Uniden UBCD996T User manual

Owner's Manual
OWNER'S MANUAL
UBCD996T

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Precautions
Before you use this scanner, please read and observe the following.
Be sure to use only a monaural earphone or 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.
Uniden represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or
electrical shock, 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.
EARPHONE WARNING!
WARNING!
does not
do not
W
W
®® ® ®® ® ®
®®
®
®

Power Related Issues
Important:
Notes:
[VOL] /Power Switch ON
OFF ON
To prevent memory from being corrupted, do not unplug the AC adapter
during the time the memory is accessed for programming or auto store.
If when you connect the AC adapter the is , the scanner
may not power on. Should this occur, simply turn the control , then again.
If the scanner loses power (as when you turn off your car’s ignition with the
scanner’s power switch on), it can lose some system settings such as display
color and backlight. To ensure that such settings persist, either change the setting
using the scanner’s menu or power the scanner off then back on using the power
switch after making such setting changes.
When you turn off the scanner using the power switch, the scanner remembers
the last settings and mode. When you turn power back on, it resumes the previous
mode.
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Table of Contents
Precautions ...................................................................................................................................2
Introduction .................................................................................................................................11
A Short User’s Guide to Assist the First-Time Scanner Enthusiast and Glossary ...............19
Understanding Scanning and the UBCD996T ..........................................................................21
Power Related Issues ................................................................................................................3
Feature Highlights ......................................................................................................................12
General .....................................................................................................................................12
GPS ..........................................................................................................................................14
Search ......................................................................................................................................15
Auto Store .................................................................................................................................15
Priority ......................................................................................................................................15
PC Control and Cloning ............................................................................................................15
Memory Storage Limits ...............................................................................................................16
Search Lockout Limits ................................................................................................................17
About This Manual ......................................................................................................................17
Using the Scroll Control [FUNC] ...............................................................................................17
How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This Manual ................................................18
Entering Text Within A Menu Option .........................................................................................18
Understanding the Scanner’s Memory .......................................................................................21
Understanding Quick Keys .........................................................................................................21
What is Scanning? ......................................................................................................................22
What is Searching? ....................................................................................................................22
What is CTCSS/DCS? ................................................................................................................22
Conventional Scanning ...............................................................................................................23
Simplex Operation ......................................................................................................................23
Repeater Operation ....................................................................................................................24
What is Trunk Tracking? .............................................................................................................24
Trunked Scanning ......................................................................................................................25
Types of Trunking Systems ........................................................................................................25
Motorola Trunking .....................................................................................................................25
EDACS Trunking ......................................................................................................................26
LTR Trunking ............................................................................................................................27
Startup Configuration ..................................................................................................................28
Setup/Operation .......................................................................................................................28
Multi-Site Trunking ......................................................................................................................28
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS) ............................................................................................................29
Where To Get More Information .................................................................................................29
Information On The Internet .....................................................................................................29

