BC125AT Post Release Thread

[Haley]

Have posted these questions about other models over the years. But, are any of you guys using it for NOAA DXing? And does it show the actual event text? I.E. Tornado warning, ect. Also anyone using it for RR listening? Might pick one up sounds like a nice radio-------need another scanner like a hole in my head. But you guys understand!

Thanks, Mike

 

[arctic]

There is a nice feature i have discovered that is not in the manual. During close call, you can exclude or activate bands by pushing 1,2,3,4,5 1 : is 35-54 MHz, 2 is the air band and so on.

I have also search for a way to put an upper and lower limit for quick scan. For example, if i just want to scan
the airband between 111-129 MHz. Haven't found it yet.

 

[DaveIN]

Have posted these questions about other models over the years. But, are any of you guys using it for NOAA DXing? And does it show the actual event text? I.E. Tornado warning, ect. Also anyone using it for RR listening? Might pick one up sounds like a nice radio-------need another scanner like a hole in my head. But you guys understand!

Thanks, Mike

No, no events are displayed for SAME. The 125 only opens the squelch on Weather Alert when you press any key once the 1050Hz alert tone is received. The message is: "WX Alert Warning" is displayed with a siren tone until you press a key or the 1050Hz tone is completed.

I am able to get multiple NOAA stations with some mixing on the same frequency at times.

 

[scannersnstuff]

actually, i mispoke about modes. the mode can be changed on a per channel basis. you can select am,nfm or fm. there is no way to change the mode in search, that i know of. you can also let the scanner default to auto. for the mode. remember, this is a basic scanner, with feature's designed to keep the price at a minimum. actually, i have to say for the price, it's pretty feature enhanced.

 

[arctic]

actually, i mispoke about modes. the mode can be changed on a per channel basis. you can select am,nfm or fm. there is no way to change the mode in search, that i know of. you can also let the scanner default to auto. for the mode. remember, this is a basic scanner, with feature's designed to keep the price at a minimum. actually, i have to say for the price, it's pretty feature enhanced.

Yes, i know about the per channel basis. It's a nice scanner and i think it's going to be a bestseller. But letting the user select which band to scan is something that i think is mantatory in a scanner. It shoulden't be hard to implement in the firmware. The same goes for selecting modulation.

 

[Haley]

Thanks DaveIn, for clearing up the WX feature. You never know though ,one may still find a way into my collection! Mike

 

[safetyobc]

I've had the 125AT since Friday. Comparing it against my Icom IC-R6 on VHF-Airband, the R6 is more sensitive, but the R6 is a great receiver. The 125AT isn't far behind though. I have been using the scanner with a Diamond RH77CA antenna. It does a really nice job on Airband. I am impressed by the 125 and am glad I made the purchase.

Will Uniden provide programming software for this scanner? When I click the 125 SS link in the wiki it states page not found.

No ATT button? That is about all that is missing on this great little radio. The plastic it is made of feels a bit cheap but hey it's a $140 scanner. It's not terrible but doesn't seem as solid as say a BC396T or the Icom R6. Feels similar in construction to the BC246T to me. I picked mine up on Amazon.com for $139 with free shipping.

ALPHA TAGGING!!!!! I am not sure I could use a scanner without it. I am glad Uniden put in this feature on this sub $140 scanner! It makes all the difference in the world. I like how they implemented it too! You can see your alpha tag, Channel #, Frequency, Mode, PL Tone, and signal strength on the screen.

SAME weather alert codes would have been a nice feature to have. However, the general weather alert will suffice.

Close Call DND and Priority DND are awesome. I have gotten several hits on CC.

The large display is a nice feature. I wish I could dim the backlight though. It isn't overly bright but it would be nice to save the batteries. It seems to use batteries rather quickly. I am scanning using backlight on all the time. I am only getting about 4-6 hours out of a set of fully charged (and fairly new) Energizer 2300 mAh. Compared to my little R6 which runs for 10 + on 2 of the same batteries with backlight on full time, of course it is a much smaller LCD to power also. Not a huge deal since I have a backpack full of charged batteries.

The scanner is very easy to program and manipulate. I have yet to break out the OM. I've programmed about 200-250 channels with tags and PL tones by hand so far. I downloaded ARC125 demo. It is a great piece of software and would be very handy, however, I am a tightwad and don't want to spend $25 on something that in all likelyhood I would use 1 time.

Audio is very good. The speaker has a clear tone and loud enough in the car to be heard over road noise. Temporary lockout is a great feature when a channel has interference. This is where I would like to have an ATT feature. But the Temporary Lockout works in this instance for me.

I have a dedicated 800 MHz P25 scanner. The 125AT makes a great 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th, or 5th ) scanner. I don't miss 800MHz coverage on this scanner because I am using it for Airband and Mil-Air mostly and some local VHF-High public safety. The BC125AT reminds me a lot of the BC246T even though they have different management systems.

All in all I think it is a good deal for $140 (and cheaper if you get a good deal). What are you waiting for, go out and buy yourself one!

 

[UPMan]

Will Uniden provide programming software for this scanner? When I click the 125 SS link in the wiki it states page not found.

I just checked, and no problem with the link that I can see.

Oh, and great review.

 

[safetyobc]

Thanks. I googled it and got it.

 

[voxiso]

same crap thats been put out for the past 15 years... What is so awesome about this? I see nothing.

 

[safetyobc]

same crap thats been put out for the past 15 years... What is so awesome about this? I see nothing.

I disagree. 15 years ago, you couldn't buy a scanner at this price that had 1/2 these features. Most of the features didn't exist then. Close call, Priority DND, temp lockout, fast scan, big display, etc. But to each his own.

 

[safetyobc]

A couple features I would like to see added....

The ability to alpha tag banks. So when the scanner is scanning, instead of displaying Bank1, Bank2, etc. It would show the bank alpha tag.

Also, when turning the bank on and off, (if bank alpha tags are added) it displays the Bank alpha tag and On/Off similar to how the Service Search works on it now.

 

[DaveIN]

Agreed, that would be great.

 

[KJ6HCB]

Man, I love this thing.

 

[safetyobc]

Man, I love this thing.

It is a great radio. I am enjoying mine a lot! It's my new favorite!

 

[safetyobc]

I've posted some high res pics on my review blog (click the images for full resolution) Monitoring Reviews: Uniden BC125AT a Closer Look (in Pictures)

 

[KE4ZNR]

I've posted some high res pics on my review blog (click the images for full resolution) Monitoring Reviews: Uniden BC125AT a Closer Look (in Pictures)

As usual great job Matt!
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[SCPD]

I just received mine yesterday morning and WOW i love it. I just need to find a good all around antenna to match it up with and i'm good to go. BUY THIS RADIO you will enjoy it.

Mike

 

[datainmotion]

Mike,

I have been very satisfied with the Diamond RH771 and, as others have mentioned, the RH77CA.

Mike

 

[SCPD]

Thanks i just might order one from groove.