Uniden Bc250d Widenband Scanner Owners Manual

							BC250D  11/6/2 11:36 AM  Page i 
						

							BC250D  11/6/2 11:36 AM  Page ii 
						

							Contents
Introduction ...........................................................................................1
Front View ............................................................................................2
Icon Display ..........................................................................................3
BC250D SHORTCUTS.........................................................................4
Important Notice ...................................................................................6
Terminology ..........................................................................................7
What is Scanning? ............................................................................7
What is Searching?...........................................................................7
What is Trunk Tracking?...................................................................7
What is APCO Project 25 Digital Communications? ........................8
Feature Highlights ................................................................................9
Where to Obtain More Information .....................................................11
Information on the Internet .............................................................11
Included with Your Scanner Package ................................................12
Setup ..................................................................................................13
Installing the Battery Pack ..............................................................13
Charging the Battery Pack..............................................................13
Low Battery Indicator ......................................................................13
Flexible Antenna .............................................................................14
Beltclip ............................................................................................14
Listening Safely ..............................................................................14
Connecting the REMOTE Cable.....................................................14
Basic Operation ..................................................................................15
Turn the Scanner On ......................................................................15
Setting the Squelch ........................................................................15
Understanding the Menu System ...................................................16
Menu Description and Numeric Keypad Equivalents .....................17
Programming ......................................................................................26
Storing Frequencies into Channels in Menu Mode ........................26
Deleting a Stored Frequency ..........................................................27
Editing a Stored Frequency ............................................................27
Duplicate Frequency Alert ..............................................................27
Transfer Frequencies......................................................................28
Storing Text Tags ...........................................................................28
Beep Alert .......................................................................................29
Programming Tips ..........................................................................29
Scanning .............................................................................................31
Storing Frequencies During Scanning ............................................31
RF Attenuation Feature ..................................................................32
Setting the Delay Mode for Frequency ...........................................32
Channel Lockout .............................................................................33
Restoring a Locked-out Channel ....................................................34
Restoring All Locked-out Channels ................................................34
Priority Scan ...................................................................................34
Changing the Priority Channel........................................................35
Prioroty Channel Plus Scan............................................................35
Searching............................................................................................36
Setting a Search Range .................................................................36
Starting Chain Search.....................................................................37
Search Hold Feature.......................................................................37
Data Skip ........................................................................................37
Frequency Skip ...............................................................................38
Storing Search Frequencies ...........................................................38
Auto Storing ....................................................................................39
Squelch (SQ) Mode ........................................................................40
Additional Menu Options for Searching  .........................................42
Service Search ...................................................................................43
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							Service Search Skip .......................................................................44
NWR-SAME Alert ...........................................................................44
Testing the Alert Siren ....................................................................45
Programming FIPS Code................................................................45
Digital and Trunked Systems .............................................................47
Programming and Receiving Digital and Trunked Systems ...............49
STEP1: Selecting or Changing Trunking System Type..................49
STEP2: Programming Trunking Frequencies .................................50
STEP3: Programming ID Scan List Manually.................................51
Scan Lists .......................................................................................51
Setting the Squelch ........................................................................54
Receiving Trunked Systems ...........................................................54
ID Scan Mode .................................................................................55
ID Scan Hold Feature .....................................................................56
Trunked Search ..............................................................................56
