BCD396XT vs UBCD396XT

[russellmaher]

I've got an unusual question to ask of the RR community. Just what is the difference between the "BCD" and the "UBCD"? Or in other words, if I have the opportunity to pick up the "U" from a seller in Australia/New Zealand, will it be operational here in the U.S.A.or should I confine myself to buying a unit here since this is the marketing area that I live in.


Thanks for any help.


Russell

 

[scanningisfun]

I've got an unusual question to ask of the RR community. Just what is the difference between the "BCD" and the "UBCD"? Or in other words, if I have the opportunity to pick up the "U" from a seller in Australia/New Zealand, will it be operational here in the U.S.A.or should I confine myself to buying a unit here since this is the marketing area that I live in.


Thanks for any help.


Russell

The UBCD396XT is the Australian version of the BCD396XT. It is more or less the same. There are a few differences. Why would you not want the US version? $430 on Amazon.

Amazon.com: The Bearcat BCD396XT Digital TrunkTracking Police Radio Scanner: Electronics

Jacob

 

[russellmaher]

Hello Jacob:


Thanks for the response, and the reason I'm looking into this sale is the really good price on the unit. Now that I'm thinking this through, the cost for shipping from there to here just may put the purchase price into another dimension. More research is needed, for sure.

My goal is to find that elusive "all time lowest price ever" deal, since the price point is my main concern. I am trying to sell off some radio gear that I don't use to raise the cash, but nobody is buying what I'm selling, so I have to look at alternatives.

Thanks again!

Russell

 

[cherubim]

The UBCD396XT is not cellular blocked. Otherwise it's pretty much identical to the US model. Of course, here in Australia we use 240v so the wall wart won't work in the US (unless one uses a step-up transformer).

 

[questnz]

Russell, UBCD comes with Aus/NZ band plan and more or less NO gaps scanner, otherwise it is the same product.:: Uniden Australia ::. You can check Andrews Communications - Radio Test Sets or Prestigecom.net.au - Uniden Scanners Receivers usually they take off Aust GST content of the product price for export but you need to pay freight and Custom charges in US (if any)
Ps some users complaining that on UBCD version keypad is wearing out quickly and needs replacement ? Do your homework

Chris

 

[JASII]

PRO-2045 From UK

Several years back I bought a used Realistic PRO-2045 from the UK. Now before people say, "Wait a minute, this is the Uniden Forum", I will point out that despite being sold through Radio Shack, this was, in fact, made by Uniden. Yes, I did use a US wall wart for 120 volts. I also bought the optional CTCSS decoder from here in the US. It was a great scanner! One minor issue is it did NOT have an external speaker jack. It had an earphone jack. The band plan was 66-88,108-136.975,137-174,216-512,806-10000 MHZ. These were great conventional scanners. They didn't have a mobile mounting bracket available, but they really were were sensitive and selective. They also had a pretty fast scan speed.

 

[RadioDaze]

It should also be pointed out that the UBCD396XT decodes almost all of the encryption methods including DVP-XL, DVI-XL, DES-XL, etc. Not many people know this, and it's a minor selling point, but kind of useful, nevertheless. I've heard some pretty cool stuff with mine.

 

[SCPD]

It should also be pointed out that the UBCD396XT decodes almost all of the encryption methods including DVP-XL, DVI-XL, DES-XL, etc. Not many people know this, and it's a minor selling point, but kind of useful, nevertheless. I've heard some pretty cool stuff with mine.

Nice ... LMAO

 

[Dewey]

It should also be pointed out that the UBCD396XT decodes almost all of the encryption methods including DVP-XL, DVI-XL, DES-XL, etc. Not many people know this, and it's a minor selling point, but kind of useful, nevertheless. I've heard some pretty cool stuff with mine.

While the comment was funny (I got a nice chuckle), it should have included something that would not mislead someone who really didn't know and was here trying to do their homework on what is better.

Dewey

 

[RadioDaze]

While the comment was funny (I got a nice chuckle), it should have included something that would not mislead someone who really didn't know and was here trying to do their homework on what is better.

Dewey

That's a good point, but I knew that the comments to follow would set anyone straight.

 

[russellmaher]

Thanks to all my fellow RR members for their responses to my questions....

cherubim - for pointing out the cellular band and the voltage differences.

questnz - for the AUZ/NZ band plan info and possible freight and/or customs fees. Also, the complaints regarding the keypad wearing out quickly.

JASII - for you imformative comments.

RadioDaze - edmscan - Dewey - for your insights also.

Dewey - Thanks for covering my 6, but don't be too harsh with RadioDaze! He's not aware that this NOOB understands the encryption issue; in fact I too chuckled when I read that. Just between us, you should be aware that he has been off his meds for some time now, but please don't let this get out.


Thanks all for an informative and humorous discussion! You guys (gals?) are the best!


