How To Program Uniden Bct15x

Easier to Read BCT15-X Scanner Manual Easier to Read BCT15-X Scanner Manual available at Click to buy a printed, bound, formatted in color, copy of this manual from Last Updated January 16, 2016 Contents Introduction Here we go again. Uniden has put out this fabulous scanner that will do a multitude of scanning achievement and you are here to find out how. This scanner is exceptionally harder to program for many (even seasoned programmers) because, there is no printed manual and the CD manual is too cluttered. I have written this manual to keep all of you from giving up hope, loosing you mind, trying to return your scanner, or all of the above. This manual is a culmination of the Wiki, the CD manual, (273 pages!?) of the BCD396XT Complete Reference ( still not one for the BCT15-X), and all other previous ' and Uniden manuals. There are quite a few improved and new features the BCT15-X has that the BCT15 didn't have. 9,000 channels, control channel data output, negative delay or forced resume (and why did it take 5 years to bring that back?), unit (or radio) IDs can now be viewed with trunking systems, number tags for your systems/channels/searches, Priority IDs, Preemptive Priority on Motorola analog systems, an adjustable priority check interval with an adjustable number of channels to be checked, adjustable volume offset for each channel, GPS control has been narrowed down to the site and group level (vs.

• How To Manually Program Uniden Bct15x
• How To Program Uniden Bct15x Scanner
• How To Program Uniden Bct15x

System/site level), a, and the ability set a system as '. Fire Tone-Out will now search and find your tones to program (duh).

Any of the 3 ' can now be assign to a 'Band Scope Mode' or a Tone-Out search as well as any custom or service search. You can edit the default receive bands of the scanner to better and quicker suit your scanning preferences.

For the 'techs', you can now enter your Motorola IDs in hexadecimal format. They have increased the max range limit for approaching a POI from 2 to 4 miles. For those of you who use GPS enabled scanning on mountain tops, they increased the max range setting from 50 to 125 miles. For those of you driving a Lamborghini, they've bumped up the max speed limit for approaching a Dangerous Road/Xing from 100 to 200 mph. Now the annoying stuff.

Right out of the box all of the Bear Tracker features are turned on which is ridiculous if you don't know how to turn them off. The default volume for the Bear Tracker alert tone is like a smoke detector, way too loud for any poor soul who gets caught in front of the scanner when it goes off. Most of you that have the scanner have rudely found this out.

Uniden apparently doesn't think this scanner (or the 346XT) deserves AGC. They also dropped attenuation for Bear Tracker scanning and the 'Max Priority Scan' feature which limits the number of preset Bear Tracker priority channels scanned with priority on.

Number tags should be viewed with the rest of the channel info so you can just scroll to them. With you are stuck with just the last mode the scanner was in when you turned off the radio (i.e. Close Call, Scan, etc.).

(Maybe they should've called it Mode-Safe Mode?). 'Private' systems can be set to Private only with software. Can't be canceled once you start using it; the scanner remembers the last use configuration unless you use another, (still) scans multiple trunking systems relatively slow even with the hold time set to 0 (especially if you have a lot of IDs programmed). You have to hold on a channel first, to attenuate it. There is no 'per channel' delay; you must set the delay for the whole system (all sites, all groups, all channels). Resetting the radio- how many of you can do that on the first try? Updating the firmware (after trying to get it from Uniden's website) is still very complicated.

And, the biggest complaint was no printed manual. If you don't need 9,000 channels, negative delay, or the Band Scope mode you're better off with the older.

There are better antennas out there to use than the one that comes with the scanner. The stock whip isn't fabulous.

RS has the for $15 - better for VHF/UHF. The for $25 - 100% better for 700+ MHz. You may be able to find others on the web but RS is convenient so you can buy it and take it back in the same day if you don't like it. Read the reviews for each at the site. I should also mention that Rich Barnett, president of, was kind enough to lend me a BCT15-X so I could write this manual.

Without this personal gesture, you would not be reading this. And, thanks to the many people who have posted their valuable insight on the and Yahoo groups.

An overview of the features can also be viewed at my page. It is also recommended that you download and install the latest firmware upgrade for the scanners if you don't have it. See checking. Another recommendation is the freeware that allows POI, DRD, and DXG editing and can run with Macintosh operating systems. For those of you who are new to, or haven't had a scanner in the last 10 years it is a good idea to read the respective sections on those topics.

Dial Type: Analog. Minute markers around the outer rim. White dial with silver-tone hands and index hour markers. Diesel 10 bar only the brave. Fixed stainless steel bezel. Arabic numeral marks the 12 o'clock position.

You really have to know how trunking works in order to program a trunking system. It won't do you any good to try to program a trunking system unless you know what the radio needs and is going to do with the data (control channel, IDs, LCN order, etc.). I have included links to other information in the (not relevant to the operation of the scanner) so you can still find the rest of the info such as specs, weather event codes, deciphering trunked systems, etc. And concentrate on the programming and operation of the scanner. I hereby absolve myself from anything that happens to anyone or the scanner as a result of the information you will be reading. You are welcome to copy and/or print these pages and use them in the scanning hobby as long as you don't change, redistribute, or charge/accept money for them.

