Official BCD996T Prerelease Thread

[ofd8001]

BDC996T System files

I tried looking at the WIKI for this radio to see if this question has already been asked and answered. I'm new, so I may have missed it.

The question is, will the same system files that are/were created for the 396 be able to be used in the BCD996, or will additional programming be necessary because of the advanced features? How about the programming cable - will they be the same?

I also saw something in the feature list about a battery warning. If that's a base/mobile unit, won't it be AC and not need batteries?

Like many of the others, I anxiously await the release of this product. You guys gotta quit coming with so much neat stuff however. My wife says we are going broke.

 

[tennesseefreq]

I Just noticed the wiki has a nice prelim front view of the scanner. I hope that's not where they plan to put the computer port! It does look usb though.

 

[epbernstein]

I Just noticed the wiki has a nice prelim front view of the scanner. I hope that's not where they plan to put the computer port! It does look usb though.

Maybe it will be like the Apple PowerMac G5s, which have USB ports on both the front and rear to make things as convenient as possible...

 

[tennesseefreq]

Maybe it will be like the Apple PowerMac G5s, which have USB ports on both the front and rear to make things as convenient as possible...

I was thinking the same thing. Just hope its not just on the front.

 

[Dubbin]

Just hope its not just on the front.

I'm sure most people are going to want it in the front of the radio when they have it mounted in their dash or console. This way they will not have to pull the radio out just to program it.

 

[budmci]

I agree Dubbin. A front port(no pun intended) would be the most useful for programming the scanner.

 

[kikito]

3) Autostore feature where CTCSS or DCS is also stored on hits.

Autostore how?

It has it and works on Close Call now on the 396.

 

[scanjunkie]

Oooooooohhhhhh....I'm all tingly inside and giddy like a school boy!!

What will they think of next...This is amazing!! Great job Uniden! I think GRE is going to be hard-pressed to out do this one.

In the immortal words of Homer J. Simpson: WOO-HOO!!

 

[safetyobc]

I like the startup configuration idea. That would be awsome on the 396. I have no use at all for the GPS features as I don't have any GPS equipment. I love the temp lockout and wish it could be incorporated onto the 396 but that probably won't happen. The close call Do-Not-Disturb, props to whoever thought of that. I hate that annoying pause in transmissions and now that is fixed! The Multi Site trunking would be very useful on the Arkansas State Police system! I hope that a new handheld will havesome of these features in the future. But this mobile at around $550, that ain't too bad compared to other mobile digital capable scanners. I can't see myself spending that kind of $$$ after I just dropped a similar amount on a BCD396T but I would like to have it. Maybe Uniden will come out with a Non-Digital version. That I would definately buy!

Edit: Oh and I have to admit, this thing looks AWSOME! Nice job on design!

I'm glad Uniden is coming up with bigger and better stuff. I kinda feel cheated though, I bought the 396 and it was top of the line and now something that is bigger and better will be out soon :wink: Technology sure is hard to keep up with. But I guess that is half the fun.

 

[kikito]

I think GRE is going to be hard-pressed to out do this one.

I also wonder what AOR, Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood are going to do about it. :roll:

 

[Dubbin]

A front port(no pun intended)

Thats why I added "of the radio"

 

[Dubbin]

I also wonder what AOR, Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood are going to do about it. :roll:

Nothing since they are not and never have been in this ball game.

 

[UPMan]

A few UPMan Issues:

• Beta Requests: I've gotten many. Due to workload, I haven't answered any, but we are months away from such testing. Please understand -- I'm not ignoring you, but I'm not answering such requests at this time.
• Thread Replies: Don't expect many. Instead, I am updating the Wiki page as I see common questions that I am prepared to answer.
• Wiki Page: My input to that page notwithstanding, nothing on that page should be construed as any type of promise to perform by Uniden Corporation. Details could change during development that could result in the addition or removal of features, or changes in the way specific features are implemented. The information is provided as a courtesy to all those interested, but nothing is "official" until the product actually is delivered.
• Direct requests for information: Please try to refer to the Wiki, this thread, and the Yahoo group for answers to your questions. Aside from the Beta requests, I do try to answer all emails that I receive, but they can really eat into the time I should be spending on more productive persuits. Most questions I receive have already been answered in one or more of the above forums.

I am excited about the level of interest in this scanner (and all of our other recent scanners, too). Your discussions have played a large role in shaping these products.

Thank You!

 

[Boomeranger]

I don't think this is a scanner for the general public.

Aren't public service gps locations encrypted? Public services can locate my cell phone via its gps, but that's over the IDEN system.

Is this more a smoke and mirros PR extraveganza?

Andy

 

[DaveIN]

996 ports

I Just noticed the wiki has a nice prelim front view of the scanner. I hope that's not where they plan to put the computer port! It does look usb though.

If you read the description in the WIKI it says the same port that the 246/396/330/230 has for the front and a DB-9 pin serial for the rear.

What would be great for the front connector would be a clone feature to be able to get any system file from or to any of those current model handhelds. If the code was written correctly that could be done. Then if you were on the road and wanted to send a system to the handheld you wouldn't need a PC to do so.

GPS port will be the DB-9 on the back I see.

And just like the BC795/796D the Software will be free. UASD compatable, so the system files that are already available with the handhelds should work. Very nice!

 

[rdale]

"I don't think this is a scanner for the general public."

It is.

"Aren't public service gps locations encrypted?"

Not sure what you mean. The GPS sits in your car, and you connect it to the scanner. Has nothing to do with the GPS units installed in public safety vehicles.

"Is this more a smoke and mirros PR extraveganza?"

No. It's great for people who put this in a car.

- Rob

 

[Dubbin]

raveganza?"

No. It's great for people who put this in a car.

And travels a bunch. I should say the GPS feature would be for someone who travels a bunch. Its a good idea but the GPS feature is a waste for most of us.

 

[rdale]

I drive 8 miles to work and it'll be utilized every time I go to or from the office... My home is just one mile from a tower on the MPSCS system, but that tower is almost unusable by the time I'm halfway to work. This will allow me to set up the bank so that when I reach the midpoint it'll automatically switch towers for me. Of course it's only two keypresses now, but I have to do it every time I drive to or from work so those add up after quite a while (and automating it works means I'll never forget again!)

I go to Toledo about once a month - GPS'ing will allow each county's system to be turned on/off automatically without my intervention. Is it something that would make me say "I don't need a new scanner, but I'll buy this one just for the GPS"? Of course not. But do I see reason for people to tell Uniden this is a bad idea? Absoutely not...

 

[Dubbin]

Rob why not just have both towers programmed into the same bank so you do not have to switch when driving to and from work? Or why not just leave both banks turned on?

 

[rdale]

"Rob why not just have both towers programmed into the same bank"

Because once the 396T locks onto a tower, it doesn't change... Plus...

"why not just leave both banks turned on?"

If I'm at work and it's picking up the distant control channel marginally, I'll get dropouts in the transmissions for that same reason. If the radio automatically switches to the closer tower, I don't have to worry about it intermittantly picking up the distant one.