Uniden BCT-12 Operating Manual
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Uniden BCT-12 Operating Manual

Highway information system & pre-programmed warning scanner
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Welcome

Congratulations on your purchase of the BCT-12 Highway
Information System & Pre-programmed Warning Scanner!
State-of-the-art engineering and advanced electronics provide you
with a pre-programmed information radio designed for easy
operation and dependability.
With the BCT-12 Scanning Radio, you can listen to hundreds of
highway patrol, local police, sheriff's department, department of
transportation, and news media frequencies as well as NOAA
weather channels.
The frequencies in your BCT-12 have been uniquely selected on a
State-by-State basis to provide you with the highest level of
scanning quality. Plus, new built-in technology sounds an alarm
when a priority channel is detected!
Best of all, you don't have to program any frequencies. Just set the
BCT-12 for your state, and the scanner will do the rest. Please
read this Operating Guide thoroughly before attempting to operate
the unit.

Features

Priority Alert
Local Police Coverage
Highway Patrol Coverage
9-Level Strength Meter
Weather Alert
Highway Patrol Detection
Visit our Internet site at http://www.uniden.com.

Introduction

Windshield Mountable
Instant Weather
Built-in Speaker
DOT Coverage
News Media Coverage
Pre-programmed Scanner
Covers All 50 States Plus
Canada
1

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Summary of Contents for Uniden BCT-12

  • Page 1: Introduction

    Best of all, you don’t have to program any frequencies. Just set the BCT-12 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

    Weather Alert Lets your scanner function as a severe weather warning radio. With Weather Alert turned on, when the NOAA issues a severeweather warning radio. With Weather...

  • 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-12 Scanner

    Included with Your BCT-12 Scanner The BCT-12 Highway Windshield Mounting Visor Clip Mounting Bracket Information System Bracket and Hardware BCT-12 Antenna Cigarette Adapter Power BCT-12 Operating Guide Cord Window Mount Antenna Other Printed Material Straight Power Cord If any of these items are missing, please contact your place of...

  • Page 5: Installation

    Optional Antennas Your BCT-12 was designed for the easiest installation possible. Uniden has packaged an additional Window Mount antenna with your BCT-12 that will provide better performance on VHF frequencies. For the best reception possible in every state, you might consider a mobile scanner antenna which mounts magnetically to your car or truck.

  • Page 6: Installing The Antenna

    Installation Installing the Antenna BCT-12 Antenna 1. Pinch the sides of the antenna and attach it to the BCT-12. Window Mount 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-12

    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-12. Mounting the BCT-12 Visor Mounting 1. Snap the visor clip onto the BCT-12.
  • 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-12 by sliding both the unit and the visor mount off and on the visor. SQUELCH SQUELCH...
  • Page 9 Windshield Mounting 1. Find a good position for the BCT-12 on your windshield. Refer to the Helpful Tips on page 5 for some guidelines on mounting positions. 2. Put the metal mounting bracket with the suction cups on the windshield to adjust it for best position.
  • Page 10 Installation 4. Snap the windshield mounting clip onto the BCT-12. 5. Slide the plastic windshield mounting clip into 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-12 in the proper location on the windshield of your vehicle and press the suction cups firmly against the windshield. If the BCT-12 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-12 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-12. Note: Ensure the cord does not interfere with vehicle operation or cause a tripping hazard. 4. Plug the power cord connector into the BCT-12 at the jack labeled “DC 12V.” Note: Push the connector firmly into the jack.

  • 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 counterclockwise 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 4. Sometimes when you open the Squelch, you may trigger the Alert feature even though no highway patrol cars are in the area. If this happens, turn the SQUELCH control counterclockwise until the “rushing” noise stops. Then turn the BCT-12 off, and back on, to reset the Alert feature. Note: In metropolitan areas, you may want to adjust the Squelch control more counterclockwise to reduce the range of the Alert feature.

