BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 101 BC 278CLT 10 BAND, 100 CHANNEL SCANNER • FULLY PROGRAMMABLE • FULL FREQUENCY LCD READOUT • ALARM CLOCK • AM/FM RADIO • SERVICE SCAN • CHANNEL LOCKOUT • PRIORITY CHANNEL • SCAN DELAY • MEMORY BACKUP • EMERGENCY WEATHER ALERT WITH S.A.M.E.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 102 Precautions Before you read anything else, please observe the following: Uniden DOES NOT represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, DO NOT expose this unit to rain or moisture. Changes or modifications to this product not expressly approved by Uniden, or operation of this product in any way other than as detailed by this Reference Guide, could void your authority to operate this product.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 103 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 About Scanning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Taking Proper Care of Your Scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 1 INTRODUCTION About Scanning Scanning Options Scanning is easy and fun with the BC278CLT 100-Channel Base Scanner with AM/FM Radio. ■ ■ Scan channels you have programmed Scan pre-programmed service and weather channels. What is Scanning? Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most 2-way communications do not transmit continuously (see Types of Communication below).
BC278clt.qxd ■ ■ 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 2 Many more in the 29-54MHz, 108-137MHz, 137-174MHz, 406-512, 108-137MHz, and 806-956MHz ranges AM/FM radio You must program a frequency into each channel you want to use. If you do not have any known local frequencies to program, a Uniden representative should be able to provide you with a few sample frequencies.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 3 GETTING STARTED Installing the BC278CLT AM RADIO ANT AC 10V USE AC-144U ONLY ANT EXT.SP 1. Insert the small plug at the end of the AC Adapter cord into the AC 10V jack on the scanner. 2. Plug the AC Adapter into any standard 120V AC wall outlet. Do not plug into an outlet controlled by a wall switch; it could cause clock reset. 3. Plug the Telescoping Antenna into the ANT. jack. Extend the antenna to its full height.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 4 OPERATION Controls and Functions 7 8 12 BAND 9 10 11 800MHz 6 5 WEATHER ALERT 12 15 20 21 13 16 18 22 19 17 14 1. LCD Display Displays time, channel, frequency, and functions. (Page 6) 2. Numeric Keys Press to program a frequency into each channel for scanning. Also, press for time entries and direct channel access with MANUAL key. And press for channel presets in Radio mode. 3. Decimal Key Press to enter the decimal point in the frequency.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 5 10. WX/ALERT Key Selects Weather Mode. Also Selects Weather Alert ON/OFF in WX Scan mode and WX Hold Mode and S.A.M.E.mode. 11. ALARM Key Turns on the Tone Alarm. Turns the Radio Alarm ON/OFF by pressing the key more than 2 seconds. 12. ALARM SET/DATA Key Press and hold for 2 seconds to enter the Alarm Time Set mode. Press less than 2 seconds to change Data Skip ON/OFF. 13. TIME SET/SERVICE Key Press and hold for 2 seconds to enter the Present Time Set mode.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 23 24 7:34 PM 25 Page 6 26 27 28 37 29 30 31 32 40 41 42 33 34 35 36 43 38 39 23. ALARM Appears when Alarm function is active. Flashes in the snooze function mode. 24. BANK Appears when in Scan mode, Manual mode and Weather mode. 25. 1-5 In Scan Mode, displays the bank being scanned. In Manual Mode, displays the bank number associated with the channel. 26. SCAN Appears when in Scan mode. 27. PRI Displays when priority function is active. 28.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 7 40. AM,FM Appears when receiving band is AM or FM in Radio mode. 41. P Appears next to the channel that has been assigned as the current priority channel. 42. Channel Represents the current channel 1 through 100. 43. Frequency/Time 7-digit display that shows the current frequency and time. Last digit shows A for a.m. P for p.m. Scanning Overview The BC278CLT has 100 memory channels.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 8 CLOCK SET-UP Initial Clock Set-up You may bypass the steps to set the clock. The scanner will function as normal, but the clock and alarm features will not function. 1. When power is initially applied, the display flashes I2:00 P press and hold the TIME SET key until you hear 2 short beeps. 2. Then enter the time directly by pressing the numeric keys. OR Enter the time by pressing the ▼/▲ keys. To scroll through more quickly, press and hold ▼/▲ . 3.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 9 USING THE SCANNER Set the Squelch 1. Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise to the highest setting. WEATHER ALERT 2. Press SCANNER to turn on the scanner. 3. Adjust the VOLUME control until you can hear a steady noise.