I assume you mean 246T? They are in a completely different class... It has nothing to do with what frequencies picked up.
Official Uniden BC246T Scanner Thread
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They are both solid performers so its hard to compare. I like the larger memory and layout on the 246 better. Other then that it's really hard to compare since one is a handheld and the other is not.squale said:
"which do you think is the better unit"
There is no such thing... The best scanner for you is the one that does what you want in the way you want. Check the specs / owners manual for the 246T, or read the info here, and decide.
There is no such thing... The best scanner for you is the one that does what you want in the way you want. Check the specs / owners manual for the 246T, or read the info here, and decide.
squale
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okay forget the base units, how about the 246T compared to the Radio Shack Pro-97, both about the same price and both do all the trunking systems... including LTR.
what do you guys think is the better scanner and why?
I did see that the Pro-97 does MIlitary Airband and the 246T does not, so that is one up on the Pro-97 right away for me..
what do you guys think is the better scanner and why?
I did see that the Pro-97 does MIlitary Airband and the 246T does not, so that is one up on the Pro-97 right away for me..
safetyobc
Member
squale said:
Look at your other posts on this same subject!
Just got the 246T...............
Its already driving me nutzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz how the hell do you program this thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its already driving me nutzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz how the hell do you program this thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
scanfan03
Member
mmartinfan said:
Through the menu!!!
Ok got some of the systems I need in. wow that thing is a bear to program.
Awesome sound.
Awesome sound.
Pro-95
Member
I have to chime in with my two cents on this.....
Yes ARC 246 program is the only way to enter in massive amounts of info, particularly any ALPHA.
However I have found that the menu system is extremly intuitave and coming from GRE models makes not only programming but using memory/systems/groups much much much easier.
Definately two thumbs up on the interface. :wink:
Yes ARC 246 program is the only way to enter in massive amounts of info, particularly any ALPHA.
However I have found that the menu system is extremly intuitave and coming from GRE models makes not only programming but using memory/systems/groups much much much easier.
Definately two thumbs up on the interface. :wink:
I have to agree with that. I think the 246 is one of the easiest trunking scanners to program.Pro-95 said:
It took well over a week to finally get the hang of doing it by hand. I never had a cable to programm it, so it was a pretty basic program job.
Your radio didn't come with a cable? Thats a real bummer.Grog said:
br0adband
Member
I bought a Pro-97 a few few days ago and while I love it (it's very loud compared to most other scanners I've used), and I live in an area with a very strong military presence so the milair band is important to me, however it's not enough to make me keep it.
The waste of memories (it has 1,000) is just too great for me. Assigning one frequency for the control channel in my hometown here means that 99 other memories are essentially wasted as far as trunking operation is concerned.
I got a 246T yesterday and I'll return the Pro-97 for various reasons. The only reason I got the Pro-97 to start with was the milair band and a slightly lower price, but after talking with a friend that owns a 246T it's obvious to me it's a better deal - even without the milair.
Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons for each:
Pro-97 (246T)
Milair (No milair)
Requires AC adapter (Included)
Requires batteries (Included)
Not computer controlled (Computer controlled)
Requires data cable (Included)
No software from manufacturer (Crappy demo software from Uniden is usable)
SignalStalker for close comms (CloseCall for close comms)
1,000 memories - 10 banks of 100 (Dynamic memory - no wasted memories)
$199.95 + batteries + AC adapter + data cable + programming software ($225 average online price)
There are other items to compare against one another but that's the basics for me. I've been a Radio Shack/GRE fan for years having owned over 30 handhelds and 5 base units, but right now this 246T is the best non-digital handheld scanner for my purposes even though I truly wish it did cover the milair band.
The absence of the milair band on the 246T is just beyond me but other than that I only have one negative so far after one night of using it: I wish the keypad was backlit. The Pro-97 is gorgeous in that respect, with a bright backlight on the keypad.
At first I was reading and re-reading the manual to try and get a grasp on how the programming system works, but thanks to a friend that owns one, I ended up "getting it" in a matter of hours. Now I can do pretty much anything the scanner is capable of after just this one night. I come from a long background of owning Radio Shack/GRE scanners for the past 20 years or so, and learning an entirely new programming system was difficult - but only until I "got it."
Stick with it, for those of you having difficulties. It's a new way of doing things and definitely the future of scanning.
I downloaded the Butel ARC246 software and I have to say it's fantastic considering it does more than I'll ever consider necessary. The virtual control of the scanner and the logging options just rock, so I highly recommend that 246T owners at least try the demo to see if you like it. I do, and I'm seriously considering purchasing that software.
The sound quality of the 246T is great; the headphone/earphone output is great also.
That's why I decided to get a 246T and return the Pro-97. If the Pro-97 goes on sale sometime, maybe for like $150-ish, I'll get another one primarily to have not only a backup handheld scanner (doesn't everyone have at least 2?) and the milair band coverage once more.
Is it the best scanner I've ever owned? Hardly.
That will always be the beloved Pro-43 from Radio Shack/GRE. I owned several of those and I'll find another one someday for a decent price - those things are like foreign cars: they never seem to lose their value.
