notes: The quick key for the system must be turned on (if one is assigned to the site) and not locked out to select the system to store IDs in otherwise you will see 'Nothing to Scan'. 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.
Contents
Quick Search lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you are scanning, or enter a frequency to start searching from. Quick Search will search all the way up to 1300 MHz or all the way down to 25 MHz then start over. Note: As there is no 'Step' setting in 'Search and Close Call Options' anymore, you will have to set the step in 'Band Defaults'.
  To start searching at the current frequency in scan mode quickly press Hold to hold on the frequency. Press Func then Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press E/yes. Then see
Searching.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  To start searching at a specific frequency while scanning or searching, 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.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.

Searching (only, Search with Scan)
To start a search see Quick Search, Service Search, or Custom Search.
 
To toggle search bands on or off for custom searches press the number key of the custom search.
To access (1) search using the programmed search keys press Func then the search key 1(sr 1), 2(sr 2), or 3(sr 3) to start searching.
To change search direction or continue searching turn the scroll control back or forward.
To hold on a frequency press Hold. Press Hold to resume.
  To step through the frequencies turn the scroll control. Press Hold to resume.
To store a frequency press Hold to hold on the frequency. Then see Storing a Displayed Frequency.
To toggle the lockout status of a frequency press L/O.
To turn Intermediate Frequency Exchange on or off press Hold to hold on the frequency then press Func then 4(ifx). Press Hold to resume.
To turn the attenuator on or off for each custom or service search press Func then press 7(att). (Press and hold 7(att) for global attenuation).
To check for a repeater frequency press Hold to hold on the frequency. Press Func then press and hold 8(rev). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle modulation for a search press Hold to hold on each search. Press Func then 9(mod). Press Hold to resume.
To toggle Close Call modes Press Func then Hold/.
To review and unlock search frequencies press Func then L/O.
To unlock all frequencies of all search/close call ranges Hold on any search and press and hold L/O.

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

'Hits with Scan' is a special system that automatically stores the last 10 Close Call hits until you cycle power. 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 effect Close Call performance. Performance is increased with higher transmit power, receive antenna tuned to the target band, and a low background RF level. Other than the antenna, you have no control over these factors, but they explain why performance might vary by both location and time. The Close Call feature works better with some types of transmissions than others. It might not correctly display frequency information for transmitters using a highly directional antenna (such as an amateur radio beam antenna) or if there are many transmitters operating at the same time in the same area.
 
To Edit Close Call Options press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.

Important! There are many options and settings in
Search/Close Call Options that effect and compliment the settings for Close Call. Please review those first.
Notes: 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 Close Call features. As there is no 'Step' setting in 'Search and Close Call Options' anymore, you will have to set the step in 'Band Defaults'.
 
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
      Hits with Scan
Contents
Set CC Bands lets you select the Close Call bands to be searched or auto stored.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Bands' and press E/yes.
Scroll to each band and press E/yes to toggle on or off.
Press Menu to return.
  VHF Low 1-Band 1- 25-54MHz VHF High-Band 4- 137-225 MHz
  VHF Low 2-Band 2- 54-108 MHz UHF-Band 5- 400-512 MHz
  Air Band-Band 3- 108-137 MHz 800MHz+-Band 6- 806-1300 MHz

Set CC Alert allows you to set an alert tone, alert light, and controls the pause for Close Call when you receive a hit.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Alert' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Set Alert Tone' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Tone' scroll to the alert (Alert 1-9 or Off) and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to 'Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Light' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Alert Light' scroll to On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink and press E/yes.
  Press Menu to return.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Pause' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the number of seconds (3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, secs. or Infinite) you want the scanner to pause on the CC hit and press E/yes.

Set CC Override lets you select how the Close Call feature works while scanning or searching. This setting has no effect in 'Close Call Only' mode.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Override' press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.
  With this feature On, when the scanner detects a Close Call signal while scanning, the scanner overrides the current audio with the Close Call hit.
'CC Found!' and 'Press Any Key' appear for the length of time set in
Close Call Pause (or until the signal is lost if longer).
  With this feature Off, when the scanner detects a Close Call signal while scanning, the scanner does not override the current audio.
'CC Found!' and 'Press Func Key' appear for the length of time set in
Close Call Pause. (only if it's still there).

Set Close Call Mode selects the Close Call mode when scanning or searching. You can also toggle these modes by holding on any channel and pressing Func then Hold/.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Mode' and 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.

Close Call Only this setting puts the scanner in Close Call Only mode. You can also do this by holding on any channel and pressing Func then pressing and holding Hold/. You will see activity in the 7 bands in the display. Bands with a * (asterisk) under them are turned off.
  Scroll to 'Close Call Only' and press E/yes.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.

