BCD996T Still Viable?

[Airdorn]

Hi there. I have a BCD996T. Is it in any way up-gradable to the BCD886P2, or is it a dead end?

Thanks!

 

[GTR8000]

No, you cannot upgrade a 996T to a 996P2. It's still viable if it still receives what you need it to receive, otherwise it's probably time for a new scanner.

 

[tvengr]

Neither the BCD996T nor the BCD996XT can be upgraded to Phase 2. They are capable of P25 Phase 1 only. Also, they cannot be upgraded to receive ProVoice, DMR, or NXDN.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Still viable? What agency(ies) are you aiming to monitor?

 

[Airdorn]

Still viable? What agency(ies) are you aiming to monitor?

I've had it since 2006, but it's been collecting dust lately because I've been away. I'm thinking of just keeping it for P25 P1/older stuff and getting one of those snazzy SDS200s!

Thanks for the info.

 

[n1chu]

I still run my older 996… I moved it into my garage. But I’m fortunate as my local FD & PD are still using older analogue repeater systems with no immediate intentions of encrypting or swapping out for a digital system… at least not as long as their interoperability capabilities remain the same. From what I can surmise, FD will continue with their abilities to manage mutual aid needs by carrying a UHF portable for adjacent towns and already have the VHF high band mutual aid towns added to their existing radios. The PD does much the same with the regional hotline, RAFS and the available mutual aid 800 MHz frequencies. My town also utilizes STOCS, although I’ve not seen much use other than its use each year during the FD carnival fundraiser. It’s my guess any considered changes on the PD side are first reviewed with adjacent departments, [probably thru a state coordination committee] to gain insight on any long range intended planning and assure any changes they are contemplating will fit regionally.) And since the garage setup uses only the stock antenna, I can easily relocate the 996 if and when the need arises… saving my extra battery packs for my handheld scanners and amateur radios in the event of loosing AC power. There’s still a lot the older 996’s can do. And, if for no other reason, it’s still a good backup if I ever have to return my SDS200 for repairs.

 

[ofd8001]

I agree - the 996T is still a viable scanner IF you do not need Phase 2 or you are monitoring a massive statewide trunked system with more than 250 talkgroups on the system. Probably not so great for simulcast systems unless you are in a "lucky sweet spot" (close to a tower).

 

[n1chu]

Interesting, and I agree, your take on a “lucky sweet spot” when dealing with simulcast while using a non-simulcast capable scanner such as the 996P2 or the BCD325P2… I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. Living in central Ct., I monitor CLMRN for state police, Htfd Fire Dispatch, Bloomfield PD, New Britain Fire, and a few more without any simulcast degrading that I notice. I’ve compared my BCD325P2 to my SDS200 and notice no difference regarding simulcast. Maybe it’s because what I listen to (other than state police) doesn’t utilize multiple transmitting sites at the same time? Not sure. But so far, no complaints in Farmington, Ct. even when monitoring state police. However, I still wonder if what I do hear is all there is to hear… I run zero filters on the SDS200 which are designed to overcome simulcast distortions. I have dabbled in the various filter settings in order to learn if I am missing comms but so far, my results don’t give me any clue I’m missing something. And the regional forum for Ct. hasn’t had any mention (at least any of what I have read) of others who run the SDS100/200 in Hartford county and experiencing simulcast issues. And realizing the filter settings are wholly dependent upon location of your scanner, where the guy next door may experience problems when I don’t, others who do run the filters to correct for simulcast issues don't recommend a specific filter I might try, just to see if I might be missing comms. But my wondering if I’m getting everything is an issue for another thread.

 

[palmerjrusa]

One of the features I miss in the BCD536HP is the BCD996 has the multicolor screen option that can be incorporated into the alerts.

Have the fire tones of the local stations programmed into my BCD996 and on standby with different colors signifying Fire, EMS, Notifications.

Wish the 536 had that feature...

 

[GTR8000]

The 536 has an LED ring around the big silver knob that can be customized for each channel/alert. No, it's not the same as the full screen backlight color, but it's something.

 

[palmerjrusa]

The 536 has an LED ring around the big silver knob that can be customized for each channel/alert. No, it's not the same as the full screen backlight color, but it's something.

It's not the same, the screen on the 536 is not exactly great as it is.

 

[GTR8000]

Okay.