Russell

 

[WA4HHG]

Couple more data points

The flail + additional costs for postage and import duties might not offset the increased capabilities. Also, check the exchange rate for the AUS$ v/s USD. There is also the question of obtaining warranty service.

BTW,
Semper Paratus right back

I've got an unusual question to ask of the RR community. Just what is the difference between the "BCD" and the "UBCD"? Or in other words, if I have the opportunity to pick up the "U" from a seller in Australia/New Zealand, will it be operational here in the U.S.A.or should I confine myself to buying a unit here since this is the marketing area that I live in.

Thanks for any help.

Russell

 

[Dewey]

...
Dewey - Thanks for covering my 6, but don't be too harsh with RadioDaze! He's not aware that this NOOB understands the encryption issue; in fact I too chuckled when I read that. Just between us, you should be aware that he has been off his meds for some time now, but please don't let this get out.
...
Russell

I don't know him personally, but I've always enjoyed 'Daze posts. I'll be sure and keep the part about him being off his meds quiet though













NOT!!!

 

[XTS3000]

It should also be pointed out that the UBCD396XT decodes almost all of the encryption methods including DVP-XL, DVI-XL, DES-XL, etc. Not many people know this, and it's a minor selling point, but kind of useful, nevertheless. I've heard some pretty cool stuff with mine.

That's horrible to mislead members here. This is not the jokes section.

What if right after your post, the OP jumped the gun and purchases the scanner only to find out shortly after you were just "joking".

I find nothing NOTHING funny about your post, and If I was a mod or admin, you'd be on a perma-ban.

 

[scanningisfun]

That's horrible to mislead members here. This is not the jokes section.

What if right after your post, the OP jumped the gun and purchases the scanner only to find out shortly after you were just "joking".

I find nothing NOTHING funny about your post, and If I was a mod or admin, you'd be on a perma-ban.

I bet members at p25.ca would have gotten a kick out of it if someone actually thought that it would decrypt the voice....lol.

Jacob

 

[XTS3000]

I bet members at p25.ca would have gotten a kick out of it if someone actually thought that it would decrypt the voice....lol.

Jacob

P25.ca would not put up what someone purposely misleading members. They'd be banned in a nano second.

There is a reason RR has a jokes section as well as the coffee room on p25.

I know if I went to a forum to get information and someone purposely misled me, I'd be very angry.

 

[KE4ZNR]

P25.ca would not put up what someone purposely misleading members. They'd be banned in a nano second.

There is a reason RR has a jokes section as well as the coffee room on p25.

I know if I went to a forum to get information and someone purposely misled me, I'd be very angry.

RadioDaze is known for being sarcastic (like me).
This was an attempt by him to inject some levity into this thread.
If it were me I would have also typed in "J/K" and given a disclaimer.
But considering that the "RR Police" immediately corrected him I see
"no harm no foul" in this case.
He was in no way trying to mislead anyone or had any nefarious intent behind
his comment.
Besides, if anyone makes a $500 buying decision based solely off of one sarcastic comment
made by someone that has Brian from Family Guy as their avatar then perhaps
they deserve getting hosed.
Can we know please move on?
Thanks
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[Dewey]

RadioDaze is known for being sarcastic (like me).
This was an attempt by him to inject some levity into this thread.
If it were me I would have also typed in "J/K" and given a disclaimer.
But considering that the "RR Police" immediately corrected him I see
"no harm no foul" in this case.
He was in no way trying to mislead anyone or had any nefarious intent behind
his comment.
Besides, if anyone makes a $500 buying decision based solely off of one sarcastic comment
made by someone that has Brian from Family Guy as their avatar then perhaps
they deserve getting hosed.
Can we know please move on?
Thanks
Marshall KE4ZNR

I resemble that remark, I retired in 2010 ... NOW, let's move on!

 

[russellmaher]

Thank you Marshall, that was well said! Not everyone understands RadioDaze's limitless use of the comic, satire, or farce and so his comments did not offend me, but did offend some.

So to return to topic; welcome WA4HHG to RR and for bringing up the dollar exchange issue and also the possible warranty issue. There are quite a few problems that I can now visualize that were not evident before.

It's good to welcome another Coastie aboard - and Thank You for your service.

Russell

 

[RadioDaze]

Putting J/K or after my post would have been good insurance, and I would have in retrospect. My apologies to anyone who was misled. If the OP were someone other than Russell or a handful of others whose humor I have vetted, it would not have crossed my mind to make a crack like that. I'm also mindful of the fact that this site has thousands of posts confirming the the impossibility of a decrypting scanner, and that my comment was funny precisely because it was ridiculous. I don't know enough about radios to help too many people, so I try to give a smile from time to time.

Thanks to those who defended me - but I take exception to the "off the meds" comment; I'm actually taking more than ever. ( )