Close Call Auto Store
Allows you to automatically store Close Call hits into channels. If you turn this feature on, the scanner mutes, 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 in 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) system called 'Close Call' and a (created) group named 'Found Channels' then resumes searching. If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. This new system and group have the same options as any conventional system/group and can be edited the same way.
See also Broadcast Screen.
  Scroll to 'CC Auto Store' and press E/yes.
You will see activity in the enabled bands in the display. Bands with a * (asterisk) under them are turned off.
'Limit Reached' will appear in the display when the 'Max Auto Store' value is reached.
Press Scan/Srch to exit or Hold to go to 'Close Call Only' mode.

Using Close Call Modes
To Start Close Call Only Mode, Hold on any channel/frequency. Press Func then press and hold Hold/.
To Use Close Call while Scanning or Searching, Hold on any channel. Press Func then press Hold/ to toggle Close Call Priority, Close Call DND, or Off.
Managing Close Call Hits Contents
In Close Call Only Mode:
When the scanner detects a Close Call signal, 'CC Found!' and 'Press Any Key' appear for the length of time set in Close Call Pause (or until the signal is lost if longer).
The band number will blink under the band that the hit was found in.
Press any key (except Hold) to display the frequency for the (+) delay time set in Search/Close Call Options (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 toggle CC bands off or on press the number key for each band.
  To toggle the lock out status of a 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 Func then 7(att).
  To toggle the modulation (for all bands) press Func then 9(mod).
  To exit CC only press Scan/Srch.
 
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 the length of time set in Close Call Pause (or until the signal is lost if longer). If you do not press 'Any Key', the scanner will return to scanning after 'pause' times out.
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 'Press Func Key' appear for the length of time set in
Close Call Pause. If you do not press 'Func', the scanner will return to scanning after 'pause' times out.
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.
In Close Call Hold Mode:
  To store a frequency press E/yes then see Storing a Displayed Frequency.
  To toggle the lock out status of a frequency press L/O.
  To start a 'Quick Search' at the current frequency turn the scroll control then press Hold.
  To turn Intermediate Frequency Exchange on or off press Func then 4(ifx).
  To check for a repeater frequency press Func then press and hold 8(rev).

Hits with Scan Contents
This is a special system that automatically stores the last 10 close call hits and allows you to scan them. Accessible only in the 'Close Call' menu, the system has to be unlocked to view while scanning (default is 'locked out'). The scanner deletes the frequencies in this system when you turn the power off. If you want to save the any of these frequencies permanently, you need to store them using Storing a Displayed Frequency when scanning this system.
  Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Hits with Scan' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the options below and press E/yes. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
  Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the quick key number (0-99 or . for no quick key) you want assigned to the system and press E/yes to save and exit.
  Note: Pressing the first number of a 2-digit quick key will get you closer, 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc. then scroll to second digit.
  Scroll to 'Set Number Tag' and press E/yes.
Enter the number tag (0-999) you want assigned to the system and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/yes to save and exit.
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.
  Note: If you want to store any of the hits, set a hold time long enough to get to the E/yes button when the frequency appears in the display.

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 alert 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.
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 Program SAME Set Attenuator
Weather Alert Priority Set Delay Time Weather Alert
Contents
Weather Scan The scanner starts scanning the preprogrammed weather frequencies and stops on the first good signal. If the signal is lost, the scanner resumes searching for another weather transmission.
Note: You can also turn on weather scan by holding on any channel/frequency and pressing Func then pressing and holding 0(wx).
  Scroll to 'Weather Scan' press E/yes
Press Scan to exit.
In Weather Scan Mode:
  To search for another weather channel turn the scroll control.
  To start Weather Alert press Func then 0(wx). Scroll to 'Alert Only', 'SAME 1-5', or 'All FIP' and press E/yes.
  To return to Weather Scan from Weather Alert press Func then 0(wx).
  To turn Intermediate Frequency Exchange on or off press Func then 4(ifx).
  To turn the attenuation on or off press Func then 7(Att).
  To store a frequency press E/yes then see Storing a Displayed Frequency.
  To go to the Weather Menu in any weather mode press Func then Menu.

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. You will see WX in the display when Weather Alert Priority is on. Warning! If you receive an alert it will be at FULL volume.
Note:
You can also toggle weather alert priority in scan or search modes by holding on any channel and pressing Func then 0(wx).
  Scroll to 'WX Alt Priority' and press E/yes.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.

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 effected 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 use 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.
  Scroll to 'Program SAME' and press E/yes.
At 'Select SAME' scroll to the SAME group (1-5) and press E/yes.
At '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 to save and exit.
Scroll to the next spot for the next code and repeat
Press Menu twice to return and select a different SAME group.
Press Menu to save and exit.

Set Delay Time Sets the number of seconds the scanner should wait after a transmission stops before moving on to the next channel during weather scan. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds. The default setting is 2 seconds.
  Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/yes.
Scroll to the desired delay time (-10, -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs.) and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set Attenuator Sets the attenuator (20 dB) for weather operation. 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.
  Note: You can also toggle attenuation for weather scan by pressing Func then 7(att).

