Uniden scanner bct15 manual

Service Search. Custom Search. Set Search Key. Programming 'Systems'. Search and Store. Private Systems. Conventional Systems. Quick Search. Motorola Systems. Storing a Displayed Frequency. Reviewing Locked out Frequencies. LTR Systems. Close Call Only. Creating 'Sites'. Close Call Auto store. Managing Close Call Hits. Creating 'Groups'. Hits with Scan. Weather Scan. Quickly Storing a Frequency. Program SAME. Quickly Storing an ID.

Weather Alert. Key Safe Mode. GPS Display Mode. Using Startup Keys. 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, pages!? Fire Tone-Out will now search and find your tones to program duh. 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. They have increased the max range limit for approaching a POI from 2 to 4 miles. For those of you who use GPS enabled scanning on mountain tops, they increased the max range setting from 50 to miles. Now the annoying stuff. Right out of the box all of the Bear Tracker features are turned on which is ridiculous if you don't know how to turn them off. The default volume for the Bear Tracker alert tone is like a smoke detector, way too loud for any poor soul who gets caught in front of the scanner when it goes off.

Most of you that have the scanner have rudely found this out. They also dropped attenuation for Bear Tracker scanning and the 'Max Priority Scan' feature which limits the number of preset Bear Tracker priority channels scanned with priority on.

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. Close Call, Scan, etc. Maybe they should've called it Mode-Safe Mode?

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.

Resetting the radio- how many of you can do that on the first try? Updating the firmware after trying to get it from Uniden's website is still very complicated. And, the biggest complaint was no printed manual. If you don't need 9, channels, negative delay, or the Band Scope mode you're better off with the older BCT There are better antennas out there to use than the one that comes with the scanner.

The stock whip isn't fabulous. 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.

Bear Tracker Warning System - alerts you when channels normally used by public safety systems and 'mobile extenders' are in use nearby. State-by-State Preprogrammed Channels - lets you easily monitor activity on local Police, Department of Transportation, and Highway Patrol frequencies when you travel without having to program any channels.

Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - organized into 'Systems', 'Sites', within trunking systems , 'Groups' within systems , and channels within groups. Up to systems, 1, total sites max per system , 20 groups per system, and 25, channels max IDs or 1, 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. You can assign number tags to systems, channels, service searches, and custom search ranges.

Band Scope Mode - Band Scope mode is a special type of search mode where the scanner displays the strength of any signal it finds. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The scanner also displays the alert type. Dimmer Circuit - a special wire lets you connect to the dimmer circuit of your vehicle so the vehicle's dimmer also dims the scanner's lighting.

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.

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. 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 frequencies temporary, permanent in search or close call search. Channel- a programmed frequency or talk group ID location.

Scanning- the process of stepping through conventional channels in groups, which are in programmed 'systems'. Searching- the process of searching for active frequencies in quick search, service, custom search, Close Call search, Search and Store, or 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.

Band Scope Mode- the mode the radio is in while doing a Band Scope search. Tone-Out Mode- the mode the radio is in when it's monitoring paging tones. The scanner's memory is organized in an architecture called Dynamic Allocated Channel memory.

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 have total channels per conventional system and up to 'Sites' if you have enough memory. You can have a maximum of Systems, Sites, and 9, Channels.

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. The range is typically 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 mile radius from the repeater location.

Your scanner can receive transmissions that use these codes or more commonly referred to as tone codes. 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. IDs are what you see instead of frequencies when you monitor a trunking system. Each format displays and uses talk group IDs in slightly different ways.

Type I systems are usually organized with different IDs assigned to different fleets. 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. Decimal IDs are shown as a decimal number from 0 to I-call IDs are usually 6-digit IDs ex: Note: To view unit IDs you have to turn the option on in the ' Settings ' menu.

Note: this applies to a fresh scanner right out of the box or one that has been reset with the preprogrammed systems reloaded. Rotate VOL clockwise to turn on the scanner and set the volume to around The scanner should start scanning one of the preprogrammed states after the welcome screen disappears.

Press Hold. Find a comfortable volume level. Rotate the SQ knob counter-clockwise all the way then clockwise until the noise stops, then one notch more. Press Hold to resume scanning. Right away you may want to check these settings in the ' Settings ' menu.

See also turning off the Bear Tracker features to disable some of the default Bear Tracker features and alerts. The only things you will be able to scan right out of the box are the preprogrammed states in the scanner. You will, however, be able to use the Bear Tracker Warning System and do a service search , custom search , weather scan , search and store , close call search , or close call auto store.

