996XT being delivered today!

[ceepdublu]

I've owned scanners for probably close to 20 years, and ordered a new 996XT, which will hopefully be delivered today. It's amazing how far technology has come from the days of my first Pro-57. Over the years, I've owned a BC200, a BC295, and more recently am scanning with a BC895XLT and Pro-2051.

Though my 895 (and I believe the 2051) have the ability to be connected via serial to a PC, I haven't ever really done any computer-based scanner programming. I found the software to be kludgy and was more used to the keypad entry. That being said, I'm excited to learn more about the new programming software.

I've read the old threads in this forum and think I have a general grounding but wanted to know whether there's anything else I need to know...

1) I chose the 895XLT over the HP-1 partly because of cost, and partly because I still want a scanner that looks like a scanner. It *looked* like the functionality was pretty similar -- before I open the box, is there anything I should know about the HP-1 with the ultimate upgrade that would sway me to return the 895XLT and get the HP-1 instead?

2) I understand that the 895XLT likely won't work when our local system (King County, WA) is switched to P25II. Given that there's no funding for an upgrade, and such an upgrade would likely require voter-approved funding, I would see that the soonest we'd have a new system would be 4-5 years. I will assume that equipment will be available to monitor those systems at that time.

3) I'm looking at ARC-XT Pro for programming. Good? Bad? Indifferent? Should I consider other pieces of software?

4) I found the unofficial manual (Easier to Read BCD996XT Digital Scanner Manual) in one of the other threads - I think the manual for my Pro 57 was around 15 pages.

I'm excited to start using the new scanner and am hoping it was the right purchase!

 

[russellmaher]

Hi ceepdublu:

Congrats on picking the 996XT, you should be pleased with your scanner, although I'm confused by what you said in the first and second paragraphs. You kept refering to the 895XLT, but you ordered the 996XT....so, which is it??

I think that you'll like it. It's a nice unit. Good luck.

Russell

 

[gtaman]

I've owned scanners for probably close to 20 years, and ordered a new 996XT, which will hopefully be delivered today. It's amazing how far technology has come from the days of my first Pro-57. Over the years, I've owned a BC200, a BC295, and more recently am scanning with a BC895XLT and Pro-2051.

Though my 895 (and I believe the 2051) have the ability to be connected via serial to a PC, I haven't ever really done any computer-based scanner programming. I found the software to be kludgy and was more used to the keypad entry. That being said, I'm excited to learn more about the new programming software.

I've read the old threads in this forum and think I have a general grounding but wanted to know whether there's anything else I need to know...

1) I chose the 895XLT over the HP-1 partly because of cost, and partly because I still want a scanner that looks like a scanner. It *looked* like the functionality was pretty similar -- before I open the box, is there anything I should know about the HP-1 with the ultimate upgrade that would sway me to return the 895XLT and get the HP-1 instead?

2) I understand that the 895XLT likely won't work when our local system (King County, WA) is switched to P25II. Given that there's no funding for an upgrade, and such an upgrade would likely require voter-approved funding, I would see that the soonest we'd have a new system would be 4-5 years. I will assume that equipment will be available to monitor those systems at that time.

3) I'm looking at ARC-XT Pro for programming. Good? Bad? Indifferent? Should I consider other pieces of software?

4) I found the unofficial manual (Easier to Read BCD996XT Digital Scanner Manual) in one of the other threads - I think the manual for my Pro 57 was around 15 pages.

I'm excited to start using the new scanner and am hoping it was the right purchase!

Use FREESCAN it's free and it is one of the best computer programming softwares I've used. Why pay when you can get the almost exact same for free!

Matt

 

[gtaman]

Oh here's the link

FreeSCAN - Sixspot Software

 

[KD2DLL]

Hi ceepdublu:

Congrats on picking the 996XT, you should be pleased with your scanner, although I'm confused by what you said in the first and second paragraphs. You kept refering to the 895XLT, but you ordered the 996XT....so, which is it??

I think that you'll like it. It's a nice unit. Good luck.

Russell

Yeah im confused on that too. Im assuming he means the 996xt. I personally wouldn't bother with HP1. Ive heard so many bad things about it.

 

[ceepdublu]

The 996XT showed up today -- I've been using an 895XLT for the past ~10 years. (sorry for the confusion - I'll see if I can edit my initial post)

Thanks for the info! I'll try out Freescan and see how it works for me.

 

[ka3jjz]

FreeScan's user guide can be found in our wiki, specifically

FreeScan User Guide - The RadioReference Wiki

No matter what software you use, you really need to understand how DMA works before you can do much. Take your time with the Easier to Read manual, read our DMA FAQ - there's loads of information to take in.

HTH..Mike