Other Parameters
When setting up Search or CloseCall you can turn on other options, including delay times, auto-store limits and whether the attenuator is on.
These are set thru the Menu system.
Band Scope
The BCT15X also has a bandscope that allows you to view active band segments during searches. Bars on the screen display the active
frequencies relative to the current channel. This allows you to see if there is an active frequency above or below the current one.
While not a true spectrum display it is a great way to see where other active freqs are quickly and get a visual indication of activity on the band.
Band Scope is set via the Search menu items and can be set to one of the Search Keys.
When you are using Band Scope the MFK allows you to move the marker so you can see the relative frequency of displayed hits.
GPS Support
Users of Uniden's BC15 and BCD996T mobile scanners have loved the GPS feature, another Uniden exclusive. You can connect a GPS unit to
the BCT15X and use it to automatically turn on and off systems and tower sites as you move around. When purchasing a GPS unit, make sure
it has a serial port (RS-232), the BCT15X is not compatible with USB GPS receivers.
GPS Control of Sites and Channel Groups
The GPS feature on the BCT15X has the ability to control Sites and Groups. Individual Sites or Groups can be turned on or off manually or
automatically as you travel. If you travel in an area with a large networked trunked system, such as the statewide APCO25 systems, you can
set the radio to turn on and off specific Sites within the System as you travel. You can use it for conventional Groups as well, when you are in
one area you can listen to channels assigned there, when you leave those channels can be turned off and another group turned on. These areas
can be set in circles (Distance from a central point) or boxes (set the corners).
Computer Programming
Computer Cable
Like most scanners these days you can program the BCT15X from a Windows computer (or a Mac running Windows). If you have an RS232
Serial Port (using a DB-9 connector) you can use the included cable, otherwise you need a Uniden USB-1 cable (available separately from
ScannerMaster) or a USB to Serial adaptor (available from electronics or computer stores).
Software
No software is packaged with the radio although Uniden's UASD software should be available for free download soon. You can also use ARC's
ARC-XT (available soon from ScannerMaster). ARC-XT and others allow you to not only program the radio but to control it directly from the
computer. This allows logging of activity, viewing the scanner information from the computer and allows remote access.
RadioReference System Programming
Another neat feature is the ability to program your radio directly from the RadioReference.com scanner website. RadioReference.com is a
nationwide scanner information site that has information on trunked and conventional systems all over the world. It has detailed information on
almost every locale in the USA and Canada, provided by members.
While the information can be viewed for free, in order to program directly to your radio you need to be a paid Premium Subscriber. For $30 a
year you can use your software to query the extensive RadioRefrence.com database and program various Systems directly into your radio,
complete with System types and text tags. Going on vacation soon? Download the systems used in Grandma's town before you leave and save
hours of tedious programming.
In order to use the RadioReference.com programming interface you need to have the paid Premium Subscription plus a software package that
supports it, such as ARC-XT.
