Uniden Receiver Bearcat BC235XLT Operating Instructions

							CONTENTS
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Important Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What is Scanning? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What is Searching? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What is Trunk Tracking? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Feature Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Where to Obtain More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Information on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Included with Your Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Installing the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Charging the Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CRX120 Battery Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Adapter Safety Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Flexible Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Belt Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Basic Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Keylock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Duplicate Frequency Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Programming Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Deleting a Stored Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Channel Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Lockout in Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Lockout in Scanning Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Lockout Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Restore a Locked Out Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Restore All Locked-Out Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Priority Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Changing the Priority Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Searching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Setting a Search Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Search Hold Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Channel Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Storing Search Frequencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SVC Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SVC Scan Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Programming with SVC Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Trunk Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Types of Trunking Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Programming Trunking Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 
						

							Searching a TrunkedBan k.. .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. 39 
						

							Introduction
TheBC 235XLTis a brand new state-of-the-art radio with
TrunkTracking™and automatic scanning capabilities. It
can store frequencies such as police, fire/emergency,
marine, air, amateur, and other communications into 10
banks of 30 channels each.
Use your new scanner to monitor:
800 MHz Trunked Public Safety Systems
Police and Fire Departments (including rescue and
paramedics)
NOAA Weather Broadcasts
Business/Industrial Radio
Utilities
Marine and amateur (ham radio) bands
Air band
Frequency Range Steps Transmission
29.0-29.7 MHz 5 kHz 10 Meter Amateur Band
29.7-50.0 MHz 5 kHz VHF Low Band
50.0-54.0 MHz 5 kHz 6 Meter Amateur Band
108-137 MHz 12.5 kHz Aircraft Band
137-144 MHz 5 kHz Military Land Mobile
144-148 MHz 5 kHz 2 Meter Amateur Band
148-174 MHz 5 kHz VHF High Band
406-420 MHz 12.5 kHz Federal Govt.
420-450 MHz 12.5 kHz 70cm Amateur Band
450-470 MHz 12.5 kHz UHF Standard Band
470-512 MHz 12.5 kHz UHF “T” Band
806-956 MHz 12.5 kHz Public Service “800”
Band
3 
						

							Important Notice
This scanning radio has been manufactured so
that it will not tune to the 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, 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.
4 
						

							Terminology
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications do not transmit continuously. The
BC 235XLTscans programmed channels 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?
TheBC 235XLTcan search each of its 12 bands to find
active frequencies. This is different from scanning because
you are searching for frequencies that have not been
programmed into your scanner. You can choose between
two speeds while searching.
Turbo Search, a new feature
for Uniden scanners, can search the
VHF FMbands 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 don’t have enough frequencies to
meet their needs, and this has created a serious problem.
Trunking radio systems solve this problem.
5 
						

							In a trunked radio system, which contains up to 29 different
frequencies, radio users are divided into groups, often
called talk groups, and these talk groups are assigned
specific IDs. When someone in a talk group uses their
radio, a brief bust of data is broadcast before each
transmission. The trunking system computer uses this data
to temporarily assign each radio in a talk group 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 talk group
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. On the other hand, following a conversation
on a trunked system is difficult, if not impossible, because
when there’s a short break during the conversation you’re
monitoring, it’s possible that the talk group will be assigned
to a completely different frequency in the trunked system.
This type of scanning is difficult and frustrating.
TrunkTracker™changes this! Not only does your new
BC 235XLTscan channels like a conventional scanner, it
actually follows the users of a trunked radio system. Once
you know a talk group’s ID, you won’t miss any of the
action.
If you’re a new scanner enthusiast, you may want to read
the first part of this manual and use your scanner in
conventional mode before you begin trunk tracking.
Understanding scanning fundamentals and its terminology
will make trunk tracking much easier. But if you’re already
a sophisticated scanner operator, you may want to go to
Trunk Trackingon page 35 now.
6 
						

