Uniden BC898T User Manual

7Understanding ScanningThis section provides you with background on how scanning works. You don’t really need to know all of this to use your scanner,

8other to the point where it is impossible to clearly receive any of the stations. A scanner equipped with CTCSS and DCS (like your scanner) can code

9•Aircraft • Amateur radio • FRS/GMRS users • Broadcast AM/FM/TV stations • Many business radio users When you want to store a conventional system, al

10• The frequencies for many of the 800 MHz public safety systems are listed in the National Public Safety Trunked System Frequency Guide included wit

11Types of Trunking SystemsTrunking systems divide a few frequencies among many different users, but the way that each system does this is slightly di

12know both the frequencies used by the system and the LCN for each frequency so that you can program the frequencies in LCN order. Agency-Fleet-Subfl

13you would program a system with channels at 1, 3, 5, and 9 into Trunk 2 channels 51, 53, 55, and 59). Where To Obtain More InformationBy itself, thi

14Included With Your ScannerIf any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase or Uniden Customer Service at: (8

15These guidelines will help you install and use your new scanner: • If your scanner receives interference or electrical noise, move the scanner or it

16Adapter Safety FeatureThe AC adapter included with the scanner might be equipped with a polarized line plug — a plug with one blade wider than the o

Before you use this scanner, please read and observe the following. IMPORTANT!This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it will not tune to t

17Connect one end of the cable to the tape recorder’s remote jack, then connect the other end of the cable to LINE on the front of the scanner.Remembe

18Installing The Scanner In a VehicleMounting the Scanner1. Select a location in your vehicle to mount the scanner. Avoid a location that could inter-

19Installing a Permanent Power Cord1. Check the vehicle’s battery connections to determine which battery terminal (positive or negative) is grounded t

20Basic OperationBasic OperationTurning On the ScannerTurn VOLUME clockwise to turn on the scanner, or counterclockwise until it clicks to turn it off

21Note: You can also use the keypad to enter a frequency. Press E to program the frequency into the channel you selected. Using the Frequency/Channel

22Press MANUAL to stop on a channel while scanning. Press SCAN to resume scanning.Locking/Unlocking BanksWhen you are scanning conventional banks, the

23Changing the Priority ChannelYou cannot eliminate the priority channel, but you can change it to any of the 50 available channels in each bank. Foll

24Holding On a Single Talk GroupTo hold on an active talk group when scanning or searching, press HOLD U. The BC898T stops scanning and holds on the c

25departments scramble or encrypt their communications, and you might want to lock out these unintelligible transmissions. To lock out an ID, press L/

26ID Monitor ModeTo enter manual mode for a conventional system in a bank selected for a trunked system, press MANUAL. All active talk group ID’s appe

1. Programming and Status Keys 6. Numeric Keypad2. Display 7. Scan/Manual Keys3. Bank Keys 8. Mode Keys4. Squelch/Volume Controls 9. Searc

27SearchingChain SearchYour scanner’s chain search feature lets you discover new active frequencies in your area.To use chain search, first program on

28Setting Data SkipThe scanner normally stops on any frequency with activity, and remains there until either the activity stops or you press SRC to re

29Automatically Storing FrequenciesDuring searching, you can have the scanner automatically store active frequencies into a bank you choose. Once the

30Attenuating All Search RangesIf you are near a strong RF source, you might need to attenuate the input signal in order to search properly. Repeatedl

31Searching for CTCSS/DCS TonesYou can use the CTCSS/DCS tone search mode to determine if the frequencies in your area are transmitted with associated

32Using Weather Alert (SAME)Important: Your scanner has been primarily designed to be a radio scanner. While it incorporates weather alert as one feat

33You might receive more than one weather station in your area. When you press WX, your scanner finds the first active transmission. If a transmission

341. Hold down WX for about 2 seconds to turn on weather alert. 2. Hold down E for about 2 seconds.If the scanner has not been set to alert for any FI

35ProgrammingThe BC898T has 500 memory channels, each of which can be programmed to store one frequency. The channels are divided into ten 50-channel

36Duplicate Frequency AlertIf you enter a frequency already stored in another channel, the scanner beeps and the other channel appears. Press . on the

The FCC Wants You To Know ... 3Scanning Legally ...

37Programming Tips• Since weather transmissions are continuous, do not program a weather frequency into any of the scanner’s channels. To listen to a

38Recording TransmissionsYou can set any channel for recording while scanning. Then, if your scanner stops on a channel you have designated for record

39Programming Conventional ChannelsEach of the scanner’s banks can hold a mix of conventional channels plus one trunked system. This section describes

40Setting Priority ChannelsYou can set one conventional channel in each bank as a priority channel. When you turn on the priority scan option (see “Pr

41Programming Trunked SystemsBefore you start programming your scanner to track a trunked system, consider the following:• You might want to gather al

424. If necessary, repeatedly press HOLD U or LIMIT V until PRO9 F appears. Then press E on the keypad.5. To enter trunking frequencies, use the keypa

43Selecting a Preset Fleet Map1. If you are still in the programming mode, press DATA. Otherwise, select the trunking programming mode and bank you wa

44Programming Talk Group ID’sEnter the talk group ID for each group you entered:1. If you are still in the programming mode, press DATA. Otherwise, ho

457. If you selected ED-SCT in Step 3, stop here.Otherwise, if you selected ED-HI or ED-LO in Step 3, follow these steps to enter the talk group ID (a

46Care and MaintenanceGeneral Use• Turn the scanner off before disconnecting the power. • Always write down the programmed frequencies in the event of

2Storing Found Frequencies ... 28Automatically Storing Frequencie

47TroubleshootingIf your BC898T is not performing properly, try the following steps. Problem Possible Cause SuggestionThe scanner doesn’t work. The sc

48If you experience difficulty while in TrunkTracker™ mode, try the following steps. Scan won’t start.(continued)The antenna might need to be adjusted

49If you still cannot get satisfactory results while using your scanner or if you want additional information, please call or write the Uniden Parts a

50SpecificationsCertified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15, Subpart C, as of date of manufacture. Channels: 500 Banks: 10 (50 cha

51Features, specifications, and availability of optional accessories are all subject to change without notice.

52Optional AccessoriesContact your local Uniden Dealer or call the Uniden Parts Center at: (800)554-3988, 8:00AM to 5:00PM EST, Monday through Friday,

53AppendixPreset Fleet MapsPreset Map 1 Preset Map 2Preset Map 3 Preset Map 4Preset Map 5 Preset Map 6Preset Map 7 Preset Map 8Block Size Code Block S

54Preset Map 9 Preset Map 10Preset Map 11 Preset Map 12Preset Map 13 Preset Map 14Preset Map 15 Preset Map 16Block Size Code Block Size Code0 Size Cod

55User Defined Fleet MapsType I Programming Information When a Type I system is designed, the address information for all the ID’s is divided into 8 e

56Since these size codes require multiple blocks, you will be prompted for the next available block when programming a fleet map. For example, if you

3The FCC Wants You To KnowThis scanner has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a scanning receiver, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rul

57 Important: Evidence of original purchase is required for warranty service. WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (“Uniden”) ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: U

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4IntroductionYour BC898T scanner is a state-of-the-art scanner radio with TrunkTracking™ and automatic scanning capabilities. You can store frequencie

5Feature HighlightsTrunk Tracker™ III Operation – Follows conversations on analog Motorola, EDACS, and LTR trunked radio systems.500 Channels – Progra

6Unique Data Skip – Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies. Memory Backup – If power is lost or disconnected, the