BCD160DN Band Scope Mode

Summary: Using the BCD160DN’s Band Scope to see signal strength across a range of frequencies in real time.

What It Is

Band Scope searches a frequency range and shows the signal level for each part of it in real time, with frequency increasing left to right. It sweeps rapidly between the ends of the range and updates each bar segment with the relative signal strength each pass. It’s useful for getting a picture of spectrum activity, spotting intermittently active frequencies, checking antenna performance and coax quality, and identifying interference. You can set the centre frequency and the span, and in Hold mode you can listen to the frequency at the marker.

Starting It

Press HOLD on any channel or frequency, then FUNC + sr3/3. That frequency becomes the centre frequency. Band Scope can only be started with the sr3/3 key, which is its default assignment.

The Three Modes

• Search (SRCH) – the scanner searches and shows the range in real time. The centre marker blinks while searching. Turn the scroll control to move the marker by the preset step (STP). If the sweep range is wide, one bar covers several frequencies, which is why the marker moves slowly. Use a narrower span to pinpoint a frequency. A wide signal such as FM broadcast shows as several bars.
• Max Hold (MAX) – the bars freeze at their strongest signal, so short signals stay visible. Toggle between SRCH and MAX with FUNC + SCAN/srch. A bar in Max Hold may be old information, so you may not hear anything at that frequency.
• HOLD – freezes the sweep so you can move the marker with the scroll control (including to the centre frequency) and listen. Toggle between Hold and Search/Max Hold with HOLD.

FUNC then L/O returns the marker to the centre frequency (in Search this clears the history and restarts the scan). Press HOLD to return to Search.

Changing the Settings

Press ./No to cycle through SPN (Search Span), CF (Center Frequency) and STP (Search Step); press L/O to exit. Set-up times out after 10 seconds without input.

• Centre frequency: press ./No until CF blinks, then Yes/E, enter the frequency and press Yes/E. Or, with CF blinking, press Yes/E to make the frequency at the marker the new centre.
• Span: press ./No until SPN blinks and turn the scroll control to choose 0.2 to 500 MHz. Press L/O to exit.
• Step: press ./No until STP blinks and turn the scroll control to pick the step. Press L/O to exit.
• Modulation: FUNC + mod/9, and keep pressing to cycle. Normally use Auto.
• Attenuation: FUNC + att/7 toggles it; press and hold for global attenuation (ATT blinks).

Press FUNC to check the current modulation and attenuator settings.