Uniden BC346XTC

[Jazziecat]

Hello All
I just bought a Uniden BC346XTC. I have always been able to program my scanners but this one is a bit more complicated. The CD that came with it is a jumbled up mess. I did see a link above to an easier to understand guide. Thanks for that!
I'm wondering if I can take this to Radio Shack and pay to have it programmed?

Thanks for any advice or tips.

Have a great day!

 

[sparklehorse]

Hello All
I just bought a Uniden BC346XTC. I have always been able to program my scanners but this one is a bit more complicated. The CD that came with it is a jumbled up mess. I did see a link above to an easier to understand guide. Thanks for that!
I'm wondering if I can take this to Radio Shack and pay to have it programmed?

Thanks for any advice or tips.

Have a great day!

I don't know if Radio Shack can program your radio. What I can tell you is, you are far better off programming it yourself. That way you know what's in it because you put it there. You know how things are organized, and you've put everything in your radio you want to listen to, and nothing you don't. But more importantly, let's say you do find someone to program your radio. What happens when your local sheriff, or fire dept., or state police change over to new frequencies or technologies six months from now? When things change, and they will, you will be at the mercy of whoever programs your radio to update it for you. Why put yourself in that position when you can learn to program your radio and do it yourself? These radios are more complicated than in years past, but they are still designed to be programmed by the user. And they aren't really that hard to learn. Once you grasp some of the basic concepts, things start to become pretty easy in fact.

Here's a few resources that can help. Spend an hour or two with these, then see if you want RS to program your radio.

Mark's Easier to Read 346 Manual:

Easier to Read BC346XT Scanner Manual

How to program your DMA scanner:

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

DMA FAQ:

Uniden DMA FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

Trunking primer:

http://wiki.radioreference.com/images/c/c7/Trunking_description.pdf

Great software to program your radio with:

FreeSCAN - Sixspot Software

(Note: You'll want to get a subscription to Radioreference to allow you easy access to the RR database from within Freescan.)

If you get stuck, come on back here to RR. Lots of folks here happy to help.

Enjoy your new scanner!

.

 

[sparklehorse]

I should also mention that your 346, which is a good scanner, is an older model and is analog only. That might be perfectly fine where you live, I don't know. You didn't mention your location. But in case you're not aware, many areas of the country have seen their local public safety systems migrate to digital systems in the last 10-15 years. There aren't many areas left that are entirely analog. You can check the database here at Radioreference to see what types of systems are being used in your area.

.

 

[wtp]

or

look for the system and post the url here and we could help decipher it for you.

 

[captncarp]

I have programmed three of them by hand with vhf, l,h and 800 freqs and they are my favorite radios for the last few years.

 

[Jazziecat]

Thanks everyone for your replies! After posting my "plea for help," I sat down and got rid of the mental block and followed instructions and got it all programmed.

I live in Lawrence Kansas and this scanner picks up all I need! I did know it was discontinued and analog when I purchased it but I believe it will make me a good little scanner.

Thanks again for all the help and advice, I do appreciate it!

Have a great day!