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 10 4. To set the SQUELCH control to AUTO turn fully counterclockwise until control clicks into place. Or, manually set squelch as follows: ■ Think of squelch as a gate. Turn SQUELCH fully counter clockwise. This raises the “Squelch Gate” so high that only very strong signals can get through. ■ Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise until you hear a hiss. This lowers the “Squelch Gate” so that everything gets through — noise, weak signals, and strong signals.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 11 5. The scanner automatically starts scanning. But if you have not programmed any channels yet, press WX to hear your local weather broadcast. 6. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level. Programming Tips for scanner ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Program one frequency per channel. Channel 1 is the location of the default priority channel. Program the most important frequency, or the one of major interest, into Channel 1.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 12 Programming Scanner Frequencies Before you can use your BC278CLT scanner, you must program the channels (except weather and service frequencies). Follow these steps: Example: Program 420.150 MHz into Channel 12. 1. Press MANUAL to stop scanning. 2. To select the channel (12), press 1, then 2 on the numeric keypad. Then press MANUAL again. OR Press ▼/▲ until channel 12 appears in the display. 3.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 13 4. Press E to complete the entry. The channel . digits stop flashing. Deleting a Scanner Frequency If you want to delete a stored frequency, follow these steps: Example: Delete the frequency in Channel 12. 1. Press MANUAL to stop scanning. 2. To select the channel (12), press 1, then 2 on the numeric keypad. Then press MANUAL again. OR Press ▼/▲ until channel 12 appears in the display. 3. Press 0, then E to complete the entry. The channel digits stop flashing.
BC278clt.qxd . 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 14 The following screen appears. About Memory Back-up Your BC278CLT has a convenient memory back-up system. In the event of a power failure, the scanner will retain channel information for an indefinite amount of time. Channel information is stored in non-volatile memory. Scanning Mode Press SCAN. (When the scanner is first turned on, it is automatically in Scan mode.) Scanning automatically stops on any active channel, except those channels locked out.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 15 To restore the bank number, press the number on the keypad. The bank number appears in the display. . The bank number associated with channel currently being monitored flashes. Manual Mode Press MANUAL any time to stop scanning. The scanner remains on the displayed channel. Press MANUAL to step up to the next channel. If desired, you can press MANUAL repeatedly to manually scan all 100 channels. To scroll through the channels more quickly, press and hold MANUAL.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 16 Direct Channel Access This feature allows you to instantly access a specific channel you want to monitor. Example: Select Channel 4. 1. Press MANUAL to exit scan mode. 2. Press 4. When you press 4, the display changes to 4, but the scanner still monitors the previous channel. 3. Press MANUAL again to successfully complete the direct access to Channel 4. Priority Scanning Priority Scan works like a dual watch function.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 17 To Set the Priority Channel Your BC278CLT has one default Priority Channel per bank. Each priority channel is set at the first channel in the bank. To change the priority channel, determine the frequency most important to you and program it into the desired channel location. Example: To set Channel 5 as the priority channel. 1. Press MANUAL to exit the Scan Mode. 2. Press 5 then MANUAL for direct channel access. Or select channel 5 using the ▼ / ▲ keys. 3.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 18 Channel Lockout You can lock out a channel so it is not scanned. Channel Lockout does not erase the frequency from the channel. You can lock out up to 100 channels, including the Priority channel. Lockout information is retained in the memory when the scanner is turned off. To Lock out a Channel Example: Suppose you want to lock out Channel 2 because it stops on transmissions you don't want to hear. Press LOCKOUT when the scanner stops on Channel 2.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 19 2. Press LOCKOUT again to unlock the displayed channel. L/O no longer appears in the display. Restore All Locked Out Channels To unlock all channels, you must be in the Manual Mode. 1. Press MANUAL. 2. Press and hold LOCKOUT to unlock all channels. The L/O indicator goes out on any channel previously locked out.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 20 To Set Delay in Scan Mode 1. Press SCAN. 2. When your scanner stops on a channel, press DELAY. DLY appears in the display and scanning resume 2 seconds after the transmission ends. To Set Delay in Manual Mode 1. Press MANUAL. 2. Select the channel you want using your keypad. 3. Press MANUAL again. 4. Press DELAY. DLY appears in the display. 20 .
