Official BCD396T Discussion Thread (Pre-release)

[kikito]

Is the UHF airband included? I don't see it mentioned anywhere in the manual. Unlike the 296 this scanner (based on the info in the manual) is lacking coverage from 54-108, 174-216, 225-400 MHz. What gives?

Remember this is a "DRAFT" manual AND subject to change and corrections. It says so in the first page also.

As far as I know, the Military UHF (225-400) AM band is included. I noticed several other things in the manual that are different from what I heard, like last I heard is that it would support 400 max systems while the manual says 200 max.

 

[fyrfyter10]

It appears that atleast part of the draft is from the 246's manual. 2 batteries, the size,# of systems ect . so we know the new features; display contrast ,alert settings ect . a definite must have radio atleast for me!!
andrew

 

[safetyobc]

With the complexity of the radio's memory and other functions, I surely hope that for $500 + it will come with a full version of programming software.

I have the 246T and the Butel software, I would hate to know I had to program it by hand. That is why I bought ARC246. It makes owning this scanner a dream. I just hope Uniden gives us a full programming software with it.

 

[poltergeisty]

Re: FCC Type Acceptance !!

Just received type acceptance !! Here's the link:

BCD396T FCC Link

You might want to say something Here :lol:

 

[poltergeisty]

With the complexity of the radio's memory and other functions, I surely hope that for $500 + it will come with a full version of programming software.

I have the 246T and the Butel software, I would hate to know I had to program it by hand. That is why I bought ARC246. It makes owning this scanner a dream. I just hope Uniden gives us a full programming software with it.

I'm sure they will. :roll:

 

[scannerfreak]

Looks like they eliminated the "Plan numbers" for control channel only mode. Looks like now it's just on and off slections! Way to go Uniden! Page 78.

 

[kikito]

Looks like they eliminated the "Plan numbers" for control channel only mode. Looks like now it's just on and off slections! Way to go Uniden! Page 78.

It also looks like now you can pick modulation types for Trunked system frequencies unlike the BC246T. Page 64.

 

[rdale]

"Looks like they eliminated the "Plan numbers" for control channel only mode."

They did that with the 246T.

 

[LEH]

SMA or BNC

Not sure how this topic has gone on, I haven't read all the posts to catch up. Sorry, I should, but there are too many with subjects that just don't really apply and until the radio hits the streets, the second guessing (UPman you are the exception) is not always worth the reading (though this IMHO is).

There was a topic earlier today, on SMA connectors (forget where it was) and someone mentioned that the 396 will have the SMA rather than a BNC.

Uniden, I hope the engineer that thought that one up is looking for a new job. I personnaly do not want to go out an buy a new set of antennae to support the 396. I like to use an antenna more tuned for the frequency range I am listening to, so I change routinely. I have a fairly substantial collection of antenna for my BNC radios.

I think we all know there is no single antenna that is good for all bands, especially in the rubber duckie world. Yes, SMA might be doing well in the ham world, but how often does an ham change antennae? SMA might be okay for a base/mobil unit that doesn't get changed very often. But on a handheld with MULTIPLE bands, threads are DUMB.

Well, if this is the case, I may have to open the scanner and put a BNC in place of the SMA. Hopefully the access will be farily simple.

Yes, I also know I can get and adapter, but that is (as one other person has noted) extra strain on the radio and (haven't seen this mentioned) added loss in the signal.

Please, someone tell me by not reading the entire set of threads here, that I am wrong, that Uniden removed their heads from their (never mind) and the 396 will have a BNC connector (posts dated 1 April saying so will be discounted as April Fools)

 

[kikito]

Re: SMA or BNC

Sorry, I should, but there are too many with subjects that just don't really apply and until the radio hits the streets, the second guessing (UPman you are the exception) is not always worth the reading (though this IMHO is).

A lot of what we're talking about lately is more than "second-guessing", it came straight from the horses mouth (UPMan and draft manual). It might not be worth reading to you but it is worth posting it for the manufacturers to have an idea of what we want, just like your post here is hoping/asking for a BNC connector instead of SMA.

Yes, I also know I can get and adapter, but that is (as one other person has noted) extra strain on the radio and (haven't seen this mentioned) added loss in the signal.

Yes, both reasons (loss and strain) have been brought up several times, here and on the Yahoo groups.

Please, someone tell me by not reading the entire set of threads here, that I am wrong, that Uniden removed their heads from their (never mind) and the 396 will have a BNC connector

Nope, it will be SMA

 

[mancow]

Excellent! SMA is a much better choice in my opinion.

Now, if it were just the same style as Moto uses instead of the type on ham units like the VX-7r that would be even better.

It would be great to be able to use some commercially built antennas that are actually made to work.


mancow

 

[mmcgee]

Specs?

The FCC copy of the manual doesn't list the sensitivity or selectivity specs. Are they available yet? Also, any idea how difficult it will be to get the discriminator signal out of the radio? (I'm sure it won't be built-in like some radios, but maybe at least an accessible test point like a lot of RS scanners?)

 

[LEH]

Excellent! SMA is a much better choice in my opinion.

Now, if it were just the same style as Moto uses instead of the type on ham units like the VX-7r that would be even better.

It would be great to be able to use some commercially built antennas that are actually made to work.


mancow

I think that is one of the many downsides to SMA. Which version. I have several Diamond antennae with BNC connectors. It is a snap (pun INTENDED) to change them.

Another is that threads tend to be cross threaded or stripped.

To each his own I guess, but IMHO Uniden has just upped the ante on maintaining the radio by switching to SMA from BNC.

Other than the RS 800 MHz antenna, all my other antenna are ham antenna. This includes the exernal antenna (Larsen Radials) all of which have BNC.

Sometimes I wonder if change is all that great. Were I to have and use a single antenna, SMA might be the answer. Using multiple antenna I have a feeling will now be a major PITA.

 

[jrjarna]

availability date

What is the anticipated availibility date for the 396?

How long from FCC type acceptance to initial in-store was the 246t? Maybe that will give us a good estimate on how long we will have to wait.

Hopefully we can pre-order soon

N4TPQ

 

[scannerfreak]

My favorite part of the manual come on page 29:

• http://www.radioreference.com * - the Internet's
premier source for user-supported radio system
information.

 

[fyrfyter10]

looking back at the 246t and 250d it took about 2-3 months after type acceptance. there are factors (manufacturing delays, parts availabilty etc)that can delay it . so lets hope everything falls into place !

 

[JGP]

I have my BCD396T on order with Grove www.grove-ent.com because they started a waiting list for it.

Any way, my question is, is there an adaptor that goes type F for RG6U coax to SMA for the scanner :?:

I will want to use my Scantenna with it.

Joel

 

[1080iAddict]

I personally am quite happy the 396 passed the 'sqeeze the scanner in the vice" test. Many of my other older model scanners would fail that test when I inserted the scanner into a vice and tightened the vice grips really hard. :lol:

See the Test Setup Photos on the FCC link posted earlier....

https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/...gi?attachment_id=526348&native_or_pdf=pdf

 

[poltergeisty]

This is to see how load the scanner can scream in RF. :lol: -Note the walls are of a RF absorbing type.

-FCC- " Lets see if this will interfere with cell phones or Public safety." :roll:

 

[UPMan]

See image (you must be a member of Yahoo BCD396T group. A little darker than actual to show off the b/l keypad.

BCD396T vs BC296D