Bc220xlt

[MSCHOEN]

I've got a BC220XLT, what are the pros/cons of this scanner? Is it any good? I've been out of the scanning loop lately.. obviously.

 

[N7OLQ]

The 220XLT is a wonderful conventional scanner. Good audio, decent front end RF, great battery life. If you do not have any trunked systems to monitor and like having a handheld, it should keep you happy. Much of the US Public Safety radio traffic is now on trunked systems. If your local agencies are trunked, the 220XLT is not going to cut it, you'll want to upgrade to something like the BC246T - which is an excellent low cost handheld (provided you do not need digital decoding).

 

[N7OLQ]

I forgot one aspect. Most scanners these days have text labels for each channel. The 220 is 'old school' in this regard, so if a computer interface or alpha tags are important, you might look to upgrade.

 

[MSCHOEN]

digital decoding.. is for trunked systems correct?

 

[hiegtx]

digital decoding.. is for trunked systems correct?

It can be in a trunked system, or a non-trunked system. Many of them are mixed mode; some transmissions digital, some are not.

Some non-trunked systems are switching to digital radios because of transmission clarity. That's the case here in Texas with the DPS (State Troopers). The various regions are in a conversion process now. They are on Vhf-high band frequencies, and are finding that the digital usage gives better coverage with fewer repeater sites required. One large, non-trunked, digital system is this one in Los angeles. Note the APCO-25 designations by a number of channels.

 

[MSCHOEN]

so what is the BC246T lacking that a better model might have? as far as abilties, can you break it down compared to a more expensive model? Thanks much!

 

[hiegtx]

so what is the BC246T lacking that a better model might have? as far as abilties, can you break it down compared to a more expensive model? Thanks much!

Basically, you get what you pay for. If you don't need or don't want the extra bells and whistles, why pay for them?

The 246T has dynamic memory, approximately 2500 channels (actually capacity would vary slightly depending on how much memory was used for text tags and system details), 200 systems, 200 channels per system max, 20 groups/system. Ten quick keys. It's not digital. Cost $200-$230 from various online dealers

Next model up, the BR330T, with the infamous NASCAR logo, adds wideband coverage, from 100khz to 1300Mhz (minus cellular, of course). So that includes shortwave, broadcast band (AM, FM, & TV audio), plus mil-air coverage. Channel capacity is also about 2500 channels, dynamic memory. Ninety nine quick keys to sort systems out a little easier. Also adds fire tone out and a backlit keypad. Difference in cost, on average with the dealers, is $50 to $75 over that of a 246T ($250 to $290).

The current top of the line, the BCD396T, adds digital. Channel capacity goes to 6000, system capacity to 400, still 99 quick keys. Does not have the wideband coverage of the 330 (missing shortwave, AM broadcast, some of the TV channel audio). Includes the fire tone out and backlit keypad. Comes with software available for free download (sotware download for the 246 & 330 is demo version only; full version requires purchase of a software 'key'). Cost difference about $250 over a 330 ($500-$530) from various dealers.

All three scanners come with rechargeable batteries, the pc control cable, and ac adapter.

 

[MSCHOEN]

Would it be worth it to me to go and spend the extra money for the digital/APCO 396T model.. I live in the Sacramento, California area... is the digital used or widely used in this area?

 

[hiegtx]

Would it be worth it to me to go and spend the extra money for the digital/APCO 396T model.. I live in the Sacramento, California area... is the digital used or widely used in this area?

Does not look like the Sac city nor county system is digital at this time, no notes that there is a planned conversion in progress. That can always change, as agencies get Homeland Security grants, but probably would be a year or more out if they suddenly decided to do it. It would take a while to get radios, program them, make sure the infrastructure is ready to support a change, etc. Looking at others around the area, I did not see any other digital in that area. You might ask in the California forum, see if anyone has heard of an upcoming change in that area. If there is none, then a 246 would suit you just fine Add about $50 for a 330T if you really wanted mil-air as well.
The 396 would cover all your bases, plus give you extra channel capacity, but, of course, at a higher cost. I've got a 246 & a 396, and I enjoy both.