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 21 Searching The BC278CLT can search a specific frequency range to find frequencies. To use the search function, set a search range first. To set the frequency range You can set the frequency range in Manual mode, Service Scan mode, WX mode, and Search Mode. When you wish to set the frequency range for the first time, you cannot enter Search mode. 1. Enter the lowest frequency by using the number keypad 0-9 then press ▼LIMIT. 2.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 22 Search Hold mode 1. Press HOLD▲ or ▼LIMIT at any time to stop the search. 2. Press HOLD▲ to move to the next higher frequency, or press ▼LIMIT to move down to the previous frequency. 3. Press SEARCH to resume searching . Storing Search Frequencies You can quickly store any frequencies you find during search. In Search Hold mode, or, when transmission is received during the search, press E.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 23 Search Skip A scanner normally stops on any transmission it receives. You can set unwanted data signals or transmissions to skip during search (up to 10 frequencies). Press LOCKOUT when the search stops on an unwanted frequency. To cancel this function, press HOLD▲ to hold the search and select the frequency by using HOLD▲ or ▼LIMIT, then press LOCKOUT.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 24 Press WX/ALERT to find the active weather channel in your area. WX icon appears in the display. It is possible that your area is covered by more than one weather station. All weather channels transmit continuous broadcasts. Once the Weather Scan stops on a transmission, it remains on that channel. Weather Scan does not resume automatically. You must press WX/ALERT again to resume weather scanning.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 25 Weather Alert with S.A.M.E. In Weather Alert with S.A.M.E. mode, your scanner functions as a severe weather warning radio. This is especially useful when your area is expecting severe weather conditions late at night. When you set the scanner to Weather Alert mode, it emits a loud siren whenever your local NOAA weather station broadcasts a severe weather emergency tone. 1. Press WX/ALERT to find the active weather channel in your area. WX icon appears in the display.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 26 About S.A.M.E. Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) are NOAA's coded emergency weather signals that identify a specific geographic area affected by an emergency. The BC278CLT receives the emergency weather alert broadcasts that notify you of weather warnings, watches and statements. When you receive S.A.M.E. for your area, your scanner beeps and the display shows as follows.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 27 ADDITIONAL FEATURES LCD Backlight The LCD backlight comes on when the power is applied. In Scan mode, Manual mode, and Weather mode, the backlight stays on bright continuously. In the other modes, the backlight stays bright for ten seconds and then switches to dim. Press any key and the display switches back to bright for ten seconds.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 28 3. Press ▼ or ▲ to set the desired frequency. The channel number flashes. Continue to press ▼ or ▲ to step through the frequencies in 100kHz steps. Or, press and hold ▼ or ▲ to step through the frequencies more quickly until 92.5000MHz appears in the display. 4. Press E to complete the entry. The channel digits stop flashing. 5. Adjust the VOLUME control to a comfortable comfortable listening level.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 29 Deleting a Stored Radio Frequency If you want to delete a stored frequency, follow these steps: Example: Delete the frequency in Channel 9. 1. Press RADIO AM/FM to enter into the Radio mode. 2. To select the channel (9), press 9 on the numeric keypad. 3. Press the ▼ or ▲ keys until 000.0000 appears in the display. (In FM 000.0000 is between i08.0000 and 88.0000. In AM 0000 is between i720 and 520.) 4. Press E to complete the entry. The channel digits stop flashing.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 30 Reset the Clock Time 1. To reset the clock time, simply press and hold the TIME SET key. The display digits flash. 2. Enter the time directly by pressing the numeric keys. OR Enter the time by pressing the ▼ / ▲ keys. 3. Press AM/PM to select the desired setting either a.m. or p.m. 4. Press E to complete the entry. The display stops flashing.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 31 Set the Alarm Time There are two types of alarm sounds with this scanner, Tone Alarm and Radio Alarm. Alarm time is set in the same manner for both types of alarm. 