Easier to Read BCTD996T/UBCD996T Manual

It does have some cool features: Dynamic Memory, Scan with Search, Multi-Site Trunking, Close Call with Close Call Do Not Disturb and Close Call Hits with Scan, an adjustable 'Hold (scan)' time for each conventional system or trunking site and each custom/service search band, Auto Search and Store (actually an old feature brought back), signal strength bars, and the ability to hold about 6000 tagged channels. You can store up to 500 different systems (if there is enough memory). The Location-Based Scanning (with an optional GPS unit) in a mobile radio is a nice addition too (set it and forget it). The 'Automatic Channel Setup' allows you to enter a frequency without having to change a step size setting. The 'Custom Screen' for Close Call is a plus if you live in a 'noisy' area allowing you to program specific ranges the scanner will ignore. You can program alerts for selected channels, POI's, dangerous roads/crossings, Close Call hits, and Tone-Outs with different alert sounds and adjustable volumes. I have also been able to enter partial IDs for Motorola (Type I,IIi) and LTR systems, not just EDACS systems. One thing to remember is that IDs also go into channels (no more scan lists). And, of course, computer upload/download clone and control. The system, group, and search 'Quick Keys' allow you to scan and/or search any combination of systems and search bands. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many priority channels you can program. 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. You can reverse the display (and the scanner) to hear the speaker from the top (but it still sounds like the speaker is inside a box). It also comes with an AC adapter, computer cable, mobile mounting bracket, DIN-E sleeve, lighter cord, and a (worthless push-on 21" right angle whip) antenna. The firmware is supposed to be upgradeable for re-banding. There is also the (optional; expensive) BC-RH96 remote head for those of you that wish to hide your scanner in the trunk.

Pretty powerful for a mobile scanner all in all.

Now the annoying stuff. Dynamic Memory has it's drawbacks because you have to build everything then program it. 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 groups numbers don't show in the display (like the 330/396) unless you press FUNC. You have to hold on a channel first, to attenuate it. The channels and IDs aren't numbered so they can be hard to find if you have a lot of them in a group. There is no 'per channel' delay; you must set the delay for the whole system (all groups, all channels). The Fire Tone-Out works very well (after you find the tones) but because you can't scan channels at the same time why put it in a $500 scanner? They should market a 'FTO' only scanner if that's the way it's going to work.

An overview of the features can also be view at my Trunking Radio Comparison Chart page.

Although the 996 manual is actually very easy to read, it still has pieces of info in the wrong place, features not explained (that I found in the BCT-15 manual), and can be somewhat vague on many other features. This manual has links to all operations, all the selections in the menu, is on a computer screen with links to related features, and is more fun than trying to hold and flip through a small book while trying to figure out the radio. Although I don't own a 996, I compiled this manual using the BCT-15 which is similar in every way except the digital features that I (hopefully) figured out from the original manual.

As you have found out by now, this is a whole different scanner as far as scanners go. I have tried to write my manual to follow the menu sequences as closely as possible so you can find things a little easier in the radio.

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, 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

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Trunk Tracker IV Operation - follows unencrypted conversations on analog Motorola, Motorola Astro 25 (APCO 25), EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - organized into 'Systems', 'Sites', (within trunking systems),'Groups' (within systems), and channels (within groups). Typically about 6000 channels total with alpha tags.

Multi-Site Trunking - lets you program the scanner to share trunked system channels across multiple sites, and turn on and off each site independently so that you can select the best site to scan for your area without duplicating IDs.

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.

Trunking Activity Indicators - shows you trunking activity when you hold on a control channel.

Start-up Configuration - lets you easily change the scanner's operation for different areas.

Location-Based Scanning - using a connected optional GPS you can easily listen to systems by 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.

Analog and Digital AGC - helps automatically balance the volume level between different radio systems.

Adaptive Digital Threshold - automatically sets the digital decode threshold for APCO 25 systems.

Preprogrammed Systems - your scanner is preprogrammed with over 500 agencies (133 systems) covering police, fire, and ambulance operations in the 25 most populated counties in the US, plus the most popular digital systems.

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

100 Quick Keys - you can scan a system or group (or systems or groups) by assigning them to quick keys. This makes it easy to quickly select systems or groups to turn on or off.

6 Search Quick Keys - you can assign six keys to initiate a search range.

Temporary Lockout - automatically unlock temporarily locked out channels/systems when you cycle power.

