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Uniden BCD396T Firmware Revision Notes 3.02.02

Contents

Installation Steps

We recommend you make a backup of your scanner's programming before applying the update. See the instructions for doing this later in these release notes.

Here is what you need to do to apply the 3.02.02 update.

If your scanner is at version 1.13.17 or earlier:

  1. Download: BCD396T_ESN_Loader_V1_20_13.zip
  2. Downoad BCD396T_V1_Information.pdf then read and follow those instructions. This update will apply an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) and ESN checksum to your scanner so that you can register for the V3.02.02 update.
  3. Proceed to the next section.
If your scanner is at version 1.20.13 or higher:
  1. Log in at http://my.uniden.com/
    • If your scanner has not yet been registered, click on "Register a Product" and add your scanner, including its ESN and checksum.
    • If you have previously registered your scanner, update that scanner's registration to include the ESN and checksum if you have not previously done so.
  2. On your "All My Scanners" page, click "Get V3 Registration Key" next to the scanner. Make a note of the key assigned to the scanner (it will also appear on your "All My Scanners" page).
  3. On your "All My Scanners" page, click "Get v3.xx.xx Firmware." (This will not appear until you get a key.) Alternatively, you can download the update by clicking BCD396T_V3_02_02.zip and download the latest version of BC_VUP (the firmware update tool) by clicking BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip.
  4. Unzip both of the files you downloaded in Step 3 to your desktop. Then run BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.exe to install the firmware updater. (If you previously installed a version of BC_VUP, be sure you delete the old install files before reinstalling. These files are in a "BCSS" directory.)
  5. Run the BC_VUP application you installed in Step 4. Follow all on-screen instructions. If you are updating from version prior to V3.00.00 you must enter the V3 Registration Key when prompted. If you are updating from V3.00.00 or 3.01.00 to this version, you do not need to enter the key. When prompted, select the BCD396T_V3_02_02.scn file you unzipped in Step 4.
Notes:

What is Changed by This Update?

This update makes the following changes to your BCD396T scanner:

Previous Update 3.01.00

Previous Update 3.00.00

Previous Update 2.00.07

Previous Update 1.20.13

Previous Update 1.13.17

Previous Update 1.11.03

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 BCD396T programming using Uniden Advanced Scanner Director (UASD):
  1. Install (if necessary) and run UASD.
  2. From the top menus, select Setup --> Options.
  3. Set the COM port to the port you've connected the BCD396T to and select the baud rate that matches your scanners Settings --> PC Control setting and then click OK.
  4. Select Connect to Scanner from the left function bar.
    The software will begin to read the contents of your scanner.
  5. When UASD finishes reading from the scanner, select Save from the top function bar.
  6. Make sure the check boxes next to Save Configuration, 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:, the click OK.

Update Troubleshooting

Follow these tips to troubleshoot any update problem you encounter:

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.

Using the P25 Band Plan Setting

The BCD396T includes two operation modes for P25 systems: explicit mode and implicit mode channel assignment. Explicit mode systems include all information needed to determine voice frequencies on the control channel. You must supply the system's band plan for implicit systems for the scanner to correctly determine voice frequencies.

To set the band plan for a P25 system:

[MENU]Program System-->E
Edit Sys Option-->E
Edit Band Plan-->E

Then, follow these steps:

  1. Rotate the selector to choose the Band Plan table entry you want to edit and press E.
  2. Enter the base frequency for the table entry and press E.
  3. Enter the spacing for the table entry (in kHz) and press E. Repeat 1-3 for additional table entries.
Notes:

Using the Digital End Code Option

This change adds a Digital End Code Option for P16 Systems Motorola 3600 bps digital systems. It might be a solution to the issue that systems with stuck repeaters hang the scan cycle.

