Official Uniden BC246T Scanner Thread

[CZ]

Just received my 246T -- finally.

Is BC246T_UASD_PR3.zip the free Demo-ware version I need to download, how difficult is it to set up, and use? Can find nothing on web about setup/use.
Can the cable be plugged into the Computer & scanner while the computer's on, or do you do all the connections first, then turn the computer on?
-----
W98SE, 256 Mb. RAM, 32 Mb Video Card, DirectX 6.1a, 1 GHz. Athlon Processor.

 

[dlmphotog]

release version of the UASD

Just wondering if anyone has heard when the release version of the UASD software will come out? I have paid for and am using the pre-release version 3. I am getting a bit impatient and would like to get an ideal of the release date.

 

[Voyager]

Comment: so, how can something like what I've done with the 785D be done by hand (or with the Demo-ware) with the 246T? Does a group have to be made for each service? Group1 - Police; Group2 - Fire; Group3 - Madera Sheriff; Group4 - Hospitals and so on?
Can a group be up or downloaded with the Demo-ware with a number after it? Can groups be edited /saved with a word processor, or Windows' 'Notepad'?

Lots of questions in that little paragraph!

You can make a single conventional system with one group in it and put up to 200 channels in it. If you want to assign a quick key to use as bank keys have traditionally been used, you will have to make a system for each key. You can't do that with the demo version - it only allows one conventional system called Conventional.

There are no UL restrictions with the demo.

You can add a number to any system tag, group tag, or channel tag.

You can edit the data files, but it is a little trickey.

Joe M.

 

[CZ]

Ergh.... I'm still not too sure what is being said, been looking the manual over, too.

Alright, lets say I have a 'Conventional' system & all 60 frequencies or so I primarily monitor are in that 'Conventional'; I can't split the frequencies into multiple groups in that 'Conventional' "folder" similar to way they're set in the 785D with the Demo-ware, and would have to do it by hand then?

'Conventional "Folder" ' which would contain:

Group 1 ... City Police
Group 2 ... Fire

and so forth?

 

[Voyager]

(earlier quote: Is BC246T_UASD_PR3.zip the free Demo-ware version I need to download, how difficult is it to set up, and use? Can find nothing on web about setup/use.
Can the cable be plugged into the Computer & scanner while the computer's on, or do you do all the connections first, then turn the computer on?)

Alright, lets say I have a 'Conventional' system & all 60 frequencies or so I primarily monitor are in that 'Conventional'; I can't split the frequencies into multiple groups in that 'Conventional' "folder" similar to way they're set in the 785D with the Demo-ware, and would have to do it by hand then?

'Conventional "Folder" ' which would contain:

Group 1 ... City Police
Group 2 ... Fire

and so forth?

First, the earier quote I missed. It's VERY easy to set up. It's all nearly automatic. You can plug the cable in any time.

Now on to your later quote...

You can divide a system into groups if you want. I'm not sure how the 785D SW works, but from what I hear the UASD is a vast improvement over the previous Uniden SW offerings. I never tried the older SW due to all I heard about it.

Joe M.

 

[CZ]

I've never used software of any sort with the 785D, so that's why I've been trying to get info on Uniden's Demo-ware program for the 246T.

 

[jwpottberg]

Inserting a new channel

Although it's not very elegant, you can use the copy/paste feature of the 246T itself to insert a channel in the field if you don't have too many in a group. Add the channel you want at the end with New Channel, then Copy and Paste all the channels you want after the new channel. When you are done, use the Delete Channel to delete the earlier, copied channels. Works because Paste Channel always adds to the end.

Jim

 

[CZ]

jwpottberg: Can what you've described be done with the Demo-ware, or is that one of the Options blocked off in it?

 

[Voyager]

jwpottberg: Can what you've described be done with the Demo-ware, or is that one of the Options blocked off in it?

First, inserting a channel is easy in the SW. He was describing inserting one without the SW.

The only limitations in the demo are:

* You MUST name your systems one of the four valid names:
LTR, Motorola, EDACS, or Conventional. You can only have ONE of EACH and the name must match the system type.

* Your scanner memory is erased before the upload.

That's it. Other than those, it is fully functional. It is not time limited so you can DL them demo whenever and use it as long as you wish.

Joe M.

 

[CZ]

voyager:

* Your scanner memory is erased before the upload.

Didn't know that! Wonder why? If the upload failed for some reason, you'd be in trouble I'd think.


======
voyager:

You MUST name your systems one of the four valid names:
LTR, Motorola, EDACS, or Conventional. You can only have ONE of EACH and the name must match the system type.

"You Can Have Only One Of Each" ... So with the Demo-ware, I would have to put all Conventional frequencies into one "folder" or can several be used -- one Conventional for Police, one for Fire, & so forth? (Conventional1 = Police, Conventional2 = Fire depending on the Quick key setup?)

