Official BC-RH96 Remote Head Pre-Release Thread

[jpjohn]

Pictures would be great is we can get them from CES!!

Another question I had - and I realize that it would be most likely speculation - is does the power switch off on the RH96 control both the head and radio? I've never really played with the remote feature of say the ARC software, to try this. I'm guessing that it will, but like everything so far - it is just a guess.

If production is going to start soon, I would also think we would be hearing about a price on the unit. Maybe that figure will be announced at CES also?

As I've said before, I hope this turns out to be most everythihg that we think it will be. If it does and the cost is in line, it is sure to be a hit and a good seller.

 

[UPMan]

The RH can't control Power for the scanner.

 

[MarkWestin]

That's OK with me, because I never turn my scanners off.

Mark

 

[Boomeranger]

I agree - why red? I have used the different colors on my 996 mobile and always wind up using green for all times of day/night. I have yet to find the green messing up my night vision. However, all that being said, it being red is not a show stopper for me. Anxiously waiting deployment.

I'm all for a white background with black type. I can grab any color of celophane and tape it over the display.

The nightvision RED is only going to play well for a handful of users. What about most of us with day jobs!?

As if the 396's blue screen isn't bad enough!!! It's the Red Screen Of Death!

Such an obviously glaring mistake.

Andy
Scannist

 

[jpjohn]

The RH can't control Power for the scanner.

So then in a mobile installation, you would either have to keep them powered all the time, switched with the vehicle ignition or have a remote switch to cut the power to the scanners.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks UPMan for the clarification!!!

 

[ScanWorcester]

The RH can't control Power for the scanner.

So how will distant-mounted radios like the 396/330 be powered up, if not by the remote head?

 

[John_M]

djmt99 Wrote:

So how will distant-mounted radios like the 396/330 be powered up, if not by the remote head?

I believe that you have to turn power on both.

 

[ScanWorcester]

I believe that you have to turn power on both.

Yes, that's evident now... but if I'm spending all this money for a REMOTE control, why should I have to access the inconviently-mounted radio half-way across the vehicle? The whole idea of the remote control was to scrap the idea of hacking my dash to mount my 396. I can't wait to show all my radio buddies this expensive head that costs half of what the radio does (nevermind the full cost of a BCT15!), and have to say "I'll brb...gotta go turn on the scanner" <<pops trunk>>:roll:

 

[Dubbin]

Yes, that's evident now... but if I'm spending all this money for a REMOTE control, why should I have to access the inconviently-mounted radio half-way across the vehicle? The whole idea of the remote control was to scrap the idea of hacking my dash to mount my 396. I can't wait to show all my radio buddies this expensive head that costs half of what the radio does (nevermind the full cost of a BCT15!), and have to say "I'll brb...gotta go turn on the scanner" <<pops trunk>>:roll:

Why would you need to hack up your dash to mount a HH radio? Most are put in a cup holder or cellphone holder. IMO these are being made more for the use with mobile radios. If you cant find a place for a HH then how are you going to find a place for a remote head when its bigger then the HH?

 

[ScanWorcester]

Why would you need to hack up your dash to mount a HH radio? Most are put in a cup holder or cellphone holder. IMO these are being made more for the use with mobile radios. If you cant find a place for a HH then how are you going to find a place for a remote head when its bigger then the HH?

I don't believe that's quite on topic, but in reply, in my work vans and trucks, and also a 2-door coupe, I cannot see or access the HH radio in the cupholder. I don't know about yours, but my cupholders are designed to hold things in a vertical, upright position, as are the seats for the driver/passenger. When I'm driving, I don't want to have to be looking down or away from the road, fumbling for functions or checking displays in the cupholder.

My dash is not contoured to allow for mounting after-market cup- or cellphone holders, therefore, I'd need to make provisions for the radio to be mounted, where I wanted it. Thus, hacking my dash.

I want to be able to look at the top of my dash, where I'd mount the remote head. It's out of the LOS for driving-viewing, but is within sight to glance at, or access, easily. That's where I'd find the place for it.

If this head was "made" for the mobile radios, why incorporate "396/330" into the included radios? Perhaps I'm looking too hard into this, but I'd think that after spending money for something coined as "remote", it should include power controls. I can guarantee that people who aren't technically savvy aren't going to start adding relays and switches to the radio. They're going to want something simple that's plug-and-go.

 

[Dubbin]

My dash is not contoured to allow for mounting after-market cup- or cellphone holders, therefore, I'd need to make provisions for the radio to be mounted, where I wanted it. Thus, hacking my dash.

I am talking about a cup holder like you can see in THIS thread or the clip on vent holders (I'm sure your cars have vents).

Now to get back on topic.

Will this remote head need another power source or will the radio power it?

 

[bctrl1]

Interesting! So unless I want to leave my bct15 scanner on all the time this &#8216;remote&#8217; head is going to require an additional switch to control power to the scanner? I hope I am misunderstanding, as I would hope Uniden could come up with a more elegant solution than this.

If this is true, does the remote at least include a remote 'turn on' pigtail, or some output adequate to drive a relay??

 

[jpjohn]

Now to get back on topic.

Will this remote head need another power source or will the radio power it?[/QUOTE]

UPMan stated previously that a power cord (Cig Plug) would be included for the remote head. So to answer your question, I would say it needs another power source.

 

[Dubbin]

UPMan stated previously that a power cord (Cig Plug) would be included for the remote head. So to answer your question, I would say it needs another power source.

Thanks JP, I must have looked right over that.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

it should include power controls

If you look at the control protocols for each scanner (available for download at Uniden) you'll see that NONE of them support POWER ON. This means that the scanners themselves can be remotely turned off (I know ARC396 has that as a feature during uploading) but they cannot be remotely powered on. I think the limitation is in the radios themsleves and not something any remote head could overcome.

 

[bctrl1]

Power control doesn&#8217;t necessarily require the use of the remote protocol.

 

[ScanWorcester]

If you look at the control protocols for each scanner (available for download at Uniden) you'll see that NONE of them support POWER ON.

I would think something could've been implemented in each radio for power on/off control, as was done with the volume. For comparison, take the 246 and 396. The 246 didn't have protocol for volume due to it's analog configuration. The 396 does include volume protocol, because of the type of control; the attenuation is done via the IC receiving the "clicks" from the physical control.

I'd like to think that Uniden would've thought of adding this capability to it's radios upon R&D for the head... I'd also like to think Uniden didn't just dream up the remote head overnight, as it appears to have been done. I'm sorry, but I'm sticking to my argument on this one: Power control is necessary for a remote control functions of a radio.

 

[Dubbin]

Power control doesn’t necessarily require the use of the remote protocol.

If it was possible I really think that Uniden would have put the feature on the radio. It can't be done so lets get past this.

 

[ScanWorcester]

If it was possible I really think that Uniden would have put the feature on the radio.

Exactly my point. It is possible. It has to be, considering the radio is powered up already from the keypad.

 

[Dubbin]

Exactly my point. It is possible. It has to be, considering the radio is powered up already from the keypad.

Only on the HH's... Why even continue talking about this when IT NOT GOING TO HAPPEN...