Official BCD396T Discussion Thread (Pre-release)

[Voyager]

Now that info is coming out about it, it's time for this thread.

Yahoo discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD396T/

Source: http://www.advancedspecialties.net/new.htm
____________________________________________________

This info is considered "solid", but of course preliminary & subject to
change - Scheduled for about fall of '05, this new BCD-396T HandHeld
scanner will have Dynamic memory of up to 5500 (3500) channels, APCO
digital, Trunktracker IV, Close call, Alpha, pl/dpl, Repeater Reverse,
SAME weather alert, Fire-station tone out, Pager screen, PC program &
control, 25-1300Mhz, Auto Store & much more!! Will come Pre-Loaded with
many major Digital & analog systems! Uniden's full "List" Price is
expected to be about $850
____________________________________________________

Joe M.

 

[Voyager]

Re: Official BCD396T Discussion Thread

Yahoo discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD396T/

BTW, anyone interested in this unit WILL want to read a (very short) post made by UPMAN on that list a few days ago. I thought he was only kidding, but... 8)

Joe M.

 

[stlscanner]

Why all the hoopla all of a sudden? The BCD396T was part of the 'leaked' Uniden document all the way back in June!


Happy New Year!

Tony Haukap
more SCANNER stuff - http://www.cyberspace.org/~awh/main.html
--

 

[cellblock776]

Joe,
Which post was that? I see only 3 posts in that group. Two mention '8 days and counting' and the other is the info you posted.
Enquiring minds want to know. :wink:

 

[Voyager]

Joe,
Which post was that? I see only 3 posts in that group. Two mention '8 days and counting' and the other is the info you posted.
Enquiring minds want to know. :wink:

Exactly... 8 days until something. I'm sure it's not the release, but any word from Paul is worth noting. We all know he can't be very articulate about things until they are released. I know it hasn't received FCC TA yet, and I don't see it as based on an existing unit (like the BC296D vs BC250D is), so it will need TA. Maybe that's what is happening in 8 days - submission to the FCC. I don't have the answers, but I trust the source who does definitely know something.

Joe M.

 

[Advanced-Specialties-Inc]

Here is some additional info (Which we will add to our news page link):

Uniden lists the size as : 2-3/8 x 5 x 1-1/4.
Other features include "On-Air cloning (software included by download), Extended quick-keys, service search, data skip,weather search.
Not sure exactly what "On air" cloning is (OTA?) , but the new SC-230 has this feature, & we will have those on Tuesday morning (1/4).
The picture of the BCD-396T looks more like UPMan's avatar, & not like the picture posted above.
Uniden's $850 "List" price is exactly the same as the current (1/05) BC-296D's "list" price. Uniden claims "Available Summer '05" We put fall in our news blurb for obvious "just in case" reasons..... .... John

 

[Voyager]

Here is some additional info (Which we will add to our news page link):

Uniden lists the size as : 2-3/8 x 5 x 1-1/4.
Other features include "On-Air cloning (software included by download), Extended quick-keys, service search, data skip,weather search.
Not sure exactly what "On air" cloning is (OTA?) , but the new SC-230 has this feature, & we will have those on Tuesday morning (1/4).
The picture of the BCD-396T looks more like UPMan's avatar, & not like the picture posted above.
Uniden's $850 "List" price is exactly the same as the current (1/05) BC-296D's "list" price. Uniden claims "Available Summer '05" We put fall in our news blurb for obvious "just in case" reasons..... .... John
www.advancedspecialties.net

On-air cloning as in UNIT TO UNIT??? If so, that will require a (granted, low power) transmitter! Maybe they are using a birdie frequency. ;->

If it's only a RX clone, that exists (as you mentioned).

Joe M.

 

[Admin0140434]

Ah, a sticky for this scanner. THANKS LINDSAY. if uniden says summer of 05... i say hell yeah. that means i have 7 or 8 more months of putting up with my pro 96 before i can sell it and buy this baby (or ill keep both and fork out another $500). either way, im excited about this unit. i wonder if UPMan will be able to give out "beta testing" units. that would be awesome.

 

[rdale]

Stickies work best when replies are in direct relation to the topic, possibly adding insight to features or discussing options...

 

[Admin0140434]

ok, heres an option (that i think would put this scanner beyond ANY other scanner...

VFOLDERS (or since uniden cant use that name... some variation of it)

i honestly think that if uniden uses their dynamic memory design and "VFOLDERS", this scanner would be hard to bypass. i personally bought a 96 for the VFOLDERS (and the digital). hopefully we can get a complete "features" list soon. would love to see everything uniden plans on putting in this radio.

