DPL / DCS compatible receiver recommendations

[jl53705]

Hi-

I'm working to get a Broadcastify / Openmhz feed set up. The service I'd like to monitor is an analog repeater with DPL / DCS. When I originally set up the feed a few months ago, I used an old Uniden BCT8 scanner for the receiver and did not use DCS squelch since the scanner doesn't support it. That worked fine at first, but now that it's spring, I'm starting to get some "DX" -- occasional bursts of digital traffic from what I assume are distant digital systems on the same frequency.

So, I'm looking for a DCS capable receiver. I tried replacing the BCT8 with a Baofeng UV-5R I had sitting around collecting dust, but that has not worked reliably so far. The DCS squelch works, but I think the Baofeng's 2.5mm headphone port might be a little loose, as the cable already popped out once on its own, and it seems like I'm getting intermittent audio from the radio (recordings captured by voxcall have audio gaps that weren't happening before, and/or pick up in the middle of a transmission, not the beginning, etc.). It could also be that the radio is overdriving the sound card -- I discovered after the first few calls were recorded with the UV-5R that the audio level from the radio is way too high, but since I'm setting this up at a cottage we have in northern Wisconsin and am up there infrequently, it could be a few weeks before I get a chance to get back up there to troubleshoot this further.

I only want to monitor a single frequency and don't need a bunch of extra scanner bells & whistles, so I'm hoping to find a fairly inexpensive receiver option. I'm considering maybe just getting a Yaesu FT-4XR ($110 new) but am wondering if there are other relatively inexpensive DCS/DPL capable receivers that others here would recommend.

Thanks for any advice you have for me!

 

[pb_lonny]

Hi, what about the Uniden BC125AT or BC15X?

 

[jl53705]

Hi, what about the Uniden BC125AT or BC15X?

Those both look nice. The BC125AT is $160 new. The BC15X is out of production, but used prices on ebay for the BC15X look to be around $130. So, both are a little more expensive than the Yaesu FT-4XR ($110).

Sounds like this may have been unrealistic on my part, but I was hoping to keep this adventure to $100 or less, if possible. I am admittedly not familiar with the various scanner models produced over the years, so I thought maybe there were older scanner models that have DCS/DPL support I could find some bargains on ebay or flea markets.

I might go with a used BC15X, just wondering if given the use case here (radio tuned to a single frequency, with DCS squelch enabled, no need for additional scanner functionality) if there's an advantage to the BC15X vs an inexpensive ham transceiver like the Yaesu FT-4XR (like better receive sensitivity / selectivity?) or if they're functionally equivalent.

Part of my hesitation to spend much money on this is the uncertainty of how long the existing repeater infrastructure will remain in place. This is for a rural fire/EMS dispatch repeater. I haven't heard of any plans to go digital on this system, but I assume that will happen at some point.

Thanks again.

 

[hill]

I would go with the scanner over the ham radio with it being a mobile/base radio. Will better for running 24/7 than a ham radio handheld.

You can find a used scanner for lower prices than Ebay. At local hamfests I have purchased scanners for a lot less money than Ebay. I do buy stuff from Ebay, but you can find many of items locally for cheaper than Ebay.

Also many ham clubs have sales and help sell off radio gear from Silent Keys. Got a boatload of scanners and other ham radio amd pther gear our Radio Clubs sale.


The scanner has a wall wart power adapter and will be easier to run for long periods of time. And even better if have radios powered off a 12 Volt power supply you can add this scanner on the power supply using the mobile power cord. A bunches of my mobile scanners are running off a power supply as, it can help clean up some wires.

 

[jl53705]

I don't see a way to edit my post, so just wanted to say -- I guess AI's not the only one who can halucinate stuff. Not sure why I thought the BCT15X was discontinued, but I see it's still available new from Uniden and other retailers online. I won't be laying out $200+ for a new one, but I guess I could if I wanted to!

 

[hill]

Even the older brother BCT15 scanner would work OK for your use. I got one of the BCT15 scanners acquired used doing aircraft and military air at home.

I gotten some great deals on used radios at local hamfests. Just scored PRO106 with a lot of accessories for $5. The scanner looked new and didn't have much use with the V Folders still having factory programming in them.

 

[mule1075]

I don't see a way to edit my post, so just wanted to say -- I guess AI's not the only one who can halucinate stuff. Not sure why I thought the BCT15X was discontinued, but I see it's still available new from Uniden and other retailers online. I won't be laying out $200+ for a new one, but I guess I could if I wanted to!

You can find 125AT or the 15x Cheap on Ebay if you search. A 780xlt is also a good choice but they go for more than the 15x from time to time. A 898t could be a decent candidate as well If you can find one. Many choices to be had.

 

[AB4BF]

You can find 125AT or the 15x Cheap on Ebay if you search. A 780xlt is also a good choice but they go for more than the 15x from time to time. A 898t could be a decent candidate as well If you can find one. Many choices to be had.

There is a person on qrz that has two 15's for sale, a 15 and a 15x.

 

[ramal121]

How about a good commercial radio? I'm thinking a Kenwood TK-X180. It will have the receive audio out the accessory connector at the correct line level to stream with. Only cravat is you'll have to see if the seller will program your single channel. I see several in the sub $100 range.

 

[kc2asb]

Even the older brother BCT15 scanner would work OK for your use. I got one of the BCT15 scanners acquired used doing aircraft and military air at home.

I also recommend the BCT-15/15X I bought my 15X used about 5 or 6 years ago from a guy in Los Angeles. Just an all-around great scanner, rugged, and hot on civil and mil air.

 

[jl53705]

Well, thanks for thre recommendations, everyone. The Base/Mobile Trunking Scanner Comparison Chart at marksscanners.com was also really helpful and pointed me to some other older scanners that have DCS support. After shopping around on ebay and researching some of the other options (like the RadioShack Pro-2055), and considering the advice here, I ended up buying a BCT15 for $95 on ebay.

We'll see how it works out, but we're not off to the most promising start. I was pretty bummed to find that despite the scanner being listed as in working condition, the buttons were all gummed up (sticky and or crunchy, and some of them were really slow to pop back up if you pushed them). I've spent an hour or so over the past couple days using isopropol alcohol, Qtips, some crevice tools and a vacuum to try and get the keypad cleaned out enough that the buttons stop sticking. It's a LOT better than it was (none of the keys still stick, but a few still sound a little crunchy). I've probably got another 30-60 minutes of cleaning ahead of me.