Easier to Read BR330T/BCD396T/UBCD396T Manual

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

As you have found out by now, these are a whole different animal as far as scanners go. I have tried to write my manuals to follow the menu sequences as closely as possible so you can find things a little easier in the radios. All in all, they are both keepers.

They do have some cool new features: Scan and Search, Close Call, Dynamic Memory, an adjustable 'Hold (scan) time' for each system and search band, Auto Store (actually an old feature brought back), signal strength bars, and a numeric battery meter. The BR330T can hold about 2500 channels (about 1600 with tags) and the (U)BCD396T about 6000 tagged channels. You can store up to 400 different systems (if there is enough memory). The 'Automatic Channel Setup' allows you to enter a frequency without having to change a step size setting. The Fire Tone-out sounds like something to try out. The 'Custom Screen' for Close Call is a plus if you live in a busy area. With all of the alerts offered with the radios, the 'Custom Alert' feature is nice too. I have also been able to enter partial IDs for Motorola (type I,IIi) and LTR systems, not just in EDACS systems. And, of course, computer upload/download/clone and control.

The 'quick keys' allow you to scan any combination of systems. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many priority channels you can program. The sound quality is great for a 'mini' scanner. When 'tone search' is enabled for searching or for a channel, it will search for CTCSS and DCS tones, not just one or the other. The Close Call and Weather Priority features will run in the background while scanning and/or searching. An AC adapter, computer cable, and batteries come with the scanners. The firmware is supposed to be upgradeable for re-banding. One thing to remember is that IDs go into channels also (no more scan lists). There is also the (optional; expensive) BC-RH96 remote head for those of you that wish to hide your scanner in the trunk.

The main differences between the BR330T and (U)BCD396T are that the 396 has about 6000 tagged channels, and digital/700Mhz trunking, whereas the 330 has 2500 (1600 tagged) channels, racetrack operation and preprogrammed races, a bar antenna, an extra 9 kHz step for AM, no digital trunking, and an extended frequency range (100 kHz-1300 MHz).

Now the annoying stuff. Dynamic Memory has it's drawbacks because you have to build everything first then program it. Press and hold for 2 seconds to turn the scanner on?? Press and hold Func then tap the scroll control to adjust the squelch?? Why the SMA antenna all of a sudden? No belt clip; a knob screwed to the back of the scanner to slide a cumbersome rotating clip. Alpha tagging is best left to the software. Scans multiple trunking systems relatively slow even with the hold time set to 0 (especially if you have a lot of IDs programmed). The channels and IDs aren't numbered so they can be hard to find if you have a lot of them in a group. The squelch tail is long giving a distinct 'chop' at the end of transmissions; not the nice clean 'click' of my Pro-97. There is no 'per channel' delay; you must set the delay for the whole system (all groups, all channels). The bottom lit display isn't as bright as my BC246T or Pro 97. The keypad is probably brighter.

An overview of the features can also be view 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.

For those of you who are new to trunking, dynamic memory, or haven't had a scanner in the last 10 years it is a good idea to read the respective sections on those topics. You really have to know how trunking works in order to program a trunking system. It won't do you any good to try to program a trunking system unless you know what the radio needs and is going to do with the data (control channel, IDs, LCN order, etc).

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

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

Check back often as this document will be updated and revised from time to time.

Main Features

Contents

Multi-System Trunking - follows conversations on analog Motorola, Motorola Astro-APCO 25, (396T only) W/N/SCAT EDACS, and LTR trunked radio systems in VHF/UHF, 700 MHz (396T only), 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

Scan with Search Operation - lets you include selected service searches and custom search ranges during normal scan operation.

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

Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - organized into 'Systems', 'Groups' (within systems), and channels (within groups). As many channels as memory allows. Typically about 2500 (1600 with tags) for the BR330T and 6000 tagged channels for the (U)BCD396T.

Signal Strength Meter - shows the signal strength for the more powerful transmissions.

Battery Meter - shows the battery strength.

Preprogrammed Systems - your scanner is preprogrammed with systems with the 25 most populated counties (local systems for Australia and NZ for (U)BCD396T) in the US and major races BR330T only.

Quick Keys - you can assign the number keys to a system or group (or systems or groups) to scan them. This makes it easy to listen to or quickly turn off those systems or groups you don't want to scan.

