Uniden Bc350a Vhf Uhf Scanner Owners Manual

							Table of Contents 
						

							About Your New BC350A
The BC350A is not just a scanner.  It is a brand new information radio
with automatic scanning capabilities.  The built-in Service Scan system
brings you instantly into the exciting world of scanning action.  What’s
more, you don’t even have to program the scanner to begin using it!
The BC350A comes with five Service banks for monitoring police,
fire/emergency, marine, air, and weather frequencies.  Not only that,
there’s even a fully programmable bank for storing 
your own private col-
lection 
of favorite frequencies. 
With the BC350A, you can scan almost 1,000 channels.  In addition, the
BC350A has 11 separate band search capabilities for even greater scan-
ning action.
Two Service Scan banks, POLICE and FIRE/EMG, are also programma-
ble.  So whenever you encounter a newly activated local frequency for
either service category, you can add it to the bank for that category.  This
gives you quick access to the frequencies 
you want to hear.
So enjoy your BC350A!
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications
(listed below) do not transmit continuously.  The BC350A scans pro-
grammed channels at the rate of up to 100 channels per second until it lo-
cates an active frequency.  When scanning stops on an active frequency,
it remains on that channel as long as the transmission continues.  When
the transmission ends, the scanner stays on the channel for 2 more sec-
onds, waiting for another transmission.  If no response is detected, the
scanning cycle resumes until another transmission is received.
Types of Communication
You will be able to monitor communication such as:
·Police and fire department (including rescue and paramedics)
·NOAA weather broadcasts (7 pre-programmed channels)
·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
·Air band
·And many more in the 29-54 MHz, 137-174 MHz, and 406-512
MHz ranges
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							Where to Obtain More Information
The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have publications,
information on computer bulletin boards, and even contests for the radio
enthusiast.  See the enclosed pamphlets for more information.  Additional
information is also available through your local library.
Unpacking
Carefully check the contents against this list:
·BC350A Auto Scanner
·Telescoping Antenna
·AC Adapter (Model AD-140U)
·Mobile Mounting Bracket with Hardware
·DC Power Cord
·Cigarette Lighter Power Cord
·This Operating Guide
·Registration Form (in this Operating Guide)
·Frequency Directories Order Form and other pamphlets
If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase im-
mediately.
Complete and mail your Registration Form immediately.
Please read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scan-
ner.
Optional Accessories
The following optional accessories for your BC350A are available from
your local Uniden Dealer or through the Uniden Customer Service Center
by calling: (317) 842-2483, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Fri-
day.
BC AT Mobile Antenna
 - For mobile installation,  use a mobile antenna
designed for multi-band coverage, such as the Uniden BC AT mobile an-
tenna.
PLG-134 Antenna Adapter
 - Use only if your antenna has a Motorola-
type plug.
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							Summary of Features
The BC350A is a compact mobile/base scanner, and one of the most ad-
vanced communication products available today.
The BC350A features:
·Super Turbo Scan*   This lightning-fast technology enables the
BC350A to scan and search nearly 100 channels or steps per sec-
ond. The BC350A scans about 
five times faster than any standard
scanner sold in the United States. Because the frequency cover-
age within the service banks is so large (see below), a very fast
scanning system is essential.  That is why we combined our latest
technology-- Super Turbo Scan-- into the BC350A.
*Super Turbo Scan: US patent pending
Six Banks   Five pre-programmed Service banks and one stand-
ard, programmable Private bank.  These banks include:
POLICE:739-frequency (non-erasable memory) Service
bank with 20 additional programmable channels.
FIRE/EMG:97-frequency (non-erasable memory) Service
bank with 10 additional programmable channels.
AIR:1,160-frequency step (non-erasable memory)
Service/Search bank which covers the complete
AIR band, 108.000 to 136.975MHz.
MRN:90-frequency (non-erasable memory) Service
 bank for all Marine channels.
WX:7 frequency (non-erasable memory) all NOAA
Weather Service Broadcasting bank.
PRIVATE:20-channel, fully user-programmable bank.
·11 Search Bands:  Use the 
[BAND] key to select a band to
search.
Band Frequency Coverage Steps
29 - 30 29.000 to 30.000 MHz 5kHz
30 - 50 30.000 to 50.000 MHz 5kHz
50 - 54 50.000 to 54.000 MHz 5kHz
108 - 137 108.000 to 136.975 MHz (AM) 25kHz
137 - 144 137.000 to 144.000 MHz 5kHz
144 - 148 144.000 to 148.000 MHz 5kHz
148 - 174 148.000 to 174.000 MHz 5kHz
406 - 420 406.000 to 420.000 MHz 12.5kHz
420 - 450 420.000 to 450.000 MHz 12.5kHz
450 - 470 450.000 to 470.000 MHz 12.5kHz
470 - 512 470.000 to 512.000 MHz 12.5kHz
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							Installing the BC350A
For Home Use (Desktop Installation)
1. Insert the DC plug end of the AC Adapter into the DC 13.8V jack on the
rear panel.
