Pro2096 or Uniden?

[SLWilson]

Ok, I have a Pro2096. It receives GREAT on 800Mhz Trunked radio systems. I have all of the things "programmed" into it that I want to hear.

HOWEVER, on VHF Hi and low bands, this scanner sucks pretty bad. (You would think that for nearly $500.oo it would hear ALL bands OK, but, it doesn't!!!)

So, here's my question to thhose who will care to help me out....

If I trade the 2096 in for a Uniden, which model Uniden should I get to hear the Ohio MARCS system? I also (in the same scanner) need to hear VHF Hi and lo band. I'd like an indoor model. I need to use an outside antenna to hear the Hi and Lo band stuff....

Thanks for your help!!!

Steve/KB8FAR

 

[AZScanner]

Silly question, but why not just go and pick up a cheapie $150 or so scanner for the VHF stuff? If you have the 2096 and are happy with it, that's what I would do. Then you could listen to BOTH at once - something no single scanner can do.

I have both a 796 and a PRO-96 and prefer the Uniden myself, but that's because it can do much more than the 96 can. However, the 96 works well for portable use and it seems to do great on VHF even with the 800Mhz duck on it.

-AZ

 

[LarrySC]

I have 2096, 796, and 780's. I prefer 2096 over 796, however, the 2nd scanner idea is the best. I do media installations and they usually have older 780's in use. I then install a 2096 or 796 for Digital only, which takes up 10 banks, as we have 3- Mot type one business band, 1- Mot [1] hybird power co, 1- type II BMW Mfg, 1- statewide [II], an LTR water co, and one county has a type [1] for schools. The 800 only runs it off a rubber duck. All other VHF/UHF comms stay on 780's. If you install a GAIN dual band like a Maxrad 1545, or same in an Antenex using a base converter, then you can hear a frog fart in Fargo. Good Luck.

 

[SLWilson]

Probably....

Silly question, but why not just go and pick up a cheapie $150 or so scanner for the VHF stuff? If you have the 2096 and are happy with it, that's what I would do. Then you could listen to BOTH at once - something no single scanner can do.

I have both a 796 and a PRO-96 and prefer the Uniden myself, but that's because it can do much more than the 96 can. However, the 96 works well for portable use and it seems to do great on VHF even with the 800Mhz duck on it.

-AZ

That's what I'll probably do. I have a Radio Shack (it's actually all Uniden inside) 2025 or 2026, can't remember which right now (old one) Highway Patrolman. I need to just get a new AC adapter for it and hook it up. It had great RX on VHF Hi, Lo and UHF. I just had it set up to use in the mobile....The little battery that helps it keep its memory is shot. In the mobile, it had a hot wire to go directly to the battery and one for the ignition switch. I just thought with all they expense, the 2096 OUGHT to have done better!!!!
Steve/KB8FAR

 

[Hoofy]

I have a 2096 in the house that runs 24hrs a day and gets great reception on 800 as well as vhf hi and lo and also uhf.

I think your problem is probably in the antenna system you're using. I use a home made gain antenna for the 800 and use a gain dual band ham antenna designed for mobile use for the vhf side. This is a weird looking antenna but the reception is great. It's configured like a dipole with the 800 antenna on the top and the vhf on the bottom with the two of them joined at their bases with a tee connector where the coax attaches. I have it hanging in my attic for now.

I have also tried the scanner hooked up to my vhf dual band diamond antenna on top of my tower. I found that the performance was almost the same as the home made combo antenna in the attic. The vhf and uhf reception was better with the diamond but the 800 reception was the same. Remember that the 800 band is operating in the upper 860mhz range so that makes it almost an exact multiple of the ham 440 antenna.

I have multiple scanners because like it has been mentioned you can only hear one thing at a time on any one scanner. The more scanners the more you hear.......

 

[kyguy]

I would go with the Uniden 996 !!! I have 2 radio shacks + 3 Unidens and the Unidens win HANDS DOWN !!