Weather Alert This setting turns on weather alert and determines which types of signals will trigger an alert. The scanner will mute and scan only the weather channels.
Warning!
If you receive an alert it will be at FULL volume.
  Scroll to 'Weather Alert' and press E/yes. Scroll to 1 of 7 options and press E/yes.
  Alert Only - the scanner immediately sounds a weather alert siren when it detects the 1050 Hz weather alert tone, then opens the squelch and remains on the weather channel.
  SAME group 1-5 - the scanner sounds a weather alert siren for the programmed county, then opens the squelch and remains on the weather channel.
  All FIPS - the scanner sounds a weather alert siren for any programmed county, then opens the squelch and remains on the weather channel.

Using Fire Tone-Out Contents
With the tone out feature, the scanner monitors up to 10 different channels for paging tones (two-tone sequential, single tone, and group tone).
See also Hardware: Tone-Out at WPA Scanner.

Tone-Out Standby Mode
is used if you know and use programmed tones.

Tone-Out Search Mode is used if you don't know the tones.

Setting up Tone-Out  
Press Menu. Scroll to 'Tone-Out for...' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Tone-Out Setup' and press E/yes.
Scroll to '
Tone-Out 1' and press E/yes.
At 'Edit Name' press E/yes. See
Entering Text.
Scroll to '
Set Frequency' press E/yes.
  At 'Edit Frequency' press E/yes. Enter the frequency to monitor for Tone-Out and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/yes. Scroll to Auto, FM, or NFM and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/yes. Scroll to On or Off and press E/yes to save and exit.
Press Menu to return.
Scroll to 'Set Tone' and press E/yes.
  Notes: For two-tone pages, enter the tones (in Hz) for tone A and tone B.
For one-tone pages using short tones between 1.25 and 3.75 seconds, enter tone for tone A, and 0 for B.
For long-tone pages, such as group pages of more than 3.75 seconds, enter 0 for A and the tone for B.

To search for tones, leave the tones for A and B at 0.
  Scroll to 'Edit Tone A' and press E/yes. Enter the tone and press E/yes to save and exit.
Scroll to 'Edit Tone B' and press E/yes. Enter the tone and press E/yes to save and exit.
Press Menu to return.
Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to one of 3 settings and press E/yes to save and exit.
Off - the scanner resumes standby as soon as the carrier drops after a page.
1-30 - (seconds): the scanner resumes standby mode after the carrier drops and the selected time expires.
Infinite - you must press Hold after a page to resume standby mode.
Scroll to 'Set Alert' and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Tone' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Tone' scroll to the alert (Alert 1-9 or Off) and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to 'Level 1-15 or Auto' (the scanner sets the alert beep to the master volume level) and press E/yes.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Light' and press E/yes.
  At 'Set Alert Light' scroll to On, Slow Blink, or Fast Blink and press E/yes.
  Press Menu to return.
Press Menu to return then scroll to 'Tone-Out 2' and repeat to program more tones.
Press Menu to return.

Using Tone-Out Standby See Setting up Tone-Out first.
Press Menu. Scroll to 'Tone-Out for...' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Tone-Out Standby' and press E/yes.
You can also assign Tone-Out to a search key.
  The display will show the Tone-Out name, channel number (1-10), and tone settings. Any transmission received on the frequency will not be heard but you will still see the signal strength bars.

All Tone-Outs (channels) that have the same frequency (and modulation and attenuation) as the one you select will also (and only) be monitored so you can monitor up to 10 Tone-Out channels for one frequency. In this case, the scanner displays each Tone-Out channel for two seconds. It does not scan them; Tone-Out monitors the frequency for all Tone-Out channels with the same frequency. Regardless of the current display, the scanner will alert on any received tone out that matches a stored setting (channel) for the frequency.

If you press HOLD while in 'Standby/Search' mode, the scanner temporarily exits and you will be able to hear any transmissions on that frequency. No alerts sound, even if a Tone-Out matches one you have programmed in hold mode. Press HOLD again to return to 'Standby/Search' mode.
In Tone-Out Standby Mode:
  To select another Tone-Out turn the scroll control.
  To save found tones in Tone-Out Search mode press E/yes at 'Save Found Tones?'.
  To turn Intermediate Frequency Exchange on or off press Func then 4(ifx).
  To turn the attenuation on or off press Func then 7(Att).
  To toggle the modulation press Func then 9(mod).

Key-Safe Mode Contents

This mode prevents accidental programming changes and prevents anyone from changing modes. This feature is for handing the scanner to someone without the person screwing up your radio. Some keys don't work in this mode. Vol, the scroll control, Function Mode, /, and Hold all still work in their primary functions. The scanner only operates in one mode; the mode the scanner was in when the radio was last turned off. So, if you turned the scanner off in Close Call mode and turn it back on in Key-Safe mode, that's the mode you're stuck with.

