How to find an active Control Channel and Create a P25 System -UBCD396T - UBCD396XT and UBCD325P2AU

Part One.

Finding active control channels. 

You will need a Pen and Note Pad and one of these models. UBCD396T – UBCD996T – UBCD396XT – UBCD325P2AU.

To create a system to monitor the new SA GRN P25 or the current NSW GRN system you will require the control channel that is being used in your area. 
This process will also work on the VIC RMR and MMR network.

VIC RMR network search between 160-170 MHz
MMR /NSW and SA GRN search between 400 - 430 MHz 

If you do not already have access to this information, you can find the active control channel by simply doing a custom search.

Turn your Scanner ON.

While in Scan mode, push the MENU button (on the UBCD396T and UBCD396XT it’s the rubber pad on the left of Scanner).

This will open up the Scanners Menu screen.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight Search For.

Once Search For has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight Edit Custom.

Once Edit Custom has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Custom 1 will be highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight Edit Search Limit.

Once Edit Search Limit has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Set Lower Limit menu will now be displayed – type over the existing frequency.

Type in 410.000 and push E.Yes (Victorian RMR type in 160.0000)

Set Upper Limit menu will now be displayed – type over the existing frequency.

Type in 430.000 and push E.Yes (Victorian RMR type in 170.0000)

The screen will revert back to the Custom 1 menu screen.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight Set Modulation.

Once Set Modulation has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Set Modulation Menu will now be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight NFM (Narrow Band FM) and push the E.Yes button.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight Set Step.

Once Set Step has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

The Set Step menu will now be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight 12.5 kHz.
(Victorian RMR select 6.25)

Once 12.5 kHz been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

The Custom 1 menu screen will now be displayed again.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it clockwise to the right and highlight Set C-CH Only.

When Set C-CH Only is highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

(UBCD396T and UBCD996T will then show a menu screen with Set C-Ch Only. Select ON and push E.Yes)

C-CH Only Mode will be highlighted. Push E.yes

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it and select ON.

Once done – push the E.Yes button.

The screen will revert back to the Set C-CH Only Menu.

Now push the Menu button 3 times. (on a UBCD396T and UBCD996T push the menu button twice)

This will take you back to the Search For menu screen and Edit Custom will be highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll it to the left (anti-clockwise) and highlight Custom Search and then push the E.Yes button.

The Scanner will now start scanning the search limits you have specified.

At the bottom of the screen, you will also see a series of numbers from 1 to 0.

These represent 10 custom searches. As our only interest is in custom search 1, push the following keys to shut down the other searches. 

Push 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and finally the 0 button.

This will leave only the Custom Search that you have created.

There should only be the numeral 1 flashing on the bottom of the screen.

In the time that you have done this the Scanner may have already found the active control channel and stopped on it.

If it has found an active SA GRN or NSW GRN P25 control channel it will display the following data. (Example is for SA GRN)

SID: 03DCh-000 (the last three numbers will be different in your location, 000 entered for example only)

The screen will alternate between “Custom 1” and “SID:03DCh-000”. This is normal.

Look to the top right of the screen, if the signal is strong, there will be a signal strength indicator, for a good strong signal, there should be 5 bars.

The more bars the better. If the signal only shows 2 bars, use the rotary volume dial and gently turn it clockwise to continue the search. (DO NOT PUSH SCAN).

The scanner will continue to search through the designated search limit only stopping on control channels that are close enough to break the digital threshold and be received.
Generally anything with 2 bars or less is of poor quality and obviously too far away to be decoded correctly.

If the Scanner stops on a good strong signal and 5 bars are showing on the signal indicator, this is one frequency that you should write down for future reference.

You can also push HOLD while the Scanner has paused on the control channel.
If it is active you will hear traffic within a few seconds.
Push HOLD again to release the scanner back into search mode – DO NOT PUSH SCAN.

When there is activity you will see text similar to this example - ID:2913

You may also hear encrypted talk goups. These will make an annoying `Metallic’ sound.                      
You may see and ID Number but no voice, this is an encrypted talk group and cannot be decoded into voice.

While there is no traffic (No ID number showing) look at the bottom of the screen and you will see a frequency displayed.

Write this frequency down. This is your control channel.
Remember, five signal bars is best.

Do not worry about any frequency displayed while there is voice traffic (when a ID number is showing) as this is a voice channel frequency and will not work if you enter it as a control channel.

