Accessory Review:
Uniden BC246T Handheld TrunkTracker Scanner
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

As a youngster, I became hooked on the communications hobby for many reasons. As a baseball fanatic, I loved to listen to late-night radio broadcasts of Major League Baseball games on the west coast – still do. I also enjoyed listening to some of the classic sports talkshow hosts, like Pete Franklin during his days at WWWE Cleveland. 

But what really hooked me on the communications hobby was Citizens Band – or CB – radio chat. I still recall the day a truck driver returned my call on Channel 14. I only operated a one-watt walkie talkie back then, but it was strong enough to reach the local highway. As well, my grandfather turned me onto the hobby of scanning – everything from local fire, ambulance and police, to ham – or amateur – radio hobbyists. And as a veteran reporter, I’ve been subject to the constant chatter of a scanner in many a newsroom.

In this world of post-9/11, there is a new sensitivity surrounding the scanning hobby, and rightfully so. But when enjoyed responsibly, there is a whole other world of communications out there waiting to be discovered. For example, Uniden, the world’s leading scanner manufacturer, has twinned efforts with marketing-savvy NASCAR in promoting its budget-priced scanners which bear the NASCAR logo. Racing enthusiasts now bring their handheld scanners to the track, listening in on conversations between their favourite drivers and the pit crews. 

Peterborough, Ontario-based Lectron Radio Sales Ltd. were kind enough to forward one of Uniden’s leading handheld scanners for review – the Uniden Bearcat BC 246T TrunkTracker. A member of today’s high-tech scanning device family, this tiny but mighty scanner boasts TrunkTracker III technology, plus a myriad of features which will most certainly fill a large void in your communications shack.

What is TrunkTracking, you ask? With communications gone high-tech in order to provide more “room” – badly-needed additional frequencies – many radio communications now rely on a trunk system, for example, Motorola, EDACS and LTR trunking systems, all three covered by the BC 246T. While conventional scanners simply allow you to key in a frequency, a TrunkTracking scanner uses a talk group ID. With the BC 246T, you can scan numerous ways, including the conventional way of punching in frequencies, and through a TrunkTracking scanning operation.

Sound too technical? It’s not. In fact, I found the instructional manual very easy to follow, despite the fact I was relatively late in catching the TrunkTracking bug.

Let’s start with the basics of this powerful performer. The BC 246T weighs only 0.48 lbs, and measures just 2.72 in. wide x 1.26 in. deep x 4.6 in. high. It comes with a handy wrist strap, a belt clip, a standard rubber ducky antenna, a computer connection cable (more on this later), an AC adapter and two NI-MH batteries. The adapter will also charge your batteries through a separate jack. Make sure you remove the battery cover and set the switch to rechargeable batteries. If you are using regular alkaline batteries, set the switch accordingly. Important: do not connect the AC adapter if non-rechargeable batteries are installed, and the switch is set to NI-MH BATT., or if you are unsure of the switch’s position. Non-rechargeable batteries can get hot, and even burst if you try to recharge them.

From top to bottom, the BC 246T is a high-quality communications scanner. It features dynamic memory, which gives you control over your scanner by programming the channels you need, keeping the others free, as well as the ability to group systems together. In total, there are 1,600 dynamically allocated channels – in short, no more wasted space, memory or time. Alpha Tagging gives you the power to assign a name to the channels and talk group IDs to make it easier to identify who is talking.

With this scanner, you don’t punch in frequencies and scan banks of channels. Continuous band coverage includes 25-54, 108-174, 216-225, 400-512, 806-956 and 1,240 to 1,300 MHz (minus cellular). There are 10 programmable search ranges, plus 11 programmed service searches (i.e. CB Radio, Racing, Public Safety). The backlit keypad is top-notch, providing an easy-to-read backlit keypad for enhanced night visibility. A beep alert allows you to program any channel with an alert that will let you know that a transmission has come in on a designated channel. This function can be programmed in up to 1,000 channels if desired. Search Plus allows you to program up to 10 search ranges, auto search and store, and chain search. And the Close Call feature alerts you to local transmissions – a very cool feature. 

In fact, the BC 246T is bursting with features. It boasts CTCSS/DCS Decode which allows you to reduce interference when a system you want to hear uses CTCSS or DCS. A S.A.M.E. Weather Alert feature allows you to input a six-digit code which will designate a local severe weather warning. This function will only alert the user of impending weather conditions for their specific area code or codes, which may be obtained from the National Weather Service website. If your area isn’t covered, no worries: you can monitor your local weather service frequency – 162.475 MHz here in London and area.

The BC 246T also has a memory backup feature, so stored frequencies aren’t lost in the event of a power failure – an important feature, since you will no doubt spend valuable time storing your favourite frequencies.

My favourite band to scan is the 144-148 MHz, or 2 Meter amateur band (ham radio operators). Shortly into my testing of the BC 246T scanner, tornadoes were threatening here in southwestern Ontario. By searching this band, and in particular monitoring the local CANWARN operation at 145.45 MHz, I was able to listen into some of our local ham operators dedicated to spotting and reporting severe weather patterns.

As mentioned, the BC 246T scanner comes with a computer patch cord which allows you to download demo software, and thus remotely program and control the scanner. This is a key feature if you are into scanning trunked systems.

The only downfall of this great little unit is the low volume into an extension speaker. However, the built-in speaker is another tiny but mighty feature of this scanner, providing crisp, clear communications monitoring. And, there is an option of using an external amplified speaker which matches the specifications of the scanner (consult your owner’s manual).

As a radio hobbyist since the late 1960s, I give the BC 246T scanner a huge seal of approval. It sounds great, it’s sturdy, and it’s easy to program. The Uniden Bearcat BC 246T handheld scanner typically sells in the range of $329, but shop around for the best deal, including at the Lectron Radio website, www.LectronRadio.com.