Announcing the BCD396XT and BC346XT Scanners

[n0gps]

Bcd396xt

So far everything is cool about this scanner BUT......

I am saying a prayer and I hope uniden hears it..

Just like the amateur radios Yaesu, Icom, Motorola, their handhelds are made of really durable plastic and they are tough mil-spec type..

my Prayer is that Uniden goes with the tougher mil-spec design plastic like the Yaesu or Icom handhelds...

I would gladly pay $50 to $75 extra for this than having to carry the scanner around on a velvet pillow to protect it.

I fell that it would bring their handheld scanners to a professional level.....

this is my opinion .......

 

[rjviola12]

Uniden has always been the leader when it comes to innovation by bringing firsts to the commercial scanner market. My first Uniden scanner was the BC760xlt back in '92. It was the first scanner to offer CTCSS (with the card). Then in '97 came the BC235xlt, the first to bring trunking to the market. It is this the type of innovation that has kept me coming back right up to my 396T. The only area I feel is in need of serious improvement is sensitivity and selectivity. Head to head the GRE PSR-500 is substantially more sensitive than the 396T. I would have them side by side on the same frequency with the same antenna and find that the GRE would be coming in relatively clear while the 396T would be static if anything at all (on weaker signals).

UPMan, has there been any effort to improve the sensitivity and selectivity on the new BCD396XT over the 396T? I would seriously appreciate if you could relay this suggestion to Uniden if they have not. I would certainly be happy to pay more for improved sensitivity and selectivity on my 396T or a future XT. It would essentially make it, for me, the perfect scanner. Over the years I have always felt that this was the main weakness in Uniden scanners.

I certainly like the NAC decode on the upcoming XT and especially like the TGID user differentiation (P25 One-Frequency Trunk). I look forward to the release of the XT. Thanks for your input.

TAS

UPMan, (Paul) I second this request...
Thanks for a great product.

 

[CanesFan95]

Let's See What He Says...

Backlight shot added to the wiki. Backlighting is almost impossible to accurately capture by photo, so they are normally post-processed ... but these are pretty much straight from my camera.

I would be MORE than happy to help out with some product photos if you were so kindly willing to send one of these puppies my way!

(I have a light box)

 

[wesct]

Looks like its being type accepted:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=767236&fcc_id='AMWUB359'


wesct

 

[Smerri]

Looks like its being type accepted:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=767236&fcc_id='AMWUB359'


wesct

Pics and a user manual. Thanks a lot for sharing the link! Although I am not able to access the users manual.

 

[W9WSS]

New Nomenclature

Looks like its being type accepted:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=767236&fcc_id='AMWUB359'

wesct

Actually, it's now called "Certified." The old "Type Accepted" is being phased out, as "Certified" is the new term.

Try these links for explanation:

http://tinyurl.com/5knopa

http://tinyurl.com/6r25u5

 

[yaesumofo]

It is beyond me why uniden would include a serial cable for this radio in favor of a USB solution.

Are there really that many people using legasy computer equipment?
How about naative usb support in the radios?
I just don't get it.
I am guessing that more than one of you will explain.
Yaesumofo

 

[Smerri]

It is beyond me why uniden would include a serial cable for this radio in favor of a USB solution.

Are there really that many people using legasy computer equipment?
How about naative usb support in the radios?
I just don't get it.
I am guessing that more than one of you will explain.
Yaesumofo

So they can still charge you $30 for the USB Cable.

 

[ranchboy]

It is beyond me why uniden would include a serial cable for this radio in favor of a USB solution.

Are there really that many people using legasy computer equipment?
How about naative usb support in the radios?
I just don't get it.
I am guessing that more than one of you will explain.
Yaesumofo

I don't get it either!?!?! Uniden please tell us why? it's been 7 years since I've had a computer with a serial port!

 

[rdale]

Because a lot of people dedicate an older computer for scanner ops, and you can get a converter on EBay for less than $10.

 

[bonus1331]

Is FCC acceptance usually the final step before production begins?
Looking forward to this radio...

 

[UPMan]

No USB on any scanner (not just Uniden) because:

a) There are no GPS units compatible with USB for providing location output in a standard (i.e. NMEA) format (Uniden-only reason, as only Uniden provides GPS connectivity).

b) Adding USB to a low-volume product has a very high per-unit cost.

 

[DonS]

No USB on any scanner (not just Uniden) because:

a) There are no GPS units compatible with USB for providing location output in a standard (i.e. NMEA) format (Uniden-only reason, as only Uniden provides GPS connectivity).

My DeLorme Earthmate does it. DeLorme even provides a "USB to serial" driver that makes the device appear as a COM port - and it spits out NMEA0183 data. I suspect that the device contains something like the below...

b) Adding USB to a low-volume product has a very high per-unit cost.

That likely depends on the definition of "very high". There are pretty cheap devices - such as those we see in USB-Serial adapters. For example, the FTDI 232BM would be about $2.40 each (quantity 100 directly from FTDI).

Better reasons for not including a USB port:
* yet another noise source (with its own clock) inside the scanner
* the device would be expected to be both a "host" and a "device". That is, users would probably expect to be able to connect the same jack on the scanner to either their PC or a GPS.

