Uniden Bearcat BC8 Nascar Trunktracker III

[OfficerHanley93]

Hello Over this Christmas Holiday I received this scanner. This is my first scanner I have ever had, I usually just listen to the one provided by Radio Reference. I live in Champaign Illinois and need help programming this scanner. Im only 17 years old so I honestly don't have a clue what I am doing. I basically need help with everything. I read the manual several times but its not clicking. I'm afraid im gonna mess it up if I do anything wrong. Im pretty sure I got the right frequencies for METCAD but im not sure, can someone help me with that also and how to tune in the Champaign PD Dispatch. If any questions do ask? This scanner is brand new.

 

[Bullmax]

Maby this might help.

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.

*** You MUST enter the control frequencies in the order listed from the data base and all of them. This is imperative due to the EDACS system. ***

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/AFS 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, where 'x' is the bank number you used, you are NOT in the proper mode to scan Shelby County Sheriff's Department, regardless of what the BCT8 manual says; you are instead searching for random talkgroups on this trunk and you will not be able to follow conversations. If the TRUNK indicator does not display, press TRUNK. Press the PVT and SRCH buttons, in that order, until you see a display that resembles N-N -- ---, where N and N are numbers from 1 to 9 (most likely "3-2"). The N-N should be flashing. Congratulations, you are now scanning the trunk.

 

[WillyP]

New BCT8

Hello Bullmax,

I recently received this scanner for X-Mas, found your post and took your advice on programming, seemed to work very well, I programmed in 20 frequencies on Trunk #1, and then approx 12 talkgroup/AFS ID's, Works great but scanner is stopping on AFS ID's that I did not program in, is this normal?
Thanks For your help

 

[Bullmax]

You are in scan mode and not id scan mode. Press the scan button until you see id scan.

 

[WillyP]

Scan Button

The unit does not have a button marked "Scan" per say, do you mean the search button?
Thanks

 

[Bullmax]

Yes, I meant the search button

 

[WillyP]

Bct8

I think I have it figured out now, the instruction booklet is a bit vague compared to your directions, have to read into it a bit more, everything is working great, thanks for your help!!
WillyP

 

[Bullmax]

the instruction booklet is a bit vague

Why would they put out a manual that no one can understand?

You are welcome!

 

[WillyP]

More Help

Frequency License Type Tone Alpha Tag Description Mode Tag
155.80500 BFMR 123.0 PL A1 A1 FM Law Dispatch
155.82000 BFMR 123.0 PL A2 A2 FM Law Dispatch
155.79000 BFMR 131.8 PL A3 A3 FM Law Dispatch
155.79000 BFMR 123.0 PL A4 A4 FM Law Dispatch
155.58000 BFMR 123.0 PL A5 A5 FM Law Dispatch
155.56500 BFMR 131.8 PL A6 A6 FM Law Dispatch
155.52000 BFMR 131.8 PL A7 A7 FM Law Dispatch
155.58000 BFMR 131.8 PL A8 A8 FM Law Dispatch
155.59500 BFMR 123.0 PL A9 A9 FM Law Dispatch
155.62500 BFMR 123.0 PL A10 A10 FM Law Dispatch
155.64000 BFMR 123.0 PL A11 A11 FM Law Dispatch
156.09000 BFMR 123.0 PL A12 A12 FM Law Dispatch
156.03000 BFMR 123.0 PL A13 A13 FM Law Dispatch
154.71000 BFMR 123.0 PL A14 A14 FM Law Dispatch
154.83000 BFMR 123.0 PL A15 A15

These are a few of the frequencies for RCMP in Alberta, not trunked, but should I/how do I enter tones or are they required??

Thanks

 

[Bullmax]

Looks like they are conventional channels. You will need to pick a new bank for these. Program as follows:

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.

 

[saleen49]

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/AFS 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.

This is a great thread. I also picked up a BCT8 used and would like to learn how to program Trunking systems. The agency I am listening to is the Will County, IL EDACS. Will County Public Safety Trunking System, Simulcast, Illinois - Scanner Frequencies
I have this system programmed in my PRO-94 and it works fine.It automatically displays the AFS anytime a talk group is used. I have the BCT8 programmed to this system and can hear everything that the PRO-94 can recieve just fine. But the BTC8 does not automatically display the AFS info and I would like to figure this out. I don't understand how to identify the correct AFS to enter and where to enter it.
I become confused when i get to step 2 [Prog id] and hit E. I see [1- 1 - - - - - ] but I don't understand were to find the info to enter.

