BCD536HP Discussion Thread

[mikewazowski]

Connect Plug and Capacity Plus systems do not use the DMR standard, and are proprietary to Motorola.

Joe M.

The voice is still DMR. You can scan the channels as conventional and still listen. Setup a receive group and you'll only hear the users you're interested in.

Keep in mind that a lot of the systems currently out there are proprietary but they're still included in today's scanners. Motorola Type I, Type II and EDACS would be a few examples.

 

[Voyager]

So I'm still not clear -- will this system be compatible with the new Harris system? When I first saw the announcement, I thought it was great news until reading this thread and some references to Harris patents.

Harris what? P25? OpenSky? Something else? Harris makes several format radios. Some are compatible - some are not.

Joe M.

 

[Voyager]

The voice is still DMR. You can scan the channels as conventional and still listen. Setup a receive group and you'll only hear the users you're interested in.

Keep in mind that a lot of the systems currently out there are proprietary but they're still included in today's scanners. Motorola Type I, Type II and EDACS would be a few examples.

True, but the scheme for scanning those do not use the patented scheme. A way around the patent was found for those systems. It's much more difficult with a more digital-based system.

I was talking about the trunk systems being proprietary - as in scanning them properly, not like scanning the voice channels in conventional mode. I've been doing that for quite a while with some DMR trunked systems.

And someone else said all trunked DMR is proprietary - wrong. There is a DMR trunking scheme, but few manufacturers use it.

Joe M.

 

[Skypilot007]

A detachable face for remote mounting would've made this scanner a 10 out of 10 for me. I can't understand why such a simple option like this could not have been incorporated into the design. Nearly every decent amateur radio for mobile use and commercial mobile radios are designed like this.

Here in the lovely state of NJ the police just love hammering folks for distracted driving. Using a smartphone or tablet while driving to control a scanner most certainly qualifies for this and would earn the driver a $300.00 ticket. A remote radio head can be mounted and operated more inconspicously. Sure this can be distracted driving also but it would not be as obvious as using a smartphone or tablet. For an amateur radio operator in NJ it would be perfectly legal to operate the remote head control. If the smartphone and tablet is Unidens suggestion/solution for remote mounting it is very irresponsible. In fact it's against the law in most states.

In NJ amateur radio operators have an exemption in the law to operate their equipment and other states probably have similar exemptions. I can guarantee that the exemption would not cover using a smart phone or tablet to control your scanner.

Other than that I like what I see. Hopefully thay bumped up the audio output power on the external speaker. Its been lacking on the 996XT model and previous models to that.

 

[ofd8001]

I'm glad I waited to buy a new scanner. Many of the things I was hoping for have been included, plus that WIFI feature is really interesting. So I'll be making a purchase when able to. I don't know if I'll pre-order - might just wait and see if we'll see the old-fashioned "milk price wars" going on.

Like many others, I was a little disappointed that TRBO and Nexedge wasn't included. I'm speculating that Uniden probably tried their best to add these formats but there are valid reasons why this wasn't meant to be right now. Perhaps these could be part of the future enhancements. Uniden may have wanted to get these units on the streets for business purposes now and have a little time to "perfect" the two other formats.

Perhaps Upman could at least comment on the TRBO/Nexedge topic just so's we know.

 

[scannerowner]

I like the fact that it's a cross between the Home Patrol and a 996XT, which is fine with me! I do too wish it had the other digital modes, but hey there are updates that may support that at some point in time! Guess time will find out. I'm saving my pennies for it when agencies go P25 Phase II around me!

 

[Voyager]

Other than that I like what I see. Hopefully thay bumped up the audio output power on the external speaker. Its been lacking on the 996XT model and previous models to that.

Huh? My XT gets so loud on the external speaker you don't want to be in the same car. Even with the windows down going at highway speeds I rarely need to go above half volume, and that's with a non-amplified speaker.

Joe M.

 

[Danny37]

Anyone know the price range for both the 536 and 436 models? website seems to be down. It won't load.

 

[Highpockets]

Hey Marshall, you don't have the wiki articles created yet? Slacker!

Thanks, I was just going to look and see if he or someone updated it.

Slacker, good one!

 

[Skypilot007]

Huh? My XT gets so loud on the external speaker you don't want to be in the same car. Even with the windows down going at highway speeds I rarely need to go above half volume, and that's with a non-amplified speaker.

Joe M.

Well...if you had a couple commercial radios in the car to compare too you would hear what I'm talking about.

 

[Voyager]

Well...if you had a couple commercial radios in the car to compare too you would hear what I'm talking about.

I do. The XT is just as loud as the Motorola radios.

Joe M.

 

[Skypilot007]

I do. The XT is just as loud as the Motorola radios.

Joe M.

Sure ...Ok.

 

[Highpockets]

Sure ...Ok.

He owns a Volkswagon Beetle.

 

[avistow]

Anyone know the price range for both the 536 and 436 models? website seems to be down. It won't load.

I actually just read through all the posts... ugh... lots of info, and it seems as if the cost has been mentioned a few times... It appears to be $500 for the portable, and $600 for the mobile / base unit.

I might consider replacing my 996 in my Flatbed Tow Truck, I like the GPS based scanning idea in this more compact radio since I travel all over Ontario and the Eastern USA.

Here's some info on the new radios that might just load...

Uniden Announces Two New Scanners | SCMA

 

[LordJ]

No real changes from the 996xt/396xt that my listening would warrant a purchase of...Oh well....

 

[tsalmrsystemtech]

I think today was the start of what is initially released by Uniden. I think they will release the radios with a standard baseline firmware and software package. I do believe that they have more things to offer that is hidden still. If you heard right Upman said that more details will be released in March. I don't know what March has to do with anything but these radios are going to hit the streets in January.

Maybe Uniden did not want to show more features right now and keep things on the hush hush until the other company Whistler GRE shows some of their cards. There are millions of dollars at stake right now. Its a good business move to show just a little bit. It makes sense.

Once Uniden see's what Whistler GRE is coming out with then Uniden will add some more features via a firmware and a software upgrade.

 

[Voyager]

I might consider replacing my 996 in my Flatbed Tow Truck, I like the GPS based scanning idea in this more compact radio <snip>http://socalscanner.com/2013/11/16/uniden-announces-two-new-scanners/

It has been mentioned that the BCD536HP is the same size as the BCD996T/XT. And the 996T/XT support GPS-based scanning.

Joe M.

 

[ezdropper]

Anybody know what the frequencies the new scanners will cover?

 

[Danny37]

I actually just read through all the posts... ugh... lots of info, and it seems as if the cost has been mentioned a few times... It appears to be $500 for the portable, and $600 for the mobile / base unit.

I might consider replacing my 996 in my Flatbed Tow Truck, I like the GPS based scanning idea in this more compact radio since I travel all over Ontario and the Eastern USA.

Here's some info on the new radios that might just load...

Uniden Announces Two New Scanners | SCMA

Thank you

 

[ShawnInPaso]

Mega kudos to UPman for a great job of listening to "customers" and delivering a couple of excellent products.