BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Interested in a BCD325P2 Unit

[Bmurphy09]

Been doing a lot of reading & researching online today about scanners. From what I can gather it seems like the BCD325P2 is a good trunking scanner. It seems reasonably priced. I see a lot of cons about battery life but that’s not a deal breaker for me. Amazon has the unit for less money than buying from Uniden but if bought from Uniden I can add the additional programming & unlocking. Does anyone know can I still have that done even if I purchase from Amazon?

Also I have a pretty old handheld scanner that I doubt does DMR. On radio reference I searched for LE, businesses, etc and see so many that are “DMR.” I am guessing my old model scanner does not get DMR transmissions.

The 325P2 looks like a good model, can anyone else tell me their experiences with this particular model? Eager to learn about it & more about scanning but don’t want to have to get a Masters degree in order to do so.

 

[wtp]

for the battery problem, i carry 2 extra cells in my pocket.
the biggest problem is with simulcast.
as i move around my county it cuts in and out a bit, but is horrible when i am at home.
it cuts in and out at 1/4 second intervals.
if you buy it from amazon, you can go to the uniden site and get the numbers to unlock the extras, cheaper than others.

 

[bubbaearle]

I just bought two from Amazon, both were used / like new, no issues so far with either one. No scratches for imperfections, they look like new to me. I got each one for $305 and I upgraded them to receive DMR & NXDN. Total cost after upgrade was cheaper then buying them full price.

It doesn't matter where you purchase the radio, the upgrade process is thru Uniden.

What is your location & what do you want to listen to??

What make/model is your old scanner??

Search the forums here for recommendations on programming software.

 

[Bmurphy09]

I just bought two from Amazon, both were used / like new, no issues so far with either one. No scratches for imperfections, they look like new to me. I got each one for $305 and I upgraded them to receive DMR & NXDN. Total cost after upgrade was cheaper then buying them full price.

It doesn't matter where you purchase the radio, the upgrade process is thru Uniden.

What is your location & what do you want to listen to??

What make/model is your old scanner??

Search the forums here for recommendations on programming software.

Hi. So buy the radio from wherever and then go to Uniden’s site to do the upgrades? The old scanner is a radio shack scanner, I’ve had it for a very long time. It’s so old it doesnt work on batteries (it takes batteries but they dont work in the scanner) and when its plugged in to a power source it complains of a battery low condition and sometimes it just turns itself off. Anything is an upgrade to this thing.

Interested in listening to fire, police, local things. I live by a six flags park and used to be able to listen to them a lot. I installed a discone anntenna in the attic and ran a cable down through the attic into the office. To help with reception. I think some of my local LE is encrypted now but I’m sure there’s plenty of other stuff to listen to. In looking at the frequency database on rr.com i see a lot of things are DMR now, which I’m guessing my current scanner will not pick up. Also see that some orgs/businesses are DMR MOTOTRBO, I think the 325P2 will pick those transmissions up with the unlocking of DMR…do you think or know if it will?

I saw posts & reviews about getting a subscription to radio reference, I didn’t know what is being offered with a subx to radio reference. I also see some recommendations on programming software. I guess I would just need to get a unit and play with it, see what I can do with it.

Thanks so much.

 

[hill]

Piurchaaed a 325P2 about a month ago and works well, but not really my primary scanner for P25 Trucked systems, as have other radios for this tasks, like a Unication G4 and 5.

Have both the DMR and NXDN upgrades. This is main reason i purchaseed this scanner is to monitor businesses using these modes. Need to see if any DMR systems have encryption on them.

Battery life is OK.

You need to see how much simulcast you have in your area, as this scanner may or not work. I am in good area to monitor our local TRS.

Looking at your County's radio system used PD is encrypted, but fire is clear with some encryption on EMS.

In the database anything with a capitol E is encrypted and small e is part time encrypted

 

[Bmurphy09]

Piurchaaed a 325P2 about a month ago and works well, but not really my primary scanner for P25 Trucked systems, as have other radios for this tasks, like a Unication G4 and 5.

Have both the DMR and NXDN upgrades. This is main reason i purchaseed this scanner is to monitor businesses using these modes. Need to see if any DMR systems have encryption on them.

Battery life is OK.