Red (c) are primary control channels | Blue (a) are alternate control channels | Site Map(s): FCC Callsigns RR Locations

Site Hex Name
001 1 Simulcast - Current Rebanded LCNs 01 851.27500 02 851.76250c 03 852.15000 04 852.70000c 05 853.25000 06 853.60000 07 854.33750
08 854.48750


System Talkgroups
List All in one table Show New Talkgroups


Mutual Aid/Emergency Talkgroups

DEC AFS Mode Alpha Tag Description Tag
539 04-033 A C/Wide Aid Countywide Aid Interop
1419 11-013 A Disaster 11 Disaster 11 Interop
1420 11-014 A Disaster 12 Disaster 12 Interop
1421 11-015 A Disaster 13 Disaster 13 Interop
1422 11-016 A Disaster 14 Disaster 14 Interop
1423 11-017 A Disaster 15 Disaster 15 Interop
1424 11-020 A Disaster 16 Disaster 16 Interop
1425 11-021 A Disaster 17 Disaster 17 Interop

Will County Sheriff's Department Talkgroups

DEC AFS Mode Alpha Tag Description Tag
529 04-021 A Shrf East Sheriff - Dispatch East Law Dispatch
530 04-022 A Shrf West Sheriff - Dispatch West Law Dispatch
531 04-023 A Shrf E C2C Sheriff - Car to Car East Law Tac
532 04-024 A Shrf W C2C Sheriff - Car to Car West Law Tac
533 04-025 A ShrfDetail 1 Sheriff - Detail 1 Law Tac
534 04-026 A ShrfDetail 2 Sheriff - Detail 2 Law Tac
535 04-027 A Shrf Traffic Sheriff - Traffic Law Tac
536 04-030 A Shrf 911 Sheriff - 911 Law Tac
537 04-031 A Shrf 04-031 Sheriff Law Tac
538 04-032 A Shrf 04-032 Sheriff Law Tac
540 04-034 A MANS Squad 1 Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad 1 Law Tac
545 04-041 A Shrf Inv Sheriff - Investigations Law Tac
546 04-042 A Shrf Surv Sheriff - Surveillance Law Tac
547 04-043 A Shrf 04-043 Sheriff Law Tac
561 04-061 A Shrf Admin Sheriff - Admin Law Tac
562 04-062 A Shrf Supvsr Sheriff - Supervisors Law Tac
597 04-105 A Shrf Auxilry Sheriff - Auxillary Deputies Law Tac
1996 15-094 A TG529/530 *P Sheriff - Patch for Dispatch East/West (TG 529 & 530) Fire-Tac



Thanks.

 

[Bullmax]

I don't think you are in id scan mode, you are in just scan mode. Keep pushing the srch button until you see id scan. Then when a transmission comes in you will see the talkgroup id (AFS).

 

[saleen49]

I don't think you are in id scan mode, you are in just scan mode. Keep pushing the srch button until you see id scan. Then when a transmission comes in you will see the talkgroup id (AFS).

SRCH sends the unit to scan. The display reads TRUNKM E BANK1--45
PVT
I have bank 4 set to ED and bank 5 to a Motorola Type 2 system.

I am unable to get id scan to show up.

Thanks

 

[Bullmax]

Keep pushing the srch button and see if you can get to the id scan.

 

[saleen49]

Keep pushing the srch button and see if you can get to the id scan.

No luck. Keep in mind I do not have any id's programmed. This is where I am lost. The manual says I must have them in before id srch can be performed. I have all 8 Will County frequencies programmed in order in bank 4, 151-158.TRUNK E. Am I required to enter the AFS numbers for each of the 8 channels?

 

[saleen49]

OK, here is what I figured out. I entered a hand full of group id's that i thought would interested me most in the 4-1 and up bank. I went to id scan and turned it "on." Now it is showing the talk id's, even some that I did not enter, everytime a group is keyed.

 

[Bullmax]

This is where you need to press srch until you see the id scan scrolling across the screen and not just scan.

 

[saleen49]

FYI: I found a great thread on this site regarding a problem I was having with my BCT8. The issue was limiting my radio's capability of receiving audio on Trunked systems. The bottom panel has to be removed to access a tuning pot located on the green board. I guess the speaker magnet from the BCT8causes the radio to become out of tune overtime. Tuning the pot screw clockwise fixed a problem I was having with gargled audio. As a result, my radio pulls in Trunked channels much better too.

 

[saleen49]

This is where you need to press srch until you see the id scan scrolling across the screen and not just scan.

FYI, LIST has to be enabled in order to scan in id scan mode.

My display is now showing:

TRUNK E LIST
PVT
id SCAN

 

[JamesT1950]

BCT8 Reading Data From Scanner

I just purchased a BCT8 scanner and have it hooked to my PC. I am able to take virtual control of the scanner with my PC so I assume everything is hooked up right on that end. When I read data from scanner, I am able to select what I want it to read and it goes through the reading process. Once the reading is complete, the read screen disappears but no data shows up on my computer screen in the different banks.

I really don't understand all there is to know but was wondering why I am not seeing the data it read. If I try to exit, I am asked if I want to save the data.

Am I missing or forgetting a step?

TIA,
Jim