GottaLuv7
Member
Ok will the BCT8 be a good scanner for Hanover County, VA The last one I purchased didnt work. If I buy this one will it work for this county?
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
BCT8 Good for..........?
- Thread starter GottaLuv7
- Start date
- Status
It should as your county is an EDACS regular system.
GottaLuv7
Member
Is this a good scanner for a newbie scanner guy?
viciouspossum
Member
newbie
I would say yes. My first scanner was a BCT-2 and this one seems much better, I plan on getting one next month. If you are lucky, your state will be preprogrammed and there is a way to see what freqs are in there although there is no list on the web that says which ones. There is a BCT-8 yahoo talkgroup where you can ask questions about it. Another good scanner would be one with a search option so you could search through a band and see which freqs are active in your area. Depending what systems are in use in your area, you may need a digital scanner, or like in Florida where it seems scanners are becoming useless due to encryption. Or a trunking scanner that is easy to program by using free software and files from the web like the yahoo groups for the RadioShack Pro-95 (which does not trunk LTR).
I would say yes. My first scanner was a BCT-2 and this one seems much better, I plan on getting one next month. If you are lucky, your state will be preprogrammed and there is a way to see what freqs are in there although there is no list on the web that says which ones. There is a BCT-8 yahoo talkgroup where you can ask questions about it. Another good scanner would be one with a search option so you could search through a band and see which freqs are active in your area. Depending what systems are in use in your area, you may need a digital scanner, or like in Florida where it seems scanners are becoming useless due to encryption. Or a trunking scanner that is easy to program by using free software and files from the web like the yahoo groups for the RadioShack Pro-95 (which does not trunk LTR).
viciouspossum
Member
newbie
I would say yes. My first scanner was a BCT-2 and this one seems much better, I plan on getting one next month. If you are lucky, your state will be preprogrammed and there is a way to see what freqs are in there although there is no list on the web that says which ones. There is a BCT-8 yahoo talkgroup where you can ask questions about it. Another good scanner would be one with a search option so you could search through a band and see which freqs are active in your area. Depending what systems are in use in your area, you may need a digital scanner, or like in Florida where it seems scanners are becoming useless due to encryption. Or a trunking scanner that is easy to program by using free software and files from the web like the yahoo groups for the RadioShack Pro-95 (which does not trunk LTR).
I would say yes. My first scanner was a BCT-2 and this one seems much better, I plan on getting one next month. If you are lucky, your state will be preprogrammed and there is a way to see what freqs are in there although there is no list on the web that says which ones. There is a BCT-8 yahoo talkgroup where you can ask questions about it. Another good scanner would be one with a search option so you could search through a band and see which freqs are active in your area. Depending what systems are in use in your area, you may need a digital scanner, or like in Florida where it seems scanners are becoming useless due to encryption. Or a trunking scanner that is easy to program by using free software and files from the web like the yahoo groups for the RadioShack Pro-95 (which does not trunk LTR).
BoxAlarm187
Level 6 RR Member (Since 1998)
GottaLuv7 said:
The BCT-8 is a good basic scanner, and I think a newbie would enjoy it. More die-hard scanner buffs would probably side with the Uniden 780XLT over the BCT-8, but since the 780XLT isn't made anymore, you'd have to buy one used.
When it comes to trunked radio systems, remember that the BCT-8 will only allow you to listen to Hanover. Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield are all on a digital radio system, which requires a more expensive scanner to monitor.
Let us know if you need any other advice/info!
thumbtrap
Member
I'm a newbie with a BCT-8, first scanner. I like it so far, but have little else to compare it to. I have one gripe, and that is that you can't duplicate frequencies among banks. One of the first things I tried to do was to set up two duplicate banks of the same trunk system, so I could have more scan list id's. No can do. But once you find the interesting channels you'll find you can weed out bunches, and hopefully come up with lists that have some semblence of order.
I also wanted to point out, that what the others said about the digital trunkers is true - but be warned. It's a HUGE step up in price.
I also wanted to point out, that what the others said about the digital trunkers is true - but be warned. It's a HUGE step up in price.