For example.   The scanner has stopped and you can see SID:03DCh-001 on the screen, all is quiet and the frequency 413.3875 is displayed at the bottom of the screen, the signal indicator is showing 5 bars.

This means 413.3875 is your control channel.

If there suddenly is voice activity and a ID number is displayed, the frequency at the bottom of the screen will change, this is NOT the control channel, this is a designated voice channel.

Wait until the transmission ends and the original control channel will be displayed again, returning to 413.3875.

Only the strongest control channels found should be used. In an average search you may only find one or two with a standard antenna, maybe three or four with a larger outdoor antenna.

You can enter all in your scanner, but remember that entering a weaker control channel simply because you found one, does not help the scanner work any better.
 If anything it can cause more problems especially with a larger outdoor antenna.

Only enter good strong quality frequencies…

Once you have completed your search and are happy with the one or two control channels you have located, you can now create a system to monitor the SA GRN/NSW GRN in your area.

Make sure you have written down the active control channel/s on your note pad you will need to reference this information in the next step.

Ozscan Document: Control Channels V1:1 15/05/2018

Creating a P25 System.

These instructions related to the following models: UBCD396T – UBCD996T – UBCD396XT – UBCD325P2AU.

To create a system to monitor the new SA GRN P25 (or similar) system you will require the control channel that is being used in your area.

If you do not already have access to this information, you can find the active control channel by simply doing a custom search – refer to Part One.

For these instructions it will be assumed that you have your local control channel/s.

UBCD396T and UBCD996T start here.

Turn your Scanner ON.

While in Scan mode, push the MENU button (UBCD396T – Menu pad is on the left side of Scanner)

This will open up the Scanners Menu screen.

Program System will be highlighted.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

The Select System menu will now be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll and highlight New System. (if not already highlighted)

Once New System has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Select System Type Menu will be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll and highlight MOT (Motorola).

Push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

MOT menu screen will be displayed.

By default, P25 will be highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Menu will ask to confirm again, push the E.Yes button.

Processing Please Wait will appear.

The System 1 Menu will now appear.

By default, Edit Name will be highlighted.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

You can now edit the name for the new system. Naming the system makes it easier to reference.

For this example we will use – SA GRN P25
.

Edit Name menu will be displayed.

To remove the current ‘System’ alpha tag, push the .NO button three times.

This process will remove the default text from the screen leaving a blank display for you to enter your own text.

To input text – use the following procedure.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll it left or right to find the required letter or number, the text will appear under the cursor.

Scroll until you find the capital letter `S’.

Once you have the letter `S’ appearing, push the 6 keypad to move the cursor to the right.

Repeat the process until you have entered the text SA then you push the 6 button twice to create a space to then enter GRN.

Once you have entered GRN you can then push the 6 button twice and create another space and enter P25.  Once you have finished the screen should say SA GRN P25

If you make a mistake while entering the text, use keypad button 4 to go back a place and use the .NO button to erase the incorrect text or simply re-type over the existing text. If you push the .NO button more than once you will erase all the entered text and will have to start over again.

Once SA GRN P25 is displayed on the screen, push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Processing Please Wait will appear and the scanner will revert back to the Edit Name menu.

Your new system name will be displayed at the top of the menu.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll and highlight Edit System Options.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Edit System Options Menu will be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll and highlight Set Quick Key.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Set Quick Key Menu will be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll and highlight a number to access the SA GRN P25 system.

This number will help you turn the system on or off via the keypad.

For this example I will use number 5. (Select a number that is convenient for you to remember or access).

Highlight the numeral 5 on the screen and push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Processing Please Wait will appear.

Screen will revert back to the Edit System Option menu and Set Quick Key will be highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll and highlight ID Scan/ID Search and push the E.Yes button to confirm.

The ID Scan/ID Search Menu will appear.

Using the rotary volume dial highlight ID Search, push the E.Yes button to confirm.

ID Scan is for talk groups already stored in the memory.  ID Search looks for all activity on the SA GRN network and includes the talk groups that you may have already stored. ID search will let you hear ALL activity.

For first time users, select ID Search. If you select ID Scan, the scanner will search its memory looking for talk groups it assumes will be in there.  If there are none entered – you will hear nothing and the Scanner will appear deaf.

The screen will revert back to the Edit System Options menu.

Push the MENU button – Once.

Screen will revert back to previous menu and you should have SA GRN P25 displayed at the top of the screen. Edit System Option will be highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll and highlight Set Frequencies then push the E.Yes button.