The scanner's menu lets you select options that let you set up and use the scanner using the MENU key. 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. To back up a level, press MENU. Each of the knobs and keys on the BCTX 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.

Turn to adjust the squelch. Press to toggle temporary Alert Mute on or off in Any Mode. The blue light flashes with a Close Call hit. The red light flashes once then stays on for a weather or Bear Tracker alert. Press to toggle through the backlight intensities in Any Mode. Press to toggle selected State frequencies or Dept. Of Transportation frequencies or both, on or off in Scan Mode. Press to go to Scan Mode in Any Mode.

HP ALT. GPS WX. Press to e nter Menu Mode. Press to return to previous menu. 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 and hold to unlock and enable all groups and channels in a system in Scan Hold Mode. Press to exit Menu Mode or return to the last mode. Number Keys.

Enter any 3-digit system number tag then. Press to toggle custom searches on or off in Search 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 to cancel an error or warning message. Press to enter a decimal point after a system number tag.

Press to enter a decimal point for a frequency while programming. 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 once to delete current character when editing text. Press twice to delete all characters when editing text. E Yes. Press to select a menu item or save an entry in Menu Mode. Press to store found tones in Tone-Out Search Mode.

Press to enter the Menu mode for a displayed channel in Scan Mode. Press to enter Function Mode for 4 seconds. Press and hold to lock Function Mode. Press again to unlock. Turn to scroll to a menu item in Menu Mode. Turn to select characters when editing text. 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 and hold to hold on a system in Scan mode. Press and hold to resume. 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. PRI appears in priority mode and blinks in priority plus mode in Scan Mode. DOT appears if Dept. Band Defaults. Frequency Range. Step kHz. Military Trunked. Federal Trunked.

UHF Standard. Public Service, 33 cm Ham. Although TV bands are listed, the scanner cannot decode digital TV audio. Settings Menu. Set Backlight. Adjust Contrast. Set Serial Port. See Scanner Info. Adjust Key Beep. Set C-CH Output. Set Upside-Down. Set GPS Format. Unit ID. Firmware Version and Serial Number. Set the dimmer to Auto if you are going to hard-wire your scanner inside your vehicle.

Adjust Key Beep this setting turns the key beep on or off and adjusts the volume level. Set Upside-Down this setting allows you to reverse the display so you can mount the scanner upside-down and hear the speaker from the top. Adjusting the Display Contrast this setting controls the display's contrast how light or dark it appears.

Set C-CH Output allows you to choose how you want the scanner to handle control channel data output. 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 Serial Port allows you to set the baud rate for the front and rear serial ports. You typically set the front port to match the speed used to communicate with your PC default bps and the back port to the speed used to communicate with an attached GPS device default bps. Note that the back port is male. You may need a gender changer and a null modem adapter to use a typical DB9 serial cable from the rear port.

Press MENU twice to return. Band Defaults basically, this setting allows you change the ' Auto ' values you can select while programming frequencies, searches, etc. 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. Refer to Auto Step Size chart to help find the bands in the menu.

At ' Set Step ' scroll to Auto , 5 , 6. Scroll to any other bands you wish to edit and repeat. Unit ID Requires firmware 1. Scroll to ' Disp. 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. Cloning to clone copy data from one same scanner to another, use one of the included data cables to connect the two scanners. Plug the DB9 end into the rear port of one scanner and the other end into the front port of the other scanner.

Then set up both scanners:. For each scanner, press MENU. At ' Select Comm Port ' scroll to the port the Slave scanner is using. At ' Select Comm Port ' scroll to the port the Master scanner is using. 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 remember the game called Twister?

The scanner will give you the option ' Restore Preprogram List? This deletes all programmed data. The most frustrating thing about this radio is right out of the box, all Bear Tracker features are on by default which makes no sense at all if you don't know how to turn them off. My advice is to disable everything and start from there. Most highway patrol vehicles on the road today are equipped with a secondary radio system known as a 'mobile extender' or 'vehicular repeater'. Whenever the dispatcher transmits to any vehicle in the district, a mobile extender in every car within the district is activated.

The Bear Tracker Warning System monitors these frequencies used by mobile extender radios as well as car-to-car, aircraft-to-car, and other special-purpose frequencies. When enabled, the scanner checks for activity on these frequencies for your state every 2 seconds. The scanner scans all the channels of the Bear Tracker system. Bear Tracker Scanning. The BCT15 includes state-by-state preprogrammed frequencies designed to provide you with good general radio coverage targeted to the state you are in.

