Scan mode

This page applies only to the BCT15X. 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

State-by-State and Beartracker Warning System

If any of the state-by-state searches are enabled, normal reception will be interrupted periodically (as set by the Set Interval setting in the Priority Scan menu) to search for signals in the enabled searches. The number of channels checked during state-by-state searches is set in the MaxCHs/Pri-Scan setting in the Priority Scan menu. The more channels you have the scanner check during a priority check, the longer the audio dropout during reception of other channels.

If the Beartracker Warning system is enabled, the scanner sounds an alert tone if it detects a transmission on a frequency identified as a short-range frequency commonly used by law enforcement.

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 off.
    • The scanner does not check groups if the GQK is turned off.
  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

BCT15XkeysPolPri.png

Police / Priority

keys1.png

1 (Search 1)

keys2.png

2 (Search 2)

keys3.png

3 (Search 3)

Tap Toggle DOT and Police State-by-State search mode. 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:

BCT15XkeysHPAlt.png

Highway Patrol / Alert

keys4.png

4 (IF exchange)

keys5.png

5 (Level offset)

keys6.png

6 (Display mode)

Tap Toggle Highway Patrol / Beartrack Warning System modes. Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Alert Plus 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:

BCT15XkeysGPSWx.png

GPS / Weather

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 Toggle Weather Priority mode. Disable the channel groups in the current system assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Press & Hold Start Weather Scan mode. NA
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:

BCT15XkeysSq.png

SQUELCH

BCT15XkeysVol.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 Temporarily stop alert tone. Tap again to restore. Change backlight level. Resume scanning (if stopped on a channel). Hold on the current channel.
Press & Hold Permanently stop alert tone. Tap again to restore. NA NA

Hold on the current system.

If already holding on a system, resume normal scanning.

FUNCTION + Tap Toggle close call modes. Select the state to use for state-by-state searches.

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.
FUNCTION + Press & hold Start Close Call Only mode. NA

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

BCT15XkeysPolPri.png

Police / Priority

keys1.png

1 (Search 1)

keys2.png

2 (Search 2)

keys3.png

3 (Search 3)

Tap Go to scan mode 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:

BCT15XkeysHPAlt.png

Highway Patrol / Alert

keys4.png

4 (IF exchange)

keys5.png

5 (Level offset)

keys6.png

6 (Display mode)

Tap Go to scan mode. Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap Go to Alert Plus scanning. When monitoring a frequency, toggle the IF for that frequency. NA Switch the display mode.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCT15XkeysGPSWx.png

GPS / Weather

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.
FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Weather Prioirty mode. Toggle the attenuator state. NA Change the modulation.
FUNCTION + Press & hold Go to Weather Scan mode. 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:

BCT15XkeysSq.png

SQUELCH

BCT15XkeysVol.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 Temporarily mute alerts. Tap again to restore. Change backlight level. Go to Scan mode. Hold on the current frequency.
Press & Hold Permanently mute alerts. Tap again to restore. NA NA

NA

FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Close Call modes. Change the state for state-by-state searches. Resume Searching. Hold on the current frequency.
FUNDTION + Press & hold Go to Close Call Only mode. NA

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): BCT15X Users Guide