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Included With Your Scanner ......................................................................................................30
Setting Up Your Scanner ............................................................................................................31
Controls, Keys, and Functions ..................................................................................................39
A Look At The Display ................................................................................................................44
Operation .....................................................................................................................................45
Optimizing P25 Performance .....................................................................................................52
Using the Menu ...........................................................................................................................54
Programming General Settings .................................................................................................55
Base Station ...............................................................................................................................31
Setting Up an Audio Recording Device or Computer Recording ................................................33
Vehicle Installation ......................................................................................................................33
Mounting Using the Bracket .....................................................................................................33
Mounting Using the DIN-E Sleeve ............................................................................................34
Removing the Scanner from the DIN-E Sleeve ........................................................................36
Mounting Using ISO Technique ................................................................................................36
Removing the Display Sticker ...................................................................................................37
Connecting an Optional Antenna ................................................................................................37
Connecting an Earphone/Headphone ........................................................................................37
Connecting an Extension Speaker .............................................................................................38
Turning On the Scanner and Setting the Squelch ......................................................................45
Startup Key Operation ................................................................................................................45
Conventional ............................................................................................................................45
Trunked ....................................................................................................................................45
Search Range ..........................................................................................................................45
Scanning Systems ......................................................................................................................46
Selecting Systems to Scan .........................................................................................................47
Selecting System Channel Groups .............................................................................................47
Locking/Unlocking Systems ........................................................................................................48
Locking/Unlocking Channels ......................................................................................................48
ID Scan/ID Search Mode ............................................................................................................48
Holding On a System ..................................................................................................................49
Holding On a Channel ................................................................................................................49
Quickly Storing an ID During ID Search .....................................................................................49
Quick-Storing Channels or Talk Group ID’s (TGID) ....................................................................49
Trunking Activity Indicators .........................................................................................................50
Toggling the Display Mode .........................................................................................................51
Conventional System ...............................................................................................................52
Trunked System .......................................................................................................................52
Setting and Using the Backlight ..................................................................................................55
Setting the Dimmer ...................................................................................................................55
Setting the Backlight Color .......................................................................................................56
Adjusting the Key Beep ..............................................................................................................56
Setting the Audio AGC ................................................................................................................56
Setting the Display Orientation ...................................................................................................57
Adjusting the Display Contrast ...................................................................................................57

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Setting the GPS Format .............................................................................................................57
Setting the Position Format ......................................................................................................57
Setting the Time Format ...........................................................................................................58
Setting the Time Zone ..............................................................................................................58
Setting the Distance Units ........................................................................................................58
Setting the Serial Port Speed .....................................................................................................58
Displaying Scanner Information ..................................................................................................59
Viewing Memory Used .............................................................................................................59
Viewing the Firmware Version and Electronic Serial Number ..................................................59
Initializing the Scanner’s Memory ...............................................................................................59
Connecting Your Scanner to a Personal Computer ....................................................................60
Volume/Squelch with PC Control .............................................................................................60
Wired Cloning .............................................................................................................................60
System Settings .......................................................................................................................63
System Options ........................................................................................................................63
Site Settings .............................................................................................................................65
Channel Settings ......................................................................................................................66
Programming Conventional Systems .........................................................................................66
Programming Trunked Radio Systems .......................................................................................67
Programming System Settings ...................................................................................................67
Editing the System Name .........................................................................................................67
Specifying the Correct System Type ........................................................................................68
Programming System Options .................................................................................................68
Programming Sites .....................................................................................................................76
Programming Channel Groups ...................................................................................................83
Setting Up a Channel Group ....................................................................................................83
Editing a Channel Group Name ...............................................................................................83
Setting the Group Quick Key ....................................................................................................84
Editing Channels ......................................................................................................................84
Locking Out Channel Groups ...................................................................................................84
Deleting Channel Groups .........................................................................................................85
Programming Channels ..............................................................................................................85
Creating a Channel ..................................................................................................................85
Editing the Channel Name (Alpha Tag) ....................................................................................85
Editing Frequencies ..................................................................................................................86
Editing the Talk Group ID .........................................................................................................86
Setting the Audio Type .............................................................................................................87
Selecting CTCSS/DCS Tones ..................................................................................................87
Quick CTCSS/DCS Save .........................................................................................................88
Setting Channel Modulation Method ........................................................................................88
Setting Channel Attenuation .....................................................................................................89
Setting Channel Priority ............................................................................................................89
Setting Channel Alert ................................................................................................................90
Set Record ..................................................................................................................................90
Programming Your Scanner ......................................................................................................62

