Uniden BCT-10 Operating Manual

Highway information system & scanning radio

Advertisement

Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the BCT-10 Highway
Information System & Scanning Radio! State-of-the-art
engineering and advanced electronics provide you with a
preprogrammed information radio designed for easy operation and
dependability.
With the BCT-10 Scanning Radio, you can listen to hundreds of
highway patrol and police frequencies, as well as a number of
weather channels.
Plus, new built-in technology sounds an alarm when a highway
patrol unit using a mobile extender is detected!
Best of all, you don't have to program any frequencies. Just set the
BCT-10 for your state, and the scanner will do the rest. Please
read this Operating Guide thoroughly before attempting to operate
the unit.

Features

Highway Patrol Detection
with Strength Meter
Local Police Coverage
Highway Patrol Coverage
9 Level Strength Meter

Introduction

Windshield Mountable
Instant Weather
Built-in Speaker
Pre-Programmed Scanner
covers all 50 States Plus
Canada
1

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Summary of Contents for Uniden BCT-10

  • Page 1: Introduction

    Best of all, you don’t have to program any frequencies. Just set the BCT-10 for your state, and the scanner will do the rest. Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before attempting to operate the unit.
  • Page 2: Terms And Definitions

    Scanning is the process by which your scanning radio looks for “activity” in the channels it is programmed to look at. The scanner checks each frequency for the presence of a signal, and when it finds a frequency with a signal, for example someone talking on it, it stops, allowing you to listen to the signal.
  • Page 3: Unpacking

    Notify your dealer or shipping carrier immediately. For information or instructions on any problem that you may have, call the Uniden Customer Service Center at: (800) 297-1023 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central.
  • Page 4: Included With Your Bct-10 Scanner

    Included with Your BCT-10 Scanner The BCT-10 Highway Windshield Mounting Visor Clip Mounting Information System Bracket and Hardware Bracket BCT-10 Antenna Cigarette Adapter Power BCT-10 Operating Guide Cord Flexible Mobile Antenna Other Printed Material Straight Power Cord If any of these items are missing, please contact your place of...
  • Page 5: Installation

    Its sensitivity and range depend on the method of installation and the direction of the antenna in relation to the signal source. Before you decide where to put your scanner, please keep in mind one important factor: For safety, do not mount the BCT-10 in a location where it will obstruct your driving vision.
  • Page 6: Installing The Antenna

    Installation Installing the Antenna BCT-10 Antenna 1. Pinch the sides of the antenna and attach it to the BCT-10. Flexible Mobile Antenna 1. Mount the antenna on the inside of the windshield at the far right-hand (passenger) side. Caution: Be sure the antenna does not obstruct the driver’s vision in any way.
  • Page 7: Mounting The Bct-10

    Caution: Be sure the cable is out of the way of anyone getting in or out of the car. 3. Plug the cable’s BNC connector into the BCT-10. Mounting the BCT-10 Visor Mounting 1. Snap the visor clip onto the BCT-10.
  • Page 8 Installation 2. Slide the clip over the front of the visor. 3. Adjust the angle of the antenna as close to straight up or down as possible. Note: You can remove and replace the BCT-10 by sliding both the unit and the visor mount off and on the visor. SQUELCH SQUELCH...
  • Page 9: Windshield Mounting

    Windshield Mounting 1. Find a good position for the BCT-10 on your windshield. Refer to the Helpful Tips on page 5 for some guidelines on mounting positions. 2. Put the metal mounting bracket on windshield to adjust it for best position. 3.
  • Page 10 Installation 4. Snap the windshield mounting clip onto the BCT-10. 5. Slide the plastic windshield mounting clip into the the metal mounting bracket. The mounting clip locks into the plastic portion at three different positions. These positions can be used for vehicles with different vertical angles of their windshields.
  • Page 11 6. Place the bracket and the BCT-10 in the proper location on the windshield of your vehicle and press the suction cups firmly against the windshield. If the BCT-10 does not fit flush against the windshield, try a different position on the metal mounting bracket.
  • Page 12: Connecting The Power