2. Plug the AC Adapter into a standard 120V AC wall outlet.
Warning:  Do 
not plug the AC Adapter into an outlet controlled by a
wall switch.  
This could cause scanner memory loss.
3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT connector.  Extend the an-
tenna to its full height.  For frequencies higher than 406 MHz, shorten-
ing the antenna may improve the reception.
4. Use the desktop stand for a better viewing and operating angle.
Helpful Hints
·If strong interference or electrical noise is received, relocate the
scanner or its antenna away from the source.
·If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or need to im-
prove reception, use an optional antenna designed for multi-band
coverage.  (You can purchase this type of antenna at a local elec-
tronics store.) 
·If the optional antenna has no cable, use 50-70 ohm coaxial cable
for lead-in.  A mating plug may be necessary for the optional anten-
nas.
For Mobile Use (In-Car Installation)
Mounting the Radio
1. Select an ideal location in your vehicle to mount the BC350A.  Avoid a
location that could interfere with your driving.  In a passenger car, the
ideal location is underneath the dashboard on the passenger side. 
2. Use the BC350A mounting bracket as a template for marking the loca-
tion of the mounting screws.  Note:  If there are screws already hold-
ing the dashboard, you can use the same screw holes to mount the
bracket.
3. Drill the necessary holes and secure the mounting bracket in place us-
ing the screws provided.
4. Mount the radio to the bracket only after the wiring has been connected
to the rear panel.
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							Connecting the Antenna Plug
Connect the mobile antenna plug (optional) into the ANT connector on
the rear panel. (For more information on antenna installation, please refer
to the instruction guide that came with your antenna.)
Connecting the Power Cord
Note:  If you are not experienced in connecting accessories to the vehi-
cle fuse box, please see your automotive dealer for advice on proper
installation.
Installation for everyday use:
1. Check the vehicle battery connections to determine which battery
terminal (positive or negative) is grounded to the engine block or
chassis. Most of today’s vehicles use a negative ground. 
If your vehi-
cle has a negative ground,
 follow Steps 2 and 3.  Otherwise, skip to
the note following Step 3.
2. Connect the RED wire of the DC power cord to the accessory contact
in your vehicle’s +13.8 VDC fuse box.
3. Connect the BLACK wire of the DC power cord to the negative side of
the vehicle (usually the chassis).
Note:  In vehicles with a positive ground, the RED wire connects to
the chassis and the BLACK wire connects to the accessory contact in
the fuse box.
4. Insert the DC plug into the DC 13.8V jack on the back of the scanner.
Installation for Temporary Use:
A Cigarette Lighter Power Cord is provided for easy, temporary installa-
tion.
Warning:   Do not use the cigarette lighter power cord in a positive
ground vehicle.
Plug one end of the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord into the cigarette lighter
jack and the other end into the DC 13.8V jack on the back of the scanner.
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							Controls and Functions
[HOLD] KEYPress 
[HOLD] to stop scanning or searching.
Press any bank key or 
[SEARCH] to deactivate
Hold Mode.  In the Hold Mode, 
[UP] and
[DOWN] are active.
[UP] & [DOWN] KEYSThese keys are used in several different ways:
To manually step up or down a frequency in any
Hold Mode,
 use 
[UP] or 
[DOWN].  Frequency
steps are all preset for each band (see Technical
Specifications).
To change the direction of the search during
Search Mode,
 press 
[UP] to search upward to a
higher frequency, or 
[DOWN] to search down-
ward to a lower frequency.
To rapidly search or scan frequencies/channels
upwards or downwards,
 press 
[UP] or 
[DOWN]
for more than one second.  To stop the
search/scan, release the key.
[PRIVATE] KEYUse 
[PRIVATE] to instantly access your private
collection of favorite frequencies.  You can pro-
gram up to 20 channels in the PRIVATE bank.
There are no pre-programmed frequencies in
this bank.  After programming, press 
[PRIVATE]
to activate PRIVATE scan.  In the PRIVATE
Scan Mode, press 
[HOLD] to stop scanning.
Then use 
[UP] or 
[DOWN] to step through all 20
channels manually (including Locked Out chan-
nels). 
