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Uniden BCT15 English Owners Manual - Page 26

Trunked Scanning, Startup Configuration, System Quick Keys

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Trunked Scanning While conventional scanning worked great while there were only a few groups wanting to use the frequencies, with the advent of smaller, lower-cost radios more and more agencies and businesses wanted to take advantage of the utility of 2-way radio. As a result, the bands that were used most became full, so new users were not able to take advantage of the technology as quickly as they wanted. Trunking solved this frequency shortage by allowing multiple groups to use the same set of frequencies in a very efficient way. While each type of trunking system operates a little differently (see the next few sections), they all work on the same basic premise: even in a system with a lot of users, only a few users are ever transmitting at any one time. Instead of being assigned a frequency, as with conventional systems, each group is assigned a talk group ID. A central computer controls the frequency each group operates on...and this frequency selection is made each time a user transmits. So, while on a conventional system queries, replies, and follow-ups are all on a single frequency, they could each be on completely different frequencies on a trunked system. This semi-random frequency assignment made monitoring such a system impossible prior to Uniden's invention of the TrunkTracker scanner. Startup Configuration The Startup Configuration option lets you quickly and automatically lock and unlock systems based on your desired configuration. Simply hold down a number button while powering on the scanner. Systems assigned to that number are automatically unlocked and systems assigned to other numbers are automatically locked. Systems that are not assigned to any startup configuration are left unchanged. You could use this feature to give you quick, single-press Quick Key access to your favorite systems even when you travel to other locations. For example, if you program your scanner as follows: System/Site Quick Key Configuration 1 1 Fort Worth 2 Tarrant County 3 Arlington Configuration 2 Phoenix Mesa Mariposa County When you are in the Fort Worth area, press [1] while turning on the scanner. System Quick Keys [1], [2], and [3] then allow you to select between the local systems. When you travel to the Phoenix area, hold [2] while turning on the 26