Race Track Operation (BR330T only) - you can set the scanner to scan races using a frequency list preprogrammed into the scanner or program your own races. You can scan by car number and driver name, assign the car to a quick key, and set the scanner so it sounds an alert when the car you are scanning transmits.

9-13 Service Searches (All, BR330T only, UBCD396T only, All but UBCD396T) - frequencies are preset in separate public safety, marine, railroad, air, CB radio, AM broadcast, police, UHF CB, racing, FM broadcast, TV broadcast, 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 if you are searching a conventional system.

Analog and Digital (396 only) Audio AGC - helps automatically balance the volume level between different radio systems.

Fire Tone-Out Standby - 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.

Built-in Bar Antenna (BR330T only) - lets you clearly listen to AM radio broadcasts.

Custom Screen - lets you program up to 10 frequency ranges that the scanner will ignore during Close Call or search operation.

Automatic Channel Setup - allows you to program frequencies on any valid channel step without having to set a step setting.

Adjustable Channel/Frequency Step - allows you to set the step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 9(w/BR330T), 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) for Quick search or Custom search or select auto mode.

Frequency/ID Auto 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.

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

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

Control Channel Only Scanning - if the scanner is set to scan Motorola trunking frequencies, you can set it so it scans using only control channel data. You do not have to program voice channel frequencies into memory in this mode.

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

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

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

Custom Alerts - for each alert in the scanner (such as channel alert, Close Call alert, emergency alert), you can select from 9 different tone patterns and also set the alert volume level independently from the main volume level.

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

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

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

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

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

SAME Weather Alert (not w/ UBCD396T) - (with programmable FIP codes) lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displays the alert type.

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding Dynamic Memory

Contents

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

Since you can only program one trunking system per bank in a traditional scanner, and lets say you only have 10 banks, you can only store 10 trunking systems. Also, since some trunked systems might have hundreds of talk groups you wish to monitor, you might have to enter those systems into multiple banks in order to monitor all the ID's.

Instead of being organized into separate banks and channels, the scanner's memory is contained in a pool. You build the systems and groups then use as much memory as you need in the pool to store frequencies, talk group ID's, and alpha tags. With all previous scanners, you selected banks to scan that had channels stored in them. With this scanner, you select 'Systems' to scan that have channel 'Groups' stored within the 'Systems'. Conventional systems have frequency groups and trunking systems have ID groups (no more scan lists). The trunking frequencies go into a 'system editor', not a system or a group.

You can store as many as 400 'Systems' and you can have as many as 20 groups per 'System' with up to 200 frequencies or IDs in each 'Group' (if you have enough memory). The manual says up to about 2500 channels for the BR330T but with alpha tags you get about 1600. The (U)BCD396T will give you up to 6000 tagged channels.

For the BR330T: Within the Racing 'Systems', you can store 'Cars'. Cars are like 'Groups' but you can store more than 20 of them (Butel software only sees up to 99). You can store as many as 200(?) frequencies for each Car (if you have enough memory). One trick would be to program a conventional system as a race system and use the 'driver' for the alpha tag because then you can see the frequency AND the alpha-tag in the display. It is a little more work to program even with the software, uploads to the scanner slower, and takes up more memory but remember, you can only scan 1 race system at a time.

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

There are 99 'System Quick Keys' (1-99) and 10 and 'Group Quick Keys' (0-9) for the BR330T.
There are 100 'System Quick Keys' (0-99) and 10 and 'Group Quick Keys' (0-9) for the (U)BCD396T.

Single-digit system quick keys work like bank keys-press them to turn systems on or off. To turn double-digit system quick keys on or off you have to press .(no) first then the two digits. To turn groups on and off for each system you have to press and hold Func then the number key (when scanning each system). You can also have systems and groups that are not programmed to quick keys that will always be scanned (unless you lock them out).

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

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

For the BR330T: 'Race' systems don't have system quick keys. You can only scan one race system at a time by unlocking a race which will lockout any other race that is unlocked. Cars (like groups) can have quick keys (0-9).

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 tones).

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

CTCSS codes appear according to the EIA standard CTCSS tones and range from 67.0 Hz to 254.1 Hz. CTCSS codes are displayed directly as a frequency.

