Latest update - I did use Freescan to program the BCT15X. Very Easy, straightforward. A few things I learned as I went through the first few days of use.
Out of the Box - need to get the USB adapter. Picked up one for $20 at Best Buy.
Organization. I did find it helpful organizing my thoughts, preliminary structure before I began using the BCT15X. Logical groups, organizations. Importantly, quick groups I find to be a key feature to manage use - system QKs and Group QKs. Hence the suggestion to spend time on organizational thoughts first.
Trunked Groups. Originally, I had set up the scanner to have two different systems, one fire, one PD, for my local county. Underneath these systems, I had towns assigned to specific groups, each group named, each talk group named to town. Logical, but caused an issue. Since both Systems used the same Site, I would get Fire TGs showing up in the PD system during a scan, but just TGID, not name. Vice Versa too.
To correct and get the names to show up, I put both Fire and PD in the same system, logically separating the various towns into different groups. Now, I can turn on and turn off PD or FD, individually or in total (via multiple group QKs).
System quick keys - set up for all systems. Also, for the one Trunked Site. Set up that as a quick key. So, at top level, have quick keys for several conventional systems and one for trunked. Turn them on and off as needed. Easy to do with BCT15X, though feel you have to have a quick trigger finger to select system and underlying group to turn off.
Uploading and Unable to Scan - Two issues I had to deal with. After uploading, I got the "unable to scan" message. Two things I had to t do. First, I had to change the default state to my current state. Also, after fixing that, I still got the error. It seems if I turn off the unit, turn it back on after uploading....everything worked fine.
Very pleased. Easier than I thought it would be. Certainly, a good start - have maybe 150 frequencies in for now.