Uniden BCT7 Operating Manual

Uniden BCT7 Operating Manual

Highway communications system & scanning radio

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Welcome! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Types of Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Included With Your Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fast Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Power ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
How Squelch Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Selecting the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Selecting a Frequency Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Scan Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Warning Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Alert Tone Volume. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Muting the Alert Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
One Moment Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Continuous Mute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Canceling Mute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Warning Light Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Power On Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Priority Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Frequency Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Scan Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Frequency Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Table of Contents

Lockout Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Restore a Locked Out Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CB Channel Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Hold/Resume While Searching . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Programming Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Memory Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Memory Back-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Mobile Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Connecting the Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Base Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Tips and Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Trunking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Scanner Care & Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for Uniden BCT7

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    Types of Communications ....5 Included With Your Scanner ....6 Fast Start .
  • Page 2: Welcome

    3 mile radius of a Highway Patrol unit! Best of all, you don’t have to program any frequencies. Just set the BCT7 for your state, and the scanner will do the rest. Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before attempting to operate the unit.
  • Page 3 When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until another transmission is received. While the BCT7 scans channels, it is in Scan mode. When you stop scanning with H, it is in Manual mode.
  • Page 4: Features

    CB Search - Search all 40 CB channels Band Search Search through 12 bands of radio spectrum for frequencies. 26 MHz - 956 MHz - Scan these frequency ranges with your BCT7. (Note: the frequency coverage is not totally continuous.) Data Skip - Skip certain data signals and unmodulated transmissions.
  • Page 5: Types Of Communications

    Types of Communications Monitor communications such as: Highway Patrol, police and fire department (including paramedics) Aircraft NOAA weather broadcasts 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 following 12 Bands: Frequency Range...
  • Page 6: Components View

    Assembly Kit (MB007) If any Items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase. Read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scanner. Complete and immediately mail the Registration Form in this Operating Guide. Flexible Mobile Antenna Betty Bearcat...
  • Page 7: Fast Start

    Fold out the illustration from the front cover to see the controls and LCD display while reading this guide. Power ON 1. Turn the volume knob clockwise. PUSH ALERT Turn The scanner performs a self-test: the Warning Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps loudly. Warning Light WARNING...
  • Page 8: How Squelch Works

    How Squelch Works Think of “SQUELCH” as a gate. If the gate is too low (squelch too low), everything (all noise as well as signals) gets through. Setting the Squelch No signal should be present when setting Squelch. Press to stop scanning. If needed, press <...
  • Page 9: Scanning The Alert Monitor Frequency Banks

    Scanning the Alert Monitor Frequency Banks The Alert Monitor works with the Highway Patrol, Police, and Department of Transportation (DOT) frequency banks. Frequencies are preprogrammed at the factory on a state-by-state basis. Selecting the State Press S to select the state you are operating in.
  • Page 10: Scan Hold

    When the BCT7 receives communications, scanning stops, the active bank type replaces the state code, and the frequency displays. Scan Hold When scanning stops on a desired frequency, press H to hold on that frequency as long as you like.
  • Page 11: Warning Alert

    Warning Alert The BCT7 alerts you when Highway Patrol/State Police units using mobile extenders are within an approximate three mile radius. 1. The Warning Light flashes and the Alert Tone beeps five times when a signal is received. Warning Light...
  • Page 12: Muting The Alert Tone

    Change states or frequency banks. The Mute LED goes out after scanning starts. 3. Turn the scanner off and on. You can turn off the WARNING: Warning Light and completely mute the Alert Tone at the same time.
  • Page 13: Power On Settings

    Power On Settings When you turn the BCT7 off and then on again, the BCT7 will return to the last settings that were active. When you have chosen the state you will be driving in, and the mode (HIGHWAY PATROL, DOT, etc.), the BCT7 always returns to these settings.
  • Page 14: Scanning Fire, News, Weather And Private Frequency Banks

