Uniden Bearcat BCD396T User manual

BCD396T
OWNER’S
MANUAL
OWNER’S MANUAL
(INDICATES INFORMATION SUBJECT TO
*
*
AND/OR DELETION)CHANGE
Revision 1; 031005

2
Precautions
Precautions
Before you use this scanner, please read and observe
the following.
IMPORTANT!
This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it
will not tune to the radio frequencies assigned by the
FCC for cellular telephone usage. The Electronic
Communications Privacy Act of 1986, as amended,
makes it a federal crime to intentionally intercept
cellular or cordless telephone transmissions or to
market this radio when altered to receive them. The
installation, possession, or use of this scanning radio
in a motor vehicle may be prohibited, regulated, or
require a permit in certain states, cities, and/or local
jurisdictions. Your local law enforcement officials
should be able to provide you with information
regarding the laws in your community.
Changes or modifications to this product not expressly
approved by Uniden, or operation of this product in
any way other than as detailed by this Operating
Guide, could void your authority to operate this
product.
EARPHONE WARNING!
Be sure to use only a monaural earphone with this
scanner. You can also use an optional 32 Ωstereo
headset. Use of an incorrect earphone or stereo
headset might be potentially hazardous to your
hearing. The output of the phone jack is monaural, but
you will hear it in both headphones of a stereo
headset.
Set the volume to a comfortable audio level coming
from the speaker before plugging in the monaural
earphone or a stereo headset of the proper
impedance (32 Ω). Otherwise, you might experience
some discomfort or possible hearing damage if the
volume suddenly becomes too loud because of the
volume control or squelch control setting. This might
be particularly true of the type of earphone that is
placed in the ear canal.
Precautions

3
Precautions
WARNING!
Uniden does not represent this unit to be
waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical
shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
Astro®, DPL®, Digital Private Line®, Motorola®,
PL®, PRIVACY PLUS®, Private Line®,
SMARTNET®,and SMARTZONE®are registered
trademarks of Motorola, Inc.
LTR®is a registered trademark of E.F. Johnson Co.
EDACS®is a registered trademark of M/A-COM
Private Radio Systems Inc.
Uniden®and Bearcat®are registered trademarks of
Uniden America Corporation.
TrunkTracker™, Trunk Tracking™, and Close Call™
are proprietary trademarks of Uniden America
Corporation.
Other trademarks used throughout this manual are the
property of their respective holders.

4
Contents
Contents
Precautions 2
Contents 4
The FCC Wants You to Know 8
Scanning Legally 8
Introduction 10
Feature Highlights 11
About This Manual 16
Using the Multifunction Scroll Control 16
Entering Text 16
How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual 17
Understanding Scanning 19
Understanding the Scanner’s Memory 19
What is Scanning? 19
What is Searching? 20
What is CTCSS/DCS? 20
Conventional Scanning 22
Simplex Operation 23
Repeater Operation 23
What is Trunk Tracking? 23
Trunked Scanning 24
Types of Trunking Systems 25
Motorola Trunking 25
EDACS Trunking 27
LTR Trunking 28
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS) 29
Where To Get More Information 29
Information On The Internet 29
Included With Your Scanner 31
Setting Up Your Scanner 32
Using Internal Batteries 32
Using Rechargeable Batteries 34
Removing the Display Sticker 35
Using AC Power 35
Connecting the Antenna 35
Connecting an Optional Antenna 35
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone 36
Connecting an Extension Speaker 36
Attaching the Belt Clip 36
Attaching the Wrist Strap 36
A Look At The Keypad 37
A Look At The Display 41
Using Menu 42
Using Func 42
Basic Operation 43
Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch 43
Scanning Systems 43
Preprogrammed System Tips 44
Selecting Systems to Scan 45
Selecting System Channel Groups 45
Locking/Unlocking Systems 46
Locking/Unlocking Channels 46
ID Scan/ID Search Mode 46
Temporarily Holding On a System 47
Holding On a Channel 47
Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search 47
Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s 47
Quickly Recalling Channels 48
Monitoring Trunking Activity 48
Using the Menu 49
Programming Systems Menu 51
Other Settings 53
Displaying System Information 53
Contents