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).

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

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

Close Call Do Not Disturb - checks for Close Call activity in between channel reception so active channels are not interrupted.

Close Call Temporary Store - temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close Call hits.

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.

Frequency/ID Auto Search and Store - scanner can be set to automatically store all active frequencies from a service or limit search in a conventional system you select or automatically store all new talk group IDs into a trunked system you select.

Custom Alerts - for each alert in the scanner (such as Location Alert, Fire Tone-Out, 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.

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.

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

Broadcast Screen - sets the scanner so it ignores Close Call or search hits on known broadcast frequencies including pager frequencies.

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

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.

SAME Weather Alert/Priority (BCD996T only) - (with programmable FIP codes) lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displays the alert type.

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

Record-Out Jack - lets you can connect an output jack to a VOX controlled recorder or PC sound input to record the received audio on selected channels, systems, Close Call, Fire Tone-Out, and searches.

DIN-E and ISO Vehicle Mountable - using the DIN-E sleeve or a standard ISO technique, the scanner can be easily mounted in most vehicles.

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.

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

Multi-Level Display and Keypad light - makes the display and keypad easy to see in dim light using two color options and three light levels plus off.

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

9-13 Service Searches (Both, BCD996T only, UBCD996T only)- frequencies are preset in separate marine, railroad, air, CB radio, UHF CB, police, racing, FM broadcast, TV broadcast, public safety, military air, FRS/GMRS, news, amateur radio, and special (itinerant) searches to make it easy to find specific transmissions.

10 Custom Searches - lets you program up to 10 custom search ranges.

Quick Search - lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency or channel or enter a frequency and start searching.

Automatic Channel Setup - accepts frequencies on any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within the band plan's default steps.

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

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

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.

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.

Search Lockouts - you can lock out up to 500 frequencies (250 temporary, 250 permanent) in search or close call search.

GPS Features

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Location-Based (GPS) Scanning: The (U)BCD996T uses the data, supplied by an (optional) attached GPS unit, that allows the radio to automatically unlock and lockout conventional systems/trunking sites based on latitude and longitude. It uses the (programmed) center of the system/site, and the (programmed) range-the radius of a circle around the latitude and longitude up to 50 miles from that center.

You set the longitude and latitude of the system (or site for trunking systems) to approximate the center of the listening area you wish to hear. Then set the range to encircle that center point. Many areas are rarely perfect circles so you can accommodate this by programming multiple systems (or sites for trunking systems), and using different location and range settings for each one. You can then 'GPS enable' each system or site and the scanner will receive it when within the set range and automatically lock it out outside that range.

Non-Radio Location Based GPS Alerts:
Dangerous Xing/Dangerous Road - stores location, speed, and direction of travel. If you are in range, traveling greater than the set speed, and moving in the selected direction, the radio sounds an alert at .5, .25, and .1 miles (radius of a circle) from that point. These range distances are automatic and fixed.

Points of Interest (POI's) - stores location and range. If you approach the set location, the radio sounds an alert up to 2 miles from the center.

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

There is a GPS display mode where you can see location information as well as information about your position relative to the selected POI and a GPS review location mode to review each set on a screen dedicated to showing just that data.

Understanding Dynamic Memory

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

You can store up to 20 'Groups' per 'System' with up to 250 frequencies or IDs in each 'Group'. You can have 1000 total channels per conventional system and up to 256 'Sites' and 750-1000 trunking frequencies per site (depending on the number of IDs in the system) if you have enough memory. You can have a maximum of 500 Systems, 1000 Sites, and 6000 Channels.

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

There are 100 'System Quick Keys' (0-99) and 10 and 'Group Quick Keys' (0-9) for the (U)BCD996T. 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 conventional 'Systems' or trunking 'Sites' to any system quick key or, program one or more systems/sites 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/sites/groups with no quick key so you won't know if they are being scanned unless you see (or don't see) them scroll by in the display.

Search Quick Keys:
You can also assign any (1) of the Service or Custom Searches to each of the six 'Search Quick Keys' for quick access to your favorite searches.

Conventional Simplex and Repeater Systems

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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

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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

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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 talk group 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.

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.

This trunking scanner trunks 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.