Section	Page
Table of Contents	4
The FCC Wants You to Know	10
Scanning Legally	10
Introduction	12
Feature Highlights	13
General	13
Trunk Tracking	15
Searches and Scanning	16
GPS	17
Weather	17
Memory Storage Limits	18
Search Lockout Limits	18
About This Manual	18
How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual	18
A Short User’s Guide to Assist the First-Time Scanner Enthusiast	20
Understanding Scanning and the BCT15	22
Understanding the Scanner’s Memory	22
Understanding Quick Keys	22
What is Scanning?	23
What is Searching?	23
What is CTCSS/DCS?	23
Conventional Scanning	24
Simplex Operation	24
Repeater Operation	25
What is Trunk Tracking?	25
Trunked Scanning	26
Startup Configuration	26
Multi-Site Trunking	27
Types of Trunking Systems	27
Motorola Trunking	27
EDACS Trunking	28
LTR Trunking	29
Where To Get More Information	30
Information On The Internet	30
Included With Your Scanner	31
Setting Up Your Scanner	32
Power Related Issues	32
When you turn off the scanner using the power switch, the scanner remembers the last settings and mode. When you turn power back on, it resumes the previous mode.	33
Base Station	33
Setting Up an Audio Recording Device or Computer Recording	34
Vehicle Installation	35
Mounting Using the Bracket	35
Mounting Using the Optional DIN-E Sleeve	36
Removing the Scanner from the DIN-E Sleeve	37
Mounting Using ISO Technique	38
Removing the Display Sticker	39
Connecting an Optional Antenna	39
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone	39
Connecting an Extension Speaker	40
Controls, Keys, and Functions	41
Controls, Keys, and Functions	42
A Look at The LCD Display	48
Tones	50
General Tones	50
Weather Alert Tones	50
Menu Mode Tones	50
Scanner Alert Tones	50
Operation	51
Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch	51
Setting the Display Backlight	51
Setting Alert Mute	51
Temporary Alert Mute	51
Continuous Alert Mute	51
Entering Text Within A Menu Option	52
Startup Key Operation	52
Conventional	52
Trunked	52
Service Range	52
Custom Range	53
Scanning Systems	53
Selecting Systems to Scan	54
Selecting System Channel Groups	54
Locking/Unlocking Systems	54
Locking/Unlocking Channels	55
ID Scan/ID Search Mode	55
Holding On a System	55
Holding On a Channel	56
Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search	56
Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s (TGID)	56
Trunking Activity Indicators	57
Toggling the Display Mode	57
Introduction to BearTracker Operation	58
Using BearTracker Scanning	58
The BearTracker Scanning Icons	59
Using the BearTracker Warning System	59
Using the Menu	60
General Operations	60
Display Format	61
Editing a Name	61
Editing A Frequency	62
First and Second Menu Levels	62
Programming General Settings	64
Setting and Using the Display Backlight	64
Setting the Dimmer	64
Adjusting the Key Beep	65
Setting the Audio AGC	65
Setting the Display Orientation	65
Adjusting the Display Contrast	66
Setting the GPS Format	66
Setting the Serial Port Speed	67
Displaying Scanner Information	67
Viewing Memory Used	67
Setting the BearTracker Options	67
Set Hold Time	67
Set Delay Time	68
Set Attenuator	68
Set Alert Level	68
Set Alert Tone	69
Set Record	69
Max Priority Scan	69
Viewing the Firmware Version and Electronic Serial Number	70
Initializing the Scanner’s Memory	70
Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer	70
Volume/Squelch with PC Control	71
Wired Cloning	71
Start of Transfer	72
During Transfer	72
Programming Your Scanner	73
General Notes	73
System Settings	73
System Options	74
Site Option Settings	75
Channel Option Settings	75
Programming Conventional Systems	76
Programming Trunked Radio Systems	76
Programming System Settings	77
Editing the System Name	77
Specifying the Correct System Type	78
Editing the System Name	78
Programming System Options	78
Editing the System Quick Key	78
Setting the Startup Key	79
Setting the System Lockout	79
Setting the System Hold Time	80
Setting ID Scan/ID Search	80
Setting Channel Delay Time	80
Setting Data Skip	80
Setting Location Information	81
Setting the Fleet Map	81
Setting the Status Bit	82
Setting End Code Operation	82
Setting I-Call Operation	82
Setting the Emergency Alert Option	83
Assigning a Conventional System to a State	83
Conventional Systems	83
Setting the EDACS ID Format	84
Setting the System Record Option	84
Reviewing ID Search Lockouts	84
Clearing All Locked Out ID’s	85
Editing Sites	85
Editing Channel Groups	85
Copying Systems	85
Deleting Systems	86
Programming Sites	86
Setting the Site Name	86
Setting the Site Quick Key	87
Setting the Site Startup Key	87
Setting Site Frequencies	88
Setting Site Modulation	88
Setting Site Attenuation	89
Setting Site Lockout	89
Setting Site Hold Time	90
Editing the Band Plan	90
Setting Control-Channel Only Mode	91
Setting Site Location Information	91
Assigning a Trunked System to A State	91
Trunked Systems (Sites)	92
Deleting Sites	92
Programming Channel Groups	92
Setting Up a Channel Group	92
Editing a Channel Group Name	92
Setting the Group Quick Key	93
Editing Channels	93
Locking Out Channel Groups	93
Deleting Channel Groups	94
Programming Channels	94
Creating a Channel	94
Editing the Channel Name (Alpha Tag)	94
Editing Frequencies	95
Editing the Talk Group ID	95
Selecting CTCSS/DCS Tones	96
Quick CTCSS/DCS Save	96
Setting Channel Modulation Method	97
Setting Channel Attenuation	97
Setting Channel Priority	98
Setting Channel Alert	98
Setting Channel Record	99
Setting Lockout	99
Copying a Channel	99
Deleting a Channel	100
Searching and Storing	101
Service Search	101
Quick Search	102
Custom Search	102
Editing a Custom Search Range	103
Search With Scan	104
Editing a Service Search	105
Method One	105
Method Two	105
Set Delay Time	105
Set Attenuator	106
Set Record	106
Assigning a Search Range to a Search Key	106
Saving a Found Channel (Quick Save)	106
Auto Search and Store	107
Selecting a System	107
Conventional Search and Store	107
Trunked Search and Store	108
Using the Close Call Feature	109
Setting Close Call Options	109
Close Call Hits	111
Close Call Hits with Scan	111
Search and Close Call Options	113
Managing Locked-Out Frequencies	113
Unlocking All Frequencies	114
Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies	114
Searching for Subaudible Tones	114
Screening Out Broadcast Sources	115
Finding Repeater Output Frequencies	116
Setting the Maximum Auto Store Value	116
Setting the Modulation Type	116
Setting Attenuation	117
Setting Data Skip	117
Setting the Delay Time	118
Setting the Search Frequency Step	118
Setting Record	118
Priority Scan	119
Using Weather Alert (SAME)	120
Searching For a Weather Broadcast	120
Turning Weather Scan Alert On/Off	120
Programming a SAME Group	121
Setting WX Alert Priority	122
Fire Tone-Out Introduction	123
Setting Tone-Out Standby	123
Setting Up Tone-Out	123
Tone-Out Multi-Channel Monitoring	125
Setting Tone-Out Record	125
Using the BCT15 with a GPS	126
Device Compatibility	126
Connecting Your Scanner to a GPS Device	126
Initial Scanner/GPS Operation	126
Location-Based (GPS) Scanning	127
Another Example of Multiple Site Creation	128
Non-Radio Location Based GPS Features	128
Setting the Options	130
Deleting a Location	130
For POI Only	131
For Dangerous Xing, and Dangerous Road Only	131
GPS Display Mode	133
GPS Review Location Mode	134
Care and Maintenance	135
General Use	135
Location	135
Cleaning	135
Repairs	135
Birdies	135
Troubleshooting	136
Specifications	140
Reference	143
Preset Fleet Maps	143
User Defined Fleet Maps	145
Type I Programming Information	145
Size Code Restrictions	146
Index	147
One-Year Limited Warranty	150