DCS codes are similar to CTCSS codes, except they might be transmitted as either tones or digital codes. Although there are as many as 4096 DCS codes, only about 100 are actually used.

When your scanner receives a CTCSS transmission, C appears in the display in front of the frequency of the tone. When your scanner receives a DCS transmission, DCS appears in the display in front of the 3-digit code.

The 'Scanning Reference' site has a very good page explaining CTCSS and DCS here.

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 (here after referred to as just ID). So when you are trunking a system, you are listening to active IDs transmitting in the system (each using the first available frequency in the system). Thus, trunking systems in general, allocate a few frequencies among many different users.

These trunking scanners trunk the three main types of systems; Motorola, Ericsson EDACS, and E.F. Johnson LTR systems. These scanners will not trunktrack the newer digital systems.

When you program a Motorola or EDACS frequencies into the scanner, one frequency is the data channel, and the rest are the frequencies shared by all the users. The data 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 data channel is also a good check to see if you can trunk the system. If you can't hear a data 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 system. Motorola systems are limited to a maximum of 28 frequencies per system, Ericsson EDACS systems are limited to 25 frequencies per system.

LTR systems work a little differently. These systems encode all trunking information as digital subaudible data that accompanies each transmission. LTR systems typically do not have a dedicated control channel. Each repeater has its own controller, and all of these controllers are synchronized together. Even though each controller monitors it's 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 a 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.

Since the trunking system might send a call and its response on different frequencies, it is difficult to listen to trunked communications using a regular scanner. This scanner lets you select and monitor the data channel frequency sent with a 2-way radio transmission within the trunking bank, so you can hear calls and responses for users and more easily "follow" conversations than with a conventional scanner.

Trunkscanning (ID scan mode) is basically scanning IDs that are programmed into ID locations (same concept as frequencies into channels). You can then trunkscan just the programmed IDs. Trunking (ID search mode) is searching for IDs in a system (same concept as searching for frequencies in a band).

Radio Reference.com has an excellent page explaining the various types of trunking systems in more detail here.

Understanding IDs

Contents

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 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.

Type I/II hybrid systems use both fleet-subfleet and 5-digit formats for talk group IDs.

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).

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).

Terms Used in this Document

Contents

Channel- a frequency or talkgroup ID location.

Searching- the process of searching for frequencies in quick search, service search, close call autostore, or custom search.

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

Trunktracking (ID search mode)- the process of searching for talkgroup IDs in trunked systems, in programmed 'systems'.

Trunkscanning (ID scan mode)- the process of scanning talkgroup IDs in ID groups, in programmed 'systems'.

You search for frequencies in frequency bands.

You scan programmed channels in groups (in programmed 'systems').

You trunktrack for IDs in programmed trunking 'systems'.

You trunkscan programmed IDs in ID groups (in programmed trunking 'systems').

Hold Mode- the mode the radio is in when it’s just on, holding on a channel.

Menu Mode- used for programming frequencies, IDs, trunking frequencies/systems/fleet maps, and other 'system' settings.

Scan Mode- the mode the radio is in when scanning and/or trunking.

Search Mode- the mode the radio is in while doing a quick search, service search, search and store, close call autostore, close call search, or custom search.

Turning on the Scanner/Setting the Squelch/Volume

Contents

1. Press and hold

for about 2 seconds to turn on the scanner. The scanner should start scanning after the (#&$%) welcome screen disappears. If the screen is too dark, press

to turn on the backlight.

2. 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).

3. Press and hold Func then press the scroll control to display the squelch level. Turn the scroll control (within 10 seconds) to adjust the squelch. Press the scroll control to close the squelch level (or let it disappear after 10 seconds).

Right away you may want to check these settings:

Set Backlight

Adjusting the Display Contrast

Adjust Key Beep

Setting Audio AGC

The only thing 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 search, search and store, close call search, or call auto store.

Keypad and Knob Controls

Contents

Key

Function(s)

Scroll Control,
Sql, Vol

Turn to select scan/search direction and to continue scan/search.
Turn to scroll to a menu item in menu mode.
Turn to select characters when editing text.
Press to select a menu item or save a name in menu mode.
Press then turn to adjust volume level.
Press Func + Vol then turn to adjust squelch.
Press to view trunking activity indicators (while scanning a trunked system).
Press to view battery level.

Menu

Enters the menu mode.
returns to previous menu.