I have tried the best I can to make sure everything is accurate here but if I missed a step or you see something that's obviously wrong, please me. Check back often as this document will be updated and revised from time to time.

Main Features Trunk Tracker III Operation - follows conversations on analog Motorola, EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands. alerts you when channels normally used by public safety systems and 'mobile extenders' are in use nearby. State-by-State Preprogrammed Channels - lets you easily monitor activity on local Police, Department of Transportation, and Highway Patrol frequencies when you travel without having to program any channels. lets you listen to alerts only from channels in Bear Tracker (conventional) systems or sites, Close Call, Weather (WX), and GPS. lets you disable alerts from Bear Tracker priority channels, Emergency Alert (for a Motorola ID), Close Call, Tone-Out, and GPS alerts. State-by-State Preprogrammed Channels - lets you easily monitor activity on local Police, Department of Transportation, and Highway Patrol frequencies when you travel without having to program any channels.

organized into 'Systems', 'Sites', (within trunking systems), 'Groups' (within systems), and channels (within groups). Up to 500 systems, 1,000 total sites (max 256 per system), 20 groups per system, and 25,000 channels (500 max IDs or 1,000 frequencies per system). lets you program the scanner to share trunked system IDs across multiple sites without duplicating IDs, and turn each site on and off independently so that you can select the best site to scan for your area.

Control Channel Only Scanning - allows you to enter just the control channels to trunktrack a Motorola system and the scanner will find the voice channels. System/Channel Number Tagging - number tags allow you to quickly navigate to a specific system or channel. You can assign number tags to systems, channels, service searches, and custom search ranges. You can also assign a number tag to the 'Close Call' system created during 'Close Call Auto Store' and the temporary system 'Close Call Hits'. Band Scope mode is a special type of search mode where the scanner displays the strength of any signal it finds.

Priority/Priority Plus Scan - priority channels let you keep track of activity on your most important channels while monitoring other channels for transmissions and you can scan just the priority channels. allows you to set priority to talkgroup IDs. a feature that works on Motorola systems.

If the Motorola system has priority channels, and you assign one of those talkgroups as priority in the scanner, then when one of those channels becomes active, the scanner will jump to it even if it is on a different system voice channel (i.e. It preempts your current reception). EDACS ESK Support - provides the ability to monitor analog talkgroups on those systems. Adjustable Scan/Search Delay/Resume - set a delay up to 30 seconds or a forced resume up to 10 seconds. (per system or search).

Intermediate Frequency Exchange - changes the IF used for a selected channel/frequency to help avoid image and other mixer-product interference. Individual Channel Volume Offset - allows you to adjust the volume offset for each channel. Control Channel Data Output - allows the analysis of control channel data without the need to perform invasive modifications to the scanner. lets you flag a system so that it cannot be read out of the scanner or modified ( only with optional software). lets you hand the scanner to a novice user and prevent programming from being modified. Start-up Configuration - you can program each of your conventional systems, trunked sites, service searches, or custom searches with a 'Startup Key' (0-9) so that when you power up the scanner and press the key number, just those systems/sites/searches assigned to the key will be enabled for scan (groups are not effected). using an optional GPS unit you can scan your systems based on a set range from your current location.

notifies you when you are near an area you have programmed as a dangerous road, dangerous intersection, or a general point of interest. Search with Scan Operation - lets you include and/or assign quick keys to selected service/custom search ranges during scan operation. you can scan conventional systems/trunked sites, groups, and searches by assigning them to quick keys.

you can assign 3 of the number keys to start a search range, Tone-Out search, or view the 'Band Scope' mode. Temporary Lockout - automatically unlock temporarily locked out channels/systems/searches/locations when you cycle power. CTCSS/DCS Tone Decode - decodes and displays Continuous Tone Code Squelch System tones being transmitted and plays Digital Coded Squelch being received. CTCSS/DCS Search - lets you search for CTCSS or DCS tones when it finds an active frequency in search and close call modes. lets you set the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions.

Close Call 'Do-not-Disturb' checks for Close Call activity in between channel reception so active channels are not interrupted. Close Call Temporary Store - temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close Call hits in the 'Hits with Scan' system. lets you set the scanner to alert you if a two-tone sequential page is transmitted.

You can set up to 10 settings (transmit frequency, tone frequencies) then select one for standby monitoring. The scanner will also search and display unknown tones. the scanner can be set to automatically store all active frequencies from a service or limit search in a conventional system you select or automatically store all new talk group IDs into a trunked system you select. Custom Alerts - you can program your scanner to alert you when, a channel is received, you receive a Close Call hit, a talkgroup ID is transmitted with an emergency alert, you get close to a POI (Point of Interest)/Dangerous Road/Dangerous Crossing, or you receive a Tone-Out hit. For each alert in the scanner, you can select from 9 different tone patterns, 15 volume settings, and 2 blink patterns. Repeater Reverse - allows the scanner to try to switch to the repeater if an input frequency is found. Broadcast Screen - allows the scanner to ignore hits on known broadcast frequencies including pager frequencies in search and Close Call modes.

