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Last Updated
November 08, 2009
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BCD996T/UBCD996T Scanner Manual

Contents  
Scanner Review Using Startup Configuration
Main Features Scanning 'Systems'
GPS Features   Turning System/Site Quick Keys On/Off
Understanding Dynamic Memory   Turning Group Quick Keys On/Off
Understanding Quick Keys   Holding on a System/Site
Conventional Simplex and Repeater Systems   Holding on a ID/Frequency
Understanding CTCSS/DCS   Locking/Unlocking Channels
Understanding Trunking   Locking/Unlocking Systems/Sites/Searches
Understanding Multi-Site Trunking   Locking/Unlocking Groups
Understanding IDs   Changing ID Scan/ID Search Mode
Terms Used in this Document   Optimizing P25 Performance
Turning on the Scanner and Setting the Squelch   Viewing Tags and Frequencies/IDs
Keypad and Knob Controls   Trunking Activity Indicators
Navigating the Menu   Viewing Active IDs
  Menu Outline   Storing a Displayed ID (In ID Search Mode)
A Look at the Display   Priority/Priority Plus Scan
Auto Step Size Chart   Reviewing L/O IDs
Entering Text **Search/Close Call Options Menu**
Planning 'Systems' **Search For... Menu**
  Worksheets   Quick Search
Programming 'Systems'   Reviewing Locked out Frequencies
  Conventional Systems   Searching
  Motorola Systems   Storing a Displayed Frequency
  EDACS Systems **Close Call Menu**
  LTR Systems   Close Call Hits
  Copying/Deleting Systems   Close Call Hits with Scan
Creating 'Sites' **Weather Operation Menu** (BCD996T only)
Creating 'Groups' **Tone-Out For... Menu**
Programming Frequencies/IDs **Settings Menu**
  Quickly Storing a Frequency   AGC Settings
  Quickly Storing an ID   Adjusting P25 Wait Time
  **Edit Channel Options Menu**   Cloning
Using the U/BCD996T with a GPS   Scanner Reset
  Location-Based (GPS) Scanning Firmware/Updates
  Non Radio Location-Based GPS Features Related Links/Info
  **Program Location Menu** Preprogrammed Systems
  GPS Display Mode  
  GPS Review Location Mode  

Scanner Review Contents
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 Digital 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 Contents
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 Contents
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 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). 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 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.

For more information visit Radio Reference's respective pages on CTCSS and DCS.

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 (or just ID.) So when you are trunktracking a system, you are listening to active IDs transmitting in the system (each using the first available frequency in the system.) Trunking systems in general allocate and use fewer 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 conventional scanner. These scanners let you monitor the control channel frequency so you can hear calls and responses for users and more easily "follow" conversations than with a conventional scanner.

These trunking scanners trunktrack the following types of systems:
  • Motorola Type I
  • Motorola Type II
  • Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
  • Motorola Type II Smartnet
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink
  • EDACS Standard (Wide)
  • EDACS Standard Networked
  • EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
  • EDACS Narrowband Networked
  • EDACS SCAT
  • EDACS ESK (version 3.0 firmware or later required)
  • LTR Standard
  • Project 25 Standard

When you program Motorola frequencies into the scanner, one frequency is the control (or data) channel, and the rest are voice frequencies shared by all the users. There may be 3 or 4 frequencies assigned as (primary or alternate) control channels but only one control channel will be active at a time. These scanners will allow you to program just the Motorola control channels into the trunking system and the voice channels will automatically be found. EDACS systems need all the frequencies for the system programmed and in the correct LCN (Logical Channel Number) order.

The control channel 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 control channel is also a good check to see if you can trunktrack the system. If you can't hear a control 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 control channel and 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. This type of system encodes all trunking information as digital subaudible data that accompanies each transmission. LTR systems typically do not have a dedicated control channel. The frequencies also have to be in LCN (Logical Channel Number) order or the correct 'slot' for the system to trunktrack properly. 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 an 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 is basically scanning IDs that are programmed into ID locations (same concept as frequencies into channels.) You can then trunkscan just the programmed IDs. Trunktracking is searching for all IDs in a system (same concept as searching for frequencies in a band.)
 
Understanding Multi-Site Trunking Contents
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 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 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 Contents
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 Contents
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.
3. /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:
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.
 
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.
  5th Line:
will show SCR if one or more broadcast screens are turned on.
will show REP if repeater reverse is turned on.
S0-9: shows the first digit of enabled systems/sites and enabled quick keys in scan with search.
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.
 
In Search 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 frequency is locked out.
PRI appears in the top in priority 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 show the search band name.
  3rd Line:
will show frequency or ID (with C-Ch only on).
  4th Line:
appears when receiving a priority channel.
will show the receive mode on the left.
ATT if the search is attenuated.
the tone code will appear if programmed and blink in tone search mode.
  5th Line:
will show SCR if one or more broadcast screens are turned on
will show REP if repeater reverse is turned on.
S0-9: shows the first digit of enabled systems/sites and enabled quick keys in scan with search.
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.

BCD996T Auto Step Sizes/Auto Modulation Contents
Frequency Range Step (kHz) Mode Band Frequency Range Step (kHz) Mode Band
25-28 5 AM CB/Business 174-216 50 WFM VHF TV
28-29.680 20 NFM 10 Meter Ham 216-225 20 NFM 1.25 Meter Ham
29.7-50 10 NFM VHF Low 225-380 25 AM UHF Air
50-54 20 NFM 6 Meter Ham 380-400 12.5 NFM Military Trunked
54-72 50 WFM VHF TV 400-420 12.5 NFM Federal Trunked
72-76 5 FM Astronomy 420-450 12.5 NFM 70 cm Ham
76-88 50 WFM VHF TV 450-470 12.5 NFM UHF Standard
88-108 100 FMB FM Broadcast 470-512 12.5 NFM UHF TV
108-137 25 AM Commercial Air 764-776 12.5 NFM PS Trunked
137-144 12.5 NFM Military Land Mobile 794-806 12.5 NFM PS Trunked
144-148 5 NFM 2 Meter Ham 806-824 12.5 NFM Public Service
148-150.7875 12.5 NFM Military Land Mobile 849-869 12.5 NFM PS Trunked
150.800-162 5 NFM VHF High 894-956 12.5 NFM UHF Hi, 33 cm Ham
162-174 12.5 NFM Federal 1240-1300 25 NFM UHF Hi, 25 cm Ham
  UBCD996T Auto Step Sizes/Auto Modulation  
Frequency Range Step (kHz) Mode Frequency Range Step (kHz) Mode
25-28 5 AM 174-225 100 WFM
28-70 10 FM 225-400 25 AM
70-88 12.5 FM 400-512 6.25 NFM
88-108 100 FMB 764-776 12.5 NFM
108-137 12.5 AM 794-806 12.5 NFM
137-148 5 FM 806-956 12.5 NFM
148-174 12.5 FM 1240-1300 12.5 NFM
The modulation settings for the channels/frequencies in the above receive bands are default settings for search and quick search. The user can change the modulation from AM/FM/NFM/WFM/FMB (broadcast FM) or AUTO for each channel or custom (not service) search band.

There is no step selection for programmed channels because the scanners will automatically accept any step size.

Entering Text Contents
To program text you must first program the system, group, channel, custom search, or SAME group. There are links to refer you back here when you have finished programming.
 
To enter a letter, turn the scroll control until the character you want appears.
(character order clock-wise is upper-case, lower-case, numbers, then special characters).
To enter a decimal point, press (.)No.
To move the cursor to the right, press 6.
To move the cursor to the left, press 4.
To clear a character or enter a space, press (.)No twice.
To clear all characters, press (.)No 3 times.
Press E/ when finished to exit.
Press the 'Back' button in your browser to return to programming.

Planning Conventional Systems and Groups Contents
Planning your systems will be very important even if you do have the software. Organizing your quick keys will be the hardest part of the planning. You can assign quick keys and copy and paste most of the freqs, alpha tags, and IDs easily into the software.

Most people can get everything they scan into the scanner. I like to scan by general interest so I set my system quick keys accordingly; 1-Public Safety systems, 1-Trunked PS systems, 2-Air, 2-Air Trunked systems, 3-Military, 3 Military Trunked systems, 4-Federal, etc. Then I will nest my groups (ex: Fire, Police, EMS) within the conventional systems, (Fire IDs, Police IDs, EMS ID within trunked systems) and give them all group quick keys.

So, you have to figure out which systems and groups to assign to your quick keys so you can scan them without a table of contents and with some sort of logic you can remember. Use the worksheets below to help you plan your systems and groups.

Worksheets Contents
I have put together complete worksheets ready to print to help you plan your systems, Close Call, and Fire Tone-Out, etc. settings. Even if you don't fill them out, they are a good check list for programming. If you don't have Excel you can download and install a viewer here.
BCD996T Excel worksheets
UBC996T Excel worksheets

Programming Systems Contents
You have to create systems first, create sites in the trunking systems (where the trunking frequencies now go), create groups in the systems, create channels in the groups, then to program the frequencies or IDs into the channels. Or, you can Quick store freqs or Quick store IDs (only after you program the trunking system and site). Trunking IDs only go into trunking system groups and conventional frequencies only go into conventional system groups. You can only store one trunking system per 'system'. You can store up to 500 systems, up to 20 groups per system, and up to 250 frequencies or IDs per group. Total channels are limited to about 6000. Also, remember that conventional frequencies and IDs are considered channels.

