tony2tall
Member
I live in the Brookland area and would like a handheld that receives the current public service frequencies including AWIN. Thanks in advance for your replies.
Handheld Recommendations
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zzdiesel
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There are only three late models and they are the GRE=500, Radio Shack Pro-106, and the Uniden BCD396XT. GRE makes the Pro-106 for Radio Shack. I almost forgot that all three companies also have pre-programmed radios.
I'd go with the 396XT. I had a PSR-500 for a while and liked it but if you are in a high signal area the front end gets overloaded and you can't hear anything. Never had that problem with the 396XT, plus it's a lot smaller. I've never had a problem with either one on AWIN.
Mike
Mike
n5ims
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There's also the HP-1, PSR-800, and Pro-18 if you want the ease of programming by having the RR database already loaded into your scanner using an updatable SD Memory Card. The PSR-800 will even pick up the new P-25 Phase II systems that others can't so you'll be ready if anybody upgrades to the new Phase II systems.
tony2tall
Member
Who would have the best price on a Uniden BCD396XT ?
zzdiesel
Member
Here's one one on eBay for 449..90 /w free shipping.
Uniden BCD396XT-R Compact APCO 25 Handheld Scanner | eBay
Uniden BCD396XT-R Compact APCO 25 Handheld Scanner | eBay
tony2tall
Member
I dread programming.
Sophocles
Member
Radio Prices
Scanner Master has the 396XT for $469.95 with great shipping prices (fast using Priority Mail) and EXCELLENT customer service. They also offer programming for your area at a nominal cost. Plus their Spectrumforce mobile/base antennas are great little units for the meager price of around $19.00.
Bearcatwarehouse has the 396XT for $457.90 with great customer service and good shipping. They also offer County programming with competitive pricing, so either one would be a good source for your radios and supplies.
Good luck!!
Scanner Master has the 396XT for $469.95 with great shipping prices (fast using Priority Mail) and EXCELLENT customer service. They also offer programming for your area at a nominal cost. Plus their Spectrumforce mobile/base antennas are great little units for the meager price of around $19.00.
Bearcatwarehouse has the 396XT for $457.90 with great customer service and good shipping. They also offer County programming with competitive pricing, so either one would be a good source for your radios and supplies.
Good luck!!
zzdiesel
Member
There is a free program named Freescan for the Uniden's. It will download from here at RR with a paid subscription.
n5ims
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Then get a scanner that makes it easy, the Uniden HP-1, the GRE PSR-700/RS Pro-107 (analog only), the RS Pro-18 (analog & digital), or the GRE PSR-800 (analog & digital). Programming is just a matter of selecting which system on the included (and updatable) SD Card you want and optionally locking out some from that system you don't want.
Sure is easier than "this system is EDACS so enter the frequencies (which order must I do them again?), then enter the talkgroups, then look again to check and find out that they moved from EDACS to P-25 so you wipe out those entries (and hopefully not any others by mistake) and start over ..."
safetyobc
Member
Can't go wrong with a PSR-800. Awesome radio!
Sophocles
Member
Pro 107 Scanner
Dan,
I think you should try another scanner antenna, as I do not think the stock antenna for the Pro 107 is that effective and could be the real over-all problem. Try an Austin Condor BNC from Scanner Master. It should bring in all your stations better. I also have a Home Patrol and considered going back and getting another PSR 800. But, I use the HP for base and in my car with excellent results using two Spectrumforce SMA antennas with mag mounts - great little antennas. So, I am going to buy the swivel case and an Austin Condor SMA rubber whip for the Home Patrol and use it portable as well. Then I do not need two or three radios. The HP seems to have the best all around performance - even better than the PSR 800. What I really like is that at home or in the car I can instantly hold on a frequency, note what department it is and return to scanning quickly. Can't do that with any other radio as fast. Lastly, the database for the HP and the PSR 800 is the same RR database, so all radios will have the same information. Regarding the Seatac frequencies - if you mean the Air Traffic Control frequencies, then you can go to AIRNAV.com and put in the KSEA identifier into the search window of AIRNAV and that will bring up all the stats for the SEATAC airport. Scroll down to the frequency area and you can copy/paste all the ATC frequencies into the submit window for RR and make a submission. That will update in a few hours to a few days. Then the info will be part of the actual downloadable database. Before you do that though, be sure and enter those conventional frequencies into your Pro 107 using the software and listen to them for a few days to ensure you are getting all the traffic on them. Also be sure to check the existing RR database to see what frequencies are there or may be omitted before you submit them - you do not want to resubmit existing data. Post a reply on how you get along on this!
Rodney
Dan,
I think you should try another scanner antenna, as I do not think the stock antenna for the Pro 107 is that effective and could be the real over-all problem. Try an Austin Condor BNC from Scanner Master. It should bring in all your stations better. I also have a Home Patrol and considered going back and getting another PSR 800. But, I use the HP for base and in my car with excellent results using two Spectrumforce SMA antennas with mag mounts - great little antennas. So, I am going to buy the swivel case and an Austin Condor SMA rubber whip for the Home Patrol and use it portable as well. Then I do not need two or three radios. The HP seems to have the best all around performance - even better than the PSR 800. What I really like is that at home or in the car I can instantly hold on a frequency, note what department it is and return to scanning quickly. Can't do that with any other radio as fast. Lastly, the database for the HP and the PSR 800 is the same RR database, so all radios will have the same information. Regarding the Seatac frequencies - if you mean the Air Traffic Control frequencies, then you can go to AIRNAV.com and put in the KSEA identifier into the search window of AIRNAV and that will bring up all the stats for the SEATAC airport. Scroll down to the frequency area and you can copy/paste all the ATC frequencies into the submit window for RR and make a submission. That will update in a few hours to a few days. Then the info will be part of the actual downloadable database. Before you do that though, be sure and enter those conventional frequencies into your Pro 107 using the software and listen to them for a few days to ensure you are getting all the traffic on them. Also be sure to check the existing RR database to see what frequencies are there or may be omitted before you submit them - you do not want to resubmit existing data. Post a reply on how you get along on this!
Rodney
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I had a 396T and a Radio Shack PRO-106. I think they are both good scanners.
The 396 is smaller and looks to be tougher. But I sold the 396 and bought another PRO-106. I found the 396's batteries less convenient (it used three, an odd number, and there was no quick in-and-out "module" like there is in the PRO-106; I had to pull each battery out individually--a minor annoyance).
I also like the BNC antenna connector on the PRO-106 better than the SMA connector on the 396, and I like its receive audio better.
They are both good scanners, and both receive AWIN very nicely, but I liked the PRO-106 better.
Programming is easy with the right software. I use the Butel packages and they are slick.
The 396 is smaller and looks to be tougher. But I sold the 396 and bought another PRO-106. I found the 396's batteries less convenient (it used three, an odd number, and there was no quick in-and-out "module" like there is in the PRO-106; I had to pull each battery out individually--a minor annoyance).
I also like the BNC antenna connector on the PRO-106 better than the SMA connector on the 396, and I like its receive audio better.
They are both good scanners, and both receive AWIN very nicely, but I liked the PRO-106 better.
Programming is easy with the right software. I use the Butel packages and they are slick.
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