Scan mode

This page applies only to the BCD996XT. For other models see:

Scanning vs. Searching

Scan and Search mode have very similar operations. In both Scan and Search modes, the scanner steps through a set of frequencies and checks for activity. For Scan mode, you program each individual frequency or Talk Group ID you want the scanner to check; for Search mode, you designate a range of frequencies, and the scanner will check each individual frequency that falls within that range.

With trunked systems, Scan mode and Search mode are very similar, so the scanner can combine the two in a single operation, switching from one to the other depending on the settings of each individual system:

Scanning trunked systems

Searching trunked systems

Default Scan Mode

In the default Scan mode, the scanner checks frequencies in the following order:

  1. Scans or searches any unlocked systems programmed to system Quick Keys (SQKs) in ascending order starting with the system or site assigned to SQK #1.
    • In the system, the scanner first checks any unlocked groups assigned to group Quick Keys (GQKs)in ascending order starting with the system or site assigned to SQK #1 (through GQK #0).
    • The scanner then checks any remaining unlocked groups in that system in the order in which you created them. If none of the groups in the system have been assigned to GQKs, the scanner checks all unlocked groups in the order in which you created them.
    • The scanner does not check systems if the SQK is disabled.
    • The scanner does not check groups if the GQK is disabled.
  2. Scans any remaining unlocked conventional systems (not assigned to an SQK) in alphabetical order based on the system's Name. (The scanner checks groups within each system as described in step 1.)
  3. Checks all unlocked trunked systems (not assigned to an SQK) in alphabetical order based on the system's Name. (The scanner checks groups within each system as described in step 1.)
  4. Searches through the designated general service frequencies (Public safety, Military, Air, etc.).
  5. Searches through any unlocked frequencies saved in the Custom Search list.
  6. Checks any frequencies saved in the Close Call Hits list.

Locked Items

The scanner does not check locked out items in either scanning or searching:

Key operation in Scan mode

Special keys

Keypad controls

Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action On

BCD996XTkeysPri.png

PRI

keys1.png

1 (Search 1)

keys2.png

2 (Search 2)

keys3.png

3 (Search 3)

Tap Toggle priority modes. Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap

Toggle priority modes.

Disable the channel groups in the current system assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD996XTkeysWx.png

Weather

keys4.png

4 (IF exchange)

keys5.png

5 (Level offset)

keys6.png

6 (Display mode)

Tap Toggle Weather Alert priority mode. Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
Press & Hold Weather Scan NA
FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Weather Alert priority Mode. Disable the channel groups in the current system assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Press & Hold Weather Scan NA
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD996XTkeysGPS.png

GPS

keys7.png

7 (Attenuation)

keys8.png

8 (Reverse freq.)

keys9.png

9 (Modulation)

Tap Change to GPS Mode. Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap Change to GPS Mode. Disable the channel groups in the current system assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

keysMENU.png

MENU

keysNo.png

. / No

keys0.png

0

keysYes.png

Yes (Enter)

Tap Go to the Menu Mode Start a 2-digit SQK entry. The next two digits will be treated as the SQK.
During a system message: Cancel the message and exit that screen.
Disable the systems or sites assigned to System/Site Quick Key 0. Tap again to enable. If stopped on a channel, edit the current channel.
FUNCTION + Tap Go to the editing menu for the current system. Start a 2-digit SQK entry. The next two digits will be treated as the SQK.
During a system message: Cancel the message and exit that screen.
Disable or enable the channel groups in the current system assigned to Group Quick Key 0 (GQK 0). Tap again to enable. If stopped on a channel, edit the current channel.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD996XTkeysSq.png

SQUELCH

BCD996XTkeysVol.png

VOLUME

keysScan.png

SCAN/SEARCH

keysHold.png

HOLD/RESUME

Rotate Adjust Squelch. Adjust volume. Turn fully counterclockwise past click to turn off scanner. NA NA
Tap Toggle Close Call modes. Change backlight level. Resume scanning (if stopped on a channel). Hold on the current channel.
Press & Hold Go to Close Call Only mode. NA NA

Hold on the current system.

