Uniden UBCD396T User manual

Owner's Manual
OWNER'S MANUAL
UBCD396T

Before you use this scanner, please read and observe
the following.
Be sure to use only a monaural earphone with this
scanner. You can also use an optional 32 stereo
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 ). 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.
EARPHONE WARNING!
W
W
Precautions
Precautions
1

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.
Other trademarks used throughout this manual are the
property of their respective holders.
If you use the supplied AC adaptor to
power the scanner but have not installed batteries in
the scanner, never turn the scanner off by
disconnecting the AC adaptor or unplugging it from
the AC outlet.
This might corrupt the scanner’s memory.
Always use to turn the scanner off before
disconnecting AC power.
®® ® ®
®®®
®®
®
®
Important:
Precautions 2

Contents
3
Introduction ...............................................................................................7
Feature Highlights .................................................................................. 8
Understanding Scanning ...................................................................... 16
Included With Your Scanner ................................................................. 27
Setting Up Your Scanner ...................................................................... 28
Basic Operation ..................................................................................... 38
Using the Menu ...................................................................................... 45
About This Manual ............................................................................. 13
Using the Multifunction Scroll Control .............................................13
Entering Text ................................................................................. 13
How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in
This Manual ....................................................................................14
Understanding the Scanner’s Memory .............................................. 16
What is Scanning? ............................................................................ 16
What is Searching? ........................................................................... 17
What is CTCSS/DCS? ...................................................................... 17
Conventional Scanning ..................................................................... 19
Simplex Operation ......................................................................... 20
Repeater Operation ....................................................................... 20
What is Trunk Tracking? ................................................................... 20
Trunked Scanning ............................................................................. 21
Types of Trunking Systems ................................................................22
Motorola Trunking .......................................................................... 22
EDACS Trunking ........................................................................... 24
LTR Trunking ................................................................................. 25
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS) .................................................................. 26
Where To Get More Information ........................................................ 26
Information On The Internet .......................................................... 26
Using Internal Batteries ..................................................................... 28
Using Rechargeable Batteries ........................................................... 29
Removing the Display Sticker ............................................................ 30
Using AC Power ................................................................................ 30
Connecting the Antenna .................................................................... 31
Connecting an Optional Antenna ................................................... 31
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone ............................................... 31
Connecting an Extension Speaker .................................................... 31
Attaching the Belt Clip ....................................................................... 32
Attaching the Wrist Strap ................................................................... 32
A Look At The Keypad ....................................................................... 32
A Look At The Display ....................................................................... 35
Using Menu ........................................................................................37
Using Func ........................................................................................ 37
Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch ............................. 38
Scanning Systems ............................................................................. 39
Selecting Systems to Scan ................................................................ 40
Selecting System Channel Groups .................................................... 41
Locking/Unlocking Systems .............................................................. 41
Locking/Unlocking Channels ............................................................. 41
ID Scan/ID Search Mode .................................................................. 42
Temporarily Holding On a System ..................................................... 42
Holding On a Channel ...................................................................... 42
Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search ............................................ 43
Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s ...................................... 43
Quickly Recalling Channels .............................................................. 44
Monitoring Trunking Activity .............................................................. 44
Toggling Channel Alpha Tags ............................................................ 44
Programming Systems Menu ............................................................ 47
Contents

Contents 4
Other Settings ............................................................................................ 49
Programming Radio Systems ...................................................................56
Programming/Editing Optional Settings ................................................. 70
Displaying System Information ................................................................. 49
Viewing Memory Used ........................................................................... 49
Viewing the Firmware Version ................................................................
Adjusting the Key Beep ............................................................................
Locking/Unlocking the Keypad and Scroll ................................................
Turning Power Save On or Off ................................................................. 50
Priority Scan ............................................................................................. 50
Using the Backlight ................................................................................... 50
Setting the Audio AGC .............................................................................. 51
Adjusting the Display Contrast .................................................................. 51
Initializing the Scanner’s Memory ............................................................. 52
Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer .................................. 52
Using the Cloning Options ........................................................................ 53
Wired Cloning ........................................................................................ 53
On-Air Cloning ....................................................................................... 54
Programming Conventional Systems ........................................................57
Entering/Editing Conventional Channel Groups .....................................57
Entering/Editing Conventional Channels ................................................58
Programming Motorola Systems .............................................................. 59
Setting System Frequencies .................................................................. 60
Setting Modulation ..................................................................................61
Setting Attenuation ................................................................................. 61
Entering/Editing Motorola Channel Groups ............................................62
Entering/Editing Motorola Channels .......................................................62
Programming EDACS Systems ................................................................ 63
Setting System Frequencies ................................................................. 64
Entering/Editing EDACS Channel Groups ............................................. 65
Entering/Editing EDACS Channels ........................................................ 65
Programming LTR Systems ...................................................................... 66
Setting System Frequencies .................................................................. 67
Entering/Editing LTR Channel Groups .................................................. 67
Entering/Editing LTR Channels/Talkgroups ........................................... 68
System-Level Settings .............................................................................. 70
Editing the System Name ...................................................................... 70
Editing the System Quick Key ............................................................... 71
Setting System Lockout ......................................................................... 71
Setting the System Hold Time ............................................................... 72
Setting the Channel Delay Time .............................................................72
Setting ID Scan/Search (Trunked Systems Only) .................................. 73
Setting the Band Plan
(Motorola P25 and VHF/UHF Systems Only).......................................74
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 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
Adjusting the P25 Level (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
49
49
49

