I am sure this has been asked before..

[awattam]

I apologize if it has and please move this to the appropriate thread if that is the case.

I see a lot of talk about using a discriminator tap on the PRO-106 but never anything about the Uniden BCD396xt. Can this scanner be used with decoding software without one?

[W8RMH]

No.

Why open and modify a nice BCD396XT if you don't have too (and void the warranty).

You can use an inexpensive conventional scanner as it does not need to be digital, or a trunk tracker.

Check out the Wiki page for DSD.

[Unitrunker]

Originally Posted by awattam

Can this scanner be used with decoding software without one?

Yes. There are at least three programs that support the Uniden XT models (including the '396XT).

Pro96Com for decoding P25.
Trunk88 for decoding Motorola.
Unitrunker for decoding EDACS, Motorola, and P25.

You do not need to add a discriminator tap for these trunking modes. However, to decode other formats, you will need a tapped radio. If you primarily monitor Motorola trunking, you will be better off with a discriminator tapped radio. The decoded output for Motorola is poor under weak signal conditions. Performance is fine for EDACS and P25.

[awattam]

I take it then that nobody has tried to `tap' the BCD396xt which may explain the lack of data on this site.

I spotted some sort of base scanner in an antiques shop in town so I am going to take a look at what model it is and see if I can get it for a song. I will of course refer to this site to check the model information to see if its still usable.

[Unitrunker]

Originally Posted by awattam

I take it then that nobody has tried to `tap' the BCD396xt which may explain the lack of data on this site.

Far from it. Nobody has bothered to update the wiki.

Sign up to this Yahoo! group:

BCD396XT : BCD396XT

In the files section of the group, under "Discriminator Tap" is an image of a completed tap.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD396...tart=1&dir=asc

[N8OAY]

You can use any scanner that works on the control channel frequency. I have an ancient BC80XLT portable that I use when away from home for ATCS on 935 MHz. It also works great from trunk system control channel decoding. You can probably find one on eBay for $10 or $20. It has a lot more space to add socket for the audio output than the tiny 396. If you happen to have a Radio Shack PRO-2006 or PRO-2052, they are super easy to tap, having a test point that very nicely sticks up in the air from the circuit board.