The BCD536HP can be placed on a convenient surface in your home as a base station, and connected to a standard outlet that supplies 120VAC, 60Hz. You must use either the supplied antenna or an electrically correct outdoor antenna, properly and safely mounted at your chosen site.
The unit can also be placed above, beneath, or in the dash of your vehicle using the supplied bracket and mounting hardware.
• If your scanner receives interference or electrical noise, move the scanner or its antenna away from the source.
• Do not use the scanner in high-moisture environments such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Avoid placing the scanner in direct sunlight or near heating elements or vents.
Power Related Issues
Important: To prevent memory from being corrupted, do not unplug the AC adapter during the time the memory is accessed for programming or auto store.
Note 1: If when you connect the AC adapter the [VOL] /Power Switch is ON, the scanner may not power on. Should this occur, simply turn the control OFF, then ON again.
Note 2: When you turn off the scanner using the power switch, the scanner remembers the last settings and mode. When you turn power back on, it resumes the previous mode.
Connecting an Optional Antenna
The scanner’s BNC connector makes it easy to connect a variety of optional antennas, including an external mobile antenna or outdoor base station antenna.
Note: Always use 50-ohm, RG-58, or RG-8, BNC terminated coaxial cable to connect
an outdoor antenna. If the antenna is over 50 feet from the scanner, use RG-8 low-loss dielectric coaxial cable. Cable loss increases with higher frequency.
Connecting an Extension Speaker
In a noisy area, an optional amplified extension speaker, positioned in the right place, might provide more comfortable listening. Plug the speaker cables 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) mini-plug into your scanners back-panel Ext. Sp. Jack.
WARNING! If you connect an external speaker to the scanner’s Ext. SP jack or headphone jack, never connect the audio output line to a power supply and ground. This might also damage the scanner.
BCD536HP Only - All audio output is Class-D amplified (PWM). Never connect Ext. SP jack or headphone jack to an external Class-D AMP.
Base Station
This is the simplest approach to let you get started quickly. Decide on a location that is convenient to a nearby wall outlet, has desk space to let you complete your programming worksheets, will safely allow the indoor antenna to be extended, or near a window to use an outdoor antenna.
To secure the radio to a surface by means of the mounting bracket, follow the steps below:
1. Attach the four protective mounting feet to the mounting bracket when you casually use the scanner on a flat surface. Should you desire to permanently mount the scanner, remove the feet and use wood screws through the bracket as described in Steps 2 and 3.
2. Use the bracket as a template to mark positions for the two mounting screws.
3. At the marked positions, drill holes slightly smaller than the screws.
4. Align the bracket with the threaded holes on the sides of the radio case so the bracket is beneath the radio. Secure the bracket using the two threaded knobs. Never over tighten the knobs.
Once the radio is positioned, connect it to a source of AC power using the supplied 13.8V, 750 mA AC adapter. Insert the barrel of the AC adapter to the jack on the rear, upper right side of the radio marked. Insert the connector of the supplied indoor telescoping antenna to the BNC Antenna
Connector and apply moderate pressure to secure it.
Vehicle Installation
You can mount your scanner in your vehicle, using either the supplied bracket or the optional DIN-E sleeve.
If the scanner loses power (as when you turn off your car’s ignition with the scanners power switch on), it can corrupt the microSD card. To ensure that does not happen, turn off the scanner before turning the car’s ignition off.
WARNING! AVOID AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ZONES.
Ignoring this installation concern may result in bodily harm and the inability of the airbag to perform properly.
Mounting Using the Bracket
With the bracket removed from the radio, use the holes in the bracket as a template to initially mark the location you plan to use in your vehicle. Be absolutely certain of what might be behind the mounting surface before making any holes, be it above, or below, or in front of your dash, armrest console, or other location. If you drill carelessly, expensive damage can result. If in doubt, consult your vehicle dealer’s service department or a qualified professional installer.
1. Using appropriate screws or other hardware, secure the bracket.
2. Insert the scanner and insert the bracket knobs to lock the scanner in position.
3. Attach the Cigarette Lighter Power Cord to the rear of the scanner and plug the adapter end into a dash mounted 12V DC socket.
4. Attach a suitable mounted mobile antenna to the antenna jack on the back of the scanner.
Mounting Using the DIN-E Sleeve
If you are unsure about how to install your scanner in your vehicle using the optional DIN-E sleeve, consult your automobile manufacturer, dealer, or a qualified installer. Before installing, confirm that your scanner fits in the desired mounting area and you have all the necessary materials to complete the task.
