UBCD3600XLT Batteries, microSD Card & Turning It On

Summary: How to power the UBCD3600XLT, charge its batteries, look after the microSD card that holds all your programming, and set it up the first time.

Using the Internal Batteries

The scanner runs from three AA batteries, either alkaline or rechargeable. There’s no switch for the battery type. If you’re using non-rechargeable (alkaline) batteries, answer No at the Battery prompt shown when you connect the USB cable.

1. Install three AA batteries, matching the polarity marks.
2. Replace the cover.

When the battery icon flashes and the scanner beeps every 15 seconds, replace or recharge the batteries.

Charging Rechargeable Batteries

The scanner has a built-in charger. Charge the supplied rechargeable batteries before first use.

• When the USB cable is connected, or batteries are fitted when a USB cable is connected, the scanner checks the battery condition.
• While the scanner is on, it doesn’t charge the batteries.
• While the scanner is off, it charges them and shows Normal Charging, according to the Set Charge Time setting.
• If the scanner gets too hot while charging it switches itself off. With no batteries fitted it shows No Battery.

Battery options are under Menu, Settings, Battery Option: Set Battery Save (on or off), Set Charge Time (1-14 hours), and Set Battery Low (alert tone frequency of 640-1200 Hz, alert interval 1-60 seconds with a default of 15, alert volume, and the low-battery voltage from 3100 to 3400 mV with a default of 3300 mV). To see the battery level in volts, press the scroll control and read the small figures at the top right of the display.

The microSD Card

Everything is stored on the microSD card: your Favorites Lists, all your settings, Discovery sessions and recordings. Cards from 1 GB to 32 GB are supported, and a 4 GB card is supplied.

• Removing it: turn the scanner off, then use a thumbnail or pencil eraser to push the card in so it springs out. Install it the same way and push it until it clicks. Handle it carefully if you use a card reader.
• Reformatting: use the SD Association’s official SD Card Formatter, then use Sentinel’s Clear User Data to restore all the scanner’s files and folders to the card. After a format the scanner won’t be detected automatically, so you may need to untick Hide empty drives in Windows Folder Options before running Clear User Data.

Turning It On for the First Time

1. Press and hold the power key for about 2 seconds.
2. If the screen is too dark, tap the power key to turn on the backlight.
3. Press the scroll control to show the volume level, then turn it within 10 seconds to adjust.
4. Press the scroll control again to close the volume display (or let it disappear).
5. Press Func then the scroll control to show the squelch level. Turn the control fully counter-clockwise, then clockwise until the noise stops, and then one notch more.
6. Press the scroll control again to close the squelch display.

The first time you turn the scanner on it prompts you to set the clock. See UBCD3600XLT Menus, Data Naming & Settings Options.

Auto Shutoff and Keypad Lock

• Auto Shutoff (Settings menu) switches the scanner off after a set time: Off, 5, 10, 15, 30 or 45 minutes, or 1, 2 or 3 hours.
• Keypad Lock: press Func and then the power key to lock or unlock the keypad. While locked, only the Channel key (for hold), the power key, Func and the scroll control (for volume) work.