1. After the clock time has been entered, press and hold ALARM SET until the time indicated and ALARM indicator flashes in the display. 2. Enter the alarm time directly by pressing the numeric keys. OR Enter the time by pressing the ▼/▲keys. 3. Press AM/PM to select the desired setting, either a.m. or p.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 32 4. Press E to complete the entry. 5. ALARM indicator and time stop flashing, but remain on. 6. The alarm time remains in the display for five seconds, then returns to current time. Set Alarm to Tone Mode Press ALARM to turn on the alarm function. The ALARM indicator and current alarm time are displayed. When the alarm goes off, it will sound as a series of beeps gradually growing louder. The alarm will continue for approximately 15 minutes if no action is taken.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 33 Turn the Alarm Off Press ALARM to deactivate the alarm function. When the alarm is off, the ALARM indicator and current alarm time are no longer displayed. Only the current time displays. If you would like to listen to the scanner while waking up, turn the scanner on. The snooze function continues to operate while the scanner is turned on and in any mode. If you find the Tone Alarm too loud, select the Radio Mode instead. The volume is adjustable.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 34 Set Alarm to Radio Mode Before you set the Radio Alarm, make sure an AM or FM channel has been selected and the VOLUME control is set to the desired level. You must be in Clock mode(scanner off) to be woken up by the radio alarm. 1. Press OFF. 2. Press and hold ALARM for more than 2 seconds. When the alarm is on, the ALARM and RADIO icons flash for 5 seconds. 3. The ALARM remains on. When the alarm goes off, it will play the radio station that was previously selected.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 35 ABOUT THE UNIT Helpful Hints General Use ■ Turn the scanner off before disconnecting the power. ■ Always write down the programmed frequencies in the event of scanner memory loss. ■ If scanner memory is lost, simply reprogram each channel. The display shows when there has been a memory loss. ■ Always press each keypad button firmly until you hear the entry tone for that key.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 36 TROUBLESHOOTING If your BC278CLT is not performing properly, try the following steps. Problem ■ ■ ■ Scanner won’t power up. Poor reception. Scan won’t start. Solution ■ Check the connections at both ends of the AC Adapter. ■ Turn on the wall switch of your room. You could be using an outlet controlled by the wall switch. ■ Move the AC Adapter to another wall outlet. ■ Check antenna connection. ■ Move the antenna.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 37 Problem ■ ■ Scan won’t stop. Weather Scan won’t work. Solution ■ Adjust squelch to the threshold (Page 9). ■ Check the antenna connection. ■ Check to see if many of the channels are locked out. If so, the scanner has less chance of finding an active channel. ■ Review each channel’s frequency to see if it is correct and no memory has been lost. ■ It is possible that none of the programmed frequencies are active at this time.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 38 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Certified in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations Part 15 Sub-part C as of date of manufacture. Band Coverage: Coverage: Scanner 12 bands plus Weather Channel and AM/FM Radio Frequency 29.0000-29.6950 MHz 10 Meter Amateur Band 29.7000-49.9950 MHz VHF Low Band 50.0000-54.0000 MHz 6 Meter Amateur Band Above bands in 5 kHz steps 108.0000-136.9875MHz Air Craft Band in 12.5 kHz steps 137.0000-143.9950 MHz Military Land Mobile 144.0000-147.
BC278clt.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 9:05 PM Page 40 ONE-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY Important: Evidence of original purchase is required for warranty service. WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (“Uniden”) ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for one year, to the original retail owner, this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below.
BC278clt.qxd 3/8/00 7:34 PM Page 100 THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THIS UNIDEN PRODUCT! © 1999 Uniden America Corporation UBZZ01304ZZ All rights reserved • Printed in Philippines 4,219,821 4,841,302 5,448,256 5,598,430 4,270,217 4,888,815 5,465,402 5,600,223 4,398,304 4,932,074 5,471,660 5,642,424 Covered under one or more of the following U.S.