Select Frequencies Menu will appear.

By default on a new system – New Frequency will be highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Input Frequency menu will now appear.

Type in the P25 control channel frequency you wish to use for your area.

Only enter control channels of reasonable signal quality and those used in your location. Entering too many control channels of poor quality will result in lost performance of the Scanners ability to decode the signal quickly and correctly.

Remember to enter the decimal point!  If you make a mistake, push the .NO button once to go back one place, twice to remove the entire line.

Once you have input the frequency you wish to use – push the E.Yes button.

The screen will revert back to display the frequency menu.

At this point no changes are required, so push the Menu pad once to take you back into the Select Frequency Menu.

If you have more than one control channel to enter, scroll down the screen and highlight New Frequency again and push the E.Yes button.

You can now enter your second frequency using the same process.

Once completed, push the E.Yes button again to confirm.

The screen will display the frequency menu again.  Disregard these menu options and push the Menu pad once to go back to the Select Frequency menu.

Once you are back in the Select Frequency menu, you can view the frequencies you have entered. 

If you are confident that these are correct, push the Menu pad once.

You will now be back at the SA GRN P25 menu screen and Set Frequencies will be highlighted.

You are now ready to start Scanning.

Push the SCAN button.

You should see `SA GRN P25’ scrolling across the screen and `ID SEARCH’ underneath. If all data has been entered correctly and the correct control channels entered, you should see a small bar graph on the top right hand side of the screen. 
This is the signal strength indicator. A good signal should be between 3 to 5 bars. You should also see the control channel frequencies flash on the bottom of the screen.  
Depending on your location and the amount of active voice traffic you should hear some activity within a few minutes or even seconds.

Once a transmission is heard, you will see the letters `ID’ appear on the screen, followed by a series of numbers – for example ID:3489.  This is a SA GRN talk group ID number. Some of these may be encrypted. 
If this happens and the ID number shows but you receive no voice, there is probably a good chance that this ID is encrypted. 
The SA GRN has encryption on the Police and SA Ambulance service, plus a few others including Fisheries.  The letters ENC will also appear on encrypted talk groups.

When an encrypted talk group ID number appears, you can push the HOLD button. 
While in HOLD mode, push the L/O button (lockout), this will lockout the offending talk group ID.

To resume scanning, push the Scan button or the HOLD button.

If a talk group ID appears that can be heard quite clearly like the Adelaide Fire ID:647 and you wish to save this to the Scanners memory, wait until it appears on the screen and push the HOLD button while they are talking.

While in HOLD mode and the talk group is displayed (ID:649) push the E.Yes button once.

Quick TGID Save will appear on the screen with the ID number 649 (Adelaide Fire).

Push the E.Yes button again to save the ID number.

Processing Please Wait will appear.

The TGID will now be saved into a `Quick Save’ folder in the Scanners memory.

A TGID Menu will appear on the screen letting you edit the name of the TGID should you wish to. 
Editing the TGID name is the same process as editing the System or Site name. 
Once completed simply push the Scan button to resume scanning. 
If you don’t wish to edit the name – simply push the Scan button to resume ID Searching. 
You Scanner should now be in ID Search mode again looking for active TGIDs in your location.

UBCD39XT and UBCD325P2AU start here.

Turn your Scanner ON.

While in Scan mode, push the MENU button (on the UBCD396XT it’s the rubber pad on the left of Scanner).

This will open up the Scanners Menu screen.

Program System will be highlighted.

Push the E.Yes button.

The Select System menu will now be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial – scroll and highlight New System. (if not already highlighted)

Once New System has been highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

Select System Type Menu will be displayed.

By default, P25 will be highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm your selection.

P25 Menu will appear in the top left of the screen.

 Standard Trunk will be highlighted, push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Menu will ask to confirm again, push the E.Yes button.

Processing Please Wait will appear.

The new system default name will now appear with a letter P to the far right of the screen. (P=P25)

It will display System 1    P25

By default, Edit Name will be highlighted.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Edit Name will be displayed across the top of the screen with the default text underneath.

You can now edit the name for the new system. 

Naming the system makes it easier to reference.

For this example we will use – SA GRN P25.

To remove the current ‘System’ alpha tag displayed on the screen, push the .NO button twice.

This process will remove the default text from the screen leaving a blank display for you to enter your own text.

To input text – use the following procedure.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll it left or right to find the required letter or number, the text will appear under the cursor.

Scroll until you find the capital letter `S’.