When you have selected a state and then one or more of the pre-programmed services, each enabled service's icon is displayed on the lower part of the display. When they are disabled, the icons disappears from the display. When the scanner detects a signal in an enabled service, the icon blinks. After scanning your programmed systems, the scanner will scan the enabled state-by-state agencies, then resume scanning your programmed systems.

Normal reception will be interrupted periodically as set by the Set Interval setting in the Priority Scan menu to search for signals in the enabled searches. The more channels you have the scanner check during a priority check, the longer the audio dropout during reception of other channels. Set Hold Time. Set Alert. Set Delay Time. Set Record. Set Delay Time selects in seconds the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before moving to the next channel.

The default setting is 2 seconds. Set Alert This setting controls when and how the scanner alerts you for the Bear Tracker warning system. 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. 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 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.

For more info visit the Wiki alerts page. See also Using Startup Keys. I have put together complete worksheets ready to print to help you plan your systems, Close Call, and Fire Tone-Out, etc. Even if you don't fill them out, they are a good check list for programming. Entering Text. 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.

To enter a decimal point , press. 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. To clear all characters , press. No twice. Press the 'Back' button in your browser to return to programming. Programming Systems. 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 systems, up to 20 groups per system, and up to frequencies or IDs per group.

Total channels are limited to about 9, Also, remember that conventional frequencies and IDs are considered channels. Note: Once a system has been created, the system type cannot be changed. See also Deciphering Trunked Systems a t 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.

Also, you can't even upload the system back to the scanner and have to delete it with the software too. At ' New Sys Name? Copying a system will copy all sites, groups, channels, and settings including quick key assignments. Programming Conventional Systems. At ' Confirm? Continue at ' Set Quick Key ' below. Then see Creating Groups. Set Quick Key. Set Lockout. Set State. Set Start-up Key. Set Number Tag. 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 the quick key number or. Note: Pressing the first number of a 2-digit quick key will get you closer, 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc. 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 or enter the startup key number or. Set Number Tag allows you to number a system.

The default setting is no number tag blank. Enter the number tag Press. Set Lockout determines whether a system will be scanned or not even if the quick key for the system is turned on. The default setting is unlocked. 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. 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. Scroll to the desired delay time , -5, -2, 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, or 30 secs. Set State allows you to add the system to the Bear Tracker system so you can listen to it when you select your 'State'.

The default setting is off. Set Record enables the REC jack for marked channels, no channels, or all channels in the system. Marked Channel - The scanner only sends the audio for channels that have the record option turned on to the REC jack. Off - The scanner does not send any audio from any channel in the system to the REC jack, even if the record option is turned on for a channel.

Programming Trunking Systems. Continue at ' Set Number Tag ' below. Then see Creating Sites. Then see Edit Site Options. Set Status Bit Motorola only. The default setting is ID search. You must program a system fleet map in order for the scanner to properly track and display talk group ID's.

Since it is rather lengthy, I will just give you the link. 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.

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 Set End Code Motorola only sets how the scanner handles the transmission end code sent by most Motorola systems.

The default setting is Yes. Yes - the scanner immediately returns to the control channel when it detects the end code. Ignore - the scanner does not return to the control channel until the carrier drops. Set Record enables the REC jack for all channels or marked channels in the system or off. At ' Unlock? 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.

Set Frequencies. Set Modulation. Set Location Info. Edit Frequency. Set Attenuator. Delete Frequency. New Frequency. Set Quick Key assigns quick key to a site and will be scanned when the key is turned on. Set Start-up Key allows you to turn on the scanner with the site enabled for scan using the Startup Configuration. The scanner will use the regular old Motorola band plan and return to the menu. Custom band plans require that you enter both a lower and an upper base frequency value.

The l ower 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. Press MENU to return and repeat for each band plan as needed. Set Frequencies this is where you program or change the trunking frequencies, delete frequencies, or lock them out.

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. See also Band Defaults. Set Attenuator This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on this site by about 20 dB. Set Lockout determines whether a site will be scanned or not even if the quick key for the site is turned on.

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. Enter the range 0.

Set State allows you to add the site to the Bear Tracker system so you can listen to it when you select your 'State'. Creating Groups. Once you have your Systems built, systems options configured, trunking system Sites Created , and Site Options configured, you can create your groups. Edit Name. Edit Channel. Edit Name allows you to change the name of a group. Set Quick Key sets the quick key for the group. Scroll to or enter the quick key number or.

Edit Channel creates channels and edits channel options. Set Lockout determines whether a group will be scanned or not even if the quick key for the group is turned on. 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.

