BCD325P2/BCD996P2: Questions on what to do when I first get my BCD325P2?

[AngWay]

Hi I am just wanting to ask some questions and maybe get some answers to some stuff I am finding hard to find by searching I'm sure it's out there I just can't find definite answers to some things, anyway's here it is.

I bought the BCD325P2 new, and it will be here tomorrow and when I get it should I do a factory reset or just leave it like it is and update the firmware?

I downloaded the BC_VUP software that will let me update the firmware, when I open the software it asks for the model and version but under the version it gives all 5 versions of the firmware starting with 1.09.12 and ending with 1.11.07 this probably sounds crazy but do I just need to update it with the latest version or do I need to install all of these each?

Googles AI overview is bad to lie a lot but is it right that the 325P2 does not have the record and playback feature? I don't think it does but ain't too sure I read that u can set it up to record through software on the computer, but I don't think it does it like the 436hp does it with a replay button is that right?

I installed freescan and messed around with it some, but I noticed that NXDN and DMR freqs from the database wasn't showing up, research told me that freescan isn't supported anymore and u can't program nxdn or dmr with it is that true?

I'm probably gonna go with proscan since I have used it with my other scanners before, and I know it better, I wish sentinel worked with the 325p2, but it don't. I read some people are able to read from sentinel then reread that into proscan then program it onto the 325p2 that way, has anyone done that yet does it work?
I plan on upgrading it with the DMR and NXDN upgrades from uniden. Anyway's i'm sure i'm gonna have some more questions as i go, so maybe this post can be a place i can ask them.

Thanks for any responses if this gets posted. Apparently i go put on moderation for cross posting honestly didn't know i couldnt do that and it wasn't purposely. i got one warning and put on moderation so gonna put this here if whoever is in charge of that reads this. i understand won't be cross posting anymore.

 

[dave3825]

No need to do factory rest on brand new item.

See what firmware is in it when it arrives and go from there. If no issues then leave as is. If issues and firmware fixes them, then apply.

Ai lacks so it best to read directly on manufacturers website.

 

[Enjoi19]

Tackling a few of the questions here...

but is it right that the 325P2 does not have the record and playback feature

Correct, it does not have a replay feature. The scanner does not use a memory card so space is much more limited for data.

I installed freescan and messed around with it some, but I noticed that NXDN and DMR freqs from the database wasn't showing up, research told me that freescan isn't supported anymore and u can't program nxdn or dmr with it is that true?

I believe you had purchased ProScan previously? Use that. That'll give you all the options and is an up to date, current, well supported software.

I read some people are able to read from sentinel then reread that into proscan then program it onto the 325p2 that way, has anyone done that yet does it work?

I'd just pull from the database using your RadioReference premium subscription, through ProScan.

 

[AngWay]

Tackling a few of the questions here...


Correct, it does not have a replay feature. The scanner does not use a memory card so space is much more limited for data.

I believe you had purchased ProScan previously? Use that. That'll give you all the options and is an up to date, current, well supported software.

I'd just pull from the database using your RadioReference premium subscription, through ProScan.

Thanks i'm glad you answered those.

 

[AngWay]

By the way with proscan is it possible to import my sds100 files into the 325p2 within proscan?

 

[RMason]

I downloaded the BC_VUP software that will let me update the firmware, when I open the software it asks for the model and version but under the version it gives all 5 versions of the firmware starting with 1.09.12 and ending with 1.11.07 this probably sounds crazy but do I just need to update it with the latest version or do I need to install all of these each?

Just update the 325p2 with the latest firmware version.

Googles AI overview is bad to lie a lot but is it right that the 325P2 does not have the record and playback feature? I don't think it does but ain't too sure I read that u can set it up to record through software on the computer, but I don't think it does it like the 436hp does it with a replay button is that right?

The 325p2 does not include record and feedback feature. That is a feature of the 436hp/536hp and sds100/sds200 which have the SD card. (The recordings are saved to the SD card)

I installed freescan and messed around with it some, but I noticed that NXDN and DMR freqs from the database wasn't showing up, research told me that freescan isn't supported anymore and u can't program nxdn or dmr with it is that true?

That is correct. Freescan does not include support for NXDN or DMR.

I'm probably gonna go with proscan since I have used it with my other scanners before, and I know it better, I wish sentinel worked with the 325p2, but it don't. I read some people are able to read from sentinel then reread that into proscan then program it onto the 325p2 that way, has anyone done that yet does it work?

Yes - you can import your existing sentinel files into proscan.

 

[AngWay]

Just update the 325p2 with the latest firmware version.


The 325p2 does not include record and feedback feature. That is a feature of the 436hp/536hp and sds100/sds200 which have the SD card. (The recordings are saved to the SD card)


That is correct. Freescan does not include support for NXDN or DMR.


Yes - you can import your existing sentinel files into proscan.

Ok i'm figuring it out now . the systems groups and channel is so much different than what i'm used to with the sds100. it feels like u can really get down to the details with the 325p2. one thing that i noticed is in proscan i don't have a delay option of 3 sec or 4 sec. is that right? i know with my sds100 i can set a delay of 3 or 4.

 

[RMason]

Ok i'm figuring it out now . the systems groups and channel is so much different than what i'm used to with the sds100. it feels like u can really get down to the details with the 325p2. one thing that i noticed is in proscan i don't have a delay option of 3 sec or 4 sec. is that right? i know with my sds100 i can set a delay of 3 or 4.

