Post your ARC file and I can take a look at it.
Official BCT-15 Post Release Thread
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Eng74
Member
Found the problem. It was software user problem!
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Eng74 said:
I kinda knew that and thats why I wanted to take a look at your file
nechronius
Member
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- Dec 12, 2006
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A couple of stupid questions from a scanner newbie so forgive my ignorance.
How well does the BCT15 work with the OEM retractable antenna? I seem to recall that those types of antennas won't work with CB radios, so why would it be better for a scanner that also covers the CB frequencies?
If one can assume that the factory telescoping antenna works reasonably well with the scanner, then how about rigging the BCT15 to a dedicated car antenna that retracts, or is that a completely insane idea?
I've owned a BCT7 for a few years much but I never really used it much except to occasionally listen to radio traffic and recently I dusted it off and brought it with me on a 300 mile drive. Yesterday I actually heard police radio chatter about the chaos that a wrong way driver wreaked on a local interstate. It was an interesting drama unfolding as the police were trying to catch up with this maniac. They never found him/her/them but as I lost reception they seemed to believe that one car on its roof was the culprit. Now I'm hooked again and am itching to upgrade.
How well does the BCT15 work with the OEM retractable antenna? I seem to recall that those types of antennas won't work with CB radios, so why would it be better for a scanner that also covers the CB frequencies?
If one can assume that the factory telescoping antenna works reasonably well with the scanner, then how about rigging the BCT15 to a dedicated car antenna that retracts, or is that a completely insane idea?
I've owned a BCT7 for a few years much but I never really used it much except to occasionally listen to radio traffic and recently I dusted it off and brought it with me on a 300 mile drive. Yesterday I actually heard police radio chatter about the chaos that a wrong way driver wreaked on a local interstate. It was an interesting drama unfolding as the police were trying to catch up with this maniac. They never found him/her/them but as I lost reception they seemed to believe that one car on its roof was the culprit. Now I'm hooked again and am itching to upgrade.
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nechronius said:
Considering a CB antenna should be about ten times longer than the supplied scanner antenna, don't expect it to work well. In fact, don't expect any scanner to work well with CB period. Although many scanners are capable of receiving CB, it is not their strong point, and they are not optimized for that band. CB is at the bottom of the spectrum for a scanner that has that ability, so performance will be less than optimal. The scanner-to-car radio antenna couplers do not work well either. Plan on buying a good mobile scanner antenna if you want any degree of performance.
The Uniden BCT15 is an excellent scanner!
K9GTJ
Member
nechronius said:
The OEM antenna is poor due to its poor connector. I cannot say anything about performance since it the connector is so poor you cannot even get it on the radio.
Attaching it to a car antenna would work but not be optimal nor would a CB antenna. You generally need something better tuned for scanner use and neither of those options serves that purpose.
If you are planning on mobile use, get a mag mount. I like this little Valor and use it often. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/1190.html (It has stayed on at 80 MPH highway speeds too.) Of course you can permanent mount an antenna if you are committed to the hobby and your vehicle.
Honestly, I wouldn’t get a BCT15 for a (first) scanner. (It really is your first modern trunking scanner.) I would instead get the BR330T. http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/BR330T Don’t be fooled by the NASCAR logo or term “racing scanner” as it is a full feature scanner for anything but digital scanning. It is a very solid performer and naturally portable to use anywhere (and works great with that little Valor antenna mentioned above).
Of course the BCT15 is a great scanner and I will only get rid of mine when it dies or I can afford another BCD996T.
kokomo1 said:
Why not? Its no harder to learn to use then the 330 would be.
K9GTJ
Member
Dubbin said:
Not harder (or easier). I just think a hand held is way more convienient to use just about anywhere.
Eng74
Member
I would think it would be easier for someone who has not had a "bank scanner" to use any of the dynamic memory. They are starting out with the system and do not have the old ways messing them up.
kokomo1 said:
Well of course it is but thats no reason to recommend against a base/mobile scanner for a first time user.
nechronius
Member
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- Dec 12, 2006
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I appreciate all of the advice from the forum. One big reason for the BCT15 is that I am planning on installing the unit into a DIN location in my car. And while I do acknowledge that a proper dedicated antenna would be ideal, I'll probably end up hacking the car and installing a second retractable antenna opposite the original to dedicate to the scanner.
I considered purchasing a portable scanner like the 330, and it certainly would be much more usable, but that will have to come later.
I considered purchasing a portable scanner like the 330, and it certainly would be much more usable, but that will have to come later.
BCT15 Display Problem? Lost Amber Backlight...
Hello All,
I just got my BCT15 and its awesome.. I have several systems in it and it works easily with the ARC15 software.
Only Problem: When I first was using the background display (amber/orange) worked well....and then it just stopped working...thought it timed out. But now I can't get the display background to come back on. Maybe I turned it off somehow?? Not sure..I want it to come on and stay on..
Any suggestions of what to try?
Thanks,
Rich
Hello All,
I just got my BCT15 and its awesome.. I have several systems in it and it works easily with the ARC15 software.
Only Problem: When I first was using the background display (amber/orange) worked well....and then it just stopped working...thought it timed out. But now I can't get the display background to come back on. Maybe I turned it off somehow?? Not sure..I want it to come on and stay on..
Any suggestions of what to try?
Thanks,
Rich
jsikora
Member
Help !!
OK. I recieved my new unit today (BCT15). I attempted to program this by hand, then downloaded and purchased the software for it. I have added 3 different systems but cannot seem to get them to scan by themselfs. I also added one trunking system but can't seem to find it. Is there a way to shut the "state" scan off (or delete the entire thing). I have had lots of other scanners, but this one has me totaly confused.
Any help would be great. JAS
UPDATE - -- Got the unit to scan "home" - my freqs only, but still cannot find my edacs group. I have searched every where but cannot find it.
OK. I recieved my new unit today (BCT15). I attempted to program this by hand, then downloaded and purchased the software for it. I have added 3 different systems but cannot seem to get them to scan by themselfs. I also added one trunking system but can't seem to find it. Is there a way to shut the "state" scan off (or delete the entire thing). I have had lots of other scanners, but this one has me totaly confused.
Any help would be great. JAS
UPDATE - -- Got the unit to scan "home" - my freqs only, but still cannot find my edacs group. I have searched every where but cannot find it.
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Actually, to turn off state scan, turn off BT/LP/HP/DT (the two top buttons to the right of the display toggle these). Locking them all out would be quite tedious.
lipton112
Member
Does it make a "big" difference if you get the software for the BCT-15 so you could hook it up to your computer?
lipton112 said:
No it doesn't make a big difference, it makes a HUGE difference and a much more enjoyable experience.
lipton112
Member
Is therre any way you could give me some brief features included in the software?
lipton112 said:
That depends on what software you are talking about.
Butel http://www.butel.nl/
ScanControl http://www.scannersoft.com/
Uniden http://www.unidendirect.com/itemdetail.cfm?item=BCT15UASD&tabid=1 (doesn't really tell what it does)
Basically, both ARC and UASD allow you to program all functions and features of the scanner and remotely control the scanner using the PC. ARC also allows direct import from the database on this site. Both also will capture call logs.
The primary use for most people is the programming features, as this makes entering a lot of channels much easier than using the radio interface.
The primary use for most people is the programming features, as this makes entering a lot of channels much easier than using the radio interface.
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