safetyobc
Member
I have complained about the sensitivity of my BCD396T from time to time. But I just accept it and go on most of the time. Occassionaly dropping a complaint about it here and there on various forums. I have compared the sensitivity to other units I have either owned or used extensively like a BC246T, Pro-97, Pro-96, Yaesu VR-120 and a few base/mobile models.
I recently sold all my radios except the BCD396T to purchase a BR330T (on the way) and a BCT15 (on pre-order). So I am left with just the BCD396T to play with.
While using the Pro-97 and others, I primarily used a Diamond RH77CA on it. It pulled in signals my BCD396T wouldn't, but I never used the RH77CA on the 396 more than a few seconds at a time. I'd hear the signal on the 97, move the antenna to the 396 and when it scanned by the system, I'd put it back on the 97. I never gave it a real chance.
The Pro-97 does well, but I have found that both the 97 and the 396 using RS800 antennas, the 396 was picking up and properly tracking a trunked system 40 miles away while the 97 wouldn't even find the CC. When it did catch the CC, the audio had loads of static at times.
I used a stock antenna from a Pro-2055 on my Yaesu VR-120 constantly and it would absolutely kick the crap out of the Pro-97 using the RH77CA. The VR-120 was so sensitive that it overloaded very easily though.
Normally I run the Radio Shack 800 MHz antenna on the 396 and complain it isn't sensitive enough. I do have a Centurion VHF-High antenna for the 396, but rarely use it because it isn't very good. It is okay, but not great. So while I am complaining about the 396, I never really gave it a fighting chance. So the last few days I have been using the Diamond RH77CA and the stock Pro-2055 antenna with the BCD396T. I have to say, I have been impressed. I am listening to signals that the VR-120 and Pro-97 were pulling in. It seems as though the longer I leave a particular anteann on the 396, the better it receives. I know that has nothing to do with it, but it is really doing well.
Now, I realize that you can't necessarily go out walking or take these antennas around easily since the 2055 antenna and the RH77CA are longer than one would normally like for everyday travel. But for sitting on the desk using one of ScannerStandMan's creations, it works great. I was actually a little worried about getting rid of my Pro-97 for a BR330T because of sensitivity issues. But now, I am excited to get the 330 here. I can return the 396 back to digital duties and the 330 can assume the analog responsibilities!
The antenna makes just as much, if not more, of a difference on sensitivity as the radio. DUH! I know. But what I did was buy a VHF-High tuned antenna, stuck it on the 396 and expected it to pull the signals in. When it didn't I accused the 396 of being deaf. Maybe it was the crappy antenna and not the 396. The Diamond and 2055 antennas I use for VHF-High, work really well for MY applications. The RS800 antenna works very well for me too. Pulling in analog 800 MHz towers at nearly 40 miles at times. Digital towers about the same distances at times.
So I guess I take back my sensitivity comments on the 396. I continue to be amazed by this scanner. I think it is possibly the greatest hand held scanner ever built. 1 year after purchasing this scanner, it is the only scanner I have kept around. All others find themselves coming and going within a few months. If I like the 330 and BCT15 as much, I may have a completed shack.........for a while anyway. Well, the Pro-2055 is bugging me not being Dynamic Memory, so it may find it's way out of the shack to make room for another BCT15 in the future? The 2055 will likely sell without it's antenna..this thing is great on VHF-High. Where can I get another?
Again, these are my observations here in South Arkansas. Of course others experiences are going to vary. I guess what I am getting at is that I should have experimented with various antennas with various radios before I called the radio junk.
The scanner / antenna combination is the key to a scanner nerd's happiness!
I recently sold all my radios except the BCD396T to purchase a BR330T (on the way) and a BCT15 (on pre-order). So I am left with just the BCD396T to play with.
While using the Pro-97 and others, I primarily used a Diamond RH77CA on it. It pulled in signals my BCD396T wouldn't, but I never used the RH77CA on the 396 more than a few seconds at a time. I'd hear the signal on the 97, move the antenna to the 396 and when it scanned by the system, I'd put it back on the 97. I never gave it a real chance.
The Pro-97 does well, but I have found that both the 97 and the 396 using RS800 antennas, the 396 was picking up and properly tracking a trunked system 40 miles away while the 97 wouldn't even find the CC. When it did catch the CC, the audio had loads of static at times.
I used a stock antenna from a Pro-2055 on my Yaesu VR-120 constantly and it would absolutely kick the crap out of the Pro-97 using the RH77CA. The VR-120 was so sensitive that it overloaded very easily though.
Normally I run the Radio Shack 800 MHz antenna on the 396 and complain it isn't sensitive enough. I do have a Centurion VHF-High antenna for the 396, but rarely use it because it isn't very good. It is okay, but not great. So while I am complaining about the 396, I never really gave it a fighting chance. So the last few days I have been using the Diamond RH77CA and the stock Pro-2055 antenna with the BCD396T. I have to say, I have been impressed. I am listening to signals that the VR-120 and Pro-97 were pulling in. It seems as though the longer I leave a particular anteann on the 396, the better it receives. I know that has nothing to do with it, but it is really doing well.
Now, I realize that you can't necessarily go out walking or take these antennas around easily since the 2055 antenna and the RH77CA are longer than one would normally like for everyday travel. But for sitting on the desk using one of ScannerStandMan's creations, it works great. I was actually a little worried about getting rid of my Pro-97 for a BR330T because of sensitivity issues. But now, I am excited to get the 330 here. I can return the 396 back to digital duties and the 330 can assume the analog responsibilities!
The antenna makes just as much, if not more, of a difference on sensitivity as the radio. DUH! I know. But what I did was buy a VHF-High tuned antenna, stuck it on the 396 and expected it to pull the signals in. When it didn't I accused the 396 of being deaf. Maybe it was the crappy antenna and not the 396. The Diamond and 2055 antennas I use for VHF-High, work really well for MY applications. The RS800 antenna works very well for me too. Pulling in analog 800 MHz towers at nearly 40 miles at times. Digital towers about the same distances at times.
So I guess I take back my sensitivity comments on the 396. I continue to be amazed by this scanner. I think it is possibly the greatest hand held scanner ever built. 1 year after purchasing this scanner, it is the only scanner I have kept around. All others find themselves coming and going within a few months. If I like the 330 and BCT15 as much, I may have a completed shack.........for a while anyway. Well, the Pro-2055 is bugging me not being Dynamic Memory, so it may find it's way out of the shack to make room for another BCT15 in the future? The 2055 will likely sell without it's antenna..this thing is great on VHF-High. Where can I get another?
Again, these are my observations here in South Arkansas. Of course others experiences are going to vary. I guess what I am getting at is that I should have experimented with various antennas with various radios before I called the radio junk.
The scanner / antenna combination is the key to a scanner nerd's happiness!