  • Page 18: Selecting The State

    Operating Instructions Selecting the State See the foldout inside the front cover or your Quick Reference Guide for key positions. 1. Select the state you are operating in by pressing the repeatedly. If you press and hold the the selector moves rapidly through all the states and Canadian provinces.

  • Page 19: State And Canadian Province Codes

    State and Canadian Province 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...

  • Page 20: Selecting The Frequencies To Scan

    Operating Instructions Selecting the Frequencies to Scan Once you have selected the State or Canadian province, you are ready to select the frequencies you want to scan. Scanning Highway Patrol Frequencies This mode scans State Police/Highway Patrol frequencies by state. Mobile extender and other enforcement channels are priority checked for activity.
  • Page 21 Scanning Local Police Frequencies This mode scans only the local police and county sheriff frequencies. Mobile extenders and other enforcement channels of the Highway Patrol are priority checked for alarm activity. Note: The priority check can be turned off by pressing and holding the Alert key for two seconds.
  • Page 22 Operating Instructions 1. To scan highway patrol and local police frequencies, press the key repeatedly until HL is blinking on the LED display. 2. The LP and HP LED’s will light up. 3. While scanning, the BCT-12 displays the state code for the state you selected.
  • Page 23 2. When the BCT-12 detects an active frequency, it displays NW in the LED display. The BCT-12 will stop for two seconds, and then resume scanning with NW blinking in the LED display. Scanning Department of Transportation Frequencies This mode scans the state road repair, snow clearing, and weigh station crews of the state’s Department of Transportation as well as Highway Patrol channels.

  • Page 24: Priority Alert

    Operating Instructions Scanning All Frequencies Note: The Weather Alert and Priority Alert features are not active in this mode. 1. To scan all frequencies (except Weather), press the key repeatedly or press and hold the “XX” is blinking on the LED display.
  • Page 25 Turning Priority Alert On/Off To turn priority alert off while in HP, LP, HL, or DOT Mode: Press and Hold the for 1.5 seconds. A confirmation beep sounds and the ALT LED goes off. To turn priority alert on while in HP, LP, HL, or DOT Mode: Press and Hold the for 1.5 seconds.
  • Page 26 Operating Instructions Muting the Priority Alert 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 27: Weather Alert

    2. While scanning, the BCT-12 will display WX in the LED display. When the BCT-12 detects an active frequency, it displays the weather channel in the LED display and stops scanning. 3. Press the key to make the BCT-12 scan for the next weather frequency.

  • Page 28: Deleting Frequencies

    You can lock out those frequencies from scanning. When the scanner stops on the undesired frequency, press one time. To lock out additional frequencies, repeat this step. Note: You can delete a maximum of 50 frequencies. Although...

  • 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-12 is not scanning. To stop the unit from scanning, turn the SQUELCH knob toward the front of the BCT-12.

  • Page 30: 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 key. The LED display now indicates the mode you are monitoring.

  • Page 31: Memory Backup

    Important Operating Tips Your BCT-12 is not a radar detector. Using a Uniden radar detector in tandem with your BCT-12 will provide you with an excellent form of protection on the interstates. The best way to use your BCT-12 is to rely both on the warning tones as well as on the regular voice communications heard on the scanner.

  • Page 32: Troubleshooting

    * Also see “Helpful Tips” on page 5. 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-12 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 Color profile: Disabled Composite Default screen G:...Bct12 pdf.vp Wed Dec 03 11:27:46 1997...
  • 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 Alert Mode LED A. DC Input B. External C. On/Off Volume D. ALERT Key E. HOLD Key F. Control Panel G. STATE Key H. Windshield J. MUTE Key K. Squelch Control L.

  • Page 38: Table Of Contents

    Weather Alert...27 Deleting Frequencies...28 Restoring Deleted Frequencies ...29 Using HOLD to Stay on a Selected Frequency ...30 Memory Backup...31 Birdies...31 Important Operating Tips...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 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 © 1996 Uniden America Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines G:...Bct12 pdf.vp Wed Dec 03 11:29:05 1997...

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