Dynamic Memory Architecture

Dynamic Memory Architecture, or DMA, is Uniden's scheme for storing and organizing systems, sites, groups, channels, and talkgroups in a scanner.

A scanner that implements DMA has a pool of memory to store any programmed data. The pool is divided into blocks.

A System is the top-most element that can be created in DMA. Within each system, a number of Groups can be created. Within each Group, a number of Channels (for a conventional System) or Talkgroups (for a trunked System) can be created.

Some scanners also allow multiple Sites to be programmed for a trunked System.

Each System, Site, Group, Channel, or Talkgroup will occupy one or more blocks.

Each System can be assigned a System Quick Key to easily enable or disable the System to be scanned. If the scanner implements Sites to be programmed for a System, usually each site may be programmed with a Site Quick Key. Likewise, Groups can be assigned a Group Key Quick.

The number of memory blocks varies by scanner. The allowable number of Systems, Groups within a System, and Channels/Talkgroups within a Group also vary by scanner model.

The following Uniden models use Dynamic Memory Architecture.

Model	Analog (AM/FM)	Digital (APCO Project 25)	Trunking
BCD396T	Yes	Yes	Yes
BCD396XT	Yes	Yes	Yes
BR330T	Yes		Yes
BC346XT	Yes		Yes
BC246T	Yes		Yes
SC230	Yes
BCD996T	Yes	Yes	Yes
BCD996XT	Yes	Yes	Yes
BCT15	Yes		Yes
BCT15X	Yes		Yes

How Can I Get Started?

Your first step begins with an article written by UPMan called Scanner Programming;Man Machine Interface. This article will give you an introduction into how to set up a DMA radio. While the article was written before all the current models were in production, the basic ideas are still the same. A basic description of the architecture can be found here.

How do I Lay Out My Groups and Systems?

As suggested in the above article, the use of a spreadsheet or other columnar layouts will help in getting things organized.

Return to the Uniden DMA FAQ