BC785D vs BC796D What are the differences?

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rfrf

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I have the opportunity to buy either one of the above two scanners, used. Both are in excellent condition. The 796 is $100 more, all have the digital cards installed.
What are the differences between the two, i.e. features?
I plan to use the scanner mobile, in my truck.
 

fmon

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796 scans P25 trunking and Motorola Smartzone. 785 will only scan the latter. All other scanning is the same for both.

Either scanner should scan Bell Fleetnet and both must set custom trunking tables.

Edit: I owned a 785 and recently sold it to a user in Toronto area. The 785 can't use CC only scanning for VHF/UHF band. Not sure about the 796 for same band

The Wiki should give a great description of both. http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Uniden_Scanners
 
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spooney

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785 will only receive 3600 baud control channels, 796 will receive both 3600 & 9600. 796 is firmware upgradable and 785 is not. That's about it.
 

rfrf

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Okay.... I'm glad I asked.
I think I'm going to stick with the 796.
Thanks for the advice everyone!
 

rfrf

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The 785 won't monitor P25 trunked with the optional card installed?
 

fmon

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The 785 won't monitor P25 trunked with the optional card installed?
P25 trunk systems use the CC (9600) as digital as well as voice frequencies, all coms are digital, Motorola Smartzones use a 3600 control and voice frequencies for either digital or analog.

I have 4 of these in my area and 3 are full digital coms while one is mostly digital but a few coms are analog. From the scanners standpoint, the digital coms sound the same.

Both can scan APCO25 conventional frequencies which are also digital.
 

rfrf

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I'll stick with the 796.
I monitor the Ontario Provincial Police and they use 9600 baud.
Thanks again everyone...... glad I asked
 

bluefox2163

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differences

i have a bc796D and i love it it is very sensitive,and has lots of good features,the only feature i wish it had now was the capability to monitor the 764-796mhz portion of the band,does anyone know if uniden might put a firmware up ,to open that portion for 796D owners? thanks!
 

fmon

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I'll stick with the 796.
I monitor the Ontario Provincial Police and they use 9600 baud.
Thanks again everyone...... glad I asked
It's actually 3600 Motorola Smartzone but none the less, spooney and brandon both gave sufficent reason to choose the 796.
 

rfrf

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Good enough fmon........... I understand.
I always appreciate the help you are able to offer. Thanks
 

ka3jjz

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Another very important point - the 796 can be firmware upgraded for rebanding, the 785 cannot. 73 Mike
 

rfrf

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Ya, you know I've forgotten about buying the 785 and am looking to the 796.
Good point.....
 

JoeyC

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Another difference - The 796 will display the text tag of programmed talkgroups while in SRCH mode where the 785 will not.
 

n4yek

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I am haveing trouble programming talk groups to go with the frqs. any idea what i am doing wrong? the radio will take the frqs. but when i put the talk groups in they don't seem to go together

firedanny, you really need to start your own thread instead of asking a question in someone else's thread.
Also it is helpful to know what scanner you have so a person can help you, even though i suspect it is a 796 since you were reading about one.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Danny
 
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