Contents Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Included with your Scanner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 How Squelch Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Setting the Squelch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Programming Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Channel Lockout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lockout Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Priority Scan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 14 15 16 18 Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 To Skip Undesired Frequencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Storing Search Frequencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Weather Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Data Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Optional Accessories and Replacement Parts . . . . 39 Controls and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Foldout 1 Introduction The BC860XLT is a new state-of-the-art radio with automatic scanning capabilities. Store frequencies into 10 banks of 10 channels each. Scan all 100 channels at Turbo Scan speed. What is Scanning? Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way communications (listed on the next page) do not transmit continuously. The BC860XLT scans programmed channels at the rate of nearly 100 channels per second 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. While the BC860XLT scans channels, it is in Scan mode. When you stop scanning with it is in Manual mode. M, What is Searching? The BC860XLT can search 12 bands to find active frequencies. This gives you the opportunity to find new frequencies that have not been programmed. Choose between two speeds for the search feature: Normal (100 steps per second) or Turbo Search (300 steps per second). While the BC860XLT searches for active frequencies, it is in Search mode or Turbo Search mode. When you stop the search with it is in Search Hold mode. H, 2 Types of Communications Monitor communications such as: Police and fire department (including rescue and paramedics) Aircraft NOAA weather broadcasts (preprogrammed 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 And many more in the following 12 Bands: Frequency Range 29.0-29.7 MHz 29.7-50.0 MHz 50.0-54.0 MHz 108-137 MHz 137-144 MHz 144-148 MHz 148-174 MHz 406-420 MHz 420-450 MHz 450-470 MHz 470-512 MHz 806-956 MHz Transmission 10 Meter Amateur Band VHF Low band 6 Meter Amateur Band AM Aircraft Military Land mobile 2 Meter Amateur Band VHF High Band Federal Govt. Land Mobile 70 cm Amateur Band UHF Standard Band UHF "T" Band Public Service Band except Cellular Band 3 Feature Highlights 100 Channels ­ Program one frequency into each channel. You must have at least one channel programmed to use the Scan mode. 29 MHz - 956 MHz ­ Scan these frequency ranges with your scanner. (Note: the frequency coverage is not totally continuous from 29.0 MHz to 956 MHz.) 10 Priority Channels ­ Assign one Priority channel in each bank. Keep track of the activity on most important channel(s) while monitoring others. Data Skip ­ Skip data signals and unmodulated transmissions. Manual Channel Access ­ Go directly to any channel. Memory Backup ­ Frequencies programmed in the channels are retained in memory. If the power is disconnected, the memory retains the frequencies for 7 days. Twin TurboTM Speed ­ With both Turbo Scan and Turbo Search, your BC860XLT is truly a Twin TurboTM Scanner. Weather Scan ­ Use as a weather information radio. Scanner Care & Safety Tips Do not use the scanner in high-moisture areas such as the kitchen or bathroom. Do not plug the scanner into an outlet controlled by a wall switch as prolonged periods without power causes scanner memory loss. Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight or near heating elements or vents. 4 Included with your Scanner If any items are missing or damaged, immediately contact your place of purchase. Read this Operating Guide thoroughly before operating the scanner. Complete and immediately mail the Registration Form. 5 Where to Obtain More Information Before you can scan, you must program a frequency into each channel you want to use. The "Betty Bearcat Starter Frequency Guide" lists typical frequencies used around the U.S. that you may program into the BC860XLT. If the frequencies listed in the "Betty Bearcat Starter Frequency Guide" do not work in your area, call the enclosed "Mr. Scanner" 800 number. A Uniden representative should be able to provide you with a few sample frequencies. Or, 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. 6 Setup Note Extend the antenna to its full height. For UHF frequencies, shortening the antenna may improve the reception. If your scanner receives strong interference or electrical noise, move the scanner or its antenna away from the source. If you are operating the scanner in a fringe area or 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.) If the plug at the end of the cable does not match the antenna jack, you may need to purchase an adapter. Plug an optional external speaker (ESP25, 8 ohms) into the EXT.SP jack. Warning! Use only the supplied AC Adapter - AC144U 7 8 Basic Operation Note: Fold out the illustration from the Back Cover to see the Controls and Indicators while reading this Guide. How Squelch Works Think of "SQUELCH" as a gate. If the gate is too low (squelch too low), everything (all noise as well as signals) gets through. If the gate is set too high (squelch too high), nothing gets through. If the gate is set just right (squelch set properly), just the desired signals get through. The BC860XLT Squelch has two options. AUTO Squelch - a level preset at the factory; and Manual Squelch, where you can set the squelch level as needed by conditions. 