BC296D vs BCD396T

[KU4WW]

Phewww, I'm lost in a time warp folks. I've been listening to conventional voice for 30+ years on my scanners. Now, since the Natchez Trace Parkway has supposedly gone to digital, I'm going to have to start over, because I understand more and more agencies are Trunking and Digitized. I've been reading this and other forums for the last few days and have been somewhat confused, but very interested in the discussions of digital communications. I've got lot's more to learn, but I look forward to it.

I've found two companies with digital ready scanners: Radio Shack and Uniden. I want a base scanner that is APCO P25 capable to put in the shack, but I also would like to have a portable rig. I'm not ready to spend a $1,000 for two scanners, so I'm going to concentrate on the handheld. I've been looking at the BC296D and the BCD396T. I don't know which is best for me. I'm leaning toward the BCD396T. Can anyone give me some pros/cons on the two? Are there other brands of handhelds? Tnx for any info.

Jeff Dover
EM54wq

 

[DaveNF2G]

If you have never dealt with trunking before, you will definitely want to program your scanner by computer. The double jump from conventional scanning to trunked scanning to dynamic memory allocation is going to make you feel as though you have never used a radio before.

On the other hand, if you go to the BCD396T, then you won't have to "unlearn" how to program trunked radio systems.

 

[rfaricy]

New BCD296 = $499.99
New BCD396 = ~$520

396 has (that the 296 does not)
-close call (a frequency-counting feature)
-approximately 6000 channels using dynamic memory:
(400 systems with 20 groups each, 200 talkgroups/channels per system)
-uses standard "AA" batteries, no packs, nor any connectors to wear out
-MUCH SMALLER SIZE!
-better decoding of digital systems, and great audio
-possibility to handle future changes in digital systems/rebanding

I think you have your answer. I have owned the PRO-96. I much prefer my new Uniden 396. Though the PRO-96 is a fantastic scanner, the 396 has a lot more to offer and the firmware is completely upgradeable, allowing for possible future updates of digital systems and rebanding which may leave the PRO-96 and Uniden 296 in the dust. The PRO-96 and Uniden 296 are HUGE, as I inferred in my list.

 

[KU4WW]

Tnx for the replys. Being able to "UPDATE" later on has made my mind up. BCD396 is the one for me. Tnx again. Happy scanning.

Jeff D.
EM54wq

 

[MacombMonitor]

With the BC296D having 1,000 channels, I don't think one would run out soon.

Smaller size is not always better. The larger display, and buttons on the BC296D are nice, if the size/weight factor is not a problem. Not to mention the larger speaker.

I don't know if the digital decoding, and audio is really better. Have you heard a BC296D, with all the firmware updates, to the radio, and the digital card?

According to Uniden, it would appear that the BC296D stands just as good of chance keeping up with future changes as does the 396.

 

[tiggermanh]

I have the PRO-96 and now a BCD396T.

I did an experiment and loaded the exact same frequencies (trunked and non trunked) into each and changed on the Uniden the challen delay to 0.

The Uniden is ALwAYS last to find the same active channel and when it finally does find it, it clips the first few words of the conversation.

21 non trunk frequencies are being scanned, and about 16 trunked. (EDACS)

Am I missing something here? I thought the Uniden can scan faster??

 

[wendall]

helloooo. i like the priority scan feature better on the bc-296 than the bc-396.

 

[bwigg]

I bought the BCD396T the same day it hit the streets, so I have a early model. With the delays set to zero, I to have found the same problem with my BCD396T. The PRO-96 always captures a signal faster.The Uniden is fantastic except for three problems. The audio is distorted at low volume, the squelch does not have enough range between steps and as mentioned above it is slower to aquire signals while scanning. I sent my unit in to Uniden to have the faceplate replaced due the silk screen problem and speaker was replaced at that time. It still sounded distorted when I received it back. Due to the above problems I purchased a PRO-96 earlier in the month at the sale price. I find I hardly ever use my Uniden now. The audio is much better and I miss less activity on the RS. I have programmend my Uniden and the RS with same freqs/systems as close as possible. One area the Uniden really shines is in the search mode. The RS doesn't even come close to the flexibility of the Uniden when trying to find new trunking systems. I like the PRO-96 better for day to day listening, but for more advanced operations the Uniden is light years ahead of the RS.

 

[tiggermanh]

That makes me feel a little better. I have been reading and tweaking with the 396t all I can to try to make it work better, and it just doesnt.

While I do like the asthetic looks, the number of groups being 100 vs 10 (pro96) I find it VERY annoying that I miss so much traffic.

I was wondering if I made ALL my channels priority channels, if that would help? Because I read somewhere that on Priority channels, while u are listening to one, in the background it is searching....whereas otherwise, it appears to only search when nothing is active.