You need to see how much simulcast you have in your area, as this scanner may or not work. I am in good area to monitor our local TRS.

Looking at your County's radio system used PD is encrypted, but fire is clear with some encryption on EMS.

In the database anything with a capitol E is encrypted and small e is part time encrypted

Hi. I’m reading & trying to figure out what this “simulcast” business is. I don’t understand simulcast vs. non-simulcast. I’m part of a couple of facebook groups for local emergencies & such, the admins post pretty often incidents & stuff in my area. They say they hear it on the scanner so some must not be totally encrypted. My area is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department. Like you said it looks like my area is encrypted but some of it must be non-encrypted because the facebook groups announce accidents & incidents in the area. I need to ping them & ask what frequency or frequencies they are listening to, to get this information. Thanks!

 

[bearcatrp]

Enjoy my 325P2 but if your in heavy simulcast area, it will be choppy. That changes as you move around if your mobile. I use an external USB battery for around 24 hours of continuous scanning. But while driving, I remove the batteries and plug in to a USB port in my truck for power. what area do do you live so we can help you with better information. Sucks buying a scanner that won’t work in your area. You mentioned trunking for your interest. What agencies are you interested in to scan?

 

[BinaryMode]

Magic Mountain doesn't appear to use DMR. So darn near any scanner will do. Attractions / Amusement Parks (Los Angeles County) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference Unless of course that's old information.

482.8625 WII801 RM CSQ SCV-D5 Disp 5 - Santa Clarita [L-TAC 8] FMN Law Dispatch

483.325 RM 151.4 PL LAC D-1 Dispatch - Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley (BN 6,11,17,22) FMN Fire Dispatch

483.525 RM 151.4 PL LAC C-10 Command - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley FMN Fire-Tac
483.8625 RM 151.4 PL LAC C-11 Command - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley FMN Fire-Tac
484.0125 RM 151.4 PL LAC C-12 Command - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley FMN Fire-Tac

470.5875 KNP331 RM CSQ LAC BLUE 11 Alt CMD - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys FM Fire-Tac

471.025 WIL591 RM 118.8 PL SCV EM Emergency Managment FM Emergency Ops

The Santa Clarita county sheriff appears to be in the clear. Press control + F in your browser and find Santa Clarita. Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Trunking System, Los Angeles County, California

Like mentioned, if you see a DE it means full time encryption. A De is partial encryption. Meaning they can be encrypted or not encrypted at anytime. If you program a De talkgroup and if an encrypted transmission comes along the scanner will mute the audio hash and continue scanning.

I own both P2s. They work great for me but I don't listen to any simulcast towers.

This tower would be what I would start with for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS). Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: Magic Mountain 700


Another. Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: North Simulcast 700

I don't know if these towers are simulcast or not, but may be better.

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 North UHF

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 North UHF Details

www.radioreference.com

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 West UHF

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 West UHF Details

www.radioreference.com

Another contender. Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: Magic Mountain UHF


The LA-RICS does look simulcast though so the P2 may have issues.

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Trunking System, Los Angeles County, California

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Do you have any experience with programing a P25 trunked system? It is a bit of a learning curve. Especially with DMA type scanners. I'd chime in on the California subforum and ask about the P2 you're interested in. It may not work that well due to simulcast. If you buy ProScan, I can create a file for you. Or someone else in your area can do it from the California subforum.

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[hill]

I think looked up the wrong area from your profile disregard my last post on the radio systems in your area

 

[Chris0516]

@Bmurphy09 I sold my 325p2, because. It cannot do Simulcasting. I have the BCD436HIP for Digital and, Analog. I have the SDS100 for Digital and, Simulcast.

 

[smithken]

Hi. I’m reading & trying to figure out what this “simulcast” business is. I don’t understand simulcast vs. non-simulcast. I’m part of a couple of facebook groups for local emergencies & such, the admins post pretty often incidents & stuff in my area. They say they hear it on the scanner so some must not be totally encrypted. My area is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department. Like you said it looks like my area is encrypted but some of it must be non-encrypted because the facebook groups announce accidents & incidents in the area. I need to ping them & ask what frequency or frequencies they are listening to, to get this information. Thanks!

