Uniden bc72xlt User Manual

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Understanding Scanning
this was the primary way that radio systems 
operated. 
Even today, there are many 2-way radio users who 
operate using a conventional system: 
Aircraft 
Amateur radio 
FRS/GMRS users 
Broadcast AM/FM/TV stations 
Many business radio users 
When you want to store a conventional system, all 
you need to know is the frequencies they operate 
on. When you are scanning a conventional system, 
the scanner stops very briefly on each channel to 
see if there is activity. If there isn’t, the scanner 
quickly moves to the next channel. If there is, then 
the scanner pauses on the transmission until it is over. 
Simplex Operation
Simplex systems use a single frequency for both 
transmit and receive. Most radios using this type of 
operation are limited to line-of-sight operation. This 
type of radio is frequently used at construction job 
sites, and with inexpensive consumer radios such as 
GMRS/FRS radios. The range is typically 1-8 miles, 
depending upon the terrain and many other factors. 
Repeater Operation
Repeater systems use two frequencies: one transmits 
from the radio to a central repeater; the other 
transmits from the repeater to other radios in the 
system. With a repeater-based system, the repeater 
is located on top of a tall building or on a radio tower 
that provides great visibility to the area of operation. 
When a user transmits (on an input frequency), the 
signal is picked up by the repeater and retransmitted 
(on an output frequency). The user’s radios always 
BC72 Paper OM.fm  Page 15  Monday, October 25, 2004  3:11 PM