396XT vs. the RH96 Remote Head

[Metrofire31]

Just wanted to ask UPMan to confirm something - last night I tried substituting the 396T in my car, that operates with the RH96 remote head, for the 396XT. I made sure that every connection was made correctly and snug but no mater what I did, the remote head message said "Scanner Unconnected". When I plugged the 396T back in, it worked like normal.

Am I correct to assume (I know that's dangerous) that the RH96 remote and the 396XT scanner are incompatible?

 

[wise871]

There working on a firmware update for the RH96. Should be out real soon. I saw a post on it in the uniden forum.
It was posted a few lines down.
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/uniden-scanners/139879-bc-rh96-remote-head-bcd396xt.html

 

[spooney]

That is correct and he stated that testing is in process for an update this week to add support for the 396xt.

 

[Metrofire31]

OUTSTANDING!!! Thanks for letting me know guys.

 

[jnewell]

For those who have been using the RH96 with the 396T, what advantages do you find, versus just having the handheld in a dash mount?

 

[DaveIN]

Much easier to operate and see IMHO, configurable user keys, and a more sold mount. The bad part is, you won't be able to use the alert display colors on the XT unless the handheld is within view. There is a one color LED's for alerts and another for Close Call on the front of the RH however.

Maybe Uniden will cycle the display brightness for the XT connection on alerts?

 

[jnewell]

Much easier to operate and see IMHO, configurable user keys, and a more sold mount.

Makes sense - should have used more imagination. Kinda pricey for a "dumb" head, though???

 

[DaveIN]

Not too dumb. It can tell if your using a handheld configuration vs. a mobile/base and perform all the associated functions. At least you don't have to purchase a different RH for each model.

 

[UPMan]

The update is now available at: BC-RH96FirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

 

[jnewell]

And, better than a certain amatuer radio manuf that won't sell replacement heads at all if the detachable head gets stolen - you have to buy the whole radio (again) !

 

[spooney]

The update is now available at: BC-RH96FirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

Applied update and it's working OK. One minor issue. The display does not display the volume & squelch levels as before, but if I remember correctly that was fixed with a scanner update.

 

[rocksteady]

According to my supplier the remote head is close out now. He said it's being discontinued.

 

[spooney]

Applied update and it's working OK. One minor issue. The display does not display the volume & squelch levels as before, but if I remember correctly that was fixed with a scanner update.

After playing around with the buttons I found that the function knob controls the volume. When you push the knob the volume indicator displays at the bottom of the screen and then you rotate it left or right for the up/down volume. When you use the actual volume on/off knob it works the volume, but the indicator is not present on the display.

 

[jnewell]

98% sure I know the answer to this question but would like to confirm: the BC-RH96 does not have an integral speaker nor does it have an output jack for an external speaker?

 

[UPMan]

Confirmed.

 

[jnewell]

Thank you!