You can also program up to 10 custom frequency ranges that the scanner will ignore. Text Tagging - you can name each system, site, group, channel, talk group ID, custom search range, location, Tone-Out, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name. (with programmable FIP codes) lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displays the alert type. Adjustable Hold (Scan) Time per System/Search - allows you to adjust the length of time spent scanning each system or search. Record-Out Jack - lets you can connect an output jack to a VOX controlled recorder or PC sound input to record the received audio on selected channels, systems, Close Call, Fire Tone-Out, and searches.

DIN-E and ISO Vehicle Mountable - using the (optional) DIN-E sleeve or a standard ISO technique, the scanner can be easily mounted in most vehicles. Dimmer Circuit - a special wire lets you connect to the dimmer circuit of your vehicle so the vehicle's dimmer also dims the scanner's lighting.

PC Control/Clone - you can transfer data to and from your scanner or another scanner and your personal computer, and control the scanner using a computer. Multi-Level Display and Keypad light - makes the display and keypad easy to see with three light levels. Signal Strength Meter - shows the signal strength for the more powerful transmissions. 12 Service Searches - frequencies are preset in separate marine, railroad, air, CB radio, racing, FM broadcast, public safety, military air, FRS/GMRS, news, amateur radio, and special (itinerant) searches to make it easy to find specific transmissions.

10 Custom Searches - lets you program up to 10 custom search ranges. Quick Search - lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency or channel or enter a frequency and start searching. Automatic Channel Setup - accepts frequencies on any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within the band plan's default steps. allows you to set the step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) and modulation (AM, FM, NFM, WFM, or FMB) for 31 different bands. Attenuator - you can set the scanner's attenuator to reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 20 dB per channel, search band, close call band, or trunked system. Duplicate Frequency Alert - alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in the scanner.

Search Lockouts - you can lock out up to 500 frequencies (250 temporary, 250 permanent) in search or close call search. Scanning Terminology Channel- a programmed frequency or talk group ID location. Scanning- the process of stepping through conventional channels in groups, which are in programmed 'systems'. ID Scan Mode - the process of monitoring trunked systems for programmed active talkgroup IDs in ID groups, in programmed 'systems'. ID Search Mode - the process of monitoring trunked systems for all active talkgroup IDs in ID groups, in programmed 'systems'. Searching- the process of searching for active frequencies in quick search, service, custom search, Close Call search, Search and Store, or Close Call Auto Store. Function Mode- the mode the radio is in when it's waiting for another key press or scroll.

Hold Mode- used for monitoring a single system, site, channel, frequency, or Close Call Hit. Menu Mode- used for programming frequencies, IDs, trunking frequencies/systems/sites/groups/locations/fleet maps, and other 'system' settings. Band Scope Mode- the mode the radio is in while doing a Band Scope search. GPS Display Mode- the mode the radio is in where you can see location information and information about your position relative to a selected POI (Point of Interest). GPS Review Location Mode- If you have programmed data for a POI (Point of Interest), Dangerous Crossing, and a Dangerous Road, you can review each set on a screen dedicated to showing just that data.

Tone-Out Mode- the mode the radio is in when it's monitoring paging tones. Understanding Dynamic Memory The scanner's memory is organized in an architecture called Dynamic Allocated Channel memory. This type of memory is organized differently and more efficiently than the bank/channel architecture used by traditional scanners. Dynamic Allocated design matches how radio systems actually work much more closely and make it easier to determine how much memory you have used and how much you have left. No memory space is wasted. Since you can only program one trunking system per bank in a traditional scanner, and let's say you only have 10 banks, you can only store 10 trunking systems. Also, since some trunked systems might have hundreds of talk groups you wish to monitor, you might have to enter those systems into multiple banks in order to monitor all the ID's.

Instead of being organized into separate banks and channels, the scanner's memory is contained in a pool. You build the systems and groups then use as much memory as you need in the pool to store frequencies, talk group ID's, and alpha tags. With all previous scanners, you selected banks to scan that had channels stored in them. With this scanner, you select conventional 'Systems' (or trunking 'Sites') to scan that have channel 'Groups' stored within the 'Systems'. Conventional systems have frequency groups and trunking systems have ID groups. For trunking systems, you have to create at least 1 'Site' (Motorola and EDACS only) or multiple sites first that hold the trunking frequencies for each site.

The ID channel 'Groups' stored within the trunking systems can be used with all the sites. You can store up to 20 'Groups' per 'System' with up to 1000 frequencies or 500 IDs in each 'Group'. You can have 1000 total channels per conventional system and up to 256 'Sites' if you have enough memory. You can have a maximum of 500 Systems, 1000 Sites, and 9,000 Channels.

