It depends on where you live and what you listen to. The P25 scanners from the 2009 era still cover about 95% of what I listen to on a daily basis. Hell, even the analog-only versions cover probably 90% of it. If you don't listen to NXDN/DMR/P2 very much, it's a MOOT point.
BCD396XT/BCD996XT: Bcd396xt what happened to them? They seem to be hard to find online now
- Thread starter Jbum1337
- Start date
It depends on where you live and what you listen to. The P25 scanners from the 2009 era still cover about 95% of what I listen to on a daily basis. Hell, even the analog-only versions cover probably 90% of it. If you don't listen to NXDN/DMR/P2 very much, it's a MOOT point.
They were p25 or apco25
So I did find 1 and bought it now the hard part programming it. I don’t remember what programmed I used with my old one I do not recall it being free scan or arc though. It also has a logger on the interface and I could control it on the laptop screen
Glad you found one! I use ProScan for many of my scanners--it has a logging feature, and allows you to remotely control the scanner. It's not free, but it's--in my OPINION--the most bang for your buck when it comes to programming software. It'll work on many scanners. Best of luck with your purchase--let us know if we can help.
I would give Proscan a go!
Freescan
With paid RR subscription.
It is simple plus you need to learn to do it yourself.
speedway_navigator
Member
It worked great for me until I misplaced my BCD436 programming cable.
I still have a Bearcat 2 with xtals from a place down in Greenwood IN, I think it was American crystal or something similar.
Kinda stuck rite now I only have internet on this iPhone 15 but can’t download because it won’t hold an sd card and hotspot is disabled on it by att. Was hoping someone could just download LWIN in Louisiana for Winn parish and drop it to my email,I could pay if need
So how do you plan to get an EMAIL File?
I am out Sorry.
I am out Sorry.
I saw a great listing for one on eBay earlier, and it had everything, even the original box (for $225). I seriously thought about getting it. But, unfortunately someone bought it shortly after I saw the listing. Oh well, I recently got a BCD325P2 anyway...
There’s no SD card with the 396xt and you’re still going to need some type of programming software and programming cable (unless you’re going to attempt it by hand which is quite a daunting task).
There are adapters that hold SD/MicroSD cards that plug right into it phones like this-
Versatile SD Card Reader from Oyuiasle - A Must-Have Accessory https://a.co/d/dzCTIUR
Still I would consider getting a used PC for programming. You can easily get a nice one for under $100. The 396 isn't a microSD scanner, so the SD card reader probably won't be too helpful. A laptop that you can take to somewhere with free internet i.e. library would be best I think.
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Wow I’m gonna get one of those adapters I didn’t know they made these thanks👍. I do have a laptop for programming a lot of different radios I lost most the software on another laptop I had and rite now I don’t have any internet other than my main iPhone which hotspot is disable on and they don’t have a sd card slot I managed to program few things in my area on the keypad and surprised I done it rite because it came alive 👍 I have 1 of the arc cds with the registeration code but it’s for the older RadioShack scanner which looks almost identical to it but it’s analog. I always have com port issues but I have the adapter from serial to usb
Glad the scanner is working for you.
I use computers to program all my scanners, these days, but as you've noticed, you just need to enter the nearest (or strongest) LWIN site in your area, and put the scanner into ID search mode, and it'll find everything on that tower.
When you get your internet issues sorted, don't forget that ProScan has 30 day, fully-functioning free trial, so you can judge whether you're willing to pay for it. I think Freescan was also mentioned. I think that is freeware, but I'm not as familiar with it.
One last thought: In West Virginia, when we lose our internet--which is often--we head down to our nearest McDonald's (30 mins away!) for the free internet. I'm guessing you want to might try that down there in La Lousiane.
I use computers to program all my scanners, these days, but as you've noticed, you just need to enter the nearest (or strongest) LWIN site in your area, and put the scanner into ID search mode, and it'll find everything on that tower.
When you get your internet issues sorted, don't forget that ProScan has 30 day, fully-functioning free trial, so you can judge whether you're willing to pay for it. I think Freescan was also mentioned. I think that is freeware, but I'm not as familiar with it.
One last thought: In West Virginia, when we lose our internet--which is often--we head down to our nearest McDonald's (30 mins away!) for the free internet. I'm guessing you want to might try that down there in La Lousiane.
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