BCD325P2/BCD996P2: New to the hobby

[MazcoteYarquest]

Hello All,


I had been considering getting into this hobby for some time but I am a novice in every sense of the word. I have indicated in the past that I would be interested during conversation with my girlfriend a few times. Well fast forward to my recent birthday lo-and-behold she bought me a Uniden BCD996P2!

I understand this is not a "beginner" device but I am smart guy so here I go.

My question is as follows; What is the best place for me to start learning the hobby and this device (Uniden BCD996P2) in particular?


Looking forward to some insightful direction,
Maz

 

[ce2576]

Could you tell us what or who (police, fire, EMS, aviation...etc.) you are interested in listening to? This will help us to in deterrming first if encryption may or may not be an issue for you. If encryption is an issue then there are no scanners on the market that can monitor those type of systems.

While there are a lot of things your scanner is capable of monitoring they're also a lot of things it cannot, least ways without a paid upgrade. This is why it will be helpful for us to know what exactly you're interested in listening to.

For example the following type of systems can not be monitored without a paid upgrade:

1. NXDN
2. DMR
3.ProVoice (outdated and rapidly decreasing technology used by hardly anyone anymore)

Again, depending on what and who you're wanting to listen to, those three types of systems may not be an issue.

If you're planning on listening to a P25 Simulcast trunked radio system, your scanner will not handle that well, if at all. The Uniden SDS 100 and SDS200 are the only scanners on the market that can handle those type of systems.

One of the other things you're definitely going to want presuming that encryption is not an issue for you, is programming software. Below are a few options:

1. Uniden Sentinel
2. ProScan
3. ARC XT by Butel

If you can provide us information on what exactly it is that you are wanting to listen to that will be a good start.

I don't have that particular scanner so I'm not familiar with the functionality of it and would be of very little help in that regard. But there are people on these forms who do have that scanner and I'm sure they will be more than willing to help you in any way they can. Even those that don't have scanner will try to help you anyway they can. But for us to effectively help you, the more information you can provide the better.

Buying a scanner these days should be done with a quite a bit of trepidation and thoughtful research. Especially with the increased use of encryption, the potential need for paid upgrades and depending if one is trying to listen to a simulcast system.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

My question is as follows; What is the best place for me to start learning the hobby and this device (Uniden BCD996P2) in particular?

Right here at Radioreference. Got questions? Ask away or search the forums to see if they've already been asked. Welcome aboard!

Easier to Read BCD996P2/XT Digital Scanner Manual​

 

[K9KLC]

What is the best place for me to start learning the hobby and this device (Uniden BCD996P2) in particular?

Right here. I have the 996XT loaned out to my son at the moment but after running it for a bit I was pretty impressed with its capabilities.

As is mentioned your location and what you want to scan will help us help you.

 

[MazcoteYarquest]

Thank you for the response.

I would like to listen to Fire\EMS\Police. I am in Southern New Hampshire. Zip code 03033

Im not really sure what I am interested in beyond that at this point.

 

[Enforcer52]

Two suggestions:

1. Get a subscription to RR so you can download the frequencies you will need to program into the scanner.

2. Get a copy of ProScan to program the scanner, it is only $50 and well worth the cost to ease the programming of the scanner. You get a free 30 day trial to try it out.

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD160DN UBCD260DN...

www.proscan.org

Feel free to PM me if you need help.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Meant to add that state-locality specific questions are better addressed in your state's forum. Lucky for you that Brookline, NH is analog conventional so your 996P2 should handle them just fine. Happy scanning!

Subcategory: Municipalities/Brookline (Hillsborough County)

Subcategory: Municipalities/Brookline Details (Hillsborough County)

www.radioreference.com

 

[Chris0516]

Hello All,


I had been considering getting into this hobby for some time but I am a novice in every sense of the word. I have indicated in the past that I would be interested during conversation with my girlfriend a few times. Well fast forward to my recent birthday lo-and-behold she bought me a Uniden BCD996P2!

I understand this is not a "beginner" device but I am smart guy so here I go.

My question is as follows; What is the best place for me to start learning the hobby and this device (Uniden BCD996P2) in particular?


Looking forward to some insightful direction,
Maz

Looking at your locale, this: Hillsborough County, New Hampshire (NH) Trunked Systems

-Is the page for your county. As others have already mentioned. To listen to any DMR/NXDN systems, you will need to purchase thew upgrade key.

The P25 systems will already be accessible(no upgrade key needed).

 

[smithken]

Could you tell us what or who (police, fire, EMS, aviation...etc.) you are interested in listening to? This will help us to in deterrming first if encryption may or may not be an issue for you. If encryption is an issue then there are no scanners on the market that can monitor those type of systems.

While there are a lot of things your scanner is capable of monitoring they're also a lot of things it cannot, least ways without a paid upgrade. This is why it will be helpful for us to know what exactly you're interested in listening to.

For example the following type of systems can not be monitored without a paid upgrade:

1. NXDN
2. DMR
3.ProVoice (outdated and rapidly decreasing technology used by hardly anyone anymore)

Again, depending on what and who you're wanting to listen to, those three types of systems may not be an issue.

If you're planning on listening to a P25 Simulcast trunked radio system, your scanner will not handle that well, if at all. The Uniden SDS 100 and SDS200 are the only scanners on the market that can handle those type of systems.

One of the other things you're definitely going to want presuming that encryption is not an issue for you, is programming software. Below are a few options:

1. Uniden Sentinel
2. ProScan
3. ARC XT by Butel

If you can provide us information on what exactly it is that you are wanting to listen to that will be a good start.

I don't have that particular scanner so I'm not familiar with the functionality of it and would be of very little help in that regard. But there are people on these forms who do have that scanner and I'm sure they will be more than willing to help you in any way they can. Even those that don't have scanner will try to help you anyway they can. But for us to effectively help you, the more information you can provide the better.

Buying a scanner these days should be done with a quite a bit of trepidation and thoughtful research. Especially with the increased use of encryption, the potential need for paid upgrades and depending if one is trying to listen to a simulcast system.

Uniden Sentinel does not work on 396X/996X scanners, it only works on Home Patrol scanners, 436/536 scanners and SDS scanners.

 

[n1chu]

I suspect a lot of the terminology you see here is Greek to you. Not to worry. It’s best if you team up with someone who is familiar with the hobby. There are two ways I would suggest you check out… one is by visiting your local fire dept., especially if it’s a volunteer dept. Ask if there is anyone who might give you a hand. Secondly, check around for a local ham radio repeater club. They should be able to hook you up with someone that also use scanners. And lastly, in the RadioReference.com Forums, scroll down until you see all the states listed, find your state and ask there if there’s anyone close to where you live that wouldn’t mind a few one-on-one sessions. This choice needs an added bit of security. Since you may not know the person who offerred to help, agree to only meet in a mutually agreeable public location, a place where lots of people congregate to help protect against those unscrupulous characters who only want to steal your scanner. A police station lobby/waiting room or the local library might work for you. If the other party wants to meet in a secluded parking lot, beware… tell him thanks anyway and hang up!

 

[Enforcer52]

@MazcoteYarquest check your messages in top right menu.