uniden bc245xlt

[weis_01]

I just bought a bc245xlt. I have never really used a scanner before so i am very new at this. I was wondering if the smartscanner software was still available from uniden because i cannot find it anywhere. I was hoping to beable to just use a modem to call in and have it program the scanner for me. But with out that software i cant get the scanner to connect to the modem. I have tried to use e-scanner software but everty time i try to load a bank onto the scanner the program just locks up. Any help would be great. Thanks Brandon

 

[ka3jjz]

Escanner seems to be a real POS; some folks can get it to work right, others have had the same experience as you. Don't bother with it; there are many much better apps for this scanner. Where are you (city/state will do fine)? I've written numerous reviews of 245 related software and might be able to help. What's your OS? (Win98, Me, XP, ect). You can find them at the popular Strong Signals website, on the software page.

As for Smart Scanner - forget it! Uniden discontinued that months ago. No great loss; it too was a real POS, with poor connections, junk data, and a whole host of other problems.

Depending on where you live, someone might already have an accurate data file that you can use. There's a BC245XLT Yahoo group that might also be of some help.

73s Mike

 

[weis_01]

I live in Mascoutah IL. Its about 25 miles east of St. Louis. I am using windows XP. Thanks for the help.

 

[CAT]

Take a look here: http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/freqs.html#245

 

[ka3jjz]

Since that link above took you to a place that has tagged text files, you'll need something that's XP compatible that can also import them. One package that fits this bill is Scan Control at:

http://www.scannersoft.com

To get the import ability, you need to purchase the full version, not the lite version. There's a link on this website to a review I wrote on the Lite version, and I just completed the full version review (email me privately and I'll send you a copy). I use it on my 245 and it works quite well.

There are 2 other groups you might consider joining; one is the 245xlt group and the other is Scan Control's group, both on Yahoo. The URLs are:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BC245XLT/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ScanControl

Registering to both is free.

People might offer to send you Black Bag's software for the 245; it's very poor software and doesn't work with trunking, so avoid it. Since you're new to scanning, I'd also start reading the trunking FAQs linked on this site so you'll be ready for what you're about to do.

73s and GL....Mike

 

[Dubbin]

Jeeze I cant believe no one has mentioned the BC245 interface that Senss has made and its FREE. BC245int

 

[ka3jjz]

The problem with the Senss software is that it does have an issue with mscomm32 (which I wrote about in my review). Evidently when you try to register it, sometimes it doesn't seem to work (maybe a newer version??). Anyway, as this fellow is new - we've all been there - I didn't want to confuse the issue even more.

73s Mike

 

[c_tinva]

problem w/ trunking

:?: i've got a different question about the same scanner. i've had a 245xlt for a couple of years, but recently my scanner "lost" it's ability to monitor my local EDACS system. i can still monitor conventional freqs. no problem, but the EDACS stuff is just dead. there has been no change to the system(no new freqs. or encription or anything). my dad's scanner still picks everything up just fine. i've cleared the memory and reprogrammed it and still nothing. i've taken it apart and see that there are two boards, i assume one for the conventional and one for the trunking, and i made sure that the two boards are connected properly via the pin connectors on the boards. any ideas as to what my problem might be?? if its a board issue can either uniden or a repair shop fix it without me paying more than what the unit originally cost??? :?:

 

[weis_01]

Thanks for all the help. I have programmed several things into the first two banks of my scanner. The problem is it now seems that it only scans the first bank. Is there something that I am supposed to do to tell to scan both banks?? Thanks Brandon

 

[weis_01]

Nevermind, I have answered my own question. Sorry

 

[ka3jjz]

Re: problem w/ trunking

:?: i've got a different question about the same scanner. i've had a 245xlt for a couple of years, but recently my scanner "lost" it's ability to monitor my local EDACS system. i can still monitor conventional freqs. no problem, but the EDACS stuff is just dead. there has been no change to the system(no new freqs. or encription or anything). my dad's scanner still picks everything up just fine. i've cleared the memory and reprogrammed it and still nothing. i've taken it apart and see that there are two boards, i assume one for the conventional and one for the trunking, and i made sure that the two boards are connected properly via the pin connectors on the boards. any ideas as to what my problem might be?? if its a board issue can either uniden or a repair shop fix it without me paying more than what the unit originally cost??? :?:

I doubt seriously that anything is wrong; however, without knowing where you are (city/state will do), there are 2 obvious answers;

a. EDACS systems must be programmed in LCN order; have you insured this? -or-
b. EDACS Pro Voice type systems cannot be tracked by any scanner, including the newer digital trackers.

On second thought, there is one possibility of something wrong; the antenna connector connection does sometimes break. Check the connector's wiring to the circuit board and see if it's still good.
Another possibility - are you actually hearing the control channel well? If you're not hearing it at all, or very weakly, and the antenna connection is OK, then a better antenna is called for.

73s Mike