The 396 has dynamic memory; it does not use banks or V-folders. You can create a 'system' for each trunked radio system you want to monitor, and then program up to 200 talkgroups for that 'system'. There is a limit of 400 systems.
Similarly, you can also create a conventional 'system' for those agencies that are not trunked.
'Systems', whether for a TRS' or conventional channels can be further organized by subdividing them into up to 20 groups. You can turn systems on & off with quick-keys, of which there are 100 available for use. More than one system can be assigned to a quick key. Similarly, there are 10 group quick keys that can be used within each system. Again, more than one group in the system can be assigned to the same key.
I generally keep 30+ active trunked systems loaded in my 396. A scanner with banks cannot scan that many, regardless of whether it is Uniden or GRE/Radio Shack. For conventional stsyems, I organize them by agencies for the larger cities (Dallas), then by city (medium size non-trunked) or county, or groups of counties (sparsely populated rural areas).
Remember that the '6000 channel' limit includes programmed frequencies, including conventional channels and control channels, as well as saved close call & search hits, etc. It also includes talkgroups in the trunked systems.
Your friend might also want to download & look at the 396 owner's
manual for more information. Also, Uniden's software for the 396 is free. He can download it
here. Then, by looking at some of the pre-programmed systems, this may make more sense to him. You do not have to have the scanner hooked up to run the software. When I ordered my 396, I downloaded the software & created my system files. That way, when the scanner arrived, all I had to do was plug in the programming cable, load, & go.