Uniden Sc230 Vhf Uhf Scanner Owners Manual

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Using Weather Alert (SAME)
This setting determines which types of signals will trigger 
an alert. Select your setting, then press E.
Alert Only - the scanner alerts when it detects the 
1050 Hz tone that accompanies all weather alerts.
ALL FIPS - the scanner alerts and displays information 
about the weather alert when it receives any FIPS code 
(see “Programming a SAME Group” on Page 81).
SAME 1-5 - the scanner alerts and displays information 
about the weather alert when it receives a weather alert 
signal that includes any FIPS code you have 
programmed into the specified SAME group.
Programming a SAME Group
You can edit any of the 5 SAME groups in your scanner. 
Each group can have up to 8 FIPS codes.
SAME (Specific Area Messaging System) is a system 
developed by the National Weather Service to reduce the 
number of alerts received by consumers by allowing them 
to hear alerts only for the county(ies) they are interested 
in. Each alert contains information about the type and 
severity of the alert, as well as the specific geographic 
locations affected by the alert.
The geographic locations are designated using FIPS 
codes. Each county or parish in the US and its territories 
are assigned a FIPS code. In addition, certain special 
regions and wildcard settings can be assigned.
FIPS codes are in the format nSSCCC:
n: A special subcounty designator. For an entire county, 
use 0.
SS: The state code.
CCC: The county code.
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Using Weather Alert (SAME)
For example, Tarrant County in Texas is assigned to FIPS 
code 048439.
0 indicates the entire county
48 indicates the state of Texas
439 indicates Tarrant County
To get the FIPS code for your county, visit the National 
Weather Service web site at http://www.nws.noaa.gov 
and search for “FIPS Listing”.
 
J 4  WX Operation  J E 4 
PrograM SAME J E 4 SELECT SAME  J
4
 select the SAME group to edit J E
Select the setting to change, then press E.
Edit Name - enter the name you want to assign to the 
SAME group you selected (see “Entering Text” on 
Page 15). 
Edit County - select the position you want to store the 
FIPS code into, then press E, enter the FIPS code, and 
press E again.
Setting WX Alert Priority
 J 4  WX Operation  J E 4 
WX ALT PRIIORITY J E
On - the scanner checks the weather channels every 5 
seconds for a 1050 Hz weather alert signal. Press E to 
select.
Off - the scanner does not check the weather channels. 
Press E to select.
Menu
Menu
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Care and Maintenance
Care and MaintenanceGeneral Use
• Turn the scanner off before disconnecting the power. 
• Always write down the programmed frequencies in 
the event of memory loss. 
• If memory is lost, simply reprogram each channel.
• Always press each button firmly until you hear the 
entry tone for that key entry. 
Location
• Do not use the scanner in high-moisture 
environments such as the kitchen or bathroom. 
• Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near 
heating elements or vents. 
• If the scanner receives strong interference or 
electrical noise, move it or its antenna away from the 
source of the noise. If possible, a higher elevation 
might provide better reception. 
• Also try changing the height or angle of the antenna. 
Cleaning
• Disconnect the power to the unit before cleaning. 
• Clean the outside of the scanner with a mild 
detergent. 
• To prevent scratches, do not use abrasive cleaners or 
solvents. Be careful not to rub the LCD window. 
• Do not use excessive amounts of water. 
Care and Maintenance
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Care and Maintenance
Repairs
Do not attempt any repair. The scanner contains no user 
serviceable parts. Contact the Uniden Customer Service 
Center or take it to a qualified repair technician. 
Birdies
All radios can receive “birdies” (undesired signals). If your 
scanner stops during Scan mode and no sound is heard, 
it might be receiving a birdie. Birdies are internally 
generated signals inherent in the electronics of the 
scanner. 
Press L/O to lock out the channel.
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Troubleshooting
TroubleshootingIf your SC230 is not performing properly, try these steps. 
Problem Possible Cause Suggestion
The 
scanner 
doesn’t 
work.The scanner 
might not be 
receiving any 
power.Make sure the AC adap-
ter is connected to an 
AC outlet and the 
scanner.
If there is a wall switch 
that controls power to 
the AC outlet where you 
connected the AC adap-
ter, make sure it is on.
Improper 
reception.The antenna 
might need to be 
adjusted.Check the antenna 
connection or move or 
reposition the antenna.
Move the scanner.
You might be in a 
remote area that could 
require an optional 
multi-band antenna. 
Check with your dealer 
or local electronics 
store.
Scan won’t 
stop.The squelch 
might need to be 
adjusted.Adjust the squelch 
threshold. See “Turning 
On the Scanner and 
Setting the Squelch” on 
Page 34.
The antenna 
might need to be 
adjusted.Check the antenna 
connection.
One or more 
channels might be 
locked out.Make sure the channels 
you want to scan are 
not locked out.
The channel’s 
frequency might 
not be stored in 
memory.Make sure the 
channel’s frequency is 
stored in the scanner’s 
memory.
The channel might 
not be active.Wait for a transmission 
on the channel.
Troubleshooting
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Troubleshooting
If you still cannot get satisfactory results while using your 
scanner or if you want additional information, please call 
or write the Uniden Parts and Service Division.  
The address and phone number are listed in the Warranty 
at the end of this manual. If you would like immediate 
assistance, please call Customer Service at 
(800) 297-1023.
If you have Internet access, you can visit 
http://www.uniden.com for additional information.
Scan won’t 
start.You must press 
Scan to scan.Press Scan.
The squelch 
might need to be 
adjusted.Adjust the squelch 
threshold. See “Turning 
On the Scanner and 
Setting the Squelch” on 
Page 34.
