Uniden Bc780xlt Trunk Tracker Scanner Owners Manual

							53
Motorola Reception
Motorola Tracking
There are really two types of Motorola trunking systems. These are usually referred to as
Type I and Type II systems. Type I only occurs on some 800 MHz systems. All VHF, UHF
and 900 MHz trunking systems use Type II.
One important distinction between these two systems is the amount of data transmitted by
each radio when its push-to-talk button (PTT) is pressed. Every radio in a trunked system is
assigned a unique ID so the central site computer can identify it when it’s used. Both Type I
and Type II systems place radios (or radio users) into groups, called talkgroups, and these
talkgroups are also assigned unique IDs. Some radios have access to only one talkgroup,
while others have access to many talkgroups. The talkgroup(s) each radio can access is
called the radio’s affiliation(s).
In a Type II system, when someone uses their radio, only the radio ID is transmitted when
PTT is pressed, whereas in a Type I system the radio ID and its current affiliation are both
transmitted when PTT is pressed.
Why the difference? Type II systems are slightly more advanced because the central
computer maintains a database which is used to determine each radio’s affiliation (s).
Changes to a Type II system are easier than Type I because the system manager only
needs to update the database instead of reprogramming individual radios.
Another difference between the systems is that Type I systems are arranged in a Fleet-
Subfleet hierarchy. For example, its possible for a city using a Type I system to designate 4
Fleets, each with 8 Subfleets. Their fleets might be the Police Department, the Fire
Department, Utilities, and Administration. The Police may decide to further divide their fleet
into subfleets such as Dispatch, Tactical Operations, Detectives, North, South, East and
West Side Patrols, and Supervisors. All the available police radios would then be assigned
to one of the police subfleets. Determining the exact Fleet-Subfleet hierarchy for a particular
area is referred to as Fleet Map Programming, which is discussed further in this manual.
The disadvantage of a Type I system is that when PTT is pressed, the brief burst of data
must contain the radio’s ID and its Fleet and Subfleet. This is three times the amount of data
a Type II system radio sends, and as a result Type I systems usually accommodate fewer
users than Type II systems.
Even though there are many Type II systems, Type I systems are still in use. There are also
Hybrid systems which are a combination of both Type I and Type II. Your scanner defaults to
monitor Type II systems, but its possible to select a Preprogrammed Fleet Map or create a
Custom Fleet Map for your area.
For VHF and UHF Type II trunking systems, you will need to know the base, spacing
frequencies and offset channels. See page 55 for details.
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Fleet Map Programming
If you have programmed a trunk tracking bank for Motorola type and press TRUNKto start
Multi-Track, you will see user IDs display on your screen. Since the BC780XLT defaults to
Type II systems, all the IDs will appear as numbers. However, if you notice a mix of odd and
even user IDs, for example 6477, 2560, 6481, 6144, 1167, etc., then you are probably
monitoring either a Type I or Hybrid systems.
You may also notice that you are missing responses when you hold on an active ID. Unlike
Type II, Type I/Hybrid systems require a Fleet Map that sets specific Fleet-Subfleet
parameters. It is easy to select a Fleet Map for your scanner; what is not always easy is
selecting or programming a map that matches your particular area.
There are 16 preset Fleet Maps listed in the appendix that you can choose, and these are
usually a good place to start when setting up a Type I/Hybrid trunk tracking bank. If you
choose a preset map and still have difficulty following complete conversations, then youll
have to program your own Fleet Map.
Selecting Preset Fleet Map
1. Select TYPE 1for the Trunk Type. (Refer to “Selecting Trunking
System Type” on page 38.)
2. Select the map you want to program using s, tor
VFOand then press 
E, SELECTor VFO.
For example, PRESET 16.
The scanner returns to the other programming items.
Note: You will now begin to see Type I Fleet-Subfleet IDs. For example, 100-12, 100-9, 000-
12, 400-8, etc. See User Defined Fleet Maps in the Appendix for more information
about Type I IDs.