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Searching and Storing ................................................................................................................92
Using the Close Call Feature ...................................................................................................100
Search and Close Call Options ................................................................................................104
Fire Tone-Out .............................................................................................................................114
Location-Based (GPS) Scanning .............................................................................................117
Non-Radio Location Based GPS Features ..............................................................................119
Service Search ...........................................................................................................................92
Quick Search ..............................................................................................................................93
Custom Search ...........................................................................................................................93
Editing a Custom Search Range ................................................................................................94
Search With Scan .......................................................................................................................95
Set Delay Time ...........................................................................................................................96
Set Attenuator .............................................................................................................................97
Set Record ..................................................................................................................................97
Assigning a Search Range to a Search Key ..............................................................................97
Saving a Found Channel (Quick Save) ......................................................................................97
Auto Search and Store ...............................................................................................................98
Selecting a System ...................................................................................................................98
Conventional Search and Store ................................................................................................98
Trunked Search and Store .......................................................................................................99
Setting Close Call Options ........................................................................................................100
Close Call Hits ..........................................................................................................................102
Close Call Hits with Scan .........................................................................................................102
Managing Locked-Out Frequencies .......................................................................................104
Unlocking All Frequencies ......................................................................................................105
Reviewing Locked-Out Frequencies ......................................................................................105
Searching for Subaudible Tones ............................................................................................105
Screening Out Broadcast Sources .........................................................................................105
Finding Repeater Output Frequencies ...................................................................................106
Setting the Maximum Auto Store Value ..................................................................................107
Setting the Modulation Type ..................................................................................................107
Setting Attenuation .................................................................................................................108
Setting Data Skip ....................................................................................................................108
Setting the Delay Time ...........................................................................................................109
Setting the Search Frequency Step ........................................................................................109
Setting Record ........................................................................................................................109
Adjust P25 Level ....................................................................................................................109
Priority Scan .............................................................................................................................110
Setting Tone-Out Standby .........................................................................................................114
Setting Up Tone-Out .................................................................................................................114
Tone-Out Multi-Channel Monitoring ..........................................................................................116
GPS Compatibility .....................................................................................................................117
Connecting Your Scanner to a GPS Device .............................................................................117
Initial GPS Operation ................................................................................................................117
Setting the Options ...................................................................................................................120
Deleting a Location ...................................................................................................................121
For POI Only ..........................................................................................................................121
GPS Display Mode ...................................................................................................................122
GPS Review Location Mode .....................................................................................................123

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Care and Maintenance ..............................................................................................................125
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................126
Specifications ............................................................................................................................129
Reference ...................................................................................................................................132
Preprogrammed Systems with Quick Keys ............................................................................137
Index ...........................................................................................................................................140
One-Year Limited Warranty ......................................................................................................144
General Use .............................................................................................................................125
Location ....................................................................................................................................125
Cleaning ...................................................................................................................................125
Birdies .......................................................................................................................................125
Preset Fleet Maps ...................................................................................................................132
User Defined Fleet Maps ..........................................................................................................134
Type I Programming Information ...........................................................................................134
Size Code Restrictions ..........................................................................................................135
CTCSS Frequencies .................................................................................................................138
DCS Codes ...............................................................................................................................138

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Introduction
Your UBCD996T scanner is a state-of-the-art scanner radio with Trunk Tracker IV™
and automatic scanning capabilities. You can store in the dynamic memory
conventional frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, air, amateur, and
other communications. You can store and scan services that use Trunked Radio
Systems and so much more. 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 Auto Store 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
The scanner’s frequency coverage is not continuous.
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Note:
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87.9875
136.9875
224.9000
FMB
12.5