Once you have the letter `S’ appearing, push the 6 keypad to move the cursor to the right.

Repeat the process until you have entered the text SA then you push the 6 button twice to create a space to then enter GRN.

Once you have entered GRN you can then push the 6 button twice and create another space and enter P25.

Once you have finished the screen should say SA GRN P25

If you make a mistake while entering the text, use keypad button 4 to go back a place and type over the text you have already entered or push the .No Button once to delete the single highlighted symbol. Push the .NO button twice to erase the ALL text.

Once SA GRN P25 is displayed on the screen, push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Processing Please Wait will appear and the scanner will revert back to the previous menu, but will now have SA GRN P25 written at the top of the screen. Edit Name will be highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll down and highlight Edit System Options.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Edit System Options Menu will be displayed with Set Number Tag highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll down and highlight ID Scan/Search.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

ID Scan/Search Menu will be displayed and by default ID Search should be highlighted.

If not, use the rotary volume dial, scroll and highlight ID Search.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Screen will revert back to previous Edit System Options Menu and ID Scan/Search will be 
highlighted.

You now need to back out of that Menu screen so push the Menu button once.

SA GRN P25 Menu will be displayed and Edit System Option will be highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll down and highlight Edit Site.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Select Site menu will now be displayed and New Site will be highlighted.

Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Processing Please Wait will appear.

The Site Menu will now be displayed. (By Default it will show the site as a new number and P25 to the right of the screen.)

It is a good idea to name the site where the control channels are located. A Site is where the tower is located that transmits and receives the information from the control channel/s.

Using the same principle as naming the System, give the site location a name so you can reference it later if needed.

For this example – name the site `Adelaide’. (Remember - name the site relevant to its location.)

To input text for the site name – use the following procedure.

Edit Name will be highlighted. Push the E.Yes button.

To remove the default text (Default display setting will have Site   1-1   P25 written on the screen) push the .NO button twice, leaving you a blank screen to input your own text.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll it left or right to find the required letter or number, the text will appear under the cursor.

Enter a new name for the site location. Use the same method used to enter text for the System.

Once completed and you have created a name for the site, push the E.Yes button.

The new name of your site will appear at the top of the screen. This is your Site Menu.

Using the rotary volume dial scroll down and highlight Set Quick Key and push the E.Yes button.

Set Quick Key menu will be displayed.

Using the rotary volume dial highlight a number that is convenient for you to remember or access. 

This number will be associated with the System and give you quick access via the keypad.

For this example use select number 1. Push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Screen will revert back to previous menu and SA GRN P25 will be displayed at the top of the screen.

Set Quick Key will be highlighted.

Using the rotary volume dial, scroll down the screen and highlight Set Frequencies.

Then push the E.Yes button.

Select Frequencies menu will now be displayed and New Frequency will be highlighted.

Push the E.Yes button.

Input Frequency menu will now be displayed.

Type in the P25 control channel frequency you wish to use for your area.

Only enter control channels of reasonable signal quality and those used in your location. Entering too many control channels of poor quality will result in lost performance of the Scanners ability to decode the signal quickly and correctly.

Remember to enter the decimal point!  If you make a mistake, push the .NO button and re-enter the text.

Once you have input the frequency you wish to use – push the E.Yes button.

Processing Please Wait will appear.

The Frequency Menu will now be displayed with the frequency you just entered at the top of the screen.

Edit Frequency will be highlighted.

To enter a second frequency, use the rotary volume dial and scroll down the screen and highlight New Frequency again. Then push the E.Yes button.

You can now enter a second control channel is you have one available.

Once you have entered a second frequency push the E.yes button.

You have now entered two control channels for the site location.

In a built up area like a city, there may be serval control channels within a small area. Instead of creating multiple sites, you can enter several control channels into one site. The Scanner will pick the strongest control channel from the group and use this one. However I would still suggest limiting your amount of control channels to no more than perhaps 4 at the most. If you have more than ten, create a more sites and enter the extra control channels there.                                                                                                                                                    
Remember that there is no point entering 10 control channels in the site if 6 of them are more than 10 kms away.                                                   
Only enter control channels that are again, of good signal quality and reception for the area you’re trying to monitor.

If you are travelling – this is where you may wish to create a second or even third site. For example if you lived in Adelaide and your work activities took you to Murray Bridge weekly, you would create a series of sites that the scanner could track as it travelled. Similar to how a mobile phone jumps to different mobile phone towers as you travel.