5
Contents
Viewing Memory Used 53
Viewing the Firmware Version 53
Adjusting the Key Beep 53
Locking/Unlocking the Keypad 53
Turning Power Save On or Off 54
Priority Scan 54
Other Settings 54
Using the Backlight 54
Setting the Audio AGC 55
Adjusting the Display Contrast 55
Initializing the Scanner’s Memory 55
Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer 56
Using the Cloning Options 56
Wired Cloning 57
On-Air Cloning 58
Programming Radio Systems 59
Programming Conventional Systems 60
Entering/Editing Conventional Channel Groups 60
Entering/Editing Conventional Channels 61
Programming Motorola Systems 62
Setting System Frequencies 63
Setting Modulation 64
Setting Attenuation 64
Entering/Editing Motorola Channel Groups 65
Entering/Editing Motorola Channels 66
Programming EDACS Systems 66
Setting System Frequencies 68
Entering/Editing EDACS Channel Groups 68
Entering/Editing EDACS Channels 69
Programming LTR Systems 69
Setting System Frequencies 70
Entering/Editing LTR Channel Groups 70
Entering/Editing LTR Channels/Talkgroups 71
Programming/Editing Optional Settings 72
System-Level Settings 72
Editing the System Name 72
Editing the System Quick Key 73
Setting System Lockout 73
Setting the System Hold Time 74
Setting the Channel Delay Time 74
Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only) 75
Editing the Fleet Map (Motorola Systems Only) 75
Setting the Motorola Status Bit (Motorola Systems Only) 76
Setting the End Code Operation (Motorola Systems Only) 77
Setting I-Call (Motorola Analog and EDACS Systems Only) 77
Setting Emergency Alert (Motorola and EDACS Systems Only) 78
Setting Control-Channel Only (Motorola Systems Only) 78
Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies 79
Clearing All Locked-Out IDs 79
Setting the Digital Decode Threshold
(Motorola and Conventional Systems Only) 79
Setting the EDACS ID Format (EDACS Systems Only) 80
Setting System Attenuation (Trunked Systems Only) 81
Deleting Systems 81
Copying Systems 81
Group-Level Settings 82
Entering/Editing the Group Name 82
Setting the Group Quick Key 83
Setting Group Lockout 83
Deleting Groups 83
Channel-Level Settings 84
Editing the Channel Name 84

6
Contents
Setting Channel Priority (Conventional Channels Only) 85
Setting Channel Alert 85
Setting CTCSS/DCS (Conventional Channels Only) 86
Setting the System Frequency Modulation 87
Setting Channel Attenuation (Conventional Channels Only) 88
Setting the Frequency Step (Conventional Channels Only) 88
Setting Channel Lockout 89
Deleting Channels 89
Copying/Pasting Channels 90
Searching and Storing 91
Service Search 91
Quick Search 92
CTCSS/DCS Search 92
Custom Search 93
Editing a Custom Search Range 94
Editing a Service Search 95
Auto Search and Store 97
Selecting a System 97
Storing a Conventional System 97
Storing a Trunked System 98
Using the Close Call Feature 100
Setting Close Call Options 101
Close Call Hits 103
Search and Close Call Options 104
Managing Locked-Out Frequencies 104
Unlocking All Frequencies 104
Reviewing Locked Out Frequencies 104
Searching for Subaudible Tones 104
Screening Out Broadcast Sources 105
Finding Repeater Output Frequencies 106
Setting the Maximum Auto Store Value 107
Setting the Modulation Type 107
Setting Attenuation 107
Setting Data Skip 108
Setting the Delay Time 108
Setting the Search Frequency Step 109
Using Weather Alert (SAME) 110
Searching For a Weather Broadcast 110
Fire Tone Out Operation 110
Setting Tone-Out Standby 111
Setting up Tone-Out 111
Turning Weather Alert On/Off 112
Programming a SAME Group 113
Setting WX Alert Priority 114
Care and Maintenance 115
General Use 115
Location 115
Cleaning 115
Repairs 116
Birdies 116
Troubleshooting 117
Specifications 121
Optional Accessories 124
Appendix 125
Preset Fleet Maps 125
User Defined Fleet Maps 127
Type I Programming Information 127
Size Code Restrictions 128
Planning 129
Collecting Information 129
Filling Out The Conventional System Worksheet 131
System Name and Quick Key 131

