Uniden DMA FAQ

Welcome to the Uniden DMA FAQ; here we'll start from scratch, and take you through some of the most basic of questions, and (in many cases) what things mean and how to find information. A word of explanation; if a word or phrase appears in blue and/or underlined, then it's a link; clicking it should take you to another article in our wiki, another part of our website or perhaps a different website.

What Models Does This FAQ Cover?

This FAQ covers the Uniden models that utilize 2 tier DMA memory architecture, specifically these show in the table below, We have additional, separate FAQs for the DMA 3 tier Uniden products, though many things listed below, are directly applicable;

• For the HomePatrol-1 and HomePatrol-2, see the Uniden Home Patrol FAQ
• For the BCDx36HP Series and SDS100, see the BCD436HP and BCD536HP Scanner FAQ and FAQ Page 2

Non-XT	XT	P2
SC230	BC346XT(C)	BCD325P2
BC246T	BCD396XT	BCD996P2
BR330T	BCT15X
BCD396T	BCD996XT
BCT15
BCD996T

DMA Scanner Topics and Terms

• What is Dynamic Memory Architecture?

• What are Uniden Scanners Systems, Sites and Groups and how do they relate to each other?

• How does Trunking work with these scanners?

• What is Multi Site Trunking?

• What is the Close Call feature?

• What is Digital End Code detection and why do I want to use it?

• What is Control Channel Only and what does it apply to?

• How do I use the Fire Tone Out & Fire Tone Out Search feature?

• What does Location Based Scanning do for me? How does it work (BCD996T, BCT15, XT and P2 Scanners)?
  • GPS Locations
  • Dangerous Roads, Dangerous Crossings and Points of Interest
  • Population Area Centerpoint

General Categories

• For the following issues, please see our DMA Scanners and Software article
  • Connecting the scanner to the PC
  • Programming questions
  • Software packages

• For firmware updates and Rebanding please see our Updating the Firmware in Uniden DMA Scanners article

• For audio issues (P25 decoding sounds bad, broken-up, unintelligible etc.) please see our DMA P25 Decoding and Audio Issues article

• For display, miscellaneous function and battery voltage and battery tips and related issues, please see our DMA Scanner Functions and Batteries article

• For undocumented hacks, please see our DMA Scanner Hacks article

• For basic test modes typically technicians use to access hidden features, any user could try and see what might work, please see our Uniden scanner test modes article.

Popular Questions

• I see the Nothing to Scan error message or
• I turned off all my Favorites, Systems, or Groups off. What Should I do to re-enable Quick Keys?
  • Please, see our Nothing to Scan article.

• I press the power button, but my Handheld i.e. (BCD396t BCD436HP) won't turn On, What gives?
  • You must press and HOLD the Power Button for a full two seconds to turn the radio On (or Off). This is a safeguard, to prevent turning the scanner On or Off accidentally, such as: when you're carrying it in your pocket or on a belt.

Additional Resources

Where can I get more information on the XT series of scanners?

• Go to the Scanner Guides on the Uniden TWiki site

The Manuals Are Too Confusing. Anyone have anything that's easier to read?

• Uniden did a fine job designing these radios. Too bad one cannot say the same about their manuals. Fortunately, there is another resource - loosely referred to as the 'Easier to Read' series, they have been generally lauded as being much more readable and understandable. As of this writing, the following members are available;

Non-XT Scanners

• Easier to Read BCD996T/UBC996T Manual
• Easier To Read BCT15 Manual
• Easier to Read BR330T Manual
• Easier To Read BCD396T/UBCD396T Manual
• Easier to Read BC246T Manual
• Easier to Read (U)SC230 Manual
• Easier to Read UBC3500XLT Manual
• Easier to Read UBC800XLT Manual

XT / P2 scanners

• Easier to Read BCD325P2 Manual
• Easier to Read BC346XT Manual
• Easier to Read BCD396XT Manual
• Easier to Read BCD996P2/XT Manual
• Easier to Read BCT15-X Manual

Printed manuals for sale via Scanner Master

• Easier to Read Uniden BCD325P2 Manual
• Easier to Read Uniden XT/996P2 Manual