Best NXDN Simulcast System Scanner available?

[anybody]

Best NXDN Simulcast System Scanner available?

I am coming here for advice since I am a super novice when it comes to scanners.

One of the city's I listen to have upgraded to the NXDN Simulcast System. Since the WS1065's (or comparables) that I have used for years are not compatible nor available anymore (yes I know they may be back) but this may be the time to upgrade...

I need something that is cloneable (with the PSE500 program would be great!), easy to use and program. I prefer to have something close to the same size as my WS1065 and also have a handheld version available.

Cost is definitely a point here I have to look at since I have up to 7 scanners I will be replacing. But I want something that is dependable. It seems I have a lot of trouble with my WS1065's.

The only thing else I need to look at is there is talk about the city going encrypted later. I 'think' because of the nature of my job, I will be given the key. So this will also be factored in to my decision of a new scanner.

The only person I know that deals with anything with scanners (and he is not a full time scanner person by any means) has recommended the Uniden Bearcat BCD996P2 and buy it from Scanmaster.

I am in St Robert Missouri.

Thanks for your help!

 

[K9KLC]

If you're in Pulaski County, I'm honestly not seeing any NXDN, where are you seeing this?

Edit: I see a note that St. Roberts fire has reportedly moved to NXDN but no further info available it seems on the database.

 

[K9KLC]

One of the city's I listen to have upgraded to the NXDN Simulcast System. Since the WS1065's (or comparables) that I have used for years are not compatible nor available anymore (yes I know they may be back) but this may be the time to upgrade...

If you can confirm the NXDN info, that'd be great. The database is apparently needing that info.

 

[anybody]

If you can confirm the NXDN info, that'd be great. The database is apparently needing that info.

Yes. Both the FD and the police department have been on NXDN for a couple months. The bad part is there is talk about taking them encrypted too... Straight from the PD.

 

[WA0CBW]

There is no scanner capable of decoding encrypted transmissions with or without a "key." You will need a PD or FD radio to do that.
B

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Uniden's SDS series scanners (SDS100 and 200) are the best in the business dealing with simulcast systems (Be it P25, DMR, NXDN). If you've confirmed NXDN then the RRDB will need a little TLC...submit an update with all pertinent info

 

[anybody]

There is no scanner capable of decoding encrypted transmissions with or without a "key." You will need a PD or FD radio to do that.
B

Ok... Looks like I have been misinformed.

 

[K9KLC]

Yes. Both the FD and the police department have been on NXDN for a couple months. The bad part is there is talk about taking them encrypted too... Straight from the PD.

well it's the wave of things to come I guess. Sad news for the listening enthusiasts.

 

[chief21]

@anybody FYI - Should you elect to purchase one of the Uniden SDS models, you will also require a paid upgrade key to activate the NXDN mode.

 

[anybody]

@anybody FYI - Should you elect to purchase one of the Uniden SDS models, you will also require a paid upgrade key to activate the NXDN mode.

What is the advantages/benefits for a simple user like myself over the BCD996P2? (Nevermind the approx $200 price difference) The one thing I have to look out for (and I forgot to mention in my original post) is I need to hear Moswin too. It's my understanding that I can't use a BCD260DN for that reason.

 

[K9KLC]

What is the advantages/benefits for a simple user like myself over the BCD996P2? (Nevermind the approx $200 price difference) The one thing I have to look out for (and I forgot to mention in my original post) is I need to hear Moswin too. It's my understanding that I can't use a BCD260DN for that reason.

the BCD 260Dn will not work for P-25 or in your case the Moswin system.

 

[K9KLC]

What is the advantages/benefits for a simple user like myself over the BCD996P2? (Nevermind the approx $200 price difference) The one thing I have to look out for (and I forgot to mention in my original post) is I need to hear Moswin too. It's my understanding that I can't use a BCD260DN for that reason.

If what I am thinking is correct, you'll need the Waynesville tower for MOSWIN which is NOT simulcast, so I'd say the 996P2 would work fine for that site. As long as you get the NXDN upgrade you "should" be good to go unless encryption happens.

