Uniden Bct 8 Radio Scanner Owners Manual

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Where to Obtain More Information
Before you can scan the PRIVATE bank, you must program frequencies into the scanner’s
channels. The Frequency Guide lists typical frequencies used around the U.S.A. and
Canada that you may program into your new scanner. However, this is not a complete list of
frequencies for your area. 
To obtain frequency information for your area, contact one of the following:
•Scanner Master
1 (800) Scanner (722-6637) (Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Monday through Friday.) [email protected].
To obtain another copy of the frequency guide, contact one of the following:
•Uniden Parts Department
(800) 554-3988 (Hours are from 8:00 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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Included with Your Scanner Package
• BCT8 Scanner
• AC Adapter (AD 140U)
• DC Power Cord
• Cigarette Lighter Adapter Plug (Model CD007)
• Telescopic Antenna (Model AT129)
• Window Mount Antenna (Model AT002)
• Operating Guide
• Trunk Tracker Frequency Guide 
• Other Printed Materials
• Remote Programming Software Demo CD-ROM
• Mobile Mounting Bracket (Model MB-008)
If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your p\
lace of purchase or
Uniden Customer Service at: (800) 297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Ce\
ntral Time, Monday
through Friday.
Optional Accessories
The following optional accessories for your BCT8 are available from your\
 local Uniden
Dealer or through the Uniden Parts Department by calling: (800) 554-39\
88, 8:00 AM to 5:00
PM CST, Monday through Friday. We can also be reached on the web at www.\
uniden.com.
DC Power Cord(Model PS-001) - For hard wiring power from your car to your scanner.
Motorola Antenna Adapter(Model PLG-134) - Use only if your antenna has a Motorola-
type plug. 
						

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Installing the BCT8
For Home Use (Desktop Installation)
1. Insert the DC plug end of the AC Adapter into the DC 12V jack on the rear panel.
2. Plug the AC Adapter into a standard 120V AC wall outlet.
3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT connector.
Extend the antenna to its full height. For frequencies higher than 406 MHz, shortening
the antenna may improve the reception.
4. Use the desktop stand for a better viewing and operating angle.
Helpful Hints
•If strong interference or electrical noise is received, relocate the scanner or its antenna
away from the source.
•If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or need to improve reception, use an
optional antenna designed for multi-band coverage. (You can purchase this type of
antenna at a local electronics store.)
•If the optional antenna has no cable, use 50-70 ohm coaxial cable for lead-in. A mating
plug may be necessary for the optional antennas.
For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation)
Installation for Temporary Use:
A Cigarette Lighter Power Cord is provided for easy, temporary installation.
Warning:Do not use the cigarette lighter power cord in a positive ground vehicle.
Plug one end of the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord into the cigarette lighter jack and the other
end into the DC 12V jack on the back of the scanner.
Connecting the Antenna Plug
Connect the mobile antenna plug into the ANT connector on the rear panel. (For more
information on antenna installation, please refer to the instruction guide that came with your
antenna.)
The BCT8 can be mounted using the supplied mounting bracket.
1. Select an ideal location in your vehicle to mount the BCT8. Avoid a location that could
interfere with your driving. In a passenger car, the ideal location is underneath the
dashboard on the passenger side.
2. Use the supplied mounting bracket as a template for marking the location of the
mounting screws. Note: If there are screws already holding the dashboard, you can use
the same screw holes to mount the bracket. 
						

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3. Drill the necessary holes and secure the mounting bracket in place using the screws
provided.
4. Mount the radio to the bracket only after the wiring has been connected to the rear
panel.
Connecting the Power Cord
Note:
If you are not experienced in connecting accessories to the vehicle fuse box, please
see your automotive dealer for advice on proper installation.
Installation for everyday use:
1. Check the vehicle battery connections to determine which battery terminal (positive or
negative) is grounded to the engine block or chassis. Most of today’s vehicles use a
negative ground. If your vehicle has a negative ground, follow Steps 2 and 3. Otherwise,
skip to the note following Step 3.
2. Connect the RED wire of the DC power cord to the accessory contact in your vehicle’s
+12V DC fuse box.
3. Connect the BLACK wire of the DC power cord to the negative side of the vehicle
(usually the chassis).
Note:In vehicles with a positive ground, the RED wire connects to the chassis and the
BLACK wire connects to the accessory contact in the fuse box.
4. Insert the DC plug into the DC 12V jack on the back of the scanner. 
						