Once you have entered all the control channels you wish to use, push the MENU button twice to return to the Site Menu and Set Frequencies is highlighted again.

You are now ready to Scan.

Push the SCAN button to commence scanning

You should see the name of the Site/s you created across the screen and `ID SEARCH’ underneath. 

If all steps have been followed correctly and the correct control channels entered, you should see a small bar graph on the top right hand side of the screen. 
This is the signal strength indicator.

A good signal should be between 3 to 5 bars. You should also see the control channel frequencies flash on the bottom of the screen.  
Depending on your location and the amount of active voice traffic you should hear some activity within a few minutes or even seconds.

Once a transmission is heard, you will see the letters `ID’ appear on the screen, followed by a series of numbers – for example ID:3489.  
This is a SA GRN talk group ID number. 
Some of these may be encrypted. If this happens and the ID number shows but you receive no voice, there is probably a good chance that this ID is encrypted. 
The SA GRN has encryption on the Police and SA Ambulance service, plus a few others including Fisheries.  
The letters ENC will also appear on encrypted talk groups.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

When an encrypted talk group ID number appears, you can lock it out by pushing the L/O button while the TGID is on the screen. 
By pushing the L/O button it will temporarily lock out the offending TGID until the Scanner is powered off and powered back on again.     
                                                                                    

When a TGID appears like the Adelaide Fire ID:647 and you wish to save this to the Scanners memory, wait until it appears on the screen and push the E.Yes button while the TGID is active.

The Screen will say “Quick TGID Save?” and the TGID 647 will be also displayed.

If you want to save it – push the E.Yes button.

A TGID menu will now appear. With the TGID number shown at the top of the screen.

Edit Name will be highlighted. Push E.Yes to continue editing.

If you don’t wish to edit the name – simply push the Scan button to resume ID Searching and the TGID will be stored as a number only in a quick save group.

Giving the TGID a name will make it easier to see who is talking next time that TGID is used. 
Instead of the number appearing on the screen, you will see the alpha tag you created for that TGID.

Editing the TGID name is the same process as editing the System or Site name. 
Once completed simply push the Scan button to resume scanning.

You Scanner should now be in ID Search mode again looking for active TGIDs in your location.

Ozscan Document: Creating a P25 System V1:6 

Spotted something wrong? Let me know! E-mail me at ozscan@outlook.com

Sentinel Software for the Uniden UBCD436PT and UBCD536PT.

Sentinel Software.

The following information and instructions are based on a Windows 7 operating system.

Sentinel version - UBCDx36 is for use with the following Scanners - UBCD436PT and UBCD536PT.
This software is NOT compatible with the US models BCD436HP or the BCD536HP.

The actual individual data files, known as a 'Favorites' that are created using the software can be shared between the US and AU models - this requires that the user imports the individual file into their respective software.
If you create a 'Favorite' in the AU version of the software it can be imported into the US version of the software, but the actual software itself does not communicate or recognise Scanners from a different country.


For the latest version of Australian Sentinel Software please use this link.
https://www.uniden.com.au/product/ubcd436pt-au/#1508302157496-9588945a-630b

Click on the PC programming Tool "Sentinel" download tab.
Follow the instructions to install the software.

Once 'Sentinel' has been downloaded and opened, you can now connect your Scanner.

 

 

 

 

1. Power up the Scanner.

 

2. Connect your Scanner, insert the supplied USB lead into the computer. Then insert the other smaller end into the USB port on the right hand side of the Scanner. The Scanner will not recognise the connection until it is put into PC Programming mode. (Desktop model UBCD536PT has USB connection on front panel)

 

3. Push the MENU pad on the left hand side of the Scanner. (Front panel on UBCD536PT) This will bring up the MENU display.

Using the volume dial, scroll through the screen until 'Settings' is highlighted. then push the E.Yes  button to confirm your selection.

This will open up the Settings Menu on the Scanner.

 

4. Using the volume dial, scroll down the menu display until "PC Programming" is highlighted, then push the E.Yes button to confirm.

Your Scanner will display - PC Programming Mode ?, select E.Yes to confirm.

Your Scanner will now go into PC Programming mode.

 

The Scanner should now be connected to your computer and should communicate with the software when required.

 

At this point you can either download information from the Scanner to Sentinel or upload information from Sentinel to your Scanner.

 

For this example I will show you how to download from the Scanner.

 

5. on the top left hand side of Sentinel there are 7 tabs to select as shown here..

