Uniden Bc250d Widenband Scanner Owners Manual

							7
Terminology
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications do not transmit continuously. The BC250D
scans the Frequencies you have programmed into the
Scanner’s channels until it finds an active frequency.
Scanning stops on an active frequency and remains on that
channel as long as the transmission continues. When the
transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until another
transmission is received.
What is Searching?
The BC250D can search each of its 27 bands to find active
frequencies. This is different from scanning because you are
searching for frequencies that have not been programmed
into your Scanner’s channels. The scanner automatically
chooses between two speeds while searching. Turbo Search,
can search the VHF FM bands at up to 300 steps per second.
What is Trunk Tracking?
Conventional scanning is a simple concept. You enter a radio
frequency in your scanner’s memory which is used by
someone you want to monitor. For example, the police in your
area may broadcast on 460.500 MHz, the fire department on
154.445 MHz, the highway department on 37.900 MHz, etc.
So when your scanner stops on a frequency, you usually
know who it is, and more importantly, you can stop on a
channel and listen to an entire conversation. This type of
scanning is easy and fun.
As the demand for public communications has increased,
many public radio users dont have enough frequencies to
meet their needs, and this has created a serious problem.
Trunking radio systems solve this problem.
In a trunked radio system, which contains up to 28 different
frequencies, radio users are divided into groups, often called
talkgroups, and these talkgroups are assigned specific IDs.
When someone in a talkgroup uses their radio, a brief burst 
of data is broadcasted before each transmission. The trunking
system computer uses this data to temporarily assign each
radio in a talkgroup to an available frequency. If the group
using a frequency stops broadcasting or pauses between
replies for a few seconds, they are removed from the
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							frequency so another talkgroup can use it.
Sharing of the available public service frequencies, 
or trunking, allows cities, counties, or other agencies 
to accommodate hundreds of users with relatively few
frequencies. Following a conversation on a trunked system
using a scanner is difficult, if not impossible. Because when
theres a short break during the conversation youre
monitoring, it’s possible that the talkgroup will be assigned 
to a completely different frequency in the trunked system. 
This type of scanning is difficult and frustrating.
TrunkTracker III changes this! Not only does your new
BC250D scan channels like a conventional scanner, it actually
follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once you know 
a talkgroups ID, you won’t miss any of the action.
If youre a new scanner enthusiast, you may want to read the
first part of this manual and use your scanner in conventional
mode before you begin trunk tracking. Understanding
scanning fundamentals and its terminology will make trunk
tracking much easier. A glossary of other commonly used
terms is provided in the back. (Refer to the Glossary of
Terms section.) But if youre already an experienced scanner
operator, you may want to skip to Programming and
Receiving Digital and Trunked Systems on page 49.
What is APCO Project 25 Digital
Communications?
APCO Project 25 is a modulation process where voice
communications are  converted into digital communications.
This conversion is similar to the technology used with digital
mobile phones. There are several types of project 25 systems
available! 
- Conventional – one frequency with digital voice.
- Trunked with analog control channel and digital voice –
control channel operates at 3600 baud.
- Mixed Mode – trunked system with an analog control
channel alternating/mixing analog and digital voice
communications.
- Trunked with digital control channel and digital voice. 
Control channel operates at 9600 baud. (This type of APCO
P-25 System is not supported with this radio.)
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							9
Feature Highlights
•Trunk Tracking– Follow VHF High Band UHF
800/900MHz trunked public safety and public service
systems just as if conventional two-way communications
were used. 
•Digital Capable– With the APCO 25 Digital card (BCi25D)
installed, you can monitor supported project 25 systems.
•Multi-Track– Track more than one trunking system 
at a time. Scan conventional and trunked systems at the
same time. 
•1000 Channels– Program one frequency into each
channel. You must have at least one channel programmed
to use the Scan mode.
•27 Bands– Includes 27 bands, with aircraft and 800 MHz.
•10 Banks– 10 banks with 100 channels each are useful for
storing similar frequencies to maintain faster scanning
cycles or for storing all the frequencies of a trunked system.
•25 MHz-1300 MHz– Indicates the range of frequencies that
can be searched within the bands of your scanner.
Note: The frequency coverage is not continuous and
excludes the cellular band, 512-806MHz.