At ' Quick Freq Save? Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, ' Frequency Exists Accept? 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.

Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, ' Frequency Exists' Accept? After storing the frequency, you will be at the ' Edit Channel ' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. See Programming Trunking Systems. 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.

After storing the ID, you will be at the ' Edit Channel ' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. See also Set ID Format. 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.

No once , then enter the home repeater number 01 - 20 and press. 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. Notes: To view unit IDs you have to turn the option on in the ' Settings ' menu. Other channel attributes alerts, etc. To enter hexadecimal IDs see Entering Text.

Continue at Edit Name below. 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. No to cancel storing a tone code if asked. Set Attenuator conventional only. Volume Offset. Set Priority. Delete Channel. New Channel. Set Modulation conventional only. 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.

The default setting is Off. Scroll to the desired DCS code you want present with the signal. Set Number Tag allows you to number a channel. Set Modulation conventional only This setting selects the modulation used for the channel. Set Attenuator conventional only This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on The channel by about 20 dB. Set Priority This setting controls whether the scanner treats the channel as a priority channel while scanning.

Set Alert This setting controls when and how the scanner alerts you if the channel becomes active. Set Record enables the REC jack for the channel. You must also set the system's record option to either 'All Channel' which will record all channels regardless of the channel's record setting or 'Marked Channel' which only records the channels you've set to record.

Set Lockout determines whether a channel will be scanned or not. Volume Offset This setting allows you to adjust the volume offset for the channel. Note : You can only copy and paste from like systems - conventional to conventional or trunking to trunking. Location-Based Scanning. 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.

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. Connecting Your Scanner. Dangerous Xing or Dangerous Road. Set Type. Set Alert Volume.

Set LocationInfo. Set Alert Light. Set Range. Set Heading. Set Speed Limit. 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. The default tone is ' Alert 1 ',the default level is ' Auto ' and default pattern is ' Fast Blink '. The tone pattern varies depending on what type of location it is.

The default pattern is ' Fast Blink '. Set Location Info enter the latitude and longitude for the location. Set Range POI only enter how far out from this location you want the scanner to alert you. 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 '. 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. Set Lockout the default setting is ' Unlocked '. To program the current location press and hold GPS for 2 seconds. 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.

While in Review Location Mode:. To select a location turn the scroll control. 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 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. Quick Links. Table of Contents. Previous Page. Next Page. Scanner radio with trunktracking and automatic scanning capabilities pages. Uniden does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.

See the content of the manual if you need additional information. Mount the scanner and connect power. Page 4: Table Of Contents Precautions Page 6 Programming General Settings Page 7 Setting I-Call Operation Page 8 Searching and Storing These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

Page 11 up these transmissions. You can store and scan services that use Trunked Radio Systems and so much more. Step setting changes are user definable.

Page 14 State-by-State Preprogrammed Channels — let you easily keep up with activity on local police, Department of Transportation, and Highway Patrol frequencies when you travel, without having to program any channels.

Page Trunk Tracking Tone Volume Adjust — lets you select and set various tones for different purposes. PC Control — Trunking Activity Indicators — show you trunking activity when you hold on a control channel. Page Gps Search With Scan — lets you monitor a service search and a custom search scan sequentially. It also instructs you to turn the Scroll Control shown as to view a series of choices then press or tap the Scroll Control the action shown as to enter a choice Edit Name.

You have just unpacked your Uniden BCT15 scanner. Page 21 Then, by using the Clone feature or by exchanging files that you each have transferred to a computer using the Uniden Advanced Scanner Director UASD software you can install the programmed data into your scanner. Once you have The BCT15 uses a similar method to turn on and off scanning sites and systems. The BCT15 can search each of its 13 service search ranges and up to 10 custom search ranges to find active frequencies. Your BCT15 is designed to track the following types of trunking systems.

Startup Configuration The Startup Configuration option lets you quickly and automatically lock and unlock systems based on your desired configuration.

Page Multi-Site Trunking Not only does your BCT15 scan channels like a conventional scanner, it actually follows the users of a trunked radio system.

Included With Your Scanner Page Setting Up Your Scanner These guidelines will help you install and set up your new scanner: The BCT15 can be placed on a convenient surface in your home as a base station, and connected to a standard outlet that supplies VAC, 60Hz.

You must use either the supplied antenna or an electrically correct outdoor antenna, properly and safely mounted at your chosen site. Use only the Uniden-supplied AC adapter with this scanner. Insert the connector of the supplied indoor telescoping antenna to the BNC Antenna Connector and apply moderate pressure to secure it. Page Vehicle Installation 3. Attach a suitable mounted mobile antenna to the antenna jack on the back of the scanner.

