The 396XT is the digital brother to the 346XT. It decodes the P25 protocol.
BC346xtc the wave of the future
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The 396XT is the digital brother to the 346XT. It decodes the P25 protocol.
That's the first thing that I looked for!
Unfortunately, the cost of redesigning the BC346XT to internally recharge batteries in a way that is compliant with CEC rules is quite high and requires basically a complete re-layout of all the PCBs and potentially an outer case change, as well. Several hundred-thousand $ and at least 10 months. California received a lot of input from manufacturers regarding the economical return on investment as well as the time required to make such changes. CEC basically ignored the comments and implemented the rules on a timeline that was shorter than a reasonable development cycle. In the second round of comments you can find manufacturers basically saying "Since you completely ignored our comments during the first round, we see no point in saying the same thing, again."
BC125AT and BC75XLT are CEC compliant, as will be any future scanner we make with internal charging capabilities.
BC125AT and BC75XLT are CEC compliant, as will be any future scanner we make with internal charging capabilities.
We have not announced a replacement for the BCD396XT.
Paul,
Chris's question and your statement along with the current "Out of Stock" situation at the Uniden store brings to mind more serious questions. Has the production of those scanners affected by the edict from Cali been split into two streams? (One for California and one for the majority of the United States.) Or has the production of 346XTs been discontinued in lieu of producing only 346XTCs? And if so, will the 396XT suffer the same fate?
ETA: I was putting that response together and did not see your response in ref the 396; however, my basic queries still stand.
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The BC346XT has been discontinued and replaced with BC346XTC. I cannot make any statement regarding the BCD396XT's future replacement (and no matter when it is, there is always a "future replacement" someday, so don't read to much into that wording) at this time.
Thanks for the clarification. I understand about the future replacement bit and your specific restrictions in that regard. I will not comment on my thoughts in this regard except to say I am glad I have never had a desire to live in California.
KD2DLL
Active Member
Well lets hope my 346XT lasts until there's a new model similar that can charge batteries inside it..
Unbelievable - I dug further into the bcs specs and the power play going on between various agencies and will have to keep my mouth shut.
This could be an opportunity for Uniden to manufacture / relabel or endorse a quality external charging system using low-self-discharge batteries.
I'm quite sure Uniden knows what makes a good charging system / battery setup, so I won't turn this into that kind of thread which has been covered already.
If such a product was made by Uniden, not only would it benefit the new model 346 owners, but past owners of 346 / 396 scanners as well since they may be using non-optimal chargers and batteries from the racks of typical drugstores.
This could be an opportunity for Uniden to manufacture / relabel or endorse a quality external charging system using low-self-discharge batteries.
I'm quite sure Uniden knows what makes a good charging system / battery setup, so I won't turn this into that kind of thread which has been covered already.
If such a product was made by Uniden, not only would it benefit the new model 346 owners, but past owners of 346 / 396 scanners as well since they may be using non-optimal chargers and batteries from the racks of typical drugstores.
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DaveNF2G
Guest
Where you live, the 396XT is going to become a near necessity soon. Maybe not for your own town, but Schenectady PD will be digital just about any day now.
captncarp
Member
Isn't it wonderful that the CLOWNS that run California can force there view of Utopia on the rest of the country. I guess they would like the electronic industry to be bankrupt like California.
NWtoSFO
Member
We don't have clowns running things! We have Gov Jerry Brown and SF Mayor Gavin Newsome and Sen Diane Fienstein and . . ., nevermind. You're right.
KD2DLL
Active Member
Yeah I know. I'm planning to get a 396xt fairly soon when I can afford one.
RadioDaze
Member
At least clowns would give us something to laugh about.
That is a terrible insult to clowns everywhere. The really stupid people are the ones that vote the idiots into office.
PMJ2kx
Member
I just bought a 346XT Sunday night on Amazon, and wondered why they only had marketplace sellers left. Now it all makes sense.
majoco
Stirrer
Anyone game to smuggle an XT into California? Will the Customs Inspector at the border want to take your radio apart....
Getting the thread back to technical topics...
I also took a look at the link RadioDaze provided. It seems like the new law is trying to limit trickle charging.
Paul, thanks for the references about the BC125AT. I took a look at the user's manual here:
http://www.banoggle.com/products/resources/Uniden/BC125AT-Owners-Manual-1.pdf
There is a table on pg. 25 that shows charging states. One of the states is "Charge Off".
Curious to know if the 125 (and the other radio) will re-enable charging if battery drops below a certain voltage? Or if my understanding is correct and maintenance charging has been essentially outlawed?
I am also curious to know if other battery chargers, such as the high end LaCrosse and Maha will also soon be outlawed? Maybe it's time to stock up?
Doing a bit more searching turned up this reference:
http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/battery_chargers/
It's a bit higher up the tree than RadioDaze's link. Provides access to a variety of information, including requirements for vendors.
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N1SQB
Member
California bears it's weight on Uniden!
Unbelievable! There are 50 states, yet one, in this case California, gets to call the shots to the point where it brings production of a Uniden scanner to a grinding halt and forces a redesign! While it won't affect me as I already own a 346XT,and a 396XT (in case that one is next), and I charge externally, I find it puzzling and troubling just how much Uniden is willing to bend to one state's ridiculous mandate! I second Lou on this one, I am GLAD I never had a desire to live in California!
Manny
Unbelievable! There are 50 states, yet one, in this case California, gets to call the shots to the point where it brings production of a Uniden scanner to a grinding halt and forces a redesign! While it won't affect me as I already own a 346XT,and a 396XT (in case that one is next), and I charge externally, I find it puzzling and troubling just how much Uniden is willing to bend to one state's ridiculous mandate! I second Lou on this one, I am GLAD I never had a desire to live in California!
Manny
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