Uniden Bc780xlt Trunk Tracker Scanner Owners Manual

							500-Channel Trunk Tracking Scanner
Visit our
Website at
www.bc780xlt.com
BC780XLT
TRUNK TRACKER  III
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							Band Frequency Range Mode StepNo. (MHz) (kHz)
22 470.0000–472.9875 NFM 12.5473.0000–475.9875 NFM 12.5476.0000–478.9875 NFM 12.5479.0000–481.9875 NFM 12.5482.0000–484.9875 NFM 12.5485.0000–487.9875 NFM 12.5488.0000–490.9875 NFM 12.5491.0000–493.9875 NFM 12.5494.0000–496.9875 NFM 12.5497.0000–499.9875 NFM 12.5500.0000–502.9875 NFM 12.5503.0000–505.9875 NFM 12.5506.0000–508.9875 NFM 12.5509.0000–511.9875 NFM 12.5(470.0000)–512.0000 NFM 12.523 806.0000–823.9875 NFM 12.5849.0125–850.9875 NFM 12.5851.0000–868.9875 NFM 12.5894.0125–895.9875 NFM 12.5896.0000–901.0000 NFM 12.5901.0125–934.9875 NFM 12.5935.0000–940.0000 NFM 12.5940.0125–956.0000 NFM 12.5241240.0000–1300.0000NFM 12.5 Band Frequency Range Mode Step
No. (MHz) (kHz)
1 25.0000–26.9600 AM 52 26.9650–27.4050 AM 53 27.4100–27.9950 AM 54 28.0000–29.6900 FM 105 29.7000–49.9900 FM 106 50.0000–53.9900 FM 107 54.0000–71.9500 WFM 508 72.0000–75.9950 FM 59 76.0000–87.9500 WFM 5010 88.0000–107.9000 WFM 10011 108.0000–136.9750 AM 2512 137.0000–143.9950 FM 513 144.0000–147.9950 FM 5
14148.0000–161.9950 FM 5162.0000–173.9875 FM 12.515 174.0000–215.9500 WFM 5016 216.0000–224.9950 FM 517 225.0000–399.9500 AM 5018 400.0000–405.9875 NFM 12.519 406.0000–419.9875 NFM 12.520 420.0000–424.9875 NFM 12.5425.0000–429.9875 NFM 12.5430.0000–449.9875 NFM 12.521 450.0000–454.9875 NFM 12.5455.0000–459.9875 NFM 12.5460.0000–464.9875 NFM 12.5
465.0000–469.9875 NFM 12.5
Introduction
The BC780XLT is a state-of-the-art radio with TrunkTracking™ and automatic scanning
capabilities. It can store frequencies such as police, fire/emergency, marine, railroad, air,
amateur, and other communications into 10 banks of 50 channels each.
With the new SmartScanner™ feature, you can also automatically program your scanner by
downloading directly from our Uniden/Bearcat national frequency database via a PC or
external modem.
Use your new scanner to monitor:
• Police and Fire Departments (including rescue and paramedics)
• VHF High Band, UHF, 800/900MHz Trunked Public Safety Systems
• Trunking for Motorola, EDACS and LTR Systems
• 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.
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							Front View and Display
1. VFO/SELECT Control
2. VOLUME/SQUELCH Control
3. Scan Key (
SCAN)
4. Manual Key (
MAN)
5. Display
6. Search Key (
SRCH)
7. Hold/Up Key (
HOLD/s)
8. Numeric Keypad (each banks
channel numbers)
9. Menu Key (
MENU)
10. Trunk Key (
TRUNK)
11. Limit/Down Key (
LIMIT/t)
12. Select/Mute Key (
SELECT/MUTE)
13. Decimal/Reverse Key (
/RVRS)
14. Lockout Key (
L/O)
15. Priority Key (
PRI)
16. Weather Key (
WX)
17. Enter/Remote Key (E/REM)
18. Trunk Mode Indicator
19. Trunk Type Indicators
20. Frequency Display
21. Priority Channel Indicator
22. Channel Number Display
23. Bank/Trunk Scan List Indicator
24. Scanner/Channel Mode Indicators
25. Receiving Mode Indicators
26. Frequency/Channel Indicators
27. CTCSS/DCS Indicators
28. ID/Code/Frequency Display
29. Trunk Repeater Activity Indicators
30. Enter Lock Indicator
31. Signal Meter
32. Character Display
1
18
19
20
32 21 22 23 24 25  26 27 28
30
31 34 5 67 8
9 10 11121314151617 2
29
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							Rear View
33. Antenna Connector
34. Tape Recorder Output Jack
Uniden®and Bearcat®are registered trademarks of Uniden America Corporation.
TrunkTrack and SmartScanner are proprietary trademarks of Uniden America Corporation.35. External Speaker Jack
36. DC Power Jack
37. Remote Control Terminal
33 34 35 36 37
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							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.
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							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 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central time.
