I got my BC296D Today woo hooo

[stp72]

I got my BC296D today from the US.. I bought it from a member off this site for $350US
Its brand new not a mark on it. But I got reemed by UPS $160 CDN for GST and Broker Fee
So DO NOT use UPS to ship if you buy from the US

Now I have the scanner its looks like you have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out
Maybe after I read the Manual 1000 times I might be able to do something with it rather than sitting on my desk looking pretty.

Can someone give me some quick set up tips to get me going so I can listen to the PD and FD here in Barrie, They are APCO-25. I would be willing to pay someone to install and help me out with all the frequencies I would like to monitor.

I am disappointed about the battery pack, I thought it used 4 AA's, I can't see the battery pack lasting long at all. Can we buy spares from somewhere?

Anyway I am happy its here, sucks about the UPS fee and can't wait to start playing with it.

Thanks Guys

 

[SCPD]

Congrats on the new radio. You'll grow to love it.
You should be able to find spare battery packs at Durham Radio. $39.00

http://www.durhamradio.com/s/customer/home.php?cat=1822

Radioworld lists one for $49.00

Radioworld used to also stock a cradle that would plug into the adapter to charge a second battery while not in the scanner. You could call and see if they still sell these as well.

Or you could contact Uniden.
Battery For BC250D/BC296D BBTY0356001
New Accessory $13.85

Or

I remember reading someplace on RR about a battery holder that holds 4 "AAA" batteries that you solder the connector to and then plug into the scanner. It fits perfectly apparently. I wish I could remember what forum it was in. Anybody else?
I get about 8 hours out of mine on my 250d and the battery pack is getting old now. Never hurts to have a spare one or two. Just be cautious with the shipping from Uniden. Choose the mail option if possible.

UPS. Mystery shipping. Any idea what the description of the item was on the customs form? That tends to be what sets the broker fees. "used am. radio parts" likely would have been cheapest. Consider it a learning experience for next time to use Express post. Next to nothing for broker fees and damn near as fast!

 

[Forts]

You may want to check Ebay for a battery pack too... might be able to find a cheap'o on there. Don't you just love those UPS charges? Absolutely insane.

Enjoy the new radio!

 

[ov1]

Follow this link for instructions to programming the BC296d

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17856

Cheers,

Terry

 

[SCPD]

UPS--Unpredicatble Price Scheme

You may want to check Ebay for a battery pack too... might be able to find a cheap'o on there. Don't you just love those UPS charges? Absolutely insane.

Enjoy the new radio!

Wait till they start adding a gas surcharge to the lot. Oh boy. Starts making bargains look not so good.

I had a company send an item to me a few weeks ago but they sent it twice. Both sent via UPS. Both arrived the same day on the same truck. The descriptions were different on the two declarations: One said "Tools" and the other "Parts" One package cost me $26.00 and the other $59.00 Go figure. I wish (as many have said) that there was at least a way to know ahead what kind of gouging could be expected at the door...That way you can have the appropriate lubicant available.
The bright side to the whole deal on this one was I was only billed for one item--I "won".

 

[Al42]

I remember reading someplace on RR about a battery holder that holds 4 "AAA" batteries that you solder the connector to and then plug into the scanner. It fits perfectly apparently. I wish I could remember what forum it was in. Anybody else?

The connector is in this thread

You can get solder-tab AAA cells from many sources - I believe Radio Shack carries them, although that may be a problem north of the border these days, from what I'm reading here.

As far as a holder, gaff tape or electrical tape should work. Lay the batteries on a piece of tape, wrap the tape over the batteries, etc. Or a really large piece of heat shrink tubing. Or heat shrink tape.

 

[stp72]

ov1 Thanks for the link, but the links on that page don't work for some reason

Al42 Thanks for the link

 

[SCPD]

Found the link to the battery pack discussion I was talking about:

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12329

 

[stp72]

Cheers Wheelchair

 

[tonsoffun]

Hey stp72,

I can help you out on the set up of the scanner if you want.

Check your private messeges

Take care
Ron

 

[stp72]

cheers tonsoffun I sent you a PM

 

[hypersight]

I got my BC296D today from the US.. I bought it from a member off this site for $350US
Its brand new not a mark on it. But I got reemed by UPS $160 CDN for GST and Broker Fee
So DO NOT use UPS to ship if you buy from the US

Whoaaaa! That's a lot of $$$ for GST and Broker Fee!!
For those people who ordered scanners from the US, where did you purchase it and how much was the shipping,broker fees, etc.? Just curious because I'm planning to order a PRO 96 soon, but I'm not sure where I should get it from.

 

[stp72]

Just use USPS for shipping and not UPS and you will be fine. I get stuff all the time from the US and never had a problem. But that first my first and LAST time using them

 

[jellotor]

Maybe I shouldn't advertise this too much since I don't want to invite too much extra work on myself...but I have been known to rebuild Uniden battery packs with 2300 mAh NiMH cells. Can more than double your battery life. I could pass my knowledge along to a young Padawan with some moxie and a soldering iron if there was interest.

I concur with the USPS statement, too...postal is much, MUCH cheaper than courier. I avoid couriers at all cost...cost to me, that is.

 

[mikewazowski]

There's something wrong about this whole deal. I bought a 396 back in July and had it shipped UPS.

The value of the scanner in Canadian dollars was $644.79 (converted from $519.95US). I ended up paying $96.72 in taxes. Since I shipped it as UPS expedited, the brokerage fee was built into the cost of the shipping.

IIRC, cost of shipping was around $50 for expedited which took two days.

So I ended up paying about $150 to get a product worth $519.95US over the border (in 2 days) and you paid $160 to get a $350US scanner over the border?

Somethings not right. I'd like to see a breakdown in how they charged you. You should have paid about $60 in taxes which would leave $100 in brokerage charges. UPS is bad when it comes to brokerage but $100 is a bit much.

Are you sure you didn't pay duty on it somehow?