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Difference between revisions of "BC125AT"

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[[Image:BC125AT.jpg|right|150px|BC125AT-Click to view full size]]
 
[[Image:BC125AT.jpg|right|150px|BC125AT-Click to view full size]]
  
==Features==
+
==Specifications==
 +
===Physical===
 +
*10 Channel Storage Banks - You can store up to 50 frequencies into each bank for a total of 500 frequencies so you can more easily identify calls.
 +
*Display Backlight - You can turn on/off the LCD backlight, set it operate on squelch only, keypress only, or both.
 +
*Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector - provides adequate reception in strong signal areas and is designed to help prevent antenna breakage. Or, you can connect an external antenna for better reception.
 +
*Key Confirmation Tones - You can turn on/off a tone that sounds when you perform an operation correctly or if you make an error.
 +
*Memory Backup - keeps the frequencies stored in memory for an extended time if the scanner loses power.
 +
*PC Programming - you can download information into the scanner and control the scanner via your personal computer.
 +
*Signal Strength Meter - shows the signal strength for more powerful transmissions.
 +
*Triple-Conversion Circuitry - virtually eliminates any interference from IF (intermediate frequency) images, so you hear only the selected frequency.
 +
 
 +
===Technical===
 
* 500 Channels, 10 banks
 
* 500 Channels, 10 banks
  
;Frequency Coverage
+
====Frequency Coverage====
 
*25-54 MHz
 
*25-54 MHz
 
*108-174 MHz
 
*108-174 MHz
Line 10: Line 21:
 
*400-512 MHz
 
*400-512 MHz
  
*'''10 Channel Storage Banks''' - You can store up to 50 frequencies into each bank for a total of 500 frequencies so you can more easily identify calls.
+
====Power====
 +
*Built-In Charger - allows you to charge Ni-MH batteries in the scanner using a USB port on any computer and the supplied USB cable.
 +
* Lets you power the scanner using the included two AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries or ''the supplied USB cable''.
  
*'''Close Call RF Capture Technology''' - you can set the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions
+
==Features==
 
+
*[[Battery Saver]] - works when there is no transmission for 1 minute in Scan Hold Mode and any Search Hold Mode (without Priority Scan). This feature turns off RF power for 1 second and turns on it for 300ms to extend the battery life.
*'''Close Call Do-Not-Disturb''' - checks for Close Call activity in between channel reception so active channels are not interrupted.
+
*Battery Low Alert - the icon will blink in the display and a tone warns you every 15 seconds when the battery power gets low
 
+
*[[Close Call]] RF Capture Technology - you can set the scanner so it detects and provides information about nearby radio transmissions
*'''Close Call Temporary Store''' - temporarily stores and scans the last 10 Close Call hits in the 'Close Call Hits' system.
+
*[[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 'Close Call Hits' system.
*'''PC Programming''' - you can download information into the scanner and control the scanner via your personal computer.
+
*[[CTCSS]] and [[DCS]] Squelch Modes - rapid search for [[CTCSS]]/[[DCS]] tones/codes used during a transmission. You can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
 
+
*Custom Search - lets you program up to 10 Custom Search Ranges and search any or all of these ranges.
*'''CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes''' - rapid search for CTCSS/DCS tones/codes used during a transmission. You can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
+
*Direct Access - lets you directly access any channel.
 
+
*[[Key Lock]] - lets you lock the scanner's keys to help prevent accidental changes to the scanner's programming.
*'''Direct Access''' - lets you directly access any channel.
+
*Lock-Out Function - lets you set your scanner to skip over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or searching.
 
+
*[[Priority Scan]]
*'''Lock-Out Function''' - lets you set your scanner to skip over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or searching.
+
*[[Quick Search]] - allows you to enter a frequency and start searching up or down from that frequency.
 