Simulcast = different towers (sites) transmitting on the same frequency at the same time. With digital transmissions this can really confuse the receiver if it is receiving multiple towers at the same time, one tower will probably be closer than another tower and you will receive one tower slightly before the other tower. The 325P2 is not designed to work with simulcast so you may get bits and pieces of transmissions or possibly no transmission at all. Also the better your antenna is the worse simulcast problems may be.

 

[jbspeed79]

for the battery problem, i carry 2 extra cells in my pocket.
the biggest problem is with simulcast.
as i move around my county it cuts in and out a bit, but is horrible when i am at home.
it cuts in and out at 1/4 second intervals.
if you buy it from amazon, you can go to the uniden site and get the numbers to unlock the extras, cheaper than others.

Mine eats batteries like nothing else I have owned. It’s absolutely horrible. But I also have the same issue with simulcast and reception. I can’t use mine as a mobile.

 

[Chris0516]

Hi. I’m reading & trying to figure out what this “simulcast” business is. I don’t understand simulcast vs. non-simulcast. I’m part of a couple of facebook groups for local emergencies & such, the admins post pretty often incidents & stuff in my area. They say they hear it on the scanner so some must not be totally encrypted. My area is served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department. Like you said it looks like my area is encrypted but some of it must be non-encrypted because the facebook groups announce accidents & incidents in the area. I need to ping them & ask what frequency or frequencies they are listening to, to get this information. Thanks!

@Bmurphy09 Think of 'simulcast' like this. Think of hexagon. The middle of the hexagon could represent you. Each corner would represent a tower you could hear from. Because of how. The signal is 'distributed'. Only some(but not all) scanners are capable of hearing simulcast.

 

[Bmurphy09]

@Bmurphy09 I sold my 325p2, because. It cannot do Simulcasting. I have the BCD436HIP for Digital and, Analog. I have the SDS100 for Digital and, Simulcast.

So in your opinion is the SDS-100 the best scanner that money can buy? Seems like it’s good for digital, trunking, analog (?), simulcast? The price difference between the 25p2 and the SDS is a couple hundred dollars. Would you say the SDS will pick up nearly anything/everything except for encrypted traffic? Hope you’re able to see this reply. Thanks!

 

[Bmurphy09]

Magic Mountain doesn't appear to use DMR. So darn near any scanner will do. Attractions / Amusement Parks (Los Angeles County) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference Unless of course that's old information.

482.8625 WII801 RM CSQ SCV-D5 Disp 5 - Santa Clarita [L-TAC 8] FMN Law Dispatch

483.325 RM 151.4 PL LAC D-1 Dispatch - Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley (BN 6,11,17,22) FMN Fire Dispatch

483.525 RM 151.4 PL LAC C-10 Command - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley FMN Fire-Tac
483.8625 RM 151.4 PL LAC C-11 Command - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley FMN Fire-Tac
484.0125 RM 151.4 PL LAC C-12 Command - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley FMN Fire-Tac

470.5875 KNP331 RM CSQ LAC BLUE 11 Alt CMD - Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys FM Fire-Tac

471.025 WIL591 RM 118.8 PL SCV EM Emergency Managment FM Emergency Ops

The Santa Clarita county sheriff appears to be in the clear. Press control + F in your browser and find Santa Clarita. Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Trunking System, Los Angeles County, California

Like mentioned, if you see a DE it means full time encryption. A De is partial encryption. Meaning they can be encrypted or not encrypted at anytime. If you program a De talkgroup and if an encrypted transmission comes along the scanner will mute the audio hash and continue scanning.

I own both P2s. They work great for me but I don't listen to any simulcast towers.

This tower would be what I would start with for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS). Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: Magic Mountain 700


Another. Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: North Simulcast 700

I don't know if these towers are simulcast or not, but may be better.

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 North UHF

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 North UHF Details

www.radioreference.com

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 West UHF

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: I-5 West UHF Details

www.radioreference.com

Another contender. Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Site: Magic Mountain UHF


The LA-RICS does look simulcast though so the P2 may have issues.

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Trunking System, Los Angeles County, California

Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

Do you have any experience with programing a P25 trunked system? It is a bit of a learning curve. Especially with DMA type scanners. I'd chime in on the California subforum and ask about the P2 you're interested in. It may not work that well due to simulcast. If you buy ProScan, I can create a file for you. Or someone else in your area can do it from the California subforum.