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

Understanding Multi-Site Trunking

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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 Talk Group ID's for traffic. When programming such a system, you program each site's frequencies into their own site and other settings into the system, then program the channels into channel groups within that system. Each site can have its own quick key, so you can turn each individual site on or off while you scan. Since all sites share all the channels within the system, multi-site trunking is much more efficient than programming each site as a separate system.

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

Understanding IDs

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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

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Channel- a frequency or talk group ID location.

Searching- the process of searching for frequencies in quick search, service search, close call auto store, 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 talk group IDs in trunked systems, in programmed 'systems'.

Trunkscanning (ID scan mode)- the process of scanning talk group 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 auto store, close call search, or custom search.

GPS Display Mode- the mode the radio is in where you can see location information and information about your position relative to a selected POI (Point of Interest).

GPS Review Mode- If you have programmed data for a POI (Point of Interest), Dangerous Crossing, and a Dangerous Road, you can review each set on a screen dedicated to showing just that data.

Turning on the Scanner and Setting the Squelch

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1. Rotate VOL clockwise to turn on the scanner. The scanner should start scanning after the (#&$%) welcome screen disappears.
2. To set the squelch, rotate SQ counter-clockwise until you hear the 'hiss' then back just a bit.

Right away you may want to check these settings:

Set Backlight/Dimmer	Setting Audio AGC	Adjusting the Display Contrast
Adjust Key Beep	Set Upside-Down (mobile use)

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, auto search and store, close call search, or close call auto store.

Keypad and Knob Controls

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Each of the knobs and keys on the (U)BCD996T produce several different results depending upon how you activate them. You can, for example, rotate the knobs as well as press them. Some keys provide one operation when briefly pressed while pressing and holding a key or knob gives a different result. Many controls and keys behave differently depending on the mode your radio is in when you use the key or control.

Key

Function(s)

1. VOL,Light

Turns the scanner on/off and adjusts the volume.
Press each time to cycle through the backlight colors and intensities.
Press

then VOL to set the APCO threshold.

2. Squelch(SQ),

Turn to adjust the squelch.
Press to toggle Close Call DND or Close Call Primary.
Press and hold to turn on Close Call Only.
Press

then SQ toggles Fire Tone-Out on or off.

/Scroll Control,
Function, Enter

Turn to select scan/search direction and to continue scan/search.
Turn to select channel or frequency in hold mode.
Turn to scroll to a menu item in menu mode.
Turn to select characters when editing text.
Turn to select POIs in GPS display mode.
Turn to select locations GPS review location mode.
Press to select a menu item or save a name in menu mode.
Press and turn to scroll to systems and custom/service searches.
Press to enter function mode for 4 seconds. Press and hold to lock function mode. Press again to unlock.

In Function mode:
Press 0-9 to turn group quick keys on/off in scan mode.
Press 1(Srch 1)-6(Srch 6) to turn search keys on in search/Close Call mode.
Press 7(Att) to toggle the attenuator on/off in search/Close Call mode.
Press E(Yes) to save the CTCSS/DCS code for a conventional channel in scan mode.
Press E(Yes) to save the 'quick save' the frequency in search/Close Call mode.
Press Scan/Srch to start a 'quick search' at the current frequency in scan mode.
Press Scan/Srch to change from 'ID Scan' to 'ID Search' while scanning a trunking site.
Press L/O to toggle the lockout status of a channel/frequency in search/Close Call mode.
Press L/O to toggle the lockout status of a system/site or service/custom search in scan mode.
Press L/O to toggle the lockout status of a location in GPS review location mode.
Press and hold L/O to enable and unlock all systems, groups, channels, and search ranges.
Press (.)No to toggle the trunking activity indicators when scanning a trunked site.
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.
Press Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current POI in GPS display mode.
Press GPS to toggle display modes for the selected POI.

4. PRI

Press to toggle Priority on-Priority Plus-Priority off in scan mode.

5. WX
(SRVC on UBC996T)

Press to toggle weather priority on/off in scan/search mode.
Press and hold to start weather scan in scan/search mode.
Press to toggle between weather scan and weather alert scan (SAME) in weather mode.
(Opens service search menu)

6. GPS

Press to switch to GPS mode.
Press and hold to store current location (with a GPS device connected).

