I'm looking to purchase another hand-held scanner for the house. I currently have a RS Pro-96. I'm debating on either buying another Pro-96 or the Bearcat 396T. Which should I purchase and why? Thanks.
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I need another scanner....396T?
- Thread starter racin06
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gatorhater
Member
I'd also recommend the 396 for the coverage of the radio spectrum. Having a scanner that allows you to hear the TV audio (2-13), is very important with all the wild weather effecting the country lately.
whooey
Member
I own both and get the 396. Just get it. You WILL NOT regret it. Do some research, Its smaller, more features. However the pro 96 has better P25 audio AGC, hands down, don't care what anyone says.
-Brandon G
-Brandon G
safetyobc
Member
I have the BCD396T and I highly recommend it! Many many more features. Lots of people say the digital audio is better on the Pro96. But the digital audio isn't horrible on the 396. You get close call, fire tone out, LTR, 700mHZ and 380 to 400 trunking, Free software and accessories, the BCD396T is small!!!!, has 6000 channels for instant use! Blue back light is cool, I like the belt clip on the 396 (IT SWIVELS), and search a custom search or service search while scanning. You can set up multiple systems as trunking systems and aren't held down by banks! Some features I'm probably leaving out. But I don't think you'll be disappointed in the 396 overall. It is a nice scanner and is small enough to clip on your belt or pocket and take with you wherever you go.
RyltnVFD
Member
Why are the UHF TV channels blocked?
nexus
Member
If I had a choice of the two I'd get the BCD396T hands down.
I just one an auction on ebay for a BC246T and love it. The 396 has even more stuff. I can't wait to save the money to buy one.
I just one an auction on ebay for a BC246T and love it. The 396 has even more stuff. I can't wait to save the money to buy one.
Al42
Member
GRE scanners can't be user flashed - if a "reflash" is needed they have to be sent back to Radio Shack.junior17172003 said:
n4voxgill
Silent Key
no one knows for sure the 396 can be reflashed. In every post Uniden has included the fine print at the bottom saying they can't guarantee it will work after rebanding.
The main reason I see for buying another Pro96 is you only have to maintain one data base on win96 and can quickly make changes to both scanners.
The main reason I see for buying another Pro96 is you only have to maintain one data base on win96 and can quickly make changes to both scanners.
Al42
Member
The 396 can be flashed by the user.n4voxgill said:
No one knows whether it will be able to be reflashed for the new Motorola system ("rebanding"). The Pro-96 can't be reflashed by the user - period.
n4voxgill said:
I would get the 396. That way, you have the strengths of both units to draw from.
As for the above comment, the 396 CAN be reflashed - no question - there have already been upgrades released.
The real issue is whether or not the HARDWARE will support the rebanding of whether the control channel format will able to be supported.
I'm not going to give Motorola any ideas, but there are ways to upgrade them in such a way that the scanners would not be able to support them - reflashable or not. THAT'S why they have the disclaimer. Nobody knows what rebanded systems will be like yet.
Joe M.
BaLa
Member
I'd get the 396t..
besides, why another Pro96, you already have one of those
besides, why another Pro96, you already have one of those
I would have to agree with most others in getting the 396T. The only reason I say that is because everyone says you should
BTW where the heck did you go in the middle of our playoff discussion? I was thinking you got mad at me because the Pistons ended Millers career
BTW where the heck did you go in the middle of our playoff discussion? I was thinking you got mad at me because the Pistons ended Millers career
nexus
Member
n4voxgill said:
The Project manager for Uniden who is in charge of development of these scanners happens to frequent this forum as well as other yahoo uniden based forums. Very active at providing information and his statements on radio reference have indicated that the BCD396T would reflash by the user to accept the rebanding structure. And that wasn't the only scanner he listed either.
Al42
Member
Most likely be reflashable to work after rebanding.nexus said:
Since even Motorola can't forsee how rebanding is going to end up, how can scanner manufacturers guarantee that they'll be able to reprogram the firmware to work?
Isn't the format of the data the control channel sends to the radios going to stay the same? I thought the only thing that was going to change was the channel number sent out. It doesn't sound like a matter of the scanner's hardware, but the software on it. If the BCD396T can be reflashed to change how the FTO feature works, I would think it could be reflashed to work after rebanding. Uniden just has to release a firmware update.
Joseph11 said:
It can't stay the same. Right now, the each format (standard/splinter) only cover half the channels in 25 kHz steps. The new band will be in 12.5 kHz steps. That means the control channels will have to be more like the P25 CCh format that goes in 12.5 kHz steps.
Read the rebanding thread for more details, but here is the 'short version':
IOW:
CH Standard Splinter New
001 851.0125 851.0250 851.0125
002 851.0375 851.0500 851.0375 (851.025 is a guard channel)
003 851.0625 851.0750 851.0500
004 851.0875 851.1000 851.0625
005 851.1125 851.1250 851.0750
Etc.
They COULD also use the P25 channel plan that has no guard channels. Those channels would simply not be assigned to (used on) TRSs.
They may or may not make other changes to the format. That's just it - nobody knows yet. Again, the most simple thing to do would be to upgrade everything to P25 specs, including a 9600 CCh. That means scanners like the BC250D would not be able to track the rebanded systems - firmware update or not.
One thing is for certain. SOME Motorola models can't be upgraded via firmware. That is stated on the Motorola page. So, something is changing enough that a firmware upgrade won't fix what is changing. Those models will have to be replaced.
As for the comment about what Paul Opitz said about rebanding, read the disclaimer at the end. He had to put that in there in case something unexpected comes up. No matter how much people whine and complain, nobody knows what rebanded systems will end up like until they go on the air. (except Motorola's engineers)
Joe M.
Dubbin said:BTW where the heck did you go in the middle of our playoff discussion? I was thinking you got mad at me because the Pistons ended Millers career
LOL. I wasn't mad. I recall I got pretty busy and didn't spend much time online during that period. Anyway, I'm ready to talk some smack during the upcoming NBA season! The Pacers should be very good with Artest back and the new point guard they signed from Europe.
By the way, we could start talking some NFL smack. How about my Colts? We actually have a defense (Allowing only 5.5 ppg after 3 games). Of course, now it would be great if Peyton and the offense could score some points! Oh well, it has been said that defense wins Super Bowls and the Colts are looking really dominating on defense thus far. If the offense can ever get it back into gear, the Colts will be unstopable.
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