Understanding Quick Keys There are 100 'System/Site/Search Quick Keys' (0-99) and 10 'Group Quick Keys' (0-9). 'Quick Keys' are used to turn conventional systems, trunking sites (not systems), channel groups, and custom/service searches on and off while scanning. This is not the same as locking out or unlocking systems/sites/groups/searches (which you can also do). They are just the number keys on the scanner but once assigned to systems/sites/groups/searches they become the 'Quick Key's. You can program one or more system/site/group/search to any quick key or, program one or more system/site/group/search with no quick key. Any conventional system, Close Call system, trunked site, group, service search, custom search, or 'Quick Save' system/group not assigned to a quick key (and/or not locked out) will be scanned. My advice is to assign everything to quick keys so you don't have to remember what to turn off/on or what to unlock/lockout.

There are no indicators in the display showing systems/sites/groups with no quick key so you won't know if they are being scanned unless you see (or don't see) them scroll by in the display. Conventional Simplex and Repeater Systems Simplex systems use a single frequency for both transmit and receive. Most radios using this type of operation are limited to line-of-sight operation. This type of radio is frequently used at construction job sites, and with inexpensive consumer radios such as GMRS/FRS radios. The range is typically 1-8 miles, depending upon the terrain and many other factors.

Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits from the radio to a central repeater; the other transmits from the repeater to other radios in the system. With a repeater based system, the repeater is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower that provides great visibility to the area of operation.

When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the signal is picked up by the repeater and retransmitted (on an output frequency). The user's radios always listen for activity on the output frequency and transmit on the input frequency. Since the repeater is located very high, there is a very large line of sight.

Typical repeater systems provide coverage out to about a 25-mile radius from the repeater location. Understanding CTCSS/DCS Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) are two methods used to prevent interference by other radio communications.

Your scanner can receive transmissions that use these codes (or more commonly referred to as tone codes). CTCSS and DCS systems all use some form of coded squelch. Coded squelch techniques involve the transmission of a special 'code' signal along with the audio of a radio transmission. A receiver with coded squelch only activates when the received signal has the correct 'code'. This lets many users share a single frequency, and decreases interference caused by distant transmitters on the same channel. In all major metropolitan areas of the United States, every available radio channel is assigned to more than one user. Public safety radio systems on the same frequency are usually set up at a distance of 40 miles apart, or more.

This means that you may hear transmissions from a distant system when your local system is not transmitting. By programming the CTCSS tone for a local channel the scanner will not stop on transmissions from the distant system. With few exceptions, such as the VHF Aircraft and Marine bands, almost every other VHF or UHF radio system uses some form of coded squelch. By far, CTCSS is the most popular mode among non-trunked systems.

How To Manually Program Uniden Bct15x

For more information visit Radio Reference's respective pages on, and. Understanding Trunking. Trunking systems let a large group of 2-way radio users (or even different groups of 2-way radio users) efficiently use a set of frequencies. Instead of selecting a specific frequency for a transmission, the user’s radio selects a programmed trunking bank in the system when that user presses their PTT (push to talk) button. The trunking system automatically transmits the call on the first available frequency, and also sends (on a different frequency called a Data or Control channel) a code that uniquely identifies that transmission as a talkgroup ID (or just ID.) So when you are trunktracking a system, you are listening to active IDs transmitting in the system (each using the first available frequency in the system.) Trunking systems in general allocate and use fewer frequencies among many different users. Since the trunking system might send a call and its response on different frequencies, it is difficult to listen to trunked communications using a conventional scanner.

These scanners let you monitor the control channel frequency so you can hear calls and responses for users and more easily 'follow' conversations than with a conventional scanner. This trunking scanner trunktracks the following types of systems:.

Motorola Type I. Motorola Type II. Motorola Type IIi Hybrid. Motorola Type II Smartnet.

Motorola Type II Smartzone. Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink. EDACS Standard (Wide). EDACS Narrowband (Narrow). EDACS Networked (Wide/Narrow).

EDACS SCAT. EDACS ESK. LTR Standard.

When you program Motorola and EDACS system frequencies into the scanner, one frequency is the control (or data) channel, and the rest are voice frequencies shared by all the users. There may be 3 or 4 frequencies assigned as (primary or alternate) control channels but only one control channel will be active at a time. These scanners will allow you to program just Motorola control channels into the trunking system and the voice channels will automatically be found (but not programmed). EDACS systems need all the frequencies for the system programmed and in the correct (Logical Channel Number) order.

The control channel is continually transmitted to the field units and has a sound similar to listening to a boat engine over the phone (in manual mode; you won't hear this when you are trunking the system.) This control channel is also a good check to see if you can trunktrack the system. If you can't hear a control channel when you step through the trunking frequencies (in manual mode), you either don't have all the frequencies or are too far away to receive the control channel and the system. Motorola systems are limited to a maximum of 28 frequencies per system or site. Ericsson EDACS systems are limited to 25 frequencies per system or site.

