Mid December I got back into scanning with the 996XT (and later the T15X and 396XT). I can say it was a serious paradigm change learning the new dynamic memory allocation system with quick keys etc.
You really have to understand the difference between system quick keys and group quick keys.
I recommend you start really simple. use the arc xt software to erase everything in your scanner.
Use your software to make a new system with 5-10 active conventional frequencies. assign that system a quick key of 1 or 2. now distribute those 5-10 frequencies across 3 or so group quick keys.
load this single system into your empty scanner and learn to turn the whole system on and off with the system quick key, and also learn to turn off parts of that system with the group quick keys.
once you master the 2 different types of quick keys, you can try a trunked system. especially a trunk system with multiple sites that have different frequency arrangements, but the same talkgroup id lists. you would use system quick keys for trunked sites, and group quick keys for diffrent agencies or whatever in the talgroup id list.
bottom line is that it takes time to come up to speed with this new (new to us, its been around for 5 or so years now!) memory allocation methodology. start simple and learn the concepts and then take it from there.
I don't have any systems in my scanners that aren't controlled by a system quick key. it is my understanding that if systems are loaded without a quick key (1-99) that they need to be controlled by the lockout mechanism, which I really don't like because its not straightforward to get to systems that don't have quick keys to lockout, unlockout them.
i hope you have luck mastering the use of quick keys with a simple test system of conventional frequencies as I've explained above.
if you haven't found the easier to read manual yet, google "bcd396xt easier to read manual". Way better than the uniden provided confuser.
kbehning