One suggestion; assign every group and every system/site to a quick key. You can assign as many systems you want to a system quick key and as many groups you want to a group quick key. That way you can just turn systems and groups on and off and not have to worry about locking them out. If you don't assign a system or group to a quick key, you have to lock it out if you don't want to scan it.

Use the worksheets to help you program your systems and groups.
 
To Copy a System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system you want to copy and press E/.
Scroll to 'Copy System' and press E/.
At 'New Sys Name' see Entering Text to name the copied system.
To Delete a System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Delete System' and press E/.
At 'Confirm Delete' press E/.
 
Programming Conventional Systems Contents
To Create a new Conventional system, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/.
At 'Select Sys Type' scroll to 'Conventional' and press E/. At 'Confirm?' press E/.
At 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Option' and press E/.
Continue at 'Set Quick Key' below.
Then see Creating Groups.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
  Contents
To Edit Conventional System Options:
Press and hold for 2 seconds to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system you want to edit and press Menu.
Or, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/. At 'Select System' scroll to the system that you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Option' and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Set Quick Key Set Hold Time Set Location Info
Set Start-up Key Set Delay Time Set Record
Set Lockout Set Data Skip  

Set Quick Key assigns a system to a quick key and will be scanned when the key is turned on. The default setting is no quick key.
  Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/.
Scroll to the quick key number (0-99 or . for no quick key) you want assigned to the system and press E/ to save and exit.
  Note: Pressing the first number of a 2-digit quick key will get you closer, 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc. then scroll to second digit.

Set Start-up Key allows you to turn on the scanner with the system enabled for scan using the Startup Configuration. The default setting is no startup key.
  Scroll to 'Set Startup Key' and press E/.
Scroll to or enter the startup key number (0-9 or . for no startup key) you want assigned to the system and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Lockout determines whether a system will be scanned or not even if the quick key for the system is turned on. 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Temporary L/O', 'Unlocked' or 'Locked' and press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Hold Time sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner will scan the system before moving on to the next (unlocked) system. All unlocked channels will be scanned at least once regardless of this setting. The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires. The default setting is 2 seconds for each system.
Tip: set your systems to 0.
  Scroll to 'Set Hold Time' and press E/.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Delay Time for the system sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before moving to the next channel. This setting applies to all channels in the system. You cannot set the delay on a 'per channel' basis. The default setting is 2 seconds.
  Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/.
Scroll to the desired delay time (1-5 seconds or Off) and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Data Skip sets what the scanner does when it receives a data signal. With the setting set to on, the scanner stops briefly on the channel, but then immediately resumes scanning automatically. With the setting set to off, the scanner remains on the channel until the transmission stops. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Data Skip' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Location Info allows you program a location for the system so you can enable/disable it for scanning with a GPS unit attached.
  Note: The default format is DD,MM,SS(?). See Set GPS Format to change DD,MM,SS or decimal degrees (DD.000000).
  Scroll to 'Set LocationInfo' and press E/.
At 'Set Latitude' press E/. Enter the latitude and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Longitude' and press E/. Enter the longitude and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Range' and press E/.
At 'Set Range' scroll to the range you want to set for receiving the system and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set GPS Enable' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
Press Menu to return.

Set Record enables the REC jack for marked channels, no channels, or all channels in the system. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Record' and press E/.
Scroll to 'All Channel', 'Marked Channel', or 'Off' and press E/ to save and exit.

Programming Trunking Systems Contents
To Create a new Motorola System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/.
At 'Select Sys Type' scroll to 'MOT TYPE 1 or MOT TYPE 2/P25' and press E/. At 'Confirm?' press E/.
  Note: Even though a system has digital channels, it is not necessarily a P25 system. To be P25, the system type must be described as Project 25. There are many Motorola 800 Standard systems that have some digital channels. These should be entered as Motorola 800 Standard and not P25.
At 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/.
Continue at 'ID Scan/Search' below.
Then see Creating Sites.
Then see Creating Groups.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
To Create a new EDACS Wide or Narrow System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
.At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/.
At 'Select Sys Type' scroll to 'EDCS Wide/Narrow' and press E/. At 'Confirm?' press E/.
  Note: EDACS Wide is the same as EDACS Standard. EDACS Networked sites are EDACS Narrow.
At 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/.
Continue at 'ID Scan/Search' below.
Then see Creating Sites.
Then see Creating Groups.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
To Create a new EDACS SCAT System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/.
At 'Select Sys Type' scroll to 'EDCS SCAT' and press E/. At 'Confirm?' press E/.
At 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/.
Continue at 'Set Delay Time' below.
Then see Edit Site Options.
To Create a new LTR System, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to 'New System' and press E/.
At 'Select Sys Type' scroll to 'LT' and press E/. At 'Confirm?' press E/.
At 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Options' and press E/.
Continue at 'ID Scan/Search' below.
Then see Edit Site Options.
Then see Creating Groups.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
To Edit Trunking Systems Options:
Press and hold for 2 seconds to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system you want to edit and press Menu.
Or, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/. At 'Select System' scroll to the system that you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Sys Option' and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Note: Not all options will appear for EDACS SCAT and LTR systems.
ID Scan/Search Set End Code (Motorola only) Set Record
Set Delay Time Digital End Code (P16 Motorola only) Rvw ID:Srch L/O
Edit Fleetmap (800MHz Type I only) Set I-Call (Moto/EDACS only) Clr All L/O IDs
Set Status Bit (Motorola only) Emergency Alert (Moto/EDACS only) Adjusting the P25 Level
  EDACS ID Format (EDACS only)  
Contents
ID Scan/Search sets whether the scanner scans the programmed ID groups (ID Scan) or searches for all IDs (ID Search) in a trunking system. The default setting is ID search.
  Scroll to 'ID Scan/Search' and press E/.
Scroll to 'ID Scan' or 'ID Search' and press E/ to save and exit.
  Note: You can also do this while scanning the selected system by pressing then Scan/Srch.

Set Delay Time for the system sets the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before resuming scanning. This setting applies to all channels in the system. You cannot set the delay on a 'per channel' basis. The default setting is 2 seconds.
  Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/.
Scroll to the desired delay time (1-5 seconds or Off) and press E/ to save and exit.

Edit Fleetmap (Motorola 800 MHz Type I systems only) allows you to select a preprogrammed fleetmap or program a fleetmap for Motorola Type I systems, you must program a system fleet map in order for the scanner to properly track and display talk group ID's. If you don’t know which fleet map to use, you can try a method I found at Radio Reference.com. Since it is rather lengthy, I will just give you the link. Determining Type I Motorola Fleet Maps by Dave Goodson.
  Scroll to 'Edit Fleetmap' and press E/.
  To select a Preset Fleetmap, scroll to 'Preset' and press E/.
Scroll to the number of the preset fleetmap and press E/ to save and exit. See Preset Fleetmaps.
To program a Custom Fleetmap, scroll to 'Custom' and press E/.
At 'Block 0' scroll to the size code (0-14) and press E/. See Size Codes.
The scanner will prompt you to the next block (1) to scroll to the size code (0-14) then press E/.
Repeat for each block (0-7) and you will return to the 'Edit Sys Option' menu.
  Note: If you select size code 12, 13, or 14, these restrictions apply:
  12 can only be assigned to Blocks 0, 2, 4 or 6.
  13 can only be assigned to Blocks 0 and 4.
  14 can only be assigned to Block 0.
  Since these size codes require multiple blocks, you will be prompted for the next available block. For example, if you assign Block 0 as 12, the scanner prompts you for block 2, the next block available, instead of block 1. If you assign Block 0 as 14, you would not see another prompt because 14 uses all available blocks.
Contents
Set Status Bit (Motorola only) sets how your scanner works with status bits (also called S-bits), letting you control how the scanner interprets and displays Motorola talk group IDs. The default setting is ignore.
  Scroll to 'Set Status Bit' and press E/.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/ to save and exit.
Ignore- the scanner rounds all received ID's down to the next interval of 16.
Yes- the scanner treats all received ID's as unique ID's.

Set End Code (Motorola only) sets how the scanner handles the transmission end code sent by most Motorola systems. The default setting is Yes.
  Scroll to 'Set End Code' and press E/.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/ to save and exit.
Yes- the scanner immediately returns to the control channel when it detects the end code.
Ignore- the scanner does not return to the control channel until the carrier drops.

Digital End Code (P16 Motorola systems only) might be a solution to the issue that systems with stuck repeaters hang the scan cycle for P16 Systems Motorola 3600 bps digital systems.  
  Scroll to 'Digital End Code' and press E/yes.
Scroll to 'Yes' or 'Ignore' and press E/yes to save and exit.

Set I-Call (Motorola/EDACS only) sets whether the scanner will monitor I-call IDs. I-calls (or private calls) are transmissions made from one radio user to another radio user and not heard by everyone else in the trunking system. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set I-Call' and press E/.
Scroll to one of three settings and press E/ to save and exit.
Off- the scanner ignores I-call IDs.
On- the scanner tracks I-call IDs.
Only- the scanner tracks only I-call IDs and ignores other radio traffic on the system.
Contents
Emergency Alert (Motorola/EDACS only) sets how your scanner handles IDs that have the emergency flag set. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Emergency Alert' and press E/.
Scroll to:
Off- the scanner will not alert. Press E/ to save and exit.
Alert 1-9- to choose any of 9 different beep types and press E/.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to:
Auto- the scanner automatically sets the emergency alert beep to the master volume level. Press E/ to save and exit.
Level 1-15- scroll to the volume level preferred. Press E/ to save and exit.

