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 DMA technology, specifically:

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

NOTE: We have separate FAQs for other Uniden products;

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

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 the Updating the Firmware in Uniden DMA Scanners article

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

• For display, miscellaneous function and battery issues, please see the DMA Scanner Functions and Batteries article

• For undocumented hacks, please see the 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 the Uniden scanner test modes aritcle.

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 (via Scanner Master)

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