7
Contents
Group Name and Quick Key 131
Frequency-Alpha Tag-Priority-CTCSS/DCS 131
Filling Out The Motorola Worksheet 131
System Name and Quick Key 131
System Type 132
System Frequencies 132
Fleet Map (Type I or Type I/Type II Hybrid Only) 132
Band Plan (VHF or UHF Only) 133
Group Name and Quick Key 133
Talk Group ID-Alpha Tag-Alert 133
Filling Out the LTR and EDACS Worksheet 133
System Name and Quick Key 133
System Frequencies and LCN 134
Group Name and Quick Key 134
Talk Group ID-Alpha Tag-Alert 134
Conventional System Worksheet 135
Motorola System Worksheet 136
LTR/EDACS System Worksheet 138
Preprogrammed Systems 140
One-Year Limited Warranty 152

8
The FCC Wants You to Know
The FCC Wants You to Know
This scanner has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a scanning receiver, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This scanner
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this scanner
does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the
scanner on and off, you are encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the scanner and
the receiver
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and 2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Scanning Legally
Your scanner covers frequencies used by many
different groups, including police and fire departments,
ambulance services, government agencies, private
companies, amateur radio services, military operations,
pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph)
service providers. It is legal to listen to almost every
transmission your scanner can receive. However, there
are some transmissions that you should never
intentionally listen to. These include:
The FCC Wants You to Know

9
The FCC Wants You to Know
• Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or
other private means of telephone signal transmis-
sion)
• Pager transmissions
• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions
According to the Electronic Communications Privacy
Act (ECPA), you are subject to fines and possible
imprisonment for intentionally listening to, using, or
divulging the contents of such a conversation unless
you have the consent of a party to the conversation
(unless such activity is otherwise illegal). This scanner
has been designed to prevent the reception of cellular
telephone transmissions and the decoding of
scrambled transmissions. This is done to comply with
the legal requirement that scanners be manufactured
so they are not easy to modify to pick up these
transmissions. Do not open your scanner’s case to
make any modifications that could allow it to pick up
transmissions that are illegal to monitor. Modifying or
tampering with your scanner’s internal components or
using it in a way other than as described in this manual
could invalidate your warranty and void your FCC
authorization to operate it.
In some areas, mobile use of this scanner is unlawful
or requires a permit. Check the laws in your area. It is
also illegal in many areas (and a bad idea everywhere)
to interfere with the duties of public safety officials by
traveling to the scene of an incident without
authorization.

10
Introduction
Introduction
Your BCD396T scanner is a state-of-the-art scanner
radio with TrunkTracker IV™ and automatic scanning
capabilities. You can store frequencies such as police,
fire/emergency, marine, air, amateur, and other
communications into the scanner. You can carry it with
you wherever you go, use it at home as a base unit, or
install it in your vehicle as a mobile unit.
You can use the scanner’s scroll control to quickly
select channels and frequencies, and you can
automatically program channels in a system using the
AutoStore feature.
Use your scanner to monitor:
• Analog and digital trunked public safety systems *
• Police and fire departments (including rescue and
paramedics)
• NOAA weather transmissions
• Business/Industrial radio
• Utilities
• Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands
• Air band
• Railroad
*Motorola®Astro®, SMARTNET®,SMARTZONE®,
and PRIVACY PLUS®, M/A-COM Private Radio
Systems Inc. EDACS®Wide, Narrow, and SCAT, and
E.F. Johnson Co. LTR systems.
Introduction

