Looking to add a radio to my collection. Looking at BCD536 or the Whistler TRX 2. I’m on Cape Cod listen to MSP, COMIRS and conventional. Thoughts on each would be appreciated.
BCD536 or TRX-2
- Thread starter tpp517
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There are 2 Big Questions.
#1 Are you near any Cell FM TV or other High Power Tower Sites?
#2 Do you need or want NXDN DMR or both?
The TRX-2 overloads on the front end easy.
The 536 NXDN cost $50 and DMR cost $60 extra.
#1 Are you near any Cell FM TV or other High Power Tower Sites?
#2 Do you need or want NXDN DMR or both?
The TRX-2 overloads on the front end easy.
The 536 NXDN cost $50 and DMR cost $60 extra.
Ubbe
Member
Generally the 536 are the better scanner but also more expensive. It's user interface are much better and there's lots of supportive programs for it. No RF issues and have a better receive sensitivity than the TRX.
TRX have its programming files encrypted so there's no other program software than EZ-Scan. It's keypad are terrible so making changes directly on the scanner are difficult. It doesn't help that the selector knob goes backwards when choosing between characters to enter. It doesn't use any calibration for its squelch so there's one optimum setting for VHF and another setting needed for UHF. I've only noticed overload issues on VHF.
TRX have some things going for it like excellent audio quality from its speaker and audio AGC. It can record audio files individually for a frequency or Talk Group and it has a wildcard ID to allow you to set specific credentials for any unknown TG's. TRX's digital decode quality are superior to 536. You get both DMR and NXDN included and do not need to spend those extra $110.
There's must be lots of second hand TRX and 536 as people buy Uniden SDS scanners to handle simulcast systems so I would look at that, and buy both scanners as they both excel at different things and if they are second hand ones they can be sold for close to the same that you paid for them.
/Ubbe
TRX have its programming files encrypted so there's no other program software than EZ-Scan. It's keypad are terrible so making changes directly on the scanner are difficult. It doesn't help that the selector knob goes backwards when choosing between characters to enter. It doesn't use any calibration for its squelch so there's one optimum setting for VHF and another setting needed for UHF. I've only noticed overload issues on VHF.
TRX have some things going for it like excellent audio quality from its speaker and audio AGC. It can record audio files individually for a frequency or Talk Group and it has a wildcard ID to allow you to set specific credentials for any unknown TG's. TRX's digital decode quality are superior to 536. You get both DMR and NXDN included and do not need to spend those extra $110.
There's must be lots of second hand TRX and 536 as people buy Uniden SDS scanners to handle simulcast systems so I would look at that, and buy both scanners as they both excel at different things and if they are second hand ones they can be sold for close to the same that you paid for them.
/Ubbe
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TRX-2 List Price $729 on sale $669
536 List Price $699 on sale $649
536 List Price $699 on sale $649
Is the TRX-2 one of those scanners that can only use the Easy Scam Scan software to program? If so, it's a non starter for me as the previous version I used with the PSR800 was a kluge.
- Joined
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Yes Whistler software only
Never had a problem with EZScan myself, but maybe that’s due to its similarities with Win500 et al; same guy designed both. I’d been using Win500 for years by the time I got my TRX radios, so I just jumped right in and started using it.
My only complaint about the BCD-536HP is that the Volume knob is reversed from my SDS200.
Ubbe
Member
It's the 200 that for some reason have its controllers reversed compared to all other Uniden scanners. Maybe it has something to do with the network port, and a cable attached to it, will obstruct easy access to the controller closest to it.
/Ubbe