Motorola and EDACS systems can be either analog, digital, or mixed (digital and analog talkgroups). Mixed Motorola systems should be programmed as Motorola systems and not P25 digital systems. This scanner can't monitor digital systems.

LTR systems work a little differently. LTR systems typically do not have a dedicated control channel. This type of system encodes all trunking information as digital subaudible data that accompanies each transmission. The frequencies also have to be in (Logical Channel Number) order or the correct 'slot' for the system to trunktrack properly. Each repeater has its own controller, and all of these controllers are synchronized together. Even though each controller monitors its own channel, one of the channel controllers is assigned to be a master that all controllers report to.

Each of these controllers sends out a data burst approximately every 10 seconds so that the subscriber units know that the system is there. This data burst is not sent at the same time by all the channels, but happens randomly throughout all the system channels. If you listen to the frequencies of an LTR system in manual mode (not trunking), on every channel in the system you will hear this data burst that will sound like a short blip of static like someone keyed up and unkeyed a radio within about 500 msec. LTR systems are limited to 20 frequencies per system. Trunkscanning is basically scanning IDs that are programmed into ID locations (same concept as frequencies into channels). You can then trunkscan just the programmed IDs. Trunktracking is searching for all IDs in a system (same concept as searching for frequencies in a band).

Understanding Multi-Site Trunking Some Motorola and EDACS systems covering a very large geographic area use multiple antenna sites that each operate on different frequencies and use the same talkgroup IDs for traffic. Each site will have its own set of trunking frequencies and is monitored like a single system.

Each site can have its own quick key, so you can turn each individual site on or off while you scan. Program your talkgroups into channel groups within that system and all talkgroups in the system are available to every site so they don't have to be reprogrammed for each site. Since all sites share all the talkgroups within the system, multi-site trunking is much more efficient than programming each site as a separate system. Radio Reference.com has an excellent page explaining the various types of trunking systems in more detail. Understanding IDs IDs are what you see instead of frequencies when you monitor a trunking system.

Motorola IDs come in two formats: Type I and Type II. Each format displays and uses talk group IDs in slightly different ways. Type I/II hybrid systems use both fleet-subfleet and 5-digit formats for talk group IDs.

Type I IDs are in the format FFF-SS where FFF is the fleet and SS is the sub-fleet. Type I systems are usually organized with different IDs assigned to different fleets. For example, a valid fleet/subfleet ID identifying all detectives within a police department might be 000-12, where 000 identifies all police IDs and 12 identifies the Detective division. To properly trunk a Type I system, you have to program the fleet map for the system. Type II IDs are identified by a 5-digit number.

EDACS IDs come in two formats: AFS and Decimal. AFS IDs are in the form AA-FFS where AA is the agency, FF is the fleet, and S is the sub-fleet. EDACS systems are organized with different IDs assigned to different fleets and agencies. For example, a valid agency/fleet/subfleet ID identifying all detectives within a police department in an agency might be 06-101, where 06 identifies the agency (Police), 10 identifies the Police division (East side), and 1 identifies the Detective division. Decimal IDs are shown as a decimal number from 0 to 2047. You can find a chart showing Decimal and AFS IDs here:.

I-Call IDS (Motorola/EDACS only) are direct unit-to-unit transmissions that are not heard by other system users. I-call IDs are usually 6-digit IDs (ex: 700152). Unit IDS (or Radio IDs) are 7 or 8 digit numbers identifying individual radios. Note: To view unit IDs you have to turn the option on in the ' menu. LTR IDS are in the format A-HH-UUU where A is the area code (0 or 1), HH is the home repeater (01-20), and UUU is the user ID (000-254).

Turning on the Scanner and Setting the Squelch Note: this applies to a fresh scanner right out of the box or one that has been reset with the preprogrammed systems reloaded. Rotate VOL clockwise to turn on the scanner and set the volume to around 6-8. The scanner should start scanning one of the preprogrammed states after the welcome screen disappears. Find a comfortable volume level. Rotate the SQ knob counter-clockwise all the way then clockwise until the noise stops, then one notch more. Press Hold to resume scanning. Right away you may want to check these settings in the ' menu.

Set Backlight/Dimmer, Adjust Key Beep, Adjust Contrast, and Set Serial Port (if you plan to upload/download). See also to disable some of the default Bear Tracker features and alerts. The only things you will be able to scan right out of the box are the preprogrammed states in the scanner. You will, however, be able to use the and do a,. Navigating the Menu The scanner's menu lets you select options that let you set up and use the scanner using the MENU key.

To select a menu item, rotate the scroll control clockwise or counterclockwise. The currently-selected menu item is highlighted with a bar on the display. When the menu item you want to select is highlighted, press E(Yes) or (the scroll control) to select it. To back up a level, press MENU.

To exit all menus press L/O or SCAN. Keypad and Knob Controls Each of the knobs and keys on the BCT15-X produce several different results depending upon how you activate them. You can, for example, rotate the knobs as well as press them. Some keys provide one operation when briefly pressed while pressing and holding a key or knob gives a different result. Many controls and keys behave differently depending on the mode your radio is in when you use the key or control. Key Function(s) SQ(Squelch)/ /Mute Turn to adjust the squelch. Press to toggle temporary Alert Mute on or off in Any Mode.

