Finding new BCT-15 Confusing.....Help!

[alosa]

New member to this very informative forum, decided to get back into the scanning scene, has been a while( used to "channels" & "banks") while reading your many reviews on the BCT-15 was very impressed with the new technology and thouhgt I was up to the challenge? boy, was I wrong, am sooo lost, cannot get my head around the programming, I would be so greatful if someone had the patience or a idea to get me "jump started" on this scanner, am comfortable with the computer, looking for a possible simple version to begin programming(if there is such a thing), have downloaded Uniden demo software. My location is Sarnia, Ontario. Is there hope????? any suggestions etc. would be so appreciated. Thanking you in advance

 

[mciupa]

Hi alosa , welcome to RadioReference.

I'm guessing that trunktracking is bogging you down.
Which system(s) are you interested in monitoring ?
Have a look at the Ontario Trunking Database , then we can point you in the right direction.
I think there are some Sarnia residents that are members of this forum and could walk you through your difficulties.

 

[tomandnic]

Is Sarnia PD Digital? I thought i remember somebody saying that, but I dont know for sure.
Does the BCT15 include the programming cable?? Sorry I only have a 996. Anyways if it includes the cable id suggest downloading a trial version of Butel.

Another member on here who is in your area may send you thier Sarnia file to upload to the scanner as well, but again that will need the cable.

If it doesnt include the cable then sorry not much I can help with.

 

[alosa]

Bct-15

Thank you Tomandnic & mciupa for your response, I am experiencing a cable problem,ordered a replacement, Sarnia PD is digital, however am interested in various local frequencies, would like to hear from someone in my area. These forums are a real asset to newbies like myself, keep up the good work, never know down the road I may be able to contribute

 

[TIZ6]

alosa, I had the same problem a few years ago when I got my first trunk tracking scanner. You really need to hook up with someone in your area and get an in person overview of how it works. Not to say it isn't something you can't sit down and sort through with the manual, but scanner manuals are invariably poorly written. And the software manual also assumes some prior knowledge. Someone in your area can probably get you on the fast track. Once you are comfortable with this way of doing things you'll never want to manually punch in 200 conventional frequencies ever again.

 

[alosa]

TIZ6, you are so right about hooking up with someone in my area to explain the finer points, reading the manual can be so confusing at times, will keep my post open and hope someone in my area ( Sarnia) will contact me. Sure is nice to have sites like this to seek help. Thank you for your response.

 

[TIZ6]

Can I ask, have you downloaded and installed the software from Butel for your scanner?

ARC15 is not just a luxury... you pretty well need it to make the most out of your scanner. It interfaces with the DB at this site and bombs systems into your scanner so efficiently that you can program your scanner in a matter of minutes once you know what you are doing.

 

[alosa]

Software

Can I ask, have you downloaded and installed the software from Butel for your scanner?

ARC15 is not just a luxury... you pretty well need it to make the most out of your scanner. It interfaces with the DB at this site and bombs systems into your scanner so efficiently that you can program your scanner in a matter of minutes once you know what you are doing.

TIZ6, will be picking up my cable to-day, did download the Uniden software, however from what I am reading here ARC15 sounds the way to go? since my location is Canada where is the best place to purchase ARC15? Thanks for all your help.

 

[TIZ6]

TIZ6, will be picking up my cable to-day, did download the Uniden software, however from what I am reading here ARC15 sounds the way to go? since my location is Canada where is the best place to purchase ARC15? Thanks for all your help.

The Uniden software is nothing to write home about.

Although I've seen retail versions of ARC15 bundled with scanners, I think the best way is to go to butel.nl and download it. You can pay for it online and they give you a registration number that is unique to you.

 

[alosa]

The Uniden software is nothing to write home about.

Although I've seen retail versions of ARC15 bundled with scanners, I think the best way is to go to butel.nl and download it. You can pay for it online and they give you a registration number that is unique to you.

Will order to-day....

 

[FM902]

Will order to-day....

Just bought a BCT15 and having a hard time trying to program it as well...How does the software help out with programming?

 

[alosa]

Bct-15

Just bought a BCT15 and having a hard time trying to program it as well...How does the software help out with programming?

Hello FM 902, I recommend you purchase the ARC15 ( can pick form 3 versions) the basic pkg. works very well. would not recommend trying to program this unit manually, software definately the way to go. Like the feature that you can set up your programming and not be connected to your scanner. Good luck! I'm still learning as well.

 

[mikewazowski]

Keep in mind that it's a good idea to go over the programming manually at some point to learn what the software has done.

Many a time people have posted here after dumping something into their scanner with a program and finding it doesn't work.

Go through the manual and review what the computer has done for you. Once you understand it, it will be easy to spot mistakes in the future.

 

[Lexxx]

Well I hope the BCT-15 isn't any more complicated than the 996T I own, because I'm about to buy this analog scanner for some additional internet streaming.

I read some good advice once on this website about starting off with a new scanner. The poster suggested that the only time you should touch the scanner initially was to connect it to a computer. Only after you have thoroughly mastered programming from the computer should you even think about pressing buttons on the scanner.

The quickest way to complete frustration is to start off by pressing buttons on these modern scanners.

Cheers
Peter
www.ykf.ca