11
Feature Highlights
Feature Highlights
General
Close CallTM RF Capture Technology - you can set
the scanner so it detects and provides information
about nearby radio transmissions. See “Using the
Close Call Feature” on Page 100 for more information.
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - your
scanner’s memory is organized so that it more closely
matches how radio systems actually work, making it
easier to program and use your scanner and determine
how much memory you have used and how much you
have left.
Preprogrammed Systems - your scanner is
preprogrammed with over 400 channels covering
police, fire, and ambulance operations in the 25 most
populated counties in the US. A complete list of the
scanner’s preprogrammed systems is in “Prepro-
grammed Systems” on Page 140.
Quick Keys – You can set the scanner so you can
quickly select systems and groups by using the
keypad. This makes it easy to listen to or quickly lock
out those systems or groups you don’t want to scan.
Pager Screen – You can set the scanner so it ignores
hits generated by common pager frequencies while
using the Close Call or search features.
12 Service Searches - frequencies are preset in
separate public safety, news, amateur radio, marine,
railroad, air, CB radio, FRS/GMRS, racing, TV broad-
cast, FM broadcast, and special searches, to make it
easy to find specific transmissions.
Lockout – You can lock out any system, group,
frequency, or channel while scanning. If you lock out a
system or group, any channels belonging to that sys-
tem or group are also locked out.
You can lock out up to 200 frequencies. The scanner
skips locked-out frequencies while using the Close
Call feature or while searching.
Feature Highlights

12
Feature Highlights
CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes – prevent
interference from stations not using the mode you
select.
Audio AGC – Helps automatically balance the volume
level between different radio systems.
Fire Tone-Out Standby – 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) for standby monitoring.
Broadcast Screen – Sets the scanner so it ignores
Close CallTM or search hits on known broadcast
frequencies.
Custom Screen – Lets you input up to 10 frequency
ranges that the scanner will ignore during Close CallTM
or search operation.
Dropout Delay – You can set whether the scanner
pauses at the end of a transmission to wait for a reply.
You can set the delay time for each system you scan,
and while searching and using the Close CallTM
feature.
Attenuator – You can set the scanner’s attenuator to
reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 18
dB received by the scanner.
Repeater Reverse – You can set the scanner so it
switches to the input frequency on a conventional
repeater system.
Channel Alert – You can set the scanner so it alerts
you when there is activity on any channel you specify.
Memory Check – Lets you see at a glance how much
total memory is left.
Scan and Search Operation – Lets you include
selected service searches or custom search ranges
during normal scan operation.
Custom Alerts – For each alert in the scanner (such as
channel alert, Close Call alert, emergency alert), you

13
Feature Highlights
can select from 9 different tone patterns and also set
the alert volume level independently from the main
volume level.
Automatic Channel Step – Accepts frequencies on
any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within
the band plan’s default step.
Frequency Step – Lets you select a frequency step
(5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz)
for manual mode and chain search mode. The scan-
ner’s auto step feature lets you set the scanner so it
automatically chooses the correct step.
Quick Recall – Lets you quickly select a specific
channel by choosing the system, group, and channel.
Scan/Search Delay – You can set the scanner so it
remains on a frequency up to 5 seconds after the last
transmission to wait for a possible reply.
Text Tagging – You can name each system, group,
channel, talk group ID, custom search range, and
SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.
Unique Data Skip – Allows your scanner to skip
unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies.
Duplicate Frequency Alert – Alerts you if you try to
enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in
a system.
Memory Backup – If power is lost or disconnected,
the scanner retains the frequencies you programmed
in its memory.
Note: The scanner’s frequency coverage is not
continuous and does not include the cellular telephone
band.
Trunk Tracking
Trunk Tracker IV™Operation – Follows conversa-
tions on analog Motorola, Motorola Astro (APCO 25),
EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked radio