Feature Highlights
General
Close Call™ RF Capture Technology
Close Call Do-Not-Disturb
Close Call Temporary Store
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory
Preprogrammed Systems
100 Quick Keys
9 Service Searches
“Soft” Search Keys
Channel Lockout
Frequency Lockout
CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes
Analog and Digital Audio AGC
— Lets the scanner detect and automatically
tune to nearby radio transmissions. See “ Using the Close Call Feature” on Page100
for more information.
— When set, the scanner makes periodic Close Call
checks whenever the scanner is not receiving audio in another mode. This
eliminates the annoying breaks in conversation while still allowing for Close Call
functionality.
— Temporarily saves the last 10 Close Call hits and
includes them when scanning.
— Your scanner’s 6,000 channels are
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 UBCD996T 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.
- 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.
— Lets you quickly search specified ranges.
— 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 500 frequencies (250 permanently
locked out + 250 temporarily locked out). The scanner skips locked-out frequencies
while using the Close Call™ feature or while searching.
— Prevent interference from stations not using
the tone code you select.
— Helps automatically balance the volume level
between different radio systems.
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Fire Tone-Out Standby
Broadcast Screen
Custom Screen
Scan/Search Delay
Attenuator
Repeater Reverse
Channel Alert
Memory Check
Search with Scan Operation
Custom Alerts
Automatic Channel Step
Frequency Step
Text Tagging
Data Skip
Duplicate Frequency Alert
— 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. Up to ten tone-outs on the
same RF setting can be scanned at one time.
— Sets the scanner to ignore Close Call™ or search hits on
known broadcast frequencies including common pager frequencies.
— Lets you input up to 10 frequency ranges that the scanner will
ignore during Close Call™ or search operation.
— 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.
— Reduces the input strength of strong signals by about 20 dB.
— Automatically switches to the input frequency on a
conventional repeater system.
— Alerts you when there is activity on any channel you specify using
your choice of nine unique alert tones.
— 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.
— 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 search mode.
— You can name each system, group, channel, talk group ID, custom
search range, and custom search range, using up to 16 characters per name.
— Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions and reduces
the affect of birdies.
— Alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or
frequency already stored in a system.
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Memory Backup
Temporary Lockout
Startup Configuration
Single-Handed Function Control Operation
Record Out Jack
Display and Keypad Backlight
Vehicle Power Connection (Orange Wire)
Trunk Tracker IV™ Operation
Multi-Site Trunking
Control Channel Only Scanning
Adaptive Digital Threshold
Location Based Scanning
GPS Non-Radio Based Features
GPS Display Mode
— If power is lost or disconnected, the scanner retains the
frequencies you programmed in its memory.
— Makes it easy to temporarily lock out a system, channel, or
frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you
don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.
— Lets you easily manage multiple configurations for your
scanner.
— You can tap the Function/Scroll
Control to enable the Function mode. It reverts to normal mode in about 3 seconds
from your last press if no other action occurs.
— Using the appropriate cable and audio recording device with
signal control, you can record live audio of designated channels.
— Makes the display and keypad easy to see in
dim light using two color options and six light levels plus off.
— Lets you connect to your vehicle’s
dimmer circuit to also dim the scanner’s display with the vehicle’s dimmer control.
— Follows unencrypted conversations on analog
Motorola, Motorola Astro 25 (APCO 25), EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked
radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz
bands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same
time.
— Lets you share system channels across multiple sites to
more efficiently use the scanner’s memory and more easily select sites to monitor.
— If the scanner is set to scan a Motorola
system, 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.
— If you connect a GPS unit to the scanner it can
automatically enable and disable systems based on the Location Information
(longitude, latitude, Range) that you provide.
— The scanner alerts you to Dangerous
Intersections, Speed Alerts, and Points of Interest that you program into the scanner.
— Lets you display extended GPS information such as
GPS
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Distance to a POI, Direction to a POI, Time to a POI, Speed, Position, and more.
— 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 or codes
on any channel or during a search. The scanner can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones
and 104 DCS codes.
— 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 conventional channel(s) while monitoring transmissions on other channels.
— You can set the scanner so it scans only the priority channels.
— 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 UBCD996T 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 UBCD996T
scanner to another UBCD996T scanner.
Search
Auto Store
Priority
PC Control and Cloning
Service Search
Custom Search
CTCSS/DCS Search
Quick Search
Frequency AutoStore
