BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Poor sensitivity in the VHF high bands.

[meridiangold]

Digital is better than analog for receiving as digital has checksums and is simply the equivalent of on/off or high/low.

That's why modern communications are moving to digital because it is easier to decode. Think back to 2009 when US TV switched from NTSC to ATSC and pretty much no more "snow", ghosts or static.

But the electromagnetic characteristics of the frequency didn't change. It still gets blocked by the ground, just the information that can get through from a digital signal can be decoded better.

For sure digital is the way of the future. VHF will have a future, albeit a very limited function, I think. I bought the 436hp specifically because I didn't need any of the decoding available in the SD100 specifically. The 436 is claimed to do simple VHF FM better than or as well as the sds. With patience, I'm sure there will be some way to retune these scanners to one's needs, likely through some mod or alteration. This has been scanner history forever.