FAQ Contents
- What is the BC895XLT?
- What is a TrunkTracker?
- What is a Trunked Radio System (TRS)?
- Will it track Motorola systems?
- Will it track GE/Ericsson EDACS systems?
- Will it track Narrowband EDACS systems?
- Will it track LTR systems?
- Will it work on digitally trunked systems?
- What frequency ranges will it TrunkTrack in?
- What's its overall frequency coverage?
- Will Uniden support the 895 when rebanding occurs?
- What is Multi-Track?
- What's a trunking or talk group ID?
- What's a Scan List?
- What's a Fleet Map?
- Where can I find out more about the systems in my area?
- What can you do with the computer control?
- How can I find software to interface to the 895?
- How can I create/buy an interface cable?
- What modifications are known to work on the 895?
- What does the radio come with?
- Are there errors in the Operating Guide?
- What is the Status Bit?
- How are encrypted IDs handled?
- What is the Disconnect Tone Detect function?
- Can I clone one BC895 to another?
- Can I tune VHF Federal band frequencies without round off error?
- Can I change the radio's baud rate for computer control?
- Can I record talkgroups in trunked mode?
- My backlight is going out/dim. What can I do?
- Are there special keyboard commands and what do they do?
- I lost/didn't get an owner's manual. Where can I get one?
- Are there other sources of BC895XLT information or trunking in general?
What is the BC895XLT?
The BC895XLT is Uniden America Corporation's first generation TrunkTracker scanning
desktop receiver.
Not only can it function as a "conventional" scanner, it is also able to
follow the radio traffic on Motorola analog trunked radio systems.
What is a TrunkTracker?
A TrunkTracker is a specially programmed scanning receiver which has been
"taught" how to decode a number of trunked radio systems. Having this ability
allows it to listen to such a system quite effectively which is not usually
possible with just a "conventional" scanner.
What is a Trunked Radio System (TRS)?
A trunked radio system is a specialized radio system consisting of multiple
frequencies (usually between 5 and 30) utilized by complex radios which are all
controlled by a specialized computer.
Each time a user presses the transmit key to send a message, the computer
picks an empty frequency to broadcast on. Through the use of a dedicated
computer control frequency that all radios monitor, the computer is able to
inform all radios which frequency in the system should be tuned to hear the
broadcast.
Since the computer is picking the physical frequency being used and due to
other radio traffic on the same system, a single conversation between two users
can take place on multiple physical frequencies. Or, in other words, it can
"hop around" a lot which can make effective listening using a conventional
scanner downright frustrating, if not impossible.
TrunkTrackers are specially programmed to be able to monitor the control
data of the radio system so as the conversations move to new frequencies, it
tunes the scanner to the appropriate frequency so nothing is missed!
Will it track Motorola systems?
Yes, it will TrunkTrack Motorola Type I, Type II, Hybrid, Smartzone and Smartnet
ANALOG systems located in the 800 MHz range ONLY.
Will it track GE/Ericsson EDACS systems?
No
Will it track Narrowband EDACS systems?
No
Will it track LTR systems?
No.
Will it work on digitally trunked systems?
No. Only Motorola analog systems.
What frequency ranges will it TrunkTrack in?
849-869 MHz
What's its overall frequency coverage?
29-54, 108-174, 216-400, 406-512, 806-956 MHz
Mil-air enthusiasts should note that although the 138-144 MHz band is covered, you cannot change
the mode to AM; so mil-air reception in this band is not possible.
Will Uniden support the 895 when rebanding occurs?
According to a statement from Uniden, the 895 will not be supported when the
reallocation of the 800 Mhz band ('rebanding') takes place. See this page
for more information.
What is Multi-Track?
Multi-Track is part of the new TrunkTracker II technology that not only allows
multiple trunked systems to be tracked simultaneously, but it allows
conventional frequencies to be scanned at the same time.
The BC895 is not itself capable of Multi-Track operation; however, it can be made
to use this function with the use of the Winscan software.
CAUTION: The use of Multi-Track may stress the memory chip in the radio. Use at your own risk.
What's a trunking or talk group ID?
On conventional radio systems, we tend to associate physical frequencies with
the agencies that use them. On trunked radio systems, a different
representation must be used since any frequency can be used by any agency on
that system.