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Trunked Scanning

While conventional scanning worked great while there were only a few groups

wanting to use the frequencies, with the advent of smaller, lower-cost radios more

and more agencies and businesses wanted to take advantage of the utility of

2-way radio. As a result, the bands that were used most became full, so new users

were not able to take advantage of the technology as quickly as they wanted.

Trunking solved this frequency shortage by allowing multiple groups to use the

same set of frequencies in a very efficient way. While each type of trunking system

operates a little differently (see the next few sections), they all work on the same

basic premise: even in a system with a lot of users, only a few users are ever

transmitting at any one time.

Instead of being assigned a frequency, as with conventional systems, each group

is assigned a talk group ID. A central computer controls the frequency each group

operates on...and this frequency selection is made each time a user transmits. So,

while on a conventional system queries, replies, and follow-ups are all on a single

frequency, they could each be on completely different frequencies on a trunked

system. This semi-random frequency assignment made monitoring such a system

impossible prior to Uniden’s invention of the TrunkTracker scanner.

Startup Configuration

The Startup Configuration option lets you quickly and automatically lock and

unlock systems based on your desired configuration. Simply hold down a number

button while powering on the scanner. Systems assigned to that number are

automatically unlocked and systems assigned to other numbers are automatically

locked. Systems that are not assigned to any startup configuration are left

unchanged.

You could use this feature to give you quick, single-press Quick Key access to

your favorite systems even when you travel to other locations. For example, if you

program your scanner as follows:

When you are in the Fort Worth area, press

[1]

while turning on the scanner.

System Quick Keys

[1]

[2]

, and

[3]

then allow you to select between the local

systems. When you travel to the Phoenix area, hold

[2]

while turning on the

System/Site Quick Key

Configuration 1

Configuration 2

Fort Worth

Phoenix

Tarrant County

Mesa

Arlington

Mariposa County