    When a transmission is received, the scanner stops on that frequency. When the transmission ends, a built-in two second delay feature holds the scanner on that frequency for a response. If there is no response, scanning resumes.
  • Page 15: Scan Hold

    HIGHWAY POLICE PRIVATE FIRE NEWS AIR If the BCT7 stops on an undesired frequency, press twice to force the unit to start scanning before the end of that transmission.. Or, lock out that frequency (see...
  • Page 16: Lockout Tips

    You can lock out all the frequencies in a bank, if desired. However, if you do, pressing that bank key will emit an error tone and the scanner will not scan. If you lock out a preprogrammed frequency in one bank, and that frequency is programmed into another bank, the frequency is locked out of both banks.
  • Page 17: Restore A Locked Out Frequency

    Restore a Locked Out Frequency 1. Select the frequency bank. 4. Press to unlock the frequency. Restore All Locked-Out Frequencies Press and hold for two seconds. 2. Press to enter Manual Mode. 5. Press to resume scanning. You’ll hear two beeps when all frequencies are restored.
  • Page 18: Search

    You can search for any frequencies between 29.000 and 956.000 MHz, as well as CB channels 1 through 40, as long as they are within the 12 Bands covered by the BCT7. See the table on page 5, or the Specifications at the back of this Guide.
  • Page 19: Cb Channel Search

    CB Channel Search The 40 Citizen’s Band (CB) channels comprise one of the 12 search bands available in the BCT7. 1. Press repeatedly until the CB band is active Notes: In the SEARCH function, you can turn the Data Skip feature on and off. (See “Data Skip,” page 20.) For easy access to the CB search, do not change the search band from CB.
  • Page 20: Data Skip

    Data Skip Your BCT7 automatically skips certain data channels which broadcast non-voice communications (primarily pagers). An icon in the display shows when Data Skip is on. This feature works in all modes except CB, AIR and Weather. To turn Data Skip OFF or ON: 2.
  • Page 21: Programming

    Programming Your BCT7 contains 100 programmable memory channels available in the following frequency banks: Highway 25 programmable channels (+ pre-programmed channels) Police 25 programmable channels (+ pre-programmed channels) 10 programmable channels (+ pre-programmed channels) News 5 programmable channels (+ pre-programmed channels)
  • Page 22: Programming Frequencies

    If you find a frequency you would like to program while in a general search of a band, press frequency, then follow programming steps 3 through 8. 2. When the BCT7 begins searching, press 5. Select the bank where you...
  • Page 23: Clearing A User-Programmed Frequency

    Clearing a User-Programmed Frequency To erase a user-programmed frequency: 1. Press > 4. Press and hold until 000.0000 appears in the display. HOLD 7. Press Q to program 000.0000 into memory. 2. Press twice to start search and hold on any frequency. 5.
  • Page 24: Memory Lock

    Memory Lock To avoid accidental programming of your BCT7 after you have programmed all the frequencies to your satisfaction, slide the MEMOLOCK switch on the back panel of the radio to ON. If you attempt to enter frequencies after you have locked the program, the display will show PRG-LOC.
  • Page 25: Installation

    Before starting installation, select a location for the radio bracket that is convenient for operation and with the driver or passenger in the vehicle. 1. Secure the bracket to a solid surface using the self tapping screws provided. 2. Mount the scanner to the bracket with the thumb screws. Star...
  • Page 26: Connecting The Power

    Connecting the Power The BCT7 is designed to be used in any vehicle which has a 12-volt DC negative ground electrical system. If you cannot determine the polarity of your vehicle, consult your vehicle dealer for information. 1. Connect the BCT7 power cord directly to the fuse block or battery of your car.
  • Page 27: Base Installation

    Base Installation In addition to mobile installation, you can operate the BCT7 as a base unit with the included AC Adapter and Telescoping Antenna. Note: Use only the AC Adapter supplied with this unit. 1. Plug the telescoping antenna into the antenna jack on the rear of the unit.
  • Page 28: Tips And Techniques

