BC248clt.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 102 Precautions Before you read anything else, please observe the following: Uniden DOES NOT represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, DO NOT expose this unit to rain or moisture. 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 Reference Guide, could void your authority to operate this product.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 103 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 About Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Taking Proper Care of Your Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 1 INTRODUCTION About Scanning Scanning Options Scanning is easy and fun with the BC248CLT 50-Channel Base Scanner with AM/FM Radio. You can scan in two ways: ■ ■ Scan channels you have programmed Scan pre-programmed weather channels. What is Scanning? Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most 2-way communications do not transmit continuously (see Types of Communication below).
BC248clt.qxd ■ ■ 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 2 Many more in the 29-54MHz, 137-174MHz, and 406-512MHz ranges AM/FM radio You must program a frequency into each channel you want to use. If you do not have any known local frequencies to program, a Uniden representative should be able to provide you with a few sample frequencies. Where to Obtain More Information The Bearcat Radio Club and other similar hobby clubs have publications, information on computer bulletin boards, and contests for the radio enthusiast.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 3 GETTING STARTED Installing the BC248CLT AM RADIO ANT AC 10V USE AC-144U ONLY ANT EXT.SP 1. Insert the small plug at the end of the AC Adapter cord into the AC 10V jack on the scanner. 2. Plug the AC Adapter into any standard 120V AC wall outlet. Do not plug into an outlet controlled by a wall switch; it could cause clock reset. 3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT. jack. Extend the antenna to its full height.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 4 OPERATION Controls and Functions 7 8 9 10 11 6 5 12 15 19 20 13 16 18 21 19 17 14 1. LCD Display Displays time, channel, frequency, and functions. (Page 6) 2. Numeric Keys Press to program a frequency into each channel for scanning. Also, press for time entries and direct channel access with MANUAL key. And press for channel presets in Radio Mode 3. Decimal Key Press to enter the decimal point in the frequency.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 5 10. WX/ALERT Key Selects Weather Mode. Also Selects Weather Alert ON/OFF. 11. ALARM Key Turns the Tone Alarm. Turns the Radio Alarm ON/OFF by pressing the key more than 2 seconds. 12. ALARM SET Key Press more than 2 seconds to enter the Alarm Time Set mode. 13. TIME SET Key Press more than 2 seconds to enter the Present Time Set mode. 14. TIME Key Press to review the clock time and cancel the Alarm time set and Present Time Set mode. 15.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 6 26 30 27 28 29 32 33 34 35 31 22. ALARM Appears when Alarm function is active. Flashes in the snooze function mode. 23. BANK Appears when in Scan Mode, Manual Mode and Weather Mode. 24. 1-5 In Scan Mode, displays the bank being scanned. In Manual Mode, displays the bank number associated with the channel. 25. SCAN Appears when in Scan mode. 26. PRI Displays when priority function is active. 27. HOLD Displays when in Manual mode and WX Hold mode. 28.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 7 Scanning Overview The BC248CLT has 50 memory channels. Each can be programmed to store one frequency within the band of frequency coverage. (For a listing of frequency ranges and bands, see Technical Specifications on page 28.) When you press SCAN, the BC248CLT scans each programmed frequency for activity (skipping channels that are locked out) at the rate of about 12 channels per second.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 8 CLOCK SET-UP Initial Clock Set-up You may bypass the steps to set the clock. The scanner will function as normal, but the clock and alarm features will not function. 1. When power is initially applied, the display flashes 12:00 P after a short delay. 2. Enter the time directly by pressing the numeric keys. OR Enter the time by pressing the ▼/▲ keys. To scroll through more quickly, press and hold ▼/▲ . 3. Press AM/PM to select the desired setting, either a.m. or p.m.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 9 USING THE SCANNER Set the Squelch 1. Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise to the highest setting. 2. Press SCANNER to turn on the scanner. 3. Adjust the VOLUME control until you can hear a steady noise.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 10 4. To set the SQUELCH control to AUTO turn fully counterclockwise until control clicks into place. Or, manually set squelch as follows: ■ Think of squelch as a gate. Turn SQUELCH fully counter clockwise. This raises the “Squelch Gate” so high that only very strong signals can get through. ■ Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise until you hear a hiss. This lowers the “Squelch Gate” so that everything gets through — noise, weak signals, and strong signals.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 11 5. The scanner automatically starts scanning. But if you have not programmed any channels yet, press WX to hear your local weather broadcast. 6. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. Programming Tips for Scanner ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Program one frequency per channel. Channel 1 is the location of the default priority channel. Program the most important frequency, or the one of major interest, into Channel 1.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 12 Programming Scanner Frequencies Before you can use your BC248CLT scanner, you must program the channels (except weather frequencies). Follow these steps: Example: Program 420.150 MHz into Channel 12. 1. Press MANUAL to stop scanning. 2. To select the channel (12), press 1, then 2 on the numeric keypad. Then press MANUAL again. OR Press ▼/▲ until channel 12 appears in the display. 3.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 13 4. Press E to complete the entry. The channel . digits stop flashing. Deleting a Scanner Frequency If you want to delete a stored frequency, follow these steps: Example: Delete the frequency in Channel 12. 