I live in ws Michigan (49348) and am thinking of getting either a Hp2 or Bcd996pt. My ws 1040 seems to be doing ok for the most part but wanting to upgrade. Any input would be appreciated. Thx
Hp2 or Bcd996p2
- Thread starter just1bob
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I'm not in your state, so my comments are based on what I see in the database. Hopefully, somebody local to you will share their input.
Your county shows to use a simulcast site on MPSCS, the statewide system. However, most of the sites are away from your immediate area, with one site very near Wayland. If your WS1040 is doing a good job, then likely the HP2 or 996P2 would not have an issue. Both of those scanners can handle P25 Phase II. For now, the state system remains Phase I, but if, at some point, that changes to Phase II, either scanner would work.
Looking at your county in the database, I see one public safety channel listed as DMR.
There are some business and schools using DMR. The HP2 has an excellent, large & clear, display, However, it cannot get the DMR upgrade should that be needed. The 996P2 can get the paid DMR upgrade, as well as one for NXDN should that be desirable in the future.
Being a database scanner, the HP2 is a bit more user friendly, and can be programmed via Sentinel, or simply update the database and use your location, range, & service types & let the scanner monitor based on your settings. Should, at some point, you plan to travel with your scanner along for the ride, the HP2, a GPS, & updated database make that easy to do.
While the memory system used on the 996P2 is different than what you are used to on your WS1040, there is a lot of information & help available to ease the transition. Besides step by step instructions in the forums, the Wiki, and the Easier to Read manual, there are a number of YouTube videos available with programming tips.
Thx Steve for your input…Merry Christmas
tvengr
Well Known Member
For the HP2, you can use HomePatrol Sentinel, free programming software provided by Uniden. For the 996P2 you can use FreeSCAN, also free software. FreeSCAN is fine for P25 Phase 1&2. If you upgrade the scanner to DMR or NXDN, you will require ARC-XT or ProScan (Paid software). As hiegtx mentioned, the Allegan County site is simulcast. If the 1040 works at your location, either scanner should be OK. However, both could be intermittent as you travel around the county. Do you have that problem with your 1040?
Yes but sometimes I’m picking up stuff from the other side of the state. Hit and miss.
tvengr
Well Known Member
The only time you will hear something from the other side of the state is if a unit in your area affiliates with a local site and is communicating with another unit far away which will affiliate with a site in its area. You only will be able to receive your local sites. Frequencies are often reused in sites spaced far apart in statewide systems. You can mistake a distant site for a local one if both are using the same control channel frequency. The SDS100 and SDS200 allow using site NAC's to eliminate that problem. If you have problems with missed transmissions, dropouts, and garbled audio as you move around with the 1040, that will be due to simulcast distortion. The SDS100 and SDS200 are the only scanners designed to receive simulcast sites.
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RamJetRadio
Newbie
I'm not familiar with your area but I live in southern Oakland county Michigan. I tried the BCD996 for about 3 weeks while for listening to the MPSCS and decided to return it. The reception was not usable. The simulcast signals of the BCD996 were VERY choppy to the point of not being understandable. I exchanged that radio for the Uniden SDS200. Yes it is more money but the reception is fantastic. I have no problems with this radio. My only regret is being under the gun to choose between the SDS200 and SDS100 due to the exchange window for the BCD996 closing on me. In hind site, I may have gone with the portable SDS100. Don't get me wrong, the 200 is a great radio.... the 100 and 200 are the same radio but the 100 is handheld. I'm using a Diamond Discone mounted to my chimney. I'm very happy with the reception. The included telescoping antenna also worked well but I already had the roof mounted antenna so I just roll with that. In addition to the MPSCS transmissions, I also pickup local amature radio repeaters, local Fire rescue not on MPSCS ect. Hope that helps.
If you are upgrading, spend the extra for an SDS series. They will work with the planned changes to MPSCS. (So you don't have to spend more money later.)
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