this topic

Uniden BC246T Firmware Revision Notes 2.60.00

As part of Uniden's commitment to the continued support of the BC246T, Uniden has, from time to time, issued firmware updates. This update contains major enhancements to the BC246T that directly reflect requests from our customers. Please take a few minutes to read all of these instructions before applying the update.

Notes:

• This update is cumulative...it incorporates all improvements made in all previous updates. You need only apply this update.
• Most update problems are caused by serial port issues. See the troubleshooting hints in the Update Troubleshooting section if you have problems.
• Two great forums exist for sharing information about this scanner within the user community:
  • The RadioReference forums (http://www.RadioReference.com/forums)
  • The BC246T Groups.io page (hthttps://uniden.groups.io/g/BC246T)

What is Changed by This Update?

• Support Motorola rebanded systems
• Add Close Call Do-Not-Disturb (Close Call DND)

Previous Version 2.10.00

• Updates firmware to use a common updater.
• Updates some factory test parameters for production
• Reduces pop noise on first unmute
• Improves Close Call resume if the detected frequency changes or is dropped right after detect.

Previous Version 2.05.01

• Improves Trunked System Scanning Speed - shortens the time the scanner dwells on a trunked system. Now, if no control channel signal is present the BC246T moves on to the next system immediately.
• Adds UHF TV Screen - automatically screens out TV station transmissions during Close Call and search operation.
• Allows Multiple CTCSS/DCS Auto Store - if the scanner detects different CTCSS or DCS on the same operating frequency during auto store, it stores the hits in separate channels, capturing all the variations being used in your area.
• Updates to preprogrammed systems - brings the preloaded systems up-to-date based on the latest data available.
• Adds Frequency Step option for Trunked Systems - allowing you to enter the exact frequency even for systems that use frequency spacing other than the scanner's default step.
• Increases Close Call Pause to 10 seconds - making it easier to capture hits from nearby transmitters.
• Adds the CTCSS/DCS setting to the default channel name
• Changes the "All Locked" error message to "Nothing to Scan" to clarify the actual fault condition.
• Changes the Data Skip default to Off.
• Improves I-Call Lockout - now, if you use the i-Call wildcard (i0), when you press lockout, only the current i-call is locked out, not the wildcard.
• Improves CTCSS/DCS Detection during Autostore
• Fixes "Clear All L/O ID's" bug - scanner no longer reboots if you clear L/O ID's with more than 11 ID's locked out.
• Fixes Close Call w/Repeater Find bug - scanner now saves the correct CTCSS/DCS and modulation settings.
• Fixes Weather Alert bug - scanner now unmutes audio after a weather alert if you press SCAN or HOLD during the alert.
• Fixes Weather Scan bug - scanner now unmutes audio if, while in Weather Scan mode you press F+SCAN for quick search mode.
• Fixes SCAT display bug - scanner now displays the frequency on the 2nd line of the display while receiving voice on a SCAT system.
• Improves Close Call/Weather Priority operation - scanner now performs Close Call and Weather Priority checks even if it is receiving only the control channel on and EDACS system or receiving voice on a SCAT system.
• Improves memory erase time
• Improves ESD tolerance

Backing Up Your Scanner

While it doesn't happen often, it is possible that applying a firmware update could affect some of your scanner's programmed settings or systems. We recommend you make a full backup of your scanner's programming and configuration before you apply the update. Follow these quick steps to make a backup of your BC246T programming using Uniden Advanced Scanner Director (UASD):

1. Install (if necessary) and run UASD.
2. From the main page, select "Scanner View".
3. At the top of the window, select Setup --> Options.
4. Set the COM port to the port you've connected the BC246T to and select the baud rate that matches your scanners XFer Information-->PC Control setting and then click OK.
5. Select "Connect to Scanner" from the left panel.
   • The software will begin to read the contents of your scanner.
6. When UASD finishes reading from the scanner, select "Save" at the top right side of the window.
7. Make sure the check boxes next to "Save Configuration as", "Save Selected Systems", and "Replace existing files with same names" are checked, then enter a name for your configuration in the text box next to "Save Configuration as:", then click OK.
   • Since this update does not change the major version number, you do not need a registration code to apply this update.

Applying the Update

Download, unzip, and install BC_VUP_V3_03_00.zip. Run the BC_VUP3 utility and follow the on-screen instructions.

Update Troubleshooting

Follow these tips to troubleshoot any update problem you encounter:

• When prompted, be sure to turn off the scanner, remove the batteries, and hold down both the L/O and 6 buttons while plugging in the AC adapter. The orange backlight should come on and remain on until the end of the update.
• If an error occurs during the update, simply repeat all steps, including removing power, holding down L/O and 6, and plugging in AC power. Even if the backlight is already on, you need to repeat this step if you restart the update.
• Almost all update error messages are caused by:
  • Incorrect COM port selection: Be sure you have selected the COM port that the scanner is plugged into.
  • COM port software conflicts: No other software can be running that uses the COM port. Be sure to close UASD and any other scanner control software. Also, if you have ever used a PDA with this PC, there is probably synchronization software running all the time that takes over the COM port. You can usually stop that software by right-clicking on its icon in the lower right side of your PC screen, then selecting "Quit" or "Exit."
• If your PC does not have a COM port, you can use a USB-->RS232 adapter. Uniden sells such an adapter specifically for this scanner (Model USB-1). Or, you can use many other adapters that are available at computer retailers. Note that some adapters do not work, or require updated drivers. Uniden only supports the USB-1.

UASD After the Update

While you can continue to use UASD after the update, note that the new features incorporated into this update have not yet been applied to UASD. So, new settings are only available through direct entry at this time.

Motorola 800 Custom Band Plan (Rebanding)

This update adds the ability to create a Motorola 800 MHz system using a custom band plan. When you create a system that has been rebanded to use the frequencies newly added for use by the FCC, you have the option now of selecting 800MHz Custom as the Motorola system type.

Once you create the system, you can set the custom band plan as follows:

1. In the Edit Sys Option menu, select Edit Band Plan.
2. Select the band plan entry to edit.
3. Set each of the following entries for the band plan:
   • Set Base Freq (Upper and Lower)
   • Set Offset
   • Set Spacing

For standard rebanded systems, you need to set Band Plan 1 and Band Plan 2 as:

Band Plan	Base Freq (Lower)	Base Freq (Upper)	Offset	Polarity	Spacing
1	851.0250MHz	854.0000MHz	440	+	25 kHz
2	851.0125MHz	868.9875MHz	0	+	25 kHz

Close Call Do-Not-Disturb (Close Call DND) Operation

This update added the Close Call DND mode to your scanner. In this mode, you can use the Close Call feature without having audio interrupted every 2 seconds. The scanner will suppress Close Call checks whenever you are receiving an active transmission.

To select Close Call DND, repeatedly press F+HOLD until the scanner displays Close Call DND.

BC246T Remote Command Reference

BC246T_PC_Protocol__V2.60.pdf