BC780 Addendum – Quick Start Hints and Tips

Because of the versatility built into Scancat-Gold for Windows, over 60 radios can be controlled within one single program. But we have found that the same versatility may cause some confusion with the owners of the newer Trunk-Tracking Radios as to “Where to get started”. The below steps are primarily choices on the top menu bar of our Main Menu (or) “Splash Screen”. To help make this understandable, all menu choices are in CAPS. Scancat is “modularized”. There are several basic modules integrated into one program. While some software may try to place everything on one screen, this can overwhelm the first time user, and also limits the features that can be displayed. These modules are all available from one central point - our Main Menu:

· Setups – Choice of radio and associated serial port configurations

· Trunking Scanning Module – Specifically targeted to only Trunk-Tracking Radios.

· Trunking Database Management – Includes reading and loading radio memories

· Conventional Scanning Module – Applies to all supported radios in Non Trunking scanning applications. Includes Range & Database Scanning and Spectrum Analysis.

· Conventional Database Management – Primarily for non trunking radios – uses a “Flat File Database” system instead of segmented into individual banks.

· Conventional Memory Management – Load and Read memories – Basically only for non-trunking radios.

1. First step is to use the SETUPS to pick your radio and the comport settings.

2. While the first thing most people want to do is “get up and running”, resist the temptation. Instead choose:

A. RADIO MEMORY MANAGEMENT

B. TRUNKING SCANNERS

C. TRUNKING DATABASE

3. If you have frequencies already programmed into your scanner, choose “READ RADIO MEMORIES. Once you have all the frequencies and TG ID’s loaded into your database, save it using FILES / SAVE AS and use some unique file name. Use the full filename with extension of “TFQ” (Example “BC780.TFQ”)

4. If you don’t have frequencies in your radio or need to program them to the radio, use this database to then either edit what your database contains, or create a new database.

A. The database is organized into one bank per tab. There are 10 tabs / banks for the BC780. The PRO2052 has 20. The tabbed container has two databases. The Left is for Frequencies – the Right is for Talk Group ID’s (TG ID’s). Each Bank is associated with the same bank in your radio.

B. Place your curser on a cell and begin typing. Pressing <Enter> to accept - or -moving the mouse to another cell will accept your input.

C. The 2^nd column on the database is titled “Settings”. First click your mouse to highlight a record. If you then right click your mouse on a record, a small input box will pop up and all the functions for editing that record are available.

i. Click on the option “Edit Settings”.

ii. Check any of the boxes that apply. You MUST assign each frequency in a system as “Trunking” for it to be programmed into the radio as a trunking frequency.

iii. Once all “Check Boxes” are selected, Click on ACCEPT

iv. The setting Column will be updated and each option will be displayed as a single “Alpha” character. The Alpha for trunking is a “T”.

v. Once you become accustomed to the meaning of the “Alpha” settings, you can also type the letters in directly.

D. Once you have a Bank Programmed, click any other tabs to edit or add frequencies and TG ID’s for that bank.

E. Once completed then choose the appropriate Tab/Bank to program your radio’s bank. Then use the menu option LOAD SELECTED BANK TO RADIO. There are several options available for loading both frequencies or TG ID’s.

F. Once all banks are programmed SAVE your changes before Exiting the Database.

G. Then press “EXIT” to return to the “Main Menu”.

H. Choose SCANNING / TRUNKING

I. If the radio is not already in Trunking Mode, press the large Button at the lower left of the Cat-Trunking screen titled “TRUNKING”. This will toggle the radio in or out of trunking mode, the button title will change to indicate the mode in operation on the radio. The upper “Display area” will also indicate the trunking mode and other status’s of the radio while it is scanning or searching.

Please- also refer to your Owners Manual under the chapters for “Trunking”. All the features, buttons and details on operation of our program are detailed, including many screen shots.

Thanks for your support!

Jim Springer