Remove the bracket if it is attached. Remove the four Philips screws from four small tabs on the rear of the case that secure the outer metal case and pull off the case toward the rear with care. Refer to the left illustration that follows, showing the Removal Keys.

Once the sleeve is removed, you will see threaded, metric machine screw holes on either side of the chassis cabinet. Uniden does not supply these screws. Their diameter, length, and screw type should be chosen by a qualified installer based on the internal vehicle bracket which will be used in securing the scanner chassis.

Page Removing The Display Sticker Internal brackets Removing the Display Sticker Before you use the scanner for the first time, remove the protective plastic film over the display. Page Connecting An Extension Speaker Connecting an Extension Speaker In a noisy area, an optional amplified extension speaker, positioned in the right place, might provide more comfortable listening.

Never connect any part of the headphone jack to the antenna jack or connect the radio to an installation where the antenna and audio connection are grounded.

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. Page 42 Finally, many controls and keys behave differently depending on the mode your radio is in when you use the key or control. Carefully examine the following table to separate those actions. Press [3] to toggle Close Call mode. Press and hold [3] to switch to Close Call Only mode.

Press [4], [5], or [6] to begin searching the range set when you set up and assigned one of these keys to a selected search range. Page 45 6. Page 46 Note: does not apply to BearTracker system.

Page 47 Never use any other AC adapter as damage might occur. Headphone Jack Connect headphones for private listening. They are comprised of three fundamental tones: high Hz, middle Hz, and low Hz. In addition there are alert sirens and a series of tones whose volume are user selectable. Page Operation Before you apply power, there are a few basic operations to get the scanner ready.

Those are covered below. If some seem out of a logical order it is only so you can use the BCT15 more quickly. For example, some of these action are required for basic programming or menu options. To move the cursor to the left, press [4]. To move the cursor to the right, press [6]. To clear a character, press [.

No] twice. For trunked systems, the scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, the current transmission ends, and the channel delay expires. Page Selecting Systems To Scan Selecting Systems to Scan To select systems to scan, press Scan then press the quick key assigned to the system or systems you want to scan. For quick keys , press [.

To lockout a channel when the scanner has not stopped on the channel, or to unlock a permanently locked-out channel. Page Holding On A Channel scan only the current system. To select a different channel, turn the Scroll Control. Then tap and then press [. No] The scanner replaces the third line on the display with trunking activity indicators.

When the scanner is monitoring on EDACS or Motorola system, the activity indicators will show which system frequencies have activity. The BCT15 scans these frequencies according to the settings you select in the following sections. While there is no way to determine the location of a specific service you hear, When they are disabled, the icon disappears from the display.

When the scanner detects a signal in an enabled service, the icon blinks. Many settings require that you drill down multiple levels. This assures you the utmost flexibility and the ability to customize the operation to your specific requirements.

To assist you to familiarize yourself and help you to become proficient using the menu, we have provided three sections. The uppermost line is the heading for the level with three choices below. For example, the display to set the modulation looks like: Editing a Name There are many instances when you will want to custom name a new system, a new site, a TGID and more. No] for the decimal point. Move to the next place only by turning the Scroll Control. When all the characters are entered, press to finalize the entry.

Page Programming General Settings Programming General Settings The following section deals with the general settings of the scanner. Setting and Using the Display Backlight Press appears on the display. Level 1 - 15 — the scanner lets you manually select one of fifteen key beep levels.

As you scroll from level 1 to 15 you see the contrast change. Press the Scroll Control to lock the desired level until the time you desire to change it.

You typically set the front port to match the speed used to communicate with your PC default bps and the back port to the speed used to communicate with an attached GPS device default bps. If you exceed , and press Out of Range, Set Max? No] to cancel and enter a new number in range. Important: Start with a high baud rate setting. If, during transfer, you get an error message, reduce the setting in the software and the scanner and start again until you get reliable, complete transfer of data.

Wired cloning between other models to the BCT15 is not possible. Page Start Of Transfer 3b. The master scanner checks the connection between the two scanners, then transfers its data to the slave scanner. Page Programming Your Scanner 2. Program the system into your scanner according to the plan you prepared in Step 1. There you can fill out a worksheet on line and then print it or print hardcopy to fill out as you see fit. Note that the BCT15 is not designed to process P25 signals.

These should be entered as Motorola Standard and not P Access two-digit system Quick Keys by pressing [.