Yes, the BCT-8 would work fine for Hanover. And since you're a new kid on the block, its good that you are trying to ease into the hobby. Find out if its the right thing for you, that you enjoy it, etc., before even considering plunking down $400 or more for a digital capable scanner. Thats a lot of money to put out and then a few weeks later you realize this just isn't what you wanna spend your time doing! Good luck and hope you enjoy listening to Hanover!
Hello,
I would also look at the BC898T as well.
I have both the BCT-8 and BC898T. They are in the same price range. The BCT-8 is smaller and is a mobile type radio. Although the BC898T is a bigger "base" style it still runs off of 12 volts (adapter included) and you can get a mounting bracket. Both do not have alpha tags. Both have serial control. I prefer the BC898T.
BCT-8 always beeps at turn-on to test the highway alert system.
BCT-8 does not have Motorola 900 MHz or EDACS-Narrow.
BCT-8 does not have scan or manual buttons. You have to press the PVT and other buttons. This is different from other scanners. It is really designed for mobile "Bear Tracker" use.
BCT-8 has very limited search and you can not change the step size.
On the BC898T you trade the smaller size and the Highway Alert system for:
Support for the new splinter frequencies (SNFM and 6.25/7.5 KHz Step).
Better search capabilites to find the simplex and non-trunked frequencies your local public safety uses.
Motorola 900 MHz and EDACS-Narrow.
Flexible Mode and Step Size setting.
CTCSS/DCS including rapid code search that works.
500 channels in 10 banks rather than 250 channels in 5 banks.
73 Eric
I would also look at the BC898T as well.
I have both the BCT-8 and BC898T. They are in the same price range. The BCT-8 is smaller and is a mobile type radio. Although the BC898T is a bigger "base" style it still runs off of 12 volts (adapter included) and you can get a mounting bracket. Both do not have alpha tags. Both have serial control. I prefer the BC898T.
BCT-8 always beeps at turn-on to test the highway alert system.
BCT-8 does not have Motorola 900 MHz or EDACS-Narrow.
BCT-8 does not have scan or manual buttons. You have to press the PVT and other buttons. This is different from other scanners. It is really designed for mobile "Bear Tracker" use.
BCT-8 has very limited search and you can not change the step size.
On the BC898T you trade the smaller size and the Highway Alert system for:
Support for the new splinter frequencies (SNFM and 6.25/7.5 KHz Step).
Better search capabilites to find the simplex and non-trunked frequencies your local public safety uses.
Motorola 900 MHz and EDACS-Narrow.
Flexible Mode and Step Size setting.
CTCSS/DCS including rapid code search that works.
500 channels in 10 banks rather than 250 channels in 5 banks.
73 Eric
thumbtrap
Member
In a truck type vehicle (vans, suv's, and pickups) mounting the larger size might not make any difference. In a modern car - the smaller size of the BCT8 makes it POSSIBLE to mount the thing. I really had no good place to install it other than in the radio console. (I removed a tray under the factory Honda radio and it fit nicely.)
I find the "bear tracker" features useless at best, and it can be annoying if you happen to live next door to a trooper. If you really care about it, the CONTENTS of the radio traffic will tell you much more than the presence of a repeater within 3 miles. I keep it on Private Only all the time.
After the first two weeks of playing around, I do very very very little blind searching, and pretty much just listen to the county's 800 mhz network. More banks is nice for organization. I'd rather have deeper talkgroup id scanlists though.
I find the "bear tracker" features useless at best, and it can be annoying if you happen to live next door to a trooper. If you really care about it, the CONTENTS of the radio traffic will tell you much more than the presence of a repeater within 3 miles. I keep it on Private Only all the time.
After the first two weeks of playing around, I do very very very little blind searching, and pretty much just listen to the county's 800 mhz network. More banks is nice for organization. I'd rather have deeper talkgroup id scanlists though.
GottaLuv7
Member
Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm going with the BC898T. So I'll proably be on here next week asking a bunch of newbie questions about it.
Thanks again guys/gals
____________________
"The Newb"
Thanks again guys/gals
____________________
"The Newb"
- Status
