BCT15X New User

[ILtriker]

Back in the early nineties I bought an 800XLT scanner and had a lot of fun with it. A few weeks ago I came across it and played around with it again and then decided to buy a BCT15X. The day that I got it I programmed in my local police and fire. Much better reception than the old one and of course many more features.

I've just been manually programming it and I find that doing the programming manually is kind of fun. I was wondering though if I'm missing out by not hooking it up to a computer and using one of the software applications that work with the scanner and this site to utilize the scanner.

I've looked at the software in the wiki here but when they talk about using the software some of it goes over my head because I'm still learning the terminology.

If it makes any difference I'm planning on using the scanner to listen to fire, police and aviation.

Thanks for any direction that you may give me.

Jon

 

[W8RMH]

I think that scanner is the best base/mobile analog ever made. I had one until my area started to go digital. Programming software does make things easier and faster and may be needed if you have to program rebanding tables for a trunked system as I don't think this can be done manually.

Below is a link to an Easier to Read Manual if you haven't already seen it.

Easier to Read BCT15-X Scanner Manual

 

[scottkrueger]

The 15x was my first upgrade from an old bearcat scanner I got when I was a kid. I now use an hp1 which works really well for me in my area. I used FREESCAN to program my 15x it made programming very easy. Check it out it's free to download couldn't hurt..good luck

 

[Ryangn]

I agree on using FreeSCAN. It's what I use to program my radios and it is very easy to use. Here is the link.

https://sites.google.com/site/sixspotsoftware/downloads

 

[ILtriker]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm going to try out Freescan and see how that works with what I'm doing.

I had already been using the easier to read manual. I actually found that on this site before I bought the scanner. That made programming the scanner pretty easy. I program phone systems for a living and although there's no similarity there is a way of thinking that is similar.

 

[ILtriker]

FreeSCAN is really cool and fun to use. Thank you so much for suggesting I use it. I'm glad that I did some programming manually because it forced me to learn some things that otherwise would have taken me longer to learn. But now I can just import from RR and then load onto my scanner in a micro fraction of the time that it would have taken me to manually program. The scanner GUI control is very cool as well.

One question though that I haven't figured out or read anywhere. Is there a way to save the options in the import screen for things like filter out digital channels? Every time I go to import something I have to remember to check that so that I don't get channels that are digital.

Thanks again!!!

 

[W8RMH]

A little tip for making it easier to operate your scanner when using Quick Keys.

Include the quick key number in the alpha tags for your systems/sites and groups. Then you can tell with a glance at the display which QKs to disable/enable.

You can also go to Menu>Program Systems and scroll down through your systems to see which QK is assigned to which system/site.

This really helps when you have over 100 systems as I do.

 

[Ryangn]

Include the quick key number in the alpha tags for your systems/sites and groups. Then you can tell with a glance at the display which QKs to disable/enable..

That is a great idea! I can't believe I have not thought of something like that. I know what I will be doing today. Thanks for the tip.

One question though that I haven't figured out or read anywhere. Is there a way to save the options in the import screen for things like filter out digital channels? Every time I go to import something I have to remember to check that so that I don't get channels that are digital.

I don't know of an option anywhere for that. I don't import direct from RR. If you need help with FreeSCAN you should go to the software forum - lots of info there. Scanner Programming Software - The RadioReference.com Forums I'm glad you like it and good luck!

 

[N8IAA]

FreeSCAN is really cool and fun to use. Thank you so much for suggesting I use it. I'm glad that I did some programming manually because it forced me to learn some things that otherwise would have taken me longer to learn. But now I can just import from RR and then load onto my scanner in a micro fraction of the time that it would have taken me to manually program. The scanner GUI control is very cool as well.

One question though that I haven't figured out or read anywhere. Is there a way to save the options in the import screen for things like filter out digital channels? Every time I go to import something I have to remember to check that so that I don't get channels that are digital.

Thanks again!!!

FreeScan won't allow any P-25 digital frequencies or trunk systems to be programmed into the scanner. You can manually program them, but will hear nothing but digital noise.
Larry

 

[Voyager]

FreeScan won't allow any P-25 digital frequencies or trunk systems to be programmed into the scanner. You can manually program them, but will hear nothing but digital noise.
Larry

Where did you get that? I've been using FreeScan with P25 systems (trunked and conventional) for many years without issue.

Sounds like you selected ANALOG ONLY on the audio options.

 

[ka3jjz]

That behavior can be shown if you select 'Dont send digital channels to an analog scanner' on the upload form...Mike

 

[ILtriker]

That behavior can be shown if you select 'Dont send digital channels to an analog scanner' on the upload form...Mike

Yes. My question was can that setting be saved so that I don't have to remember to check it each time I upload?

 

[ILtriker]

Where did you get that? I've been using FreeScan with P25 systems (trunked and conventional) for many years without issue.

Sounds like you selected ANALOG ONLY on the audio options.

I believe he meant that Freescan won't send the digital channels to my particular scanner. The BCT15X is analog only.

 

[Voyager]

I believe he meant that Freescan won't send the digital channels to my particular scanner. The BCT15X is analog only.

Yea - I caught that after I posted, but thanks for the reminder.

 

[ILtriker]

A little tip for making it easier to operate your scanner when using Quick Keys.

Include the quick key number in the alpha tags for your systems/sites and groups. Then you can tell with a glance at the display which QKs to disable/enable.

You can also go to Menu>Program Systems and scroll down through your systems to see which QK is assigned to which system/site.

This really helps when you have over 100 systems as I do.

Please excuse the ignorance as I'm still learning but I can't figure out where alpha tags are entered. I'm sure it is something stupid that I'm overlooking.

 

[Voyager]

If you're still talking about FreeScan, they are entered to the immediate LEFT of the frequency/TG column. The Alpha Tag column is labeled DISPLAY.