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Typical Mounting Methods
The BCT8 can be conveniently mounted on a table, bulkhead, overhead, or any other
desired location with the supplied mounting bracket (MB008) (refer to figure below for typical
mounting methods).
Caution: Make sure there are no hidden electrical wires or other items behind the desired
location before proceeding. Check that free access for mounting and cabling 
is available.
Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle
Before you mount the scanner, make sure you have all the necessary materials. Then
confirm that the scanner fits your vehicle’s mounting area. This unit requires a mounting
area of 2.44 inch high by 7.06 inch wide by 6.10 inch deep (50.8 x 176.5 x 152.5 mm).
Caution: Be sure to avoid obstructions behind the mounting surface.
Follow these steps to mount the scanner in your vehicle.
1. Choose a mounting location, then use the supplied 
mounting bracket as a template to mark the positions for
the mounting screw holes.
2. In the marked positions, drill holes slightly smaller than 
the supplied screws.
3. Attach the mounting bracket to the mounting location
using the supplied screws and lock washers.
4. Attach the scanner to the mounting bracket using the
supplied mounting knobs.
5. Connect the antenna’s cable to the 
ANT. connector
on the rear of the scanner.
Note: If the antenna cable’s connector does not fit in the ANT.
connector, you might also need a Motorola-to BNC 
antenna plug adapter (available at a local 
electronics store).
•Table top mount•Bulkhead mount•Overhead mount
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							Applying Power for Vehicle Installation
You can power your scanner using the supplied DC cigarette lighter power cord or an DC
power cord.
DC power Installation
To power the scanner from a vehicle’s 12V power source (such as a cigarette-lighter
socket), you need a cigarette-lighter adapter.
To connect an DC cigarette-lighter power cable, insert its barrel plug into the 
DC 12Vjack on the rear of the scanner, then plug the power cable into your vehicle’s
cigarette lighter socket.
Note: If you use a cigarette-lighter power cable and your vehicle’s engine is running, you
might hear electrical noise from the engine while scanning. This is normal.
Caution: DC 12 V Jack can use a power source that supplies 12V DC at least 500 mA.
You must use a power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least 
500 mA. Your standard 12V car battery should be sufficient. The cord connector’s
center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the scanner’s 
DC 12Vjack.
The supplied DC power cord meets these specifications. Using a power cord that
does not meet these specifications could damage the scanner or the adapter.
•Always connect the adapter or DC power cord to the scanner before you connect it to the
power source. When you finish, disconnect the adapter or DC power cord from the power
source before you disconnect it from the scanner.
•For added safety and to protect your scanner, 
disconnect the cable from your vehicle battery’s 
negative (-) terminal before you begin.
Follow these steps to connect the DC power cord.
1. Connect the power cord’s black wire to a chassis ground, such as a metal screw
attached to a metal part of the vehicle’s frame. Be sure that the screw is not insulated
from the frame by a plastic part.
2. Connect the power cord’s red wire (with in-line fuse) to a source
of voltage that turns on and off with the ignition switch, such as
a spare accessory terminal in your vehicle’s fuse box.
3. Insert the power cord’s barrel plug into the 
DC 12Vjack on
the rear of the scanner.
4. Reconnect the cable to the vehicle battery’s negative (-)
terminal.
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Applying Power Using Standard AC Power
To power the scanner from an AC outlet, use the provided AC adapter with a 5.5 mm outer
diameter/2.1mm inner diameter tip.
Caution: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 12V DC and delivers at least
500 mA. The cord connector’s center tip must be set to positive and its plug must
fit the scanner’s 
DC 12Vjack. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifi-
cations could damage the scanner or the adapter.
•Always connect the AC adapter to the scanner before you connect it to AC power. When
you finish, disconnect the adapter from the AC power before you disconnect it from 
the scanner.
1. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the 
DC 
12V
jack on the rear of the scanner.
2. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Note: Use only the AC adapter supplied with
your scanner.
Connecting an External Speaker
In a noisy area, an external speaker (available at a local electronics store) positioned in the
right place might provide more comfortable listening.
Plug the speaker cable’s 1/8 inch (3.5 mm)
plug into your scanner’s 
EXT. SP.jack.
Note: Connecting an external speaker 
disconnects the scanner’s 
internal speaker.
Listening Safely
•Do not use the earphone. The volume is not adjustable for the Warning Alert and
damage to your hearing could occur.
Connecting the Clone Cable
You can transfer the programmed data to and from another BCT8 scanner using a RS232C
Straight Cable (9 pin to 9 pin) (not supplied). Connect the cable between each scanner’s
REMOTEjacks. See Clone Mode on page 49. You can also upload or download the
programmed data to or from a PC using optional programming software available through
your local electronics store.
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							Scanning Overview
You can scan in one of four ways:
1.
Highway Patrol ScanningWhen you select a state you want to scan in Highway Patrol
mode, you can scan pre-programmed Highway Patrol frequencies.
2.
Service ScanningPress SVCto select one of the nine services to find an active
frequency.
3.
Band SearchSelect a frequency band to search. The Search function is different from
scanning. It searches for any active frequency step by step within the lower and upper
limits of the band. When an active frequency is found, the scanner will stop and stay on
that frequency as long as that transmission lasts. If that frequency is interesting to you,
press 
HOLD/RESUMEto hold the frequency on the display. Then program it into the
private bank you want to store. If you do not want to program that frequency, press
HOLD/RESUMEor just wait until the transmission ends. The search resumes
automatically 2 seconds after the last transmission and looks for more active
frequencies.
4.
Private ScanningIf you have programmed  frequencies into this bank, press PVTto
scan only those that you have programmed in this bank.
Note: Before you can scan the Private Bank, you must program frequencies into the
channels. To program frequencies, see “Programming Frequencies into Channels” on
page 21.
When scanning stops on an active frequency, it remains on that channel as long as the
transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanner will remain on the same
channel for 2 more seconds, waiting for a responding transmission. If there is no responding
transmission within 2 seconds, the scanning cycle resumes.
Turn the Scanner On
1. Turn the VOLknob clockwise. 
The scanner is turned on: the Alert Light flashes and the Alert
Tone beeps loudly.
Note: The Alert Tone depends on the currently setting selected
(see page 17).
2. The last setting mode selected before starts.
14
VOLpush
ALERT MUTE ALERT
Tu r n
SQL
VOLpush
ALERT FLASH
MUTE ALERT
Alert 
Light 
						

