Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner Owner Guide

Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner

About Uniden 
Uniden America Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Japan-based Uniden Corporation, manufactures and markets wireless consumer electronic products including home security and video security systems, Bearcat® scanners, FRS/GMRS radios, marine radios, radar detectors, dash cams, and other wireless personal communications products. Based in Irving, Texas, Uniden sells its products through retailers and distributors throughout North, Central, and South America.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW

IMPORTANT! 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.

PART 15 INFORMATION

This scanner has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a scanning receiver, under Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. If this scanner does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the scanner on and off, you are encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the scanner and the receiver.

SCANNING LEGALLY

Your scanner covers frequencies used by many different groups, including police and fire departments, ambulance services, government agencies, private companies, amateur radio services, military operations, pager services, and wireline (telephone and telegraph) service providers. It is legal to listen to almost every transmission your scanner can receive. However, there are some transmissions that you should never intentionally listen to.

These include:

• Telephone conversations (cellular, cordless, or other private means of telephone signal transmission)
• Pager transmissions
• Any scrambled or encrypted transmissions

MAIN FEATURES

• Trunk Tracker V Operation – Follows conversations on analog Motorola, Motorola Astro 25 (APCO 25) Phase I and Phase II, P25 One-Frequency Trunk, EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunked radio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz bands.
• APCO 25 Phase I and Phase II Support  – Allows you to receive transmissions with these decoding protocols.
• Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory – Organized into ‘Systems’, ‘Sites’, (within trunking systems), ‘Groups’ (within systems), and channels (within groups). Up to 500 systems, 1,000 total sites (max 256 per system), 20 groups per system, and 25,000 channels (500 max IDs or 1,000 frequencies per system).
• Multi-Site Trunking – This lets you program the scanner to share trunked system IDs across multiple sites without duplicating IDs, and turn each site on and off independently so that you can select the best site to scan for your area.
• Control Channel Only Scanning – This allows you to enter just the control channels to track a Motorola system and the scanner will find the voice channels.
• System/Channel Number Tagging – Number tags allow you to quickly navigate to a specific system or channel. You can assign number tags to systems, channels, service searches, and custom search ranges. You can also assign a number tag to the ‘Close Call’ system created during ‘Close Call Auto Store’ and the temporary system ‘Close Call Hits’.
• Band Scope Mode – Band Scope mode is a special type of search mode where the scanner graphically displays the strength of any signal it finds.
• Priority/Priority Plus Scan – Priority channels let you keep track of activity on your most important channels while monitoring other channels for transmissions and you can scan just the priority channels.
• Priority ID Scan – Allows you to set priority to talk group IDs.
• Preemptive Priority – A feature that works on Motorola systems. Suppose the Motorola system has priority channels, and you assign one of those talk groups as a priority in the scanner. In that case, when one of those channels becomes active, the scanner will jump to it even if it is on a different system voice channel (i.e. it preempts your current reception).
• EDACS ESK Support – Provides the ability to monitor analog talk groups on those systems.
• Adjustable Scan/Search Delay/Resume – Set a delay of up to 30 seconds or a forced resume of up to 10 seconds. (per system or search).
• Intermediate Frequency Exchange – Changes the IF used for a selected channel/frequency to help avoid image and other mixer-product interference.
• Individual Channel Volume Offset – This allows you to adjust the volume offset for each channel.
• Control Channel Data Output – This allows the analysis of control channel data without the need to perform invasive modifications to the scanner.
• Private Systems – Let you flag a system so that it cannot be read out of the scanner or modified (only with optional software).
• Key Safe Mode – Lets you hand the scanner to a novice user and prevent programming from being modified.
• Start-up Configuration – You can program each of your conventional systems, trunked sites, service searches, or custom searches with a ‘Startup Key’ (0-9) so that when you power up the scanner and press the key number, just those systems/sites/searches assigned to the key will be enabled for the scan (groups are not affected).
• Location-Based Scanning – Using an optional GPS unit you can scan your systems based on a set range from your current location.
• GPS (Location-Based) Alerts – Notify you when you are near an area you have programmed as a dangerous road, dangerous intersection, or a general point of interest.
