New to scanners

[Dominic1972]

Hi I have a uniden bct15x.my question is how do I do a factory reset? I don't know a whole lot,I'm willing to learn.i mainly want to hear emergency services.police,emt,fire,forest,weather. Any help setting this thing up would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ka3aaa]

Your not going to hear very much with an anolgue scanner which is what you have now. I would recommend that you purchase a digital scanner as most public service communications etc have gone digital and sometimes encrypted.

You didnt say where you live and if you download the scanner manual you will find out how to reset the scanner.

 

[W8RMH]

Depending on what systems are in use in your area, if conventional or analog, that scanner will work. Click on Databases at the top of this page and search your state and county. Anything listed as P25, DMR, 'D' mode in the mode column is digital requiring a digital scanner like the BCD996XT/P.

To do a reset, start with the scanner turned off, Hold down the '2', '9', and 'HOLD' buttons while turning the scanner on. This will erase any current programming and restore the scanner to its new out-of-the-box state. Below are some pages with links to help you out as well:

Freescan software to program and control the scanner with a computer: FreeSCAN - Sixspot Software

Easier to Read BCT15-X Scanner Manual

BCT15X - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[Dominic1972]

Ka3aaa I live in la county california.w8rmh I will look into what systems are in my area.thank you very much for explaining system reset.thank you for the links as well.i need all the help I can get since I'm New with scanners.also interested in using the weather capabilities of the unit as well.how dol I go about that with the gps?

 

[wtp]

dom

check for a personal message.
up by the welcome box.

 

[Soundman]

Here Buddy this will help you figer out what scanner you need View and Compare Your Police Scanner Options | Scanner Master

 

[Renetti]

Got a BCD436HP with DMR/Moto update and need help programming P25 trunked channels if anyone is intrested. I can pay..lol

 

[hiegtx]

Ka3aaa I live in la county california.w8rmh I will look into what systems are in my area.thank you very much for explaining system reset.thank you for the links as well.i need all the help I can get since I'm New with scanners.also interested in using the weather capabilities of the unit as well.how dol I go about that with the gps?

For Los Angeles County, check the database page.

Frequencies that are tagged as FM or FMN are analog ones that your scanner can receive. Anything marked as P25 or DMR, no, not receivable with your scanner.

For LA itself, most of the law enforcement frequencies are digital (P25), which the BCT15X cannot decode. Fire is indicated as still analog (FM).

Some of the other cities are on digital trunked systems (not receivable with your scanner) or are P25 (digital) conventional frequencies (not in a trunked system). I see a few tagged as encrypted, which no scanner can receive.

If you want more specific information about your area, you may want to ask that your thread be moved to the California State Forum, where someone local could give you more specific assistance. To do that, do not create a new thread. Instead, click on the red outlined triangle in the upper right corner of your original post, and request that a moderator move your thread to the state forum. Someone in the area would be more likely to see it there.