 

[DaveIN]

While the V-folders are great in the GRE PRO-96, the dynamic memory just needs to be increased, and more Quick keys to assign Systems to, as it looks like will happen :idea: in the 396.

Now if Uniden would only add that smart card slot that we posted about, then that would be the "cats" meow 8)

Best thing about this 396 info. so far is that there is no mention of a APCO-25 card needed like the BCi25/96 :shock: or those battery packs :roll:

I do like the idea of the On-Air programming :!: If you wanted to clone more than one radio at a time it would be ideal 8)

 

[rdale]

"While the V-folders are great in the GRE PRO-96, the dynamic memory just needs to be increased, and more Quick keys to assign Systems to, as it looks like will happen Idea in the 396."

Not really a good comparison... I want to completely reset my scanner when I travel to specific spots. There are some banks I have both in my local and one of my travel banks. With the QK I have to lockout and unlock things on the fly, and if something is set as system #2 it's system #2 forever - there's no moving things around on the fly. VScanner doesn't care, if I want Toledo Fire to be System #1 in the Toledo folder, but system #4 in the Ohio folder, VS allows that. Dynamic memory does not.

- Rob

 

[DaveIN]

Yes, I understand that Rob, I too have that problem.

That's why I'd like to see Uniden add that smart card slot feature :idea:

Happy New Year All

 

[kikito]

On-air cloning as in UNIT TO UNIT??? If so, that will require a (granted, low power) transmitter! Maybe they are using a birdie frequency. ;->

If it's only a RX clone, that exists (as you mentioned).

Joe M.

Nah, that On-air cloning is probably what other racing scanners have already, which is nothing more than at the racetrack you tune to a specific frequency and "download" the frequencies used in that particular race to your scanner.

This will really be a "do-it-all" scanner from what it seems....

 

[kikito]

Exactly... 8 days until something.Joe M.

8 days and 3 things will happen:

-- The BC396 (and it's features) will be officially announced and published

-- The new firmware for the BC246T will be released

-- The official and full version of the UASD software will be released

 

[scannerfreak]

Hell, I'll have to buy it just for the blue screen

 

[EricCottrell]

While the V-folders are great in the GRE PRO-96, the dynamic memory just needs to be increased, and more Quick keys to assign Systems to, as it looks like will happen :idea: in the 396.

Now if Uniden would only add that smart card slot that we posted about, then that would be the "cats" meow 8)

Hello,

A SD slot would be handy so you could transfer systems in and out of memory. It would also be useful if the scanner could record audio to the SD card using the frequency/talkgroup information as the file name or somehow encoding it in the file.

73 Eric

 

[suttles1972]

Yes, I understand that Rob, I too have that problem.

That's why I'd like to see Uniden add that smart card slot feature :idea:

Happy New Year All

Now that is an ingenious idea. An SD card and slot, for memory of frequencies, talkgroups, alpha and bank tags and system settings. This could be very useful for travellers who go from city to city and state to state. In fact, a portable module could be manufacturer as a standalone, for the existing scanners with ports. This is a great idea. I hope Uniden is watching and will take your idea in consideration, Dave. It adds versatility to scanners for the travelling and vacationing users.

 

[STiMULi]

Now that is an ingenious idea. An SD card and slot, for memory of frequencies, talkgroups, alpha and bank tags and system settings.

It recording and logging would be another good use of that memory as well.

 

[Voyager]

A SD slot would be handy so you could transfer systems in and out of memory. It would also be useful if the scanner could record audio to the SD card using the frequency/talkgroup information as the file name or somehow encoding it in the file.

I know you're really 'on' about the card slot, but let's look at Uniden's history. A LOT of the problems they've been having with the last two high end models can be attributed to the digital card slot; people having to reseat the card after it manages to lose connection. Do you really think we should promote such a weak point by making more of the same?

A permanent chip would be fine - similar to the V-folders. Granted, the card gives you unlimited capabilities (only limited by how many cards you buy), but cards or chips can get lost or broken, too. (especially lost with the size of them anymore)

I bought a camera a couple years ago. It broke. I wanted to buy a replacement. They NO LONGER MAKE any that take the same cards! So, I have a bunch of useless memory cards now. These cards are being outdated faster than any scanner ever has been.

That's not a technology feature I want to see in a scanner. I know my V-folders will be there as long as the scanner is there, and won't lose connection.

Joe M.