Nashville TRS and the New BCD396T

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bg_nashville

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I thought I would start a thread for reviews of usage of Uniden's new BCD396T with Metro Nashville's TRS. Does anyone have one of these new radios yet? If so, tell us what you think.
 

bg_nashville

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I am especially interested in how the emergency alert function operates. The way that it was described to me was that it involves the emergency button on the field radios, but I wonder if this function might also work with the dispatchers. For example, when an "all-airs" announcement is made, will the emergency alert function on the uniden kick in? I would like to be able to monitor only transmissions that follow alert tones.
 

stewart00311

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I have used Trunker and it will follow that TGID and will alert but on some system like the commmercial type it will go off alot. I guess the local repair man does not know what that button does.
 

CORN

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Mine shipped this afternoon. Hopefully I'll get it by Fri or Mon. I hope the audio sounds OK. I do like the Close Call feature though. We'll see.
 

stewart00311

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Mine is due for dleivery also, been working on the software file to load up to it if the 396 software would come out.

Also don't forget to program the Nashville system as a Mot type 2 system and not a P-25 system as it uses the 3600 baud control channel.

Best thing is the close call will work on Uhf high band Mil-air band
Happy Listening.
 

stewart00311

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Well got mine this afteroon, and it is definetly different from programming the 250d. The guys with the 246's will have a leg up on programming that is for sure.
Got metro programmed and also got smyrna in now just to get use to this thing.
All I can say is where oh where is the software. It will be alot better once I can program it that way.

I am going to just leave the 2 systems in for now until I can get use to the other features.

Already had 60% of the memory used up for the preprogrammed systems, which most are of no use around here unless you travel alot.
I do not understand how Nashville got left out of the list though.
 

W4ELL

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I bit the bullet and my 396 arrived today. I don't have a digital system to monitor where I live but so far this thing blows away anything I have as far as volume and reception.

I can't wait to take another trip so I can test the out the digital. I will have the Nashville system programmed so it will be ready to go when I need it.

That control channel search is the best thing since sliced bread and the display is great... I don't know what all the fuss is about.

BTW, having the 246 really does give you a leg up but it isn't that hard to learn.
 

CORN

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Hey Stew what does the digital audio sound like? I hear it is supposed to tune to the system automatically and the manual tuning is out the window with this unit. Is it any better than the manual tuning?
 

stewart00311

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The Nashville system was doing fine last night, but it seems once the system started getting tasked the quality degraded.
I left my 250d at home, but will bring it in tommorow to listen to the difference.

Did notice that when you run a CC custom search it will lock onto a CC then some where it is pulling the system name, not the sysid.
The systems are not listed in the default database so I do not know where it is getting the info from.

Another thing I found that was causing a headache is that I had forgotten and enabled the CTSS/DCS once I turned that off it cleaned up some of the digital signal, also follow the instructions on PG 99 of the manual it will help also.

Listening to Metro from Smyrna on the factory ducky with no problem...
 

CORN

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I finally recieved mine today and have been able to play with it a little. First impressions aren't that great but it's to early for me to kick it around yet. The Nashville TRS comes in OK but on several occasions it broke in and out of comms. Maybe thats because of my home location. I will take it about in the morning. I do like the ability to store more talkgroups than the other models. The AA batteries are better especially if you get caught out and no charger. I usually can interpret the manuals good but the manual with this radio seemed like greek to me and was blowing my mind. So when all else failed I monkeyed with it by trial and error, ie pushing buttons. I can tell though already that it won't be replacing my 296d but will make a handy travel companion. I can't wait to try the close call feature and the milair spectrum. Also, I wish they would not have gone overboard with the preprogrammed systems. Not one was from Tennessee and I could care less about the ones that were in there. Well, thats my preliminary review and like i said i will continue to experiment to make sure it does what I want it too.

Anyone else?
 

stewart00311

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I blasted the Programming with the updated software and just put in my own files, still working on getting more files setup for the radio.
Of course left the cable at work..

While at work at BNA I have watched it have problems holding the channel also, but being in a steel hangar type building and so close to the tower I believe it is over loading the RX.

I did have to chage it from auto FM to manual FM just like I had to do with the 250d and this also improved the audio also.

I also wished you could see the Freq you are listening to while in convetional mode. If you have text in the group you will have some problems tracking who's who. I have all of Rutherford Cnty PDs in one group and it will just not work like that.

The Software is a must though.

Enjoy. I am
 
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