Also please check out our website at www.uniden.com
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							i
Contents
Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside front cover
Important Notice  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Terminology  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What is Scanning?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What is Searching?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What is Trunk Tracking?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Feature Highlights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Where to Obtain More Information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Information on the Internet  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Included with Your Scanner  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Setup  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Connecting an Antenna  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Mounting an Antenna  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Optional Antenna  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Typical Mounting Methods  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Mounting the Scanner in Your Vehicle  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Applying Power for Vehicle Installation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Desktop Installation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Applying Power Using Standard AC Power  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Connecting an External Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Connecting an Earphone  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Listening Safely  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Connecting the Clone Cable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 
Connecting the Tape Recorder  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Remote Programming Software  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Basic Operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Turn the Scanner On  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Setting the Squelch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Understanding the Menu System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Menu Description and Numeric Keypad Equivalents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Programming  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Storing Frequencies into Channels  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Duplicate Frequency Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Storing Text Tags  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Beep Alert  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Programming Tips  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Deleting a Stored Frequency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Scanning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
RF Attenuation Feature  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Setting the Delay Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Channel Lockout  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Restoring a Locked-out Channel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Restoring All Locked-out Channels  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..26
Priority Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Changing the Priority Channel  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Searching  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Setting a Search Range  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Search Hold Feature  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Data Skip  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Frequency Skip  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Storing Search Frequencies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Auto Storing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Squelch (SQ) Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Additional Menu Options for Searching  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
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							ii
Service Search  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Service Search Skip  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Weather Channel Search  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
NWR-SAME Alert  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Testing the Alert Siren  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Programming FIPS Code  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..35
Trunked Systems  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Programming and Receiving Trunked Systems  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Programming Trunking Frequencies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Selecting Trunking Programming Menu Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Selecting Trunking System Type  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Setting the Squelch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Receiving Trunked Systems  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Trunked Search  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
ID Hold and Direct Entry ID Hold Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
ID Lockout  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Restoring Locked-out IDs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Channel Activity Indicators  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Scan Lists  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Programming ID Scan Lists Manually  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
ID Scan Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Setting Priority in Trunking Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Programming Scan Lists During Search  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Deleting a Stored ID  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Moving between Scan List Memories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
I-Call (Motorola/EDACS)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Multi-Track   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
EDACS Reception  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
EDACS Tracking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Programming System Frequencies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
An EDACS trunked System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Special EDACS Features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
LTR Reception  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
LTR Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Motorola Reception  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Motorola Tracking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Fleet Map Programming  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Selecting a Preset Fleet Map  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Programming a Fleet Map  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Programming a Hybrid System  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Setting the Base, Spacing Frequencies and Offset Channel for Motorola VHF/UHF Trunked Systems  .55
Toggling the Status Bit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Control Channel Only Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Disconnect Tone Detect Option  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Remote Interface  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
SmartScan Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Menu for SmartScan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
SmartScanner Tips  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Remote (PC Control) Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Clone Mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Additional Features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Care and Maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Troubleshooting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Glossary of Terms  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Appendix  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
One Year Limited Warranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inside back cover
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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 not expressly approved by Uniden, or operation
of this product in any way other than as detailed by this Operating Guide. These violations
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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Terminology
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications do not transmit
continuously. The BC780XLT scans the channels you program until it finds an active
frequency.
Scanning stops on an active frequency and remains on that channel as long as the
transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning cycle resumes until
another transmission is received.
What is Searching?
The BC780XLT can search each of its 24 bands to find active frequencies. This is different
from scanning because you are searching for frequencies that have not been programmed
into your scanner. The scanner automatically chooses between two speeds while searching.
Turbo Search, can search the VHF FM bands at up to 300 channels per second.
What  is Trunk Tracking?
Conventional scanning is a simple concept. You enter a radio frequency in your scanner’s
memory which is used by someone you want to monitor. For example, the police in your area
may broadcast on 460.500 MHz, the fire department on 154.445 MHz, the highway
department on 37.900 MHz, etc. So when your scanner stops on a frequency, you usually
know who it is, and more importantly, you can stop on a channel and listen to an entire
conversation. This type of scanning is easy and fun.
As the demand for public communications has increased, many public radio users dont have
enough frequencies to meet their needs, and this has created a serious problem. Trunking
radio systems solve this problem.
In a trunked radio system, which contains up to 28 different frequencies, radio users are
divided into groups, often called talkgroups, and these talkgroups are assigned specific IDs.
When someone in a talkgroup uses their radio, a brief burst of data is broadcasted before
each transmission. The trunking system computer uses this data to temporarily assign each
radio in a talkgroup to an available frequency. If the group using a frequency stops
broadcasting or pauses between replies for a few seconds, they are removed from the
frequency so another talkgroup can use it.
Sharing of the available public service frequencies, or trunking, allows cities, counties, or
other agencies to accommodate hundreds of users with relatively few frequencies. Following
a conversation on a trunked system using a scanner is difficult, if not impossible. Because
when theres a short break during the conversation youre monitoring, it’s possible that the
talkgroup will be assigned to a completely different frequency in the trunked system. This
type of scanning is difficult and frustrating.
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