ID Monitor Mode .............................................................................56
ID Search Hold and Direct Entry ID Hold Mode .............................57
ID Lockout.......................................................................................57
Review ID Lockout ..........................................................................58
Restoring Locked-out IDs ...............................................................58
Setting the Delay Mode for Trunking Mode ....................................59
Setting Priority in Trunking Mode ...................................................60
Programming Scan Lists During Search ........................................60
Deleting a Stored ID .......................................................................60
Moving between Scan List Memories .............................................61
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS).................................................................61
Multi-Track ......................................................................................62
EDACS Reception ..............................................................................64
EDACS Tracking.............................................................................64
Programming EDACS System Frequencies ...................................64
An EDACS Trunked system ...........................................................65
Special EDACS Features ...............................................................66
EDACS SCAT .................................................................................67
LTR Reception....................................................................................68
LTR Tracking ..................................................................................68
Motorola Reception ............................................................................69
Motorola Tracking ...........................................................................69
Fleet Map Programming .................................................................70
Selecting Preset Fleet Map ............................................................70
Programming a Fleet Map ..............................................................71
Programming a Hybrid System.......................................................71
Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for 
Motorola VHF/UHF Trunked Systems...............................................72
Toggling the Status Bit ...................................................................73
Control Channel Only Mode ...........................................................73
Disconnect Tone Detect Option (End Code) ..................................75
APCO Project 25 Reception ...............................................................76
Installing the APCO P-25 Card .......................................................76
Precautions for Iistalling the BCi25D Card .....................................77
Turning ON/OFF the APCO P-25 Card ..........................................77
APCO P-25 Sound Quality Fine Tuning .........................................78
Remote Interface ................................................................................80
PC Control Mode ............................................................................80
Clone Mode ....................................................................................81
Additional Features.............................................................................84
Care and Maintenance .......................................................................87
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................88
Specifications......................................................................................90
Glossary of Terms ..............................................................................91
Appendix .............................................................................................95
One Year Limited Warranty ..............................................................105
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							1
Introduction
The BC250D is a state-of-the-art Digital Capable radio with
TrunkTracker III and automatic scanning capabilities. It can
store frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine,
railroad, air, amateur, and other communications into 10
banks of 100 channels for a total of 1000 channels.
With the optional BCi25D, APCO-P25 Digital Card installed
you can monitor Public Safety Organizations who currently
use Conventional, Trunked at 3600 and Mixed Mode APCO
25 systems.
Use your new scanner to monitor:
• Police and Fire Departments (including rescue and 
paramedics)
Trunked for: 
Motorola
Type I
Type II
Type I,II (Hybrid)
EDACS
Wide band
Narrow band
Scat
LTR
Digital Communication for APCO Project 25
Conventional
Trunked at 3600
Mixed Mode at 3600
• NOAA Weather Broadcasts
• Business/Industrial Radio
• Utilities
• Marine and Amateur (ham radio) Bands
• Air Band
• And much more...
The chart below identifies the scanner band numbers, the
frequency range, the modulation mode and the default step
size settings.
1 25.0000 - 26.9600 AM 5
2 26.9650 - 27.4050 AM 5
3 27.4100 - 27.9950 AM 5
4 28.0000 - 29.6900 FM 10
5 29.7000 - 49.9900 FM 10
6 50.0000 - 53.9900 FM 10
7 54.0000 - 71.9500 WFM 50
8 72.0000 - 75.9950 FM 5
9 76.0000 - 87.9500 WFM 50
10 88.0000 - 107.9000 WFM 100
11 108.0000 - 136.9750 AM 25
12 137.0000 - 143.9950 FM 5
13 144.0000 - 147.9950 FM 5
14 148.0000 - 161.9950 FM 5
Band
No.Frequency Range
(MHz)Mode Step
(kHz)
15 162.0000 - 173.9875 FM 12.5
16 174.0000 - 215.9500 WFM 50
17 216.0000 - 224.9950 FM 5
18 225.0000 - 399.9500 AM 50
19 400.0000 - 405.9875 NFM 12.5
20 406.0000 - 419.9875 NFM 12.5
21 420.0000 - 449.9875 NFM 12.5
22 450.0000 - 469.9875 NFM 12.5
23 470.0000 - 512.0000 NFM 12.5
24 806.0000 - 823.9875 NFM 12.5
25 849.0125 - 868.9875 NFM 12.5
26 894.0125 - 956.0000 NFM 12.5
27 1240.0000 - 1300.0000 NFM 12.5
Band
No.Frequency Range
(MHz)Mode Step
(kHz)
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							2
Front View
1. Antenna Connector
2. Speaker
3. Display
4. DC Power Jack
5. Hold/Manual/Channel/Frequency Key (HOLD/MAN)
6. Scan Key (SCAN)
7. Menu/Back Key (MENU/BACK)
8. Lockout Key (L/O)
9. Light/Keypad Lock Key (/ )
10. Decimal/Reverse Key ( )
11. Earphone Jack
12. Volume/ON/OFF Control
13. Squelch Control
14. Remote Jack
15. VFO Control
16. Resume Key ( )
17. Service Key (SERVICE)
18. Search Key (SEARCH)
19. Numeric Keypad
20. Trunk Key (TRUNK)
21. Priority Key (PRI)
22. Transfer/Mute Key (TRNSFR/MUTE)
23. Enter/Select Key (E)
RSM
.
2
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
9102223
21
20
1918171615
14
13
1211
SEARCH SCAN
SERVICE
CH/
FRQ
MENU/BACK
L/O
.SELECT REVERSETRUNK
RSM
E
HOLD/
MAN
BC250D  11/6/2 11:36 AM  Page 2 
						

