BearTracker "Warning System" vs. "Channel Alert"

[Dave_D]

Hi all,

Is the "Warning System" incorporated into the Uniden BCT7 and BCT8 BearTracker scanners similar in function to the "Channel Alert" feature of other scanners?

I was considering a BCT8 but discovered through various Internet forums that only state police frequencies are pre-programmed into the unit and cannot be manually updated or, more importantly, augmented with those of local police. If you've ever driven through Nevada, you'll know that speed traps are the tool of local police, far moreso than of state police.

So, would it be conceivable (or worthwhile to a scanner novice, like myself) to purchase a scanner with a "channel alert" feature (whereby any activity on the channel triggers an audible alert) and program in all desired state and local police repeater frequencies? Would this not be identical to the "Warning System" of the BearTracker scanners?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Dave

 

[michael_m_rubino]

Go to www.uniden.com and download and look through the user manual. You can program up to 250 frequencies into the scanner in addition to scanning the pre programmed stuff. See the user manual at page 20. Of course the pre programmed stuff in this scanner can't be modified, you still get a 250 channel scanner.

Some scanner allow you to tag individual frequencies with a "key beep", to draw your attention to that particular frequency. This is different from the "Beartracker" system which is supposed to work when an officer uses a mobile extender system.

 

[Dave_D]

Thank you for your kind reply, Michael.

So, if I were to take the preprogrammed state police repeater frequencies from the BCT8, copy them into, say, a BCD396T and enable "channel alert" on all of those channels, would this not, in essence, duplicate the "BearTracker" function of the BCT8 on my BCD396T?

Thank you for the link. I did read the BCT8 manual, but could not find any information to suggest that the user channels could be made to trigger the BearTracker warnings.

Dave

 

[b52hbuff]

So, if I were to take the preprogrammed state police repeater frequencies from the BCT8, copy them into, say, a BCD396T and enable "channel alert" on all of those channels, would this not, in essence, duplicate the "BearTracker" function of the BCT8 on my BCD396T?
Dave

Yes, you would. All the beartracker does is monitor the mobile extender frequency and signal a 'special alert' when that freqency(frequencies?) become active. In CA, it's 154.905.

The silly part about it is that the only time you'll hear the mobile extender is when the officer is stopped and _out of the car_. Typically, this isn't 'high threat posture' if you're trying to avoid a ticket.

 

[Dave_D]

Thank you, B52HBUF!

Yup, it seems far from ideal.

On my long drives out west, I keep thinking that it would be a simple matter to create a general-purpose "police detector" as suggested by the BCT7, but sensitive to ALL police frequencies. Like the Valentine One radar detector, such a device might determine signal strength and direction.

But then, I don't know enough of radio to understand why this isn't possible. And if it were, I suppose it could be used for far more diabolical means, so perhaps it's for the best.

Dave

 

[oregontreehugger]

Personally I think you'd do better to monitor the regular radio channels in addition to the vehicle repeaters (if used) or mobile input frequencies.

For example in California, as B52 Buff said, the statewide vehicle repeater channel is on 154.905.

By listening to the regular radio channels, in this case CHP's lowband system, you can tell in general where the officers are (highway, milepost, etc.) as they check in by radio.

Or just don't stray 5mph over the speed limit and be done with it.