Press and hold to turn continuous Alert Mute on; press to cancel Alert Mute in Any Mode. Press then press SQ to toggle Close Call DND, Close Call Priority, or Close Call Off in Any Mode except Tone-Out and GPS. Press then press and hold SQ to turn on Close Call Only in Any Mode except GPS. The blue light flashes with a Close Call hit. The red light flashes once then stays on for a weather or Bear Tracker alert. (for about 3 minutes) The red light flashes once then stays on for a weather alert.

(for about 3 minutes?) The red light stays on for a Dangerous Road/Crossing alert until canceled (locked out). VOL/Light/State Turns the scanner on/off and adjusts the volume.

Press then VOL to select a state in Any Mode. Press to toggle through the backlight intensities in Any Mode. (DOT)POL(PRI) Press to toggle (selected) State frequencies or Dept.

Of Transportation frequencies or both, on or off in Scan Mode. Press to go to Scan Mode in Any Mode. Press then POL to toggle Priority On, Priority Plus, Priority Off in Scan Mode. ( ) HP(ALT) Press to toggle Highway Patrol or Bear Tracker Operation or both, on or off in Scan Mode. Press to go to Scan Mode in Any Mode.

Press then HP(ALT) to toggle ' Alert Plus' on or off in Any Mode except GPS. GPS(WX) Press to switch to GPS mode in Any Mode. Press and hold to store (overwrite) current location (with a GPS device connected) in GPS Display/Review Location Mode. Press then GPS(WX) to toggle Weather Alert Priority on/off in Any Mode except GPS. Press then press and hold to start Weather Scan in Any Mode except GPS. Press then GPS(WX) to switch to Weather Alert in Weather Scan Mode.

Press then GPS(WX) to switch to Weather Scan in Weather Alert Mode. MENU Press to e nter Menu Mode. Press to return to previous menu. Press to go to a channel and/or a system number tag after entering.

Press to return to GPS mode in Review Location Mode. Press then MENU to go to the ' Edit' menu for the current system in Scan Mode.

Press then MENU to go to the ' Search for.' Menu in Search Mode. Press then MENU to go to the ' Close Call' menu in Close Call Only Mode. Press then MENU to go to the ' WX Operation' menu in Any Weather Mode. Press then MENU to go to the ' Edit' menu for the current POI in GPS Display Mode. Press then MENU to go to the ' Tone-Out for.'

Menu in Tone-Out Standby/Search. Press then MENU to go to the ' Set Bear Tracker' menu if in the Bear Tracker Mode. L/O Press to toggle the lockout status of a channel in Scan Mode. Press to toggle the lockout status of a frequency in Search Mode.

Press to toggle the lockout status of a location in GPS Review Location Mode. Press and hold to unlock (and enable) all groups and channels in a system in Scan Hold Mode. Press and hold to unlock all channels for your State in Bear Tracker Hold Mode. Press and hold to unlock all frequencies of all search ranges/Close Call in Search Hold Mode. Press and hold to unlock all locations of the current type (POI, DRD, or DXG) in GPS Review Location Mode. Press then L/O to review and unlock search frequencies in Search/ Close Call Only Modes.

Press then L/O to toggle the lockout status of a conventional system/site/search in Scan Hold Mode. Press then Press and hold L/O to unlock (and enable) all systems, groups, channels, and search ranges in Scan Mode. Press then Press and hold L/O to unlock all locations of all types (POI, DRD, or DXG) in GPS Review Location Mode. Press to exit Menu Mode or return to the last mode. Number Keys Enter any 3-digit channel number tag then MENU to access a channel in the current system in Scan Hold Mode. Enter any 3-digit system number tag then.(No) then any 3-digit channel number tag then MENU to access a channel in another system in Scan Hold Mode. Enter any frequency/ID then Hold to go directly to in Scan/ Search Hold Modes.

Press 0-9 to toggle single -digit system/site/search quick keys on or off in Scan Mode. Press 0-9 to toggle custom searches on or off in Search Mode. Press 1-7 to toggle Close Call bands on or off in Close Call Only Mode. Press 4 to move the cursor to the left when editing text.

Press 6 to move the cursor to the right when editing text. Press then 0-9 to toggle group quick keys on or off in Scan Mode. Press then 1(Srch 1)- 3(Srch 3) to turn search keys on in Any Mode except GPS.

Press then 4(IFX) to toggle intermediate frequency exchange for a channel/frequency in Scan/ Search/ Weather Hold Modes. Press then 5(LVL) to toggle the volume offset for a channel in Scan Hold Mode.

Press then 6(DISP) to toggle (1, 2, or 3) in Scan Hold Mode. Press then 6(DISP) to toggle POI displays in GPS Display Mode. Press then 7(ATT) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a conventional channel in Scan Hold Mode.