Channel-Level Settings.............................................................................. 84
Editing the Channel Name...................................................................... 84
Editing Frequencies (Conventional Channels Only) ...............................85
Setting Channel Priority (Conventional Channels Only) .........................85
Setting Channel Alert ..............................................................................86
Editing the Talk Group ID (Trunked Channels Only) .............................. 86
Setting CTCSS/DCS (Conventional Channels Only).............................. 87
Setting the System Frequency Modulation ............................................ 88
Setting Channel Attenuation (Conventional Channels Only) ................. 88
Setting Channel Lockout ........................................................................ 89
Deleting Channels ................................................................................. 90
Copying/Pasting Channels .................................................................... 90
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 ............................................................................. 96
Selecting a System............................................................................... 97
Storing a Conventional System ............................................................ 97
Storing a Trunked System .................................................................... 98
Setting Close Call Options ...................................................................... 101
Close Call Hits ........................................................................................ 103
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 ........................................................................... 109
Setting the Search Frequency Step ........................................................ 109
APCO 25 Threshold Level Settings ........................................................ 109
Fire Tone-Out Introduction ...................................................................... 110
Setting Tone-Out Standby ................................................................... 110
Setting Up Tone-Out ............................................................................ 110
General Use ............................................................................................ 113
Location .................................................................................................. 113
Cleaning ................................................................................................. 113
Repairs .................................................................................................... 114
Birdies ..................................................................................................... 114
Searching and Storing .............................................................................. 91
Optimizing P25 Performance .................................................................. 99
Using the Close Call Feature .................................................................. 100
Search and Close Call Options .............................................................. 104
Using Tone-Out ........................................................................................ 110
Care and Maintenance ............................................................................. 113
Contents
5

Contents 6
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 115
Specifications .......................................................................................... 119
Optional Accessories .............................................................................. 122
Appendix .................................................................................................. 123
Planning ....................................................................................................127
Conventional System Worksheet ........................................................... 133
Motorola System Worksheet .................................................................. 134
LTR/EDACS System Worksheet ............................................................. 136
Warranty ....................................................................................................138
Preset Fleet Maps ................................................................................... 123
User Defined Fleet Maps ........................................................................ 125
Type I Programming Information ......................................................... 125
Size Code Restrictions ........................................................................ 126
Collecting Information ............................................................................. 127
Filling Out The Conventional System Worksheet ................................... 129
System Name and Quick Key .............................................................. 129
Group Name and Quick Key ................................................................ 129
Frequency-Alpha Tag-Priority-CTCSS/DCS ........................................ 129
Filling Out The Motorola Worksheet ....................................................... 130
System Name and Quick Key .............................................................. 130
System Type ........................................................................................ 130
System Frequencies ............................................................................ 131
Fleet Map (Type I or Type I/Type II Hybrid Only) ................................ 131
Band Plan (VHF or UHF Only) ............................................................ 131
Group Name and Quick Key ................................................................ 131
Talk Group ID-Alpha Tag-Alert ............................................................ 131
Filling Out the LTR and EDACS Worksheet ........................................... 132
System Name and Quick Key .............................................................. 132
System Frequencies and LCN ............................................................. 132
Group Name and Quick Key ................................................................ 132
Talk Group ID-Alpha Tag-Alert ............................................................ 132

Introduction
7
Introduction
Your UBCD396T 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. 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
(unencrypted only) *
• Police and fire departments (including rescue and
paramedics)
• Business/Industrial radio and utilities
• Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands
• Air band
• Railroad
UHF CB Radio
CB Radio
Your scanner can monitor the following bands.
•
•
* 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.
87.9875
136.9875
224.9000
12.5

