Glossary Of Terms - Uniden BC296D Owner's Manual

Glossary of Terms

Alpha tag - This term refers to an alphanumeric text tag that
you can enter to describe the individual frequencies that
you have programmed. Rather than having to associate a
specific frequency to the individuals that are using it, you
can enter the actual name of the group. This will eliminate
the need for memorizing the group's frequency.
Attenuator - This scanner comes with a feature to attenuate
or reduce the signal strength. The built-in attenuator can be
turned on specific frequencies to prevent strong signals
from overloading the scanner input, possibly damaging the
scanner or missing other transmissions due to the repeated
stopping on the stronger signal.
Clone - This term identifies the ability to set up a duplicate
scanner. This function allows you to clone all the
programming information, including frequencies, talkgroups
and alpha tags as well as bank settings and other
parameters from one BC296D to another or BC796D.
Control Channel - This is the frequency within a trunking
system that runs the system. On Control Channels
(sometimes called Data Channels) you will hear a buzz saw
sound. For the most part, it is the sound of the system's
central computer directing talkgroups to particular voice
(working) frequencies within the system.
CTCSS - (Continuous Tone Controlled Squelch System)
refers to a system where the radio receivers are equipped
with tone responsive devices which allow audio signals to
appear at the audio output, select voice processing such as
scrambling or control repeater functions only when a carrier
modulated with a specific tone is received. This method
may be used to restrict access to the repeater or receiver,
or reduce interference where several stations with output
frequencies in close proximity of each other make it difficult
to hear the conversation you are interested in. With CTCSS
squelching, you can eliminate the possibility of hearing
unwanted conversations by selecting one of the 38 standard
subaudible tones. You will only hear those transmissions
that have been programmed on specific frequencies with
the specific subaudible tone that you have selected.
DCS - (Digital Controlled Squelch) refers to a system where
the radio receivers are equipped with data burst responsive
devices which allow audio signals to appear at the audio
output, select voice processing such as scrambling or
control repeater functions only when a carrier modulated
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