Uniden BC244CLT User manual

COVER
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About Scanning
Scanning Options
Scanning is easy and fun with the BC244CLT 30-Channel Base Scanner. You can
scan in 2 ways:
■Scan channels you have programmed
■Scan pre-programmed weather channels.
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most 2-way communications do not
transmit continuously (see Types of Communication below).
The BC244CLT scans programmed channels at the rate of about 15 channels per
second until it locates an active frequency. When the scanning stops on an active
frequency, it remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues. When
the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until another transmission is
received. You can set a 2 second delay (refer to 2 Second Delay, page .)
Types of Communication
You can monitor communications such as:
■Police and fire department (including rescue and paramedics)
■NOAA weather broadcasts (7 pre-programmed channels)
■Business/industrial radio
■Motion picture and press relay
■Utility
■Land transportation frequencies such as trucking firms, buses,
taxis, tow trucks, and railroads
■Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands
■And many more in the 29-54MHz, 137-174MHz, and 406-512MHz ranges
You must program a frequency into each channel you want to use. If you do not
INTRODUCTION
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have any known local frequencies to program, call the 800 number on the
yellow sheet enclosed in this package. A Uniden representative should be able to
provide you with a few sample frequencies. Or, use the enclosed order form to
purchase a local frequency list.
Where to Obtain More Information
The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have publications,
information on computer bulletin boards, and contests for the radio enthusiast.
See the enclosed printed material for more information. Additional information is
also available through your local library.
Taking Proper Care of Your Scanner
■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.
■Do not plug the scanner into an outlet controlled by a wall switch as
prolonged periods without power causes clock reset.
Unpacking
Carefully check the contents against this list:
■BC244CLT Base Scanner
■Telescoping Antenna
■AC Adapter (Model AC-244U)
■This Reference Guide
■Registration Form (in this Reference Guide)
■Frequency Directories Order Form and other printed information
☞If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase
immediately.
☞Complete and mail your Registration Form immediately.
☞Read this Reference Guide thoroughly before operating the scanner.
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 Reference
Guide, could void your authority to operate this product.
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Installing the BC244CLT
1. Insert small plug at the end of the AC Adapter cord into the AC 12V jack on the
scanner.
2. Plug the AC Adapter into any standard 120VAC wall outlet. Do not plug into an
outlet controlled by a wall switch; it could cause clock reset.
3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT. jack. Extend the antenna to its full
height. For UHF frequencies, shortening the antenna may improve the reception.
4. Plug an optional external speaker (8-ohm) into the EXT. SP. jack.
If you are operating the scanner in the 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.
If your scanner receives strong interference or electrical noise, relocate the scanner
or its antenna away from the source.
INSTALLATION
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Controls and Functions
1. LCD Display Displays channel frequency and functions.
2. Numeric Keys Use to program a frequency into each channel for scanning. Also,
use for time entries and direct channel access with MANUAL key.
3. E Key Use to complete the entry whether it be programming of a
frequency to the selected channel or setting the time.
4. TIME Key Use the TIME key to view and set time
5 .LOCKOUT Key Use to prevent scanning of the displayed channel. The LCD
display indicates L/O when channel is locked out. Lockout is
retained in memory. Press LOCKOUT again to unlock the channel.
Lockout is active only when the scanner stops on an active channel
or a channel selected in Manual Mode.
6. tKey The down arrow key allows you to scoll down through the options.
7. SCAN Key Use to start scanning mode.
8. ALARM Key Press ALARM to set the time for the alarm to sound.
9. AM/PM Key Press AM/PM to indentify AM or PM while setting the time or
alarm.
OPERATION
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10. PRIORITY Key Use to turn Priority mode on or off. In Priority
mode, the scanner samples the designated Priority
Channel every 2 seconds, regardless of any other
mode the scanner is in. If a transmission on
designated Priority Channel is detected, the scanner
monitors that channel until no signal is present.
Priority mode cancels when you turn off
your scanner.