Feature Highlights 8
General
Close Call™ RF Capture Technology
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory
Pre-Programmed Systems
100 Quick Keys –
Lockout –
CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes –
- 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.
- 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.
- Your UBCD396T may
come pre-programmed with local systems (for
Australian and NZ Emergency Services for example)
as a complementary start.
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.
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
system 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.
prevent
interference from stations not using the mode you
select.
9 Service Searches - frequencies are preset in
separate Police, Marine, Railroad, Air, CB Radio,
UHF CB Radio, Racing, TV Broadcast, and FM
Broadcast searches, to make it easy to search and
scan for specific transmissions.
Feature Highlights

Analog and Digital Audio AGC –
Fire Tone-Out Standby –
Broadcast Screen –
Custom Screen –
Dropout Delay –
Attenuator –
Repeater Reverse –
Channel Alert –
Memory Check –
Scan and Search Operation –
Custom Alerts –
Helps automatically
balance the volume level between different radio
systems.
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.
Sets the scanner so it ignores
Close Call ™ or search hits on known broadcast
frequencies including pager frequencies.
Lets you input up to 10 frequency
ranges that the scanner will ignore during Close
Call™ or search operation.
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 Call ™
feature.
You can set the scanner’s attenuator to
reduce the input strength of strong signals by about
18 dB.
You can set the scanner so it
switches to the input frequency on a conventional
repeater system.
You can set the scanner so it alerts
you when there is activity on any channel you specify.
Lets you see at a glance how much
total memory is left.
Lets you include
selected service searches or custom search ranges
during normal scan operation.
For each alert in the scanner (such
as channel alert, Close Call alert, emergency alert),
you can select from 9 different tone patterns and also
set the alert volume level independently from the main
volume level.
Feature Highlights
9

Feature Highlights 10
Automatic Channel Step –
Frequency Step –
Quick Recall –
Scan/Search Delay
Text Tagging –
Unique Data Skip –
Duplicate Frequency Alert –
Memory Backup –
Trunk Tracker IV ™ Operation –
Accepts frequencies on
any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within
the band plan’s default 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
scanner’s auto step feature lets you set the scanner
so it automatically chooses the correct step.
Lets you quickly select a specific
channel by choosing the system, group, and channel.
– 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.
You can name each system, group,
channel, talk group ID and custom search range,
using up to 16 characters per name.
Allows your scanner to skip
unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies.
Alerts you if you try to
enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in
a system.
If power is lost or disconnected,
the scanner retains the frequencies you programmed
in its memory.
Follows
unencrypted conversations on analog Motorola,
Motorola Astro 25 (APCO 25), EDACS, EDACS SCAT,
and LTR trunked radio systems, including systems in
VHF, UHF, 800MHz Standard, 800MHz Splinter, and
900 MHz bands. The scanner can scan both
conventional and trunked systems at the same time.
Trunk Tracking

Control Channel Only Scanning –
Adaptive Digital Threshold –
Service Search –
Custom Search –
CTCSS/DCS Search –
Quick Search –
Frequency AutoStore –
Talk Group ID AutoStore –
Priority Scan –
Priority Plus –
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 as long as all possible control
channels are programmed.
Automatically sets the
digital decode threshold for APCO 25 systems.
Lets you quickly select and search
the scanner’s preprogrammed frequencies.
Lets you program up to 10 custom
search ranges. You can search any of these ranges
simultaneously.
Lets the scanner search for
CTCSS or DCS tones. You can identify up to 50
CTCSS tones and 104 DCS tones.
Lets you search from the currently-
tuned frequency if you are searching a conventional
system.
Automatically stores all
active frequencies into the selected conventional
system.
Automatically stores all
new talk group ID’s into a channel group you select.
Priority channels let you keep track of
activity on your most important channel(s) while
monitoring other channels for transmissions.
You can set the scanner so it scans
only the priority channels
Search
Auto Store
Priority
Feature Highlights
11

Feature Highlights 12
Backlight and Power
Key Controls
PC Control and Cloning
Display and Keypad Backlight –
Low Battery Alert –
Battery Save –
Key Lock –
PC Control –
Clone Mode –
On-Air Cloning –
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.
The scanner alerts you if the
batteries need to be recharged or replaced.
You can set the scanner so it reduces
the amount of power it needs if there are no
transmissions.
You can deactivate the scanner’s keys to
help prevent accidentally changing the scanner’s
programming.
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
the UBCD396T web page at www.uniden.com.au (for
Australia) or www.uniden.co.nz (for New Zealand).
You can clone all programmed data,
including the contents of the scanner’s memory, menu
settings, and other parameters from one UBCD396T
scanner to another UBCD396T scanner.
You can clone all programmed data
over the air from a PC to one or more UBCD396T
scanners.

