BearCat BC895XLT

[MongooseST3]

I am a novice scanner enthusiast who has inherited a Bearcat BC895XLT. I would like to get information to properly program it to frequencies I would like to hear. In addition I noticed a port in the rear for what seems to be a co-axial connection for an extended range antenna. Where do i go to get the necessary components to have an extended range antenna?

What is "TRUNKTRACKER" and the fundamental action and uses of this feature.

I notice that I only get 1 side of a conversation when listening to any frequency that the scanner locks onto. How do I get BOTH sides of a properly "scanned" frequency?

 

[jastx]

I have used one of these units for several years and am still pleased with it.

A copy of the owners manual can be obtained at this link: http://www.uniden.com/pdf/BC895XLTom.pdf.

Happy scanning!

 

[DaveH]

There is no built-in antenna. The BNC jack on the rear is to connect to ANY antenna. If you are receiving things without one, it is because you are very close to the source.

RadioShack is one source of scanner antennas. You can get telescoping antennas that work with handheld scanners but have a right-angle bend, or you can get a straight one and buy a right-angle BNC adaptor for a few dollars. Just attach it to the back of the radio. For longer range, you will need an outdoor antenna.

Perhaps you can tell us what you are trying to, or interested in hearing.

Awhile back, someone was looking for a PDF version of the 895 manual. It could not be found on the Uniden website, where other user manuals can be downloaded. Sadly, other sources on the net want to charge for a download. Ask around, somebody may have one they are willing to share.

Dave

 

[DaveH]

It could not be found on the Uniden website, where other user manuals can be downloaded.
Dave

I stand corrected, it is there now, where John's link points to.

Dave

 

[ka3jjz]

What is "TRUNKTRACKER" and the fundamental action and uses of this feature.

It will pay to read the trunking FAQs that are on this board; but here it is, heavily oversimplified; many regions are now moving off conventional frequencies because of overcrowding and interference problems. Trunking - where users share a set of frequencies - helps to alleviate that condition. In a trunking scenario, a user or a group of users is assigned a unique ID (commonly referred to as a talkgroup) that is then moved around the assigned frequencies within that system. Thus, many users can share the same set of frequencies without stepping on one another.

Trunktracking is the ability of a scanner to follow these users on a trunked system. The 895 can only follow a system that was installed by Motorola (there are others) and works in the 800 Mhz band. There are other newer models that can follow trunked users in other bands, and using other protocols.

You didn't say anything about where you are (city/state will do); you should check the RR database on this board to see if your area uses such a system. If it mentions APCO25, Pro-Voice or IMBE encoding anywhere within the entry, the 895 will not be able to handle it. Neither will it be able to follow the system if it is any other band besides 800 Mhz.

73s for now...Mike