BCT8 programming guide BADLY needed!

[ka3jjz]

OK I see there's yet another individual in the Uniden forum with a BCT8 that's having programming difficulties.

All the posts I've seen on this very subject makes it clear that the manual that goes with this radio is a pure POS. The wiki can be used to house a new programming guide for this old radio.

The document can be written in Word if need be, then a macro can be used to translate it to MediaWiki. We can then clean up whatever the macro missed or messed up. Bob or I can help with that step - but first, we need someone - could be more than one person - to write something up.

How about it folks? Anyone out there up to help these folks? 73 Mike

 

[Bullmax]

Here is my 2 cents worth. Feel free anyone to modify if I missed some stuff.

Programming the BCT8 Scanner

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Following are instructions for programming the Uniden Bearcat BCT8 TrunkTracker scanner for trunked systems.


- Press and hold TRUNK for a couple of seconds to enter Trunk Programming mode.

- Use the number pad to choose a bank number (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) where you want to store this trunk. If you haven't done any trunk programming before, use bank 1 (press the 1 key). If you already have something programmed into your other banks, choose a new bank number. Remember you can only store one trunk per bank.

- Press the up arrow until you find what system you want example "Ed, E2-Hi, Ed" etc. Then press the E button.

"Prog F" will appear on the scanner display. Press the E button again. The display will show 1 000.0000.

(Note that on the BCT8, the "dot" (period) key is used in place of the dash.)

- Using the keypad, type in the first frequency, then press E.

- Press the up-arrow button. The display will show 2 000.0000.

- Using the keypad, type in the next frequency, then press E.

- Continue untill all are entered.

You are now done entering the control frequencies.



YOU NOW NEED TO ENTER THE TALKGROUP ID'S.

- Press HOLD/RESUME. "Prog F" appears on the display. Press the up arrow. "Prog id" appears on the display. Press the "E" button.

...begin entering talkgroup IDs you're interested in. For example:

...punch: 02 dot 126, for Primary Dispatch. Press E to set the talkgroup. Press the Up arrow.
...punch: 02 dot 042, for Car-to-Car. Press E to set the talkgroup. Press the Up arrow.
...punch: 02 dot whatever you want from the lists. E to set. Press the Up arrow and repeat...
...until you have entered all the talkgroup IDs you are interested in.

- To begin scanning, press the scan button.

- If you see "Bx SCAN id" scrolling across the display, you are NOT in the proper scan mode. Press the scan button until you see ID SCAN to scan only the id's you put in or to just SCAN to scan all the talk group id's.


TO ENTER THE BASE, SPACING FREQUENCIES AND OFFSET CHANNEL FOR BELL FLEETNET

1. Press and hold TRUNK for 1.5 seconds and select the bank you want to change.
2. Use the up or down key to select (Motorola Type2 VHF) ,then press E.
3. Use the up or down key to select base , then press E.
4. Use the keypad to enter Configuration Block Number 1

5. Use the keypad to enter a new Base Frequency of 141.015, then press E.
6. Press the up arrow key and select for entering the Spacing Frequency.

7. Use the keypad to enter a new Spacing Frequencyof 15.0, then press E.
8. Press the up arrow key and select 380 for entering the OffsetChannel.

 

[Bullmax]

The scan button on the BCT8 is actually the search button.

 

[ka3jjz]

That's a good start, Bull. What about programming conventional freqs?

73 and good job..Mike

 

[Bullmax]

That's a good start, Bull. What about programming conventional freqs?

For conventional, you need to make sure you are not in trunk mode when entering frequencies. These need to be in their own bank.

Press and hold TRUNK for a couple of seconds to enter Trunk Programming mode.

Use the number pad to choose a bank number (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) where you want to store this trunk.

Press the trunk button to get out of trunk mode, then enter the frequencies. When done, push srch.

 

[ka3jjz]

I've added these instructions to our wiki. Please feel free to add/correct them there. Here are the links (anything in blue)

Programming the BCT-8 - The RadioReference Wiki

Programming the BCT-8 for Fleetnet - The RadioReference Wiki

73 Mike

 

[derekn]

Hey Bull

Here is my 2 cents worth. Feel free anyone to modify if I missed some stuff.

I was wondering if you can help me out, on a previous post Ottawa Public Safety Trunking System, Ottawa, Ontario - Scanner Frequencies
It shows 15 frequencies to add, then below shows 10 more, I know I have to enter the fifteen in that order but do I need to add the other 10 shown there in the same bank to make it 25 or just the fifteen and the 10 elsewhere?

After this is done you show in your post that you have to add the talk groups as well. Is that correct?
I am using a Uniden BCT8
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Derek

 

[Bullmax]

Yes, you have to add the other 10 in a new bank. And yes you have to add the talk groups as well.

 

[derekn]

Vct8

Yes, you have to add the other 10 in a new bank. And yes you have to add the talk groups as well.

Thanks Bull, one more question-i will follow your thread above as the manual is no hell, I will add the 15 frequecies to bank 1 and the other 10 in bank 2
When I add the talk groups what bank do they go in or does it matter?
thanks Derek

 

[ka3jjz]

Please folks let's keep specific BCT8 programming questions for a given area in the Uniden forum where they belong.

No need to fracture the topic across multiple forums. It just makes things harder to follow. The thread may be continued here...

BCT8 Programming for Ottowa

This thread is now closed.

best regards...Mike