BCD396XT/BCD996XT: More sensitivity and selectivity?

[Pr999]

Is the BCD396XT more sensitive and selective (on 800mhz) or is it just me?

I bought a BCD396XT off eBay a while back because I thought it was a really cool scanner, despite being outdated. Luckily, the majority of our state is still on phase 1.
After I've bought it, I started using it as my main portable. It's smaller, has a brighter and more colorful backlight, and seems to be sensitive like my bc125at, as well as being less prone to simulcast distortion than my bcd325p2. I'm not sure if it's just me, because I already favored this scanner before buying it, or if it actually is as sensitive and selective as it seems.

Why I think this is because I compared it to my bcd325p2, and that scanner just seems less sensitive with analog traffic and even worse with 800, that's why it's so bad on simulcast. Maybe there is something wrong with my particular unit, but after using the 396 extensively and comparing it to my experience with the 325, I can say it generally acts more like the 125.

Well, let me know your thoughts!

 

[CollinsURG]

Is the BCD396XT more sensitive and selective (on 800mhz) or is it just me?

I bought a BCD396XT off eBay a while back because I thought it was a really cool scanner, despite being outdated. Luckily, the majority of our state is still on phase 1.
After I've bought it, I started using it as my main portable. It's smaller, has a brighter and more colorful backlight, and seems to be sensitive like my bc125at, as well as being less prone to simulcast distortion than my bcd325p2. I'm not sure if it's just me, because I already favored this scanner before buying it, or if it actually is as sensitive and selective as it seems.

Why I think this is because I compared it to my bcd325p2, and that scanner just seems less sensitive with analog traffic and even worse with 800, that's why it's so bad on simulcast. Maybe there is something wrong with my particular unit, but after using the 396 extensively and comparing it to my experience with the 325, I can say it generally acts more like the 125.

Well, let me know your thoughts!

The BCD396XT is an excellent scanner and has been one of the best I have ever owned. In my area the BCD396XT cannot handle simulcast nearly as well as the BCD325P2.

My BCD325P2 is quite sensitive and handles IMD very well and very good rejecting images. Very few internally generated interference (birdies). It and my BCD996P2 are by far the best performing scanners I have ever owned for everything other than simulcast. Even on an external antenna with gain.

Different antennas on each can make a big difference.

 

[Pr999]

Different antennas on each can make a big difference.

I've used the stock antenna, 800 MHz antenna, and even a mobile mag mount antenna on both of them. My 396 seems far superior in this regard.

 

[n1chu]

The BCD396XT is an excellent scanner and has been one of the best I have ever owned. In my area the BCD396XT cannot handle simulcast nearly as well as the BCD325P2.

My BCD325P2 is quite sensitive and handles IMD very well and very good rejecting images. Very few internally generated interference (birdies). It and my BCD996P2 are by far the best performing scanners I have ever owned for everything other than simulcast. Even on an external antenna with gain.

Different antennas on each can make a big difference.

Neither scanner you mention are designed to counter simulcast. But given simulcast issues, merely moving either a foot or even inches can make a big difference when combating simulcast issues. I suspect that’s what you mention one plays better than the other…

 

[CollinsURG]

Neither scanner you mention are designed to counter simulcast. But given simulcast issues, merely moving either a foot or even inches can make a big difference when combating simulcast issues. I suspect that’s what you mention one plays better than the other…

Read the OP's post.
I never expected either to perform well on simulcast and understand they are not designed to handle simulcast. I was responding to the OP. I am quite familiar with mitigation efforts of simulcast distortion. The OP's experience with each handling simulcast and performance otherwise is the exact opposite to how my BCD396XT and BCD325P2 perform, as well as other user's commenting about the same in the forums. He either has a stellar BCD396XT or a poor example of BCD325P2 unless it is location or antenna differences. I have an SDS100 for simulcast. I use a BCD325P2 and BCD996P2 for everything else.

The OP's experience with the BCD325P2 is far from the performance of my BCD325P2. I have no problems with sensitivity or selectivity on any band, and it does fairly well for simulcast in my area but very location dependent.

 

[Ronaldski]

Be sure to look in the settings if it has the latest and last firmware as well as your other radios.

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD396XTFirmwareUpdate

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD325P2FirmwareUpdate

Obviously antenna selection and also look at the squelch setting on the radios, a squelch setting of 2 is the most sensitive without it being overly squelched- dead air.

Attenuator in use?

Especially if the radio was in an area with smoker.
Take a qtip with isopropyl alcohol and remove the antenna on the radio and swab the antenna all around the silver ground connector & where the antenna connects. * If you try this, DON’T apply pressure to the connector as you don’t want to spread the contacts apart !
It did help a lot for me and several others, the connectors, mainly the silver ground contacts can get quite dirty and limit the reception.

Make sure if you have pushed the antenna in and give it a twist otherwise the antenna is not connected to the radio.

 

[CollinsURG]

Be sure to look in the settings if it has the latest and last firmware as well as your other radios.

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD396XTFirmwareUpdate

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD325P2FirmwareUpdate

Obviously antenna selection and also look at the squelch setting on the radios, a squelch setting of 2 is the most sensitive without it being overly squelched- dead air.

Attenuator in use?

Especially if the radio was in an area with smoker.
Take a qtip with isopropyl alcohol and remove the antenna on the radio and swab the antenna all around the silver ground connector & where the antenna connects. * If you try this, DON’T apply pressure to the connector as you don’t want to spread the contacts apart !
It did help a lot for me and several others, the connectors, mainly the silver ground contacts can get quite dirty and limit the reception.

Make sure if you have pushed the antenna in and give it a twist otherwise the antenna is not connected to the radio.

All my radios always have the latest firmware.