If already holding on a system, resume normal scanning.

FUNCTION + Tap Go to Fire Tone-Out Mode. Go to the P25 status mode.

When scanning a trunked system, toggle between ID Scan and ID Search mode.

When scanning a conventional system, go to Quick Search mode.

Hold on the current channel.

Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

keysLO.png

LOCKOUT

keysScrollFunc.png

SCROLL - FUNCTION

Rotate NA

Change scan direction.

If stopped on a channel, resume scanning.

Tap If stopped on a channel, temporarily lockout the channel. Activate the FUNCTION mode for the next keypress.
Double Tap If stopped on a channel, permanently lockout the channel. NA
Press & Hold If stopped on a channel, unlock all channels in the current system. "Latch" the FUNCTION mode. Scanner stays on the current system and all keypresses use the FUNCTION mode until you tap the control again.
FUNCTION + Tap Temporarily lockout the current system. NA
FUNCTION + Double Tap Permanently lockout the current system. NA
FUNCTION + Press & Hold Unlock all items, regardless of type. NA

Key operation in Search mode

Special keys

Keypad controls

Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action On

BCD996XTkeysPri.png

PRIORITY

keys1.png

1 (Search 1)

keys2.png

2 (Search 2)

keys3.png

3 (Search 3)

Tap NA Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap NA Start the search range assigned to this Search Key.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

Weather

keys4.png

4 (IF exchange)

keys5.png

5 (Level offset)

keys6.png

6 (Display mode)

Tap Toggle Weather Priority Mode Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Weather Priority Mode When monitoring a frequency, toggle the IF for that frequency. NA Switch the display mode.
Press & Hold Go to Weather Scan mode. NA NA NA
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD996XTkeysGPS.png

GPS

keys7.png

7 (Attenuation)

keys8.png

8 (Reverse freq.)

keys9.png

9 (Modulation)

Tap Switch to the GPS Navigation display. Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
Press & hold NA NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Tap Switch to the GPS Navigation display. Toggle the attenuator state. NA Change the modulation.
FUNCTION + Press & hold NA Toggle the attenuator state for all signals. If stopped on a frequency that has a valid reverse (input) frequency, show the repeater reverse frequency for the current frequency (the scanner returns to the original frequency when you release the key). NA
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

keysMenu.png

Menu

keysNo.png

. / No (Decimal)

keys0.png

0

keysYes.png

Yes (Enter)

Tap Enter the Menu Mode. NA Disable the search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable. If stopped on a frequency, store the current frequency.
FUNCTION + Tap Enter the "Search for..." Menu. NA NA If stopped on a frequency, store the current frequency.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD996XTkeysSq.png

SQUELCH

BCD996XTkeysVol.png

VOLUME

keysScan.png

SCAN/SEARCH

keysHold.png

HOLD/RESUME

Rotate Adjust Squelch. Adjust volume. Turn fully counterclockwise past click to turn off scanner. NA NA
Tap Toggle Close Call modes. Change backlight level. Go to Scan mode. Hold on the current frequency.
Press & Hold Go to Close Call Only mode. NA NA

NA

FUNCTION + Tap Go to Fire Tone-Out Mode. Go to P25 status mode. Resume Searching. Hold on the current frequency.

Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

keysLO.png

LOCKOUT

keysScrollFunc.png

SCROLL - FUNCTION

Rotate NA

Change search direction.

If stopped on a frequency, resume searching.

Tap If stopped on a frequency, temporarily lockout the frequency. Activate the FUNCTION mode for the next keypress.
Double Tap If stopped on a frequency, permanently lockout the frequency. NA
FUNCTION + Tap Review the list of locked out frequencies. NA
Press & Hold If stopped on a frequency, unlock all search frequencies. "Latch" the FUNCTION mode. Scanner stays on the current system and all keypresses use the FUNCTION mode until you tap the control again.

This page applies to the following scanner(s): BCD996XT Users Guide