11. MANUAL Key Use to stop scanning. Press MANUAL again to step to
the next channel. Also, use for direct channel access
by first entering the channel number and then
pressing MANUAL to go directly to that channel.
12. sKey The up arrow key allows you to scoll up through
the options.
13. WX Key Use to set in Weather Mode.
14. ON/OFF Key Use to turn scanner on or off.
15. VOLUME Control Turn VOLUME clockwise to increase the volume. Turn
counterclockwise to decrease the volume.
16. SQUELCH Control Adjust SQUELCH to set the scan threshold or use
AUTO for the factory setting.
Scanning Overview
The BC244CLT has 30 memory channels; each can be programmed to store 1
frequency within the band of frequency coverage. (For a listing of frequency
ranges and bands, see Technical Specifications on page.)
When you press SCAN , the BC244CLT scans each programmed frequency for
activity (skipping channels that are locked out) at the rate of about 15 channels
per second. As the unit scans, the word SCAN moves across the LCD display.
When the scanning stops on an active frequency, it remains on that channel as
long as the transmission continues.
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Initial Clock Set-up
1. When power is initially applied, the LCD
display flashes 12:00 P after a short delay.
2. Enter the correct time using the
numeric key or s/tkeys.
3. Press AM/PM Key to toggle to desired setting,
either AM or PM.
4. Press E Key to complete the entry.
After scanner has been turned on, to reset the clock simply press and hold the
TIME SET key. The LCD display flashes the indicated time. Set the clock as directed
above.
You may bypass the steps to set the clock. Scanner will function as
normal, but the clock and alarm features will not function. These
features will not be functional until the power is removed and
restored again.
GETTING STARTED
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Set the Alarm
1. After clock has been set up, press and
hold the ALARM key until the time indicated
and ALARM Icon in display flashes.
2. Enter the correct time using the
numeric key or s/tkeys.
3. Press AM/PM Key to toggle to desired setting,
either AM or PM.
4. Press E Key to complete the entry.
5. ALARM Icon stops flashing.
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Alarm will sound as a series of beeps gradually growing louder. Alarm will
continue for approximately 15 minutes if no action is taken. To activate the
snooze function simply press any key. The alarm will silence but will continue to
activate at 9 minute intervals for approximately an hour.
To turn the alarm function off, press the
ALARM key. ALARM Icon in display
extinguishes.
Set the Squelch
1. Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise to
the highest setting.
2. Press
ON/OFF key to turn on the scanner.
2. Adjust the VOLUME control to where you
can hear a steady noise.
The snooze alarm continues to operate while Scanner is turned on and in any
mode, if you would like to listen to the scanner while waking up.
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3. Set the squelch at the scanning
threshold by turning SQUELCH
counterclockwise just until the noise
disappears or set on AUTO for the factory
setting.
4. The scanner automatically starts scanning.If you
have not programmed any channels yet, press
WX to hear your local weather broadcast.
5. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.
Adjusting the Squelch
Set the SQUELCH control to AUTO for the factory setting or manually set squelch.
1. To manually set squelch, open the squelch
by turning SQUELCH control clockwise. You
should hear a steady sound (scanning stops). Now
turn SQUELCH control counterclockwise slowly
until the sound disappears. This is the threshold
point at which scanning starts. At the squelch
threshold, an incoming signal just slightly stronger
than the noise will open the squelch.
2. When squelch is open, you can hear the broadcast (scanning is stopped). If squelch
is set too tight (that is, too far counterclockwise from the threshold point), a
stronger signal is required to open the squelch.
3. If squelch is set on a point clockwise from the threshold, you hear a constant sound
(noise, if no signal is present); the scanner does not scan.
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Programming Tips
Program 1 frequency per channel.
Channel 1 is the location of the default priority channel. Program the most
important frequency, or the one of major interest, into Channel 1.
To quickly program a series of channels, start with the lowest number channel. For
example, when you are programming five new frequencies into Channels 4 through
8, start with Channel 4. After you complete the programming in 1 channel (by
pressing E ), press MANUAL to step up to the next channel.