Press then 7(ATT) to toggle the attenuator on/off for a trunked site in Scan Hold Mode. Press then 7(ATT) to toggle the attenuator on/off in Search/ Close Call Only/ Tone-Out/ Weather Modes.

Press then press and hold 7(ATT) to toggle global attenuation on/off in Any Hold Mode except GPS. Press then press and hold 8(REV) to view the repeater frequency in Scan/ Search/ Close Call Only Hold Modes.

How To Program Uniden Bct15x Scanner

Press then 9(MOD) to toggle the modulation for a conventional channel in Scan Hold Mode. Press then 9(MOD) to toggle the modulation for a trunked site in Scan Hold Mode. Press then 9(MOD) to toggle the modulation for a search/Close Call/Tone-Out in Search Mode. (.)No Press to cancel an error or warning message. Press to enter a decimal point after a system number tag. Press before entering a 2-digit system/site/search quick key to turn on or off in Scan Mode.

Press to enter a decimal point for a frequency while programming. Press to enter a hyphen when entering an ID while programming. Press to enter an 'i' when entering an 'I-Call' ID while programming. Press once to delete current character when editing text. Press twice to delete all characters when editing text. E(Yes) Press to select a menu item or save an entry in Menu Mode.

Press to store a (blinking) CTCSS/DCS tone in Scan Mode. Press to store an ID in 'ID Search' mode while scanning a trunked system in Scan Mode. Press to 'quick store' a frequency in Search/ Close Call Only/ Weather Modes. Press to store found tones in Tone-Out Search Mode.

Press to enter the Menu mode for the current Tone-Out in Tone-Out Mode. Press to enter the Menu mode for a displayed channel in Scan Mode. Press to enter 'Review Location' menu in GPS Display Mode. /Scroll Control Press to enter Function Mode for 4 seconds. Press and hold to lock Function Mode.

How To Program Uniden Bct15x

Press again to unlock. Press to select a menu item or save an entry in Menu Mode. Turn to scroll to a menu item in Menu Mode.

Turn to select characters when editing text. Turn to select scan/search direction and to continue scan/search in Scan/ Search Modes. Turn to select channel or frequency in Scan/ Search Hold Modes. Turn to select POIs in GPS Display Mode. Turn to select locations GPS Review Location Mode. Turn to temporary lock out an alert in GPS Display Mode. Turn to select Tone-Outs in Tone-Out Mode.

Press then turn to scroll to systems/sites/searches in Scan Mode. Press then turn to skip to the location that starts with the next letter of the alphabet in GPS Review Location Mode.

Scan/Search Press to start/continue/resume scanning in Scan/ GPS Modes. Press to start/continue/resume searching in Search Mode. Press then Scan/Srch to start a 'quick search' at the current frequency while scanning a conventional system in Scan Mode. Press then Scan/Srch to change from ' ID Scan' to ' ID Search' while scanning a trunking site in Scan Mode.

Hold/Resume Press to hold on a channel, frequency, search, Close Call hit, or Tone-Out search. Press again to resume. Press to hold in Band Scope Mode. Press to recall the last Close Call Hit in Close Call Only Mode.

Press and hold to hold on a system in Scan mode. Press and hold to resume. A Look at the Display. Conventional Display Mode 1 (Function Mode) Conventional Display Mode 2 Trunking Display Mode 1 Trunking Display Mode 2 Trunking Display Mode 3 (Hold Mode) Close Call Auto Store The display has indicators that show the scanner's current operating status.

The display information helps you understand how your scanner operates. Top Line appears when you press to select Function mode in Any Mode. Appears and blinks when you press and hold to lock Function mode in Any Mode. HOLD appears in Hold Mode. L/O appears if the system/site/group/channel/frequency/search/location is locked out in Hold Mode. Shows the system number tag and channel number tag (if programmed) in Function Mode. PRI appears in priority mode and blinks in priority plus mode in Scan Mode.

Appears to show the signal strength of the receiving channel or frequency. GPS appears if the scanner is connected to a GPS device and receiving a signal in Any Mode.

The BCT15X comes equipped with Uniden exclusive features like Advanced Dynamic Memory System, Close Call ® RF Capture Technology, and GPS compatibility. See the for more information.

TrunkTracker III Technology - So you can keep up with the action on Motorola, EDACS and LTR systems. 9000 Dynamically Allocated Channels - Plenty of room for all your local systems. Close Call® RF Capture Technology - Instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters. System / Channel Number Tagging - provides rapid access to a specific system or channel. Location-Based Scanning - Connect an optional GPS for automatic channel selection.

Fire Tone-Out. Alpha Tagging. 100 Quick Key System Access. Band Scope - Graphically finds radio activity. Continuous Band Coverage.

25MHz to 1.3GHz Excluding UHF TV and Cellular. Temporary Lockout - Lets you temporarily lockout noisy channels.