    Connecting the Power Direct Connection WARNING: The BCT-10 is designed to operate only with 12V DC, negative ground power systems. Operation of the unit on other voltages or polarities will cause damage to the unit and may create a fire hazard. The straight power cord provided with the unit has bare wires at one end, and a small connector at the other end.
  • Page 13: Using The Cigarette Lighter Adapter

    3. Run the power cord from the fuse box to the BCT-10. Note: Ensure the cord does not interfere with vehicle operation or cause a tripping hazard. 4. Plug the power cord connector into the Control Unit at the jack labeled “DC 12V.”...
  • Page 14: Replacing The Fuse

    Connecting the Power When installing the power cord, make sure that: The socket is clean to allow proper contact. The power cord does not block the antenna area of the unit. Your unit also comes with 10 power cord mounting clips. You can use these clips to attach the power cord to the window frame or other parts of the vehicle, keeping it neat and out of the way.
  • Page 15: Operating Instructions

    Operating Instructions Applying Power 1. Turn the OFF/VOLUME control counter clockwise to power on the scanner. Adjust the volume about 1/4 turn. 2. During power-on, a self-test is performed. Check the front control panel for proper operation. 3. All the LED’s on the front...
  • Page 16: Adjusting The Squelch

    Operating Instructions Adjusting the Squelch Think of the Squelch Control as a gate. 1. Turn the SQUELCH control fully counterclockwise. This raises the “Squelch Gate” so high that no signals can get through. 2. Turn the SQUELCH control fully clockwise until you hear a hiss.
  • Page 17 3. Turn the SQUELCH conrol back counter clockwise just until the hiss stops. Now the “Squelch Gate” allows only strong signals through. 4. Sometimes when you open the Squelch, you may trigger the Alert feature even though no highway patrol cars are in the area.
  • Page 18: Selecting The State

    Operating Instructions Selecting the State 1. Select the state you are operating in by pressing key repeatedly. If you press and hold the key for 2 seconds, the selector moves rapidly through all the states and Canadian provinces. 2. The state code appears on the display.
  • Page 19: State Codes

    State Codes Code Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey State Code Operating Instructions...
  • Page 20: Selecting The Frequencies To Scan

    Operating Instructions Selecting the Frequencies to Scan Scanning All Frequencies Note: The Alert feature is not active in this mode. 1. To scan all frequencies (except Weather), press key repeatedly or press and hold the key until “XX” is blinking on the LED display.
  • Page 21: Scanning Highway Patrol Frequencies

    Scanning Highway Patrol Frequencies 1. To scan highway patrol frequencies exclusively, press the key repeatedly until HP is blinking in the LED display. 2. The HP LED lights up. 3. While scanning, the BCT-10 displays the state code for the state you selected. When the BCT-10 detects an active frequency, it displays HP in the LED.
  • Page 22: Scanning All Police Frequencies

    Operating Instructions Scanning All Police Frequencies 1. To scan highway patrol and local police frequencies, press the repeatedly until LP is blinking on the LED display. 2. The LP and HP LED’s will light up. 3. While scanning, the BCT-10 displays the state code for the state you selected.
  • Page 23: Highway Patrol Alarm

    Highway Patrol Alarm In most cases, when you are within three miles of a highway patrol unit, and a mobile extender is in use, your BCT-10 will set off a visual and audible alarm. The signal strength will be displayed, and the LED will return to the HP display.
  • Page 24: Setting The Highway Patrol Alarm Volume

    Operating Instructions 2. The LR and SR LED’s toggle and you hear two short beeps once either standard or long range mode is selected. Setting the Highway Patrol Alarm Volume You can set the Alert Tone volume to either Low, Medium, or High. To change the Alert Tone volume: 1.
  • Page 25: Muting The Highway Patrol Alarm

    Muting the Highway Patrol Alarm While in the highway patrol mode you can turn off the alarm tone during the time you are listening to a frequency or disable the alarm tone permanently. To disable the alarm tone while listening to a frequency: 1.
  • Page 26 Operating Instructions To disable the alarm tone permanently: 1. Press and Hold the for two seconds. 2. You hear a two beeps and the MUTE LED comes on. Note: When the MUTE LED is on and not flashing, you can receive highway patrol alarms, but the alarm tone does not sound.
  • Page 27: Monitoring Weather Frequencies

