BC246T

Uniden's analog-only portable Trunktracker scanner with Dynamic Memory Architecture. This is a TrunkTracker III scanner

Specifications

Limits

• Channels: 1600 typical, 2500 maximum
• Systems: 200 maximum
• Groups per system: 20 maximum
• Talkgroups per trunked system: 200 maximum
• Scan Rate: 100 channels per second (conventional mode)
• System Quick Key range: 0-9
• Group Quick Key range: 0-9
• Custom Search Ranges: 10
• Preprogrammed Service Search Bands: 10
• First Sale: November, 2004

Frequency Coverage

• 25-54 MHz
• 108-174 MHz
• 216-225 MHz
• 400-512 MHz
• 806-956 MHz
• 1240-1300 MHz

Power Requirements

• 2 AA batteries, 6V DC, or 500mA AC adapter
  • Example: Sony Car DC Adaptor

Features

• Adjustable (0-5 sec) scan delay
• Adjustable Hold (scan duration 0-255 sec) per system
• Antenna Connector: BNC
• Autostore by frequency and talkgroup. Automatically store frequencies from a service or limit search into a conventional system or store talk group IDs into a trunked system
• Battery saver
• Channel Alert
• Custom Search — lets you program up to 10 search ranges
• Uniden Close Call
• Control Channel Only trunking
• Data Skip
• DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode
• Duplicate Channel Alert
• I-Call monitoring
• Key Lock
• LCD Backlight
• Pager Screen
• PC Programming and Control available
• Priority Scan with Priority Plus
• Quick Recall – quickly navigates to a specific Channel by choosing the System, Group, and Channel.
• Quick Search
• Repeater Reverse
• SAME Weather Alert
• Strong signal attenuation
• Supported step sizes: 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz
• Upgradeable firmware
  • Can be updated to support Rebanding? YES
  • See the Updating the Firmware in Uniden DMA Scanners article for the firmware link
• Weather Priority
• Wired Cloning
• 16 character text tagging for each system, group, channel, talkgroup, search range, and SAME group
• 10 Service Searches - public safety, news, amateur radio, marine, railroad, air, CB radio, FRS/GMRS, racing, and special (Itinerant)

New Features

The 2.60 firmware update added the following feature.

• Close Call DND-Will stop the scanner from cutting out during transmission when Close Call in enabled.

RR System Compatibility

This scanner is compatible with the following Trunking System Types and System Voices used in the RadioReference Database, of course you must verify that the scanner will cover the appropriate frequency range:

• System Types:
  • Motorola Type I
  • Motorola Type II
  • Motorola Type IIi Hybrid
  • Motorola Type II Smartnet
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone
  • Motorola Type II Smartzone Omnilink
  • EDACS Standard (Wide)
  • EDACS Standard Networked
  • EDACS Narrowband (Narrow)
  • EDACS Narrowband Networked
  • EDACS SCAT
  • LTR Standard

• System Voices:
  • Analog

Hardware Accessories

• Uniden USB-1 Cable
• Uniden Serial Cable
• BC246T replacement rubber keypad, part no. LNBZ3B8092Z
• BC246T Contact Sheet, part no. KNBZ3B8093Z

Modifications

• Mods.DK listing for 246
• BC246T/Internal Squelch Adjustment
• JPEGs of BC246 discrim tap

Reviews and User Opinions

• EHam reviews of the BC246T Link 1
• EHam reviews of the BC246T Link 2
• BC-246T Review from MT (PDF)
• UKMidlandscanner: BC246T Review
• BC246T Review by Safetyobc

Related Pages

• Easier to Read BC246T Scanner Manual
• Owner's Manual
• Uniden USB-1 page on Scanner Master

Supporting Software

Non Windows OS

• BC246T Control and Programming Tool (tcl/tk software) (Note: reportedly no longer being supported or developed)
• BC246T status and control (CLI and GUI) (python/tk)

Windows Packages

• Butel Software Products
  • ARC246
• Clone246
• BC246T Splash Startup screen programmer
• Scannerbase Advanced Virtual Control 246
• See the Uniden DMA Software Support article for other software packages that support this scanner

Message Boards / Forums

• RadioReference Uniden Forum

Facebook

• Radio Scanner World
• Radio Scanners
• Scanner Enthusiasts
• Radio Scanner Help and Chat
• Uniden Scanners
• Uniden Bearcat Scanners
• Uniden Bearcat Scanner Fan Club
• Uniden Bearcat Scanner Owners UK

Groups.io

• BC246T
• Radio Programming

Usage Tips

If you have a tip/trick, please contribute!

• Don't forget that pushing down on the scroll knob is the same as pushing the "Yes"/"E" button.
• Pressing the on/off button briefly will take you out of the menu system.
• Holding down 1,3,0 and Pressing power will bring up the NWR-SAME TEST. Press the Menu Button to test the tones.

BC246T Scanners for Sale

• BC246T eBay Listings

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