Uniden Bct 7 Radio Scanner Owners Manual

							Connecting the PowerTheBCT7is designed to be used in any vehicle which has a 12-volt DC negative ground electrical system. If you cannot
determine the polarity of your vehicle, consult your vehicle dealer for information.
1. Connect theBCT7power cord
directly to the fuse block or battery
of your car.
- OR -
Plug one end of the cigarette lighter
power cord into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter.
2. Connect the power cord to the
jack marked “DC 13.8V” on the
back of the radio.
3. Attach the external antenna
connector to the jack marked
“ANT.”
Note:
The power cord provided with yourBCT7contains a 1-amp fuse. Whenever necessary, replace it only with
the same type of fuse.
Uniden recommends using an external antenna designed specifically for scanning radios.
Do not use the telescoping antenna in a mobile installation.
26 
						

							Base InstallationIn addition to mobile installation, you can operate theBCT7as a base unit with the included AC Adapter and
Telescoping Antenna.
Note:
Use only the AC Adapter supplied with this unit.
1. Plug the telescoping antenna
into the antenna jack on the rear of
the unit.
2. Plug the AC Adapter into the
jack marked “DC 13.8V.”
3. Plug the adapter into a 120V AC
60 Hz wall outlet.
Operation of the scanner is the same as for mobile use.
27 
						

							Tips & Techniques
Leave the Band Search set for CB (CB follows 806-956 MHz and
precedes 29-30 MHz). This way, whenever you wish to monitor CB
radio traffic, you simply press the BAND button once.
Another suggestion for highway driving would be to program CB
channel 19 into one of the available HIGHWAY programmable
channels in theBCT7. Truckers and other motorists also use other
CB frequencies (such as 11 at times) for highway communications, but
19 is the most common channel.  With Channel 19 always at the ready
in your HIGHWAY setting, you’ll be sure to hear of accidents, traffic
jams and other highway dangers well before you come upon them.
Remember, though, that CB channels can be quite congested and
they may tend to tie-up theBCT7with unwanted conversation. On
the open interstates, however, it should prove invaluable.
IMPORTANT!If you have a CB transmitter in your vehicle, do not
program a CB channel into theBCT7unless you’re sure you won’t be
transmitting on that channel (or even an adjacent channel).
Otherwise, you’ll receive loud feedback through theBCT7‘s speaker.
The Band Search feature also breaks down the bands into amateur
radio “Ham” frequency bands which are very valuable during severe
weather or for road condition and traffic information.  Ham operators
provide emergency communications for agencies such as the Red
Cross and state civil preparedness, during tornado, hurricane or
blizzard season.  During morning or evening rush hours, hams will
provide information on traffic as they ride to or from work. Ham
channels can become congested with long conversations, however,
and you may not wish to tie-up yourBCT7with these frequencies.
For indoor use, extend the telescoping antenna to its full height. For
UHF frequencies, shortening the antenna may improve the reception.
28 
						

							To complicate matters, trunking radios are computer controlled.  To
effect the computer operation, data bursts and tones are broadcast
over trunking frequencies. In the most common type of trunking
system, a data frequency is selected for a 12 or 24 hour period.
Scanner users are advised to LOCKOUT this frequency (so that the
scanner doesn’t stop each time it scans by the channel).  The next
time you turn the scanner on, another frequency, in the same system,
may be used as the data channel.  You will want to lockout this new
data frequency but you must remember to unlock the old frequency
which will now be used for voice transmissions.
Scanner Care & Maintenance Tips
Do not use the scanner in high-moisture areas such as the kitchen or bathroom.Do notplug the scanner into an outlet controlled by a wall switch as prolonged periods
without power causes scanner memory loss.Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near heating elements or vents.
30 
						