Since a trunked radio system is at the mercy of the computer controller, it is
beneficial to use the same representation that it does to identify the various
agencies found on a system. This is done when the system is first installed
and programmed with various numbers which are used to identify different
agencies and their different purposes. Such numbers are generally referred to
as trunking IDs or talk group IDs.
One of the TrunkTracker's tasks is to display the ID of the user when it
detects a transmission on the system. If you have no reference for the system
you use, you'll have to figure out which agencies use each ID and for what
purpose. Once this is done, you can select the IDs you wish to monitor
exclusively and program them into a Scan List.
What's a Scan List?
To make an analogy, a Scan List is to a trunking ID what a conventional memory
bank is to a frequency. In a conventional scanner, you program frequencies into
a bank to control who you listen to by selecting various banks for scanning.
On a TrunkTracker, you program trunking IDs into the Scan Lists to do the same
thing! Find out which IDs you want to listen to and then divide them up into
useful groupings (usually by agency). You can then program each grouping into
a separate Scan List (the BC245XLT has 10 Scan Lists with each capable of
holding ten IDs).
Once the Scan Lists are programmed, you start scanning in trunked mode and can
select which Scan Lists to listen to thus directing who you hear!
What's a Fleet Map?
This is a term used to represent how a trunked radio system is configured. That
is, the number and types of radios that make up that system. The Fleet Map
itself can be thought as a table which divides the system into blocks and lists
the number of radios in each block.
Most times, the default Fleet Map that the TrunkTracker picks will be good
enough to follow most trunked systems. However, older Type I and Hybrid (Type
I and II together) systems might not be effectively monitored with this default
Fleet Map. You'll know it because you'll see both even and odd IDs on the LCD
and you may even miss some replies while trying to follow conversations. If the
Fleet Map does not match the system being monitored, the TrunkTracker can't
track it 100%.
TrunkTrackers come with 16 predefined Fleet Maps. These are a good place to
start experimenting to see what might work better for your system. If these
don't do the trick, you have the ability to modify them so that they match
your system configuration exactly. You can find out more about determining fleet maps
for unknown systems here.
Where can I find out more about the systems in my area?
Numerous scanning reflectors on QTH.Net and Yahoo groups.
Police Call Plus (in RadioShack stores and carried by some larger radio dealers).
What can you do with the computer control?
By connecting the BC895XLT to your computer through an available serial port,
not only can you upload and download frequency and trunking data, you can also
remotely control the radio using your mouse and keyboard!
Think of the benefits from having a program control your scanner all day while
you're at work. It can record audio transmissions and log all frequency and
trunking IDs that were used. When you're ready, you can look over the data and
see if it's turned up discoveries you haven't made through manual monitoring!
How can I find software to interface to the 895?
Check the BC895 and BC895XLT Yahoo groups; 2 programs are in the 'files' section. PC895 (the grandfather
of Winscan) and Freetracker. If you pick up Freetracker, be sure to pick up the latest beta,
along with the accompanying database files.
In addition, there are several software packages that work with the 895. Check the 'links' section of the
BC895XLT Yahoo group or our Software page. Here you will also
find several reviews so you can evaluate the software before you buy.
How can I create/buy an interface cable?
The 5 pin connector can be made from audio out cable from a CD Rom drive
You can get some more information here.
Here is a chart showing the pin configurations on a DB-9/DB-25 connector:
| RS-232 |
DB-9 |
DB-25 |
BC-895 |
| TxD |
3 |
2 |
1 or 5 (shorted together in 895) |
| RxD |
2 |
3 |
2 or 4 (shorted together in 895) |
| Gnd |
5 |
7 |
3 |
Pre Fabricated cables;
Computer Aided Technologies has them (CAT-895) for USD29.95 plus shipping
3D Technologies is now selling adaptors and cables. Look at this site
and click on the 'accessories' link.
What modifications are known to work on the 895?
There are 2; one has to do with fixing the squelch response, the other is where to tap the baseband audio.
The URLs for these are:
Note:If you plan to hook up a tone decoder, you should be aware that tones on VHF Lo band tend
to read inverted. This is a 895 design flaw and cannot be changed.
What does the radio come with?
- AC Adapter
- Plug in whip antenna
- Operating Guide
- Trunking Frequency Guide
- Starter Frequency Guide
Are there errors in the Operating Guide?
More like an omission; you can change your step sizes when tuning the radio by hitting the 'Step' key. This trick
also works when programming a frequency. This is not documented in the owner's manual (Thanks to Rich Carper who
pointed this out).
