Scan mode

This page applies only to the BCD396XT, BC346XT and BC346XTC. 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 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, 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

BCD396XTkeyHold.gif

HOLD (Close Call)

BCD396XTkey1.gif

1 (Search 1)

BCD396XTkey2.gif

2 (Search 2)

BCD396XTkey3.gif

3 (Search 3)

Tap Enter Hold mode (the scanner opens squelch). Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
Press & Hold Scan the current system only. Press & hold again to return to normal scan. NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Close Call Modes Disable the channel groups assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Press & hold Enter Close Call Only mode. NA NA NA
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD396XTkeyScan.gif

Scan (Search)

BCD396XTkey4.gif

4 (IF exchange)

BCD396XTkey5.gif

5 (Volume offset)

BCD396XTkey6.gif

6 (Display mode)

Tap Resume scanning. Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap When scanning a conventional system, display the Quick Search prompt (enter Search mode).
When scanning a trunked system, switch between ID Scan and ID Search.
Disable the channel groups assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD396XTkeyLO.gif

Lockout

BCD396XTkey7.gif

7 (Attenuation)

BCD396XTkey8.gif

8 (Reverse freq.)

BCD396XTkey9.gif

9 (Modulation)

Tap Temporarily lock out the current channel, frequency, or location (until you turn off the scanner). Disable the systems or sites assigned to this System/Site Quick Key (SQK). Tap again to enable.
Double Tap Permanently lock out the current channel, frequency, or location. NA NA NA
Press & hold Unlock all channels, groups, and frequencies in the current system. NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Tap Temporarily lock out the current sytem or site (until you turn off the scanner). Disable the channel groups assigned to this Group Quick Key (GQK). Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Double Tap Permanently lock out the current system or site. NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Press & hold Unlock all items regardless of type. NA NA NA
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD396XTkeyBL.gif

Backlight (Power, Lock)

BCD396XTkeyNo.gif

No (Decimal, Priority)

BCD396XTkey0.gif

0 (Weather)

BCD396XTkeyYes.gif

Yes (Enter, GPS)

Tap Turn on the LCD backlight. 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. Edit the current channel.
Press & hold Turn the scanner on or off. NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Tap Lock or unlock the keypad. Toggle Priority mode NA Enter GPS mode.
FUNCTION + Press & hold NA NA NA Store the current location information.

Key operation in Search mode

Special keys

Keypad controls

Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action On

BCD396XTkeyHold.gif

HOLD (Close Call)

BCD396XTkey1.gif

1 (Search 1)

BCD396XTkey2.gif

2 (Search 2)

BCD396XTkey3.gif

3 (Search 3)

Tap Enter Hold mode. Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap Toggle Close Call modes. Start the search range assigned to this Search Key.
FUNCTION + Press & hold Enter Close Call Only mode. NA NA NA
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD396XTkeyScan.gif

Scan (Search)

BCD396XTkey4.gif

4 (IF exchange)

BCD396XTkey5.gif

5 (Volume offset)

BCD396XTkey6.gif

6 (Display mode)

Tap Switch to Scan mode. Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
FUNCTION + Tap Resume searching. When monitoring a frequency, toggle the IF for that frequency. NA Switch the display mode.
Key Name

(2nd operation)

Action on:

BCD396XTkeyLO.gif

Lockout

BCD396XTkey7.gif

7 (Attenuation)

BCD396XTkey8.gif

8 (Reverse freq.)

BCD396XTkey9.gif

9 (Modulation)

Tap Temporarily lock out the current frequency (until you turn off the scanner). Disable the custom search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable.
Double Tap Permanently lock out the current frequency. NA NA NA
Press & hold Unlock all frequencies from search and Close Call modes. NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Tap Review the list of locked out frequencies. Toggle the attenuator state for this channel. NA Change the modulation.
FUNCTION + Press & hold NA Toggle the attenuator state for all signals. 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:

BCD396XTkeyBL.gif

Backlight (Power, Lock)

BCD396XTkeyNo.gif

No (Decimal, Priority)

BCD396XTkey0.gif

0 (Weather)

BCD396XTkeyYes.gif

Yes (Enter, GPS)

Tap Turn on the LCD backlight. During a system message: Cancel the message and exit that screen. Disable the search range assigned to this key. Tap again to enable. Store the current frequency.
Press & hold Turn the scanner on or off. NA NA NA
FUNCTION + Tap Lock or unlock the keypad. NA Change the WX Alert Priority settings. Enter GPS mode.
FUNCTION + Press & hold NA NA Enter Weather mode. NA

This page applies to the following scanner(s): BCD396XT BC346XT BC346XTC Users Guide

Topic attachments
I Attachment Action Size Date Who Comment
GIFgif BCD396XTkey0.gif manage 6.1 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey1.gif manage 6.3 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey2.gif manage 6.2 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey3.gif manage 5.7 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey4.gif manage 6.7 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey5.gif manage 6.2 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey6.gif manage 6.3 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey7.gif manage 6.0 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey8.gif manage 6.0 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkey9.gif manage 5.7 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkeyBL.gif manage 6.2 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkeyHold.gif manage 6.3 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkeyLO.gif manage 5.3 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkeyNo.gif manage 6.3 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkeyScan.gif manage 6.1 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser  
GIFgif BCD396XTkeyYes.gif manage 5.9 K 03 Dec 2008 - 17:32 UnknownUser