							Feature Highlights
Trunk Tracking– Follow 800 MHz trunked public
safety and public service systems just as if
conventional two-way communications were used.
300 Channels– Program one frequency into each
channel. You must have at least one channel
programmed to use the Scan mode.
12 Bands, 10 Banks– Includes 12 bands, with
Aircraft and 800 MHz. 10 banks with 30 channels
each are useful for storing similar frequencies to
maintain faster scanning cycles or storing all the
frequencies of a trunked system.
29 MHz-956 MHz– Indicates the range of
frequencies that can be searched within the bands
of your scanner.
Note:The frequency coverage is not continuous
and excludes the cellular band.
10 Priority Channels– You can assign one
priority channel in each bank. Assigning a priority
channel allows you to keep track of activity on your
most important channel(s) while monitoring other
channels for transmissions.
Preprogrammed Service (SVC) Search– Allows
you to toggle through preprogrammed police,
fire/emergency, aircraft, marine, and weather
frequencies.
Unique Data Skip– Allows your scanner to skip
unwanted data transmissions and reduces birdies.
Memory Backup– If the battery completely
discharges or if power is disconnected, the
frequencies programmed in your scanner are
retained in memory.
Manual Channel Access– Go directly to any
channel.
LCD Back Light– An LCD light remains on for 15
seconds when
Kis pressed.
Battery Save– In manual mode, your scanner
automatically reduces its power requirements to
extend the battery’s charge.
7 
						

							Where to Obtain More
Information
Before using your scanner, you must program frequencies
into available channels. The
Betty Bearcat Frequency
Guide
lists typical frequencies used around the U.S.A. and
Canada that you may program into your new scanner.
To order a copy of the frequency guide, call the enclosed
Mr. Scanner (800) Number. A Uniden representative
should be able to order you a copy of Betty Bearcat for
your area and provide you with sample frequencies. You
can also use the enclosed order form to purchase a local
frequency list.
The Bearcat Radio Club, and other similar hobby clubs,
have publications, information on computer bulletin boards,
and even contests for the radio enthusiast. Also, your local
library has more information.
Information on the Internet
If you have access to the Internet, you may want to visit
www.trunktracker.com, which is under development, and
may contain manufacturer information, frequency data, and
ID information as it becomes available.
For more information about Uniden and our other products,
visit
www.uniden.com.
8 
						

							Included with Your Scanner
If any of these items are missing or damaged, immediately
contact your place of purchase or Uniden Customer
Service at: (800) 297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central,
Monday through Friday.
AntennaBelt Clip
AC Adapter
(AD70U)
AC Adapter2 Battery Packs
CHARGE
BLKRED
Charging CradleEarphone
Operating GuideUDZZ01818ZZ
BC 235 XLT
300-Channel Trunk Tracking Scanner
TM
Operating Guide
BC XLT860Programmable 100-Channel Base ScannerNow is the time for all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Four scoreyeasago our fathersset
fortha new nationconceivedin
Libertyand dedicatedto the
propositionthat all men are
createdequal.The quickbrown
fox jumpedover the gardenwall.
Now is the time fo4r all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Now is the time for all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Four scoreyeasago our fathersset
fortha new nationconceivedin
Libertyand dedicatedto the
propositionthat all men are
createdequal.The quickbrown
fox jumpedover the gardenwall.
Now is the time fo4r all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Now is the time for all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Four scoreyeasago our fathersset
fortha new nationconceivedin
Libertyand dedicatedto the
propositionthat all men are
createdequal.The quickbrown
fox jumpedover the gardenwall.
Now is the time fo4r all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Now is the time for all good men to
come to the aid of the party.
Four scoreyeasago our fathersset
fortha new nationconceivedin
Libertyand dedicatedto the
BC XLT860Programmable 100-ChannelBaseScannerNow is the time for all
good men to come to the
aid of the party.Four
scoreyeasago our
fathersset forthanew
nationconceivedin
Libertyand dedicatedto
the propositionthat all
men are createdequal.
The quickbrownfox
jumpedover the garden
wall.Now is the time fo4r
all good men to come to
the aid of the party.
Now is the time for all
good men to come to the
aid of the party.Four
scoreyeasago our
fathersset forthanew
nationconceivedin
Libertyand dedicatedto
the propositionthat all
men are createdequal.
The quickbrownfox
jumpedover the garden
wall.Now is the time fo4r
all good men to come toBC XLT860Programmable 100-Channel Base Scanner
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Frequency Guide
and Other Printed
Material
9 
						

							Setup
These are helpful guidelines when using your new scanner:
If your scanner receives interference or electrical
noise, move the scanner or its antenna away from
the source.
If you need to improve reception, use an optional
antenna designed for multi-band coverage. (You
can purchase this type of antenna at a local
electronics store.)
Use the included earphone or an optional stereo
headset with proper impedance for private
listening. Read the precautions on the inside front
cover of this Guide.
Installing the Batteries
1. Open the cover.
2. Insert the battery
pack.
10