9 Setting the Squelch Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. Auto Squelch AUTO is a compromise between tight and threshold. It is a convenience for listening to stronger signals. Note: Be sure that the Squelch control clicks into the AUTO position. Á Turn until hiss heard. This lowers the "squelch gate," allowing all signals and noise to get through. Turn just until hiss stops. This raises the "squelch gate" allowing only strong signals to get through. Manual Squelch To manually set the Squelch, you must be in the Manual Mode. No signal should be present when adjusting squelch. until you do not hear Press a signal. M Á 10 Á Programming Before the BC860XLT can scan, you must program a frequency into at least one channel. Repeat this procedure for each channel you program. 1. Select the frequency. 2. Enter MANUAL mode. 3. Select the channel. Á Á 4. Enter the frequency. To clear a mistake while entering twice, the frequency, press and start over. If the entered frequency is outside the Frequency Range of the scanner, (See Table on page 3, and the Technical Specifications at the back of this Guide), a distinctive beep sounds. and go back to Step 4. Press . . 11 Programming Tips To quickly program a series of channels, start with the lowest number channel. For example, when you are programming five new frequencies into Channels 4 through 8, start with Channel 4. After you finish programming a channel, press to step up to the next channel. M To erase the channel, enter and Channels with no frequencies are automatically locked out. 0 E . Record channels and frequencies in some convenient place in case the scanner memory is lost. 12 Scanning When you turn on the power, the BC860XLT automatically starts in the Scan mode. During normal scanning the scanner skips unprogrammed or locked out channels. When a transmission is received, the Scanner stops on that channel. When the transmission ends, scanning resumes automatically. Á To stop on a channel during scanning: Á To resume scanning: Á Note: If the channel is in the Aircraft Band, AIR displays in the LCD. 13 Banks Channels are grouped by Banks for easy scanning control. Active Banks display during scanning. To deactivate a Bank during scanning: To restore a Bank for Scanning: Á Note: Press 0 for Bank 10. 14 Channel Lockout You can "lock out" any channel so it is not scanned during normal scanning. Lock out does not erase the frequency from the channel. You can restore the channel to scanning whenever you wish. Note: You can lock out up to 99 channels, but not all 100 channels. One channel must remain active for the scanner to work. Locking a Channel in Manual Mode 1. Enter MANUAL mode. 2. Select the channel. 3. Lock out the channel. Á Á 15 Locking a Channel While Scanning If the scanner keeps stopping on a particular channel due to noise or too-frequent transmissions, you may want to keep that channel from scanning. 1. Wait until the scanner stops at the channel. 2. Then: The scanner immediately resumes scanning because that channel is no longer in the scanning sequence. Á Lockout Tips Á To quickly lockout a series of channels, start with the lowest number channel. For example, when you are locking out 5 channels in numerical sequence (Channels 4, 7, 8, 12, and 15, start with Channel 4). After you finish locking out a channel, press one or more times to step up to the next channel. Record locked-out channels in some convenient place so you can restore them later. M 16 Restore a Locked Out Channel 1. Enter MANUAL mode. 2. Select the channel. 3. Unlock the channel. Á Á Restore All Locked-out Channels 1. Enter Manual Mode. Note: You must select a programmed channel that is not locked out before restoring locked-out channels. 2. Restore all channels. You'll hear 2 "beeps" when channels are restored. Á Á Note: Restores locked out channels only in active banks. 17 Priority Scan With Priority Scan active, the scanner checks the priority channels every 2 seconds for activity. If a signal is present, the Priority channel is monitored until the transmission ends. Scanning then resumes normally. The BC860XLT comes with one Priority Channel preprogrammed in each Bank: 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, and 91. To activate Priority Scan at any time (Manual or Scan Mode): Á To de-activate Priority Scan at any time (Manual or Scan Mode): Á 18 Changing the Priority Channel There can be only 1 Priority Channel per bank. You cannot eliminate a Priority Channel, but you can change the Priority Channel to any other channel within that Bank. 1. Enter MANUAL mode. 2. Select the new Priority Channel. 3. Change Priority to this channel. 2 "Beeps" indicate Priority Channel is changed. Á Á Note: If you now go back to check the previous Priority Channel, you'll see the P is gone. 19 Scan Delay Normally, the scanner will resume scanning as soon as a transmission has stopped. You can program an additional Delay during Scan so the scanner waits another 2 seconds before resuming scanning. This allows you to hear a possible replying transmission. To program a Delay into a channel: 1. Enter Manual mode. 2. Select the channel you want to add the Delay to. 3. Add the Delay. Á Á 20 You can also add a Delay to a channel when it stops during normal scanning. 1. Wait for the scanner to stop on the channel. 2. Press D. Á To remove the delay from any channel: 1a. Wait for the scanner to stop on that channel. 2. Remove Delay by pressing D . OR 1b. Go to the channel using Manual Channel Access. Á 21 Search You can use the Search feature to find active frequencies in your area. This feature is handy for finding frequencies besides those in your Betty B ...