To Toggle Key-Safe Mode On or Off press and hold Func then turn on the scanner. The next time (only) you turn on the scanner when you change Key-Safe mode you will see 'Key Safe Mode On' or 'Off'.

In the following tables, keys with numbers in each mode refer to the legend below each chart.
Keys (or Function + keys) with an 'X' don't work in that mode and will give you the 'Key-Safe' display. Keys with blank cells work as normal for each mode.

 

Normal Press

Keys  Mode Scan Service Search Custom Search Quick Search Weather Scan Close Call Tone-Out GPS Band Scope
Menu 1 X X X X 5 X X X
Scan/srch   2 2 2 X 5 X X X
L/O 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 N/A 3 4   4  
1-3(sr1-sr3)               N/A  
<4(ifx)               N/A  
5(lvl)               N/A  
6>(disp)               N/A  
7(att)               N/A  
8(rev)               N/A  
9(mod)               N/A  
0/wx               N/A  
(.)no/pri               N/A  
E/yes/gps X X X X X 5 X X  
1 Key-Safe only allows Menu for selecting system/channel number tags.
2 Key-Safe only allows Resume in search hold mode.
3 Key-Safe only applies for long press of this key.
4 Key-Safe only allows toggle of 'Temporary Lockout' and 'Unlocked'.
5 Key-Safe only applies after pressing 'Any Key'.
N/A is not applicable.
 

Function + Press

Keys  Mode Scan Service Search Custom Search Quick Search Weather Scan Close Call Tone-Out GPS Band Scope
Menu X X X X X X X X X
Hold/ 1 1 1 1 1 X N/A N/A N/A
Scan/srch X       X X X X  
L/O 1 2 X X X N/A X N/A N/A N/A
1-3(sr1-sr3) 3 X X X X X X N/A X
<4(ifx) 3 X X X X X X N/A X
5(lvl) 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
6>(disp)   N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A   N/A
7(att) 3 X X X X X X N/A X
8(rev)         N/A   N/A N/A N/A
9(mod) 3 X X X N/A X X N/A X
0/wx 1 1 1 1 X 1 N/A N/A N/A
(.)no/pri   N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
E/yes/gps X X X X X X X X x
1 Key-Safe only applies for long press of this key.
2 Key-Safe only allows toggle of 'Temporary Lockout' and 'Unlocked'.
3 Key-Safe only applies in hold mode.
N/A is not applicable.

Related Links/Info Contents
BC346XT Specifications

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., Foxfire, or Netscape), at any zoom level, and in any screen area size (ex: 1024x768 preferred)-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).

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.
Radio Reference Uniden Forum Yahoo Groups-arcXT
Yahoo Groups-BC346XT Yahoo Groups-BC-RH96-Remote control head
FreeSCAN support forum ProScan support forum
 
Links
Radio Reference.com Radio Reference Data Base
Radio Reference BC346XT Wiki Radio Reference BC-RH96 Wiki
Uniden DMA FAQ eHam.net-reviews
 
Software
BCprogtool-for Mac/PC OS and allows POI,DRD,DXG editing arc-XT-Butel software
FreeSCAN-Freeware ProScan
DMA Software Support-at Radio Reference ID Tracker II
Unitrunker  
 
Click here to visit Scanner Master

Preprogrammed Systems Contents
SQK 

System 

SQK 

System 

21 Alaska ALMR  34 Mississippi MWIN 
22 Arkansas AWIN  35 Montana State System 
23 Colorado DTRS  36 North Carolina VIPER 
24 Connecticut State  37 Nevada SRS 
25 Delaware  38 Ohio MARCS 
26 Georgia GEWIN  39 Rhode Island RISCON 
27 Idaho IIMARS  40 South Carolina C Palmetto 800 
28 Illinois StarCom21  41 South Dakota State 
29 Indiana SAFE-T  42 Texas DPS 
30 Kansas KSICS  43 Utah UCAN 
31 Louisiana LATIE  44 Virginia STARS 
32 Mass State System  45 West Virginia WVIRP 
33 Michigan MPSCS  46 WyoLink 

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 talk groups.
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 interprets these special talk group status bits as different talk groups entirely. 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 talk group 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 talk group revert to the emergency status talk group (ID+2) until the dispatch clears the emergency status. Therefore, if someone hit their emergency button and their radio was on talk group 16, all communications would switch to talk group 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 talk group is 1616, and they do dispatch tone-outs and alarms as Multi-selects, then those communications will be on talk group 1623.
 
Thanks to the Radio Reference.com for this information.

Contents
Last updated October 26, 2019
Home
web counter
web counter