Func

Press and hold to enter Function mode.

In Function mode:
Press 0-9 to turn groups/cars on/off in scan mode.
Press Hold/

to toggle Close Call mode on/off in scan/search mode.
Press E/yes(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a channel in scan mode.
Press E/yes(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a search in search/Close Call mode.
Press Scan/Srch to start a 'quick search' at the current frequency in scan mode.
Press L/O to toggle the lockout status of a system or service/custom search in scan mode.
Press L/O to view locked out frequencies in search/Close Call modes.
Press and hold (.)no to view a repeater frequency in scan/search/Close Call modes.
Press

to toggle the keypad lock in any mode.
Press Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current system in scan mode.
Press Menu to go to the 'Search for...' menu in search mode.

Hold/

Holds on a frequency or channel.

In Hold mode:
Scroll through the channels.
Press Scan/Srch or Hold to resume.
Enter a frequency/ID and press E/yes to go to the frequency/ID.
Press Func (each time) then 1(Pri) (each time) to toggle priority modes in scan or search modes.
Press Func then 2(Wx) enter the weather operation menu in scan/search/Close Call/Tone-Out mode.
Press Func then Hold (each time) to toggle Close Call modes in scan/search/Tone-Out modes.
Press Func then 5 (each time) to toggle from text to frequencies/IDs scan mode.
Press Func then 7 to quickly scroll to a system/group/car/channel in scan/search mode.
Press Scan/Srch to start a 'quick search' at the current frequency in scan mode.
Press Func then L/O to toggle the lockout status of a system or service/custom search in scan mode.
Press Func then

to toggle the keypad lock in any mode.
Press Func then E/yes(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a channel in scan mode.
Press Func then E/yes(att) to toggle the attenuator on/off in search/Close Call mode.
Press Func then press and hold (.)no to view a repeater frequency in scan/search/Close Call modes.
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.

Scan/Srch

Scans the stored channels.
Toggles 'ID Search' or 'ID Scan' while scanning a trunked system.
Func+Scan/Srch starts quick search or quickly accesses the search menu.

L/O

Lets you lock out a selected channel or skip a specified frequency.
Func+L/O locks or unlocks a selected system in scan or scan hold mode.
Func+L/O review search lockout frequencies in search or search hold mode.
Press and hold for more than 2 seconds in scan hold mode to unlock all channels in a conventional system.

Press and hold for more than 2 seconds to turn the scanner on or off.
Turns the display backlight on or off.
Func+

locks and unlocks the keypad.

Number Keys

Press to toggle single-digit systems (assigned to quick keys) on or off in scan mode.
Press to toggle custom searches on or off in search mode.
Func+Number key selects group quick keys in scan mode.
<4 moves the cursor to the left when editing a name.
6> moves the cursor to the right when editing a name.

(.)no /rev

Press to cancel an error or warning message.
Press before entering a 2-digit quick key in scan mode.
Press to enter a decimal point for a frequency.
Press twice to delete current character when editing text.
Press 3 times 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.
Func+(.)no/rev monitors the currently-tuned frequency's reverse frequency.

0/race/car

Selects a custom search range in Custom Search mode.
Func+0 selects the race in Hold mode.

E/yes/(att)

Press to select input and menu items
Press to quickly edit a channel in scan hold mode
Press to store a frequency into memory in search hold mode or ID in ID search mode.
At a prompt, answers Yes.
Func+E/yes/Att turns the scanner's attenuator on or off for the current channel (for conventional systems) or system (for trunked systems).

Navigating the Menu

Contents

The scanner's menu lets you select options that let you set up and use the scanner. To use the menu, press the Menu button on the left side of the scanner. 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 the menu press L/O or Scan. To see a complete outline of the menu go here.

A Look at the Display

Contents

The BR330T display

The (U)BCD396T display

The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status. The display information helps you understand how your scanner operates.

In Scan Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you hold down Func to select a function.

DSKP appears in the top left when data skip is on.

PRI appears in the top in priority mode and blinks in priority plus mode.

will appear in the top right if the keylock is on.

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

2nd Line:

will show the currently scanned system name.

3rd Line:

will scroll "SCAN", "ID SCAN", or "ID SEARCH" and an up or down arrow to show the scan direction.