File  Edit  View  Scanner Update Tools Help

 

 

 

Select Scanner by placing your mouse over the tab and left clicking.

 

A small drop down menu will now appear.

Left click on Read From Scanner.

 

 

A box will now appear and if connected correctly to the computer, your Scanners ESN (electronic serial number) will appear inside a blue band as shown in the example below.

 

 

 

Click the OK tab to confirm.

 

The software will now download the information from the Scanner to the software.

 

Once the data is downloaded to Sentinel you can now modify the files to suit your individual needs.

 

Check back here soon for additional information!!!

 

You can also view a video here of how to import a HPE file into Sentinel.

 

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN_EFNfk0zo&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Save a frequency - UBCD396XT and UBCD325P2-AU

How to create a system, a group and store a frequency.

UBCD396XT and UBCD325P2-AU Models

Sometimes it’s handy to be able to store your own frequencies in your own system that you can access at the push of a button and modify at your own leisure.
This quick guide will show you how to create your own system then create a group to store your frequencies in.
Groups are a collection of individual channels.  A group could store all the active Police channels in your area. Another group could store the Fire brigades local channels.
Channels are nothing without the frequency. A channel is where you store your frequency. If you have ten frequencies – you will need ten channels.
For this example we want to create a system that is our own, something that we can store our own information and monitor with ease of operation.

The system you want to create should be something relevant to your location and perhaps an indication of what information is also stored inside the system.

For example – Melb Emgcy Srvcs, may be what the system could be called. (Abbreviated of course from Melbourne Emergency Services- limitations of the alpha tagging max out at around 16 symbols)
The groups inside the system could be Police, Fire and SES.
This indicates the obvious – the system is in the Melbourne Metro Area and contains the emergency services including the Police – Fire and SES.  
An even simpler system could be the name of your local town and the group could be the local postcode.

The following example will give you a basic example of a very simple system and group.

CREATING A SYSTEM
Push the MENU button.
Program System will be highlighted. This is where you can create a new system.
Push the E.Yes button
The Select System menu will now be displayed.

At this point you can scroll down the que to see what is actually stored in your Scanner, by highlighting your selected System you can then modify it through further menu options. For this example we wish to create a new ‘System’.

So scroll down the que until New System is highlighted.
Push the E.Yes button
The Select Sys (System) Type menu will now be displayed.

This menu gives you the option to select which type of system to create.        

For this example we are going to select ‘Conventional’ as the system we want to create will contain analogue frequencies only.  By using simple analogue frequencies we do not have to worry about digital trunking networks and the associated configurations needed.

Scroll down the menu until Conventional is highlighted, then push the E.Yes button.
The Scanner will ask you to confirm your selection, push the E.Yes button again.
Processing Please Wait will appear on the screen.

The next menu will be the default name setting of the system. If you look at the top of the screen it will have the word System and then a number after it. Depending on how many systems are already stored in the scanner, it will display the next sequential number of the new system. If you have already 12 systems in operation it would show ‘System 13’at the top of the screen. It will also have a small letter ‘C’ to the right of the screen to indicate it’s a ‘conventional system.

Edit Name will be highlighted.

I would suggest changing the name to something a little more user friendly. Perhaps for this example you could enter the name of your city/town? I will use Adelaide for this example.

Push the E.Yes button to edit the system name.

Edit Name menu will now be displayed.

To remove the current alpha text on the screen - push the .No button twice. This will remove the default alpha tag of ‘System #’.  You can create new text for your system by using the volume dial and rotating it left or right and you will see text appear on the screen where the cursor is. I’m calling my system ‘Adelaide’ so I will select capital A to start with. To enter the second letter push the 6 button once to move the cursor to the next position.  Repeat the process of selection again until you have completed the name of your system. If you make a mistake push the 4 button and it will move the cursor back and you can make a correction – to leave a space – push the 6 button twice and it will create a space between words.  These clues are also shown on the bottom of the screen.

Once you have entered the name you have chosen for your system you can then push the E.Yes button.

The screen will now revert back to the System menu screen and display the name of the system you have created at the top of the screen. You now have to give your system a quick key number to make accessing it easier. By giving the system a quick key number you can turn it ON or OFF via the keypad. If you do not give the system a quick key, the default setting is ON.

While the scanner is in the system menu screen, scroll down the screen and highlight  Edit Sys Option.
Push the E.Yes button.
Edit Sys Option screen will now be displayed and Set Quick Key should be highlighted .Push the E.Yes  button.                                                                                                                                                
Set Quick Key menu will now be displayed.