Front Panel
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							[FIRE/EMG] KEYPress [FIRE/EMG] to start scanning fire and
emergency frequencies.  The FIRE/EMG bank al-
ready has 197 pre-programmed frequencies.
They are used for fire department and emer-
gency communications, including paramedics.
Because new frequencies may be activated in
your local area, ten extra open channels in this
bank have been provided for programming addi-
tional frequencies.  (See the programming proce-
dures for programming new frequencies into this
bank.)
[AIR] KEYThe AIR band bank key is fully pre-programmed
(108.000 to 136.975 MHz).  Press [AIR] to start
searching through all 1,160 frequency steps of
the AIR band.
[POLICE] KEYPress [POLICE] to start scanning police frequen-
cies.  The POLICE bank contains over 700
known frequencies used by the police, including
state troopers, local police and sheriff, etc.  For
new frequencies, 20 more channels in this bank
have been provided for you to program.  (See
the programming procedures for storing new fre-
quencies into this bank.)
[WX] KEYSeven NOAA frequencies are programmed into
the Weather (WX) bank.  Press [WX] to find your
local weather channel.
[MRN] KEYAll 90 marine channels are programmed into the
Marine (MRN) bank.  Press [MRN] to start scan-
ning marine channels. 
[SEARCH] KEYPress [SEARCH] to start searching active fre-
quencies within the band previously selected
with the [BAND] key.  Normally, the search con-
tinues from the frequency where it left off in the
previous search.  In Search Mode, (after press-
ing [SEARCH]), the [BAND] key becomes ac-
tive. Use [BAND] to select the band you wish to
search. When selecting a band to search, re-
lease the key and the scanner will automatically
start searching upward from the lowest fre-
quency of its band.  (The symbol  appears next
to SRCH on the display.)  To search from a
higher frequency to a lower frequency, press
[DOWN].  (The symbol  is now displayed next to
SRCH.
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							[L/O] KEYPress [L/O] to lock out or prevent scanning of
the displayed frequency.  [L/O] is active only dur-
ing opened squelch or in the Hold Mode.
Locked out channel can be displayed on the
screen by using the [UP] or [DOWN] key to
manually scan through the selected bank in Hold
Mode only.  L/O appears on the display to indi-
cate that the channel is locked out.  Note:  Lock-
ing out a channel will not erase the programmed
frequency.
[BAND] KEYThis key is active in Search Mode only (when
SRCH is displayed on the screen).  When you
press [BAND], the upper and lower limits of the
band you are searching are displayed for 3 sec-
onds.  Then the display returns to the current fre-
quency.  Press [BAND] again within 3 seconds
to step up one higher band. Press this key as
many as it takes to find the band you want to be
searched.
Important:  This key has a very important secon-
dary function.  In Program Mode, you can press
[BAND] to leave this mode.
[PROG] KEYThis key initiates and completes programming.
It is active whenever a steady frequency appears
on the display.  Press [PROG] to start Program-
ming Mode.  CH appears and blinks, indicating
you are in Programming Mode, and urges you to
select the channel of the bank to be pro-
grammed.  Press a programmable bank key
([PRIVATE], [FIRE/EMG] or [POLICE]) to be
programmed.  Note:  Never press non-program-
mable bank keys ([WX], [AIR] or [MRN]). If you
press one of these keys, Error will be dis-
played, and you may lose the frequency you
wanted to program. 
VOLUME Control/
Power SwitchThis control turns the scanner on or off, and also
adjusts the volume.
SQ (Squelch) ControlAdjust [SQ] to set the scan threshold.  When you
are monitoring a single channel in Manual Mode,
adjust [SQ] to eliminate the background rushing
noise heard in the absence of an incoming signal.
LCD DisplayThe liquid crystal display (LCD) shows the cur-
rent channel or its frequency.  It also displays the
mode indicators, status indicators, and bank indi-
cators. (See the Screens section for more infor-
mation.)
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							MEMO LOCK SwitchIn the ON position, the Program ([PROG]) key is
disabled.  This prevents any unauthorized pro-
gramming or accidental entries.  When program-
ming is disabled, pressing [PROG] emits an
error entry tone and displays PrG-Loc.
ANT.
(Antenna) Connector
Connect your Antenna plug here.  If you have a
Motorola-type plug, use the optional adapter
( PLG 134).
EXT. SP.
(External Speaker)
ConnectorWhen using an optional External Speaker sys-
tem, connect the External Speaker plug here.
DC 13.8V
Power ConnectorConnect the DC power cable here.  Note:  Use
only the specified AC Adapter or DC power cord.
Rear panel
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