Adjusting AGC Parameters

Digital AGC Settings

To access these settings:
  1. Turn on the Digital AGC option and turn off the Analog AGC option.
  2. Start scanning.
  3. Hold F then tap the scroll knob three times. The scanner displays the current DIGITAL AGC RESPONSE TIME parameter setting (see below for option details).
  4. Rotate the scroll control to change the setting.
  5. F+rotate the scroll to select another setting.
Parameters:

DIGITAL AGC RESPONSE TIME
Range: -8 to +8 (0 is default)
This parameter determines how frequently the AGC factor updates. Decreasing this value makes AGC respond faster, but could result in "pumping." A higher value decreases the response time.

DIGITAL AGC REFER GAIN
Range: -5 to +5 (0 is default)
This parameter determines the reference level that AGC attempts to adjust the volume to. If digital/analog volume is not matched, adjust this parameter.

Analog AGC Settings

To access these settings:
  1. Turn off the Digital AGC option and turn on the Analog AGC option.
  2. Start scanning.
  3. Hold F then tap the scroll knob three times. The scanner displays the current ANALOG AGC RESPONSE TIME parameter setting (see below for option details).
  4. Rotate the scroll control to change the setting.
  5. F+rotate the scroll to select another setting.
Parameters:

ANALOG AGC RESPONSE TIME
Range: -4 to +6 (0 is default)
This parameter determines how frequently the AGC factor updates. Decreasing this value makes
AGC respond faster, but could result in "pumping." A higher value decreases the response time.

ANALOG AGC REFER GAIN
Range: -5 to +5 (0 is default)
This parameter determines the reference level that AGC attempts to adjust the volume to. If
digital/analog volume is not matched, adjust this parameter.

ANALOG AGC GAIN RANGE
Range: 0 to 15 (6 is default)
This parameter controls the total dynamic range of the AGC adjustments. A larger value allows a
wider variation in volume.

Adjusting P25 Waiting Time

In order to prevent "false decode" problems (digital noise at the beginning of transmissions) for channels on conventional and Motorola analog or mixed (not P25) systems, a 400 mS delay has been added to such channels. During this time, the scanner will evaluate the received signal and, if it detects P25 data, will open squelch immediately. If P25 is not detected before the delay expires, the scanner will open squelch at the end of this delay. This setting only affects conventional channels that do not have CTCSS or DCS set and channels on Motorola (non P25) systems.

To access the P25 Decode Delay menu, MENU-->Settings-->P25 Waiting Time

Set the waiting time from 0 to 1000 mS.

Close Call Do-Not-Disturb

Close Call Do-Not-Disturb (DND) lets you enjoy the Close Call feature without having other transmissions interrupted every 2 seconds. When you select this mode, the scanner only performs Close Call checks when the scanner is not otherwise receiving an audio signal.

To turn on Close Call DND, press F+HOLD repeatedly until the scanner displays CC DND. Or, set the feature using the menu:

MENU --> Close Call --> Set CC Mode --> CC DND

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. Edit System Option --> Edit Band Plan
  2. Select the band plan entry to edit.
  3. Set each of the following entries for the band plan:
    1. Set Base Freq (Lower and Upper)
    2. Set Offset
    3. 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

851.025MHz

854.000MHz

440

+

25 kHz

2

851.0125MHz

868.9875MHz

0

+

25 kHz

Revised Protocol

BCD396T_PC_Protocol_V3.02.pdf
Topic attachments
I Attachment Action Size Date Who Comment
Compressed Zip archivezip BCD396T_ESN_Loader_V1_20_13.zip manage 5320.4 K 19 Jan 2009 - 03:16 PaulOpitz BCD396T ESN Loader Update v1.20.13
PDFpdf BCD396T_PC_Protocol_V3.02.pdf manage 128.3 K 10 Feb 2009 - 16:18 PaulOpitz Revised Protocol
PDFpdf BCD396T_V1_Information.pdf manage 69.2 K 19 Jan 2009 - 03:11 PaulOpitz  
Compressed Zip archivezip BCD396T_V3_02_02.zip manage 801.1 K 10 Feb 2009 - 16:03 PaulOpitz Firmware Update 3.02.02
Compressed Zip archivezip BC_VUP_v2.0.0.7.zip manage 4583.1 K 16 Jan 2009 - 16:11 PaulOpitz