The delay is set at the system level for the 325p2. There is no 'per channel' delay for the 325p2; you set the delay for the whole system.

From: Easier to Read BCD325P2 Digital Scanner Manual

Set Delay Time sets the delay (in seconds) the amount of time the scanner stays on a channel after the transmission has ended before moving to the next channel. A negative delay will force a resume after that number of seconds. This setting applies to all channels in the system. You cannot set the delay on a 'per channel' basis. The default setting is 2 seconds​

 

[n1chu]

Uniden chose not to produce programming software for your radio (or the BCD325P2) as ProScan and Butel ARC already were available and did a good job. So, Uniden does not make a version of Sentinel that supports the BCD325P2 or the BCD996P2. Your choices are ProScan or Butel ARC programming software. (And there’s always manual programming.) The downside is you loose the free RadioReference download capability (available with Sentinel) with the ProScan and Butel ARC. (Sentinel offers it free for the BCD436HP, BCD536HP, SDS100 & SDS200. You must subscribe to RadioReference but the cost is very reasonable.

If you need to update the firmware, use the latest version. It includes all previous updates/upgrades.

Your take on the way the BCD325P2 is programmed compared to the SDS100 is amusing… the natural order of things if you first owned a scanner prior to the BCDx36HP’s and the SDS models (they utilize SD Cards) was common… and progressing to the SD Card scanners was the challenge. Not the other way around! Since you first cut your teeth on the SDS100 you already accomplished that steep learning curve the rest of us needed to overcome when we moved from the non-SD Card scanners to the SD Card scanners.

A bit of Uniden history; Before the BCDx36HP’s and SDS models there was the BCD396 handheld and its sister BCD996 base/mobile. Next came the SD Card BCDx36 models, Uniden’s Flagship offerings. Then, because of the simulcast distortion issue on the trunking systems, Uniden produced their newest Flagship offerings, the two SDS radios. (The BCD396’s were sold in two versions, the BCD396 XL and then the BCD396XLT), and then discontinued and replaced by the BCD325P2 after the BCD996 was replaced by the BCD996P2. I could have chronological order of when the P2 radios were released. Corrections appreciated.)

I still have one of each, both the XL and XLT versions of the BCD396 in working condition. I then upgraded to the BCDx36HP series, one of the handhelds and two of the base/mobile. I then sold the two BCD536HP’s and replaced them with two of the SDS200’s but kept the BCD436HP. My concern at the time was the simulcast distortion issue, afraid that I would be affected, I jumped at the SDS models and now have the SDS100 and two of the SDS200’s. What do I do with all those scanners? I know its hard to justify but they do come in handy when there is a multi-agency mutual aid event occurring. One scanner is going to miss comms while it is locked down on a busy frequency/talkgroup, so I lock down as many of the scanners necessary on different frequencies/talkgroups. So, there is that… but over the years I’ve come to realize with the amateur radio gear and scanners I own I’ve become a collector, mostly of handheld/portable equipment. I don’t even want to count how many ham portables I have!

 

[buddrousa]

The more agencies you scan the more scanners you need. The larger the area you live in the more scanners you need. Law Enforcement on Scanner 1 EMS on Scanner 2 Fire on Scanner 3.

 

[K9KLC]

The more agencies you scan the more scanners you need. The larger the area you live in the more scanners you need. Law Enforcement on Scanner 1 EMS on Scanner 2 Fire on Scanner 3.

You may certainly need more than one at some point. Due to living where I do , I like to monitor 3 separate systems at times and I tried on one scanner and that was a no go. Obviously YMMV but at times without more than one I'd miss some of the good stuff.

 

[AngWay]

Yeah thats a good idea setting each scanner per agency i may play around with it. what i have noticed and correct me if i'm wrong but is there no difference really in departments in the sds100 and groups in the 325p2? i got to looking in proscan and i noticed that with the sds100 everything was colapsable in fav lists but if i uncolapse all the fav lists it looks the same in both the 325 and sds100. Kinda see what i mean in the screen shot. Thanks

 

[dmfalk]

Just FYI, the x36HP scanners weren't the first of Uniden's models to support SD cards - That honour belongs to the HomePatrol series! The x36HP models were technically the third generation of the HomePatrol series (1 & 2 were, respectively, the first and second.) This would make the SDS series the fourth generation of the HomePatrol series. All 6 models are DMA types, and are database oriented, rather than memory bank oriented.

 

[n1chu]

Just FYI, the x36HP scanners weren't the first of Uniden's models to support SD cards - That honour belongs to the HomePatrol series! The x36HP models were technically the third generation of the HomePatrol series (1 & 2 were, respectively, the first and second.) This would make the SDS series the fourth generation of the HomePatrol series. All 6 models are DMA types, and are database oriented, rather than memory bank oriented.

Good catch. I forgot to include the Home Patrols. And they also have their own version of Sentinel.

 

[dmfalk]

Good catch. I forgot to include the Home Patrols. And they also have their own version of Sentinel.

Yes, and as someone who owns Both a HomePatrol 2 and an SDS100, I have both versions installed, and have had both running (performing "housework" between the two) at the same time on the same Windows 11 tablet.