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Is this model of scanner compatible with simulcast trunking systems? I know there are some out there that aren't.
BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BCD325 and simulcast trunking
- Thread starter 19sargeusmc56
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No.
SDS series only.
@seagravebuff60 You have some issue with that answer?
Chris0516
Active Member
Not even close.
My 325 works just as well as my Unication G5 on 2 different simulcast systems. I have used it mobile and all over the areas of coverage in both counties. So I wasn't in a null or anything. My 325 received every transmission the G5 did. Both 800 MHz p25 phase 2 systems. My 436 and 536 didn't receive a peep
I have a BCD325P2 and it cannot handle simulcast well in my area, but it will work fine sometimes with the attenuator or a very short antenna for 700/800. The system you are monitoring, and your location will greatly affect how well a BCD325P2 can decode simulcast.
The 2 best options are a Uniden SDS series scanner, or a Unication G series pager.
I have an SDS100 and it does great with digital, but fair with anything analog. My BCD325P2 is super for anything analog and digital that is not simulcast.
I also have a Unication G5 and it is better for anything P25, including simulcast as far as range of reception and audio clarity.
The 2 best options are a Uniden SDS series scanner, or a Unication G series pager.
I have an SDS100 and it does great with digital, but fair with anything analog. My BCD325P2 is super for anything analog and digital that is not simulcast.
I also have a Unication G5 and it is better for anything P25, including simulcast as far as range of reception and audio clarity.
Ok but you understand you are lucky, not that you have a simulcast-compatible scanner right? I've had luck with my 436 on various simulcasts as well but no luck at all on others. And we know this is for specific hardware reasons inside the scanner. The 325 is great but a gamble for LSM.
If someone specifically asks for simulcast compatibility, I'm not going to feed them a soup sandwich of maybes, attenuators, and external antenna pointing. And I wouldn't recommend a Unication to someone because firstly it's not a scanner but also because I absolutely hate the programming software and it's not consumer/newbie friendly. And I say that from a place of not only experience but also proficiency in many modern LMR programming softwares.
Here's a thread by @Enforcer52 regarding a homebrew antenna for his 325 for use on simulcast systems. I've got a friend in Houston that did something similar.
While the BCD325P2 isn't designed to handle simulcast distortion, it can be mitigated a few ways. It's worth a try, and several people here have had good results.
While the BCD325P2 isn't designed to handle simulcast distortion, it can be mitigated a few ways. It's worth a try, and several people here have had good results.
It isn't a question about "compatability". It is more a question of how well it will work - or not. And that all depends on your location and things like line of sight, signal 'bounce', and the individual signal's comparative strengths.
A simulcast 'site' is actually multiple tower locations all transmitting the same control channel, voice grants and voice channels. These multiple identical signals travel different paths and distances and thus arrive at your antenna at slightly different times. This multipath distortion is what causes simulcast issues with analog receivers. The Uniden SDS radios are digital and can digitally correct this multipath distortion.
It can also be mitigated by directional antennas and sometimes just limiting reception of multiple signals by attenuation.
A simulcast 'site' is actually multiple tower locations all transmitting the same control channel, voice grants and voice channels. These multiple identical signals travel different paths and distances and thus arrive at your antenna at slightly different times. This multipath distortion is what causes simulcast issues with analog receivers. The Uniden SDS radios are digital and can digitally correct this multipath distortion.
It can also be mitigated by directional antennas and sometimes just limiting reception of multiple signals by attenuation.
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Trying to use a BCD325P2 for simulcast is a big gamble. I would never suggest that anyone should invest in one to monitor a simulcast system. If you already have one, then do try mitigation efforts, but have the expectation that it is unlikely to work well.
If you are lucky to have mitigation efforts work well enough for the BCD325P2 where you are, when you take it portable all those efforts will be void.
If you are lucky to have mitigation efforts work well enough for the BCD325P2 where you are, when you take it portable all those efforts will be void.
Sometimes, but in my experience it requires being in the right spot and that spot can vary frequently. Sometimes moving the scanner even as little as an inch can change how it works.
Another factor is how close you are to the system sites. When I was using it I found that the system furthest from my location got the most consistent reception. Two closer systems were not as consistent at all and sometimes I just lost reception altogether.
Sometimes playing with the Digital Threshold helped, but that too needed changing often.
Another factor is how close you are to the system sites. When I was using it I found that the system furthest from my location got the most consistent reception. Two closer systems were not as consistent at all and sometimes I just lost reception altogether.
Sometimes playing with the Digital Threshold helped, but that too needed changing often.
Here in Illinois listening to simulcast IL Starcom P25 system my 996P2 stumbles at times but the 325p2 works perfect , it's all in your location and seems like if weather conditions are promoting too much signal
I don't have a 325 but in my location the 996XT I ended up giving to my son worked way better than my 536 did. I was lucky here and my son is lucky it works so well at his place also. We tried both the 996 and 536 a few other places with not so stellar results. as you mention it's all in your location.