How do you know if the preset map is correct? You will have to listen to see if youre
following complete conversations. If not, you should try another preset map.
Programming a Fleet Map
You may want to read User Defined Fleet Maps in the Appendix before programming a Fleet
Map. It contains a detailed explanation of Scanner Fleet Map Programming, as well as a
table listing the Fleet Map Size Codes.
1. Select TYPE 1for the Trunk Type. (Refer to “Selecting
Trunking System Type” on page 38.) 
2. Select USER CUSTOMusing s, tor VFOand then
press 
E, SELECTor VFO.
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							55 3. Select the size code for the first block using 
s, t, or VFO.
4. Press 
E, SELECT,or VFO.
The next available block displays.
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you have selected a size
code for each block.
For details about each size code, see Fleet Map Size
Codes in the Appendix.
Programming a Hybrid System
A Hybrid system is simply a Type I system with some blocks designated as Type II blocks. To
program a Hybrid system, follow the steps listed in Programming a Fleet Map in the previous
section. However, if you want a block to be Type II, select Size Code S-0.
When you begin searching a trunking bank with a Hybrid Fleet Map, you will see both types
of system IDs. That is, Type II IDs usually appear as an even number without a dash; Type I
IDs appear as a three or four digit number, followed by a hyphen, followed by a one or two
digit number.
Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for Motorola
VHF/UHF Trunked  Systems
To properly track Motorola VHF and UHF trunked systems you must enter what is known as
the base, the spacing frequencies and offset channels for each system.
To find these out, check the www.trunktracker.comor www.bearcat1.com/free.htmand
other web sites and frequency resources.
To enter the base, spacing frequencies and offset channel: (You can set up to three sets of
these, but almost all systems only use one set)
1. Press 
MENU.
2. Select TRUNK DATA- BANK NO.- TRUNK TYPE(TYPE2 UHF or VHF) - BASE
CONFIGusing s, tor VFOand pressing 
E, SELECTor VFO.
3. Enter a new base frequency with the keypad.
4. Press 
E.
The display changes for entering the spacing frequency.
5. Enter a new spacing frequency with the keypad.
Note: You can only enter within a range of 5-100 kHz,
and 5 or 7.5 or 12.5 kHz multiples.
6. Press 
E.
The display changes for entering the offset channel.
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							56 7. Enter a new offset channel with the keypad.
Note: You can only input within a range of 380-759.
8. Press 
E.
The display changes for entering the next base frequency.
9. To exit from this mode, press 
MENUrepeatedly.
Note: • If the system is not tracking properly, you may need to try a new base frequency or 
offset channel or you may be missing frequencies from the system.
•  You can set up to three base, spacing and offsets for Motorola VHF/UHF trunked systems.
10. The offset channel for the first set should be CH380 (just press 
Eto confirm this as 
the default).
11. After you have pressed 
Eto confirm CH380, the display will change to allow you to set
the second (of a maximum of three) base/space/offset combinations. Since almost all
systems only use one set, press 
MENUto exit the programming mode and return 
to scanning.
Toggling the Status Bit
On Type II trunking systems there is a method by which specialized types of communications
utilize unique talkgroup numbers. An emergency call will occur on a unique talkgroup from its
primary assignment, for example. Because the BC780XLT defaults to Status-Bit On mode,
you never need to worry about missing these transmissions. If you have programmed
talkgroup 33264 into Scan List memory, for example, and there is an emergency call within
the group, you will hear it on 33264.
The only time you may wish to turn Status Bits off is if youre trying to figure out the proper
fleet map of a Type 1 trunking system. To turn Status Bits off, enter into the menu mode and
select TRUNK DATA- BANK NO.- STATUS BIT. (This feature does not apply to EDACS
and LTR operation within the scanner.) Then use 
HOLD/sor LIMIT/tto change the setting
(on to off) and press 
Eto program your change.