+
*Scan/Search Delay/Resume - controls whether the scanner pauses at the end of the transmission to wait for a reply. You can set the Delay time for each Channel, Close Call Search, Custom Search, and Service search. You can also set a negative delay where the scanner stops on transmissions for a set time then automatically resumes.
*'''Temporary Lockout''' - makes it easy to temporarily lock out any channel or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.
+
*Search Lockouts- you can lock up to 200 search frequencies: 100 temporary frequencies and 100 permanent frequencies in Custom Search, Service Search, Close Call Search, or Quick Search Modes.
 
+
*Service Banks - frequencies are preset in 10 separate Police, Fire/Emergency, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Civil Air, Military Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS/MURS, and Racing banks to make it easy to locate specific types of calls and search any or all of these banks.
*'''Triple-Conversion Circuitry''' - virtually eliminates any interference from IF (intermediate frequency) images, so you hear only the selected frequency.
+
*Temporary Lockout - makes it easy to temporarily lock out any channel or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.
 
+
*Text Tagging - you can name each channel, using up to 16 characters per name.
*'''Text Tagging''' - you can name each channel, using up to 16 characters per name.
+
*Turbo Search - increases the search speed from 100 to 300 steps per second automatically for bands ''with 5 kHz steps''.
 
+
*[[Weather Operations]]
*'''Service Banks''' - frequencies are preset in 10 separate Police, Fire/Emergency, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Civil Air, Military Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS/MURS, and Racing banks to make it easy to locate specific types of calls and search any or all of these banks.
 
 
 
*'''Priority Scan with Do Not Disturb''' - lets you program one channel in each bank (10 in all) and then have the scanner check each channel every 2 seconds while it scans the banks so you don’t miss transmissions on those channels. Do-Not Disturb keeps the scanner from interrupting transmissions during receiving.
 
 
 
*'''Priority Plus Scan''' - you can set the scanner so it scans only the priority channels.
 
 
 
*'''Scan/Search Delay/Resume''' - controls whether the scanner pauses at the end of the transmission to wait for a reply. You can set the Delay time for each Channel, Close Call Search, Custom Search, and Service search. You can also set a negative delay where the scanner stops on transmissions for a set time then automatically resumes.
 
 
 
*'''Custom Search''' - lets you program up to 10 Custom Search Ranges and search any or all of these ranges.
 
 
 
*'''Quick Search''' - allows you to enter a frequency and start searching up or down from that frequency.
 
 
 
*'''Turbo Search''' - increases the search speed from 100 to 300 steps per second automatically for bands ''with 5 kHz steps''.
 
 
 
*'''Search Lockouts''' - you can lock up to 200 search frequencies: 100 temporary frequencies and 100 permanent frequencies in Custom Search, Service Search, Close Call Search, or Quick Search Modes.
 
 
 
*'''Weather Alert Priority''' - the scanner scans active WX channels every 5 seconds to check for the presence of a 1050 Hz Weather Alert Tone.
 
 
 
*'''Weather Alert Standby''' - the scanner allows you to monitor for weather alerts broadcast on NOAA channels.
 
 
 
*'''Display Backlight''' - You can turn on/off the LCD backlight, set it operate on squelch only, keypress only, or both.
 
 
 
*'''Signal Strength Meter''' - shows the signal strength for more powerful transmissions.
 
 
 
*'''Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector''' - provides adequate reception in strong signal areas and is designed to help prevent antenna breakage. Or, you can connect an external antenna for better reception.
 
 
 
*'''Memory Backup''' - keeps the frequencies stored in memory for an extended time if the scanner loses power.
 
 
 
*'''Two Power Options''' - let you power the scanner using the included two AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries or ''the supplied USB cable''.
 
 
 
*'''Built-In Charger''' - allows you to charge Ni-MH batteries in the scanner using a USB port on any computer and the supplied USB cable.
 
 
 
*'''Key Confirmation Tones''' - You can turn on/off a tone that sounds when you perform an operation correctly or if you make an error.
 
 
 
*'''Key Lock''' - lets you lock the scanner's keys to help prevent accidental changes to the scanner's programming.
 