1. Press MANUAL to stop scanning. 2. To select the channel (12), press 1, then 2 on the numeric keypad. Then press MANUAL again. OR Press ▼/▲ until channel 12 appears in the display. 3. Press 0, then E to complete the entry. The channel digits stop flashing.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 14 4. The following screen appears. About Memory Back-up Your BC248CLT has a convenient memory back-up system. In the event of a power failure, the scanner will retain channel information for an indefinite amount of time. Channel information is stored in non-volatile memory. Scanning Mode Press SCAN. (When the scanner is first turned on, it is automatically in Scan mode.) Scanning automatically stops on any active channel, except those channels locked out.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 15 To restore the bank number, press the number on the keypad. The bank number appears in the display. . The bank number associated with channel currently being monitored flashes. Manual Mode Press MANUAL any time to stop scanning. The scanner remains on the displayed channel. Press MANUAL to step up to the next channel. If desired, you can press MANUAL repeatedly to manually scan all 50 channels, one press per channel, including the channels that are locked out.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 16 Direct Channel Access for Scanner This feature allows you to instantly access a specific channel you want to monitor. Example: Select Channel 4. 1. Press MANUAL to exit scan mode. 2. Press 4. When you press 4, the display changes to 4, but the scanner still monitors the previous channel. 3. Press MANUAL again to successfully complete the direct access to Channel 4. Priority Scanning Priority Scan works like a dual watch function.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 17 To Set the Priority Channel Your BC248CLT has one default Priority Channel per bank. Each priority channel is, set at the first channel in the bank. To change the priority channel determine the frequency most important to you and program it into the desired channel location. Example: To set Channel 5 as the priority channel. 1. Press MANUAL to exit the Scan Mode. 2. Press 5 and MANUAL for direct channel access. Or select channel 5 using the ▼ / ▲ keys. 3.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 18 Channel Lockout You can lock out a channel so it is not scanned. Channel Lockout does not erase the frequency from the channel. You can lock out up to 50 channels, including the Priority channel. Lockout information is retained in the memory when the scanner is turned off. To Lock out a Channel Example: Suppose you want to lock out Channel 2 because it stops on transmissions you don't want to hear. Press LOCKOUT when the scanner stops on Channel 2.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 19 2. Press LOCKOUT again to unlock the displayed channel. L/O no longer appears in the display. Restore All Locked Out Channel To unlock all channels, you must be in the Manual Mode. 1. Press MANUAL. 2. Press and hold LOCKOUT to unlock all channels. The L/O indicator goes out on any channel previously locked out.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 20 To Set Delay in Scan Mode 1. Press SCAN. 2. When your scanner stops on a channel, press DELAY. DLY appears in the display and scanning resume 2 seconds after the transmission ends. To Set Delay in Manual Mode 1. Press MANUAL. 2. Select the channel you want using your keypad. 3. Press MANUAL again. 4. Press DELAY. DLY appears in the display. 20 .
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 21 Weather Channel The BC248CLT allows you to search from 7 pre-programmed NOAA channels for your local NOAA weather channel. Press WX/ALERT to find the active weather channel in your area. WX icon appears in the display. It is possible that your area is covered by more than one weather station. All weather channels transmit continuous broadcasts. Once the Weather Scan stops on a transmission, it remains on that channel. Weather Scan does not resume automatically.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 22 Weather Alert In Weather Alert Mode, your scanner functions as a severe weather warning radio. This is especially useful when your area is expecting severe weather conditions late at night. When you set the scanner to Weather Alert Mode, it emits a loud siren whenever your local NOAA weather station broadcasts a severe weather emergency tone. 1. Press WX/ALERT to find the active weather channel in your area. WX icon appears in the display.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 23 ADDITIONAL FEATURES LCD Backlight The LCD Backlight comes on when the power is applied. In Scan Mode, Manual Mode, and Weather Mode, the backlight stays on bright continuously. In the other modes, the backlight stays bright for ten seconds and then switches to dim. Press any key and the display switches back to bright for ten seconds.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 24 3. Press ▼ or ▲ to set the desired frequency. The channel number flashes. Continue to press ▼ or ▲ to step through the frequencies in 100kHz steps. Or, press and hold ▼ or ▲ to step through the frequencies more quickly until 92.5000MHz appears in the display. 4. Press E to complete the entry. The channel digits stop flashing. 5. Adjust the VOLUME control to a comfortable comfortable listening level.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 25 Deleting a Stored Radio Frequency If you want to delete a stored frequency, follow these steps: Example: Delete the frequency in Channel 9. 1. Press RADIO AM/FM to enter into the Radio Mode. 2. To select the channel (9), press 9 on the numeric keypad. 3. Press the ▼ or ▲ keys until 000.0000 appears in the display. (In FM 000.0000 is between 108.0000 and 88.0000. In AM 000.0000 is between 1720 and 520.) 4. Press E to complete the entry.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 26 Reset the Clock Time 1. After the scanner has been turned on, to reset the clock time simply press and hold the TIME SET key. The display digits flash. 2. Enter the time directly by pressing the numeric keys. OR Enter the time by pressing the ▼ / ▲ keys. 3. Press AM/PM to select the desired setting either a.m. or p.m. 4. Press E to complete the entry. The display stops flashing..
