Is the "Base" age gone?

[safetyobc]

I would like to have a good "base" scanner for my home use. I currently have a Pro-2055 and am happy with it for the most part. But the base models available don't have alpha tags which is a must have.

Are the base scanners not enough of a good seller to justify making one like the BC898T's and similar with text, trunking, CTCSS/DCS, etc. ?

I would like to see a base model of the BCT15 or similar.

The base models can feature larger buttons and dials. Larger LCD, etc. I know the Uniden base scanner can be computer controlled, and some probably have the ability to add text on the PC but I don't use the PC to control my scanners for the most part and would love to see a true base scanner by Uniden or GRE with the above featurs.

Anyone else agree?

 

[JGP]

A Real Base Scanner

I would like to have a base scanner that just plugs into a household AC outlet like my old PRO-2004 did without having to use a power supply to run it.

Then everything big is good! It makes using the scanner easy.

Joel

 

[rwl48]

Base Scanner

I agree if the BCT15 or similar came out as A base unit I think many people including myself would buy one. And if A hand held scanner with A "docking station" for charging could be cloned to the base it would be even A better selling feature.

Bob

 

[MacombMonitor]

It's seems the name-of-the-game in electronics is make everything smaller, and smaller! With some devices, yes it's nice to have a "small" option, such as MP3 players. But I'm a big guy, 6' 3", 260lbs, and giant hands! Some of these smaller devices are very difficult to work with. Digital cameras for instance. If I pick up some of these new, smaller ones, I'm already pushing six buttons, and levers without even knowing it! :roll:

Downsizing is also why I never got excited about amateur radio. As a kid growing up, reading all my dad's electronics magazines, I would see ham radio rigs that were really big! Some were factory manufactured, most were home brew. They looked awesome, sounded great, and were easy to work on. Ham radio equipment today requires an eight year degree in brain surgery just to change a diode!

I really like the form factor of the BC9000-XLT, BC895-XLT, and BC898T. What's interesting is the BC9000-XLT, being the oldest, had alpha character display capability. It was awkward, and slow to program, due to no computer interface at the time, but nice just the same. Then with the BC895-XLT came one of the first computer interfaced scanners for Uniden...with no alpha text tags! Go figure? Then for the BC898T not to have it, is inexcusable!

 

[crayon]

Yes, the age is gone.

All your bases are belong to us.

 

[tom_guess]

Icom did make one. Haven't looked in a year or two to see if they still do.

If you're interested in 2m or 90cm, look at the ham rigs. Most all have receive capabilities in these band for the frequencies not assigned for amateur use. Remove the microphone so you can't transmit. Betteryet, get your ticket and talk on it.

 

[Al42]

I would like to have a base scanner that just plugs into a household AC outlet like my old PRO-2004 did without having to use a power supply to run it.

The power supply is either in the cabinet or it plugs into the wall. If it's external you can also power the scanner from 12 volts.

You can't design a scanner with no power supply - integrated circuits don't do very well when fed with 110 volts of AC.

 

[John_M]

I agree. I was shocked when I was looking at the 898t and found out that it didn't have alpha tags. Nice looking unit otherwise.

 

[mkewman]

All your bases are belong to us.

DAMN! I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT!!!

 

[MacombMonitor]

I agree. I was shocked when I was looking at the 898t and found out that it didn't have alpha tags. Nice looking unit otherwise.

Not only nice looking, they work great!

 

[crayon]

DAMN! I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT!!!

lol. Dude. We rock.

 

[amusement]

Not only nice looking, they work great!

BC898T was a marriage between the BC895XLT and BC780XLT.

I pulled a BC898T to add a tap and discovered BC780XLT board in it.
I sold my BC898T because I wanted alpha tags and 500 channels wasn't enough.

Like the VFO knob. VFO knob servo needed adjustment (skipped channels).

There's alot of ups about bases and BC898T has alot showing for it. For about $210 USD you have a computer controlled scanner. Something that R/S pro-2051, pro-2055, and pro-97 aren't (computer controlled).

 

[Eng74]

I think the last true base that RS had out was the 2053. If it had pl/dpl it wold e perfect.

 

[Declared_Hostile]

How about a base model with a big blue dot matrix VFD or even a full color LCD. The nice thing about those big blue dot matrix VFDs is that you could see them from all the way across the room. Also since you don't have to worry about cramming all those functions into a small chunk of real estate you could have separate buttons for functions instead of having to "drill down" through a half a dozen menus with 10 keystrokes to change Mode or Step Size for instance. It would be a button on the front of the radio.

 

[jmp883]

There is definitely a need for a true base scanner. I have 2 BC-780's, 2 BC-895's, and an BC-890 in my listening post. While they are all excellent scanners they're still not true base scanners. A base scanner should be powered by 120V, not a 12V DC wall-wart. They should have a full display that includes indications of all operating modes and a 15-20 letter alpha tag. Jacks on the back for auxiliary speaker and computer interface for full control via PC.

I agree with Declared_Hostile about the operation/programming menus. The 895 and 890 both have separate buttons for each function. They're laid out in a logical manner and the radios are very easy to use. The 780, on the other hand, has multiple menus that you have to scroll through. While not difficult, I prefer the way the 895's are set up. With trunk-tracking and APCO-25 scanners should be becoming easier to set up and operate, instead it seems they're becoming unnecessarily complicated.

Maybe it's time to dig out my old crystal scanners........

 

[JGP]

The power supply is either in the cabinet or it plugs into the wall. If it's external you can also power the scanner from 12 volts.

You can't design a scanner with no power supply - integrated circuits don't do very well when fed with 110 volts of AC.

FYI, the PRO-2004 has an AC line cord that plugs into a source of 120 volts, 60 Hz, AC power (your household AC outlet), and it also has a DC 13.8V jack for connecting an external source of 12 volts DC, negative ground for use in a car. This is what I was talking about.

I am not a tech. So I am not going to try to explain how a scanner design works. I just wanted to say I wanted a scanner that uses an AC line cord.

I hope this helps you to understand my point of view.

Joel

 

[tonsoffun]

Hey Guys
You know what would be cool, is to have a touch screen like the PLC panel views.
No knobs or buttons, all touch screen including squelch and volume.
One big screen!
Take care
P.S One can only dream

 

[cschmit]

I would love to see a scanner have the LCD like the Icom Base Hams. To me the black LCD with white characters is very easy on the eyes..

 

[safetyobc]

I would love to see a scanner have the LCD like the Icom Base Hams. To me the black LCD with white characters is very easy on the eyes..

Yep, that is COOL

 

[KC1UA]

Icom did make one. Haven't looked in a year or two to see if they still do.

You may be referring to the Icom IC-PCR8500, which has scanning features but it truly a communications receiver. I have one and love the "hands on" part of using it as it has a robust feel and size to it.

I'm not overly concerned with the size of scanners, as in my case they are for the most part a "set and forget" type of operation. The true love of this hobby for me is DX'ing; and in that regard the 8500 fits the bill almost perfectly. Size does matter in the hands on regard....hmmm, does that sound right?