BC125AT: BC125AT - Save CTCSS

[pb_lonny]

I have a number of channels programmed with CTCSS / DCS search, when it displays the found tone, can I easily save this?

 

[Scan125]

I'm a little puzzled.

When you program a channel then you set the frequency and mode/modulation. In addition you can set a CTCSS/DCS value. For this latter then CTCSS/DCS is set to None by default. This means the scanner searches on and stop on all programmed Freq / Mod transmissions regardless of if there is a CTCSS/DCS tone.

If you are using Search and the scanner stops on a freq. that has a CTCSS/DCS content and chose to save this hit the I think the CTCSS/DCS data is also saved as a required content before the scanner will stop/recognise that transmission.

This is my understanding but I'm hoping those with far more experience/understanding of the BC125AT scanner "in manual use" will be able to add more info/detail.

 

[pb_lonny]

Sorry for the confusion. Below is an example.
I have a number of channels programmed where I don't know the CTCSS / DCS in use, for these I have CTCSS/DCS set to "Search". As my BC125AT scans these frequencies, the found CTCSS tone appears on the screen, when it finds the CTCSS tone in use, can I then save that directly when it is found or do I need to write it down and then edit the channel to add this in?
I think my UBCD396XT used to allow the found CTCSS / DCS tones to be saved by pressing E, I don't know if the BC125AT allows this.

 

[wtp]

have you tried it ?
i do not have one, but it can't hurt.

 

[pb_lonny]

I did try pressing E but nothing happened...
I was hoping that somebody could confirm if this works / is possible with the BC125AT?

 

[wtp]

i read through most of the manual and did not find it.
looks like pen and paper is the way.
i always wanted to hear everything on a frequency and not use PL.

 

[pb_lonny]

Yeah, I use it more to keep a track of the CTCSS tones as we have different business users on the same frequency or rental frequencies where multiple businesses use the same repeater with different CTCSS tones. I match up the tones to the users.

 

[Scan125]

I did try pressing E but nothing happened...
I was hoping that somebody could confirm if this works / is possible with the BC125AT?

I assume you pressed the [Function] key then [E]? If [E] on its own then nothing will happen.

 

[pb_lonny]

I assume you pressed the [Function] key then [E]? If [E] on its own then nothing will happen.

Yes, I tried that. I also tried holding on the channel first too.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Did you press the ENTER button while it was actively decoding the tone?

 

[pb_lonny]

Yes I did. I tried this on a UHF CB channel where I set the CTCSS tone, nothing....

 

[JoeBearcat]

Are you scanning or searching? Can you clarify " where I set the CTCSS tone "? Is the tone flashing when it is decoding?

 

[pb_lonny]

I have a UHF CB radio where I can set the CTCSS tone when I transmit. For testing it set the tone to 67.Hz. on my BC125AT, when I scan or search, it will stop on this frequency and flash the CTCSS tone on the screen, no matter what key I press, it won't save the tone.
My question was, is it meant to? The manual does not say either way but on other Uniden scanners, I have been able to.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I will check on this and get back to you (but night tonight since it's 11:59 here)

 

[JoeBearcat]

OK. You had me curious enough. The 325 will save it. The 125 will not.

 

[pb_lonny]

Thanks for confirming. Maybe a firmware update? I have another idea which I would love to see added to it.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Often features that are possible are not present in the lower tier models.

If the lower tier had the same features as the mid-tier, who would want to buy the mid-tier models?

 

[pb_lonny]

For things like extra channels, wider frequency range, P25, trunking and so on, 100%. For something as simple being able to auto store found search frequencies, that would be awesome.

 

[JoeBearcat]

There is always the BCD325P2 option. Not all features are major.

As far as adding 'just this one feature', then the next person wants their favorite, and so on, until you have a BCD325P2. (save for the digital which cannot be added to the 125 via firmware). The line has to be drawn somewhere, and it's usually done by the bean counters.

There is a new model coming out that I would have liked to see a particular feature on. It will not be there. That is a feature that will draw people to purchase the next higher model if they want that. That was the justification for not adding that feature. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh. Reality often does.

There is also the factor that with each feature added the MSRP goes up. The 125 is not intended to be a mid-tier model. It's low-to-mid tier. The 325 is mid-tier, and the 436/100 are high tier.

 

[wtp]

be happy that you can see the entire frequency.
i remember using a scanner that you had to look at each channel and frequency 1 digit at a time.
like Joe said, some things seem small, but are not.
however Joe,
what would happen if you could start with a 125 and can do paid upgrades to an SDS style one ?