EDACS ID Format (no EDACS SCAT) sets how your scanner displays EDACS IDs. They can be displayed in two formats: AFS and Decimal. The default setting is AFS.
  Scroll to 'EDCS ID Format' and press E/.
Scroll to 'AFS Format' or 'Decimal Format' and press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Record enables the REC jack for all channels or marked channels in the system or off (for all channels).
  Scroll to 'Set Record' and press E/.
Scroll to 'All Channel', 'Marked Channel' or 'Off' and press E/ to save and exit.

Rvw ID:Srch L/O allows you to view the locked out IDs in a system.
  Scroll to 'Rvw ID:Srch L/O' and press E/.
At 'Unlock?' press E/ or (.)No to unlock each displayed ID or 'Nothing Locked' appears if nothing is locked out.
Press Scan/Srch twice to resume scanning or 'Menu' to return.

Clr All L/O IDs allows you to unlock all the locked IDs in a system.
  Scroll to 'Clr All L/O IDs' and press E/.
At 'Confirm?' press E/ to save and exit.
'Nothing Locked' appears if nothing is locked out.

Adjusting the P25 Level (Motorola and Conventional systems) This setting determines some system-specific parameters for digital channels. In most cases, setting this to Auto provides the best performance. However, you can also manually set the digital decode threshold. This setting affects all channels in the current system.
  Scroll to 'Adjust p25 Level' and press E/.
Scroll to one of three settings and press E/ to save and exit.
Auto- the scanner automatically adjusts the digital decode threshold to match the transmission you are hearing when it receives a strong signal and has a high decode rate.
Manual- lets you manually adjust the digital decode threshold.
Default- sets the digital decode threshold to the default value. This is handy if you have manually adjusted the value to a setting that prevents proper decoding.
Contents
Optimizing P25 Performance  
These steps work only when you can clearly receive the system. If you are in a weak-signal area or receive interference, these steps will not work. These steps do not compensate for weak signals or signals subject to interference.
If you set an incorrect decode threshold level in Step 5, the scanner might stop decoding all digital signals in the system. If this happens, change the setting to a value between 8 and 12 then repeat these steps.
See also: P25 audio level decode adjustment at Radio Reference.com.
  1. Make sure the system's P25 Level option is set to Auto.
  2. Hold on an active digital channel on the system.
  3. Press E/ then Vol. The next to last line on the display now shows the digital error rate and the AUTO decode threshold start level (0-20). The last line on the display shows the decode threshold levels for the system.
  4. Allow the scanner to monitor channel activity for several minutes. The error rate should drop for each transmission and the threshold levels should automatically adjust to a more optimal setting. Then, once the threshold level settles to a stable setting, make a note of the values. This is the system's optimum decode threshold.
  5. Scroll to set the AUTO decode threshold start level to a setting that most closely matches the system's optimum decode threshold. Now, when the scanner stops on a system, it will use this threshold as the starting point for automatic optimization.
  6. Press E/ then Vol to exit this mode.

Creating Sites (Motorola/EDACS only) Contents
Once you have your trunking Systems built and Systems Options configured you can create your sites.
 
To Create a Motorola Site, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to create a site and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Site' and press E/.
At 'Select Site' scroll to 'New Site' and press E/.
Scroll to the type of Motorola system you want to program and press E/.
  Use '800MHz Standard' for 800 MHz systems that use the standard band plan.
Use '800MHz Custom' for rebanded 800 MHz systems that use a custom band plan.
Use '800MHz Splinter' for 800 MHz systems that use the splinter band plan (typically systems near the international borders).
Use 'p25' for a Motorola Astro APCO 25 system in any band.
Continue at 'Edit Name' below.
Then see Creating Groups.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
 
To Create an EDACS Site, press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to create a site and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Site' and press E/.
At 'Select Site' scroll to 'New Site' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Wide' or 'Narrow' and press E/.
  Note: Use 'Wide' for 800 MHz systems that use the standard band plan (most systems).
Use 'Narrow' for 800 MHz systems that use the splinter band plan (typically systems near the international borders).
EDACS Wide is the same as EDACS Standard. EDACS Narrow is the same as EDACS Networked.
Continue at 'Edit Name' below.
Then see Creating Groups.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
To Edit Site Options:
Press and hold for 2 seconds to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system that has the site you want to edit and press Menu.
Or, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/. At 'Select System' scroll to the system that has the site you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Site' and press E/.
At 'Select Site' scroll to the site you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Note: Not all options will appear for EDACS SCAT and LTR sites.
Edit Name Set Modulation  
Set Quick Key Set Attenuator  
Set Start-up Key Set Lockout Set C-Ch Only
Set Frequencies Set Hold Time Set Location Info
  Edit Frequency Edit Band Plan (P25 Motorola only) Delete Site
  Set Lockout Edit Band Plan (Custom 800 Motorola only) New Site
  Delete Frequency Edit Band Plan (VHF/UHF Motorola only)  
  New Frequency    
Contents
Edit Name assigns a name to the site.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/. See Entering Text

Set Quick Key assigns a site to a quick key and will be scanned when the key is turned on. The default setting is no quick key.
  Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/.
Scroll to the quick key number (0-99 or . for no quick key) you want assigned to the site and press E/ to save and exit.
  Note: Pressing the first number of a 2-digit quick key will get you closer, 1 for 10, 2 for 20, etc. then scroll to second digit.

Set Start-up Key allows you to turn on the scanner with the site enabled for scan using the Startup Configuration. The default setting is no startup key.
  Scroll to 'Set Startup Key' and press E/.
Scroll to or enter the startup key number (0-9 or . for no startup key) you want assigned to the system and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Frequencies this is where you program or change the trunking frequencies, delete frequencies, or lock them out.
  To Program New Frequencies, scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/.
At 'Sel Frequency' scroll to 'New Frequency' and press E/.
At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/.
Scroll to 'New Frequency' and press E/.
Repeat until all system frequencies are programmed then press 'Menu' twice to return to site menu.
  To Edit Frequencies, scroll to 'Set Frequencies' and press E/.
At 'Sel Frequency' scroll to the frequency you want to edit and press E/.
At 'Edit Frequency' press E/. Edit the frequency and press E/ to save and exit.
At 'Set Lockout' press E/. Set the lockout status and press E/ to save and exit.
At 'Delete Frequency' press E/. At 'Confirm Delete' press E/.
At 'New Frequency' press E/. At 'Input Frequency' enter the frequency and press E/ to save and exit.
Press 'Menu' twice to return to site menu.
Contents
Set Modulation (no EDACS) This setting selects the modulation used for the site. The default setting is auto (NFM for FM frequencies).
  Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/.
Scroll to Auto, NFM, or FM and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Attenuator This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on this site by about 20 dB. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Lockout determines whether a site will be scanned or not even if the quick key for the site is turned on. 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Hold Time sets (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner will scan the system before moving on to the next (unlocked) system. If you select 0 for trunking systems, the scanner stays on the system for at least 1 second. The scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, any current transmission ends, and the channel delay time expires. The default setting is 2 seconds for each system.
Tip: set your systems to 0.
  Scroll to 'Set Hold Time' and press E/.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Edit Band Plan (P25/Custom/VHF/UHF Motorola systems only)
For P25 Systems: The (U)BCD996T includes two operation modes for P25 systems: Explicit mode and Implicit mode channel assignment. Explicit mode systems include all information needed to determine voice frequencies on the control channel. For Explicit mode systems, leave all entries blank. You must supply the system's band plan for Implicit systems for the scanner to correctly determine voice frequencies.
  Scroll to 'Edit Band Plan' and press E/.
At 'Select Plan' scroll to 'Band Plan 1-6' and press E/.
At 'Set Base Freq' press E/.
Enter base frequency and press E/.
At 'Set Spacing' enter the step size and press E/.
Repeat for each band plan as needed. Press 'Menu' to return.
For Custom (rebanded) Motorola Systems: This update adds the ability to create a Motorola 800 MHz system using a custom band plan. When you create a system that has been rebanded to use the frequencies newly added for use by the FCC, you have the option now of selecting 800MHz Custom as the Motorola system type.
  Scroll to 'Edit Band Plan' and press E/.
At 'Select Plan' scroll to 'Band Plan 1-6' and press E/.
At 'Set Base Freq' press E/.
At 'Input Lower' enter the lower base frequency and press E/.
At 'Input Upper' enter the upper base frequency and press E/.
Scroll to 'Offset' and press E/.
At 'Input Offset' enter the offset and press E/.
At 'Select Polarity' select + or - and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Spacing' and press E/.
At 'Select Spacing' enter the step size and press E/.
Repeat for each band plan as needed. Press 'Menu' to return.

For standard rebanded systems, you need to set Band Plan 1 and Band Plan 2 as follows:
Band Plan Lower Base Freq Upper Base Freq Offset Polarity Spacing
1 851.025 854.000 440 + 25 kHz
2 851.0125 868.9875 0 + 25 kHz
Contents
  For VHF/UHF Motorola Systems: allows you to set the base frequency, step size, and offset for the system. A band plan is required so the scanner can correctly determine the voice channel frequency. You can set up to 3 different band plans. For info on obtaining these settings for a system if you don't have them visit Radio Reference.com and go to the RR Database. I have found an explanation for VHF/UHF systems at Radio Reference.com that describes how to find the base, offset, and step if you don't have the information. The Trunked Radio Systems User’s Page also has an explanation. Look for 'Determining Base and Offset Frequencies for the BC245xlt' by John C.
  Scroll to 'Edit Band Plan' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Band Plan 1' and press E/.
At 'Input Base Freq' enter the base frequency and press E/.
At 'Select Step' scroll to the step size and press E/.
At 'Offset' enter the offset and press E/.
Repeat for each band plan. Press 'Menu' to return.
 
