HOW TO PROGRAM A UNIDEN UBCD396XT / UBCD325P2 SCANNER

Updated 22/05/2023

Programming these scanner is alot different to when i was growing up... forget the program, enter frequency, press enter.. those day are gone..

But, once you get your head around how it works its pretty simple (kind of)....Let me explain
 

Think of your new scanner as a Database, similar to a computer database with Folders (SYS) and Sub-Folders (GRP), that's how its programed....Like pages of a book

First thing I will say before programing is to 'Reset' your scanner.... Why?
Because it comes with pre-programed control frequencies for every state, It even has frequencies for New Zealand.... That's just confusing.

So lets start with a clean slate... (always do this)

To reset your Uniden UBCD396T / XT & UBCD325P2

1 . Turn off your scanner
2 . Hold down the following keys
3 .    2, 9, HOLD
4 . Press and hold these 3 buttons while pressing the power button to turn on
It will ask if you want to preload the systems, (Restore preProgram Lists) press 'NO' (dot Button)

 

***   PROGRAMMING WITH A COMPUTER  ***

 

 Download a program called Freescan  'DOWNLOAD here'


Open the program when finished download

*** PROGRAMING FOR GRN / PSN (Government Radio Network / Public Safety Network) ***

Now I am going to program my scanner for P25 PSN / GRN (Digital Trunking) so I click on the the blue tab in the Freescan software called "NEW SYS", (next to printer icon)

A new window will open called 'New System' with options, for GRN we need to click 'P25 Standard' (Digital XT)
Before you click "Create System" (see below) you need to give it a name in the 'New System Name' box like "PSN NSW".. I named mine PSN GLENBROOK... (Glenbrook is the closest tower to my location) Now click 'Create System'

                                                                            Pic 1
 Tip = Name the master file in capitals (eg - GRN GLENBROOK) and name smaller sub folders in standard... It looks better on the scanner and is easier to work with...

It will now create 2 folders (see Pic 2 below), a main folder (Named GRN GLENBROOK)  and 2 sub folders
1 - Site 1 (for frequencies)
2 - TGID Group 1 (for TGIDs - Radio IDs)

Click on the (P25) GRN GLENBROOK label and a new page will open.
Here you can set your delay time (i've set mine to 2)

You can tick the - use Motorola end code to on (I have), from what I understand it tells the scanner that the call has ended and to continue and not hang on....

Also tick 'Enable Digital / Analogue AGC' (Audio Gain Control).... depending on the signal, this turns the volume of the scanner up and down...

In regards to the AGC, when scanning banks, the GRN bank is heaps louder than, say, an aircraft bank...the idea behind the AGC is that the radio boosts the softer radio audio and softens the louder audio.... Works sometimes, but be careful not to have the audio up too loud, I have read in forums that the speakers in these radios can burn out (audio is too loud for the unit)....  

                                                                 Pic 2

Now go back to the left hand side menu and click (P25S) Site 1
Click on 'Site 1' and a page will open.

This is where we name our Site Location and enter the tower base frequencies closest to you.
Under 'Name' where it says Site 1, you can enter something like Glenbrook Twr or whatever is closest to you.

Then go to 'Quick Key' and select a number that you want as a bank... Mine is bank 2, so when i am scanning and i press the number 2 button, it will turn off or on Bank 2 which is my GRN Glenbrook.
Do the same for 'Startup Key' (same number)

Now to program the control channels in (what makes the magic happen)

Find the control frequencies for your area.... CLICK HERE to search for the closest tower....

(make sure you enter ALL the control frequencies for that base, there may be only 3 or might be 15)

Click on TRUNK FREQUENCIES (see below) and enter All the PSN/ GRN frequencies for that site using the green + button

                                                        Pic 3
Control Frequencies basically tells the radio to decode the voice input and the rest is nothing short of a technical wizardry

 Next Step

The APCO Band Plan page works by itself, as the radio connects to the GRN tower it will send and receive the plan so it remembers for next time
(UPDATE) Or sometimes it doesn't (as i found out)... Enter the setup below if it fails to set bandplan automatically.

 FREQUENCY(Mhz)     SPACING (Khz)
851.00625                       6.25
762.00625                       6.25
851.0125                         12.5
762.00625                       12.5
412.47500                       6.25
420.00000                       6.25

(NOTE) If you try to enter the frequencies manually, the software will tell you that the 762mhz frequencies are out of band, just click OK.


If you want to enter more than one Tower Base (eg, Kurrajong Heights) do the following...

In the left side menu click on the main folder (P25S GRN GLENBROOK).. It will highlight blue.
Then click on the 'New Site' (see pic below) and you will get a new site called 'Site 2'

Just rename from site 2 to whatever you want, make sure you repeat the process of entering the same bank number (2) and enter the new control frequencies for that particular site.. Done

Entering TGID codes (ID Codes)

Under the menu on the left hand side is the TGID Group 1 (see Pic 2).. this is for entering radio ID Codes for say, Ambulance. (see pic below)

                                                                    Pic 4

I used the 'EZ-Grab' function, getting my information from Radio Reference website and the copy and import method for the codes into Freescan... if done right should look like the above pic.
The main reason you would add these codes is that when your scanner finds a transmission from say.. Ambulance service, your radio will know the code it has just received (eg, code 10301 belongs to Air Ambulance) rather than just a number on your radio and you wondering... "I Wonder Who That Is'
You can have multiple code groups but is limited to about 3-4... (limited No to enter)

(Getting Technical)  FOR GRN ID TALKGROUPS CLICK HERE
 What are GRN ID Talkgroups?

Sometimes, while on GRN you just want to listen to, say, Rural Fire and Fire / Rescue so you would create a folder called a 'Talkgroup' with just the ID codes of interest from Rural Fire and Fire/Rescue... The above link shows you how.

Time to save your work to your Scanner

Plug your scanner into your computer with the control cable that should have came with your radio....

SEE the icon in the photo above where it says Site setup / Trunk Frequencies, there is 3 little icons of a scanner, one with a blue arrow up, one down and the end one for 'Virtual Control'
If you hover your mouse over these little icons it it will say "Upload to scanner".... while your radio is still connected to your computer, click on this 'upload to scanner icon'

You should see a window open that looks like the photo below

Make sure your GRN GLENBROOK (or whatever you named your site) is ticked and click on 'START UPLOAD'

If it comes up with an error (cannot upload) try changing the COM rate down, sometimes this helps if you have an older computer...

When its finished click CLOSE

THAT'S IT :)

Unplug you radio from your computer and press scan on the scanner, if it beeps and says 'Nothing to scan' press the No2 button (or what ever the number you chose for that particular bank) and if your signal is strong enough it should start to decode and display GRN

Now save your work by clicking on the blue floppy disc icon next to the printer icon..... save it somewhere on your computer for next time (desktop maybe?)


 

**** PROGRAMING FOR CONVENTIONAL FREQUENCIES **** (Computer)

Programing the Uniden UBCD396XT is similar to the GRN way except that you select Conventional instead of P25.. Here's how

Click on the the blue tab in the Freescan software called "NEW SYS", (next to printer icon)

A new window will open called 'New System' with options, we now click CONVENTIONAL (see below)

Before you click "Create System" you need to give it a name in the 'New System Name' box like eg .. "AIR FIELDS"..Now click 'Create System'

It will now only create one folder called 'Group 1'

Under 'Name' you can change the folder to say 'RAAF Richmond' (or whatever you want) and also set the quick key number (ive set mine to 3... GRN is 2 and Air Fields is 3) so when you are scanning and you select 3, it will turn bank 3 (Airfields) on and off
Now, select the green + button and enter the name and frequency you wish to scan, repeating the process of the green + every time you want to add a new frequency
OR
If you have access to a list that you can copy and import, then use the 'EZ-Grab' function.
Save you heaps of time.

If you want to add Another bank then, while your in, say,  'AIR FIELDS' folder (click to highlight blue) and select from the top menu 'New GRP' (see below)

                                                                    Pic 5

It will make a new folder called 'Group 2', just rename and follow the steps above to enter in your frequencies.
Before you save to your scanner, press the 'NSW AIRFIELDS' (or whatever you called yours) and select a few settings like 'Quick Key, Startup Key' ... these should be set at say 3 (bank 3)

Also tick 'Enable Analogue/ Digital AGC' (Audio Gain Control).... depending on the signal, this turns the volume of the scanner up and down...
In regards to the AGC, when scanning banks, some banks are heaps lower than say, a GRN bank...the idea behind the AGC is that the radio boosts the softer radio audio and softens the louder audio.... Works sometimes, but be careful not to have the audio up too loud, I have read in forums that the speakers in these radios can burn out (audio is too loud for the unit)....  

 Now Save Your Work to your Scanner

Plug your scanner into your computer with the control cable that should have came with your radio....

SEE the icon in the photo above (Pic 5) where it says Conventional System, there is 3 little icons of a scanner, one with a blue arrow up, one down and the end one for 'Virtual Control'
If you hover your mouse over these little icons it it will say "Upload to scanner".... while your radio is still connected to your computer, click on this 'upload to scanner icon'

You should see a window open that looks like the photo below

Make sure your 'NSW AIRFIELDS' (or whatever you named your site) is ticked and click on 'START UPLOAD'

If it comes up with an error (cannot upload) try changing the COM rate down, sometimes this helps if you have an older computer...

When its finished click CLOSE

THAT'S IT :)

Unplug you radio from your computer and press scan on the scanner, if it beeps and says 'Nothing to scan' press the No3 button (or what ever the number you chose for that particular bank) and if your signal is strong enough you will hear the wonderful world of Aircraft Scanning or Marine or ......

Now save your work by clicking on the blue floppy disc icon next to the printer icon..... save it somewhere on your computer for next time (desktop maybe?)

All that seems to hard?
Program your scanner in 15mins by getting a professional to do it for you, well i say professional, i mean me... I can do it for you, How Good Is That? CLICK HERE

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*** MANUAL PROGRAMMING ***
This would be for people who don't have access to a computer... etc

*** CONVENTIONAL FREQUENCIES *** (NON TRUNKING)

Turn your radio on (press power button quickly to turn on backlight if its hard to see, you may have to keep doing this)

1. Press the side bottom button on the left side of the radio (bottom button) called 'Menu'

2. 'Program System' should be highlighted...press E-yes button (bottom lower right keypad)

3. 'New System' should be highlighted, press 'E Yes' button..

 

4.  Using the rotary button on the top of the scanner, P25 (Trunking) will be highlighted (we don't want this).. keep scrolling till you see Conventional and press 'E-yes' button, 'Confirm' will show, press 'E Yes'

 

'System 1' will now show with various ways to set up the first bank, you can add a name, edit system options, edit group ... use the scroll button on top to highlight what you want, scroll to edit name and select 'EYes' if you want

When naming for this part, I use capitals because it makes the bank stand out more, under 'Edit Name' banner, press EYes to enter the naming menu using the scroll button on top, select the name while using 'button 6>' to advance forward or button '4<' to go back.. once done press EYes

Once you finish naming, remember to press the EYes button to lock in, It should automaticly take you back to the 'System 1' menu

 

5. Scroll to 'Edit System Option' and press EYes, this menu will allow you to set which bank the frequencies will go into.. using scroll and EYes, lock in the quick-key, startup key and number tag (i keep them all the same, eg 1,1, &1 so they all go together, set Hold time (set to 2 sec), set Audio AGC = set both to on, once done press the side menu button once to jump back to the previous menu

6. Scroll to edit group, press EYes

 

7. Select group 1 or whatever you named your bank, press EYes, this part allows you to name individual frequencies.. 

Name Your Frequency, then press EYes, Set quick key, press EYes and make it 1 then press EYes, scroll to 'Edit Channel', press EYes, 'New Channel' will show, press EYes, 

Now Enter the frequency using keypad and the dot No button for the center part, eg 123 'dot No' 450 = 123.450, press EYes to lock in, 'Processing, Please Wait' will show.. you can now (using the scroll button), give the frequecy a name, set the audio type (analog or digital.. if dont know, leave on All), Number Tag = 1, press EYes... Modulation = AM, NFM.. mostly all freq NFM unless aircraft, press EYes, most of the rest of the menu you dont need..

 

8. Press the bottom side key to jump back a menu.. The frequency that you just entered should be highlighted, now scroll to 'New Channel' to enter next freq, press EYes... Enter next frequency, press EYes, go through the menu using scroll button like you did before only give this frequency 'Number Tag' = 2..

 

9. Keep using the botton menu button, EYes button and top scroll button to enter all the frequencies required..

 

10. Once done, keep pressing the bottom side key till you exit the menu.

 The scanner should now start scanning the frequencies you have entered..

If you get the message 'Nothing To Scan', press the scan button then press the #1 key to activate Bank 1

Done..

 

*** TRUNKING PROGRAMMING (PSN / GRN / P25) *** PHASE 2

 

(ONLY FOR 325P2 Scanner) 396T/XT are Phase 1 Trunking only and in most places, no longer work...

Turn your radio on (press power button quickly to turn on backlight if its hard to see, you may have to keep doing this)

1. Press the side bottom button on the left side of the radio (bottom button) called 'Menu'

2. 'Program System' should be highlighted...press E-yes button (bottom lower right keypad)

3. 'New System' should be highlighted, press 'E Yes' button..

 

4.  Using the rotary button on the top of the scanner, 'P25' (Trunking) should be highlighted, select this by pressing the EYes button,  

'Standard Trunk' will show, press EYes, 'Confirm' press EYes button

 

5. You will now see 'System 1' up the top, that's our bank for P25 PSN scanning, you can change 'System 1' to 'NSW PSN/GRN P25' or something like that.. I use capitals because it makes the bank stand out more, under 'Edit Name' banner, press EYes to enter the naming menu

using the scroll button on top, select the name while using 'button 6>' to advance forward or button '4<' to go back.. once done press EYes
 

6. Scroll to 'Edit System Option' and press EYes, this menu will allow you to set which bank the frequencies will go into.. using scroll and EYes, lock in the quick-key, startup key and number tag (i keep them all the same, eg 1,1, &1 so they all go together, set Hold time (set to 2 sec), set Audio AGC = set both to on, once done press EYes to confirm and it should take you back to the edit menu

You will notice there is 'ID scan' and 'ID Search'.. 

ID SCAN will scan only the TGIDs you have entered into the scanner, good if you only want one particular area but could be very boring waiting for someone in your area to say somthing..

ID Search will search for all available TGIDs in the network, programmed or not programmed.. The programmed ones will show with a name, un-programmed will just show the TGID number of that user

I like to leave this setting on 'ID Search'

once finished in this menu, press the bottom side button to take you back a step

 

7. Scroll to edit Site, press EYes

 

'New Site' will be highlighted, press EYes

 

'Site 1-1 P25' should show on the top, here is where you setup the various towers for your area, you will need to know the 3-15 or so frequencies used in your area..

I use the ACMA Map to find various towers in my area, you will need to look for 'NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY' users in the 413 - 425mhz range (T Frequencies) T = Transmit)... Be sure to write them down somewhere..

 

I also like to write down the tower number, this is handy if suddenly the tower stops transmitting, i can then check if any new frequencies have been added which happens from time to time

Once you have finished naming your tower, press EYes

 

Set your quick key and startup key the same as the main P25 Bank, So NSW PSN / GRN P25 is Bank 1, Start Up key & Quick Key will also be 1 (that way everything locks in together)...

 

Leave 'Edit Band Plan' alone, it will work itself out..

 

Scroll to 'Set Frequencies', EYes, New Frequency, EYes.. Enter all 3-15 or more frequencies using the 'New Frequency' and EYes to confirm.. Only put in Frequencies in the 413-425mhz range

Once you enter all the tower frequencies, press the bottom side button to take you back a step

 

Scroll to set hold time = 2

Scroll to New Site and enter your new site following the steps above, if you make a mistake, press the bottom side key (once) to take you back a step

 

Once you have entered all your towers in your area, press the bottom side key to take you back to the System 'NSW PSN / GRN P25' menu, Scroll down to 'Edit Group'

 

8. Edit Group (Press EYes) is where you setup your TGIDs.. TGIDs are radio ids that identify who the user on the network is

Select 'New Group' pressEYes

Name the TGID User Eg NSW Ambulance or NSW Rural Fire, press EYes when finished

scroll to 'Set Quick Key' = 1, press EYes

Scroll to 'Edit Channel' press EYess

New Channel - EYes

Input TGID.. To find TGIDs on the network, use this site https://www.nswpsn.com/, once you find what your looking for, write down the TGIDs used in your area or write down all of them (may take a while)

TGIDs look like this

20006 - Far North Coast A

once you enter the TGID and press EYes, it will take you to the TGID menu, here you can name your TGID, if find setting the number tag is not need..

Go through and enter (and name) your TGIDs

 

When you have finished all the TGIDs you want, press the lower side key several times to exit, you are now finished..

 

YAY

 

You should now see ID Search (if you chose that function) or ID Scan if you only wanted to scan a few TGIDs on the network..

 

ENJOY

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Copyright 2023 - Michael Bailey (NSW Radio & Communications / ScanRadioNSW)

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