If you make an error during programming, or the frequency is out of range,
Error appears on the channel display.
If you program the same frequency in two channels, the display will indicate the
channel in which the duplicate frequency resides.
During numeric entry, if you know that you pressed the wrong number, press .
(decimal point) twice. This cancels the entire numeric entry, and displays the
current channel number.
Above 406MHz, the frequency steps are in 12.5kHz increments. To enter a frequency
such as 450.4875, press each of the seven digits in sequence.
Once you have programmed a channel, you cannot erase the frequency in that
channel. However, you can change the frequency in a specific channel by
programming a new frequency over the existing one.
If you want to manually erase all the memory, first remove power from the scanner.
Then, press and hold MANUAL , 2 , and 9 simultaneously while you reconnect the
power to the scanner. CLEAr appears in the LCD Display, indicating that all user
entered information is erased. (This clears the non-volatile memory.)
When you first turn the scanner on after erasing all the channel information,
All Loc Out appears in the display, indicating all channels set to 0.0MHz.
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Programming Frequencies
Before you can use your BC244CLT scaner, you must program the channels except
weather frequencies. Follow these steps:
Example: Program 420.150 MHz into Channel 12.
1. Press MANUAL to stop scanning.
2. To select the channel (12), press 1 , then 2 on
the numeric keypad. Then press MANUAL
again.
3. Type in the frequency numbers, including the
decimal point, using the numeric keypad:
420.150.
4. Press E to complete the entry.
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About Memory Back-up
Your BC244CLT has a convenient type of memory back-up system. In the event of a
power failure, the scanner will retain channel information that was entered for an
indefinite amount of time. Channel information is stored in non-volatile memory. If
the memory is erased, CLEAr is displayed
Scanning
Press ON/OFF key, if in clock mode or
press SCAN if in scanner mode to start
scanning. (When the scanner is turned on,
it is automatically in Scan mode.) Scanning
automatically stops on any active channel,
except those channels locked out.
Press MANUAL anytime to stop scanning.
When you press MANUAL , you are out of
Scan mode, and the scanner remains on the
displayed channel. Press SCAN to start
scanning again, or press MANUAL to step up
to the next channel. If desired, you can press
MANUAL repeatedly to manually scan all 30
channels, 1 press per channel, including the
channels that are locked out. To scroll
through the channels more quickly,
press and hold MANUAL key.
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Direct Channel Access
This feature allows you to instantly access a specific channel you want to monitor.
Example: To select Channel 4. Press 4 . Then
press MANUAL . When you press 4 , the display
changes to 4, but the scanner still monitors the
previous channel displayed. You must press
MANUAL key to successfully complete the direct
access to Channel 4.
Weather Channel Scan
The BC244CLT allows you to search for your local NOAA weather channel.
Press WX to find the active weather channel
in your area from 7 pre-programmed NOAA
channels. It is possible that your area is covered
by more than 1 weather station.
When you press
WX , the BC244CLT immediately finds an active broadcast. If the
broadcast sounds weak and distant, press W again to look for a closer station.
To exit Weather mode, press
SCAN , MANUAL , or ON/OFF key.
Do not program a weather frequency into 1 of the 30 channels. Because weather
channels transmit continuously, the scanner remains on that channel, disrupting
the scanning cycle. The Weather Scan feature is provided specifically to avoid this
occurrence.
In some parts of the country, you may not be able to monitor weather broadcasts,
such as in low-lying areas. Normally a higher location improves the reception.
All weather channels transmit continuous broadcasts. Once the Weather Scan stops
on a transmission, it remains on that channel. Weather Scan does not resume
automatically. You must press WX again to resume weather scanning.
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Priority Scanning
Your BC244CLT has a default Priority Channel, Channel 1, but may be assigned to
another channel. Priority Scan works like a dualwatch function. When you activate
Priority Scan mode, the scanner starts sampling, or keeping track of the activity on
the priority channel while listening to other channels. A constant PRI appears on
the LCD display
Every 2 seconds, the scanner checks the priority channel for activity. If a signal is
present, the priority channel is monitored until the transmission ends. When the
reception of the priority signal stops for more than 2 seconds, normal scan
operation resumes.
