PHOENIX_SCANNER
Member
After spending several quality months with the 197 and BCT15 combination for base use, I had enough of two base scanners. I really prefer having just one base unit that does it all.
Though the 197 was awesome on digital, I came to the conclusion that it pretty much stunk for VHF high analog around here. Phoenix is just packed with RF and even with attenuation the 197 could never match the BCT15 for in this area, so I had to constantly use both. I got the bright idea of selling the 197 and BCT15 off in favor of a 996 I found a good deal on, so it was done. This is now my second go-around with the BCD996T. I sold the first one because before discovering how to use the 800mhz yagi, it was AWFUL on my local simulcast system. Every other word was cut out.
Now I have just one base, and it does great with VHF high analog stuff, and OK with digital. Overall I am happier now. There are just too many important things on Vhf high analog that I monitor, so I needed to make the move. The 996 is a far far better in this regard, and doesn't even need attenuation to work well.
Now for the bad part. Although with a yagi it does OK on the PRWN simulcast system, the 197 did better, though not by a lot, but still had less cut-outs. Worse yet, with the 996 the sound of voice on digital systems is "muddy", or "dull". The 197 had FAR better sound quality on digital stuff. I guess I am going to have to play with external speakers now, because the dull sound bugs me after getting used to the wonderful sound of the 197. And yeah I did the audio tweak thing (I still think having to do that is silly). Every now and then I hear a bit of "under water" sound, and a strange digital sound here or there I never heard with the 197 using the same antenna.
Moral of the story for those who love to debate Uniden vs. GRE:
Neither is perfect, each has its pros and cons. No one scanner does it all perfectly.
Those of you who can actually listen to multiple scanners at once and process it all are blessed with a better ability to multi-task that I am. My brain can only deal with one on at once I guess.
Though the 197 was awesome on digital, I came to the conclusion that it pretty much stunk for VHF high analog around here. Phoenix is just packed with RF and even with attenuation the 197 could never match the BCT15 for in this area, so I had to constantly use both. I got the bright idea of selling the 197 and BCT15 off in favor of a 996 I found a good deal on, so it was done. This is now my second go-around with the BCD996T. I sold the first one because before discovering how to use the 800mhz yagi, it was AWFUL on my local simulcast system. Every other word was cut out.
Now I have just one base, and it does great with VHF high analog stuff, and OK with digital. Overall I am happier now. There are just too many important things on Vhf high analog that I monitor, so I needed to make the move. The 996 is a far far better in this regard, and doesn't even need attenuation to work well.
Now for the bad part. Although with a yagi it does OK on the PRWN simulcast system, the 197 did better, though not by a lot, but still had less cut-outs. Worse yet, with the 996 the sound of voice on digital systems is "muddy", or "dull". The 197 had FAR better sound quality on digital stuff. I guess I am going to have to play with external speakers now, because the dull sound bugs me after getting used to the wonderful sound of the 197. And yeah I did the audio tweak thing (I still think having to do that is silly). Every now and then I hear a bit of "under water" sound, and a strange digital sound here or there I never heard with the 197 using the same antenna.
Moral of the story for those who love to debate Uniden vs. GRE:
Neither is perfect, each has its pros and cons. No one scanner does it all perfectly.
Those of you who can actually listen to multiple scanners at once and process it all are blessed with a better ability to multi-task that I am. My brain can only deal with one on at once I guess.
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