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							57
Control Channel Only Mode
When this function is activated, trunking is performed using control channel data only. Voice
channel (also known as working channel) frequencies do not have to be programmed into
memory. When using this feature, the scanner will display CC and channel activity indicator
bars will not operate. This feature only applies to Motorola 800 MHz and 900 MHz systems.
To turn this function on, choose Motorola Type-2 800 MHz or 900 MHz or TYPE 1 by
selecting TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - TRUNK TYPE. Then set to the desired control plan by
selecting TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - CTRL CH ONLY.
You must choose one of 4 frequency plans before you begin to Control Channel Trunk. Note
that the default, Plan 1, is the most common. Read the description of the Plans below for
details on which may apply for you.
PLAN 1: Use Plan 1 if the last three digits of ALL the frequencies in use end in one of the
following three digits: 125, 375, 625, or 875 (example: 856.1125, 860.7375, 859.6625,
855.8875).
PLAN 2: If the last three digits of frequencies less than 869.0000 end in one of the
following three digits (125, 375, 625, or 875) AND if ANY other frequencies end in (000,
250, 500, or 750) use Plan 2.
PLAN 3: If the last three digits of ALL the frequencies in use end in one of the following
three digits (000, 250, 500, or 750) use Plan 3.
PLAN 4: If the last three digits of frequencies less than 866.0000 end in one of the
following three digits (000, 250, 500, or 750) AND if ANY other frequencies end in (125,
375, 625, or 875) use Plan 4.
Of course you will know the Control Channel frequency itself so that will help you determine
the proper Plan. If you try one plan and you receive errors (such as the scanner jumping to
channels that are obviously not part of the system), you should try an alternate Plan.
Note: You can assign a fleet map to Type 1 or Hybrid systems scanned in Control
Channel only mode by going into the menu. You can also program IDs, set delays,
alpha tags and all the other parameters for systems scanned in this mode. You can
then either search the system to find new IDs or you can program IDs into memory
and then scan them.
Note:The Control Channel Only feature is an extremely powerful tool. You can use it to
determine if systems you are familiar with may have added new frequencies or you
can use it to discover new systems by simply finding active control channels (using
Search) and then programming them for Control Channel operation only.
Remember that this feature only applies to Motorola 800 and 900 MHz systems,
that you do have to set the menu for the proper system type (800 Type 1 or Type II
or 900 MHz) and you do have to program the control channel frequency into
memory and press and hold the 
TRUNKkey to identify the frequency as trunked.
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							58
Disconnect Tone Detect Option (End Code)
When this function is disabled, the radio looks for squelch before returning to the control
channel instead of waiting for the disconnect tone. Only in rare instances will you need to
adjust the default settings.
The condition to return to control channels depends on whether the signal is present or not.
To set this function on/off, enter TRUNK DATA - BANK NO. - END CODE.
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							59
Remote Interface
You can communicate and program your BC780XLT in numerous ways with peripheral
devices using the Remote Interface Cable port. This radio offers the following modes:
vSMARTSCAN MODE
Automatically load frequencies, trunking talkgroups and fleetmaps from the Uniden
National Frequency Database server into your scanner using an external modem or an
internal modem included with a personal computer (PC).
vREMOTE (PC Control) MODE
Program and control your scanner remotely from a PC using third party software (see the
flyer included in the box).
vCLONE MODE
Clone all the frequencies, trunking talkgroups, and fleet maps programmed into your
scanner to another BC780XLT scanner.
SmartScan Mode
To connect Scanner to PC:
Plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight interface cable (purchased separately) into the
remote port on the rear of your scanner.
Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into a personal computers serial
port. A few PCs may require an adapter, most will not. You may need a DB-9 to DB-25 null
modem adapter, or gender changer adapter, available at most computer stores. Of course,
make sure your PC is turned on.
