User's Manual
works. You don’t really need to know all of this to use your scanner,
but some background knowledge will help you get the most from
your BC898T.
Understanding Banks and Channels
The memory in your scanner is organized into 10 banks of 50
channels each. Each bank can contain conventional channels as
well as 1 trunking system. For each trunking system, each bank can
also store 10 groups of 10 talk group ID’s (100 per bank).
What is Scanning?
Unlike standard AM or FM radio stations, most two-way
communications do not transmit continuously. Your BC898T scans
programmed channels until it finds an active frequency, then stops
on that frequency and remains on that channel as long as the
transmission continues. When the transmission ends, the scanning
cycle resumes until the scanner receives another transmission.
What is Searching?
The BC898T can search each of its 17 bands and up to ten bands
together to find active frequencies. This is different from scanning
because you are searching for frequencies that have not been
programmed into the scanner. When you select frequency bands to
search, the scanner searches for any active frequency within the
lower and upper limits you specify. When the scanner finds an
active frequency, it stops on that frequency as long as the
transmission lasts. If you think the frequency is interesting, you can
program it into one of the banks. If not, you can continue to search.
What is CTCSS/DCS?
Your scanner can monitor systems using a Continuous Tone
Control Squelch (CTCSS) and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS)
system, which allow squelch to open only when the tone you have
programmed with a specific frequency is received along with a
transmission.
CTCSS and DCS are subaudible tone signaling systems
sometimes referred to as PL (Motorola’s trademarked term for
Private Line). CTCSS and DCS are used only for FM signals and
are usually associated with both amateur and commercial two-way
repeaters. These systems make use of a special subaudible tone
that accompanies a transmitted signal. The Electronics Industry
Association (EIA) established a set of 38 standard CTCSS tones.
CTCSS and DCS are used for many purposes. In many cases,
CTCSS and DCS are used to restrict access to a commercial
repeater, so that only those units, which transmit the correct tone
along with their signal can “talk to the repeater.” You might also
need to have your scanner coded correctly to “hear” the repeater.
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