Receiver differences

[garys]

I just bought a used 325P2 to replace my previous used 325P2. I did that because the new one has DMR activated and the old one didn't. Rather than pay the $60.00 for DMR, I figured I'd buy the new one and sell the older one.

Once I got the new one programmed and turned it on. DMR works fine, UHF and VHF are fine. The difference (I won't call it a problem yet) is that on 800/900 Mhz the "new" scanner is much less sensitive. I tested both radios with rubber duck antennas and attached to my outdoor antenna. I'm on the border line between two Mass. State Police trunk zones and receive both fairly well.

So, my question is this. How much difference between individual radios is "normal." I don't want to send the new radio back to Uniden since that would cost around $100.00 as this radio is out of warranty.

Has anyone experienced anything similar with the 325P2?

Have there been any issues with the BNC connection to the main board reported?

Thanks.

 

[doctordialtone]

This won't be much help, but my 325P2 is a strong performer using the whip that came with the 996P2.

I've had NO issues at all with it.

Good luck 👍

Doc

 

[garys]

The non DMR 325P2 is a strong performer with the original rubber ducky it came with. Which is not something you can generally say about the Uniden handhelds.

 

[icemantim8]

I learned the lesson you are speaking about several times over the years. I can put my (2) SDS100's side by side and my (2) BC125AT's side by side and there is a receiving difference. I wouldn't necessarily say one is 'better' than the other, but there are slight differences depending on what frequency range I am monitoring. I have found the same over the years with (2) PRO2006's and (2) BC780XLT's. It does happen. Sorry you are experiencing this issue. Normal? I have no idea.....

 

[garys]

I should be clear that it's not a show stopper. I bought the 325P2 so that I would have a relatively inexpensive scanner to use around the house to listen to my town PD, FD, and DPW. The last is DMR while the first two are still analog. It works fine for that.

The other stuff I want to listen to is the state police in my area and some of the adjacent cities and towns. A few of the local agencies are P25 and at some point the state will build out their new P25 Phase 2 trunk.

I can get the local agencies fine, although reception varies a bit as I move around the house. Right now the scanner is sitting in a "sweet spot" for 800 on my desk, so reception is good. I'll also note that even sitting in the sweet spot, signal strength varies on 800. Which is normal for trunking as the individual radios all have different performance.

 

[DudleyG]

One other thing to consider, were the two 325P2 scanners made in the same year. Uniden has changed semiconductor suppliers several times since the 325P2 was introduced in 2015 and that might contribute to slight changes. The first number after the "Z" in the serial number indicates the year the scanner was made.

 

[garys]

The one with DMR appears to be a 2021 production, while the non DMR one is 5, so I'd guess it's 2015.

I wonder if the one with DMR is still under warranty and if Uniden would honor the warranty to a second owner?

 

[DudleyG]

Reading the warranty on the last page of the manual, doesn't sound like it is under warranty for you.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (Uniden)
ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for one year, to the original retail owner, this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below.
WARRANTY DURATION: This warranty to the original user shall terminate and be of no further effect 12 months after the date of original retail sale.
The warranty is invalid if the Product is
(A) damaged or not maintained as reasonable or necessary,

 

[garys]

I didn't think so.

 

[DudleyG]

Uniden did issue a firmware update to the 325P2 on August 13, 2021. JoeBearcast posted that was for a hardware component change. No way to tell exactly when you 325P2 was made in 2021 and what changed. The release note said it was 325P2 scanners that had serial numbers that began with 379B so that probably means your 325P2 didn't get that new hardware.

 

[garys]

True. Mine has 1.09.12 which I think is the latest version containing the changes to the hardware. Unless Uniden tells us, we won't know what hardware they changed.

 

[wtp]

did you check the attenuation setting ?

 

[garys]

Yes, it's off. That's a good thought, but I checked it for all three Zones I have programmed in for the state police.

did you check the attenuation setting ?

 

[milcom_chaser]

Our 325P2 doesn't have a letter after the 379... it has a 2.

 

[garys]

I don't know if that means that it was made at a different facility or was an error on the labeling. Every Uniden scanner I've seen has a Z at the end of the first three numbers.

Our 325P2 doesn't have a letter after the 379... it has a 2.

 

[milcom_chaser]

I don't know if that means that it was made at a different facility or was an error on the labeling. Every Uniden scanner I've seen has a Z at the end of the first three numbers.

We looked under the settings menu, Firmware version. in the radio.

 

[garys]

Oh. Mine has a 2 there also, but a Z on the SN on the back of the radio. I'm sure there's a reason for that.

We looked under the settings menu, Firmware version. in the radio.

 

[DudleyG]

You are looking at the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) in the menu system which is decoded differently than the printed physical serial number on the back of the scanner.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Specifically the Z is usually 26.

 

[garys]

Follow up on sending it back to Uniden.

I called Uniden just now and was told that the unit has been repaired and is on its way back to me.

Oddly enough (at least to me) I was told that this website Uniden | A World Without Wires - Uniden Repair Center is no longer used for checking repair status. There doesn't seem to be a new site available to the public either. The person I spoke with was helpful, however couldn't tell me what was done or provide a tracking number.

I know it's not Joe Bearcat's area of responsibility, but it would probably relieve a lot of phone calls if customers could track their repairs on line.

I'll give a report next week when the scanner is back.