At this point you can now select a quick key number to allocate to your new system. Make sure that it is a quick key that is not already allocated to an existing system.

Using the volume dial, scroll down the que then select a number that you wish to allocate to the new system you created. Once you have highlighted a number that you wish to use, push the E.Yes button. The Screen will now revert back to the Edit Sys Option menu and Set Quick Key should be highlighted again.

We now have to create a group to store our frequencies. Imagine a group being a folder on your computer. Each group contains information relevant to the system. The system being of course the main folder where they are all stored. Each group could store the individual frequencies for each service. One group could be for Police, one for Fire and one for SES.  These groups can even be given quick key numbers to turn them on or off.

While the Scanner is in the Edit Sys Option menu – push the Menu button to revert back to the System screen. Edit Sys Option should be highlighted.

Using the volume dial, scroll down the que and highlight Edit Group. Then push the E.Yes button.
Select Group Menu will now be displayed.
Highlight New Group if it is not already and push the E.Yes button.
The Group 1 menu will now be displayed.

Here is your chance to re-name the group into something more familiar. For my example I’m going to name my group the postcode of Adelaide – ‘5000’.

Edit Name will be highlighted – push the E.Yes button.

Repeat the same process as you created a name for the system.
To remove the current alpha text on the screen  - push the .No button twice. This will remove the default alpha tag of ‘Group 1’.  You can create new text for your group by using the volume dial and rotating it left or right and you will see text appear on the screen where the cursor is. I’m calling my group ‘5000’ so I will select number 5 to start with. To enter the second number or letter, push the 6 button once to move the cursor to the next position.  Repeat the process of selection again until you have completed the name of your group. If you make a mistake push the 4 button and it will move the cursor back and you can make a correction – to leave a space – push the 6 button twice and it will create a space between words.  These clues are also shown on the bottom of the screen.

Once you have entered the name for your group, push the E.Yes button.

I entered ‘5000’ (Postcode of Adelaide) as it’s an easy reference point. I can now put in frequencies relevant to the postcode of Adelaide. By creating other groups I can put in the postcodes of other suburbs of Adelaide if I choose. Then I have a series of groups that I can turn on or off as I travel around Adelaide, by using the postcodes as a reference.  This is one way to create groups, they don’t have to be by postcode, they can be named after whatever you wish to use. You are only limited by your imagination.

Once the group name has been completed and you have pushed the E.Yes button, the screen will revert back to the Group menu and the name of your group should be displayed on the Screen.

You now need to scroll down the que and give your group a quick key number.
Scroll down the menu and highlight Set Quick Key then push the E.Yes button.

Set Quick Key menu will now be displayed.  Highlight number 1 and push the E.Yes button.

The screen will now return to the previous menu.
Highlight Edit Channel and push the E.Yes button.

This is where you can now entered the frequency or frequencies you wish to monitor. Make sure you have them somewhere easy to access. Write them down on a notepad.

Select Channel menu will now be displayed.

Highlight New Channel and push the E.Yes button. Input Frequency menu will now be displayed.

For this example I am going to use the frequency 412 .3875 – Using the Keypad type in the frequency that you wish to use from your list. Make sure you enter the frequency correctly! Once you have entered the frequency you want to monitor, push the E.Yes button.

The screen will revert back to the previous menu and you can now edit the name of the channel.

Edit Name will be highlighted.

Editing the frequency name is the same method as changing the name of the system and the group. By giving the frequency a name means that when it stops on that frequency/channel it will display the name of the user making it easier to see who it is.

If you choose not to create a name, scroll down the menu and select highlight New Channel.

Push the E.Yes button again.

Enter your next frequency and then push the E.Yes button again.

This time the menu will default directly back to highlight New Channel.

Repeat the process of entering frequencies until you have entered the ones you wish to monitor. Manual entry is slow and time consuming so it is recommended that if you wish to enter multiple frequencies, you should familiarise yourself with available software.  In regards to the frequencies modulation and step size, the default settings on the Scanner should be fine. If you are using a US model Scanner you may want to adjust the modulation and step size settings via the Select Channel menu.

Once you have entered all your frequencies, you are now ready to monitor you system.

To start monitoring the frequencies you have entered, simply push the SCAN button and put the Scanner into Scan mode.

If the frequencies are active – you should hear something within a few minutes depending on of course the time of the day etc. Most business frequencies are busy during the day and obviously quite at night. 