7. L/O

Press to toggle the lockout status of a channel in scan/hold mode.
Press to toggle the lockout status of a frequency in search/hold mode.
Press to toggle the lockout status of a location in GPS location review mode.
Press and hold to enable all groups and unlock all channels in conventional system or trunked site.
Press and hold to unlock all frequencies of all search ranges in search and Close Call modes.
Press and hold to unlock all POIs, DRDs, or DXGs in GPS review location mode.
Press to exit menu mode.

8. Number Keys

Press to toggle single digit systems/searches (assigned to quick keys) on or off in scan mode.
Press to toggle custom searches on or off in search mode.

+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.

9. (.)No

Press to cancel an error or warning message.
Press before entering a 2-digit system 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.

10. E(Yes)

Press to select a menu item or save a name in menu mode.
Press to store a CTCSS/DCS tone in scan mode (for a conventional channel).
Press to 'quick store' a frequency in search, Close Call, and WX modes.
Press to enter the 'Edit' menu for a current Tone-Out.
Press to enter 'Review Location' mode in GPS mode.

11. Scan/Search

Press to start/continue/resume scanning.
Press to cancel GPS review location mode.

12. Hold/Resume

Press to hold on a channel or frequency or cancel 'Alert Plus'. Press again to resume.

In Hold mode:
Scroll through the channels.
Press Scan/Srch or Hold to resume.
Enter a frequency/ID and press E/

to go to the frequency/ID.
Press

then 1(Srch 1)-6(Srch 6) to turn search keys on in any mode except GPS.
Press

then 7(Att) (each time) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a channel in scan mode.
Press

then 7(Att) (each time) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a custom/service/Close Call/Tone-Out search.
Press

then 8(Rev) (and hold) to view the repeater frequency in scan/search/Close Call mode.
Press

then 0 (each time) to toggle display modes (1 or 2) in scan mode.
Press

then Scan/Srch to start a 'quick search' at the current frequency in scan/search/Close Call mode.
Press

then Scan/Srch to change from 'ID Scan' to 'ID Search' while scanning a trunking site.
Press

then L/O to toggle the lockout status of a channel/frequency in scan/search mode.
Press

then L/O to toggle the lockout status of a location in GPS review location mode.
Press

then (.)No to toggle the trunking activity indicators when scanning a trunked site.
Press

then Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current system in scan mode.
Press

then Menu to go to the 'Search for...' menu in search mode.
Press

then Menu to go to the 'Edit' menu for the current POI in GPS display mode.
Press

then GPS to toggle display modes for the selected POI.

10. Menu

Enters menu mode.
returns to previous menu.

Navigating the Menu

Contents

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. 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

Mode 1

Mode 2

Mode1 indicates the Channel Data under the Channel Name.

Mode2 indicates the Frequencies under the Channel Name for Conventional systems or the TGID number for Trunked systems.

The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status. The display information helps you understand how your scanner operates. The dark area shown above the icons in this illustration is the text display area. Information about the currently tuned frequency appears here.

In Scan Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you press Func to select function mode.

appears In the top left and blinks when you press and hold Func to lock function mode.

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.

GPS will appear in the top right if the scanner is connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal.

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 a trunking system.

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.

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

will appear in the lower right if the Close Call 'Do-Not-Disturb' 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 in function mode.
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 the weather priority feature is on.

POI, DXG, or DRD will appear to show alert information if connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal.

Receiving (or Hold) Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you press Func to select function mode.

appears In the top left and blinks when you press and hold Func to lock function mode.

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.

GPS will appear in the top right if the scanner is connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal.

2nd Line:

will alternate between the system/site name and the group name for a conventional/trunked site.

3rd Line:

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

4th Line:

appears when receiving a priority channel in display mode 1.
will show the receive mode on the left in display mode 1.
ATT if the channel is attenuated for a conventional channel in display mode 1.
the tone code will appear if programmed and blink in tone search mode.
will show the frequency of a trunked channel in display mode 1.
will show the frequency of a conventional channel in display mode 2.
will show the ID of a trunked site in display mode 2.

5th Line:

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

will appear in the lower right if the Close Call 'Do-Not-Disturb' feature is on.

6th Line:

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

POI, DXG, or DRD will appear to show alert information if connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal.

In Search Mode:

Top Line:

appears In the top left when you press Func to select function mode.

appears In the top left and blinks when you press and hold Func to lock function mode.

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

PRI appears in the top in priority mode.

GPS will appear in the top right if the scanner is connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal.

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.