• Analog and Digital AGC – Helps automatically balance the volume level between different radio systems.
• Adaptive Digital Threshold – Automatically sets the digital decode threshold for APCO 25 systems.
• Preprogrammed Systems – Your scanner is preprogrammed with several conventional and digital agencies covering police, fire, and ambulance.
• Search with Scan Operation – This lets you include and/or assign quick keys to selected service/ custom search ranges during scan operation.
• 100 Quick Keys – You can scan conventional systems/trunked sites, groups, and searches by assigning them to quick keys.
• 3 Search Keys – You can assign 3 of the number keys to start a search range, Tone-Out search, or view the ‘Band Scope’ mode.
• Temporary Lockout – Automatically unlock temporarily locked-out channels/systems/searches/ locations when you cycle power.
• CTCSS/DCS/NAC Tone Decode – Decodes and displays Continuous Tone Code Squelch System tones being transmitted and plays Digital Coded Squelch and NAC being received.
• CTCSS/DCS/NAC Search – This lets you search for CTCSS, DCS, or NAC tones when it finds an active frequency in search and close call modes.
• Close Call RF Capture Technology – This lets you set the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions. Close Call ‘Do-not-Disturb’ checks for Close Call activity in between channel reception so active channels are not interrupted.
• Close Call Temporary Store – Temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close Call hits in the ‘Hits with Scan’ system.
• Fire Tone-Out Standby/Tone Search – This lets you set the scanner to alert you if a two-tone sequential page is transmitted. You can set up to 10 settings (transmit frequency, tone frequencies) then select one for standby monitoring. The scanner will also search and display unknown tones.
• Frequency/ID Auto Search and Store – The scanner can be set to automatically store all active frequencies from a service or limit search in a conventional system you select or automatically store all new talk group IDs into a trunked system you select.
• Custom Alerts – You can program your scanner to alert you when a channel is received, you receive a Close Call hit, a talkgroup ID is transmitted with an emergency alert, you get close to a POI (Point of Interest)/Dangerous Road/Dangerous Crossing, or you receive a Tone-Out hit. For each alert in the scanner, you can select from 9 different tone patterns, 15 volume settings, 7 colors, and 2 color patterns.
• Repeater Reverse – Allows the scanner to try to switch to the repeater input when monitoring a channel on a repeater system.
• Broadcast Screen – Allows the scanner to ignore hits on known broadcast frequencies including pager frequencies in search and Close Call modes. You can also program up to 10 custom frequency ranges that the scanner will ignore.
• Text Tagging – You can name each system, site, group, channel, talk group ID, custom search range, location, Tone-Out, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.
• SAME Weather Alert/Priority  – (with programmable FIP codes) Lets your scanner alert you when a SAME weather alert is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displays the alert type.
• Adjustable Hold (Scan) Time per System/Search – allows you to adjust the time spent scanning each system or search.
• Record-Out Jack – Lets you can connect an output jack to a VOX-controlled recorder or PC sound input to record the received audio on selected channels, systems, Close Call, Fire ToneOut, and searches.
• ISO (or optional DIN-E) Vehicle Mountable – Using the optional DIN-E sleeve or a standard ISO technique, the scanner can be easily mounted in most vehicles.
• Dimmer Circuit – A special wire lets you connect to the dimmer circuit of your vehicle so the vehicle’s dimmer also dims the scanner’s lighting.
• PC Control/Clone – You can transfer data to and from your scanner or another scanner and your personal computer, and control the scanner using a computer using optional 3rd party software.
• Multi-Level Display and Keypad Light – Makes the display and keypad easy to see in dim light using 7 color options and three light levels.
• Signal Strength Meter – Shows the signal strength for the more powerful transmissions.
• 12 Service Searches – Frequencies are preset in separate marine, railroad, air, CB radio, racing, FM broadcast, public safety, military air, FRS/GMRS, news, amateur radio, and special (itinerant) searches to make it easy to find specific transmissions.
• 10 Custom Searches – This lets you program up to 10 custom search ranges.
• Quick Search – This lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency or channel or enter a frequency and start searching.
• Automatic Channel Setup – Accepts frequencies on any valid channel step, even if it does not fall within the band plan’s default steps.
• Configurable Band Defaults – Allows you to set the step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50, or 100 kHz) and modulation (AM, FM, NFM, WFM, or FMB) for 31 different bands.
• Attenuator – You can set the scanner’s attenuator to reduce the input strength of strong signals by about 20 dB per channel, search band, close call band, or trunked system.
• Duplicate Frequency Alert – Alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name or frequency already stored in the scanner.
• Search Lockouts – You can lock out up to 500 frequencies (250 temporary, 250 permanent) in search or close call search.

