BCD260DN Scanning Basics: Scanning, Searching, Tones & Banks

Summary: Background that helps you get the most from the BCD260DN: how scanning and searching differ, what CTCSS and DCS tones do, conventional and repeater systems, and how banks work.

What Is Scanning?

Most two-way radio users don’t transmit continuously. The BCD260DN steps through the channels you’ve programmed until it finds an active frequency, stops and stays there for as long as the transmission continues, and resumes when it ends.

What Is Searching?

Searching looks for active frequencies you haven’t programmed. You give it a lower and upper limit (or use a preset service list), and it stops on any active frequency it finds. If you like what you hear you can store it into a bank. See BCD260DN Searching: Service Search, Custom Search, Quick Search & Search Keys.

CTCSS and DCS

CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) and DCS (Digital Coded Squelch) are sub-audible tone systems, sometimes called PL and DPL (Motorola’s trademarked names). Squelch opens only when the tone or code you’ve programmed arrives with the signal. They’re used on FM signals, typically by amateur and commercial users, to restrict access to a repeater or to separate several stations on nearby frequencies. If you programme a tone for a channel you’ll only hear transmissions that carry it. The scanner detects 50 CTCSS tones and 112 DCS codes (see BCD260DN Reference Tables & How Do I…?). It also displays and can search for DMR Color Codes and NXDN Area and RAN codes.

Conventional Systems

Each user group has a single frequency (simplex) or two frequencies (repeater). Aircraft, amateur radio, FRS/GMRS and many business radios work this way, and to scan them you only need their frequencies.

• Simplex – one frequency for both transmit and receive; limited to line of sight, typically 1-8 miles.
• Repeater – a radio transmits on an input frequency; a repeater, high on a building or tower, retransmits on an output frequency. Your scanner listens to the output. Typical coverage is about a 25-mile radius.

Banks

The 1,000 channels are split into 10 channel storage banks of 100 channels. Group frequencies however you like and switch banks on and off with the number keys while scanning. There are also service search banks, preloaded with frequencies for airband, CB, FRS/GMRS/MURS, ham, marine, media, military air, public safety, racing and railroad, and custom search banks, ten ranges you define, searched from lowest to highest frequency.

Where to Learn More

Uniden points owners to RadioReference.com (not affiliated with Uniden) for user-supported radio system information. For UK frequencies, see BCD260DN Loading Frequencies From Squawker PC & Squawker Online.