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.
The scroll control on top of the UBCD396T lets you
easily control channel selection, volume, and squelch,
and how information appears on the display.
Simply rotate the
scroll control.
Briefly press the
scroll control once, then rotate it. and
the current volume level appear on the display.
While holding down on
the left side of the scanner, briefly press the scroll
control once then rotate it. and the
current squelch level appear on the display.
While holding down
, 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.
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, press /4. To move the
cursor to the right, press 6/ .
To clear a character, press twice. To clear all
characters, press three times.
To accept an entry, press down on the scroll control or
press .
Using the Multifunction Scroll Control
Entering Text
To adjust menu settings, change channels in Hold
mode, and resume scanning:
To change the scanner’s volume:
To adjust the squelch:
To change the display mode:
<
>
E
VOLUME LEVEL
SQUELCH LEVEL
Feature Highlights
13

Feature Highlights 14
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 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 .
Select the system
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 on the keypad to select the next
character. The cursor moves to the next character.
To move the cursor to a previous character,
press .
()
()
()
6/>
</4
Program System
Edit Name
Program System
Edit Name

Feature Highlights
15
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have entered the
system name. Then press down on the scroll
control or press to accept the setting.
• 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:
= Motorola
= EDACS
=LTR
= 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 16 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 28 if you
need any help doing this.
E
Hints:
M
E
L
C

Understanding Scanning 16
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 UBCD396T.
Your scanner’s memory is organized in an
architecture called
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 determine 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 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.
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-
way communications do not transmit continuously.
Your UBCD396T scans programmed channels until it
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.
Understanding the Scanner’s Memory
What is Scanning?
Dynamic Allocated Channel

Understanding Scanning
17
What is Searching?
What is CTCSS/DCS?
The UBCD396T can search 9 service search ranges
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 scanner finds an active
frequency, it stops on that frequency 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.
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
units which transmit the correct tone along with their
signal can “talk” to the repeater.

Understanding Scanning 18
CTCSS and DCS are also used in areas that receive
interference where there are several stations with
output frequencies close to each other. When this
occurs, you might hear multiple communications on
the same frequency. The stations might even interfere
with each other to the point where it is impossible to
clearly receive any of the stations. A scanner
equipped with CTCSS and DCS (like your scanner)
can code each received frequency with a specific
CTCSS or DCS frequency. Then, when you receive
multiple signals, you only hear the transmission with
the CTCSS or DCS tone you programmed. If you do
not receive the correct tone with a signal, the
scanner’s squelch remains closed and you hear
nothing.
You can search for the following CTCSS frequencies
and DCS codes.
CTCSS Frequencies (Hz)
DCS Codes (Octal)
67.0 69.3 71.9 74.4 77.0 79.7
82.5 85.4 88.5 91.5 94.8 97.4
100.0 103.5 107.2 110.9 114.8 118.8
123.0 127.3 131.8 136.5 141.3 146.2
151.4 156.7 159.8 162.2 165.5 167.9
171.3 173.8 177.3 179.9 183.5 186.2
189.9 192.8 196.6 199.5 203.5 206.5
210.7 218.1 225.7 229.1 233.6 241.8
250.3 254.1
023 025 026 031 032 036 043 047
051 053 054 065 071 072 073 074
114 115 116 122 125 131 132 134
143 145 152 155 156 162 165 172

Understanding Scanning
19
174 205 212 223 225 226 243 244
245 246 251 252 255 261 263 265
266 271 274 306 311 315 325 331
332 343 346 351 356 364 365 371
411 412 413 423 431 432 445 446
452 454 455 462 464 465 466 503
506 516 523 526 532 546 565 606
612 624 627 631 632 654 662 664
703 712 723 731 732 734 743 754
Conventional Scanning
Conventional scanning is a relatively simple concept.
Each group of users in a conventional system is
assigned a single frequency (for simplex systems) or
two frequencies (for repeater systems). Any time one
of them transmits, their transmission always goes out
on the same frequency. Up until the late 1980s, this
was the primary way that radio systems operated.
Even today, there are many 2-way radio users who
operate using a conventional system:
• Aircraft
• Amateur radio
• UHF/PRS users
• Broadcast AM/FM/TV stations
• Many business radio users
When you want to store a conventional system, all
you need to know is the frequencies they operate on.
When you are scanning a conventional system, the
scanner stops very briefly on each channel to see if
there is activity. If there isn’t, the scanner quickly
moves to the next channel. If there is, then the
scanner pauses on the transmission until it is over.