    Monitoring Weather Frequencies 1. To monitor weather frequencies, press the repeatedly until WX is blinking on the LED display. 2. While scanning, the BCT-10 will display WX. When the BCT-10 detects an active frequency, it displays the weather channel in the LED and stops scanning.
  • Page 28: Deleting Frequencies

    Some frequencies that have been preprogrammed into your BCT-10 may not be of immediate interest to you, or a frequency may be experiencing interference. You can lock out that frequency from scanning. 1. When the scanner stops on the undesired frequency, press time.
  • Page 29: Restoring Deleted Frequencies

    Restoring Deleted Frequencies Please note that you can only restore all deleted frequencies at the same time. To restore the deleted frequencies: 1. Make sure the BCT-10 is not scanning. To stop the unit from scanning, turn the SQUELCH knob toward the front of the BCT-10.
  • Page 30: Using Hold To Stay On A Selected Frequency

    Using HOLD to Stay on a Selected Frequency When scanning stops on a desired frequency, you can lock onto that frequency for as long as you like. To monitor only one frequency: 1. When the scanner stops on the desired frequency, press the key.
  • Page 31: Memory Backup

    Birdies All radios are subject to receiving undesirable signals. If your scanner stops during Scan mode and no sound is heard, press the key twice to resume scanning. key. Operating Instructions...
  • Page 32: Troubleshooting

    Weather Search (WX) won’t work. If you still cannot get satisfactory results and you wish to receive product information or return the unit for service, please call or write the Uniden Parts and Service Division at: Uniden America Corporation 4700 Amon Carter Blvd.
  • Page 33: Optional Accessories

    Optional Accessories The following optional accessories for your BCT-10 are available from your local Uniden Dealer or through the Uniden Customer Service Center by calling: (800) 297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday. Windshield Mounting Visor Clip Mounting...
  • Page 34: Specifications

    Size: Weight: Power: Operating Temperature: Antenna: RF Sensitivity: (FM 12dB signal to noise ratio at 3kHz deviation) Frequency Coverage: Audio output: Certified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15 as of date of manufacture. Specifications are typical and subject to change without notice. Specifications 76W X 136.5D X 33H 180 g...
  • Page 35 BCT-10 HIGHWAY INFORMATION SYSTEM & PREPROGRAMMED WARNING SCANNER Operating Guide UBZZ01258ZZ...
  • 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: Controls And Indicators

    Controls and Indicators ALARM LED MUTE LED 2 Digit LED Display Standard Range LED MUTE HOLD Highway Patrol LED HOLD LED Long Range LED Local Police LED A. DC Input B. Speaker Out C. On/Off Volume D. ALARM Key E. HOLD Key F.
  • Page 38: Table Of Contents

    Restoring Deleted Frequencies ... 29 Using HOLD to Stay on a Selected Frequency... 30 Memory Backup ... 31 Birdies ... 31 Troubleshooting... 32 Optional Accessories... 33 Specifications ... 34 Uniden® and Bearcat® are registered trademarks of Uniden America Corporation. CONTENTS...
  • Page 39: One Year Limited Warranty

    (E) used in any conjunction with equipment or parts or as part of any system not manufactured by Uniden, or (F) installed or programmed by anyone other than as detailed by the Operating Guide for this product.
  • Page 40 3,974,452, 3,987,400, 3,996,521, 3,996,522 4,000,468, 4,027,251, 4,057,760, 4,092,594 4,100,497, 4,114,103, 4,123,715, 4,153,877 4,156,193, 4,157,505, 4,179,662, 4,219,821 4,270,217, 4,398,304, 4,409,688, 4,455,679 4,461,036, 4,521,915, 4,627,100, 4,888,815 4,932,074, 4,947,456, 5,014,348, DES 253,173 DES 272,737, RE 31,523 ©1995 Uniden America Corporation.All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines...

Table of Contents