On page 46 of the manual a reference is made to Scan List numbers, but the Scan Lists are designated by letters A - J.
What is the Status Bit?
The status bit is a piece of information encoded in the computer data stream
designed to designate "special" communications such as encrypted or emergency
signals. While such signals use unique trunking IDs, these are based on
primary trunking ID assignments. So while the police dispatch ID might be
272, an emergency call on this ID might be 273 (272 + 1).
The BC895XLT TrunkTracker would show all these signals with their unique
trunking ID assignments so you could see 272 and 273.
How are encrypted IDs handled?
If you have no read the section 'What is the Status Bit', then do so now
before proceeding.
Unlike its newer cousin, the BC245XLT, the 895 does not have a method of checking status bits
on the talkgroup, so you will see the talkgroup; but hearing the audio will be another matter :.)
Can I clone one BC895 to another?
No, cloning is not supported in the BC895.
Can I tune VHF Federal band frequencies without round off error?
Yes. The VHF Federal band is assigned frequencies in 12.5 kHz steps. These frequencies can be entered
into a channel without round off error with the following procedure.
Example: program channel 34 with 165.0375.
- Press MANUAL 3 4 MANUAL
- Press STEP until the display flashes 12.5KHz
- Press 1 6 5 . 0 3 7 5 E (ENTER)
The STEP key can be used to enter frequencies in 12.5 kHz steps in the ranges
29-54 and 137-174 MHz where the step size is ordinarily 5 kHz. It can also be used
to enter frequencies in 5 kHz steps in the ranges 225-512 and 806-956 MHz where
the step size is ordinarily 12.5 kHz.
Can I change the radio's baud rate for computer control?
Yes. To change the baud rate, with the radio off press and hold the ALRT/RMT key and turn the power on.
The baud rate is displayed. Press LIMIT to change the speed (2400, 4800, 9600 bps). Press
enter for the desired data rate and then turn the radio off and back on.
Can I record talkgroups in trunked mode?
Yes. Talkgroups can be recorded using the AUX function to control a tape recorder,
but only if talkgroups are entered in the scan list.
What is the Disconnect Tone Detect function?
When monitoring Motorola systems, the radio knows to stop monitoring a
transmission and return to the control channel when it detects a series of
sub-audible "disconnect" tones. Unfortunately, on some systems, outside
interference can trick the radio into thinking it has received these tones. The
result? The radio will abandon a transmission before it is completed which can
be very frustrating to the listener.
With firmware 1.20 this function can be disabled by the use of the CTCSS key while in trunk mode.
My backlight is going out/dim. What can I do?
Uniden has the replacement bulbs
Part # BPZY0036001
Tel. # 1-800-554-3988
Radio Shack 272-1092 micro lamps
Also referred to as #7219 lamp which is 12 volts dc 60ma
wire terminal base.
Are there special keyboard commands and what do they do?
While turning the scanner on, press/hold the following keys:
- 2+9+4 = Display firmware version
1.15 dCC5H is the original version, serial number 7500xxxx.
The newer firmware is 1.20, serial number 9500xxxx which started around July 1999.
- 2+9+E = Light all LCD segments (and LOAD if key is pressed after)
- 2+9+. = ditto
- 2+9+Limit = LOAD (search range 511 freqs)
- 2+9+Srch = LOAD (14x freqs)
- 2+9+Data = LOAD (Search range 173 freqs)
- 2+9+Dly = Displays flash memory contents as a 3 digit hex address (range 000 to FFF)
and 2 digit hex byte value (00 to FF). Pressing the arrow keys will scroll
through memory addresses one byte at a time. Pressing "." will scroll ahead
256 bytes (100 hex) at a time.
- 2+9+Man = Clear all memories
I lost/didn't get an owner's manual. Where can I get one?
One is available in PDF format in the BC895 group (see below)
Reprints are available direct from Uniden, or you can try these sites
Are there other sources for BC895XLT information or trunking in general?
Bob Parnass also did a review of the 895 in the 12/97 edition of Monitoring Times.
Thanks to Rich Wells, N2MCA who wrote the original FAQ on the BC245XLT which
formed the basis of this document.
Thanks also go to Bill Petrowsky, Paul W2LE, 'radio', Joe M. and rh1067 for
their contributions.
Mike Agner, KA3JJZ
ka3jjz@netscape.com
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