But was it worth the $250 + tax I paid for it (found it locally so the price was a bit higher)? Definitely. An amazing product in my opinion. After owning over 30 handheld scanners in the past 2 decades, finally getting one that's not only computer programmable but computer controllable also is a definite plus in my book.
Hope this helps...
Paul
The waste of memories (it has 1,000) is just too great for me. Assigning one frequency for the control channel in my hometown here means that 99 other memories are essentially wasted as far as trunking operation is concerned.
I got a 246T yesterday and I'll return the Pro-97 for various reasons. The only reason I got the Pro-97 to start with was the milair band and a slightly lower price, but after talking with a friend that owns a 246T it's obvious to me it's a better deal - even without the milair.
Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons for each:
Pro-97 (246T)
Milair (No milair)
Requires AC adapter (Included)
Requires batteries (Included)
Not computer controlled (Computer controlled)
Requires data cable (Included)
No software from manufacturer (Crappy demo software from Uniden is usable)
SignalStalker for close comms (CloseCall for close comms)
1,000 memories - 10 banks of 100 (Dynamic memory - no wasted memories)
$199.95 + batteries + AC adapter + data cable + programming software ($225 average online price)
There are other items to compare against one another but that's the basics for me. I've been a Radio Shack/GRE fan for years having owned over 30 handhelds and 5 base units, but right now this 246T is the best non-digital handheld scanner for my purposes even though I truly wish it did cover the milair band.
The absence of the milair band on the 246T is just beyond me but other than that I only have one negative so far after one night of using it: I wish the keypad was backlit. The Pro-97 is gorgeous in that respect, with a bright backlight on the keypad.
At first I was reading and re-reading the manual to try and get a grasp on how the programming system works, but thanks to a friend that owns one, I ended up "getting it" in a matter of hours. Now I can do pretty much anything the scanner is capable of after just this one night. I come from a long background of owning Radio Shack/GRE scanners for the past 20 years or so, and learning an entirely new programming system was difficult - but only until I "got it."
Stick with it, for those of you having difficulties. It's a new way of doing things and definitely the future of scanning.
I downloaded the Butel ARC246 software and I have to say it's fantastic considering it does more than I'll ever consider necessary. The virtual control of the scanner and the logging options just rock, so I highly recommend that 246T owners at least try the demo to see if you like it. I do, and I'm seriously considering purchasing that software.
The sound quality of the 246T is great; the headphone/earphone output is great also.
That's why I decided to get a 246T and return the Pro-97. If the Pro-97 goes on sale sometime, maybe for like $150-ish, I'll get another one primarily to have not only a backup handheld scanner (doesn't everyone have at least 2?) and the milair band coverage once more.
Is it the best scanner I've ever owned? Hardly.
That will always be the beloved Pro-43 from Radio Shack/GRE. I owned several of those and I'll find another one someday for a decent price - those things are like foreign cars: they never seem to lose their value.
But was it worth the $250 + tax I paid for it (found it locally so the price was a bit higher)? Definitely. An amazing product in my opinion. After owning over 30 handheld scanners in the past 2 decades, finally getting one that's not only computer programmable but computer controllable also is a definite plus in my book.
Hope this helps...
Paul
squale
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I too just got the Pro97 yesterday and I think I will be ordering the 246T online soon and returning the Pro97. The Pro97 is a nice scanner but I don't really like how you can't be in scan mode while using the SignalStalker II. Plus the scanner seems to pick up ALOT of hissing frequenicies (maybe I just need to run my squelch a bit higher)??
anyhow, I am really not picking up a heck of a lot of stuff right now, I really need an external antenna I think!
So since you owned both how would you compare the sound and reception/sensitivity of each one? do you think the 246T is actually better at receiving signals even with it's smaller size?
Thanks
ps-> I will miss the lovely keypad lights on the 97 though. And so far I haven't gotten anything through in the 250-400mhz military uhf am airband, so I don't think I will miss that feature going with the 246T... but who knows, maybe I just need an external antenna again!!!
anyhow, I am really not picking up a heck of a lot of stuff right now, I really need an external antenna I think!
So since you owned both how would you compare the sound and reception/sensitivity of each one? do you think the 246T is actually better at receiving signals even with it's smaller size?
Thanks
ps-> I will miss the lovely keypad lights on the 97 though. And so far I haven't gotten anything through in the 250-400mhz military uhf am airband, so I don't think I will miss that feature going with the 246T... but who knows, maybe I just need an external antenna again!!!
Oh I like it don't get me wrong but programming the thing is not fun without ARC246.
scanfan03
Member
squale said:
Seriously, I have the buttons memorized, there are so few! There are 33 buttons (on the main keypad on the front) on my Pro-95, compared to 17, 19 counting the two side buttons. Of those 19 buttons two are on the side (easy to remember) and twelve are numbers/no/yes, also one is a power button, flush with the case in a row by itself. So that leaves only 4 buttons to actually memorize (all in the same column)!!
Quick ? for all the experts on the 246T
How do I know when I am running off of AC power on a wall socket off of the car charger. Is there a display to show me?
How do I know when I am running off of AC power on a wall socket off of the car charger. Is there a display to show me?
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