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How Squelch Works
Think of “SQUELCH” as a gate. If the gate is too low (squelch
too low), everything (all noise as well as signals) gets through.
If the gate is set too high (squelch too high), nothing gets
through.
If the gate is set just right (squelch set properly), just the desired
signals get through.
Setting the Squelch
1. To set the squelch, press HOLD/RESUMEto stop scanning. 
If needed, adjust 
VOLuntil you do nothear a signal (see
page 17).
2. Turn 
SQLfully clockwise until hiss heard. 
This lowers the “squelch gate,” allowing all signals and noise
to get through.
3. Turn 
SQLfully counterclockwise just until hiss stops. 
This raises the “squelch gate,” allowing only strong signals to
get through.
In the city, you may want to adjust the Squelch even further
counterclockwise to decrease the range of the Highway Warning
Alert signal.
This prevents the alert from sounding unnecessarily due to
farther, less important sources.
Strong Signals
Medium Signals
Weak Signals
Noise
Strong Signals
Medium Signals
Weak Signals
Noise
Strong Signals
Medium Signals
Weak Signals
Noise
SQLpush
FLASH
MUTE ALERT
Tu r n
SQLpush
FLASH
MUTE ALERT
Tu r n 
						

							Highway Patrol Scanning
Highway Patrol frequencies are pre-programmed on a state-by-state basis. When Highway
Patrol scanning, the Highway Warning Alert is activated.
Selecting the State
1. Press STATEto select the state you are operating in. 
Press and hold 
STATEto scroll rapidly. 
Hint: For the State Code Order, please see page 56.
2. To step forward through the states (A - W), press 
STATE
and, within three seconds, press the key repeatedly. To
step backward through the states (W - A), press 
STATEand,
within three seconds, press the 
key repeatedly.
3. To scroll rapidly, press and hold the 
or  key.
Scanning Highway Patrol Frequency
You can scan Highway Patrol frequencies by pressing PVTor HWY.
1. Press 
HWYto scan through only pre-programmed Highway
Patrol frequencies.
or
Press 
PVTrepeatedly in Highway scanning mode until “HWY”
appears on the display to scan through pre-programmed
Highway Patrol frequencies.
Hint:  If you press PVTrepeatedly in Highway scanning mode
until “
HWY” and “PVT” appears on the display, you can
mix-scan between Highway Patrol frequencies and User
Programmed channels.
2. When the scanner receives communications, scanning stops,
the state code and the frequency appear.
When the transmission ends, the scanner holds for two
seconds on that frequency for a response. For more
information on the Delay feature, please see page 28.
If there is no response, scanning resumes.
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