INCLUDED WITH YOUR SCANNER

Accessories included in the box are:

• BCD996P2 Scanner
• AC Adapter
• Vehicle Accessory
• Power Cord
• Three-Wire Harness
• Mounting Bracket and Hardware
• Antenna
  
  • Owner’s Manual (English and French)
  • APP Form
  • FREQ Form

INSTALLING YOUR SCANNER

SETTING UP YOUR SCANNER

These guidelines will help you install and set up your new scanner: The scanner can be placed on a convenient surface in your home as a base station, and connected to a standard outlet that supplies 120VAC, 60Hz. You must use either the supplied antenna or an electrically correct outdoor antenna, properly and safely mounted at your chosen site. The scanner is also designed to accommodate either DIN-E or ISO-DIN automotive mounting configurations using a DIN-E sleeve and keys. The unit can also be placed above, beneath, or in the dash of your vehicle using the supplied bracket and mounting hardware.

• If your scanner receives interference or electrical noise, move the scanner or its antenna away from the source.
• To improve the scanner’s reception, use an optional external antenna designed for multiband coverage. (You can purchase this type of antenna at a local electronics store). If the optional antenna has no cable, use 50Ω coaxial cable for lead-in. A mating plug might be necessary for the optional antennas.
• Use an optional stereo earphone or stereo headset with proper impedance (32 Ω) for private listening. Read the precautions at General Precautions.
• Do not use the scanner in high-moisture environments such as the kitchen or bathroom.
• Avoid placing the scanner in direct sunlight or near heating elements or vents.

POWER RELATED ISSUES

Important: To prevent memory from being corrupted, do not unplug the AC adapter during the time the memory is accessed for programming or auto store.

Notes:

• If when you connect the AC adapter the [VOL]/Power Switch is ON, the scanner may not power on. Should this occur, simply turn the control OFF, then ON again.
• If the scanner loses power (as when you turn off your car’s ignition with the scanner’s power switch on), it can lose some system settings such as display color and backlight. To ensure that such settings persist, either change the setting using the scanner’s menu or power the scanner off and then back on using the power switch after making such settings changes.

BASE STATION

This is the simplest approach to let you get started quickly. Decide on a location that is convenient to a nearby wall outlet, has desk space to let you complete your programming worksheets, and will safely allow the indoor antenna to be extended, or near a window to use an outdoor antenna.

Mounting Using the Bracket
With the bracket removed from the radio, use the holes in the bracket as a template to initially mark the location you plan to use in your vehicle. Be certain of what might be behind the mounting surface before making any holes, be it above, or below, or in front of your dash, armrest console, or other location. If you drill carelessly, expensive damage can result. If in doubt, consult your vehicle dealer’s service department or a qualified professional installer.

Important: AVOID AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ZONES. Ignoring this installation concern may result in bodily harm and the inability of the airbag to perform properly.

1. Using appropriate screws or other hardware, secure the bracket.
2. Insert the scanner and insert the bracket knobs to lock the scanner in position.
3. Attach the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord to the rear of the scanner and plug the adapter end into a dash-mounted 12V DC socket.
4. Attach a suitable mounted mobile antenna to the antenna jack on the back of the scanner.

Mounting Using the DIN-E Sleeve (Optional, Part No. DIN-0001)
If you are unsure about how to install your scanner in your vehicle using the optional DIN-E sleeve, consult your automobile manufacturer, dealer, or a qualified installer. Before installing, confirm that your scanner fits in the desired mounting area and you have all the necessary materials to complete the task. Your scanner requires a 2 x 7-1/8 x 5-5/16 inch (50 x 180 x 135 mm) mounting area. Allow an additional 2-3/8 inch (60mm) space behind the unit for connectors and wires.

1. Remove the bracket if it is attached.
2. Remove the four Philips screws from four small tabs on the rear of the case that secure the outer metal case and pull off the case (toward the rear) with care.
3. Install the DIN sleeve into the opening in your dashboard, lip facing out.
4. Push out the top and bottom tabs to hold the sleeve firmly in place.
5. Before inserting the scanner in the sleeve, attach the cable from the previously mounted antenna. Attach the DC Power leads. RED goes to a positive (+)connection on your fuse block while BLACK connects to the vehicle’s chassis ground (-).
6. Connect the ORANGE lead to one side of the headlamp switch so that when you activate the headlights, the scanner’s LCD changes intensity. Be sure all the connections are routed away from any potentially pinching or slicing sheet metal.
7. Slowly slide the scanner into the sleeve until it locks in place.
8. To remove the unit, fully insert the removal keys into each slot on the left and right edges of the front panel. Carefully slide the radio from the sleeve.