    IMPORTANT! program a CB channel into the BCT7 unless you’re sure you won’t be transmitting on that channel (or even an adjacent channel). Otherwise, you’ll receive loud feedback through the BCT7‘s speaker.
  • Page 29: Trunking

    If your scanner receives strong interference or electrical noise, move the scanner or its antenna away from the source. If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or need to improve reception, use an optional antenna designed for multi-band coverage.
  • Page 30: Scanner Care & Maintenance Tips

    Scanner Care & Maintenance Tips Do not use the scanner in high-moisture areas such as the kitchen or bathroom. Do not plug the scanner into an outlet controlled by a wall switch as prolonged periods without power causes scanner memory loss.
  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    If your BCT7 is not performing properly, try the steps listed below. PROBLEM Scanner is not giving Warning Alerts. Scanner is not working properly. Signal is weak or distorted. Improper reception. Scan won’t stop. Incomplete reception. Weather Search (WX) won’t work.
  • Page 32 (aircraft communications, weather, etc.) If you still cannot get satisfactory results, call the Uniden Customer Service Center at 1-800-297-1023, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday. Make sure you are scanning one of the Warning Alert Frequency Banks - Highway, Police, or DOT.
  • Page 33: Optional Accessories And Replacement Parts

    WX/PVT FLASH STATE HIGHWA Y POL/DOT SEARCH BAND PROG PUSH ALERT Highway Communications System & Preprogrammed Warning Scanner OPERATING GUIDE Mobile Mounting Bracket Assembly Kit (MB007) Hard Wire Cord (PS001) Guide Telescoping Antenna (AT124) Flexible Mobile Antenna (ANT002) External Speaker...
  • Page 34: Specifications

    SPECIFICATIONS Receiver Type: Triple Conversion Superheterodyne Banks: Total 7 banks: 6 Service banks and 1 programmable bank HIGHWAY PATROL 1,142 programmed plus 25 programmable channels POLICE: 5,185 programmed plus 25 programmable channels DOT: 459 programmed plus 10 programmable channels FIRE 160 programmed plus 10 programmable channels NEWS: 178 programmed plus 5 programmable channels...
  • Page 35 BCT 7 Highway Communications System & Preprogrammed Warning Scanner UBUD01250ZZ WARNING MUTE LOCKOUT HIGHWAY HOLD/RESUME FIRE/NEWS WX/PVT STATE HIGHWA Y POL/DOT SEARCH OPERATING GUIDE BCT 7 PUSH FLASH BAND PROG PUSH ALERT...
  • Page 36 Before you use this scanner, please observe the following: WARNING! Uniden America Corporation does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock, or damage to the unit, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
  • Page 37 BCT7 Controls WARNING MUTE LOCKOUT HOLD/RESUME FIRE/NEWS WX/PVT STATE HIGHWA Y POL/DOT SEARCH 9 10 BCT 7 PUSH FLASH BAND PROG PUSH ALERT 1. Alert Light 2. Mute LED 3. Mute Key 4. Fire/News Frequency Key 5. Lockout Key 6. Weather/Private Frequencies Key 7.
  • Page 38 HIGHWAY POLICE PRIVATE DATA HOLD SRCH LOCKOUT BCT7 Liquid Crystal Display FIRE NEWS AIR FLASH 1. Highway Patrol Frequencies 2. Police Frequencies 3. Department of Transportation Frequencies 4. NOAA Weather Frequencies 5. Private Frequencies 6. Fire Frequencies 7. News Frequencies 8.
  • Page 39: One Year Limited Warranty

    Uniden, (C) improperly installed, (D) serviced or repaired by someone other than an authorized Uniden service center for a defect or malfunction covered by this warranty, (E) used in any conjunction with equipment or parts or as part of any system not manufactured by Uniden, or (F) installed, programmed, by anyone other than as detailed by the operating guide for this product.

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