14
Feature Highlights
systems. The scanner can scan both conventional and
trunked systems at the same time.
Control Channel Only Scanning – If the scanner is
set to scan Motorola trunking frequencies, you can set
it so it scans using only control channel data. You do
not have to program voice channel frequencies into
memory in this mode.
Adaptive Digital Threshold – Automatically sets the
digital decode threshold for APCO 25 systems.
Weather
Weather Search – Lets your scanner receive your
local NOAA weather transmission.
SAME Weather Alert – Lets your scanner alert you when
a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather
channel. The scanner also displays the transmitted
alert type. This helps you quickly find out about severe
weather in your area and lets you avoid false alarms.
Search
Service Search – Lets you quickly select and search
the scanner’s preprogrammed frequencies.
Custom Search – Lets you program up to 10 custom
search ranges. You can search any of these ranges
simultaneously.
CTCSS/DCS Search – Lets the scanner search for
CTCSS or DCS tones. You can identify up to 50
CTCSS tones and 104 DCS tones.
Quick Search – Lets you search from the currently-tuned
frequency if you are searching a conventional system.
Auto Store
Frequency AutoStore – Automatically stores all
active frequencies within a system you select.
Talk Group ID AutoStore – Automatically stores all
new talk group ID’s into a system you select.

15
Feature Highlights
Priority
Priority Scan – Priority channels let you keep track of
activity on your most important channel(s) while
monitoring other channels for transmissions.
Priority Plus – You can set the scanner so it scans
only the priority channels
Backlight and Power
Display and Keypad Backlight – Makes the display and
keypad easy to see in dim light. You can adjust the
back light so it turns on when you press a key, when
squelch breaks during a transmission, or manually.
Low Battery Alert – The scanner alerts you if the
batteries need to be recharged or replaced.
Battery Save – You can set the scanner so it reduces
the amount of power it needs if there are no transmis-
sions.
Key Controls
Key Lock – You can deactivate the scanner’s keys to
help prevent accidentally changing the scanner’s
programming.
PC Control and Cloning
PC Control – You can transfer programming data to
and from your scanner and your personal computer,
and control the scanner using a computer. This helps
you find frequencies listed on the Internet and load
them into the scanner. Free PC control and
programming software will be available at
http://www.uniden.com.
Clone Mode – You can clone all programmed data,
including the contents of the scanner’s memory, menu
settings, and other parameters from one BCD396T
scanner to another BCD396T scanner.
On-Air Cloning – You can clone all programmed data
over the air from one BCD396T scanner to another

16
Feature Highlights
BCD396T scanner using a personal computer and a
radio transmitter.
About This Manual
The screen displays used in this manual are
representations of what might appear when you use
your scanner. Since what you see depends on the
frequencies and user IDs for your area and the
settings you select, you might notice some differences
between what is in this manual and what appears on
your scanner.
Using the Multifunction Scroll Control
The scroll control on top of the BCD396T lets you
easily control channel selection, volume, and squelch,
and how information appears on the display.
To adjust menu settings, change channels in Hold
mode, and resume scanning: Simply rotate the
scroll control.
To change the scanner’s volume: Briefly press the
scroll control once, then rotate it. VOLUME LEVEL and
the current volume level appear on the display.
To adjust the squelch: While holding down Func on
the left side of the scanner, briefly press the scroll
control once then rotate it. SQUELCH LEVEL and the
current squelch level appear on the display.
To change the display mode: While holding down
Func, briefly press the scroll control twice. Extended
receive information, usually applicable to digital
scanning, appears on the display. Then briefly press
the scroll control again to return to the original display.
Entering Text
To enter a letter, turn the scroll control until the
character you want appears, To enter a number, press a
number key. To enter a decimal point, press .
To move the cursor to the left, hold then press
Func

