Official BCD396T Discussion Thread (Post-release)

[1080iAddict]

Thanks Voyager...that is good stuff.

[poltergeisty]

The data Uniden used was pulled from this site? WOW !!!. :shock: I can't wait to get my paws on this new scanner. Boo!-Poltergeisty :-0

[burrdt]

Originally Posted by bwigg

My manual says I should see "charge complete" when the battery is charged. All I ever get is "normal charging" I left it on charge for a LONG time and it still never showed the above indication. No I haven't tried different batteries yet. Using the ones that came with the unit.

I had that with mine as well. After a full discharge of the batteries and then another charge, that issue was resolved

[loumaag]

Originally Posted by Videokid

Lou, what kind of terrain was this on?

Rolling hills, farmland with some trees. Both the VHF and 800MHz sites are on the same high point of the region (Summit, SD) and I guess if I was above the local tree line with binoculars, I could probably see the towers.

[wr7agt]

Originally Posted by buttsrob

I didn't know that there were that many in the works. But it certainly makes sense for Statewide coverage - especially in the more sparsly-populated states. Thanks for the info.

It should be interesting when we get a bunch of these out there and there's a tropo opening. DXing trunked systems with a BCD396T.

73!

RMB

Yep, The beginning of the Montana Statewide VHF APCO-25 Trunked system has hit the air. It is a 7 site Smartzone system currently the test bed. It is located in and is used primarily by Lewis and Clark County and City of Helena. It is a BIG COUNTY. This system wioll be expanded with a statewide microwave system and is "expected" to carry 90% of all public safety activities in the State. However, the 911 commission threw an ant in the ointment when they, rightfully, suggested that Homeland security quit wasting BILLIONS sending money for various "causes" to places that are not high on the terrorist hit list. Nowhere in Montana is that the case, so the funds for this "dream" may well have come to and end, so, it may be a long while.

In Western States paticularly, VHF to MOBILES and Base Stations shines compared to 400 and 800. Mountainous terrain makes it the choice. Also, lack of people and their respective agencies make getting channels easier than say LA. But, the narrower the band, the more the channels so who knows. For long range, jack-rabbit covering performace, VHF is it, and at least some number of VHF systems will continue to spring up and if watered with yours and mine water (TAX MONEY), will continue to grow.

[eyes00only]

Originally Posted by wr7agt

In Western States paticularly, VHF to MOBILES and Base Stations shines compared to 400 and 800. Mountainous terrain makes it the choice.

I wondered why they didn't use VHF trunking MANY years ago, and I'm not a smart tech guy.

Jerry

[Butelsoftware]

BuTel is proud to announce the FIRST and FREE software application
for the new Uniden BCD396T: CLONE396 - Backup and Restore Utility for
the new BCD396T!

This freeware will generate backups of the entire contents of your
BCD396TT. Backup files can be restored or exchanged with other users!

The software includes 4 free bonus files:

- 'out of the box' preprogrammed systems clone file
- 'memory clear' clone file
- BuTel software product catalog
- ScannerMaster product catalog

To download and install this free software, visit our website
www.butelsoftware.com

Gommert
www.butelsoftware.com

ARC396 Software for Uniden BCD396T ANNOUNCEMENT LIST:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arc396/join

[ronhl]

Way to go Gommert, back it up.... before we screw it up!!
Good timing Butel 8) [/b]

[Boomeranger]

Dynamic memory was an idea I came up with back in the days of the 780.

Take a number. I had the same idea in 1998 and it wasn't a new idea then. http://tinyurl.com/8dndj

Andy

[whooey]

My 396T Goes through Batteries like their going out of style!!! :cry:

I have gone through 3 sets today.

Energizer 2500 mAh fully charged!!!

I have done some programming with these batteries, anyone else going through full charges quickly???

[kikito]

Originally Posted by whooey

My 396T Goes through Batteries like their going out of style!!! :cry:

I have gone through 3 sets today.

Energizer 2500 mAh fully charged!!!

I have done some programming with these batteries, anyone else going through full charges quickly???

How old are those batteries you're using?
Are they taking a full charge?
Is the charger in good condition?
Have you tried using a set of fresh alkalines to see if they last about the same?
How much activity is in your area?

Just preliminary questions, don't take offense at the obviousness of them!

[Voyager]

Originally Posted by whooey

My 396T Goes through Batteries like their going out of style!!! :cry:

I have gone through 3 sets today.

Energizer 2500 mAh fully charged!!!

I have done some programming with these batteries, anyone else going through full charges quickly???

Mine last 10-12 hours plus with about 60% volume and moderate traffic.

How did you charge the cells?

But, programming likely will take significantly more current to write the memory.

Joe M.

[whooey]

The batteries probably have 20 charges on them. I'm charging them on the energizer charger that came w/ them.

I'm charging the batteries that came w/ the 396 right now, but I'm sure fiddling w/the scanner non-stop and heavy traffic will drain em.

Oh yeah pretty much no backlight use, but almost max volume.

[Eng74]

So how is the fire tone out? I really havn't seen anything on it, or I missed it.

[mancow]

Originally Posted by whooey

My 396T Goes through Batteries like their going out of style!!! :cry:

I have gone through 3 sets today.

Energizer 2500 mAh fully charged!!!

I have done some programming with these batteries, anyone else going through full charges quickly???

You're not alone. It's the only complaint I have so far.
The backlight eats them up at even a higher rate. I wonder if it's how we are using ours or whether something is wrong with the units we have.
I'm using fresh 2000 mAh batteries here.


mancow

[h8tdigitalradio]

Hello,

Average usage time with 2300 mAH NiMH Batteries should be 12 hours with moderate to heavy traffic and backlight. If you charge them in the unit or a good external charger, (ie. MAHA MH-C401FS) there should be no difference in usage time. This is the average after many cycles.

73

Dave AKA The Tripzter :shock:

[n5gqb]

Someone was asking on some forum if this radio does reverse burst....no it doesn't.

[SOFA_KING]

Originally Posted by Boomeranger

Take a number. I had the same idea in 1998 and it wasn't a new idea then. http://tinyurl.com/8dndj

Andy

That is great. I never heard anyone mention it for scanners before. Glad to know there are some forward thinking contributors out there.

The main point I was trying to make was that we can give the manufactures ideas for new and useful features. That's all.

Here is another...P25 has it's own form of digital PL. Why not include that as an option?

[Boomeranger]

[quote="SOFA_KING"]

Here is another...P25 has it's own form of digital PL. Why not include that as an option?

I don't own a digital trunk scanner yet, but I can safely say we're all in favor of options! It's just that the manufacturers keep drawing lines in the sand separating Late & Great from State-of-the-Art.

Imho,

Andy

[JerryNone]

Originally Posted by SOFA_KING

That is great. I never heard anyone mention it for scanners before. Glad to know there are some forward thinking contributors out there.

The main point I was trying to make was that we can give the manufactures ideas for new and useful features. That's all.

Here is another...P25 has it's own form of digital PL. Why not include that as an option?

P-25 PL Codes? Aren't those called Network Acess Codes?