To Set the Priority Channel
1. Determine the frequency most important to you and program into desired
channnel location.
2. Press
MANUAL key to exit the Scan Mode.
3. Press PRIORITY key to set the scanner in
Priority Scan mode. PRI appears on the display.
4. Enter the desired channnel you’d like to make the
Priority Channel using the numeric keys or the
s/ tkeys.
Priority Scan mode does not operate when the scanner is in Weather Alert mode.
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5. Press and hold PRIORITY key. The PRI Icon
appears in the LCD display.
To enter the Priority Scan Mode
Momentarily press the PRIORITY key. PRI Icon appears in the display.
To exit the Priority Scan Mode
Momentarily press the PRIORITY key again. PRI Icon disappears from the display.
Channel Lockout
You can lock out a channel so it is not scanned. Locked out does not erase the
frequency from the channel. You can lock out up to 29 channels, including the
Priority channel, but not all 30 channels. Lockout information is retained in
memory when the scanner is turned off.
To Lockout a Channel
Example: Suppose you want to lock out Channel 2 because it stops on transmissions
you dont want to hear.
Press LOCKOUT when the scanner stops on
Channel 2. The scanner locks out Channel 2,
immediately advances to the next channel
that is not locked out, and resumes
scanning. In the Manual mode, press
LOCKOUT to lock out the displayed
channel. Pressing LOCKOUT does not
advance to the next channel in Manual mode.
L/O appears in the LCD display to indicate the displayed channel is locked out.
Whenever you want to search for channels that are locked out, press Manual
repeatedly to go through all 30 channels. If a channel is locked out, the L/O Icon
is displayed.
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To Restore a Locked Out Channel
To unlock a channel so that it can be monitored during scanning:
1. Press the MANUAL key repeatedly to find
the locked out channel.
2. Press LOCKOUT again to unlock the displayed
channel. The L/O Icon disappears from
the display.
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Helpful Hints
General 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. The display shows CLEAr
indicator when there has been a memory loss.
Always press each keypad button firmly until you hear the entry tone for that key
entry.
Location
If strong interference or electrical noise is received, relocate the scanner or its
antenna away from the source of the noise. If possible, a higher elevation,
may provide better reception. Also try changing the height or angle of the
antenna.
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.
Do not plug the scanner into an outlet controlled by a wall switch as prolonged
periods without power will cause the clock to reset.
Cleaning
Disconnect the power to the unit before cleaning.
Clean the outside of the scanner with a mild detergent. To prevent scratches,
donot use abrasive cleaners or solvents. Be careful not to rub the LCD Display
window.
Do not use excessive amounts of water.
Repairs
Do not attempt any repair. The scanner contains no serviceable parts. Contact the
Uniden Customer Service Center or take it to a qualified repair technician.
Birdies
All radios are subject to receiving undesired signals or birdies. If your scanner
stops during Scan mode and no sound is heard, it may be receiving a birdie.
Birdies are internally-generated signals inherent in the electronics of the
receiver. Press SCAN to resume scanning.
ABOUT THE UNIT
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Problem Solution
■Check the connections at both ends of the
AC Adapter.
■Turn on the wall switch of your room.
You could be using an outlet controlled
by the wall switch.
■Move the AC Adapter to another wall
outlet.
■Scanner wont work.
■Improper reception. ■Check antenna connection
■Move or angle the antenna.
■If programmed frequency is higher than
406MHz, a shorter antenna length may
improve the reception.
■Relocate the scanner.
■You may be in a fringe area. This could
require an optional multi-band antenna.
Check with your dealer or local electronics
store.
■Scan won’t start. ■Press the Scan key again.
■Adjust the Squelch control.
■Check to see if 29 channels are locked out. If
so, unlock the channels as needed.
If your BC244CLT is not performing properly, try the following steps.
TROUBLESHOOTING
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