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 27 Set the Alarm Time There are two types of alarm sounds with this scanner., Tone Alarm and Radio Alarm. Both types set the alarm time in the same manner. 1. After the clock time has been entered, press and hold ALARM SET until the time indicated and ALARM indicator flashes in the display. 2. Enter the alarm time directly by pressing the numeric keys. OR Enter the time by pressing the ▼/▲keys. 3. Press AM/PM to select the desired setting, either a.m. or p.m.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 28 4. Press E to complete the entry. 5. ALARM indicator and time stop flashing, but remain on. 6. The alarm time remains in the display for five seconds, then returns to current time. Set Alarm to Tone Mode Press ALARM to turn on the alarm function. The ALARM indicator and current alarm time are displayed. When the alarm goes off, it will sound as a series of beeps gradually growing louder. The alarm will continue for approximately 15 minutes, if no action is taken.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 29 Turn the Alarm Off Press ALARM to deactivate the alarm function. When the alarm is off, the ALARM indicator and current alarm time are no longer displayed. Only the current time displays. If you would like to listen to the scanner while waking up, turn the scanner on. The snooze function continues to operate while the scanner is turned on and in any mode. If you find the Tone Alarm too loud, select the Radio Mode instead. The volume is adjustable.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 30 Set Alarm to Radio Mode Before you set the Radio Alarm, make sure the AM or FM channel is selected and the VOLUME control is set to the desired level. The scanner must be turned off (Clock Mode), to be woken up by the radio alarm. 1. Press OFF. 2. Press and hold ALARM for more than 2 seconds. When the alarm is on, the ALARM and RADIO icons flash for 5 seconds. 3. The ALARM remains on.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 31 ABOUT THE UNIT Helpful Hints General Use ■ Turn the scanner off before disconnecting the power. ■ Always write down the programmed frequencies in the event of scanner memory loss. ■ If scanner memory is lost, simply reprogram each channel. The display shows All Loc Out when there has been a memory loss. ■ Always press each keypad button firmly until you hear the entry tone for that key.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 32 TROUBLESHOOTING If your BC248CLT is not performing properly, try the following steps. Problem ■ ■ ■ Scanner won’t power up. Poor reception. Scan won’t start. Solution ■ Check the connections at both ends of the AC Adapter. ■ Turn on the wall switch of your room. You could be using an outlet controlled by the wall switch. ■ Move the AC Adapter to another wall outlet. ■ Check antenna connection. ■ Move the antenna.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 33 Problem ■ ■ Scan won’t stop. Weather Scan won’t work. Solution ■ Adjust squelch to the threshold (Page 9). ■ Check the antenna connection. ■ Check to see if many of the channels are locked out. If so, the scanner has less chance of finding an active channel. ■ Review each channel’s frequency to see if it is correct and no memory has been lost. ■ It is possible that none of the programmed frequencies are active at this time.
BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 34 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Certified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15 Sub-part C as of date of manufacture. Band Coverage: Frequency Coverage: Scanner Radio Weather Service Channel Sensitivity (nominal) 12dB SINAD: Channels: Scan Rate: Audio Output (nominal): Power Requirements: Antenna: External Jacks: Speaker: Operating Temp: Storage Temp: Size: Weight: 10 bands plus Weather Channel and AM/FM Radio 29.0-29.7 MHz 10 Meter Amateur Band 29.7-50.
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BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 8:28 PM Page 36 ONE-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY Important: Evidence of original purchase is required for warranty service. 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.
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BC248clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:19 PM Page 100 THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THIS UNIDEN PRODUCT! © 1999 Uniden America Corporation UBZZ01299ZZ All rights reserved • Printed in Philippines Covered under one or more of the following U.S.