							Icon Display
Uniden®
and Bearcat®
are registered trademarks of Uniden
America Corporation.
TrunkTracker is a proprietary trademark of Uniden America
Corporation.
3
                          DESCRIPTION
Priority Channel Indicator
Lock Out  Mode Indicator
Scan/Search Direction Indicator
Chain Search Mode Indicator
Service Search Mode Indicator
Scan Mode Indicator
ID Scan Mode Indicator
ID Search Mode Indicator
Channel Type
Conventional Type
Trunk Type
Morola Tracking Type
LTR Tracking Type
EDACS Tracking Type
Digital Communications
P25: APCO Project 25
Receiving Mode Indicators
Signal Meter
Battery IndicatorICON
P
L/O
SRCH
SRVC
SCAN
ID SCAN
ID SEARCH
C
M
L
E
P25
AM,FM
WFM,NFM
BC250D  11/6/2 11:36 AM  Page 3 
						

							4
321
33 2
231
1
3
E
22
391
1 31
1
1
341
HOLD/
MANHOLD/
MAN5
15 5.
42
1
1
ID MEMORYselect
3
MENU/
BACKMENU/
BACK MENU/
BACK MENU/
BACK MENU/
BACK
MENU/
BACK
MENU/
BACK
MENU/
BACK
E
E
E SCAN
E
the neat entry Programming.
To receive an alert for activity on 
specific IDs while trunk tracking, 
turn on the Beep Alert for that 
ID. (for example; replace the frequency 
on channel 5 to 155.000)
To receive an alert for activity on 
a specific channel, turn on the 
Beep Alert for that channel.
Rotate the VFO control to enter the text 
and using RSM or HOLD/MAN to move 
the cursor. After the text is entered, 
press
This shortcut card is designed to assist you in
getting through the menu screens using the direct
entry mode for commonly used features. Please
read the manual thoroughly before using this card.
Be sure to back out of the menu screen after each
shortcut by repeatedly pressing MENU/BACK or by
pressing SCAN or SEARCH Keys.
BC250D SHORTCUTS
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							5
1
1
1
E
E
2
1
E
2
21
12
11
2
35
1
1
52
6SEARCHselect
bank
select
range
select
speed select
range
E E
EE
1
E
E
MENU/
BACKMENU/
BACK
MENU/
BACK MENU/
BACK
MENU/
BACKCHAIN
SERCH
MENU/
BACK
MENU/
BACK
E
4E
EE
To set up a system for trunk tracking, 
select a bank, then enter the trunk type.
Then enter the trunk type you want to 
track. Press            .
To silence the scanners audio output,
set the scanner to Mute On.
Press and hold            .To program and control your scanner 
remotely from a PC using Unidens 
E-Scanner software, do the following:
Press
CHAIN
SERCH CHAIN
SERCH
Rotate the VFO control to enter the tag and 
use RSM or HOLD/MAN to move the cursor 
and then press            .
MUTE
SEARCHTo begin searching between the Range 
press            .
To change the alpha tag on the specific 
search range of frequencies that you set, 
do the following:
Rotate the VFO control to enter the tag and 
use RSM or HOLD/MAN to move the 
cursor forward or back and then press
            .
If you need any assistance with this product, please call our
Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-297-1023.  A Uniden
representative will be happy to help you with any matters
regarding the operation of this unit, available accessories, or
any other related matters.
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central time.
Also please check out our website at scanner.uniden.com
BC250D SHORTCUTS
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							6
Important Notice
•This scanning radio has been manufactured so that it will
not tune radio frequencies assigned by the FCC for cellular
telephone usage. The Electronic Communications Privacy
Act of 1986, as amended, makes it a federal crime to
intentionally intercept cellular or cordless telephone
transmissions or to market this radio when altered to
receive them.
•The installation, possession, or use of this scanning radio in
a motor vehicle may be prohibited, regulated, or require a
permit in certain states, cities, and/or local jurisdictions.
Your local law enforcement officials should be able to
provide you with information regarding the laws in your
community.
•Changes or modifications to this product are strictly
prohibited, or operation of this product in any way other
than as detailed by this Owners manual. Could void your
authority to operate this product.
•The screen displays used in this manual are
representations of what might appear when you use your
scanner.
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