Set C-Ch Only with C-Ch Only on, you only need to program the control channel frequencies for Motorola sites and the scanner will find (but will not program) the voice channels. The default setting is on (and recommended in case new voice channels are added to the site).
  Scroll to 'Set C-Ch Only' and press E/.
Scroll to one of two settings and press E/ to save and exit.
Off- you must enter all voice and control channel frequencies.
On- you only need to enter control channel frequencies.

Set Location Info allows you program a location for the site so you can enable/disable it for scanning with a GPS unit attached.
  Note: The default format is DD,MM,SS(?). See Set GPS Format to change DD,MM,SS or decimal degrees (DD.000000).
  Scroll to 'Set LocationInfo' and press E/.
At 'Set Latitude' press E/. Enter the latitude and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Longitude' and press E/. Enter the longitude and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Range' and press E/.
At 'Set Range' scroll to the range you want to set for receiving the system and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set GPS Enable' and press E/.
Scroll to 'On' or 'Off' and press E/ to save and exit.
Press 'Menu' to return.
Contents
Delete Site deletes the site.
  Scroll to 'Delete Site' and press E/.
At 'Confirm Delete?' E/ to save and exit.

New Site same as above.

Creating Groups Contents
Once you have your Systems built, systems options configured, (trunking system) Sites built, and site options configured, you can create your groups.
 
To Create a New Group (no EDACS SCAT):
Press and hold for 2 seconds to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system where you want to create a group and press Menu.
Or, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/. At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to create a group and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to 'New Group' and press E/.
Continue at 'Edit Name' below.
Then see Programming Frequencies/IDs.
To Edit Group Options:
Press and hold for 2 seconds to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system that has the group you want to edit and press Menu.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system that has the group you want to edit and press E/.
Or, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system that has the group you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Edit Name Edit Channel Delete Group
Set Quick Key Set Lockout New Group

Edit Name allows you to change the name of a group.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Contents
Set Quick Key sets the quick key for the group. The default setting is no quick key.
  Scroll to 'Set Quick Key' and press E/.
Scroll to or enter the quick key number (0-9 or . for no quick key) you want to assign to the group and press E/ to save and exit.

Edit Channel creates channels and edits channel options.
See Programming Frequencies/IDs.

Set Lockout locks or unlocks a group. 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/.
Press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.

Delete Group deletes a group.
  Scroll to 'Delete Group' and press E/.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/ to save and exit.

New Group same as above.

Programming Frequencies/TGIDs Contents
Once you have your Systems built, systems options configured, sites created (for trunking systems), site options configured, and groups built, you can (finally) program your channels. Channels are not numbered in the scanner.

Quickly Storing a Conventional Frequency
  To program a frequency into a 'Quick Save Group' in a 'Quick Save System', in scan mode press Hold to hold on any channel.
Enter the frequency and press E/.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press E/.
  Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, 'Frequency Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.
  The scanner will save the frequency in a (created) group called 'Qck Save Grp' in a (created) system called 'Qck Save Cnv Sys' (with no quick keys assigned) and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to 'Hold' to enter another frequency or Scan to exit.
Then see Edit Channel Options, Edit Group Options, and Edit Systems Options to customize the channel(s), group, and system.
 
  To program a frequency into an existing group, in scan mode press Hold to hold on any channel.
Enter the frequency and press E/.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press (.)No.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the frequency and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group where you want to store the frequency and press E/.
  Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, 'Frequency Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.
  After storing the frequency, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to 'Hold' to enter another frequency or Scan to exit.
Then see Edit Channel Options to customize the channel(s).
  Contents
Quickly Storing an ID Note: You have to program the trunking system and site first. See Programming Trunking Systems.
  To program a ID into a 'Quick Save Group', press Hold to hold on any channel in the site you want to store the ID in.
. Enter the ID (see Entering IDs) and press E/.
  At 'Quick TGID Save?' press E/.
  Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.
  The scanner stores the ID into a (created) channel group called 'Qck Save Grp' (with no quick key assigned) and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to 'Hold' to enter another frequency or Scan to exit.
Then see Edit Channel Options and Edit Group Options to customize the channel(s), and group.
   
  To program a ID into an existing group, press Hold to hold on any channel in the site you want to store the ID in.
. Enter the ID (see Entering IDs) and press E/.
  At 'Quick TGID Save?' press (.)No.
At the 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the ID and press E/.
Scroll to the group where you want to store the ID and press E/.
  Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.
  After storing the ID, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to 'Hold' to enter another frequency or Scan to exit.
Then see Edit Channel Options to customize the channel(s).

Manually Programming Channel Frequencies/TGIDs Contents
  To program a new channel:
Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/.
At 'Select System' scroll to system where you want to program a channel and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group that you want to program the channel in and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' and press E/.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to 'New Channel' and press E/.
At 'Input Frequency (or TGID)' enter the frequency or ID and press E/.
  To enter a Conventional Frequency enter the Frequency and press E/.
  To enter a Motorola Type II ID enter the ID and press E/.
  To enter a Motorola Type I ID enter the fleet number, press (.)No once for a hyphen, then enter the subfleet and press E/.
  Note: If you omit the subfleet (still need the hyphen), the scanner treats this field as a wildcard (will treat the subfleet as 1 ID).
  To enter a Motorola I-Call ID, press (.)No once then enter the ID and press E/.
  To enter a Motorola Wildcard (receive any) I-Call ID, press (.)No once then enter 0 and press E/.
  To enter a EDACS ID in AFS (default) format, enter the agency number, press (.)No once for a hyphen, then the fleet and subfleet and press E/. See also EDACS ID Format.
  Note: If you omit the fleet and/or subfleet (still need the hyphen), the scanner treats these fields as wildcards (will treat the fleet and/or subfleet as 1 ID).
  To enter a EDACS ID in Decimal format, enter the ID and press E/.
  To enter a EDACS I-Call ID, press (.)No once then enter the ID and press E/.
  To enter a EDACS Wildcard (receive any) I-Call ID, press (.)No once then enter 0 and press E/.
  To enter a LTR ID, enter the area code (0 or 1) and press (.)No once, then enter the home repeater number (01-20) and press (.)No once, then the user ID (1-254) and press E/.
  Note: If you omit the user ID (still need the hyphen), the scanner treats this field as a wildcard (will treat the home repeater as 1 ID).
  Note: If the channel is already stored in the group, 'TGID or Frequency Exists Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return.
  At 'Edit Name' press E/. See Entering Text.
Scroll to 'New Channel' and press E/.
Program the rest of the channels the same way.
Then see Edit Channel Options to customize the channel.

Edit Channel Options Menu Contents
Once you have your Systems built , systems options configured, groups built, and your channels programmed, you can set your channel options.
 
To Edit Channel Options:
Press and hold for 2 seconds to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system where the channel is and press Menu.
Or, Press Menu. At 'Program System' press E/. At 'Select System' scroll to the system where the channel is and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
Scroll to the Group that has the channel you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' press E/.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel you want to edit and press E/.
(You can also press E/ when the channel is active during scan).
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Edit Name Channel Priority (conventional only) Deleting Channels
Edit Frequency or TGID Set Alert Set Audio Type
Set CTCSS/DCS (conventional only) Set Record New Channel
Set Modulation (conventional only) Set Lockout  
Set Attenuator (conventional only) Copying/Pasting Channels  

Edit Name If you do not enter a channel name, the scanner displays the frequency for conventional systems or the talk group ID for trunked systems when it stops on a channel.
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/. See Entering Text.
Press E/ to save and exit.

Edit Frequency or TGID Contents
  Scroll to 'Edit Frequency' and press E/.
Enter the frequency or ID and press E/ to save and exit.

Set CTCSS/DCS (conventional only) This setting controls how a subaudible CTCSS or DCS is used for the channel. The default setting is off. See also Understanding CTCSS/DCS.
  Scroll to 'Set CTCSS/DCS' and press E/.
Scroll to 1 of 5 options and press E/ to save and exit:
Off - any signal opens squelch.
Search - the scanner searches and displays any CTCSS or DCS tone with the transmission.
CTCSS - the scanner only opens squelch if the CTCSS tone you select is also present with the signal. The scanner then prompts you to enter or scroll to the desired tone.
DCS- the scanner only opens squelch if the DCS tone you select is also present with the signal. The scanner then prompts you to enter or scroll to the desired tone.
Set Lockout - the scanner does not stop on the channel if the tone you select is present. The scanner prompts you to select a CTCSS or DCS tone.

Set Modulation (conventional only) This setting selects the modulation used for setting the channel. The default setting is auto (NFM for FM frequencies).
  Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/.
Scroll to Auto, AM, FM, NFM, WFM, or WFM (Broadcast) and press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Attenuation (conventional only) This setting controls whether the scanner attenuates signals on this channel by about 20 dB. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.

