New 396XT user. Lesson(s) learned so far.

[DaveeCom]

Hi,

I posted a few months back about wanting to get a trunking radio. It was suggested that I wait until the new models come out from Uniden. I did wait for months and now I just bought a BCD396XT. I'm really glad I waited for it.

I've only had it since Friday. I've already gone to bed with the radio in my hand because I don't want to sleep...but I was too tired to stay up and play with the fun radio all night long.

This is my scanner # 5. (Previous scanners: Early RS programmable from late '70s; AR1000; ICR8500; AR8200Mk??). And, by far, THEE most complicated thing I think I've ever held in my hand.

****
Okay, here's big lesson I learned about using the scanner, so far.

Problem:

I could not find out how to start the Band Scope. I read the sections on the PDF manual over and over and search the PDF file for the word "scope" to see where it talks about activating it.

I was not able to activate the scope using the instructions that told me to press Func+(1,2 or 3) by using the search hotkeys. It resulted in nothing happening. That caused me to think that I wasn't following directions.

Solution:

When I started using my new scanner out of the box, one of the very first things I did was to clear the contents of memory so that I could start learning from scratch. I could always restore it later to use the presets that it came with. But for now I wanted to start with a "clean slate". I thought it would make it easier to learn to program the radio with nothing in memory.

Okay now to the point: By clearing memory, I think I cleared out the default search-hot-key settings too, therefore rendering parts of the user manual useless. I think the manual depends on the state of the radio's memory in order for hotkeys to work as described in the text. It probably *does* warn against this, but I wasn't searching for that kind if information. Now I'm the wiser.

-----
Next big task I'm struggling to learn is how to use the search features. I'm sure I'll be back here asking for help in the future.

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[rvictor]

Yup. That's a bit of a hidden problem which is also evident when one uploads programming with some software which also clears the search key presets.

Here's some instructions regarding the bandscope which I pieced together from various posts and a bit of experimenting. This is the kind of thing that would be nice in a manual (regardless of whether it's printed, CD or Internet). If someone finds an error, please let me know.

========================

Check that the sr3 search key is still set to the default of Bandscope by doing the following:

Menu
Search for ...
Set Search Key
Search Key 3
Band Scope
L/O to return

Then to enter Bandscope:

Hold
Func+sr3 (Should display the bandscope)

To Change Bandscope settings:

Hold
Func + scroll to change the MF (monitored frequency)
Will return to search after a few seconds or press L/O

To access the settings:

press "." to cycle to CF (center frequency), SPN (span), or STP (step)
Scroll in each flashing menu to change settings
Will return to search after a few seconds or press L/O

or

To change CF (center frequency), press "E"
type in the frequency
press "E" again

Press "Scan" to exit bandscope

73
Dick

 

[yotebuster]

Battery charge time?

Can anyone tell me how long I should be charging the batteries in my 396XT? And what should my battery level read after a full charge?

 

[scannersnstuff]

i,along with many other's do not advocate charging batteries inside the scanner.with that being said,if you can afford to,get yourself a nice charger like a maha.get a few set's of nimh batteries.i have many different kind's. i prefer to use delkin 2900 mah myself.they have about the highest ma rating for aa's.remember,even if the battery say's 2900,you're probably not getting 2900,2650,2500 or whatever.after a full charge,my battery indicator on my bcd396xt read's around 4.14.this varies somewhat. i usually get around a 8 or 9 hour duty cycle on those.my psr-500 last's longer.the 500 uses 4 batteries though.shout if i can be of further assistance. note: i just got 4.20 fresh off the charger.

 

[W6KRU]

I have a maha charger but I usually just charge the batteries in the scanner. On my 396T I have to be careful about how long I leave it hooked to the AC adapter. On the 396XT I turned the charge time down to 4 hours. That does not put a full charge on the batteries if they were drained but I can leave it connected for long periods of time with out cooking the AAs. Right now the XT has been hooked to the adapter all day and it is at 4.07 volts. It will stay at that level until I disconnect the adapter. After the charge time elapses the adapter gets throttled back by the charging circuit. I would really prefer a smarter charging circuit that monitors battery voltage instead of the elapsed time but the XT is an improvement over the T in the charging area.

 

[yotebuster]

Thanks for the info guys I do appreciate it.

 

[UPMan]

Voltage level doesn't indicate charge level accurately enough to be useful for charge cut-off.