If you can’t hear or see the name of your system on the screen, make sure that you have activated it via the Quick Key.  Sometimes a system that has only a few frequencies entered may flash across the screen very quickly making it hard to see if it’s actually being monitored.

You can also check to see if your system is active by looking at the bottom of the screen.

There are two lines S and GRP.  
S represents the system/s that is active and GRP represents the groups inside the system being monitored.

For example – if your system has quick key number 23 allocated to it, the screen would look like this.

S2 **3******

GRP 1 ---------

S2 = System active in the 21 to 29 range.

* = systems that are OFF. (21,22,24,25,26,27,28 and 29 are all OFF)

GRP 1 = Group one of system 23 is active.

Once you hear activity, you can push the HOLD button and monitor the channel for more conversations. To resume scanning, push the HOLD button again or the SCAN button.

These instructions are a basic guide to the operation of the Scanner and it is recommended that you read the supplied manual for more in depth information. While every effort is made to be accurate as possible in providing the information, sometimes mistakes happen – should you come across something that requires editing, please contact me directly at ozscan@outlook.com

Revised Post - not yet submitted.

UBCD325P2 FREEScan instructions.

How to use FREEScan software with your UBCD325P2
Windows 7 instructions.
Windows 8 or higher may require the install of an additional driver.

The Uniden UBCD325P2-AU is the Australian version of the US Model BCD325P2.

To connect your UBCD325P2-au to the computer and upload software to the Scanner will require some basic computer knowledge. If you are not confident in saving pictures from your Camera to your computer, you may want to reconsider before attempting this. While every effort is made to keep these instructions as easy as possible some degree of computer experience would be of an advantage.

You must download the latest version of FREEScan software to use with the UBCD325P2-AU. Older versions of FREEScan will not work.

You can download the latest version of FREEScan here.
http://free-scan.net/


Once you have installed the updated version of FREEScan connect your Scanner to your computers USB port with the supplied USB cable.
Make sure that the UBCD325P2 is powered up - prior to connecting to the computers USB port. There are no adjustments required to the Scanner.




If your using Windows 7 you should not experience any problems with the computer recognising the USB device (UBCD325P2).
However if you are using Windows 8 or later, you may experience some issues with the drivers required.
If you do experience issues with the FREEScan software not recognising your Scanner or the USB connection - please click on this link to download a driver update from UNIDEN.
http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/BCD325P2


Open FREEScan software.
To check if your UBCD325P2 is recognised by the software, click on the Scanner Tab on the top left hand side of the software.

If your using a Windows 8 or later - this is where you will find out if the Scanner has been recognised by the Computer.
A small drop down menu will appear.
Select Download Programming.
A Smaller box will appear on the screen, with the title FREEScan -Read from Scanner.
There will be an empty box (white background) on the left hand side.
Click on the Que System List tab.
This will populate the box will all the systems currently installed in the Scanner.
If you wish to download them all , click the Check All tab.
All the systems will all have a tick beside them if you selected them all. At this point there are no other adjustments required, click on the Start Download tab.
Provided the computer has recognised the UBCD325P2 the software will now start downloading data from the Scanner.
Depending on how much data is on the Scanner this could take a few seconds to a few minutes.
Once completed, click the close tab.
you can now access the data via the software.


You can find more information regarding FREEScan and windows operating systems here.
http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FreeScan_User_Guide

To upload a file to your Scanner.

if you have been sent a FREEScan file as an attachment via e-mail, the first thing you should do is save the file somewhere familiar on your computer, in your documents or on the desktop.

When the FREEScan software is open, click on the File tab on the far left corner of the software and a drop down menu will appear.
Click on the Open tab.
Find the location of your saved file and double click on it to open it in FREEScan.
Once the file loads in FREEScan you can now upload it to your Scanner.                        Click on the Scanner tab.
When the menu box drops down again, click on Upload Programming.
Using the same principle of selection as before, either click the ALL tab or manually go through the list of systems you want to upload and tick the respective boxes in the column.
Once you have made your selection, click the Start Upload tab.
Before you actually upload the data - I might suggest ticking the ERASE ALL SYSYEMS AND SETTINGS.
This will create a clean install and remove all the factory data that generally is out of data.
The only other settings you would want ticked are the
Send System Quick Key Status and the Automatically resume Scanning tabs.

Depending on the data - it will take anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes to upload to the Scanner.

Once completed - click the Close tab.

You can now remove your Scanner fro your computer.