One or more 
channels might be 
locked out.Make sure the channels 
you want to scan are 
not locked out.
The antenna 
might need to be 
adjusted.Check the antenna 
connection.
Weather 
scan 
doesn’t 
work.The squelch 
might need to be 
adjusted.Adjust the squelch 
threshold. See “Turning 
On the Scanner and 
Setting the Squelch” on 
Page 34.
The antenna 
might need to be 
adjusted.Check the antenna 
connection.
There might not 
be a NOAA 
weather 
broadcast in your 
area.Move to an area with a 
NOAA weather 
broadcast.
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							87
Specifications
SpecificationsCertified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations 
Part 15, Subpart C, as of date of manufacture.
Dynamic Allocation Capacity 
(with Name Assigned To Each System, Group, and 
Channel):
Systems: .......................................................... 200 max
Groups:
      Conventional Systems ........................ 20 per system
    Racing Systems  .........................................  No Limit
Channels:  ............................................... up to 2500
  Attenuation:  ......................18 dB (nominal), 10 dB (limit)
Frequency Range (MHz):
  25.0 - 26.960  ........ Petroleum Prods/Bcst Pickup Band
  26.965 - 27.405  .........................Citizens Band Class D
  27.410 - 27.995  ........................Business/Forest Prods
144.0 - 147.995  .........................  2 Meter Amateur Band
150.8 - 161.995  ....................................  VHF High Band
Above bands in 5 kHz steps 
  29.7 - 49.990  ........................................ VHF Low Band
Above band in 10 kHz steps 
 137.0 - 143.9875  .....................................  Military Band
 148.0 - 150.7875  .......................................Military Band
 162.0 - 174.0  ................................ Federal Government
 400.0 - 405.9875  .................................... Miscellaneous
 406.0 - 419.9875  .......................... Federal Land Mobile
 420.0 - 449.9875  ........................  70 cm Amateur Band
 450.0 - 469.9875  ..........................  UHF Standard Band
 470.0 - 512.0  .........................................  UHF TV Band
 806.0 - 823.9875  ..........................  Public Service Band
 849.0125 - 868.9875  ....................  Public Service Band
 894.0125 - 956.0  ..........................  Public Service Band
Above bands in 12.5 kHz steps 
  28.0 - 29.680  .......................... 10 Meter Amateur Band
  50.0 - 54.0  ................................ 6 Meter Amateur Band
216.0 - 224.980  ....................  1.25 Meter Amateur Band
Above bands in 20 kHz steps 
 108.0 - 136.9750  ................................................ Aircraft
1240.0 - 1300.0  ............................  25 cm Amateur Band
Above bands in 25 kHz steps 
Specifications
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Specifications
Operating Temperature:
  Normal ................................................ –20°C to +60°C
  Close Call  ........................................... –10°C to +60°C
Scan Rate:  ...............................100 channels per second
(conventional mode)
Search Rate:  ...... 300 steps per second (5 kHz step only)
Scan Delay:  ...................................................0-5 seconds
Audio Output:  .. 320mW nominal into 8Ω internal speaker
30 mW nominal into 32Ω headphone
6 mW nominal into 64Ω earphone
Power Requirements:
  2 AA Alkaline Batteries (3V DC),
  or 2 AA Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries  (2.4V DC),
  or AC Adapter (6 VDC 500mA) (AD-0008)
Antenna: .............................................. 50 Ω (Impedance)
External Jacks:
Antenna Jack  .................................................. BNC Type
Headphone Jack .................................................. 3.5mm
DC Power Jack (EIAJ TYPE-2 Center Positive)   5.5mm
Remote Jack   ................................................ 4 Pin Mini
Size:  ...................... 2.9 in. (W) x 1.4 in. (D) x 4.6 in. (H)
Weight: ................................................................ 0.49 lbs
Features, specifications, and availability of optional 
accessories are all subject to change without notice. 
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Optional Accessories
Optional AccessoriesContact your local Uniden Dealer or call the Uniden Parts 
Center at: (800) 554-3988, 8:00AM to 5:00PM EST, 
Monday through Friday, for information about ordering 
these optional accessories.
Betty Bearcat Frequency Directory/
Local Directories
fi
External Amplified Speaker Earphone
Optional Accessories
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Planning
PlanningCollecting Information
Getting your scanner programmed and scanning takes a 
few steps. This help guides you through these steps that 
will make it easier for you to start scanning. 
1. Collect information about the system(s) you want to 
monitor. 
Do you want to listen to your favorite driver at the 
track?  How about your local police and fire 
departments, the highway patrol, ambulance 
service, and aircraft?  You might even want to 
listen to race officials as they dispatch the pace car.
Make a list of the drivers, tracks, and agencies you 
want to listen to, then look up the frequencies and 
systems they use.  The Internet is a great source 
for current frequencies and information about 
scanning.  Here are a few useful sites:
•http://www.scannermaster.com/ - frequency 
resources and home of Police Call.
You can also call them at 1 800 SCANNER (hours 
are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time 
Monday through Friday.)
•http://www.radioreference.com/ - the Internets 
premier source for user-supported radio system 
information.
•http://www.bearcat1.com/ - frequency information 
from National Communications.
•http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/reports/index.cfm - 
conventional frequency information on file with the US 
Government
Tips:
• Scanners are designed to monitor complex radio
systems. That means that programming your scanner 
might seem like a daunting task at first. Be patient if 
you dont get it right the first time. You can also seek 
out help locally for the systems you want to scan by 
visiting the forums section of 
http://www.radioreference.com/
modules.php?name=Forums.
Planning
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