Talk Group ID AutoStore
Priority Scan
Priority Plus
PC Control
Clone Mode
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Memory Storage Limits
* depending on the number of TGID in the system.
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Search Lockout Limits
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.
To get the most from this manual, review the contents to become familiar with the
basic functions available.
The Scroll Control, a dual purpose control, also lets you switch to secondary function
operations. When used in this manner, you see in this manual. Located
prominently on the right of the UBCD996T’s front panel, the knob/switch lets you
easily control channel selection, plus Normal and Function Modes, as well as how
most of the information appears on the display.
Simply turn the .
To use tap the . This action is written in shorthand as
which is fully explained in the next section. When you tap the control appears
and remains in the upper left corner of the display for 3 seconds. During this time,
press any button to access the button’s second function. Or, press and hold the
Scroll Control for 2 seconds. The scanner beeps, and the function is “latched”
so that is does not return to normal mode until you tap the Scroll Control again.
flashes at approximately 1 second intervals.
If you select while scanning, the UBCD996T continues to scan, but holds on
the current system until the function operation is cancelled.
Using the Scroll Control
To adjust menu settings, change channels in Hold mode, and resume
scanning: Scroll Control
Scroll Control
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18
How the Scanner’s Controls Are Represented in This
Manual
Entering Text Within A Menu Option
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. We use a form of shorthand symbols to save space.
The following example shows you how to use the scanner’s menu to edit an existing
system name. It shows you the key to press in brackets to select a menu
option and the option you see on the LCD in Boldface Courier type (
) when you press . It also instructs you to turn the
(shown as ) to view a series of choices then or the
(the shorthand action shown as to a choice such as
.
Select the system
Then, edit the system name.
To enter a letter, turn the Scroll Control ( ) until the letter, numeral or other
character you want appears. To move the cursor to the left, press . To move the
cursor to the right, press .
twice. To clear all characters, press three
times.
To accept an entry, press or tap the or press .
To cancel an entry, press .
[MENU]
[MENU]
Scroll Control
Scroll Control
[MENU]
</4
6/>
To clear a character, press [.No] [.No]
Scroll Control [E ]
[MENU]
Program
System
Edit
Name
Program System
Edit Name
press tap
enter
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A Short User’s Guide to Assist the First-Time
Scanner Enthusiast and Glossary
Welcome to the family of Uniden scanner users. You have just unpacked your
Uniden UBCD996T scanner. You are anxious to scan and hear something so you
rotate the control and wait a moment as the opening Message and
Copyright screens confirm the model information.
Then, if you live in a residential area, you probably hear nothing or very little. Why?
The reason is simple. The programmable UBCD996T does not instinctively know
where you are and what you wish to listen to.
Take a few minutes to assist in the ‘educating your scanner’ process so you can
enjoy listening for the first time and feel good about your purchase.
Before proceeding, first follow the steps on Page 45 to set the volume and the
squelch levels. Once set correctly, these settings let you listen at a comfortable level
and let the scanner provide a signal whose strength is sufficient to be heard clearly.
Always be sure to connect the provided antenna.
Uniden has made it easy for you to start scanning. We have preprogrammed the
UBCD996T with local systems (for Australia and New Zealand Emergency
Services). Simply press [SCAN] to start scanning.
Finally, you may decide to program the scanner yourself. To correctly program the
UBCD996T scanner begin on Page 62. The two programming steps are
1. Plan the system
2. Program the system based on the plan.
To provide you with useful sized worksheets and instructions to complete them, we
have established links at our company website.
Visit, to see a list of helpful forms. But first, visit
and locate the system nearest your location that you
want to scan. If you register and pay a small fee, you can download a ready-to-use
formatted PDF complete with the data from your selected system.
Otherwise, you can print the blank worksheet on our web page as you would any
other web based page.
The programming data of a large metropolitan area may consist of many pages
depending on how extensive the area’s Public Service System Talkgroups are. Don’t
[VOL/POWER]
http://www.uniden.com/scanners
http://www.radioreference.com
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be overwhelmed. Begin by choosing the Talkgroups of interest to you. Begin by
transferring the data from the Radio Reference website to the worksheets you obtain
from the Uniden website and from there, to the scanner.
You can visit one of the Radio Reference forums and potentially learn of someone in
your immediate area who has programmed the same model scanner in your area.
Then, by using the Clone feature or by exchanging files that you each have
transferred to a computer using the Uniden Advanced Scanner Director (UASD)
software you can install the programmed data into your scanner. Once you have
either programmed or selected the option that lets you start experiencing scanning,
spend the next few minutes learning the basics of trunk tracking for an even more
complete listening appreciation.
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