Bearcat BC355N ability to enter frequency directly?

[videobruce]

I've read the manual thru (dated 2012) and don't see a way to manually enter a frequency into this so called"Private" bank (that should of been labeled "Custom".)
One has to scan thru the pre-programmed frequencies and then choose one of them as far as I can see.

It's NOT mine, I'm doing this for a Amateur operator friend, since he isn't the greatest in the programming department (not that I excel in it either, but this model looks like a real POS).
What makes it worse, there is no Railroad band frequencies, but there is a "CB" band , both make this useless AFAIC.

Anyone familiar with this "oddball" scanner??

 

[videobruce]

Correction, the model should be BC-355N.

 

[K7MFC]

I had one of these in my old ‘98 GMC truck - it fit nicely in the slot where the factory CD player would go! It was a PITA to program. If I’m remembering correctly the only way to enter the frequency to program was selecting the band, and manually pressing up or down to find the desired frequency. The upside to this radio was that it was stupid simple to operate once programmed as desired, especially while driving. It was great for having a simple radio dedicated for a handful of analog stations (mainly USFS and rural fire depts) that I wanted to monitor when off roading and camping. I’d really only ever turn it on/off and hold on a channel.

 

[K9KLC]

I had one of these in my old ‘98 GMC truck - it fit nicely in the slot where the factory CD player would go! It was a PITA to program. If I’m remembering correctly the only way to enter the frequency to program was selecting the band, and manually pressing up or down to find the desired frequency. The upside to this radio was that it was stupid simple to operate once programmed as desired, especially while driving. It was great for having a simple radio dedicated for a handful of analog stations (mainly USFS and rural fire depts) that I wanted to monitor when off roading and camping. I’d really only ever turn it on/off and hold on a channel.

I also had one in the 90s, and that's how I remember it also. I had a customer come in and want it and honestly couldn't sell it quick enough.

Good luck helping your buddy out.

 

[videobruce]

It didn't dawn on me, which SHOULD of been obvious is the fact there isn't a keypad ! That makes it useless AFAIC ! I'd bet they surely didn't sell many.

He has three of these (believe it or not) and the ironic part, he has 2 Icom IC 2730's that have business band capability and a dual tuner setup with Amateur frequencies in one tuner, and commercial/business in the other. Which is the way I have mine setup.

The manual is dated 2012, you mentioned the "90's".

 

[wtp]

BC-355N

25-54 / 108-174 / 406-512 / 806-956 MHz

AM / FM / NFM

2012

300 channels

2012.

 

[videobruce]

That's the date I have, so much for the "90's"

This guy has 3 of these no less, I suggested selling them but he claimed the fact he had them installed, he didn't want to loose out there. Like you can't put something else there.

 

[K9KLC]

The manual is dated 2012, you mentioned the "90's".

May have been the BC350 I had in the late 90s, All I know is I couldn't wait to get rid of it. It looked "similar" and had the same stupid no keyboard for direct entry layout.

 

[K9KLC]

It didn't dawn on me, which SHOULD of been obvious is the fact there isn't a keypad ! That makes it useless AFAIC ! I'd bet they surely didn't sell many.

He has three of these (believe it or not) and the ironic part, he has 2 Icom IC 2730's that have business band capability and a dual tuner setup with Amateur frequencies in one tuner, and commercial/business in the other. Which is the way I have mine setup.

The manual is dated 2012, you mentioned the "90's".

Ya sorry for my confusion, at 70 it happens, I only gave it a quick glance. It was the BC-350 I had.

RigPix Database - Bearcat/Uniden - BC-350A

 

[mule1075]

I've read the manual thru (dated 2012) and don't see a way to manually enter a frequency into this so called"Private" bank (that should of been labeled "Custom".)
One has to scan thru the pre-programmed frequencies and then choose one of them as far as I can see.

It's NOT mine, I'm doing this for a Amateur operator friend, since he isn't the greatest in the programming department (not that I excel in it either, but this model looks like a real POS).
What makes it worse, there is no Railroad band frequencies, but there is a "CB" band , both make this useless AFAIC.

Anyone familiar with this "oddball" scanner??

Not a oddball at all. This style has been around forever. Radio Shack had a clone years ago I believe the model number was 2038

 

[videobruce]

More like a "no" ball. Useless POS, this doesn't have all the assigned Marine frequencies including the more used ones and there doesn't appear to be anything one can do to 'fix' it.
Of course NOT having the 90+ Railroad frequencies is a HUGE non starter AFAIC! But it has the archaic "CB" band (but no SSB). And 10 meters; no SSB either.

 

[W1DRL]

I've read the manual thru (dated 2012) and don't see a way to manually enter a frequency into this so called"Private" bank (that should of been labeled "Custom".)
One has to scan thru the pre-programmed frequencies and then choose one of them as far as I can see.

It's NOT mine, I'm doing this for a Amateur operator friend, since he isn't the greatest in the programming department (not that I excel in it either, but this model looks like a real POS).
What makes it worse, there is no Railroad band frequencies, but there is a "CB" band , both make this useless AFAIC.

Anyone familiar with this "oddball" scanner??

Hit HOLD to stop scanning, then SEARCH, then BAND to select the range of frequencies that your frequency is in, the scanner then starts searching the selected band. When it is near the frequency you want to store hit HOLD and use the up or down keys until the frequency you want is displayed. Then hit PROG, PRIVATE, PROG.
The frequency should now be stored in your private bank.
Good luck

 

[videobruce]

Thanks, I will tell him.
All of that just because someone didn't want to include a keypad.

Just think all these toy cell phones w/o a keypad.