Your scanner requires a 2 x 7-1/8 x 5-5/16 inch (50 x 180 x 135 mm) mounting area. Allow an additional 2-3/8 inch (60mm) space behind the unit for connectors and wires.
1. Remove the bracket if it is attached.
2. Remove the four Philips screws from four small tabs on the rear of the case that secure the outer metal case and pull off the case (toward the rear) with care.
3. Install the DIN sleeve into the opening in your dashboard, lip facing out.
4. Push out the top and bottom tabs to hold the sleeve firmly in place.
5. Before inserting the scanner in the sleeve, attach the cable from the previously mounted antenna. Attach the DC Power leads. RED goes to a positive (+) connection on your fuse block while BLACK connects to the vehicles chassis ground (-).
6. Connect the ORANGE lead to one side of the headlamp switch so that when you activate the headlights, the scanners LCD display changes intensity. Be sure all the connections are routed away from any potentially pinching or slicing sheet metal.
7. Slowly slide the scanner into the sleeve until it locks in place.
8. To remove the unit, fully insert the removal keys into each slot on the left and right edges of the front panel. Carefully slide the radio from the sleeve.
Removing the Scanner from the DIN-E Sleeve
If you plan to connect other devices or wires to the radio, such as a GPS unit, at a later time, you should plan to remove the scanner from the DIN-E sleeve. This is easily done using the provided
Removal Keys that come with the optional DIN-E sleeve.
Refer to the illustration that follows, showing the Removal Keys.
Fully insert both Removal Keys into the slots on the left and the right edges of the radios dress panel. You cannot remove the radio with only one key. Press in fully, and do not twist the keys.
The radio will unlock from the sleeve making withdrawal from the sleeve possible. Store the keys in a safe place for future use.
Mounting Using ISO Technique
Some vehicles can take advantage of another approach to mounting a radio in a vehicle, called the ISO technique. However, this technique requires a very detailed and thorough knowledge of the technique. Therefore, we strongly suggest that if you have any doubt about your experience and abilities, please consult with a professional installer who is familiar with the ISO approach to radio installation.
To begin the process, it is first necessary to remove the scanners outer metal sleeve from the inner chassis. Unthread the four screws in the rear of the unit. Slide the cover toward the rear and off. Once the sleeve is removed, you will see threaded, metric machine screw holes on either side of the chassis cabinet. Uniden does not supply these screws. Their diameter, length, and screw type should be chosen by a qualified installer based on the internal vehicle bracket which will be used in securing the scanner chassis.
Once the original radio is removed from the vehicle dash and the fit of the scanner is correct, be sure to connect all the power, audio, antenna, and any other cables or wires, to the scanner before the scanner is secured.
The following illustration is a typical example of the ISO technique and the general side mounting screw holes often encountered. It does not actually represent the Uniden scanner or your vehicle’s mounting bracket. Only a professional installer will be able to determine the best and correct approach.
Connecting DC Cable with Orange Wire
Connect this cable to the vehicle’s electric system that receives power when you turn on your headlights. Now your scanner’s display will automatically dim when you turn on the headlights.
Using Internal Batteries (BCD436HP Only)
You can power your scanner using three alkaline or rechargeable AA batteries.
There is no switch for the battery type. Using non-rechargeable batteries, select “No” at the
Battery message when connecting the USB cable.
1. Install 3 AA batteries, matching the polarity symbols (+ -).
2. Replace the cover.
When Battery icon flashes and the scanner beeps every 15 seconds, replace or recharge the batteries.
Using Rechargeable Batteries
You can also use three rechargeable batteries to power your scanner. Before you use
rechargeable batteries, you must charge them. The scanner has a built-in circuit that lets you recharge batteries while they are in the scanner.
If the USB cable is connected to the scanner, or batteries are installed in the scanner when an USB cable is connected, the scanner will check the battery condition.
When the scanner is turned on, the scanner does not charge the batteies.
When the scanner is turned off, the scanner will charge the batteies.
The scanner displays “Normal Charging” while charging the batteies according to the Set Charge Time setting.
Caution: If the scanner gets too hot while charging, it will turn off automatically.
If the batteries are not installed, “No Battery” is displayed.
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