Search with Scan. DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode - Instantly Detects and Displays the Subaudible Tone So You Can Quickly Determine the System Settings. Weather Alert - Specific Area Message Encoding - During a NOAA Weather or Emergency Alert, a code for your specific location will alert you to severe conditions in your immediate area. PC Programming/Control. Public Safety Scanner.

Compatible with BC-RH96 Remote Head. Individual Channel Volume Offset. Priority ID Scan on trunked systems.

› Mark's Scanners is an excellent website which has a very detailed digital owner's guides for all police scanner radios including the. We highly recommend this page to all BCT15X owners (and potential owners) as it loaded with how-to's, screenshots and more. › Download free BCT15X Software. While software is not included with this scanner, this is free software that you can use. Download this software for free, set up favorite lists, configure for your area & see if you're comfortable operating before you buy. If you buy, you'll have everything set up & ready to go.

This is the official BCT15X owner's manual but we highly recommend Mark's Scanners over this. › Radio Reference is the largest police scanner radio forum with over 850k users. There are several threads about the where just about every question imaginable has been asked and answered by BCT15X owners. › There are Yahoo Groups for every police scanner radio including the. › Radio Reference has a wiki page for each scanner including the. › eHam has several.

Programming Includes › Check & install any firmware updates (OS may have updates since production). › Sync & update frequencies to ensure accuracy. › Create favorites lists for as many States & Counties as ordered. › Set clock & date. › Program with 3rd party software. › Use national frequency database for frequencies. Programming Details With 'One Touch Programming' our technician will program your scanner for your area; all you need to do is simply power your scanner on.

Choose as many Counties as you'd like and our scanner technician will create favorites lists for police, fire and EMS in that County using frequencies from a national frequency database. When you choose a County we also program the State that County is in. For example, if you choose Cook County Illinois, we will program Illinois State police, fire & EMS in addition to Cook County police, fire & EMS.

If your County is large and you want to listen to a specific City within that County, add this to the notes section. Note programming adds 2 to 3 days to shipping. Programming Overview Programming is the #1 concern of potential police scanner radio buyers. Each scanners' programming is unique & we added how-to's on each scanner product page showing how to program that particular scanner (see above for this model). We recommend following the decision tree graphic below & watching programming videos to determine whether you should have your scanner professionally programmed. 95% of all scanner sales include programming either at purchase or after, when users get frustrated.

Couldn't be more pleased with this excellent radio! Programming though time consuming at first to perform using the front panel controls, (We are a Macintosh Family and NO Mac Software Included) but literally in less than 5 minutes spent with the 'Online Owners Manual' I was blazing through my laundry list of Cal Fire and National Forest Service frequency lists and adding them into the radio's handy groups and sub-groups sections. Child's play is how I would describe the programming process, so I find it strange to read complaints about the programming process being too difficult. (I picture a VCR nearby flashing 12:00 as these folks pen their misleading commentaries about this product being too difficult to use!) Like I said. Once you learn the process and the scanner's user interface/controls, it all makes perfectly good sense and although it would have been nice to have a computer to type in all the scanner frequencies and flash them over to the unit with one command, you DO NOT NEED a computer to program this radio! Regarding the design and layout of the frequency entry.

Being able to place CUSTOM NAMES onto every frequency you add to the radio, and being able to group them together based on the agency (s) that use those frequencies is great too! This, unlike using an internet based re-broadcaster, allows us to SEE who is transmitting at any given time.

And in addition to the user programmable frequency sections, you also have the 'Pre-Set' buttons for Police/CHP/Municipal Agencies etc. Living up here in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, now better known as Wildfire Central, it has become almost mandatory to own a scanner like this in order to receive REAL TIME Wildfire related news and information as it happens. And coming directly to our ears via the actual fire crews and dispatchers working on the latest Wildfire in our area. We actually purchased this radio two days before 'The Willow Fire' broke out less than 8 miles from our house, and our new radio proved its worth 100 times over in what became a literal trial by fire product review period!:o) Reception Impressive Considering Our Location But a Loaded Whip and/or Discone Mast Mounted Antenna is Even Better! The included WHIP antenna works reasonably well in our location, but we also purchased an Indoor Telescopic Scanner Antenna for use in the backyard when we take the radio out onto the patio to listen outside as we watch the air tankers do their thing! And for base station type use indoors and the best reception performance possible, we purchased and installed a Super Discone Outdoor Antenna on a 20 foot mast. This commercial grade antenna installation allows us to pull in BOTH sides of the conversation between Cal Fire, the Forest Service Local Dispatchers, air to ground commands, fire suppression aircraft, and the battalion crews actually on the fire line in rugged and remote areas where their transmitting ability is limited.

Having a quality Super Discone Antenna makes a HUGE difference in listening in to the ENTIRE Wildfire suppression effort. Which for us isn't simply a form of entertainment, but could quickly turn into a life and death drama for ourselves and our friends and neighbors! Our only regret is that we waited this long to finally buy one of these! But we are VERY GLAD that the brand and model we chose proved itself to be the perfect choice for us! (Posted on 9/1/2015) so far, so goodReview by Vance Review Rating.