 

[Voyager]

voyager:

* Your scanner memory is erased before the upload.

Didn't know that! Wonder why? If the upload failed for some reason, you'd be in trouble I'd think.


======
voyager:

You MUST name your systems one of the four valid names:
LTR, Motorola, EDACS, or Conventional. You can only have ONE of EACH and the name must match the system type.

"You Can Have Only One Of Each" ... So with the Demo-ware, I would have to put all Conventional frequencies into one "folder" or can several be used -- one Conventional for Police, one for Fire, & so forth? (Conventional1 = Police, Conventional2 = Fire depending on the Quick key setup?)

It erases because if it didn't, you could just upload, rename, upload, rename, and effectively bypass the demo restriction.

You would have to put all your conventional frequencies in the system called Conventional. This is not restricted in the full version. Remember, the demo is only supposed to give you an idea of how the SW works, not give you a full program.

Joe M.

 

[jastx]

Ergh.... I'm still not too sure what is being said, been looking the manual over, too.

Alright, lets say I have a 'Conventional' system & all 60 frequencies or so I primarily monitor are in that 'Conventional'; I can't split the frequencies into multiple groups in that 'Conventional' "folder" similar to way they're set in the 785D with the Demo-ware, and would have to do it by hand then?

'Conventional "Folder" ' which would contain:

Group 1 ... City Police
Group 2 ... Fire

and so forth?

As you have found on manual page 53 for conventional systems, you can create groups of channels by hand to make the configuration you want. Each group can be assigned a QuickKey that applies within the system. It is not necessary to create a separate system. I have done this with my scanner by hand and also with some software I am writing for it.

With Uniden's software select the database tab. Double-click on the system you wnat to add a group to, a new window will open. Press the "G" button in the upper left to create a group and the "C" button next to it to add a channel.

Is BC246T_UASD_PR3.zip the free Demo-ware version I need to download, how difficult is it to set up, and use? Can find nothing on web about setup/use.
Can the cable be plugged into the Computer & scanner while the computer's on, or do you do all the connections first, then turn the computer on?

I've plugged serial cables in while devices are powered on for many years without trouble. Others only do so with power off.

You have to enable the port on the scanner. See manual page 48. You must also configure the program. Select Setup/Options from the menu and choose the computer port. The baud rate must also match the one you set on the radio.

 

[CZ]

So..... Even programming by hand, only 1 conventional "folder" is allowed, & all channels have to be put into that.?

---
Pretty pricey, but may have to get Uniden version (don't know if they accept Money Orders) or Butel's -- & find a USA seller that will accept's Money Order's.

=======
Yet another Question

In the Search of the frequencies included with the 246T, how do I find out what the frequencies are :? Found 3 or 4 Conv and a Trunk that are used locally but no idea what freq. is. Just get, for example: Dade Conv West Dade FD.

 

[jastx]

So..... Even programming by hand, only 1 conventional "folder" is allowed, & all channels have to be put into that.?

No! Using the radio: Press Menu. Press E to Program System. Use the rotary knob to select the system you want to add agroup to. Press E. Use the rotary knob to get Edit Group to display. Press E. Use the rotary knob to get New Group to display. Press E. You now have a new group you can add channels to.

Hope this helps.

 

[UPMan]

The demo software does not limit how many channel groups you can store in the allowed systems. The scanner has a limit of 20 channel groups per system, though.

When you d/l the demo software, all of the systems originally loaded into the scanner are also installed. If you want to know what the frequencies/TGID's are, just d/l the demo and look.

 

[cipher66]

UPMAN,

How is beta testing for the new 246T firmware going? Could you possibly elaborate on the fixes, and possibly additions that this update will do to the 246T?

Thanks

 

[kroywen]

" You can only have ONE of EACH and the name must match the system type."
Joe M.

I successfully programmed one conventional and two EDACS systems using the Demo SW.
The systems were named Conventional, EDACS, & Motorola to transfer and renamed once in the scanner.
All three track/work fine :lol:

It seems that the name and type of a system need not match.

 

[blanton664]

The BC246T comes with rechargeable batteries I was wondering can you buy a charger that plugs into a cigarette lighter to charge while you are mobile? Is it the same as a cell phone? Thanks ahead of time for any input.

 

[blanton664]

The BC246T comes with rechargeable batteries I was wondering can you buy a charger that plugs into a cigarette lighter to charge while you are mobile? Is it the same as a cell phone? Thanks ahead of time for any input.

 

[DaveIN]

You may be able to get one at Radio Shack and they may have a universal that may fit :?

Look for a 6Volt, 500mA (at least 500mA or more), 5.5mm tip (EIAJ Type-2) Center positive.

Take the 246 with you to show them the power port you are trying to match up with :idea: