[MilCom] Optimizing the BC396T for searching milair at onscene events

[Mike Riffle]

Regarding the recent discussions about the Close Call performance of the
BC396T, here are some steps I have taken to optimize its performance...

First off, an excellent explanation of Close Call can be found at
http://www.radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/Uniden_Close_Call
By using antennas specific to the band(s) you are interested in and
optimizing those bands in the radio you can greatly increase your
chances of getting a hit.

Let's start by examining the 396T bandplan for the milair frequencies:
  29.7000 -  49.9900  NFM  10.0 kHz (Fox Mike)
  50.0000 -  53.9800  NFM  20.0 kHz (Fox Mike)
  54.0000 -  71.9500  WFM  50.0 kHz (Fox Mike)
  72.0000 -  75.9950  FM    5.0 kHz (Fox Mike)
  76.0000 -  87.9500  WFM  50.0 kHz (Fox Mike)
108.0000 - 136.9750  AM   25.0 kHz (Commercial)
137.0000 - 143.9875  NFM  12.5 kHz (Victor)
148.0000 - 150.7875  NFM  12.5 kHz (Victor)
225.0000 - 399.9500  AM   50.0 kHz (Uniform)
firmware upgrade v1.08.07 changed the bandplan to:
225.0000 - 379.9750  AM   25.0 kHz (Uniform)
380.0000 - 399.9875  NFM  12.5 kHz (LMR)

It is my understanding that the bandplan above is what the Close Call
feature will use while listening for signals. You may notice some problems:
The Fox Mike range has several different step sizes and modulations
The Victor ranges use a 12.5 step size and NFM

One more thing needs to be mentioned before discussing the optimization. The
396T has several Close Call bands which can be enabled/disabled to define
your search, they are:
VHF Low 1  ( 25.0000 -   53.9800)
VHF Low 2  ( 54.0000 -  107.9000)
Air Band   (108.0000 -  136.9750)
VHF High 1 (137.0000 -  224.9800)
VHF High 2 (225.0000 -  319.9500)
UHF        (320.0000 -  512.0000)
800MHz +   (764.0000 - 1300.0000) (less cellular)
In addition, there are Custom Broadcast Screens you can enable which will
block frequency ranges to further define your search.

Using all of the above, here is how I have optimized my 396T to search for
milair frequencies at on-scene events.

1. Enable only the following Close Call bands:
    Air Band, VHF High 1, VHF High 2, UHF
2. Set the following Custom Broadcast Screens:
    108.000 - 117.975
    144.000 - 147.990
    150.800 - 224.980
    380.000 - 512.000
3. Enable the following search ranges:
     30.000 -  87.975 NFM 25 kHz (optional, based upon location)
    138.000 - 143.975 AM  25 kHz
    148.000 - 150.775 AM  25 kHz
    **unlike most scanners that can either scan or search, the 396T can scan
      and search consecutively

Here is what the 396T Close Call setup looks like after the above steps are
complete:

118.000 - 136.975  (AM)
137.000 - 143.9875 (FM)
148.000 - 150.7875 (FM)
225.000 - 379.975  (AM)

Even though the optimization above is geared toward milair the principal can
be applied elsewhere. The possibilities are only limited by the frequency
ranges and your imagination.

Mike Riffle
Cataula, GA