Dynamic Memory Architecture
From The RadioReference Wiki
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 allow Uniden Multi-Sites Trunking 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 (Phase 1) | Digital (Phase 2) | 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 | ||
| BCD325P2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BCD996P2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BCD436HP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BCD536HP | Yes | Yes | 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