BCT8 vs BCT 898T

[ansky]

Does anyone have an opinion on either of these two scanners? The 898T is slightly more expensive. Which one should I go with? My primary use of the scanner will be to track an EDACS trunked system in my area. How is the reception on these two models?

 

[DaveIN]

The BCT-8 works well with EDACS, however you may also want to look at the BCT15.

 

[motomeso]

The BCT-8 is smaller but doesn't do tags, I have no experience with the BC898 but if it is anything like the BC9000 it should do tags but is much larger.

 

[ka3jjz]

No the 898 doesn't do tags AFAIK - think of an old 895 with upgraded firmware. How it works on an EDACS system I have no clue - we don't have many such systems here in central Maryland....73 Mike

 

[Bucko]

The 898T does a fine job on EDACS & LTR systems along with the Military area. Like it was said it does not do Tags but does do PL tones which can be a plus in some areas. The software I use displays the Tags for you with the Virtual control..

 

[captclint]

My primary use of the scanner will be to track an EDACS trunked system in my area. How is the reception on these two models?

I would think alpha tags would be a must when working with TGID's. Frequencies you might remember, but if there are a lot of TGID's you are going to wish you had alpha tags. You might want to consider: BC780XLT - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[bwhite]

Tags are really nice, but, if you more of a listener that just has the radio on and don't tend to look at it much you can get by fine without. I tend to recognize the voices, the content of the transmission, and the locations so the visual tag wasn't imperative....but, given the choice for the same or slightly more $$ get tags.

 

[DaveIN]

Except the 780 is available on the used market only and will not reband on Motorola systems if needed.

The BCT-8 and BCT15 are rebanable on Motorola systems via firmware update (Note: An EDACS system only needs the LCN's reprogrammed).