 

[tvengr]

Are you sure it's NXDN? FCC licenses show licensed for NFM and P25. From database:​

Saint Robert​

4/24 - New P25 Simulcast Repeater system for Police, please see the WIKI
9/22 - St Robert Fire has reportedly moved to NXDN. We need more information. 4/24 New repeater added

​

From RR Wiki:

Saint Robert (City)​

• Website

St Robert Police

• 155.895 Repeater with 153.86 Legacy System WQGV317
• Central - 155.7075 Repeater with 159.1875 input at Water Tower 44/Hwy Y (P25/NFM)
• East - 155.6025 Repeater with 159.045 input, Road Ranger near Uranus (P25/NFM)
• North - 154.98 Repeater with 158.8275 input, Hwy Y/Hickory Ln? Water Tower (P25/NFM)
• 10-2W Mobile Extenders on 173.3625 (P25/NFM)

St Robert Fire

• 154.16, 154.28 Base/Mobiles/Pagers; 154.265 mobiles; 155.445 Repeater/pagers with 153.965 input (NFM) WPMZ621
• 154.445 153.965 WPMZ621 RM 162.2 PL St Robert Fire A Fire: Dispatch FMN Fire Dispatch
• 154.295 WPMZ621 M 162.2 PL St Robert Fire B Fire FMN Fire-Tac
• 4/24 Modification to WPMZ621
• add LOC5 Waynesville - 155.1975 100W Repeater with 158.985 50-50W mobiles; 10-2W mobile extenders on 157.3375 (NFM/P25)

 

[kc2asb]

I will be replacing. But I want something that is dependable. It seems I have a lot of trouble with my WS1065's.

The only relevant info I have for your inquiry is the dependability of the 996P2. I have one (plus an earlier 996T which is 15 years old), and have never had a day of trouble with them.

 

[anybody]

Are you sure it's NXDN? FCC licenses show licensed for NFM and P25. From database:​

​

I asked my local buddy: Are you sure St Robert has went to NXDN? The guys on line say no according to the FCC website?

And he said this: Yep it's nxdn. Their license says otherwise but it is

IDK... I am a novice on all things scanner wise. All I know is that starting a couple months ago, I haven't heard a thing on all of my WS1065 scanners.

 

[hiegtx]

As already noted, by several posts, PD is not licensed for NXDN, but reportedly may be using it nevertheless.

Since you do not, apparently, have one or more simulcast sites to deal with, the 996P2, with the NXDN upgrade, should handle what you want. Very few posts with any sort of issues with this model, and none chronic (multiple instances of same problem by more than one owner of this model)

While, at present, the 996P2 should work for you, if, at some future date, one or more agencies (or companies) of interest change to a DMR trunked, the 996P2 can receive those, with that additional upgrade. But, if it is a new system, not yet fully documented in the database, the 996P2 does not have the capability of identifying the LCNs (logical channel numbers). The x36HP series (436HP & 536HP) can determine the LCNs required to track a DMR trunked system. The 996P2 can receive that system type, if you have the LCNs, but it cannot independently find them.

 

[dave3825]

There is no scanner capable of decoding encrypted transmissions with or without a "key.

If one is willing to mess with custom firmware on certain Uniden scanners, Custom Firmware for Encryption

 

[buddrousa]

I was wandering when this would popup. Be aware this route is not plug and play and comes with possible cost.
Plus the other thing to think about is if the scanner has to go back for repair there might be questions ask.

 

[kc2asb]

If one is willing to mess with custom firmware on certain Uniden scanners, Custom Firmware for Encryption

Scanning that thread, the bottom line appears to be that one would need to have the key already, unless I am missing something.

 

[dave3825]

Scanning that thread, the bottom line appears to be that one would need to have the key already, unless I am missing something.

Correct. Firmware allows an encryption key to be added in the custom firmware. That can benefit anyone with a scanner that has proper authorization to use a key. But it seems limited to certain types of enc and pretty sure it only works with a static key.

Unication also allows enc support on some models and as of 2022 it was limited to AES, DES (Phase 1 only), URC4 (ARC4, ADP)