17
Feature Highlights
/4 or rotate the scroll control to the left.To move the
cursor to the right, hold then press 6/ or rotate
the scroll control to the right.
To clear a character, press No twice. To clear all
characters, press No 3 times.
To accept an entry, press down on the scroll control or
press E.
How the Scanner’s Controls Are
Represented in This Manual
To help navigate the scanner’s menus, the steps
shown in this manual show the displays you see and
the keys you press or control you operate to get a
desired result.
This example shows you how to use the scanner’s
menu to edit an existing system name. It shows you
the key to press ( ) to select a menu option and
the option you see (Program System) when you
press . It also instructs you to turn the scroll
control (shown as ) to view a series of choices then
press the scroll control (shown as ) to select a choice
(Edit Name).
Program System  
 Select the system 
 Edit Name 
Follow these steps to enter/edit the system name.
1. The first character of the system name is covered
by a cursor. Rotate the scroll control to select the
character you want.
2. Press 6/ on the keypad to select the next
character. The cursor moves to the next character.
To move the cursor to a previous character, press
/4.
Func
Menu
Menu
Menu

18
Feature Highlights
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have entered the
system name. Then press down on the scroll
control or press E to accept the setting.
Hints:
• Each system name can be up to 16 characters.
Abbreviate as necessary to fit.
• The default system names include the following
letter in the 16th position to indicate the system
type:
M= Motorola
E= EDACS
L= LTR
C= Conventional
• Press twice to delete the current character.
• Press three times to clear the entire alpha tag.
To get the most from this manual, review the contents
to become familiar with the basic functions available.
If you are new to scanning or trunk tracking, be sure to
read “Understanding Scanning” on Page 19 for a quick
background on the technology. The first thing you’ll
need to do is install batteries in the scanner. Then you
need to connect the included antenna to the scanner.
See “Setting Up Your Scanner” on Page 30 if you need
any help doing this.

19
Understanding Scanning
Understanding Scanning
This section provides you with background on how
scanning works. You don’t really need to know all of
this to use your scanner, but some background
knowledge will help you get the most from your
BCD396T.
Understanding the Scanner’s
Memory
Your 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, making
it easier to program and use your scanner and deter-
mine how much memory you have used and how much
you have left.
Instead of being organized into separate banks and
channels, your scanner’s memory is contained in a
pool. You simply use as much memory as you need in
the pool to store as many frequencies, talk group ID’s,
and alpha tags as you need. No memory space is
wasted, and you can tell at a glance how much
memory you have used and how much remains.
With a traditional scanner, when you program it to
track a trunked system, you must first program the
frequencies. Since you can only program one trunking
system per bank in a traditional scanner, if there were
(for example) 30 frequencies, the remaining 70 or so
channels in the bank are not used and therefore
wasted. Also, since some trunked systems might have
hundreds of talk groups, you would have had to enter
those types of systems into multiple banks in order to
monitor and track all the ID’s.
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-
way communications do not transmit continuously.
Your BCD396T scans programmed channels until it
Understanding Scanning

20
Understanding Scanning
finds an active frequency, then stops on that frequency
and remains on that channel as long as the
transmission continues. When the transmission ends,
the scanning cycle resumes until the scanner receives
another transmission.
What is Searching?
The BCD396T can search each of its 21 bands and up
to 10 bands together to find active frequencies. This is
different from scanning because you are searching for
frequencies that have not been programmed into the
scanner. When you select frequency bands to search,
the scanner searches for any active frequency within
the lower and upper limits you specify. When the scan-
ner finds an active frequency, it stops on that fre-
quency as long as the transmission lasts. If you think
the frequency is interesting, you can program it into
the scanner’s memory. If not, you can continue to
search.
What is CTCSS/DCS?
Your scanner can monitor systems using a Continuous
Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) and Digital
Coded Squelch (DCS) system, which allow squelch to
open only when the tone you have programmed with a
specific frequency is received along with a
transmission.
CTCSS and DCS are subaudible tone signaling
systems sometimes referred to as PL or DPL
(Motorola’s trademarked terms for Private Line and
Digital Private Line respectively). CTCSS and DCS
are used only for FM signals and are usually
associated with both amateur and commercial two-
way frequencies. These systems make use of a
special subaudible tone that accompanies a
transmitted signal.
CTCSS and DCS are used for many purposes. In
many cases, CTCSS and DCS are used to restrict
access to a commercial repeater, so that only those