 

[UPMan]

For "A"...well, that is sort-of standard, but it still requires its own drivers on a PC to accomplish...and so far we aren't running Windows (or Linux, despite some speculation to that affect) inside these little boxes, so loading drivers isn't possible. You allude to this in bullet #2 (so clarifying for the general audience).

For "B" in addition to the part itself, you have to also pass "USB plug-fest" which costs $$ to become a certified USB device.

And your two bullets are certainly good points, as well. Believe me, we have spent a lot of time exploring USB and other connectivity options, but keep on coming back to RS232 as being the best general solution that can be accomodated by the greatest number of platforms at an economical price.

 

[DonS]

For "A"...well, that is sort-of standard, but it still requires its own drivers on a PC to accomplish...and so far we aren't running Windows (or Linux, despite some speculation to that affect) inside these little boxes, so loading drivers isn't possible. You allude to this in bullet #2 (so clarifying for the general audience).

Yes - that's the "behave as a 'host'" part I mentioned. The scanner, acting as a "host", would have to have drivers installed for every supported device. Acting as a "device" (like the DeLorme Earthmate), the drivers are on the PC and could/should be supplied by the manufacturer of the part used (see FTDI below).

For "B" in addition to the part itself, you have to also pass "USB plug-fest" which costs $$ to become a certified USB device.

Which is, of course, optional. Just don't put the USB logo anywhere.

And your two bullets are certainly good points, as well. Believe me, we have spent a lot of time exploring USB and other connectivity options, but keep on coming back to RS232 as being the best general solution that can be accomodated by the greatest number of platforms at an economical price.

If the original post on this topic was referring solely to USB-based PC connectivity, then the built-in USB-serial adapter would work just fine. Perhaps $5 for parts, plus manufacturer-supplied drivers for the PC (i.e. FTDI supplies Windows / Mac / Linux drivers). Of course, this doesn't address the GPS problem. (EDIT: and it also "locks out" anybody who wants to connect to a non-USB host, like an ancient laptop without USB, a custom-built device, etc.)

 

[plaws]

Believe me, we have spent a lot of time exploring USB and other connectivity options, but keep on coming back to RS232 as being the best general solution that can be accomodated by the greatest number of platforms at an economical price.

I'd love to see USB, too, but as you say, the unit cost is crazy. I think a lot of folks here think that Uniden makes gobs of money per unit. Although I'm sure you won't say one way or the other, many of us understand that we are lucky to get what we're getting given your margins. :lol: I see that Icom went through the cert process for the IC7200 HF rig, but at $1300 list/$1100 street, they have a little more wiggle room.

I spec'ed my current work laptop with a serial port because I need to be able to console into a variety of devices at work ... but mostly, it was because I like to load scanners on the road. When this one is replaced, it will likely be with a MacBook Pro at which point I'll need to explore the exciting world of USB-RS232 adapters. Ugh. Fortunately, Uniden sells a cable that takes care of that for the scanners ...

Anxiously awaiting the 396XT ... BCD396T available from me soon thereafter.

Keep up the good work, UPMan!

Peter

 

[Viper43]

Nothing wrong with the case and it's strength if it is the same as the 396T. My 396T has taken a beating and like a timex it's still ticking. I use my scanner all the time, it's been hit by tree branches, had logs dropped on it (cleaning up the yard after a tornado - 40 trees downed), beaten at the race track on pit wall and by spectators walking through the crowds at Indy and the Brickyard 400, even used to hold the headphones when they are off, no cracks, just some small scratches. Then add in fire scenes and wrecks, jumping in and out of the car or truck, the case has held up very well, as has the belt clip.
The only thing I'd like to see though is better water proofing and plugs for the power and earphone. Oh, it's been dropped numerous times too, in mud, on cement, asphalt, even hit by a line drive foul.....

V

So far everything is cool about this scanner BUT......

I am saying a prayer and I hope uniden hears it..

Just like the amateur radios Yaesu, Icom, Motorola, their handhelds are made of really durable plastic and they are tough mil-spec type..

my Prayer is that Uniden goes with the tougher mil-spec design plastic like the Yaesu or Icom handhelds...

I would gladly pay $50 to $75 extra for this than having to carry the scanner around on a velvet pillow to protect it.

I fell that it would bring their handheld scanners to a professional level.....

this is my opinion .......

 

[torontokris]

People are forgetting that the GRE is NOT USB, its just got a USB cable.. thats all.

I think some people are thinking the GRE is USB, so they think / ask Uniden should have USB as well.

If USB is needed in your situation (your not using GPS, or using a laptop etc) just buy the USB cable or cheap USB/Serial adapter.

yes its extra cost but remember the Pro-96 / Pro-106 does not come with ANY cable

 

[torontokris]

Note Upman had this to say in the 396XT group

"This will not be here for XMas. It is slated to be out during
1Q2009."

 

[rdale]

"This will not be here for XMas. It is slated to be out during
1Q2009."

Strange... The very first line of the very first post in this thread, from two months ago, said that too