Let me start by saying I'm an avid radio buff, operating multiple scanners and ham radios and other equipment 24/7.
This is not a full review since others have done a pretty decent job of that already.
First impressions:
The multi-function knob changes channels when turned, adjusts volume when clicked and turned, and adjusts squelch when Func + clicked + turned. One major downfall of this feature is the accidental changing of frequencies either by bumping or when attempting to adjust the volume blind.
In my opinion, the volume and channel adjust functions should be swapped. Volume adjustment is the most common task of any radio listener. I would love an upgrade that allows this option.
(Note: I am aware that engaging the keypad lock will restrict the knob function to volume only. I don't want to keypad lock the scanner.)
Close Call has really improved since the XLT family of radios, however there is still some room for improvement.
It is my opinion that Close Call is primarily used by people wishing to find new frequencies to listen to and program into their radio. I suggest a feature that blocks Close Call from tuning frequencies that are already programmed into a memory bank. The temporary lockout of Close Call frequencies is generally ineffective, especially if you want to ignore MANY known frequencies, and especially if you have Close Call + CTCSS enabled because it often interprets a false CTCSS.
Close Call is even bugged since it will pick up frequencies you have stored AND locked-out. Though I still believe all stored frequencies should be ignored by Close Call.
CTCSS discovery is sadly relegated to Close Call searching only. I would like a feature that will decode and display the currently transmitting CTCSS on any frequency currently tuned into, even stored frequencies. That is, every time the squelch opens, the radio should attempt to detect and decode CTCSS and DCS if present.
Many radio enthusiasts like to modify their radio with a 'discriminator tap' so they can play with digital signals or detect sub-audible tones through the headphone jack plugged into their computer. The BC125AT appears to be a mostly software driven radio. If it would be possible to enable the headphone jack as a discriminator tap by software feature, that would be a very nice option indeed.
And this last suggestion, though may sound silly to some, I would like to see the alpha tagging extended to permit 32 characters and use marquee scrolling to display tags longer than the 16 character limit. I know 16 characters is already longer than most other scanners on the market, but it still makes naming channels a bit of a task especially when there are 500 channels and many of them are location based. There are only so many creative prefixes and suffixes someone can come up with before the tag becomes unreadable.
The Windows XP and 7 drivers are still tedious to install and should come with an executable installer. The instructions on UPMan (Paul Opitz's) page suggest there is a "setup.exe" file to install the drivers, but there is none. The actual procedure is complicated and requires copying files to your Windows\INF folder, opening Device Manger, and Updating/Detecting new drivers. None of these steps are explained, nor are they within the reach of the average computer user. Said instructions were offically explained to me by Uniden Support. I notice the page was updated last week but no effective changes were made. BC125AT < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
Thank you for reading my comments and considering these suggestions.
FYI, the software CHIRP will soon be supporting all programmable Bearcat scanners. Stay tuned for that.
This is not a full review since others have done a pretty decent job of that already.
First impressions:
The multi-function knob changes channels when turned, adjusts volume when clicked and turned, and adjusts squelch when Func + clicked + turned. One major downfall of this feature is the accidental changing of frequencies either by bumping or when attempting to adjust the volume blind.
In my opinion, the volume and channel adjust functions should be swapped. Volume adjustment is the most common task of any radio listener. I would love an upgrade that allows this option.
(Note: I am aware that engaging the keypad lock will restrict the knob function to volume only. I don't want to keypad lock the scanner.)
Close Call has really improved since the XLT family of radios, however there is still some room for improvement.
It is my opinion that Close Call is primarily used by people wishing to find new frequencies to listen to and program into their radio. I suggest a feature that blocks Close Call from tuning frequencies that are already programmed into a memory bank. The temporary lockout of Close Call frequencies is generally ineffective, especially if you want to ignore MANY known frequencies, and especially if you have Close Call + CTCSS enabled because it often interprets a false CTCSS.
Close Call is even bugged since it will pick up frequencies you have stored AND locked-out. Though I still believe all stored frequencies should be ignored by Close Call.
CTCSS discovery is sadly relegated to Close Call searching only. I would like a feature that will decode and display the currently transmitting CTCSS on any frequency currently tuned into, even stored frequencies. That is, every time the squelch opens, the radio should attempt to detect and decode CTCSS and DCS if present.
Many radio enthusiasts like to modify their radio with a 'discriminator tap' so they can play with digital signals or detect sub-audible tones through the headphone jack plugged into their computer. The BC125AT appears to be a mostly software driven radio. If it would be possible to enable the headphone jack as a discriminator tap by software feature, that would be a very nice option indeed.
And this last suggestion, though may sound silly to some, I would like to see the alpha tagging extended to permit 32 characters and use marquee scrolling to display tags longer than the 16 character limit. I know 16 characters is already longer than most other scanners on the market, but it still makes naming channels a bit of a task especially when there are 500 channels and many of them are location based. There are only so many creative prefixes and suffixes someone can come up with before the tag becomes unreadable.
The Windows XP and 7 drivers are still tedious to install and should come with an executable installer. The instructions on UPMan (Paul Opitz's) page suggest there is a "setup.exe" file to install the drivers, but there is none. The actual procedure is complicated and requires copying files to your Windows\INF folder, opening Device Manger, and Updating/Detecting new drivers. None of these steps are explained, nor are they within the reach of the average computer user. Said instructions were offically explained to me by Uniden Support. I notice the page was updated last week but no effective changes were made. BC125AT < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
Thank you for reading my comments and considering these suggestions.
FYI, the software CHIRP will soon be supporting all programmable Bearcat scanners. Stay tuned for that.