 
 
*'''Battery Save''' - works when there is no transmission for 1 minute in Scan Hold Mode and any Search Hold Mode (without Priority Scan). This feature turns off RF power for 1 second and turns on it for 300ms to extend the battery life.
 
 
 
*'''Battery Low Alert''' - the icon will blink in the display and a tone warns you every 15 seconds when the battery power gets low
 
  
 
==Owner's Manual==
 
==Owner's Manual==
Line 76: Line 50:
  
 
==Firmware Updates==
 
==Firmware Updates==
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/publish/BC125ATFirmwareUpdate.html BC125AT Firmware update via Uniden TWiki]
+
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/InstallingBC_VUP Install BC VUP3.03]
 +
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/UsingBC_VUP Using the BC VUP Firmware Updater (3.03)]
 +
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/publish/BC125ATFirmwareUpdate.html BC125AT Firmware update via Uniden TWiki (CAUTION! EARLY FIRMWARE "BRICKS" BC125AT WITH FIRMWARE LATER THAN 1.03.01!!)]
  
 
==Hidden Menus & Features==
 
==Hidden Menus & Features==
Line 99: Line 75:
 
* Critique: Incorrectly includes common U.S. Business Band itinerant frequencies in the FRS/GMRS/MURS service bank without mention in the manual. (Ch28: "Red Dot" 151.6250 MHz, Ch29: "Brown Dot" 464.5000 MHz, Ch30: "Yellow Dot" 464.5500 MHz, Ch31: "Silver Star" 467.8500 MHz, Ch32: "Gold Star" 467.8750 MHz, Ch33: "Red Star" 467.9000 MHz, Ch34: "Blue Star" 467.9250 MHz)   
 
* Critique: Incorrectly includes common U.S. Business Band itinerant frequencies in the FRS/GMRS/MURS service bank without mention in the manual. (Ch28: "Red Dot" 151.6250 MHz, Ch29: "Brown Dot" 464.5000 MHz, Ch30: "Yellow Dot" 464.5500 MHz, Ch31: "Silver Star" 467.8500 MHz, Ch32: "Gold Star" 467.8750 MHz, Ch33: "Red Star" 467.9000 MHz, Ch34: "Blue Star" 467.9250 MHz)   
 
* Critique: Adjusting squelch requires several button pushes and knob twists. Adjusting volume requires a button push and knob twist.  Wish there were options to configure this.  My only real complaint.
 
* Critique: Adjusting squelch requires several button pushes and knob twists. Adjusting volume requires a button push and knob twist.  Wish there were options to configure this.  My only real complaint.
* [http://thegeekyradioenthusiast.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/review-uniden-ubc126at-scanner.html Uniden UBC126AT Review (Australian version of BC125AT)]
+
* [https://tassieradiorxer.blogspot.com/2019/10/uniden-ubc126at-review-may-2015.html Uniden UBC126AT Review (Australian version of BC125AT)]
  
==Supporting Software==
+
==Supporting Software and Driver==
 +
* [http://unidensupport.com/Find-Your-Product/Scanners/BC125AT Driver and Install Instructions for BC125AT (Uniden Support)]
 
* [http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/BC125AT BC125AT SS (Uniden Programming Software)] (freeware)
 
* [http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/BC125AT BC125AT SS (Uniden Programming Software)] (freeware)
 
* [http://www.nick-bailey.co.uk/scan125/ Scan125] (Now supports UBC126AT) (freeware)
 
* [http://www.nick-bailey.co.uk/scan125/ Scan125] (Now supports UBC126AT) (freeware)
* [http://www.butelsoftware.com ARC125] (costs $24.99)
+
* [https://www.butel.nl/products/arc125/arc125.html ARC125] (costs $24.99)
 
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BC125AT/BC125AT_USB_driver.zip Uniden BC125AT USB Drivers]   
 
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BC125AT/BC125AT_USB_driver.zip Uniden BC125AT USB Drivers]   
 
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BC125AT/BC125AT_Protocol.pdf Uniden Programming Protocol PDF]
 
* [http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BC125AT/BC125AT_Protocol.pdf Uniden Programming Protocol PDF]
Line 110: Line 87:
 
Note: The ''BC125AT SS'' software saves a tab delimited file format that can be edited and managed in most text editors and spreadsheet software. Lines can be safely omitted or reordered.
 