Channel Priority (conventional only) This setting controls whether the scanner treats the channel as a priority channel while scanning. There doesn't seem to be a limit to how many channels you can set. When you turn on the Priority feature, the channel(s) will be scanned every 2 seconds. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Priority' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.

Channel Alert This setting controls when and how the scanner alerts you if the channel becomes active. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Alert' and press E/.
Scroll to:
Off- the scanner will not alert. Press E/ to save and exit.
Alert 1-9- to choose any of 9 different beep types and press E/.
  At 'Set Level' scroll to:
Auto- the scanner automatically sets the emergency alert beep to the master volume level. Press E/ to save and exit.
Level 1-15- scroll to the volume level preferred. Press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Record enables the REC jack for the channel in the system. The default setting is off. You must also set the system's record option to either 'All Channel' (which will record all channels regardless of the channel's record setting) or 'Marked Channel' (which only records the channels you've set to record).
  Scroll to 'Set Record' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Lockout sets the lockout status for the channel. 'Temporary L/O' means until you cycle power. The default setting is unlocked.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/ to save and exit.

Copying/Pasting a Channel The scanner can copy a channel (and all its settings) into a copy buffer to paste into the same system (in a different group) or a group in another system.
  Scroll to 'Copy Channel' press E/ to save to the channel buffer.
  To Paste the Channel, press Menu until 'Select System' appears.
Scroll to system where you want to paste the channel and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group where you want to paste the channel and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' press E/.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to 'Paste Channel' and press E/.
Press Scan or L/O to exit.
  Note: You can only copy and paste from like systems -conventional to conventional or trunking to trunking.

Deleting Channels
  Scroll to 'Delete Channel' and press E/.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/.

Set Audio Type This setting selects the modulation used for setting the channel. The default setting is auto (NFM for FM frequencies).
  Scroll to 'Set Audio Type' and press E/.
Scroll to one of three options and press E/.
All - The scanner automatically determines whether the audio is analog or digital.
Digital Only - The scanner only remains on the channel if it is carrying APCO 25 digital audio.
Analog Only - The scanner only remains on the channel if it is carrying analog audio.
  Note: If you are programming a conventional system and select Analog Only, the scanner prompts you to select the CTCSS/DCS tone setting.

New Channel same as above.

Using the BCD996T/UBCD996T with a GPS Contents
The GPS device must have serial output, and be capable of outputting standard NMEA sentences GGA and RMC. Make sure that the cable terminates in a female, 9-pin serial connector and you select the correct baud rate for the rear serial port.
Location-Based Scanning  
You can connect the scanner to a compatible GPS device and set the scanner to automatically lock and unlock systems and sites based on the location information and range (from .5 to 50 miles) settings you program for conventional systems or trunked sites.

You set the longitude and latitude to approximate the center of a geographic entity such as your local city. Then set the range to encircle that center point. By doing so the scanner automatically locks out reception of an area outside that circle. All geopolitical areas are rarely perfect circles so you can accommodate this by entering multiple systems/sites, even though the system/site actually has only one site, and use different location settings for each of those additional systems/sites.

When the scanner first starts receiving a signal from the GPS, it briefly displays 'GPS Connected' and silently locks and unlocks all radio systems and sites that are 'enabled for scan', unlocked, and whose quick key is enabled according to your current location. If you have a lot of data programmed, it might take the scanner a couple of minutes to complete the process. Once the scanner completes the initial GPS review, if you move into or out of an area covered by a radio site, the scanner beeps and displays the name of the system and whether it is being locked or unlocked. If you cycle power, all systems are unlocked until the scanner reacquires the GPS signal and completes the initial GPS review.
Non Radio Location-Based GPS Features Contents
The scanner also allows you to program audio alerts for a:

Point of Interest (POI): Stores location and range. If you approach the set location, the radio sounds an alert up to 2 miles from the center.

Dangerous Road: Stores location, direction of travel, and speed. If you are traveling at a speed greater than that specified, in the direction specified, and if you are within range of the set location, the scanner sounds an alert at .5, .25, and .1 miles from the point. These range distances are also automatic and fixed.

Dangerous Crossing: 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 the point. These range distances are also automatic and fixed.

You can also lockout or temporary lockout these alerts.
 
To Program a Current Location (when connected to a GPS):
Press and hold GPS for 2 seconds.
The scanner opens a dialog ('Storing Location') to store your current location (or 'Location Exists', Accept?).
Scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' to select the type then press E/.
The default name is P (POI), X (dangerous crossing), R (dangerous road), then YYMMDD hhmmss that indicates the year, month, date, and time you stored the location point. 'Road', 'Xing', or 'POI' Stored and the default name with the position will briefly appear.
Press E/ to see the location details.
Press E/ again to edit the location. Continue at 'Edit Name' below.
Press Menu twice to exit.
To Program a New Location:
Press Menu. Scroll to 'Program Location' and press E/.
At 'Select Type' scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' and press E/.
Scroll to 'New Location' and press E/.
The default name is DRD (dangerous road), DXG (dangerous crossing), or POI (point of interest)-####.
Continue at 'Edit Name' below.
To Edit an Existing Location:
Press Menu. At 'Program System' scroll to 'Program Location' and press E/.
At 'Select Type' scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' and press E/.
At 'Select 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' scroll to the location you want to edit and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
POI Dangerous Xing or Dangerous Road
  Edit Name   Edit Name
  Set Type   Set Type
  Set Alert Beep   Set Alert Volume
  Set LocationInfo   Set LocationInfo
  Set Range   Set Heading
  Set Lockout   Set Speed Limit
  Delete Location   Set Lockout
  New Location   Delete Location
      New Location
GPS Display Mode
GPS Review Location Mode
Contents
Edit Name  
  Scroll to 'Edit Name' and press E/. See Entering Text.

Set Type  
  Scroll to 'Set Type' and press E/.
At 'Select Type' scroll to 'POI', 'Dangerous Xing', or 'Dangerous Road' and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Alert Beep (POI only) the default setting is 'Alert 1' with 'Auto' volume.  
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Beep' and press E/.
Scroll to:
Off- the scanner will not alert. Press E/ to save and exit.
Alert 1-4- to choose any of 4 different beep types and press E/.
  At 'Set Alert Volume' scroll to:
Auto- the scanner automatically sets the alert beep to the master volume level. Press E/ to save and exit.
Level 1-15- scroll to the volume level preferred. Press E/ to save and exit.

Set Alert Volume (Dangerous Road/Xing only) the default setting is 'Auto'.  
  Scroll to 'Set Alert Volume' and press E/.
Scroll to:
Auto- the scanner automatically sets the alert volume to the master volume level. Press E/ to save and exit.
Level 1-15- scroll to the volume level preferred. Press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Location Info
  Note: The default format is DD,MM,SS(?). See Set GPS Format to change DD,MM,SS or decimal degrees (DD.000000).
  Scroll to 'Set LocationInfo' and press E/.
At 'Set Latitude' press E/.
Enter the latitude and press E/.
Enter the longitude and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Range (POI only) the default setting is '.1 mile'.
  Scroll to 'Set Range' and press E/.
Scroll to '.1, .25, .5, .75, 1, or 2 miles' and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Heading (Dangerous Road/Xing only) the default setting is 'All Range'.
  Scroll to 'Set Heading' and press E/.
Scroll to 'All Range, North, NE, East, SE, South, SW, West, or NW' and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Speed Limit (Dangerous Road/Xing only) the default setting is '0 mile/h (0 km/h)'.
  Scroll to 'Set Speed Limit' and press E/.
Scroll to '0-100 mile/h (0-160 km/h)' and press E/ to save and exit.
Contents
Set Lockout the default setting is 'Unlocked'.
  Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/ to save and exit.

Delete Location
  Scroll to 'Delete Group' and press E/.
At 'Confirm Delete?' press E/ to save and exit.

New Location same as above.
 
GPS Display Mode (POI only) Contents
If you press GPS, the scanner switches to a GPS display mode. In this mode, you can see location information as well as information about your position relative to the selected POI. The third line of the screen shows 'Off' if no POI is selected.
Rotating will select different POI's.
Press and GPS to toggle the Display modes in order.
GPS Review Location Mode Contents
If you have programmed data for a Point of Interest, Dangerous Crossing, and a Dangerous Road, you can review the type, range setting, and location information for each location.

Press GPS then E/. The most recent stored location is displayed. Use the Scroll Control to display the next screen for review.
Note: the scanner will mute in this mode.

Important: While you are in Review Mode and press and hold GPS for 2 seconds, the data of the new point will overwrite the currently displayed data.
 
While in Review Location Mode:
  To return to Normal GPS Display mode, press Menu.
  To return to Normal Scan mode, press Scan/Srch.
  To Overwrite and Store Current Location Data, press and hold GPS for 2 seconds.
  To edit Location Details, press E(Yes).
  To change the Lockout status of the currently displayed location, press L/O.
  To Unlock all Locations of the current type (POI, DXG, or DRD), press and hold L/O.
  To Unlock all Locations of all types, press and hold to 'lock' Function mode then press L/O.

Using Startup Configuration Contents
You can program each of your (conventional) systems, sites, service searches, or custom searches with a 'Startup Key' (0-9) so that when you power up the scanner and press the key number, just those systems/sites/searches assigned to the key will be enabled for scan. See Programming System Startup Key, Programming Site Startup Key, Programming Custom Search Startup Key, and Programming Service Search Startup Key.

