UNIDEN BC-246T Compact Hand Held Scanner

by Uniden

Product Details

Product Manual [2.36mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 2.5 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002QIAP4
• Item model number: BC-246T
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 23, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The BC246T Scanner with 1600 channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, and TrunkTracker III.

Features

• 1600 Channels Typical / 2500 Maximum
• Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory - Makes It Easier to Program and Use Your Scanner Without Wasting Channels.
• TrunkTracker III Technology - So you can keep up with the action on Motorola, EDACS and LTR systems.
• Close Call RF Capture Technology - Instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters
• Alpha Tagging - Systems, Channel Groups, Channels, Search Ranges, and SAME Groups.
• S.A.M.E. Weather Alert - Specific Area Message Encoding - During a NOAA Weather or Emergency Alert, a code for your specific location will alert you to severe conditions in your immediate area.
• 10 Custom Search Ranges - Helps you find unlisted frequencies in use in your area
• 10 Preprogrammed Service Searches - Public Safety, Railroad (by channel), Air, Marine (by channel), CB (by channel), GMRS/FRS (by channel), News Media, Ham Radio and Special
• Automatic Repeater Reverse - Automatically Tunes to the Repeater Output Frequency When It Finds a Transmission on a Common Input Frequency.
• DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode - Instantly Detects and Displays the Subaudible Tone So You Can Quickly Determine the System Settings.
• Pager Skip - Skips Transmissions on Common Pager Frequencies During Search and Close Call Operation.
• Channel Alert - Alerts You When Channels You Specify Become Active.
• Backlit Display - Lets You Adjust the Backlight So It Turns on When Squelch Opens, When You Press Any Key, or Manually.
• PC Control - Includes a PC Cable So You Can Transfer Information into Your Scanner Using Your Computer (Demo Software Available by Download Here.)
• Frequency Coverage - 25-54, 108-174, 216-225, 400-512, 806-956, 1240-1300 MHz (Excluding Cellular)

Product Description

Alpha-numeric tagging for quick channel IDSpecific 6-band coverage ranging from 25MHz-1300MHz (excluding cellular)CloseCall RF capture technology detects nearby radio frequencies10 custom 10 pre-programmed search capabilitiesSAME weather alert with NOAA warningsAutomatic repeater reverseBacklit displayPager skip channel alert3.5mm headphone jackRequires 2 AA batteries (included)Includes antenna AC adapter belt clip and programming cable

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Scan for All Seasons, July 22, 2005

By 

Norm de Plume "lawman116" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: UNIDEN BC-246T Compact Hand Held Scanner (Electronics)

The bc246t is one of the most intelligently designed radios I have ever owned. It is compact, light, and equipped with a friendly keyboard. It is a technological leap forward in its features, including a large number of programming menus with keyboard hotkey alternatives. I cannot vouch for the many conventional scanning features, because I trunk scan exclusively, but they look good on paper. As for trunk scanning, this scanner does what I have missed in many other choices-it allows me to switch between talk groups by direct access rather than by frantic scanning until I hit the target talk group. The design of the bc246t is user-flexible: the non-techie can take advantage of the PC Control and cloning features to have the frequencies, talk groups, and alpha-tags (i.e. display name tags identifying the broadcast source) programmed into the radio for him or her; the old-school techies like me can grab a bottle of aspirin and do it all by hand. The small size of the bc246t requires a smaller speaker and a slight loss of sound quality which is acceptable in return for all the other advantages this unit offers. You can be lazy and like this radio, but if you put the work into learning how to run it, you'll admire the thought that went into its design. Uniden includes a belt clip, wrist strap, PC cable, an AC adapter/charger and 2 AA batteries, and of course, a manual and frequency list. Demo software is available at Uniden's website. Be sure to download the firmware update if nothing else.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars UNIDEN BC-246T Hand Held Scanner, August 4, 2005

By 

M. Lukas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: UNIDEN BC-246T Compact Hand Held Scanner (Electronics)

Manual programming and manipulation of the menus is not difficult.
Display is easily readable.
The "extra" charge for a usable PC interface software is a way for uniden to squeeze an extra $30 from buyers. This was the ding to the rating. The Demo software is useless.
The dual battery (standard or rechargeable) & charger settings are convenient.

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST SCANNERS I HAVE EVER HAD, March 18, 2006

By 

saturn (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: UNIDEN BC-246T Compact Hand Held Scanner (Electronics)

I think if you are looking for a scanner this is the one to have. I had a little difficulty with the instructions for the programming but i figured it out. I give it 5 stars still but the instructions could be a little more user friendly. Alot of fun with this toy. I think they fail to mention it does come with rechargable batteries. I am realy impresseed!!!