BC125AT Expectations

[CB62]

I do not own a BC125AT. I am considering one.

Let us imagine that I buy a BC125AT and order it pre-programmed for my area.

According to the database, it looks like there is some FMN police and fire traffic in the general vicnity.
There is also some civil air traffic overhead.

I know there are a LOT of variables to consider, but help me understand what I MIGHT expect to hear when I turn the scanner on for the first time.

 

[jtwalker]

And your location would be … ? State, county, city/town

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Let us imagine that I buy a BC125AT and order it pre-programmed for my area.

I know there are a LOT of variables to consider, but help me understand what I MIGHT expect to hear when I turn the scanner on for the first time.

Yes, please reply back with your location so we can get eyes on the database to help you identify what can & can't be monitored with a BC125AT (or any scanner at that)

 

[RaleighGuy]

According to the database, it looks like there is some FMN police and fire traffic in the general vicnity.

Just because the database lists some FMN frequencies for police and fire doesn't always mean they actually use them for voice traffic, which is why other responders asked for your location.

There is also some civil air traffic overhead.

This, again, depends on your distance from flight routes or airport, it depends on whether you are using the small rubber ducky antenna, improved air band antenna or an external antenna. It could vary from steady traffic to almost nothing.

Let us imagine that I buy a BC125AT and order it pre-programmed for my area.

I would strongly recommend against ordering it pre-programmed, that scanner (which I own and use for civil and military air as well as racing frequencies) is easy to program and Bearcat/Uniden has free programming software available.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Possibilities for BC125AT reception include civil and military air bands, railroad channels, marine channels, any analog Public Service users(PD/FD), and business band activity. This all depends on what is actually near you.

The BC125AT is a nice little scanner, and very popular with air and rail fans with the good performance it has there. With many PS users moving to digital and trunking, the 125 has become a bit of a specialized piece of kit for air and rail.

I enjoy my 125 a lot, and keep it filled with Military Air and Texas Forest Service frequencies. I use my BCD325P2 more when traveling, but the 125 always comes along if I'm near air stations.


With some additional location info, we can give you a more accurate overview of what is in use near you, and how best to receive it.

 

[K4EET]

<snip>

I would strongly recommend against ordering it pre-programmed, that scanner (which I own and use for civil and military air as well as racing frequencies) is easy to program and Bearcat/Uniden has free programming software available.

I'll second recommending that you NOT have the scanner dealer do the programming. Many times, you will not get exactly what you were expecting. Since you did not do the initial programming, you will have no clue on how to add/delete/modify the baseline programming. Do yourself a favor and learn how to do the programming up-front. With software, the task really is not that hard. Then, as the future becomes today when agencies "tweak" the system (changing channels, frequencies, talkgroups, whatever...), you will have the knowledge on how to update your scanner. Changes to systems in-fact do occur quite frequently. You will be glad that you took this advice.

 

[hiegtx]

I would strongly recommend against ordering it pre-programmed, that scanner (which I own and use for civil and military air as well as racing frequencies) is easy to program and Bearcat/Uniden has free programming software available.

Plus, the dealers whack you with a ridiculous fee for programming, often well over $20. ScannerMaster currently charges about $30 for programming one county for this scanner, with up to two additional counties @ another $15 for each one. (Zip is likely much higher; they are always the most expensive source.)Spend a few minutes doing it yourself with the free software. That'll save you money as well as helping you get accustomed to your new radio more quickly.

ScannerMaster currently shows this scanner selling for $169.99. Zip is currently the same. Police Scanners (Bearcat Warehouse) is $119.99, and Amazon $126.99. At that price, shipping would be free on Amazon, which might make your net cost less than Bearcat Warehouse's shipping being added.

 

[wtp]

and it can always be done manually !

 

[hiegtx]

With software, the task really is not that hard. Then, as the future becomes today when agencies "tweak" the system (changing channels, frequencies, talkgroups, whatever...), you will have the knowledge on how to update your scanner.

Note that the scanner the OP is inquiring about is not capable of trunking nor digital frequency reception.

 

[K4EET]

Note that the scanner the OP is inquiring about is not capable of trunking nor digital frequency reception.

And the OP may not know the differences/capabilities. We have yet to look at their local system(s) which we cannot do without some location information. The scanner that they are considering may not meet their needs.

 

[CB62]

Thanks for the replies. I am aware that the BC125 does NOT work for digital.
Proposed listening areas include aviation, police, fire and DPW as follows.

-Air traffic in and around KBED (Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts).
KBED is mostly civil air, life flights and smattering of military helicopters.

-Police & Fire for the following Massachusetts towns to include, among others: Maynard, Acton, Lincoln, Concord, in Middlesex Co.

Any tips on effective programming/listening are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[K9KLC]

Of the towns you mentioned it appears at a glance Lincoln is P-25 for the PD and while Middlesex CO is digital, it's also encrypted. so not missing anything there.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Maynard, Acton & Concord will be monitorable on a BC125AT as long as they stay conventional analog...

 

[D31245]

@CB62, I think you will enjoy the BC125AT if you decide to purchase. There’s tons of stuff to listen to still in our area. It’s a nice little scanner.

I am a bit west of you (Central Massachusetts) and am fortunate >95% of local agencies are still analog conventional. I have some Boston frequencies programmed in (MBTA Police for example) and pick them up fine.

The Uniden programming software is not too difficult to use and you can program in your frequencies and assign to banks anyway you choose.

Out of the box (with no programming) you can scan by service type to pick up activity.

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/BC125ATom.pdf

 

[GlobalNorth]

Having moved to a rural county in AZ, I found that the 125AT is the perfect scanner for aviation and a lot of public safety who still use VHF high band/analog in my small town.

My only complaint is the down-firing speaker.

 

[pb_lonny]

My only complaint is the down-firing speaker.

This is a handheld?

 

[wtp]

speaker on the front, but on the bottom.

 

[Scan125]

The OP, if he gets a BC125AT can use my free/charityware Scan125 program (donation to DEBRA charity but only if one is satisfied.)

With Scan125 he can profile his local area with all 'hits' being logged with with relevant transmission data together with time and number of times any particular frequency is heard. Also all hits can be automatically saved to a scanner channel.

Profiling is a good way to find out what is around you and at what times.

 

[CB62]

Maynard, Acton & Concord will be monitorable on a BC125AT as long as they stay conventional analog...

Is there a way to confirm the info in the radioreference database is correct and up to date?

 

[ecps92]

Thanks for the replies. I am aware that the BC125 does NOT work for digital.
Proposed listening areas include aviation, police, fire and DPW as follows.

-Air traffic in and around KBED (Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts).
KBED is mostly civil air, life flights and smattering of military helicopters.

-Police & Fire for the following Massachusetts towns to include, among others: Maynard, Acton, Lincoln, Concord, in Middlesex Co.

Any tips on effective programming/listening are appreciated. Thanks.

When you say Middlesex County, the Jail ? or did you mean the Regional LE/Fire Nets for Mutual Aid

As with Massachusetts, our Sheriffs are Jailers not generally out on Patrol with the exceptions of some K9 Units and the Ceremonial Motorcylces..