Note: If you plan to connect a GPS unit or external speaker at a later time, expect to remove the unit for ease of making those connections.

Removing the Scanner from the DIN-E Sleeve
If you plan to connect other devices or wires to the radio, such as a GPS unit, at a later time, you should plan to remove the scanner from the DIN-E sleeve. This is easily done using the provided Removal Keys that come with the optional DIN-E sleeve. Refer to the illustration that follows, showing the Removal Keys. Fully insert both Removal Keys into the slots on the left and the right edges of the radio’s dress panel. You cannot remove the radio with only one key. Press in fully, and do not twist the keys. The radio will unlock from the sleeve making withdrawal from the sleeve possible. Store the keys in a safe place for future use.

Mounting Using ISO Technique
Some vehicles can take advantage of another approach to mounting a radio in a vehicle, called the ISO technique. However, this technique requires a very detailed and thorough knowledge of the technique. Therefore, we strongly suggest that if you have any doubt about your experience and abilities, please consult with a professional installer who is familiar with the ISO approach to radio installation.

Removing the Display Sticker Before you use the scanner for the first time, remove the protective plastic film over the display.

Connecting an Optional Antenna The scanner’s BNC connector makes it easy to connect a variety of optional antennas, including an external mobile antenna or outdoor base station antenna.

Note: Always use 50-ohm, RG-58, or RG-8, BNC terminated coaxial cable to connect an outdoor antenna. If the antenna is over 50 feet from the scanner, use an RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. Cable loss increases with higher frequency.

Connecting an Earphone/Headphone
For private listening, you can plug a 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) mini-plug earphone or headphones (not supplied) into the headphone jack on the front of your scanner. This automatically disconnects the internal speaker. See the Earphone Warning for important information about using an earphone/headphones.

Connecting an Extension Speaker
In a noisy area, an optional amplified extension speaker, positioned in the right place, might provide more comfortable listening. Plug the speaker cable’s 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) mini-plug into your scanner’s back panel Ext. Sp. Jack.

NAVIGATING THE MENU

KEYPAD AND KNOB CONTROLS

A LOOK AT THE DISPLAY

USING THE BCD996P2 WITH A GPS

LOCATION-BASED SCANNING
You can connect the scanner to a compatible GPS device and set the scanner to automatically lock and unlock trunked sites and channel groups based on the location information and range settings you program for those sites/groups. This frees you from having to manually enable and disable sites/groups as you change location. The BCD996P2 uses the data, supplied by an (optional) attached GPS unit, that allows the radio to automatically unlock and lockout sites/ groups based on latitude and longitude. It uses the (programmed) center of the site/group, and the (programmed) range – the radius of a circle around the latitude and longitude up to 125 miles from that center. A good application of this feature would be to set the longitude and latitude for each multi-site system transmitter as usually you can receive at least a handful in any given location.

NON RADIO LOCATION-BASED GPS FEATURES

When connected to a GPS, you can program specific location information which will trigger an alert from the scanner. The scanner becomes an extension of the GPS device. Even if you don’t use the scanner to scan, you can enhance your GPS unit with the information the scanner provides. The scanner also allows you to program audio and/or visual alerts for:

Point of Interest (POI): Store location and range. If you approach the set location, the radio sounds an alert up to 4 miles/km from the center.

Dangerous Road/Dangerous Crossing: Stores location, direction of travel, and speed. If you are traveling at a speed greater than that specified, in the direction specified, and if you are within range of the set location, the scanner sounds an alert at 1, .5, and .1 miles/km from the point. These range distances are also automatic and fixed.

