Analog scanning

[HWG]

I have what I need to monitor the digital and DMR stuff. I also have a vintage piece just to have.

Now, what I am looking to find is the last best analog scanner that was offered before the digital days. Some criteria: 300+ channels, AM, FM-wide, and FM-narrow, 25 MHz - 1300 MHz, CTCSS/DCS. Will be used as a base desktop scanner.

Right now I am looking at the Uniden Bearcat BC-780XLT. Anything else out there? Other things I should consider for an analog scanner?

 

[mass-man]

BCT-15X

 

[HWG]

BCT-15X

I looked at the 15 and 15X. Other than lots more channels, why it over the BC-780XLT?

 

[mass-man]

Newer tech...the 780xlt won't take the newer narrow freqs that came about with rebanding years ago...
Try to put in 155.7525 and you get 155.7550

 

[HWG]

Newer tech...the 780xlt won't take the newer narrow freqs that came about with rebanding years ago...
Try to put in 155.7525 and you get 155.7550

That is a big thing to consider. I guess I missed that in my research.

What does the 15X provide over the 15?

 

[mass-man]

Off the top of my head, and this is from reading old posts here on RR, audio is better on the X...it's more sensitive, but that may be purely a non technical observation...the original 15 had a funky headphone jack that broke often and muted the onboard speaker...
If you go the Wiki and look at both side by side, you'll see plenty...

 

[GTR8000]

What does the 15X provide over the 15?

Plenty of info out here regarding the differences between the 15 and 15X, including numerous threads on this forum, and in the wiki. The changes from 15 to 15X are shown in bold.

BCT15X - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[TailGator911]

The BCT15X is absolutely one of the best analog scanners made. Mine is a workhorse in my shack and, like my 2006, I doubt I will ever part with it.

 

[HWG]

and in the wiki. The changes from 15 to 15X are shown in bold.

BCT15X - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

The wiki is a part of this site I always forget about.

 

[danesgs]

There will be many here who have favorites in this question. The op should look at GRE made radios they made for other manufacturers before Uniden came on the scanner scene full time. The early radios circa 1997 and later were superb analog radios. BC895XLT's etc. Handhelds like the Uniden 2500 and 3000XLT were 25-550 and 760-1300 so you get the full coverage and 400 channels. excellent sensitivity, 100-300 channels per second. GRE made radios for both Radio Shack and Uniden before Uniden got all their engineers. The combining of that alone ended up making the best scanners around. But for what is out there today and what is still going strong for analog, look at Rigpix and other sites and choose the radio with the best broadband coverage IMHO.

 

[HWG]

There will be many here who have favorites in this question.

That's the discussion I was hoping to start as a way to find things I might not have seen or thought about.

The early radios circa 1997 and later were superb analog radios. BC895XLT's etc.

I first started looking at a BC898T, which replaced the BC895XLT, but found the BC-780XLT to have a wider receive than both so that is why I started there until @mass-man brought up the issue with new narrow frequencies not being able to be entered.

Handhelds like the Uniden 2500 and 3000XLT were 25-550 and 760-1300 so you get the full coverage and 400 channels. excellent sensitivity, 100-300 channels per second.

Not looking for handhelds as this scanner will serve as a base desktop scanner. When I'm out and about, I have 2 amateur radio HTs and a handheld digital scanner that will cover everything needed.

 

[danesgs]

If the issue is being able to us 12.5 steps the 780XLT does that according to the Uniden specs. Copy wanting a base unit

 

[N7OLQ]

I have the 780 (had 4 of them at one point) and two BCT15, and both are good. The 15 has a lot more little features and more memory. The 780 is a great scanner, but is right on the line for being an "old school" scanner. If you can get a great deal on a 780 go for it. The 15 is a little more flexible for a wider range of scanning tasks. The 15 is a great value new or used. One consideration is what software you want to use to program them with. There are a lot of great analog scanners like the Pro-2006, but without computer interface (which is why my Pro-2005 sits unused now). RF performance of many of the early GRE scanners was better than older Uniden scanners. My BCT15's seem to search MilAir band faster than my 780, but I have not done anything too scientific to compare.

 

[a417]

My BCT15's seem to search MilAir band faster than my 780, but I have not done anything too scientific to compare.

Both units report 100 channels/sec for speed, but i think the less sensitive receiver would be perceived as slower...imho.

 

[HWG]

Newer tech...the 780xlt won't take the newer narrow freqs that came about with rebanding years ago...
Try to put in 155.7525 and you get 155.7550

I have the 780 (had 4 of them at one point) and two BCT15, and both are good.

Can you verify the above on your BC-780XLT?

 

[mass-man]

Tried it last night before I posted the comment...nope, .7525 entered as .7550

 

[HWG]

Tried it last night before I posted the comment...nope, .7525 entered as .7550

I wasn't doubting you. It was questioned and I was just trying to clear that up.

 

[mass-man]

I see my confusion...it does not do the 12.5 steps in the 148-162 segment...the old high band range! Which is where I was trying it, not in UHF! Was trying to enter the VHF/narrowband mutual aid channels! Call me half wrong...😃

 

[HWG]

I see my confusion...it does not do the 12.5 steps in the 148-162 segment...the old high band range! Which is where I was trying it, not in UHF! Was trying to enter the VHF/narrowband mutual aid channels! Call me half wrong...😃

I don't see you as being wrong at all. The freq you were trying to enter was a VHF freq and it won't enter. Doesn't matter what steps UHF does. If there is traffic on the freq you used in your example and the scanner won't scan it, it isn't very useful.

 

[mass-man]

Which does address your want that it does NFM...that it won’t! Or at least it would be very low volume...