BCD396T: A Few Questions

[SCScanner61]

If ya'll could help me out with these I would be extremely grateful.

1. How long do the rechargeable batteries last usually with no backlight usage?

2. Can you use that adapter that came with it as a permanent power source even though the batteries are in it and fully charged? I mean will it hurt the scanner?

3. What could be some of the causes of missed transmissions? I've only had it for a few hours and am already starting to notice missed digital transmissions. The system I'm listening to is fairly new so im not really to sure if it's my scanner or the newness of the system.

Thanks.

 

[wjf]

If ya'll could help me out with these I would be extremely grateful.

1. How long do the rechargeable batteries last usually with no backlight usage?

2. Can you use that adapter that came with it as a permanent power source even though the batteries are in it and fully charged? I mean will it hurt the scanner?

3. What could be some of the causes of missed transmissions? I've only had it for a few hours and am already starting to notice missed digital transmissions. The system I'm listening to is fairly new so im not really to sure if it's my scanner or the newness of the system.

Thanks.

1. Eight to ten hours is what I get.
2. Yes, it won't hurt the scanner, but maybe the batteries.
3. Depends on what you're trying to listen to. Search the Wiki for tweaks. It makes a difference.

 

[aar9sm]

Missed

Check to make sure the priority function is not on.

Turn close call off.

 

[wjf]

Check to make sure the priority function is not on.

Turn close call off.

Ditto that. Didn't think of it.

 

[SCScanner61]

Both Priority and Close Call are off. Is it just me or does the 396 scan really slow, even when all those pre-programmed systems are deleted? After a while of it being on, It seems to find talk groups slower, but when I turn it off and then on again, they show up more. Maybe it's just my luck that they aren't talking and is a coincidence but I don't know. There's so much about this new scanner that I need to learn.

Also, does anyone know how to scan just one particular system instead of all that I have entered? Kind of like on my Pro-95 you could choose which banks you wanted to listen to.

 

[regression]

Both Priority and Close Call are off. Is it just me or does the 396 scan really slow, even when all those pre-programmed systems are deleted? After a while of it being on, It seems to find talk groups slower, but when I turn it off and then on again, they show up more. Maybe it's just my luck that they aren't talking and is a coincidence but I don't know. There's so much about this new scanner that I need to learn.

Also, does anyone know how to scan just one particular system instead of all that I have entered? Kind of like on my Pro-95 you could choose which banks you wanted to listen to.

Check the system hold times for the systems you are scanning. If the system hold time is 5 seconds, for example, it will seem like it takes 5 seconds to scan the system....

To not scan systems, you can either lock them out, or better yet, turn off their system quick keys.

Hope that helps.

David

 

[SCScanner61]

Not trying to be funny but If I hold an ID for an hour, it will seem like it takes an hour to scan the system?

 

[regression]

Not trying to be funny but If I hold an ID for an hour, it will seem like it takes an hour to scan the system?

Well, if you are in HOLD mode, you aren't scanning, you are holding....

 

[linuxwrangler]

1. How long do the rechargeable batteries last usually with no backlight usage?

Depending on the set of cells I'm using, I get 8-13 hours.

2. Can you use that adapter that came with it as a permanent power source even though the batteries are in it and fully charged? I mean will it hurt the scanner?

As someone else mentioned, you won't hurt the scanner but it may not be good for the batteries. Many on the forum use an external charger - I use a Maha 9000 and Maha 401. People here have reported good service and selection of batteries and chargers at Thomas Distributing and I have found that as well.

The charger in the 396 is a simple timed charger. If your cells are lower than standard capacity or if you end up leaving the charger on except for periodic short outings that restart the charge timer, you risk overcharging. If your batteries are higher capacity than standard, they may not charge completely. An external charger can also get your cells topped up far far faster than the internal charger. And if you are worried about cell-failure during charge, external is the way to go.

There is a small switch in the battery compartment that you set for rechargable or alkaline. Only difference is that on the alkaline setting it disables battery charging. I only use rechargables but set the switch to alkaline so I can use the external power without worrying about overcharging the cells.

 

[SCScanner61]

Thanks.!!

 

[Dubbin]

It wont hurt a thing to leave the batteries in the scanner and plugged into the wall IF you have the switch set to alkaline.

 

[policefreak]

Hi JRay1670! Hope you are learning lots of stuff about the 396. Have you got it to work better for you? Are your digital tranmissions coming in any better? If not, tell us what system you are scanning. Unfortunately, the 396 does not perform all that well with some digital systems. Were you able to make the scanner speed faster? I notice even with a hold time set to zero, it does take quite a while to scan trunked systems. {:>/
By the way, I use Energizer NiMH rechargable batteries and charge them in an external charger. With backlight use, I get about 5 or 6 hours. Realize, not only does the battery time depend on the backlight usage, but also the volume level.

Good luck and happy scanning!! :>D

 

[Barn]

Is there away to see the frq. numbers on the preprogramed chanels on the 396t?

 

[garys]

Is there away to see the frq. numbers on the preprogramed chanels on the 396t?

FUNC + 5 will show the frequencies. Unfortunately, you won't see the Alpha Tag until you press FUNC + 5 again. There is no way to see them both at the same time, nor can you set the display to alternate them.

Gary

 

[mikeydcg2003]

Does Anyone know if You can swap out the NiMH batteries for Lion batteries and whether or not they would work just fine or would it be easier to buy the external charger that goes with most of the lion batteries?

 

[wjf]

Does Anyone know if You can swap out the NiMH batteries for Lion batteries and whether or not they would work just fine or would it be easier to buy the external charger that goes with most of the lion batteries?

It will work. Whether or not it's the best solution is your call.

 

[slicerwizard]

Aren't Li-Ion cells 3.6 volts each? How's that going to work? Sounds like a good way to destroy the scanner.