Help with programming & ops on Uniden BCD396XT

[spectr17]

I'm still trying to sort this Uniden BCD396XT out, been using scanners since the crystal days in the 70s but these new ones are intense. I've read the manual and the clarified ops info here and it's still a mess for me. Right now I just need a couple tips on a few ops.

1. I scan San Bernardino Sheriff and Redlands PD from a download from here in a bank, I lockout a lot of the channels I don't want like animal control, Chino Airport etc. How do I unlock them to hear them?

2. I'd like to set up several banks like Fire, San Berdoo Sheriff & Redlands, Military. How do I turn on and off each bank? Is there an easier way to sort the banks out?

Thanks.

[jaspence]

First of all, you have to forget the idea of banks and think systems. The GRE/RS scanners have a look and feel that is more like you are used to in older scanners, but they are no longer referred to as banks. For the Uniden scanner, you have to think of systems and startup keys. Anything you want to hear at the same session has to have the same startup key, numbered 0 through 9. Once you have assigned your systems a key, then each lower level group is assigned a Quick Key. This allows you to turn them on or off to select what you hear. Finally, if you use the lockout when monitoring, it will temporarily silence that talkgroup or frequency. The next time you turn the scanner on, all lockouts will clear. I have both the BCD396XT and the RS Pro 106, and find the 106 much easier to understand and program. The biggest advantage of the Uniden is the size.

[W8RMH]

Easier to Read BCD396XT Digital Scanner Manual
.

[spectr17]

So I would need to download all the systems I want and then assign them a start up key right. I see I have the choice of 0-9 for start up keys. I have local systems I want to monitor, LA systems, Fire systems, and some special ones. Would I make each on their own start up key? Local =1, LA =2, Fire =3 etc? This can be done with my Freescan software right? Can I mix conventional and trunked in one start up key or do I need to keep them separate?

Sorry if these are basic questions but I've fiddled with this scanner for hours and still cannot figure out how to set it up like I want and make it play. Thanks

Originally Posted by W8RMH

Easier to Read BCD396XT Digital Scanner Manual
.

Thanks but as I mentioned I've already read that and several others, several times each. Might as well be Chinese Algebra. Instead of 20 pages of info that just blends together after 5 mins a simple "How Do I?" FAQs would work out a lot better for newbies. KISS applies here.

[W8RMH]

After you download to Freescan assign a system quick key (SQK) to everything. There are 100 quick keys available, not 10. For two digit keys press . first.

I have over 65 systems programmed. Download one at a time to Freescan, assign a SQK, edit to taste, and upload to the scanner. Build you scanner's database slowly. It will take a little time. Don't get discouraged by the manual. Half of this scanners features you will probably never even use.

You can also post in the California forum as maybe someone already has a file for your area of interest that they will share with you.

Yes you can mix conventional and trunked in one quick key.

Use the index at the top of the manual's page to locate the subject you need.

Example - My set up:

SQK 1 - Police Zone 1
SQK 2 - Police Zone 2
SQK 3 - Police Zone 3
SQK 4 - Police Zone 4
SQK 5 - Police Zone 5
SQK 6 - County Police
SQK 7 - County Fire
SQK 8 - Grove City TRS
SQK 9 - Hospitals / Medics
Each hospital within System 9 is assigned to a GQK (Group Quick Key) Easy to lock/unlock individulal hospitals.
GQK 1 - Mt. Carmel Medical Center
GQK 2 - Grant Medical Center
GQK 3 - Ohio State University Hospital
GQK 4 - Riverside Methodist
etc, etc.

SQK 10 - Local Conventional
SQK 11 - Special Events
SQK 12 - Police Ops
etc, etc.

Modern scanners are very sophisticated. If you don't make an effort to learn about it you might as well sell it and use a smart phone or PC to monitor the live feeds.

[spectr17]

Thank you Richard for your help.

I found the SQK that has the 100 settings. Working on the SQKs now for a system I downloaded.

One question. The sheriff I want to listen to I want only a couple talk group IDs and there are more than 20. How do I assign the group IDs want to listen to? Do I block out all the others out using L/O? It's not making sense on how to select the SQT and then how to assign the TGIDs I want to listen to.

What is frustrating is I've written webpages for years so I'm fairly computer literate. I've tuned and programmed radios for 4 decades. I can usually stumble around a manual and click on enough links to finally figure something out on my own. This whole thing is not intuitive at all, it's a freaking train wreck. I re-read the EASIER TO UNDERSTAND manual again and it's just more confusion. The writer talks about SQKs and how he assigned them and then shows several SQKs with the same number assigned to them. WTH?

Most people can get everything they scan into the scanner. I like to scan by general interest so I set my system quick keys accordingly; 1-Public Safety systems, 1-Trunked PS systems, 2-Air, 2-Air Trunked systems, 3-Military, 3 Military Trunked systems, 4-Federal, etc. Then I will nest my groups (ex: Fire, Police, EMS) within the conventional systems, (Fire IDs, Police IDs, EMS ID within trunked systems) and give them all group quick keys.

I'll try more tomorrow, this mess just makes my head hurt.

[Ozscan652]

Hi Guys.. here in Australia we have an 'tweaked' model of your BCD396XT handheld - its called the UBCD396XT - pretty much the same as yours but with full 800Mhz range.. any way - long story short - I have a blog site that may also be of help to those who use a BCD396XT and BCD996XT scanner..
Its designed for the Australian UBCD396XT - but as most of the operation is identical to the US Versin - some may find it useful.
Search Google for 'Ozscan Instructions' or click this link if it will work! Ozscan - Uniden UBCD396XT Instructions
Jim.

[W8RMH]

I program every talk group then lock out the ones I don't need to hear all the time. That way I have them in case an incident is assigned or moved to that talk group.

I have other counties programmed in and I assign everything in that county to one quick key which makes it easy to select when I am in that area.

You can assign numerous systems to one quick key if you wish. This is the improvement, and flexibility, over the old bank systems. You can even assign a quick key to a search.

I usually monitor fire dispatch. If something interesting or big is dispatched I can press a button or two and switch to the area of that call, be it police, fire, sheriff, etc.

If you try to read the manual straight through each time it can get confusing. I just use it as a reference source and I learn something new every day.

[cronst10]

spectra17, you can set a number tag to each talk group ID, you can find it in the edit group and then go to edit channel. You can even name the talk group also.

[ka3jjz]

This article has numerous links to help you along- the Easier to Read manuals are all linked at the bottom. Don't even think of trying to use the Uniden mess.

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

HTH...Mike

[cronst10]

Thanks Mike, took for granted he may have seen the easier manuals. It should clear up some of the confusion he is having.

[spectr17]

Thanks everyone. This link finally made some sense.

Scanner Programming

[KSDeputy]

BCD396XLT, I read the easy manual, wow. If that is easy, I hate to see the difficult one. I had problems programming my BC250 portable. This new scanner may be beyond my capabilities. I have to have one, however, because both SN & DG counties in KS are going digital before too long.