New cars SUCK when you want to install a scanner!

[Omega-TI]

I remember back in the old days there were places in cars to install radios, then detaching head radios were invented (for Hams) because the new cars didn't leave enough space to install a radio. But what about us scanner guys? The only remote head scanner I could find was the Whistler TRX-2, but it has a stratospheric price tag. Since I only spend on average no more than 7 hours a week in my car, I cannot justify it.

 

[iMONITOR]

Walmart has had the TRX-2 on-sale numerous times in the last year for $400-$429.

Uniden had a remote head for their BCT15X, but it's no longer available new. I think some have made it work with the BCD996 series with no color.



Then they have the SmartPhone app Siren that was supposed to work with the BCD536HP scanner but unfortantely it didn't work well and was never really supported.

Uniden Siren - Apps on Google Play

Siren is Uniden’s long awaited scanner control app for the BCD536HP.

play.google.com

There is also a non-UNIDEN project creating a remote head for the SDS200 scanner.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

Another option is to use a hand-held model or the HomePatrol 2. They all take up far less space than a mobile version.

 

[iMONITOR]

Another option is to use a hand-held model or the HomePatrol 2. They all take up far less space than a mobile version.

I never understood why more people didn't use the HomePatrol 2 same as they would a remote head. It's about the same size that a remote head for something like the SDS200 would have to be. I've seen a few mounted as if they were a remote head and it seemed to look great and would be just as functional as a remote head.

 

[tvengr]

Here is the link for the details about the Uniden BC-RH96 remote head: BC-RH96 - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[trentbob]

I remember back in the old days there were places in cars to install radios, then detaching head radios were invented (for Hams) because the new cars didn't leave enough space to install a radio. But what about us scanner guys? The only remote head scanner I could find was the Whistler TRX-2, but it has a stratospheric price tag. Since I only spend on average no more than 7 hours a week in my car, I cannot justify it.

Not to mention that if you have any tdma Phase ll systems around you the whistlers won't work on them, especially in a mobile application, they never made a simulcast capable scanner. Also has a lot of front end overload issues in metropolitan areas. I had the remote head mounted in my car from the ws1095 right when all of the type ll smartzone systems were being replaced by P2 so that didn't last long.

I had several RH-96 units also back in the day. Great product and never made a lick of sense to discontinue.

Now I use a sds100 in the cup holder with the coax coming up from the seat from my newer version Larson tri band.

No matter what you use, in today's world you're going to have to spend the bucks.

 

[fredva]

I also use a handheld. If you have more than one vehicle to drive, you don't have to buy and install a mobile scanner in each one, although you may want to have outside antennas on each one, ready to hook to the handheld. But antennas are cheaper than scanners.

 

[CrabbyMilton]

I just plug it one of those small FM transmitters to my 436HP and it seems to work just fine. At some point I may get a BLUETOOTH adapter for it.

 

[trentbob]

I just plug it one of those small FM transmitters to my 436HP and it seems to work just fine. At some point I may get a BLUETOOTH adapter for it.

Sounds interesting oh, then you just play it over your FM radio? Do you leave it in the cup holder so as to make adjustments?

 

[CrabbyMilton]

My car('04 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS) doesn't have practical cup holders so I just put it on the passenger seat. I don't adjust it when driving anyway but I'll pull over if it needs adjustment badly. Those little transmitters are great. It's best to get one that you plug into the power point. I had one was battery powered that would shut off after about a minute give or take of no transmission to save battery life. But I always had a pack of AAA's in the car.

 

[Motoballa]

I just plug it one of those small FM transmitters to my 436HP and it seems to work just fine.

I'll admit I probably wouldn't have even thought of this. Not a bad idea. For those that still have doubts or struggle with newer vehicle installs I'd just go the handheld route. Plenty of mounting solutions for handhelds and running an external antenna wouldn't be that bad. Plus you can take it on the go to when you're out of the car. Win-win.

 

[CrabbyMilton]

I keep saying that I should get an external or at least a mobile plug in antenna for the scanner but I never get around to it. I find the rubber ducky works fine in the car too since I mostly monitor repeaters. For those of you in the Milwaukee area, Mitchell Airport has an excellent observation lot which is a great spot to take the scanner.

 

[trentbob]

Proclip makes good mounts that attach to your vents.



I have used it for the Mot but not for the sds100, I don't like the idea of running the coax up that high and the pressure it puts on the BNC adapter. It works for the mot as that does not need an external antenna but can work for any scanner with or without an external antenna and they're pretty inexpensive.

 

[ra7850]

Walmart has had the TRX-2 on-sale numerous times in the last year for $400-$429.

Uniden had a remote head for their BCT15X, but it's no longer available new. I think some have made it work with the BCD996 series with no color.

View attachment 109870

Then they have the SmartPhone app Siren that was supposed to work with the BCD536HP scanner but unfortantely it didn't work well and was never really supported.

Uniden Siren - Apps on Google Play

Siren is Uniden’s long awaited scanner control app for the BCD536HP.

play.google.com

There is also a non-UNIDEN project creating a remote head for the SDS200 scanner.

Here is the link for the above mentioned remote head. It also works with the SDS100, HP436, and HP536 Uniden scanners.

Touch Scanner | Home

Touch Scanner is an accidental creation that we're hoping many others will be excited to use too!

touch-scanner.com

 

[N9JCQ]

As mentioned above, I use this vent clip for my Uniden 325P2. Works great. Bracketron Grip-iT Vent Mount - Black

 

[trentbob]

That's a nice looking clip, the proclip you attach the belt holder clamp on the radio so it doesn't have that grasp option.

 

[trentbob]

Here is the link for the above mentioned remote head. It also works with the SDS100, HP436, and HP536 Uniden scanners.

Touch Scanner | Home

Touch Scanner is an accidental creation that we're hoping many others will be excited to use too!

touch-scanner.com

That is a most intriguing advertisement especially since the author is very candid listing these problems.



I see it's coming soon! Let's see if he can work on that one issue of it melting on a hot dashboard. That's a deal-breaker for me. On the page that they ask for your name and email if you want one there is a picture and if you blow it up it is an sds200 scanner sitting on the dashboard. Let's hope they can figure out some of those glitches "soon"

 

[CrabbyMilton]

I freely admit that I overuse my AC so I want nothing blocking the vents. But if it works for you that's fine.

 

[ladn]

This has been one of my favorite gripes for years!

I keep my 325P2 in my 4Runner's cup holder or use a "clamping" cupholder mount, but I would really prefer the security of a permanently mounted control head. Lacking that, I'd be satisfied if there were an Android version of ProScan so I could link a mounted tablet or cellphone via USB.

 

[KK4JUG]

The heat issue with the Touch Scanner could certainly be a problem for me and others living in the south. Even in the winter (if you want to call it that), inside temps can sometimes reach triple digits.