To use SmartScan mode with an internal modem, you will need a small custom software
program to allow the serial port to talk with the internal modem and act as a simple pass
through device. To download this free program, go to Unidens website, look up under
Scanners - “SmartScanner” or the BC 780XLT scanner, for the SmartScanner software. Run
this program and it should automatically set the port setting for you (although you can
override the settings). Make sure that you have a phone line plugged into the modem jack on
the back of your PC and your scanner is connected to the serial port of the PC using  
the RS232C straight cable.
Cables and connectors are available for purchase by calling 1-800-722-6701 
or check out www.bc780xlt.com.
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							60 To connect Scanner to External Modem:
Plug the scanner end of the RS232C straight interface cable into the remote port on the rear
of your scanner. Plug the other end of the cable (DB-9 serial connector) into the external
modem. You may need a DB-9 to DB-25 (or DB-9) null modem adapter, available at most
computer stores. Of course, make sure your external modem is turned on. Make sure that
you have a phone line plugged into the modem jack on the back.
To perform the SmartScan Download:
You can automatically download frequencies, talkgroups and fleet maps form the Uniden
National Database server. After connecting to either an internal or external modem, using
the the steps above, turn the radio on.
1. Press 
MENU.
2. Select SYSTEM DATA- SMART SCAN- DOWNLOADusing s, tor VFOand pressing
E, SELECTorVFO.
3. Using the keypad, enter the ZIP code for the area you
will be using your scanner.
For example, if your ZIP code is 02135.
4. Press 
EorSELECT, the ZIP code is stored into memory.
The dial-in telephone number appears on the display.
Note: If you want to change the number, input a number
(max. 20 digit) using the keypad then press 
E.
5. Press 
SELECT.The memory clear message appears
on the display.
Press 
1to start clearing.
Note: If you want to prevent some banks from being
overwritten by the frequency download or memory
clear operation, go to Bank Lock. (see page 62.)
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							61 6. After clearing, the DIAL STARTmessage appears.
Press 
1to start dialing.
7. If the connection is successful, the scanner starts
frequency downloading.
COMPLETEwill be displayed
when your downloading is completed.
8. To start the scanner, turn the unit off then on.
If downloading is not successful, one of the following error messages will appear.
Modem Access Error:
No Carrier:
Telephone Line Busy:
No Answer:
Server Connect Error
Data Idle Time Out
Note: If the scanner does not display 
DOWNLOAD DATA, disconnect the access by pressing E.
Then, make sure the modem is connected properly, and try again.
Note: The number preprogrammed into your scanner for downloading frequencies is 
1-900-225-4822. There is a $0.99 per minute charge for using the SmartScan
database. To get current frequencies, as well as special /sporting event frequencies,
regularly update your scanner by using SmartScan.
Note: If you are unable to dial a 900 number, check with your local phone company to find
out if you have a 900 block on your phone line. This will prevent you from dialing to 
the server.
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							62
Menu for SmartScan
In the menu mode (SYSTEM DATA - SMART SCAN), you can change several parameters
used for SmartScan.
• Bank lock
• Transfer speed
• Flow control setting
• Dial type
Bank Lock
SmartScanner will overwrite frequencies that you have already programmed into your
scanner. To save the previously programmed frequencies, you can lock out specific banks
prior to calling the database as follows:
To turn on this feature, enter into the menu mode.
1. Press 
MENU.
2. Select SYSTEM DATAusing s, tor VFOand pressing 
E, SELECTor VFO.
3. Select SMART SCANusing s, tor VFOand pressing 
E, SELECTor VFO.
4. Select BANK LOCKusing s, tor VFOand pressing 
E, SELECTor VFO.
5. Press the bank numbers using the 
1- 9and 0key (for
bank 10) that you wish to lock out from programming so
that they will not be overwritten during the download.
6. Press 
E.
Transfer Speed
You can choose the following transfer speeds.
300, 2400, 4800, (9600), 19200 bps
9600 is the default.
Press 
Eto exit.
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