996XT and 15X Announced!

[davidmc36]

News for May 4,2009


Today Uniden is announcing two new scanner models: The BCD996XT and BCT15X base / mobile scanners bring the latest improvements to Uniden's core scanner platform to the mobile scanner audience.
Complete details about these scanners will soon be available covered in our main Scanner Manuals site, but here are some of the features added to the new models:

• More memory
  • BCD996XT: 25,000 channels
  • BCT15X: 9,000 channels
• Fully automatic P25 decoding (BCD996XT only)
• Enhanced GPS compatibility -- controls the scanning of groups of channels within systems.
• More channels per system -- up to 500 channels per trunked system.
• Channel Number Tagging -- lets you quickly select a channel for monitoring.
• Fire Tone-Out Search -- helps to identify the tones used on fire paging dispatch channels.
• Band Scope -- provides a visual representation of activity within a selected frequency range to help quickly identify active frequencies or sources of interference.
• Multi-Color Display Backlight (BCD996XT only) -- lets you have the scanner alert you to particular channel activity using specific colors.
• NAC Decoding -- lets you lelect specific NAC codes to limit reception to only the desired agency. (BCD996XT only)
• Individual Channel Volume Offset -- helps to compensate for agencies that over- or under-modulate consistently.
• Priority ID scan for trunked systems -- assigns preference to priority channels when evaluating incoming channel grants.
• Preemptive Priority for Motorola Systems -- jumps to a priority channel even if the scanner is on a differerent voice communication on the system (requires compatible system-side priority assignments).

And more...
Availability for both models is expected late Summer, 2009.
In a week or so I'll have all the details for all the new features as well as in-depth instructions posted at Scanner Manuals. I'm continuously adding more material to this site...the update for these scanners involves literally hundreds of changes to the site, including both adding information about the new models and enhancing information available for the BCD396XT and BC246XT. I'll drop you another note when the new pages go live. Paul "UPMan" Opitz
Product Manager, Uniden Radio Products

[UPMan]

I didn't even have time to walk back upstairs from the server before it was posted!!!

You are too fast, David. (Or maybe I walk too slowly.)

[KF5DCI]

dammit. i buy my 246 and i turn around and the 346 comes out, i buy my 996 and less than a month later this!!!!


Really though, I need to buy an all new scanner for this (# Enhanced GPS compatibility -- controls the scanning of groups of channels within systems.) That seems like a really simple update to the 996.

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by UPMan

I didn't even have time to walk back upstairs from the server before it was posted!!!

You are too fast, David. (Or maybe I walk too slowly.)

I was sitting right at my puter and the pop-up from Hotmail Ba-Dinged. I couldn't copy and paste fast any quicker.

[SteveSimpkin]

Originally Posted by davidmc36

[*]Channel Number Tagging -- lets you quickly select a channel for monitoring.

Well thank goodness we are going back to channel numbers. This whole System, Site, Group, Channels thing was getting really confusing ;-)

Steve

[UPMan]

The only channel numbers are the ones you assign to the systems and/or channels you want quick access to. The dynamic memory structure is substantially unchanged.

[hydrolocked]

how about something that would have the RSSI query return a value in dBuV, dBm, uV, or something less arbitrary?

[W4ELL]

Originally Posted by SteveSimpkin

Well thank goodness we are going back to channel numbers. This whole System, Site, Group, Channels thing was getting really confusing ;-)

Steve

My 780XLT is a constant reminder of how limited and inefficient that whole system really was. I honestly can't imagine going back to the whole bank/channel format.

Channel number tagging is a nice feature for those who like being able to go to a certain system/channel more quickly. It works great on the 396XT.

[wise871]

Well this is certain good news. Now the hard part, deciding if I want of need a 996XT. I had no problem moving up from a 396T to the 396XT. It had features I wanted in a handheld like multisite, temp lockout, improved audio and P25 decoding, and from what I’ve seen improved sensitivity.

Trying to justify upgrading from a 996T to a 996XT is going to be a little more difficult seeing the 996T is already an impressive scanner with tons of features. The majority of the new features mentioned are not strong enough for me to fork over another $500+ again, at least not right now. One thing not mention yet is, will the 996XT have a black faceplate. I know many of us have them installed in our vehicles and some would consider the XT just for that.

From what I see on the BCT15XT, except for increased memory, the four 15’s I have will stay right where they are. I can’t wait for the reviews and photos to start showing up.

[al95]

Is it save to say that now the BCD396T and BCD996T are being discontinued from the market with the BCD396XT already release earlier last month and the BCD996XT being release in late summer 2009.

[KE4ZNR]

Originally Posted by wise871

Trying to justify upgrading from a 996T to a 996XT is going to be a little more difficult seeing the 996T is already an impressive scanner with tons of features. The majority of the new features mentioned are not strong enough for me to fork over another $500+ again, at least not right now.

I dunno...having a mobile version of the 396xt would be an awesome addition to any radio collection
But I do understand exactly what you are saying about weighing the costs vs benefits.

Originally Posted by wise871

One thing not mention yet is, will the 996XT have a black faceplate. I know many of us have them installed in our vehicles and some would consider the XT just for that.

Indeed...it will be interesting to see what color the faceplate will be for the 996xt. And if it ends up being all black would everyone go ga-ga over it?
Interesting queries indeed
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR

[toonman4]

Great...And I just talked myself into ordering the 396XT.......now I have to argue with myself all over again

[W4ELL]

Originally Posted by KE4ZNR

Indeed...it will be interesting to see what color the faceplate will be for the 996xt. And if it ends up being all black would everyone go ga-ga over it?
Interesting queries indeed
Happy Monitoring!
Marshall KE4ZNR

I would be ga-ga if it were black. That would push me toward buying it for sure... seeing as I don't own a 996T.

[pdfdems286]

another day.......another carrot. dangle,dangle,dangle. LOL.

[wise871]

Hint, Hint Uniden, make the face plate black and you will help those of us that are on the fence about upgrading.

[KE4ZNR]

Originally Posted by wise871

Hint, Hint Uniden, make the face plate black and you will help those of us that are on the fence about upgrading.

Imagine how sweeeeet that would look at night with the color changing backlight display and all black faceplate...It is almost as though I can picture it
We will have to wait and see!
Marshall KE4ZNR

[torontokris]

im guessing it will be a silver face like the 396XT (ughhh)
black would be better

and Uniden add RADIO ID's (just my suggestion)

[KE4ZNR]

Originally Posted by torontokris

im guessing it will be a silver face like the 396XT (ughhh)
black would be better

I dunno...Uniden seems to be listening to what we want recently
I don't think they would come out with a silver faceplate.
But then again what do I know?
Let's just hope for the best!
Marshall KE4ZNR

[brechtd]

NO radio ID's NO thanks.....

[Eng74]

Is the screen set up on the 15XT like the 996 or the 996XT or will it stay the same. I like to see which groups and systems are on without haveing to press the function key.