							Troubleshooting
If yourBCT7is not performing properly, try the steps listed below.
PROBLEM SUGGESTION
Scanner is not giving Warning Alerts. Check to see if Mute and Flash are both turned off.
The Squelch threshold may be set too high.
Check antenna connections.
Some priority frequencies may be locked out.
Make sure the frequency bank you’re scanning is an Alert Frequency Bank (Highway, Police,
DOT).
Scanner is not working properly. Check power cord and in-line fuse.
Check the Volume and Squelch settings.
Signal is weak or distorted. Check antenna and antenna connection, or change antenna.
Improper reception. Check antenna and antenna connection, or change antenna.
Reposition scanner.
Scan won’t stop. Check Squelch adjustment.
Check antenna and antenna connection, or change antenna.
Incomplete reception. Fringe area of reception.
Check Squelch adjustment.
Weather Search (WX) won’t work. Check Squelch adjustment.
No active station within range.
Radio transmissions (conversations)
are cutting in and out.The PRIORITY system is checking for alarms.
Use theHbutton to hold on a frequency without check of priority channels every two
seconds.
31 
						

							Going by patrol cars and not receiving
alarms.Make sure you are scanning one of the Warning Alert Frequency Banks - Highway, Police,
or DOT.
Check antenna connections.
Conditions to activate the alarm are variable and depend upon the timing of the dispatcher
transmissions and proximity of patrol car to your vehicle. Also, terrain and other factors may
be involved.
Officer has the ability to turn off the mobile extender when off-duty, or when going to court,
etc., but will normally leave extender operating when on traffic duty.
If you’re monitoring user-programmed frequencies, switch to one of the preprogrammed
frequency banks.
The radio keeps locking-up on
frequencies filled with strange noises
or transmissions (aircraft
communications, weather, etc.)Sometimes, in a heavily congested area with a lot of radio transmitters (an urban area or an
area where TV/ radio towers are located), this always occurs. Try turning your squelch down
or locking out the offending frequencies.If you still cannot get satisfactory results, call the Uniden Customer Service Center at 1-800-297-1023, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Central, Monday through Friday.32 
						

							SPECIFICATIONSReceiver Type:Triple Conversion Superheterodyne
Banks:Total 7 banks:6 Service banks and 1 programmable bank
HIGHWAY PATROL 1,142 programmed plus 25 programmable channels
POLICE:5,185 programmed plus 25 programmable channels
DOT:459 programmed plus 10 programmable channels
FIRE160 programmed plus 10 programmable channels
NEWS:178 programmed plus 5 programmable channels
WX:9 programmed. (7 NOAA weather service,
2 Canadian Coast Guard)
PRIVATE: 25 channels fully user programmable
(Total 100 programmable channels)
Search Band:Total 12 Search bands:(All NFM except aircraft and CB bands)
Display Frequency Coverage Steps
29 - 30 29.000 to 30.000 MHz 5 kHz
30 - 50 0.000 to 50.000 MHz 5 kHz
118 - 137 118.000 to 136.975 MHz (AM) 12.5 kHz
137 - 144 137.000 to 144.000 MHz 5 kHz
144 - 148 144.000 to 148.000 MHz 5 kHz
148 - 174 148.000 to 174.000 MHz 5 kHz
406 - 420 406.000 to 420.000 MHz 12.5 kHz
420 - 450 420.000 to 450.000 MHz 12.5 kHz
450 - 470 450.000 to 470.000 MHz 12.5 kHz
470 - 512 470.000 to 512.000 MHz 12.5 kHz
806-956 806.0000 to 823.9875 MHz 12.5 kHz
849.1125 to 868.9875 MHz 12.5 kHz
894.1125 to 956.0000 MHz 12.5 kHz
CH 1 - 40 26.9650 MHz - 27.4050 MHz(AM) 10 kHzScan Rate:Up to 100 channels per second.
Scan Delay:2 seconds
Audio Output:Max 3W
Antenna:50 ohms (Impedance)
Operating
Temperature:- 20ºC (- 4ºF)  to + 60ºC (+ 140ºF)
Size:5-1/5 (W) x 6-15/16 (D) x 1-5/8 (H)
Weight:1 lb 11oz.
Certified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15 Sub-part C as of date of manufacture.
Features, specifications, and availability of optional accessories are all subject to change without notice.34