Scanning Systems Contents
With all previous scanners, you selected banks to scan that had channels stored in them. With this scanner, you select 'System Quick Keys' to scan that have 'Systems', 'Sites', or Custom/Service Searches assigned to them. See also Using Quick Keys.

So, now you turn 'System/Site/Search Quick Keys' on and off and 'Group Quick Keys' on and off (within each 'System' or 'Site'). The scanner scans all (unlocked) systems/sites assigned to system quick keys that are turned on (in order) and then all (unlocked) systems not assigned to system quick keys. Then, all unlocked service searches (in order), then all unlocked custom searches (in order). Then all service searches with quick keys (in order regardless of quick key), then all custom searches with quick keys (in order regardless of quick key).???

The scanner scans the group quick keys the same way within a system/site quick key. Then the scanner will search any unlocked custom/service searches.

Turning quick keys on and off for systems/sites/searches is not the same as locking and unlocking systems/sites/searches. You can still do that separately (if you really want to confuse yourself).
 
For example:
System Quick Key 1
  System #1
  Group quick key 1,2,3,etc. in system #1.
  Then groups not assigned a group quick key in system #1.
  System #2
  Group quick key 1,2,3,etc. in system #2.
  Then groups not assigned a group quick key in system #2 and so on.
System Quick Key 2
  System #3
  Group quick key 1,2,3,etc. in system #3.
  Then groups not assigned a group quick key in system #3.
  System #4
  Group quick key 1,2,3,etc. in system #4.
  Then groups not assigned a group quick key in system #4 and so on.
  Then Systems not assigned a system quick key.
  Then Service Searches not assigned a system quick key.
  Then Custom Searches not assigned a system quick key.
  Then Service Searches (in order; PS, News, Ham, etc., regardless of quick key).
  Then Custom Searches (in order; 1,2,3, etc., regardless of quick key).
  Contents
Press Scan/Srch. The scanner scans a system for the duration you set using the 'system hold time' option. For trunked systems, the scanner moves to the next system after the hold time expires, the current transmission ends, and the channel delay expires. Conventional systems operate similarly, but all (unlocked) channels are scanned at least one time regardless of the hold time setting. Then all unlocked searches are run for the duration you set using the 'set hold time' option.
  Note: If no systems are programmed, or all systems (or groups in a system) are locked out or turned off, 'Nothing to Scan' appears. Program, unlock, or turn on a system (or group in a system) to scan.
  To continue scanning (move on to the next channel), press Scan/Srch or turn the scroll control ().
  To change the scan or search direction, turn the scroll control () back or forward.
To turn System/Site/Search quick keys on or off, for single digit keys, press the corresponding number on the keypad that is assigned to the system you want to listen to. To turn a double-digit key on or off, Press (.)No first then enter the 2 digits.
  Note: Any system not assigned to a quick key (and not locked out) will still be scanned.
To turn Group quick keys on or off, while scanning the system, press then the corresponding number key(s) on the keypad.
  Note: Any group not assigned to a quick key (and not locked out) will still be scanned.
To hold on a system/site, press and hold to 'lock' Function Mode. Scroll to the system/site. Press to 'unlock' and resume.
To hold on the current ID or frequency, press Hold. To step through IDs/frequencies, turn the scroll control back or forward. Press Hold again to resume scanning (with search).
  To hold on a specific frequency, press Hold to hold on any channel. Enter the new frequency and press Hold to set the new frequency.
  To hold on a specific ID in the current site, press Hold to hold on the site. Enter the new ID and press Hold to set the new ID.
  To hold on a ID/frequency in a different site (or service search), press and hold to 'lock' Function Mode then press Hold. Scroll to the new site/service search and press twice to unlock function mode and scroll to the new frequency/ID. Press Hold to resume scanning/searching. (memorize that one!)
  To lock out a channel or frequency, press L/O while the channel or frequency is in the display.
To lock or unlock Search Bands, press and hold to 'lock' function mode then scroll to the service or custom search and press L/O to toggle locked or unlocked. Press to 'unlock' and resume. Or, make it easier and assign them quick keys.
  To lockout a single system/site (not a system/site key), or a system/site not assigned to a quick key, (even with its quick key enabled), while receiving the system/site, quickly press then L/O (each time) to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'.
  To unlock a single system/site (not a system/site key), or a system/site not assigned to a quick key see Locking/Unlocking Systems.
  To lock or unlock a single group (not a group key) or a group not assigned to a quick key see Locking/Unlocking Groups.
  To lockout a location (in GPS mode), see Locking/Unlocking Groups.
To toggle between ID Scan or ID Search mode while scanning each trunked site, press then Scan/Srch.
To toggle between Display mode 1 or 2, Hold on any channel and press Func then 0. Press Hold to resume.
To view the Trunking Activity Indicators, press then (.)No while scanning any trunked site.
  Note: For Motorola systems you must program all system frequencies (control and voice frequencies) for this feature to work.
To view active IDs in a trunked site, press Hold while scanning the site you want to monitor. Scroll to the (noisy) control channel. Active IDs will scroll in the display.
  To store a displayed ID into a group during ID search, press E/. Then see Programming a Displayed ID.
  To store a search frequency, press E/. Then see Programming Displayed Frequency.
  To store a CTCSS or DCS tone (for a conventional channel set to tone search, [if one is received]), press E(Yes). At 'Set Found CTCSS/DCS' press E/. Press Scan/Srch to resume
  To check for a repeater frequency, Press Hold to hold on the channel. Press E/ then press and hold 8(Rev). Press Hold to resume.
  To turn the attenuation on or off for a (conventional) channel, quickly press Hold to hold on the channel then press 7(Att) to toggle on or off. Press Hold to resume.
  To turn the attenuation on or off for a trunking site, Hold on any site and press Func then 7(Att) to toggle on or off. Press Hold to resume.
  To attenuate a search, press then press 7(Att).
  To turn the priority feature on, press PRI to select one of two priority modes or off. Press Scan to resume scanning (with search). See Priority/Priority Plus Scan.
  To turn Close Call on or off, press SQ to toggle between CC Primary, CC DND, and CC Off. See also Close Call Hits and Close Call Hits with Scan.
  To turn the Weather Priority feature on or off (in addition to searching), press WX.
  To unlock a conventional channel, see Locking/Unlocking Channels.
  To unlock search frequencies see Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies.
  To review and/or unlock locked out IDs, see Reviewing Locked out IDs.
  To unlock all IDs, see Clear All IDs.

Storing a Displayed ID (in ID Search Mode) Contents
  To program a displayed ID into an existing group during ID Search, press E/.
You will see 'Quick TGID Save?' in the display then press (.)No.
At the 'Select Group' prompt, scroll to the group where you want to store the ID and press E/.
After storing the ID, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press Scan/Srch to return to scanning.
  Note: If the ID is already stored in the group, 'TGID Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return to searching (or search hold) or E/ to go to the 'Edit Channel' menu.
  To program a displayed ID into a 'Quick Save Group' during ID Search, press E/.
You will see 'Quick TGID Save?' in the display then press E/ again.
The scanner stores the ID into a (created) channel group called 'Qck Save Grp' and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press Scan/Srch to return to scanning.

Priority/Priority Plus Scan Contents
To use the priority feature, you must first set your priority channels.
To turn the priority feature on, press PRI. Press PRI (each time) to toggle one of two priority modes or off.
  Priority on, While scanning a system, the scanner interrupts every 2 seconds and checks the priority channels in each system. Priority channels in systems with lower 'system quick keys' (starting with 1) have highest priority. PRI appears in the display when you select this mode.
  Priority Plus, The scanner only scans the priority channels. PRI flashes in the display when you select this mode.
  Priority off, scans normally with no priority.
Press Scan to resume scanning.
Or, in scan mode press Menu, scroll to 'Set Priority' and press E/.
Scroll to the mode you want to use and press E/.
Press Scan to resume scanning.
  Note: The quick keys for the system(s) and group(s) containing the priority channel(s) have to be turned on (and groups and systems have to be unlocked) or the scanner will display Priority Scan No Channel.

Locking/Unlocking Systems/Sites/Searches Contents
To lockout a system/site/search, (even with its quick key enabled):
While receiving the system/site/search, quickly press then L/O (each time) to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'.
  Or, use Menu to drill down to the system/site/search options and lock it out there.
To unlock a system/site/search:
In scan mode press and hold E/ to 'lock' function mode.
Rotate the scroll control until the system/site/search you want to lock or unlock appears.
Press L/O (each time) to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'.
  Or, use Menu to drill down to the system/site/search options and unlock there .
  Note: The quick key must be turned on for the system/site/search (if one is assigned) to unlock it or you will see 'Nothing to Scan'. Press Scan to clear the error then turn on the quick key.

Locking/Unlocking Groups Contents
To lock out or unlock a group, (even with its quick key enabled), in scan mode press and hold E/ to 'lock' function mode.
Rotate the scroll control until the system/site that has the group you want to lock or unlock appears.
Press Menu.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group you want to lock or unlock and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/.
Press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.

Locking/Unlocking Channels Contents
To lock out a channel while scanning simply press L/O when the channel appears in the display.
To unlock a channel, in scan mode press and hold E/ to 'lock' function mode.
Rotate the scroll control until the system/site that has the channel you want to lock or unlock appears.
Press Menu.
Scroll to 'Edit Group' and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group that contains the channel and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Channel' and press E/.
At 'Select Channel' scroll to the channel and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Lockout' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.
To unlock all channels in a conventional system, Press Hold to hold on any channel in the system.
Press and hold L/O until 'All Unlocked' appears.
Press Hold or Scan/Srch to resume scanning. This may also turn all your groups back on.
To review and/or unlock locked out IDs, see Reviewing Locked out IDs.
To unlock all IDs, see Clear All IDs.