Simulcast Distortion - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Thanks for that awesome reply. In your opinion would the SDS-100 be a better purchase all around, for digital, P25, analog, DMR, simulcast, etc? I have read that it can be a bit of a bear to program. It’s obviously not impossible to program and I’m sure there’s YouTube videos & other help on here. I have a RadioShack Pro-94 today that’s in pretty bad shape. Definitely looking to upgrade. Also sounds like I can buy the scanner anywhere and just contact Uniden for the unlock keys for DMR & the others? Given the price of the SDS I would rather buy it on Amazon or somewhere else that’s less expensive. I would take you up on your offer for a file. Hope you see this & can reply when possible. Thank you again!

 

[BinaryMode]

An SDS scanner will probably be what you want. The ProScan software should make it easier to program, but like everything you have to learn some things.

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD3600XLT UBCD436PT...

www.proscan.org

Yes, buy the upgrades at Uniden's website directly. You create an account there and it'll ask you for the ESN and serial number of the scanner.

 

[SuperFlyEDSguy]

I really like my BCD325-P2 a lot and would absolutely recommend it for anyone that wants a solid digital trunking scanner without going into the highest end price range!

Now, a few things to keep in mind: The very first thing you’ll need to do is get the device firmware up to date. Next, take a look at the database for what you’re interested in listening to, and only buy the upgrade keys to unlock those systems that you’ll need to hear. Many of them are rarely used these days, so save yourself the money! Finally, use some reputable scanner software with a Premium RR account to start loading up your scanner. Don’t throw too much at it because it’ll take forever to scan, balance is key.

Next, you should be okay, more-or-less, with Simulcast provided that you enable the LP Filter (regardless of 4kHz tones being heard) and set your P25 Threshold to around 7 or 8. The trick is not using Auto mode unless listening to Motorola Type II. Actually, the rule of thumb for manual is to use between a 6 and 8 for Harris Systems, and between a 8 and 10 for all other Motorola Systems.

Lastly, just power your scanner with a USB cable when stationary. If I want to bring mine with me, I have an external charger and rotate three sets of rechargeable AA batteries. Worst case, like during a power outage, you can use Alkaline batteries, but they don’t last very long in comparison. The USB cable will be your best option unless on the move.

Of course, buy a better scanner if your budget allows as these are a bit tricky to learn to program, but by no means as difficult as many people like to say it is! I happen to be a fan, but who knows what I may get down the line!

 

[tvengr]

Next, you should be okay, more-or-less, with Simulcast provided that you enable the LP Filter (regardless of 4kHz tones being heard

The LP Filter takes up a lot of the microprocessor's time and degrades scanner performance. Do not use it unless you hear the 4 KHz whistle.

 

[SuperFlyEDSguy]

The LP Filter takes up a lot of the microprocessor's time and degrades scanner performance. Do not use it unless you hear the 4 KHz whistle.

I’ve read that too, however I have noticed that it does seem to help with Simulcast. More importantly, most people don’t employ it because the additional use on the processor equals a drop in battery life, however I have not noticed that to be a significant issue and it will also become a complete non-issue if running exclusively on USB power. There are a few sources that I’ve seen that recommended this along with the above manual threshold adjustments for P25 Simulcast. When I get a chance, I want to do a passthrough with my oscilloscope to see if there may be a sub-audible 4kHz tone that is too quiet to normally hear. Unlike the low frequency noise that’s used in CTCSS, it’s less likely with a tone this high pitched as most adult humans could easily hear it, but I’ve seen far weirder stuff once something is examined on the bench.

 

[Chris0516]

So in your opinion is the SDS-100 the best scanner that money can buy? Seems like it’s good for digital, trunking, analog (?), simulcast? The price difference between the 25p2 and the SDS is a couple hundred dollars. Would you say the SDS will pick up nearly anything/everything except for encrypted traffic? Hope you’re able to see this reply. Thanks!

Yes, It is a $200+ difference in price. No scanner can accurately pick up encrypted traffic The SDS100 omes with P25 but, is weak on analog. Other than that, it can get everything, AS LONG AS. You have the keys activated. ProVoice is almost non-existent. DMR is still used. I don't see any NXDN in your county. The LTR systems don't require key activation, but I don't bother with those systems', anyway.