BC250D vs BC296D vs BCD396T...

[dstew67]

...as it applies to OK.

Guys, put on your thinking caps, and add your knowledge of radio here in Oklahoma. I want to tell you all what I'm thinking, and get your feedback on my thoughts.

I've pretty much discarded the possibility of getting a 250, because of the rebanding alone. However, we're not going to be able to monitor the EDACS system here in OKC, at least for the near future. And, I'm not sure if any of the Motorola systems here in the state will be going to APCO 25, so if you take the rebanding out of the picture, the 250 is still a little viable for the short term future.

If I want a scanner that can be flashed for the rebanding, it's down to the 296 or the 396. For our use here, I can't see a strong argument for getting the 396. There are nice features in the 396, like more channels and fire tone out, and something called "Audio AGC", which I haven't tried to figure out yet.

Can anyone come up with a strong argument for the 396?

What are your thoughts about what I've said so far, or what I'm not considering that I should be?

 

[Freqed]

At this point in time, the newest radio would be the best bet. Since rebanding is about to take effect, the olders ones may not be able to take it. (reprogramming offered) and since the rumor mill is digital in Tulsa soon the others may not be able to handle it.

 

[dstew67]

See the 296 will be able to be flashed for the rebanding, so I'm still unsure about the bene's...anyone else?

 

[footsurg]

I live in Tulsa and my 396 tunes in plenty of APCO 25 traffic. Granted some of it is encrypted like EMSA, but most of it comes in just fine. The 396 has the useful close call feature and a dynamic 6000 channel memory. The 296 has none of these features. The weight, feel and display on the 396 are much better than the 296. The 296 is lighter in weight and felt more like a toy in my hands. The 396 is solid and has the look and feel of a professional radio. The display on the 396 is way better then the 296 and has a beautiful blue backlight that is nice on the eyes. Most important to me the 396 is much smaller than the 296. I can fit it into my jacket pocket with no problem. Mine is a later version with no silkscreen or audio issues. Mine tunes in loud, clear and undistorted whether at home or in the car.

The 396 is more money, but certainly worth it. You wont be sorry you spent the extra money on the 396 once you start using it.

Mark

 

[footsurg]

I forgot to add that there is no guarantee that any of the new radios, including the 296 or 396, will be able to be rebranded. Its just a wait and see issue as I understand it.

 

[hiegtx]

See the 296 will be able to be flashed for the rebanding, so I'm still unsure about the bene's...anyone else?

There's not a lot of difference in price between the 296 and the lowest cost from online retailers for a 396. There's one showing a 396 for $490 'cash price', another at $509.

Uniden had stated that both scanners will be supported through rebanding, provided Motorola does not throw everyone a massive curveball that is beyond their ability to cope. That's the unknown factor for Uniden and GRE as well. We're all in the same boat here.

Besides the extra features of the 396 (fire tone out, close call), the dynamic memory gives you one big advantage over the 296. Wth the 296, you've got 10 banks. So, you are limited to a maximum of ten trunked systems, even though it has 1000 channels available. In the 396, you can set up 400 'systems'. A system, to the 396, is either a trunked system, or a collection of conventional frquencies. I've put as many as 26 trunked systems, at one time, in my 396, with plenty of room to spare. Don't know how many you've got within range that interest you, but it's a point to consider.

 

[dstew67]

All good points, hietgx. Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[ae5me]

All good points, hietgx. Anyone else have thoughts?

Another Uniden scanner that has dynamic memory and many of the same features as the 396T is the 246T. The only main item it is missing is the ability to decode APCO 25 digital. If Tulsa goes digital, that would be the main downside.

I own the 396T and it has been worth every penny. I bought a 246T for a friend and he is very happy with it.