Note: The ''BC125AT SS'' software saves a tab delimited file format that can be edited and managed in most text editors and spreadsheet software. Lines can be safely omitted or reordered.
  
== Yahoo Groups and Mailing Lists (software and receiver support)==
+
== Mailing Lists / forums ==
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BC125AT/ BC125AT Yahoo group]
+
*{{Forum|uniden-forums.82|RadioReference Uniden}}
 +
; Facebook
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/448987651918830 Radio Scanner World]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/667031203353717 Radio Scanners]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/4188584134 Scanner Enthusiasts]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2889562301118379 Radio Scanner Help and Chat]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnidenScanners Uniden Scanners]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/UBScanners Uniden Bearcat Scanners]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1480421685608148 Uniden Bearcat Scanner Fan Club]
 +
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/923164271205464 Uniden Bearcat Scanner Owners UK]
 +
;Groups.io
 +
* [https://groups.io/g/BC125AT BC125AT]
 +
* [https://groups.io/g/radioprogramming Radio Programming]
 +
* [https://groups.io/g/Scanners Radio Scanners Uniden / Whistler]
 +
;Twitter
 +
*[https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bc125at&src=typed_query BC125AT on Twitter]
  
 
==BC125AT Scanners for Sale==
 
==BC125AT Scanners for Sale==
 
* [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=BCT125AT BC125AT - eBay]
 
* [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=BCT125AT BC125AT - eBay]
 +
* [https://www.radioreference.com/apps/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=all&stype=1&si=BC125AT BC125AT - RadioReference Classifieds]
 +
 +
 +
[[Category:Uniden Scanners]]
 +
[[Category:Handheld Scanners]]
 +
[[Category:Conventional Scanners]]
 +
[[Category:Radio Models]]

Revision as of 20:27, 26 June 2021

BC125AT-Click to view full size

Specifications

Physical

  • 10 Channel Storage Banks - You can store up to 50 frequencies into each bank for a total of 500 frequencies so you can more easily identify calls.
  • Display Backlight - You can turn on/off the LCD backlight, set it operate on squelch only, keypress only, or both.
  • Flexible Antenna with BNC Connector - provides adequate reception in strong signal areas and is designed to help prevent antenna breakage. Or, you can connect an external antenna for better reception.
  • Key Confirmation Tones - You can turn on/off a tone that sounds when you perform an operation correctly or if you make an error.
  • Memory Backup - keeps the frequencies stored in memory for an extended time if the scanner loses power.
  • PC Programming - you can download information into the scanner and control the scanner via your personal computer.
  • Signal Strength Meter - shows the signal strength for more powerful transmissions.
  • Triple-Conversion Circuitry - virtually eliminates any interference from IF (intermediate frequency) images, so you hear only the selected frequency.

Technical

  • 500 Channels, 10 banks

Frequency Coverage

  • 25-54 MHz
  • 108-174 MHz
  • 225-380 MHz
  • 400-512 MHz

Power

  • Built-In Charger - allows you to charge Ni-MH batteries in the scanner using a USB port on any computer and the supplied USB cable.
  • Lets you power the scanner using the included two AA rechargeable or alkaline batteries or the supplied USB cable.