•10 Priority Channels– You can assign one priority
channel in each bank. Assigning a priority channel allows
you to keep track of activity on your most important
channel(s) while monitoring other channels for
transmissions. You can also assign Trunking priority
Talkgroups.
•Priority Plus Scan– Allows you to scan only priority
channels.
•Preprogrammed Service Search– Allows you to toggle
through preprogrammed public safety, news media, TV
broadcast audio, Ham, CB, FRS, special low power, 
railroad, aircraft, marine, racing, and weather frequencies.
•Unique Data Skip– Allows your scanner to skip unwanted
data transmissions and reduces birdies.
•Memory Backup– If power is disconnected, the
frequencies programmed in your scanner are retained 
in memory.
•Direct Channel Access– Go directly to any channel
without entering the Menu mode.
•Attenuator– Reduces the signal strength on a per
frequency basis.
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							•PC Programmable– Allows you to easily program all
frequencies and Trunking Talk Groups into your BC250D
through Uniden’s E-Scanner software running on your PC.
– For more information on E-Scanner Programming
software visit our website atscanner.uniden.com.
•Turbo Search– Increases the search speed to 300 steps
per second. This applies only to transmission bands with 
5 kHz steps.
•Text Tags– You can customize your scanner by storing
text tags (up to 16 characters).
•Auto Store– The scanner automatically stores found active
frequencies into an assigned bank.
•CTCSS/DCS– The scanner can receive and search for
subaudible tones.
•NWR-SAME Alert– The scanner is compatible with
warning siren and message transmissions.
•FIPS Code– Six digit FIPS Code (emergency and
geographic area code) programmable.
•LCD Back-Light– LCD illuminates when you press the
Light/Lock ( ) key. You can select the lighting length
of time in the Menu mode.
•Battery Save– In Scan Hold mode and no transmission,
your scanner automatically reduces its power requirements
to extend the battery life.
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							11
Where to Obtain More
Information
Before using your scanner, you must program frequencies
into available channels. The Betty Bearcat Frequency Guide
lists typical frequencies used around the U.S.A. and Canada
that you may program into your new scanner.
To obtain frequency information for your area, contact one of
the following:
•Bearcat Frequency Hotline 
(937) 299-0414 (Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time Monday through Friday.)
•Bearcat Radio Club
(800) 423-1331 (Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time Monday through Friday.)
•Scanner Master
(800) 722-6701 (Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time Monday through Friday.)
To obtain another copy of the frequency guide, contact one 
of the following:
•Uniden Parts Department  
(800) 554-3988 (Hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Central Time Monday through Friday.)
•Local Dealer
Information on the Internet
If you have access to the internet, you may want to visit one
of the following websites for additional information:
scanner.uniden.com
www.bearcat1.com
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							12
Included with Your
Scanner Package
If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately
contact your place of purchase or Uniden Customer Service
at: (800) 297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Time,
Monday through Friday.• BC250D Hand held Scanner
•  AC Adapter/Charger (AD-600U)
•  Ni-MH Battery (BP-250)
•  Rubber Antenna
•  Remote Cable
•  Beltclip
•  Operating Guide
•  E-Scanner Programming Software CD-ROM
•  Trunk Tracker Frequency Guide
•  Other Printed Material
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							13
Setup
Installing the Battery Pack
1. Open the cover.
2. Connect the battery pack connector
observing the correct polarity.
3. Replace the cover and press down
until it clicks into place.
Charging the Battery Pack
Use the AC Adapter/Charger
to power the BC250D from an
AC outlet.
You can use your scanner
while the battery charges. 
To fully charge the battery,
leave the AC Adapter/Charger
connected for 14 — 16 hours.
Note:Disconnect the AC Adapter/Charger from the unit when
charging is complete.
Low Battery Indicator
When the battery pack is low and needs to be charged, 
appears on the display. You will also hear a beep every 15
seconds as an audible alert.
HOLD/
MANCH/
FRQRSMSCANSERVICESEARCHMENU/BACKL
/OS
E
L
E
C
T
M
U
T
ER
E
V
E
R
S
E
TRUNK
Use only the supplied AC Adapter
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							Flexible Antenna
Attach the flexible antenna to the
antenna connector.
Beltclip
The beltclip is designed to fit snugly on
the back of the scanner.
Line up the four arms on the beltclip with
the four tabs on the scanner and slide the
beltclip into place, as shown on the right.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use
an earphone or headphones.
