Modern Priority

[ke4wkp]

So I have alot of scanners. All of them are Uniden except one Radio Shack Pro-2035. The older model Uniden scanners have a good priority feature. It works so good that I don't even notice it. But the priority in the newer models (BCD396xt, BC125AT ect.) is useless to me because it cuts out for too long. I have to turn it off because it keeps cutting into the transmissions to the point that It is hard to follow what is going on. The BC95XLT cuts out for way less than a second. I haven't timed it but it seems like the BCD396XT and the BC125AT cut out for several seconds at a time. The only thing I can figure is that the BC95XLT does not do tones. Maybe it takes an extra second for the tones to register in the newer Uniden models. I have not tried it yet but maybe if I remove the tones it would register quicker. But I want to be able to use tones so I have to just turn it off. What does everybody else think? I wonder if there is something Uniden can do to improve the priority back to its former glory.

[W8RMH]

You may want to read this BCD396XT Priority Function.

[pb_lonny]

Don't these radios have an option to only check when they are scanning and not stopped on a frequency?

[ke4wkp]

Originally Posted by pb_lonny

Don't these radios have an option to only check when they are scanning and not stopped on a frequency?

Yes they do have the Do Not Disturb feature. But I want it to disturb if there is action on a priority channel.

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by ke4wkp

The only thing I can figure is that the BC95XLT does not do tones. Maybe it takes an extra second for the tones to register in the newer Uniden models. I have not tried it yet but maybe if I remove the tones it would register quicker. But I want to be able to use tones so I have to just turn it off. What does everybody else think? I wonder if there is something Uniden can do to improve the priority back to its former glory.

You are exactly right. The Uniden scanners require successful CTCSS/DCS decode on the non-priority channels after every priority sample. See this thread for more info.

[ke4wkp]

Thank You for the link. This is what I suspected. I think I am going to go buy a GRE now. I am guessing since this is from over a year ago that this is not going to be fixed. It's a real shame. It's like Uniden doesn't seem to care.

[ke4wkp]

I would like to add that I have only 2 frequencies set as priority. I cannot use priority because of the constant cutting out of the conversations. So as a test I just removed the tones from all of the frequencies (bc125at). And what a difference. I would have to say that with all the tones removed the priority feature works better than it does on the bc95xlt. However this is very disappointing because I bought this scanner for the tone feature which the bc95xlt does not have. I am seriously considering sending it back and buying a GRE. I wonder if this can be fixed with A firmware update. It feels like the technology is moving backwards here. Very disappointing. Has anyone brought this to Unidens attention?

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by ke4wkp

Thank You for the link. This is what I suspected. I think I am going to go buy a GRE now. I am guessing since this is from over a year ago that this is not going to be fixed. It's a real shame. It's like Uniden doesn't seem to care.

GRE scanners also have this same flaw, although it is a lot less noticeable due to their much faster CTCSS/DCS decode. The PSR-500/600 does have a setting (called Quick Pri Rtn) that is supposed to disable this "feature", but it does not work on my PSR-500. I don't know how well priority works on the new PSR-800.

[ke4wkp]

So do you think it would be worth it to me to return the Uniden and get a GRE? Or is it not worth the trouble.

[Avery93]

Originally Posted by ke4wkp

So do you think it would be worth it to me to return the Uniden and get a GRE? Or is it not worth the trouble.

I probably wouldn't switch to GRE just because of the priority function. If you originally bought the Uniden over a GRE for specific reasons, then you still likely wouldn't be happy with GRE.

I will try to get a video up later with a side by side comparison of the priority scan of the 996XT and PSR-500.

[ke4wkp]

I sent a message to Upman. Haven't heard back but with any luck Uniden will take a look at this. Maybe a firmware upgrade could fix it. I recommend that if this bothers anyone reading this Please contact Uniden or Upman and let them know. Maybe they will do something about it.

[Avery93]

A bit late but here is the comparison video: GRE PSR-500 vs. Uniden 996XT: Priority sample time - YouTube

Both scanners are only scanning two channels, with one of them set as priority. The priority interval is 1 second.

[ke4wkp]

Thank You for this comparison.