Radioshack Pro 197 Vs. Uniden BCD996T

[erickson2319]

Recently, I bought the RS Pro 197, as my county will be digital in January and I already feel like selling my radio and buying the Uniden BCD996T instead. This I am having major static issues with the 197, which I understand is common with GRE radios in general. My previous analog scanner was a Uniden and it was excellent at picking up signals from 15-20 miles away from where I live. Right now, 197 doesn’t even pick up a police department that’s 15 miles away, whereas my Uniden did pick it up.

So far I have tried moving the antenna, adjusting the squelch, and using the ATT feature. My last resort is going to be moving the radio to a different location to see what kind of results I get. Realistically, is the BCD996T good at picking up distant signals?

Because I know using the ATT feature shortens the signal strength but it seems ok for local channels. And before I bought the 197, I checked the ratings and they were very good. So I guess its safe to say that I’m kind of disappointed.

 

[W2GLD]

What frequency range? If its UHF, I'd go with the Uniden and the reception will be much better. I ave both and I always prefer the Uniden's over the GRE/Radio Shack's...

 

[cherubim]

Switching to a Uniden digital scanner will likely not solve the problems you are having. Have you tried changing antennas to something that matches the frequencies you are trying to receive ? An 800MHz antenna can work wonders for picking up signals on or close to this frequency range. It's possible you are getting signal overload or intermod as a result of strong nearby transmissions so try positioning the scanner in a different location and see if that helps. Also the attenuator function should be working since it reduces the scanners sensitivity.

As for the BCD-996T, it doesn't have a highly sensitive front end like the PRO-197 so its ability to pickup distant signals is not that good.

 

[AC2OY]

Sorry to hear that man I have a 197 and it's stock antenna and it is by far the best scanner I've ever owned. You might have to experement with antenna's or worse case do a exterior one! I have been told that will increase it's range by miles!!!

 

[nanZor]

As for the BCD-996T, it doesn't have a highly sensitive front end like the PRO-197 so its ability to pickup distant signals is not that good.

I have both (and like them for different reasons) so some clarification:.

The 197 has a hyper-sensitive 800mhz section. More is not always better especially in an rf-congested urban setting where overload demands that one always use the attenuator. Cranking sensitivity up at 800mhz seems to have sacrificed the sensitivity on UHF, and especially mil-air.

The 996 is more realistically balanced sensitivity across the entire range, and not peaked at 800mhz, so without an overloaded front-end, it will perform better under harsh conditions.

Of course there is more to it like rf-bandpass and IF filtering to consider - but in the end these are still scanners, not high-end radios.

 

[gewecke]

Sorry to hear that man I have a 197 and it's stock antenna and it is by far the best scanner I've ever owned. You might have to experement with antenna's or worse case do a exterior one! I have been told that will increase it's range by miles!!!

While in most cases a outside antenna usually helps, but a pro-197 in a rf rich area, as in my case is usually better with the stock antenna and sometimes even a negative gain or poor antenna.
Putting my 197 on my diamond at 40' up is like shoving a truckload of signals into it even using the attenuator! :roll:

73,
n9zas

 

[Boatanchor]

Funny that some say the Pro107 and PSR600 is 'noticeably more sensitive' on 800Mhz than the Uniden 996XT.

I have the 996XT and the PSR600 and using calibrated Aeroflex signal generator to test my units, the 996XT is more sensitive than the PSR600 on every band, right up to 1Ghz anyway.
In saying this, the difference on most bands between the two radios is only around 1dBm!
This difference, ie -118.5dBm (996XT) and -117.5dBm (PSR600) for 12dB Sinad would barely be noticeable in the 'real world'.

The 996XT does have better band filtering, more spectrum coverage, is much more sensitive on the lower aircraft band around 118Mhz and when connected to the same antenna, decodes P25 more reliably than the PSR600 under weak signal conditions.

I'm looking forward to putting a new GRE based mobile scanner through it's paces though.
If it ever gets released under these dreadful economic conditions and likely suppressed sales projections..

 

[AC2OY]

While in most cases a outside antenna usually helps, but a pro-197 in a rf rich area, as in my case is usually better with the stock antenna and sometimes even a negative gain or poor antenna.
Putting my 197 on my diamond at 40' up is like shoving a truckload of signals into it even using the attenuator! :roll:

73,
n9zas

You have a forty foot antenna up?! WOW nice!! Spock...LOL I'm sure you have talked to them...lol

 

[gewecke]

You have a forty foot antenna up?! WOW nice!! Spock...LOL I'm sure you have talked to them...lol

Not really all that great, since my part of the city is lower in elevation than others but it works for now. :roll:

73,
n9zas

 

[SCPD]

Uniden will BLOW-Away GRE in quality and the front end, RF,intermod,etc. GRE also made Radio Shack's scanners until the contract ran out(if I am wrong in the wording, advise?) Then GRE launched their own line about 6 years ago. I had their PSR-200U starting base with CTCSS/DCS and let me tell you...very poor front end..intermod even with PL! JUNK in my books but I know everyone has to make a living in this ecomomy. So..go w/ Uniden America Corporation!!!

 

[gewecke]

Uniden will BLOW-Away GRE in quality and the front end, RF,intermod,etc. GRE also made Radio Shack's scanners until the contract ran out(if I am wrong in the wording, advise?) Then GRE launched their own line about 6 years ago. I had their PSR-200U starting base with CTCSS/DCS and let me tell you...very poor front end..intermod even with PL! JUNK in my books but I know everyone has to make a living in this ecomomy. So..go w/ Uniden America Corporation!!!

...Everyone's entitle to their opinion!

73,
n9zas

 

[AC2OY]

Uniden will BLOW-Away GRE in quality and the front end, RF,intermod,etc. GRE also made Radio Shack's scanners until the contract ran out(if I am wrong in the wording, advise?) Then GRE launched their own line about 6 years ago. I had their PSR-200U starting base with CTCSS/DCS and let me tell you...very poor front end..intermod even with PL! JUNK in my books but I know everyone has to make a living in this ecomomy. So..go w/ Uniden America Corporation!!!

Cool your a HAM?! What is your favorite repeater for our area?

 

[K8TOB]

Amazing the difference of opinions on these comparisons. I'm a new owner of both the 996xt and Pro197 (approx. 1 week). I'm not in an overloaded RF area and I find the Pro 197 to have an extremely more sensitive frontend than the 996xt. I have an 800mhz system about 25mi north that the 996xt cannot clearly pick up (0 to 2 bars of signal strength), a lot of broken signals. But the Pro 197 gives clear reception with 3-4 bars of signal strength. I know the signal strength meters are not comparable, but there is a definite difference in reception.

Definitely glad I have both radios. Both have their strengths and weaknesses.

I'm using a ST2 Scantenna and a 5Mhz-2.4Ghz 4-way Splitter to go to a BC370CRS, BCT15x, BCD996XT and the Pro 197.