•Do not use the earphone to listen to the WX alert siren
test. The volume is not adjustable and damage to your
hearing could occur.
•Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended
high volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
•Set the VOLUMEto the lowest setting before you begin
listening. After you begin listening, adjust the VOLUMEto a
comfortable level.
•Once you set the VOLUME, do not increase it. Over time,
your ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that
does not cause discomfort might still damage your hearing.
Connecting the REMOTE Cable
You can transfer the programmed channels, talk group ID’s,
etc. to and from another BC250D or BC785D scanner using a
remote cable. See Clone Mode on page 81. You can also
upload or download the programmed data to or from a PC
using Uniden’s E-Scanner software. See PC Control mode
on page 80.
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							15
Basic Operation
Turn the Scanner On
Turn the VOLUMEcontrol clockwise out of the detent
position. The scanner automatically starts scanning. 
Since there are no frequencies programmed in your scanner
initially, you may not receive any signals. Once you set the
squelch and program some frequencies, you will begin
hearing conversations regularly.
Note: If you turn the scanner on when the optional APCO
card is not installed, APCO  P25  CARD  NOT
INSTALLEDappears on the display. To delete the
message, select 2:DISABLEin the Menu mode
(see page 77).
Setting the Squelch
To set the squelch, you must be in the hold mode, and you
should not be receiving a signal on your scanner.
1. Press HOLD/MANuntil
you do not hear a signal.
2. Make sure that the
VOLUMEis set to a
comfortable listening level.
3. Think of the Squelch
Control as a gate. 
Turn the SQUELCH
control fully counter-
clockwise. This raises the
Squelch Gate so high
that only very strong
signals can get through.
4. Turn SQUELCHclockwise
until you hear a hiss. This
lowers the Squelch Gate
so that everything gets
through – noise, weak
signals, medium signals
and strong signals.
5. Turn SQUELCHback
counter-clockwise just until
the hiss stops. Now the
Squelch Gate allows
only clear signals through.
STRONG SIGNALS
MEDIUM SIGNALS
WEAK SIGNALS
NOISE
STRONG SIGNALS
MEDIUM SIGNALS
WEAK SIGNALS
NOISE
STRONG SIGNALS
MEDIUM SIGNALS
WEAK SIGNALS
NOISE
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							Next you must program some frequencies (page 26). It is
recommended that you read the next part Understanding the
Menu System because it will assist you in accessing and
understanding many of the features. Later in a section called
Additional Features, you will find explanations on how to
disable the keypad acknowledgement tones, mute the audio,
change the appearance of the display and other general
features.
Understanding the Menu System
It is very important for you to understand the Menu screen. 
To navigate through the Menu screen is really quite simple.
Many of the features of this scanner, can only be accessed by
the Menu screens. There are several ways to get through the
screens. First of all, press MENU/BACKto get started. 
Anytime you want to exit this mode or simply quit from where
you are, repeatedly press MENU/BACKuntil the scanner
returns to the original state or you can press SCANor
SEARCHto exit directly out of Menu mode. Anytime you are
in the Menu mode, the audio will be muted.
To assist you in understanding the Menu screen, flow charts
are provided towards the back of the manual so you can
follow along. Two things to remember are rotate theVFO
through the menu and press Eto executethe command. 
For simplicity, we have chosen to rotate the VFOcontrol up or
down in order to scrollthrough the menu and the Ekey for
enteringor executinga command. Once you have pressed
the Ekey and executed the final choice (for instance, ONor
OFF), the display backs up to the previous level of options.
Also direct entry of the numbers in the flow chart will get you
through the screens, but the other screen options are not
visible. This method should be used only after you have gone
through the manual at least once. Tearout shortcut cards (see
pages 4 and 5) are provided to assist you in the direct entry
methods for commonly used features.
The illustration on the next page shows the first level of the
Menu screen. These levels are then provided in a flow chart
on pages 102 to 104. You will find a description section to
explain the meanings of these functions on the next pages.
Then, you will be walked through all the steps of
programming, scanning, searching, and trunktracking.
Hint: You can check the various options you programmed
on the display when you press and hold
MENU/BACKfor 2 seconds in the following modes.
•Scan mode/Scan Hold mode (as well as Trunk
mode).
•Chain Search mode/Chain Search Hold mode
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