Search/Close Call Options Menu Contents
These are the settings you should look at before you perform a quick search, close call search, search and store, or close call auto store.
To Edit Search and Close Options:
Press Menu. Scroll to 'Srch/CloCall Opt' and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Freq Lockouts Repeater Find Set Attenuator
Broadcast Screen Max Auto Store Set Data Skip
Set Record Set Delay Time Set Step
CTCSS/DCS Search Set Modulation Adjust P25 Level

Freq Lockouts: allows you to review locked out frequencies or unlock all frequencies for Searching and Close Call search.
Unlocking All Frequencies:
  Scroll to 'Freq Lockouts' press E/.
At 'Unlock All' press E/.
At 'Confirm?' press E/ to save and exit.
Press Menu to return or Scan/Srch to exit.
Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies:
  Scroll to 'Rvw Search L/O' and press E/. If no frequencies are locked out, you will see 'Nothing Locked'.
Scroll to the frequency and press E/ to unlock.
Press Menu to return or Scan/Srch to exit.
  Contents
Broadcast Screen: This setting determines whether the scanner automatically ignores transmissions that are on common broadcasts, paging systems, and other annoyance radio sources during Custom Search, Service Search, or Close Call Search. The default setting is
  Scroll to 'Broadcast Screen' and press E/.
Scroll to 1 of 4 options and press E/.
1. Set All Bands On - turns on broadcast screen on for all bands and custom bands. Press Menu to return.
2. Set All Bands Off - turns off broadcast screen off for all bands and custom bands. Press Menu to return.
3. Program Band - then scroll to the custom band (1-10) and press E/.
  At 'Set Lower Limit' enter the lower limit of the frequency range and press E/.
At 'Set Upper Limit' enter the upper limit of the frequency range and press E/. Scroll to the next band and repeat.
Press Menu to return.
  4. Set Each Band - then scroll to each band and press E/ to turn off or on.
  Pager - the scanner skips known paging system frequencies.
FM - the scanner skips known FM frequencies.
UHF TV - the scanner skips known UHF TV frequencies.
VHF TV - the scanner skips known VHF TV frequencies.
NOAA WX (not w/UBC996T)- the scanner skips known NOAA weather frequencies.
Band 1-10 - the scanner skips known frequencies for custom broadcast ranges.
Press Menu twice to return.
  Note: Broadcast screen is not effective during some service searches.
  Contents
CTCSS/DCS Search: This setting controls whether the scanner will search for a subaudible tone when it stops on a transmission during Searching and Close Call search. The default setting is
  Scroll to 'CTCSS/DCS Search' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.

Repeater Find: This feature sets whether the scanner tries to tune to a repeater output frequency when it detects a transmission on a repeater input frequency in Search and Close Call modes. Since you can normally only hear one side of a conversation when you listen to an input frequency transmission, turning this feature on can let you hear both sides of the conversation on the output frequency. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Repeater Find' and press E/.
Scroll to On and press E/ to set the scanner to automatically apply repeater reverse to detected transmissions. If the scanner detects the transmission on the output frequency, it beeps and 'Repeater Found' appears, and it remains on the output frequency until transmissions end. If it does not detect a transmission on the output frequency, it remains on the original frequency.
If you scroll to Off, the scanner doesn't try to find the repeater frequency.

Max Auto Store: This value sets how many hits the scanner will automatically store when it is in either Search and Store or Close Call Auto Store mode. When the scanner reaches the maximum number of hits you set, it stops the auto-store operation.
  Scroll to 'Max Auto Store' and press E/.
Use the number keys to enter a value from 1-255 then press E/ to save and exit.
  Contents
Set Delay Time: This setting determines how long the scanner waits after a transmission ends before resuming Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. The default setting is 2 seconds.
  Scroll to 'Set Delay Time' and press E/.
Scroll to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (seconds) or Off then press E/ to save and exit.

Set Modulation: This setting controls the modulation type used for Quick Search and Close Call Search operations.
  Scroll to 'Set Modulation' and press E/.
Scroll to Auto, AM, NFM, FM, WFM, or WFM (Broadcast) then press E/ to save and exit.

Set Attenuator: This setting controls the attenuator for Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. Turn on this setting if you are near other strong signal sources to attenuate about 20dB. Attenuation sometimes helps to reduce interference and desensitization that strong signals create. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
  Contents
Set Data Skip: This setting controls how the scanner behaves when it detects a data transmission during Quick Search and Close Call Search operations. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Data Skip' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
  Note: If you are trying to test the Close Call feature with a nearby transmitter and you do not talk into the transmitter, the scanner will detect this as data and will skip the frequency when Data Skip is on.

Set Step: This setting selects the frequency step used for Quick Search. The default setting is Auto. See also Auto Step Sizes.
  Scroll to 'Set Step' and press E/.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 and press E/ to save and exit.

Set Record: This setting enables the REC jack for Search and Close Call modes. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Set Record' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.

Adjust P25 Level: This setting applies to P25 signals received during Search and Close Call modes. The default setting is off.
  Scroll to 'Adjust P25 Level' and press E/.
Scroll to one of three options and press E/ to save and exit:
Auto - The automatic adjust feature is enabled.
Manual - you can set the threshold manuals depending on your circumstances
Default - sets the factory default value.

Search For... Menu Contents
Quick Search Custom Search Set Search Key
Edit Service Search Searching Reviewing Locked out Frequencies
Service Search Storing a Displayed Frequency Auto Step Size Chart
Edit Custom Search Search and Store  

Quick Search
Quick Search lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you are scanning a conventional system or enter a frequency to start searching from.
See Search/Close Call Options first.
  To start searching at the current frequency:
Quickly press Hold to hold on the frequency. Press then Scan/Srch.
At 'Quick Search?' press E/. Then see Searching.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  To start searching at a specific frequency while scanning or searching, press Hold to hold on any channel or frequency.
Enter the new frequency you wish to start at then press Hold to set the new starting frequency.
Press Hold again to release hold mode and start searching. Then see Searching.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.

Editing a Service Search Contents
You can change the way service search works for each service.
  To Edit a Service Search, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Service' and press E/.
Scroll to the service search you want to edit and press E/.
  Scroll to Set Delay Time and press E/.
Scroll to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, seconds or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Set Attenuator and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Set Record and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Search with Scan and press E/.
  Scroll to Set Quick Key and press E/.
Scroll to 0-99 or . for no quick key and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Set Startup key and press E/.
Scroll to 0-9 or . for no startup key and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Set Lockout and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/ to save and exit..
Scroll to Set Hold Time and press E/.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/ to save and exit.
(0 will search the whole band before continuing)
Press Menu to exit.
  Press Menu and scroll to another service search and repeat the previous steps or press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.

Service Search Contents
The Service Search lets you quickly select and search the scanner's preprogrammed frequencies.
See Search/Close Call Options and Edit Service Search first.
  To start a Service Search press Menu (or SRVC on the UBCD996T) . Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
At 'Service Search' press E/.
Scroll to: 'Public Safety', 'News', 'Ham Radio', 'Marine', 'Railroad', 'Air', 'CB Radio', 'FRS/GMRS', 'Racing', 'TV Broadcast', 'FM Broadcast', 'Military Air, or 'Special' (wireless mic freqs) and press E/ to start searching. Then see Searching.
 
  To search more than one Service Search, in scan mode press and hold .
Scroll to each service search you want to include and press L/O to unlock the service search.
Then see Searching.

Editing a Custom Search  
You can edit the 10 custom search ranges. The default custom search range names appear as Custom 1, Custom 2, and so on.
  To Edit a Custom Search, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Edit Custom' and press E/.
Scroll to the custom search you want to edit (1-10) and press E/.
  Scroll to Edit Name and press E/. See Entering Text.
  Scroll to Edit Srch Limit and press E/.
At 'Set Lower Limit', enter the lower limit of the search range and press E/.
At 'Set Upper Limit', enter the upper limit of the search range and press E/.
  Scroll to Set Delay Time and press E/.
Scroll to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, seconds or Off to set delay and press E/ to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set Modulation and press E/.
Scroll to Auto, AM, NFM, FM, WFM, or WFM (Broadcast) then press E/ to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set Attenuator and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/ to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set Data Skip and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/ to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set Step and press E/. See also Auto Step Sizes.
Scroll to Auto, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 then press E/ to save and exit.
  Scroll to Set C-Ch only and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off then press E/ to save and exit.
(If you find a Motorola control channel it will search for IDs in the system if you hold on the frequency).
  Scroll to Adjust p25 Level and press E/.
Scroll to one of three settings and press E/.
Auto- the scanner automatically adjusts the digital decode threshold to match the transmission you are hearing when it receives a strong signal and has a high decode rate.
Manual- lets you manually adjust the digital decode threshold.
Default- sets the digital decode threshold to the default value. This is handy if you have manually adjusted the value to a setting that prevents proper decoding.
  Scroll to Set Record and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
  Scroll to Search with Scan and press E/.
  Scroll to Set Quick Key and press E/.
Scroll to 0-99 or . for no quick key and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Set Startup key and press E/.
Scroll to 0-9 or . for no startup key and press E/ to save and exit.
Scroll to Set Lockout and press E/.
Scroll to 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout' and press E/ to save and exit..
Scroll to Set Hold Time and press E/.
Enter the hold time (0-255 seconds) you desire and press E/ to save and exit.
(0 will search the whole band before continuing)
Press Menu to exit.
  Press Menu and scroll to another custom search and repeat the previous steps or press Scan/Srch or L/O to exit.