CONNECTING YOUR SCANNER

The GPS device must have a serial (RS-232) output, and be capable of outputting standard NMEA-0183 v3.01 compliant location data, and GGA/RMC data sentences at 4800 bps. Ensure that the cable terminates in a female, 9-pin serial connector and you select the correct baud rate (4800 bps) for the rear serial port.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

• Band Coverage:  31 Bands
• Size:     
  
  •   7.2 in (W) x 5.9 in (D) x 2.2 in (H) (without antenna)
  • 184 mm (W) x 151 mm (D) x 56 mm (H) (without antenna)
• Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.59 kg.)
• Operating Temperature:
  • Nominal: – 4º F (– 20º C) to + 140º F (+ 60º C )
  • Close Call: + 14º F (– 10º C) to + 140º F (+ 60º C )
• Storage Temperature: – 22º F (– 30º C) to + 158º F (+ 70º C )
• Power Requirements: DC: 11.0V ~ 16.6V (Ext. DC power jack or DC power jack)
• AC Adapter: (13.8V DC 750mA Regulated) (AD-1009)
• LCD Display:  64 x 128 Full Dot Matrix LCD with multi-color backlight
• Internal Speaker:  8 ohm, 5W Max.  77mm (3 .0 in .)
  Certified by FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15 Sub-part C as of the date of manufacture.
• Weather Channels:  7 Channels
• Audio Output Power:
  • At 8Ω speaker Jack
    • 2.6W nominal for FM, FMB, and NFM bands
    • 2.7W nominal for AM bands
    • 2.5W nominal for WFM bands

• • At 32Ω stereo headphone Jack
    • 6mW nominal @FM, NFM Bands
    • 7mW nominal @FMB, WFM Bands
    • 10mW nominal @AM Bands
• External Jacks:     
  •  Antenna Jack: BNC Type
  • Phone Jack: 3.5mm (1/8 in.) Stereo Type
  • Ext.SP Jack: 3.5mm (1/8 in.) Monaural Type
  • REC.Out Jack: 3.5mm (1/8 in.) Stereo Type
  • Ext. DC Power and Orange Wire Jack: 3 pins (Center Orange Wire)
  • DC Power Jack: 5.5mm (1/5 in.) (Center Positive)
  • GPS/Remote Interface Jack: D Sub 9pin Male Type
  • USB Jack (front panel): 4-pin Mini USB Type
• Antenna: 50 ohms (Impedance)

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

Band Scope Function

• Frequency Span 0.2 MHz To 500 MHz
• Frequency Step 5 kHz To 100 kHz

Two-Tone-Sequential

• 0-3500.0Hz , 0.1Hz Step Programmable

WX Alert

• 1050 Hz Tone System
• NWR-SAME System (Warning/Watch/Statement)

Supported Trunking Systems

• Motorola Systems: Type I, II, II/I (hybrid)
• EDACS Systems: FM, NFM, and SCAT
• LTR Systems
• APCO Systems: Astro Imbe, Astro 25, and P25 AMBE (HDQPSK)

Heterodyne System

• 1st IF:
  • 25.000MHz – 319.995MHz, 806.000MHz – 1300.000MHz: 380.75MHz
  • 320.000MHz – 511.995MHz, 764.000MHz – 805.995MHz: 265.55 MHz
• 2nd IF:
  • 10.8 MHz
• 3rd IF:
  • 450 kHz

WARRANTY INFORMATION

WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (Uniden)

ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for one year, to the original retail owner, this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below.

WARRANTY DURATION: This warranty to the original user shall terminate and be of no further effect 12 months after the date of the original retail sale. The warranty is invalid if the Product is

• • damaged or not maintained as reasonable or necessary,
  • modified, altered, or used as part of any conversion kits, subassemblies, or any configurations not sold by Uniden, (C) improperly installed,
  • serviced or repaired by someone other than an authorized Uniden service center for a defect or malfunction covered by this warranty,
  • used in any conjunction with equipment or parts or as part of any system not manufactured by Uniden, or
  • installed or programmed by anyone other than as detailed by the Operating Guide for this product.
    
    
• STATEMENT OF REMEDY: If the product does not conform to this warranty at any time while this warranty is in effect, the warrantor will repair the defect and return it to you without charge for parts, service, or any other cost (except shipping and handling) incurred by the warrantor or its representatives in connection with the performance of this warranty.
  
  
• LEGAL REMEDIES: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you might also have other rights that vary from state to state. This warranty is void outside the United States of America.
  
  
• PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PERFORMANCE OF WARRANTY: If, after following the instructions in this Operating Guide you are certain that the Product is defective, pack the Product carefully (preferably in its original packaging). Include evidence of the original purchase and a note describing the defect that has caused you to return it. The Product should be shipped freight prepaid, by traceable means, or delivered,

• • to warrantor at:
    Uniden America Corporation
    C/O Saddle Creek
    743 Henrietta Creek Rd., Suite 100 Roanoke, Texas 76262.
    (800) 620-7531, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday

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