Uniden software vs. Arc396

scanrrman · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 12:30 AM

What's the difference between the free Uniden software and the arc396 software?
The price, of course, but what really sets the arc396 apart from the free software?
What does the arc software have or do that the free uniden software can't?
I don't prefer to pay a lot of money for something that does the same job for free, ya know. I've downloaded a free trial arc396 and it didn't appear to do anything different, though it is a trial.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dubbin · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scanrrman

What's the difference between the free Uniden software and the arc396 software?
The price, of course, but what really sets the arc396 apart from the free software?
What does the arc software have or do that the free uniden software can't?
I don't prefer to pay a lot of money for something that does the same job for free, ya know. I've downloaded a free trial arc396 and it didn't appear to do anything different, though it is a trial.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ARC software will do several things that the Uniden software will not do (depending on the version). Its also MUCH easier to use. Just look through the features on BuTels site and compare that with Unidens.

All Uniden will do is program and control the radio. ARC (PRO) will program, control, RadioReference Import, WebCatcher (trunk), Firmware check, Data logging/history, Recording, Closecall/Subtone logging.

hankv · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

All Uniden will do is program and control the radio. ARC (PRO) will program, control, RadioReference Import, WebCatcher (trunk), Firmware check, Data logging/history, Recording, Closecall/Subtone logging.

Uniden UASD also does TGID logging - you just have to tell it to Save As... if you want to keep the info.

hankv · #4 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scanrrman

What's the difference between the free Uniden software and the arc396 software?
The price, of course, but what really sets the arc396 apart from the free software?
What does the arc software have or do that the free uniden software can't?
I don't prefer to pay a lot of money for something that does the same job for free, ya know. I've downloaded a free trial arc396 and it didn't appear to do anything different, though it is a trial.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uniden UASD does your basic programming, arc396 does additional things that I haven't found a need to do yet.

UASD is good for someone like me who has a limited number of fairly small systems to scan. Someone with large or multiple would probably find arc396 useful.

newbie · #5 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbin

Its also MUCH easier to use.

Matter of opinion on that. I use both for the 396 and 996. Some aspects I find easier to use in the Uniden software.

Download both and try both before you buy.

fireant · #6 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 10:04 AM

I have tried both on my 396, 330, and 246 and found the USAD software to be more user friendly.

fireant

MarkWestin · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 10:40 AM

Since you are talking about the BCD396T, the UASD software is free for that model. If you are not familiar with either ARC396 or UASD396, then you can try out both. When I was in the decision process, for my BC246T, neither were free (neither are still free now either). I tried out both, and found ARC246 much easier for me to use, so I bought it instead of UASD 246. I had to spend $10.00 more for the ARC246 than I would have spent for the UASD246. Since the UASD396 is free, the equation changes quite a bit, free vs $39.95 (basic) or $69.95 (pro). Since I was used to the way ARC software functions, UASD software was less friendly for me to learn, and I bought the ARC software. That said, unless you have a need for a feature that the ARC software has, you can easily get by with using the UASD software until you decide that you just have to have the ARC software, or you could use the UASD software for the life of your scanner if it fills your needs.

Mark

scandan780 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 06:08 PM

With ARC396 you can download from RadioReference. With UASD396 you cannot. Am I correct?

Thanks
Dan
KI4QJM

kg4pbd · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2007, 06:38 PM

Correct. That one thing is why I think the Butel software is a bargain. With ARC396 Beta you can also download conventional systems directly.

If you do any traveling it's well worth the cost of the software.

Plus, ARC396's on-screen radio controls are great. With the Pro version you have a choice of multiple reduced windows that open only when rx'ing.

MEBUCKO · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 08:34 AM

When I was using the UNIDEN software, I found that I had trouble with some systems. St. Mary’s County Maryland drove me crazy. I could never get things set up properly. The first time I tried it with the ARC396 software, using the Radio Reference feature, the install worked on the first time. It did all the work for me. No guessing and no mistakes. And, this was with the FREE TRIAL version. I could probably just keep using the trial version but after seeing how great it works, I feel that paying the cost of the PRO version is almost an obligation. If you can’t tell already, I’m hooked on the ARC396.