Features

  • Battery Saver - works when there is no transmission for 1 minute in Scan Hold Mode and any Search Hold Mode (without Priority Scan). This feature turns off RF power for 1 second and turns on it for 300ms to extend the battery life.
  • Battery Low Alert - the icon will blink in the display and a tone warns you every 15 seconds when the battery power gets low
  • Close Call RF Capture Technology - you can 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 'Close Call Hits' system.
  • CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes - rapid search for CTCSS/DCS tones/codes used during a transmission. You can identify up to 50 CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
  • Custom Search - lets you program up to 10 Custom Search Ranges and search any or all of these ranges.
  • Direct Access - lets you directly access any channel.
  • Key Lock - lets you lock the scanner's keys to help prevent accidental changes to the scanner's programming.
  • Lock-Out Function - lets you set your scanner to skip over specified channels or frequencies when scanning or searching.
  • Priority Scan
  • Quick Search - allows you to enter a frequency and start searching up or down from that frequency.
  • Scan/Search Delay/Resume - controls whether the scanner pauses at the end of the transmission to wait for a reply. You can set the Delay time for each Channel, Close Call Search, Custom Search, and Service search. You can also set a negative delay where the scanner stops on transmissions for a set time then automatically resumes.
  • Search Lockouts- you can lock up to 200 search frequencies: 100 temporary frequencies and 100 permanent frequencies in Custom Search, Service Search, Close Call Search, or Quick Search Modes.
  • Service Banks - frequencies are preset in 10 separate Police, Fire/Emergency, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Civil Air, Military Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS/MURS, and Racing banks to make it easy to locate specific types of calls and search any or all of these banks.
  • Temporary Lockout - makes it easy to temporarily lock out any channel or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.
  • Text Tagging - you can name each channel, using up to 16 characters per name.
  • Turbo Search - increases the search speed from 100 to 300 steps per second automatically for bands with 5 kHz steps.
  • Weather Operations

Owner's Manual

Firmware Updates

Hidden Menus & Features

  • USA Band Plan - '1' + 'Power On'.
  • Canada Band Plan - '2' + 'Power On'.
  • Reset & Clear Memory - '2' + '9' + 'Hold' + 'Power On'.
  • Reset & Clear Memory (same) - '8' + '9' + 'Hold' + 'Power On.'
  • Load Test Data - '3' + '9' + 'Power On'. Overwrites channels with 144-146 VHF Amateur frequencies.
  • Batt. Save Test - '1' + '7' + 'Power On'. Then 'Hold' to toggle.
  • Batt. Charge Test - '2' + '7' + 'Power On. Then 'Hold' to toggle.
  • Key Touch Test - '3' + '0' + 'Power On'.
  • Display Contrast - '3' + 'Hold' + 'Power On'.
  • Contrast & Key Test - '3' + 'Scan' + 'Power On'.
  • Others? ...

Related Pages

External Links

Reviews, etc

  • This is a fantastic scanner for its class, similar in design and function to the BC72XLT, BC92XLT and BC95XLT series of scanners, with a vastly improved set of features and narrow-band support. This is your best buy for a non-digital, non-trunking scanner; Made in 2012. Owner for 1+ years.
  • Critique: Incorrectly includes common U.S. Business Band itinerant frequencies in the FRS/GMRS/MURS service bank without mention in the manual. (Ch28: "Red Dot" 151.6250 MHz, Ch29: "Brown Dot" 464.5000 MHz, Ch30: "Yellow Dot" 464.5500 MHz, Ch31: "Silver Star" 467.8500 MHz, Ch32: "Gold Star" 467.8750 MHz, Ch33: "Red Star" 467.9000 MHz, Ch34: "Blue Star" 467.9250 MHz)
  • Critique: Adjusting squelch requires several button pushes and knob twists. Adjusting volume requires a button push and knob twist. Wish there were options to configure this. My only real complaint.
  • Uniden UBC126AT Review (Australian version of BC125AT)

Supporting Software and Driver

Note: The BC125AT SS software saves a tab delimited file format that can be edited and managed in most text editors and spreadsheet software. Lines can be safely omitted or reordered.

Mailing Lists / forums

Facebook
Groups.io
Twitter

BC125AT Scanners for Sale