4th Line:

shows the control channel frequency of the trunking system.
shows the trunking activity indicators (when scanning a trunked system) for 10 seconds when VOL is pressed.

5th Line:

S0-9: shows the first digit of the currently scanned system quick key on the left followed by the blinking second digit (1-0) on the right.
a - means nothing is assign to the quick key.
an * means the quick key is turned off.
the volume level is ready to adjust if you press Vol.
the squelch is ready to adjust if you press Func then Vol.

will appear in the lower right if the Close Call Feature is on.

6th Line:

GRP shows the group/car quick keys (1-0) that are turned on for scanning for each system.
a - means nothing is assign to the quick key.
a * means the quick key is turned off.

WX will appear in the lower right if weather priority is on.

Receiving (or Hold) Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you hold down Func to select a function.

DSKP appears in the top left when data skip is on.

HOLD replaces DSKP in HOLD mode.

L/O appears in the top if the channel or system is locked out.

PRI appears in the top in priority mode and blinks in priority plus mode.

will appear in the top right to show the signal strength of the channel or frequency.

will appear in the top right if the keylock is on.

will appear in the top right and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.
the battery level will appear if you press the scroll control.

2nd Line:

will alternate between the system name and the group name (if quick key is assigned a number) for a conventional or trunked system.
will show the car number and driver for a race system.

3rd Line:

will show the ID number or frequency (or text tag if programmed) for a conventional or trunked system.
will show the frequency for a race system.

4th Line:

appears when receiving a priority channel.
will show the receive mode on the left.
ATT if the channel is attenuated for a conventional channel.
the tone code will appear if programmed and blink in tone search mode.
the channel frequency appears for a trunking system.

5th Line:

will appear in the lower right if the Close Call Feature is on.

6th Line:

GRP shows the group quick keys (1-0) that are turned on for scanning for each system and the active group will blink.
a - means nothing is assign to the quick key.
a * means the quick key is turned off.

WX will appear in the lower right if weather priority is on.

In Search Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you hold down Func to select a function.

PRI appears in the top in priority mode.

will appear in the top right if the keylock is on.

will appear in the top right and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.
the battery level will appear if you press the scroll control.

2nd Line:

will show the currently searched band name.

3rd Line:

will scroll the frequency range and an up or down arrow to show the scan direction.
will scroll SEARCH in close call only mode.

4th Line:

appears when receiving a priority channel.
shows the receive mode of the search.
will show ATT if the search band is attenuated.
will show SCR if one or more broadcast screens are turned on in close call only mode.
will show REP if repeater reverse is turned on in close call only mode.

5th Line:

will appear in the lower right if the Close Call Feature is on.

6th Line:

WX will appear in the lower right if weather priority is on.

In Search Receiving (or Hold) Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you hold down Func to select a function.

HOLD appears in HOLD mode.

PRI appears in the top in priority mode.

will appear in the top right to show the signal strength of the channel or frequency.

will appear in the top right if the keylock is on.

will appear in the top right and blink (with a tone) if the battery is low.
the battery level will appear if you press the scroll control.

2nd Line:

will show the search band name.

3rd Line:

will show the ID number or frequency.

4th Line:

will show the receive mode on the left.
ATT if the search is attenuated.

5th Line:

will appear in the lower right if the Close Call Feature is on.

6th Line:

WX will appear in the lower right if weather priority is on.

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

BR330T Auto Step Sizes/Auto Modulation

Contents

Frequency Range	Step (kHz)	Mode	Band	Frequency Range	Step (kHz)	Mode	Band
.100-.525	5	AM	Longwave	162-174	12.5	NFM	Federal
.530-1.700	10	AM	AM Broadcast	174-216	50	WFM	VHF TV
1.705-28	5	AM	Shortwave/CB	216-225	20	NFM	1.25 Meter Ham
28-29.680	20	NFM	10 Meter Ham	225-380	25	AM	UHF Air
29.7-50	10	NFM	VHF Low	380-400	12.5	NFM	Military Trunked
50-54	20	NFM	6 Meter Ham	400-420	12.5	NFM	Federal Trunked
54-72	50	WFM	VHF TV	420-450	12.5	NFM	70 cm Ham
72-76	5	FM	Astronomy	450-470	12.5	NFM	UHF Standard
76-88	50	WFM	VHF TV	470-512	12.5	NFM	UHF TV