Custom Search Contents
The Custom Search lets you search the scanner's 10 programmed frequency ranges. To re-program the ranges see Editing a Custom Search.
See also Search/Close Call Options first.
  To start a Custom Search, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Custom Search' and press E/ to start searching. Then see Searching.

Searching (only) Contents
To access a search using the programmed search keys, press then the search key 1-6 (srch 1-6), to search the band.
To change search direction or continue searching, turn the scroll control back or forward.
To toggle search bands on or off for custom searches, press the number key of the custom search.
To unlock or lockout service searches, press and hold to 'lock' function mode. Scroll to the service search and press L\O to toggle 'Unlocked', 'Temporary L/O', or 'Lockout'.
To hold on a frequency, press Hold. Press Hold again to resume searching.
  To step through the frequencies, turn the scroll control back or forward while in hold mode. Press Hold to return.
To save a frequency, press Hold to hold on the frequency. See Programming Displayed Frequency.
To lock out a frequency, press L/O then E/ to confirm.
To turn the attenuator on or off for a search, press Hold. Press then press 7(Att). Press Hold again to resume searching.
To check for a repeater frequency, press Hold to hold on the frequency. Press E/ then press and hold 8(Rev). Press Hold to resume.
To turn Close Call on or off, press SQ to toggle between CC Primary, CC DND, and CC Off. See also Close Call Hits and Close Call Hits with Scan.
To turn the Weather Priority feature (BCD996T only) on or off (in addition to searching), press WX.
To unlock frequencies see Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies.

Storing a Displayed Frequency (while searching) Contents
  To program a displayed frequency into an existing group, quickly press E/.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press (.)No.
At 'Select System' scroll to the system where you want to store the frequency and press E/.
At 'Select Group' scroll to the group where you want to store the frequency and press E/.
After storing the frequency, you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to searching.
  Note: If the frequency is already stored in the group, 'Frequency Exists' Accept? (Y/N)' appears. Press (.)No to return to searching (or search hold) or E/ to go to the 'Edit Channel' menu.
 
  To program a displayed frequency into a 'Quick Save Group' in a 'Quick Save System', press E/.
At 'Quick Freq Save?' press E/.
The scanner will save the frequency into a (created) group called 'Qck Save Grp' in a (created) system called 'Qck Save Cnv Sys' (with no quick key assigned) and you will be at the 'Edit Channel' menu to complete the settings for the new channel. Then see Creating Groups and Edit Systems Options to customize the group and system.
If you don't want to edit the channel settings or are done editing the channel, press L/O to return to searching.

Auto Search and Store Contents
Lets you search and store frequencies in a custom search range or in a service search range into a conventional system, or new talk group IDs into a trunked system. To store frequencies or talk group IDs you find during Auto Store, you must first select a system where the frequencies or talk group IDs will be stored. You will not hear any audio in this mode.

  To Auto Store Conventional frequencies, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Search and Store' and press E/.
At 'Select Store Sys' scroll to the conventional system you want to store the frequencies in and press E/.
At 'Select Range' scroll to the 'service search' or to 'custom search' to select where to search from and press E/.
  Tip: Before you start an auto search and store, run the custom search first to turn ranges on or off or the service search to lock out the birdies, data, noise, etc. channels. This will prevent the scanner from stopping on them and doing a memory check (on active frequencies) each time it passes.
  Notes: The quick key for the system must be turned on (if one is assigned to the system) and not locked out to select the system to store frequencies in otherwise you will see 'Nothing to Scan'. If no systems are programmed 'No System Stored' appears.
When you select a service search or custom search range(s), the scanner looks for active frequencies within the range(s) and 'Search and Store' appears on the display's lower line and the system name and search range name(s) appear on the display's upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the frequency has already been stored in the system ('Memory Check' in the display). If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the frequency has not been stored, it stores the frequency into a (created) group named 'Found Channels', then resumes searching. 'Limit Reached' will appear in the display when the Max Auto Store value is reached.
Contents
  To Auto Store IDs, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Search and Store' and press E/.
At 'Select Store Sys' scroll to the trunked system you want to store the IDs in and press E/.
At 'Select Site' scroll to the site you want to store the IDs in and press E/.
  Notes: The quick key for the system must be turned on (if one is assigned to the site) and not locked out to select the system to store IDs in otherwise you will see 'Nothing to Scan'. If no systems are programmed, 'No System Stored' appears. Search and store does not work if an EDACS SCAT system is selected.
'ID Search and Store' appears on the display's lower line and the system name appears on the display's upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the ID has already been stored in the system ('Memory Check' in the display). If the ID has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the ID has not been stored, it stores the ID into a (created) group named 'Found Channels', then resumes searching. 'Limit Reached' will appear in the display when the Max Auto Store value is reached.

Set Search Key Contents
Lets you assign a search range to a 'Search Key'. You can assign any (1) of the service or custom searches to the six search keys for quick access to your favorite searches.
  To Assign Search Keys to a search, press Menu. Scroll to 'Search for...' and press E/.
Scroll to 'Set Search Key' and press E/.
At 'Select Key No.' scroll to 'Search Key 1-6' and press E/.
At 'Select Range' scroll to the service or custom search range you want to assign to the key and press E/.
Repeat for each key then press Scan/Srch to exit.
  Scroll to 'Set Attenuator' and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/ to save and exit.
   
The default settings for the BDC996T are: The default settings for the UBDC996T are:
SRCH 1: Custom 1 SRCH 1: Custom 1
SRCH 2: Public Safety SRCH 2: Police
SRCH 3: Railroad SRCH 3: Railroad
SRCH 4: FRS/GMRS SRCH 4: Marine
SRCH 5: TV Broadcast SRCH 5: TV Broadcast
SRCH 6: FM Broadcast SRCH 6: FM Broadcast

Close Call Menu Contents
Your scanner's Close Call feature lets you set the scanner so it detects, alerts you to, and displays the frequency of a nearby strong radio transmission. You can set the scanner so the Close Call feature checks for a Close Call hit every 2 seconds in the background while you are scanning, searching, listening to the weather frequency, etc. or use Close Call only mode. There is a new mode with this scanner called 'Close Call Do-Not-Disturb' that will only check for close call signals when you are not receiving transmissions. You can also set the frequency band(s) where you want the scanner to look for transmissions. When the scanner detects a Close Call hit, it alerts you according to the Override and Alert settings. You can also set the scanner to Auto Store Close Call hits. See Search/Close Call Options for more options with Close Call Search. The Close Call feature does not work for frequencies greater than 956 MHz.

The Close Call feature works well for locating the source of strong local transmissions such as mobile and handheld two-way radios in areas with no other strong transmission sources. Several factors affect Close Call performance. Performance is increased with higher transmit power, receive antenna tuned to the target band, and a low background RF level. Other than the antenna, you have no control over these factors, but they explain why performance might vary by both location and time.

The Close Call feature works better with some types of transmissions than others. It might not correctly display frequency information for transmitters using a highly directional antenna (such as an amateur radio beam antenna) or if there are many transmitters operating at the same time in the same area.
To Edit Close Call Options:
Press Menu. Scroll to 'Close Call' and press E/.
Scroll to the options below and press E/. Press Scan/Srch to return to scanning when done with editing.
Set CC Bands Set CC Override Close Call Hits
Close Call Only Set CC Alert Close Call Hits with Scan
CC Auto Store   Select Beep   Set Quick Key
Set Close Call Mode   Set CC Pause   Set Lockout
  CC DND (do not disturb)       Set Hold Time
  CC Priority        

Set CC Bands: Lets you select the Close Call bands to be searched or auto stored.
  Scroll to 'Set CC Bands' press E/.
Scroll to each band you want searched (or not searched) and press E/.
Scroll to On or Off and press E/.
Press Menu to return.
  VHF Low 1- 25-54MHz
  VHF Low 2- 54-108 MHz
  Air Band- 108-137 MHz
  VHF High 1- 137-225 MHz
  VHF High 2- 225-320 MHz
  UHF- 320-512 MHz
  800MHz+- 764-956, 1240-1300 MHz

Close Call Only: This setting puts the scanner in Close Call Only mode.
 Then see Close Call Hits.
  At 'Close Call Only' and press E/. See also Close Call Hits.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.
Contents
CC Auto Store: Lets you select whether the scanner automatically stores Close Call hits into channels. If you turn this option on the scanner starts Close Call Only mode and stores any Close Call hits in the selected bands up to the maximum you specified in the Max Auto Store setting.
  Scroll to 'CC Auto Store' and press E/.
'Limit Reached' will appear in the display when the Max Auto Store value is reached.
Press Scan/Srch to exit.
  The scanner looks for active frequencies within the range(s) and 'Search and Store' appears on the display's lower line and the system name and search range name(s) appear on the display's upper line. When the scanner finds an active transmission, it checks to see if the frequency has already been stored in the system. If the frequency has already been stored, the scanner continues to search. If the frequency has not been stored, it stores the frequency into a (created) group named 'Found Channels' in a (created) system called 'Close Call' then resumes searching.
   
Set Close Call Mode: