Scanner recommendations request.

[mscir]

I would like to buy a scanner that has the digital and trunking features of the Uniden BCD536HP, and can be programmed using a computer. I never owned a scanner before, I've done some programming and was an electronics tech, so I should be able to get up to speed with good tutorials. I've read pros and cons about the BCD536HP, one strong con from a guy who repaired several of them. So I thought I'd ask people here what they thought. Thanks in advance.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I would like to buy a scanner that has the digital and trunking features of the Uniden BCD536HP, and can be programmed using a computer. I never owned a scanner before, I've done some programming and was an electronics tech, so I should be able to get up to speed with good tutorials. I've read pros and cons about the BCD536HP, one strong con from a guy who repaired several of them. So I thought I'd ask people here what they thought. Thanks in advance.

I've had a 536, good unit as long as you're not near simulcasting towers. Home Patrol 2 is a good unit also.

 

[rk911]

My 536 has been running 24/7 in my hamshack for at least 3-yrs now. No issues there. My learning curve on programming with the Butel software was a bit steep but everything clicked into place one day.

 

[hiegtx]

I would like to buy a scanner that has the digital and trunking features of the Uniden BCD536HP, and can be programmed using a computer. I never owned a scanner before, I've done some programming and was an electronics tech, so I should be able to get up to speed with good tutorials. I've read pros and cons about the BCD536HP, one strong con from a guy who repaired several of them. So I thought I'd ask people here what they thought. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to RadioReference

The 536HP is a good scanner, unless you are trying to monitor a Simulcast system. What is your location? City or county, as well as your state would help confirm what kind of systems are present in your area.

For the 536HP, it’s handheld sibling the 436HP, as well the SDS100 & SDS200, you can use the Sentinel software, which is a free download from Uniden. You need Sentinel, regardless of any other software, because Sentinel is required to maintain the master database in the scanner. You can download and install Sentinel even before you purchase a scanner. Whenever you install Sentinel, be sure and update the database.

When the scanner is first received, as well as when Sentinel is first installed, the master database will likely be several years out of data. Once installed on your pc, you can update the database via an internet connection. (There is no charge for updating.)

Using Sentinel, you can append systems from the main database to create a Favorites list. You will need to select your service types of interest. When the scanner is first shipped, as well as when Sentinel is first installed, only dispatch service types for Public Safety are enabled: Law Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, EMS Dispatch, and Multi-Dispatch. You would also want to enable the Tac and Talk service types, I.e. Law Talk, Fire Tac, EMS Tac, etc.

You also can use Sentinel, or the scanner itself to create a Favorites list for you. This would be created using the Service Types you selected, plus your location and preferred range.

Third party software such as ProScan, or Butel’s ARC536, can also be used. These have a 30 day free trial period before you either have to purchase the software, or quit using it. My preference is ProScan, as it covers far more scanners than the Butel program. Also, ProScan’s $50 license fee enables logging activity as well as programming. Butel’s price, for their “Basic” version, about $40, only includes programming. To enable logging, you would need the Pro version at about $70.

 

[Bob1955]

Welcome to RadioReference

The 536HP is a good scanner, unless you are trying to monitor a Simulcast system. What is your location? City or county, as well as your state would help confirm what kind of systems are present in your area.

For the 536HP, it’s handheld sibling the 436HP, as well the SDS100 & SDS200, you can use the Sentinel software, which is a free download from Uniden. You need Sentinel, regardless of any other software, because Sentinel is required to maintain the master database in the scanner. You can download and install Sentinel even before you purchase a scanner. Whenever you install Sentinel, be sure and update the database.

When the scanner is first received, as well as when Sentinel is first installed, the master database will likely be several years out of data. Once installed on your pc, you can update the database via an internet connection. (There is no charge for updating.)

Using Sentinel, you can append systems from the main database to create a Favorites list. You will need to select your service types of interest. When the scanner is first shipped, as well as when Sentinel is first installed, only dispatch service types for Public Safety are enabled: Law Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, EMS Dispatch, and Multi-Dispatch. You would also want to enable the Tac and Talk service types, I.e. Law Talk, Fire Tac, EMS Tac, etc.

You also can use Sentinel, or the scanner itself to create a Favorites list for you. This would be created using the Service Types you selected, plus your location and preferred range.

Third party software such as ProScan, or Butel’s ARC536, can also be used. These have a 30 day free trial period before you either have to purchase the software, or quit using it. My preference is ProScan, as it covers far more scanners than the Butel program. Also, ProScan’s $50 license fee enables logging activity as well as programming. Butel’s price, for their “Basic” version, about $40, only includes programming. To enable logging, you would need the Pro version at about $70.

hiegtx- If "mscir" doesn't need a Bearcat SDS200 which is NOT good on analog, he's much better off with a Uniden Bearcat BCD996P2 and that scanner is a PROVEN WINNER, and the P25 Digital Squelch Threshold can be adjusted for simulcasting and also depending upon his location in between towers.
It should be know that NOT everyone NEEDS/WANTS to spend $699.95 for a base scanner with a "fancy" color screen with INFLATION meaning food costs/rents/auto insurance so high. And also, the Bearcat BCD536HP has a horrible display screen as I have had that along with the handheld BCD436HP too.

 

[mscir]

I will be using it in Santa Cruz, California 95060.
I live near the SC county bldg where they have over a dozen antennas of various types, police, private internet, cell by the looks of things. IDK if they do simulcast there.

 

[mscir]

Welcome to RadioReference

The 536HP is a good scanner, unless you are trying to monitor a Simulcast system. What is your location? City or county, as well as your state would help confirm what kind of systems are present in your area.

For the 536HP, it’s handheld sibling the 436HP, as well the SDS100 & SDS200, you can use the Sentinel software, which is a free download from Uniden. You need Sentinel, regardless of any other software, because Sentinel is required to maintain the master database in the scanner. You can download and install Sentinel even before you purchase a scanner. Whenever you install Sentinel, be sure and update the database.

When the scanner is first received, as well as when Sentinel is first installed, the master database will likely be several years out of data. Once installed on your pc, you can update the database via an internet connection. (There is no charge for updating.)

Using Sentinel, you can append systems from the main database to create a Favorites list. You will need to select your service types of interest. When the scanner is first shipped, as well as when Sentinel is first installed, only dispatch service types for Public Safety are enabled: Law Dispatch, Fire Dispatch, EMS Dispatch, and Multi-Dispatch. You would also want to enable the Tac and Talk service types, I.e. Law Talk, Fire Tac, EMS Tac, etc.

You also can use Sentinel, or the scanner itself to create a Favorites list for you. This would be created using the Service Types you selected, plus your location and preferred range.

Third party software such as ProScan, or Butel’s ARC536, can also be used. These have a 30 day free trial period before you either have to purchase the software, or quit using it. My preference is ProScan, as it covers far more scanners than the Butel program. Also, ProScan’s $50 license fee enables logging activity as well as programming. Butel’s price, for their “Basic” version, about $40, only includes programming. To enable logging, you would need the Pro version at about $70.

Thanks very much for a very detailed reply. I also received suggestion to go with the BCD996P2 which looks like it has the same digital and trunking, no wifi costs less. I'm researching that as well. If you can comment on that model I'd be very happy to hear your opinion.

 

[marksmith]

You probably want to spend some research time on the database here identifying the local systems and whether they are simulcast or not, and if that system is important to you or not. It is probably the main nut to crack when picking a scanner. Most modern systems tend to utilize simulcast. If simulcast isn't an issue, there are other good scanners at lower cost.

The BCD996P2 will receive anything the 536/436 will, but the memory structure of the radio is older with limits on the size of systems, etc. There are ways around these limits, but the software is less robust for it (but free) called Freescan.

The SDS100 and SDS200 are the state of the science on trunked systems, handling simulcast and resulting in a much more sensitive trunking receiver under simulcast and modern systems.

If you want to load it using software, I would stay in the 436/536, SDS100/SDS200, or Home Patrol 2 radios. The Home Patrol 2 is also an excellent trunking scanner with excellent display as long as you can get around simulcast.

 

[W8WCA]

Looking at the Database I do not see Simulcast in Santa Cruz - so the 536/436 should do fine for you.

 

[hiegtx]

hiegtx- If "mscir" doesn't need a Bearcat SDS200 which is NOT good on analog, he's much better off with a Uniden Bearcat BCD996P2 and that scanner is a PROVEN WINNER, and the P25 Digital Squelch Threshold can be adjusted for simulcasting and also depending upon his location in between towers.
It should be know that NOT everyone NEEDS/WANTS to spend $699.95 for a base scanner with a "fancy" color screen with INFLATION meaning food costs/rents/auto insurance so high. And also, the Bearcat BCD536HP has a horrible display screen as I have had that along with the handheld BCD436HP too.

Bob,

I was not “recommending” the SDS200, only pointing out that programming it is essentially the same as the 536HP that he mentions. At the time that was posted, the OP’s location was not noted, so I did not specifically recommend any particular scanner.

Thanks very much for a very detailed reply. I also received suggestion to go with the BCD996P2 which looks like it has the same digital and trunking, no wifi costs less. I'm researching that as well. If you can comment on that model I'd be very happy to hear your opinion.

Looking at your county, Santa Cruz, it appears that public safety in your county is using conventional channels, not a trunked system. So, simulcast is not an issue, and the 996P2 would easily handle what is showing on the county database page. If the database page is correct, (no significant changes that have not been submitted to the database), encryption does not appear to be in use at this time.

I don’t own the 996P2, but do have it’s handheld sibling the 325P2. The P2 series scanners work well, and have been reliable performers for a number of areas.

I would note that the 996P2, unlike the 536HP, is not a database scanner, so it will have to be specially programmed instead of letting the scanner mostly use an installed database to control what is being scanned. For this scanner, you can use FreeSCAN, ProScan, or ARC-XT. While FreeSCAN will handle programming, that software is no longer supported by its original author. FreeSCAN cannot correctly program DMR systems, and has zero support for NXDN. There is a business related DMR system in your county, and Univ of California/Santa Cruz does show as using a NXDN System, though there are no identified talkgroups listed. If neither of these systems interest you, FreeSCAN is all you need.

ProScan and ARC-XT are both paid software programs. While both have a free trial period, after that trial expires, you would need to purchase a license to continue using the program.

ProScan, which is what I use, is $50. That’s a one time fee, and you get free updates as they become available. ProScan includes logging of activity, and also supports a large number of other Uniden scanners.

ARC-XT Basic is for programming the scanner only, and is about $40. If you also want the logging capability, (included at no additional fee in ProScan), you would need to choose the “Pro” version of ARC-XT, which costs about $70. ARC-XT also includes free software updates when and if available.

Programming using any of these three programs is much easier if you become a Premium Subscriber to RadioReference. That allows you to import whatever you want from the database into the software, then use that to program the scanner.

Once you select and order a scanner, you might request that this thread be moved to the California forum. There, you might find someone familiar with your area, and who might be able to provide a programming file to get you up and running quickly, as you get acquainted with your new scanner and it’s capabilities.To request that move, click on the “Report” link in the lower left hand corner of your post, then use that to request that a moderator move this thread for you.

 

[hiegtx]

I see that a moderator has already made the move to the California forum for you.

 

[hiegtx]

I see that a moderator has already made the move to the California forum for you

 

[mscir]

You probably want to spend some research time on the database here identifying the local systems and whether they are simulcast or not, and if that system is important to you or not. It is probably the main nut to crack when picking a scanner. Most modern systems tend to utilize simulcast. If simulcast isn't an issue, there are other good scanners at lower cost.

The BCD996P2 will receive anything the 536/436 will, but the memory structure of the radio is older with limits on the size of systems, etc. There are ways around these limits, but the software is less robust for it (but free) called Freescan.

The SDS100 and SDS200 are the state of the science on trunked systems, handling simulcast and resulting in a much more sensitive trunking receiver under simulcast and modern systems.

If you want to load it using software, I would stay in the 436/536, SDS100/SDS200, or Home Patrol 2 radios. The Home Patrol 2 is also an excellent trunking scanner with excellent display as long as you can get around simulcast.

Thank you, there's a lot to learn and I'm a complete beginner so this is very useful.

 

[mscir]

Bob,

I was not “recommending” the SDS200, only pointing out that programming it is essentially the same as the 536HP that he mentions. At the time that was posted, the OP’s location was not noted, so I did not specifically recommend any particular scanner.

Looking at your county, Santa Cruz, it appears that public safety in your county is using conventional channels, not a trunked system. So, simulcast is not an issue, and the 996P2 would easily handle what is showing on the county database page. If the database page is correct, (no significant changes that have not been submitted to the database), encryption does not appear to be in use at this time.

I don’t own the 996P2, but do have it’s handheld sibling the 325P2. The P2 series scanners work well, and have been reliable performers for a number of areas.

I would note that the 996P2, unlike the 536HP, is not a database scanner, so it will have to be specially programmed instead of letting the scanner mostly use an installed database to control what is being scanned. For this scanner, you can use FreeSCAN, ProScan, or ARC-XT. While FreeSCAN will handle programming, that software is no longer supported by its original author. FreeSCAN cannot correctly program DMR systems, and has zero support for NXDN. There is a business related DMR system in your county, and Univ of California/Santa Cruz does show as using a NXDN System, though there are no identified talkgroups listed. If neither of these systems interest you, FreeSCAN is all you need.

ProScan and ARC-XT are both paid software programs. While both have a free trial period, after that trial expires, you would need to purchase a license to continue using the program.

ProScan, which is what I use, is $50. That’s a one time fee, and you get free updates as they become available. ProScan includes logging of activity, and also supports a large number of other Uniden scanners.

ARC-XT Basic is for programming the scanner only, and is about $40. If you also want the logging capability, (included at no additional fee in ProScan), you would need to choose the “Pro” version of ARC-XT, which costs about $70. ARC-XT also includes free software updates when and if available.

Programming using any of these three programs is much easier if you become a Premium Subscriber to RadioReference. That allows you to import whatever you want from the database into the software, then use that to program the scanner.

Once you select and order a scanner, you might request that this thread be moved to the California forum. There, you might find someone familiar with your area, and who might be able to provide a programming file to get you up and running quickly, as you get acquainted with your new scanner and it’s capabilities.To request that move, click on the “Report” link in the lower left hand corner of your post, then use that to request that a moderator move this thread for you.

Very useful post, thank you for taking the time to write it out. I'm thinking subscribing here and using Proscan should meet my needs nicely. Proscan is good for 2 computers, and you can move the license from one computer to another just like a windows key.

 

[hiegtx]

Very useful post, thank you for taking the time to write it out. I'm thinking subscribing here and using Proscan should meet my needs nicely. Proscan is good for 2 computers, and you can move the license from one computer to another just like a windows key.

While you can install ProScan on two separate PC’s, you can run more than one session on the same PC at the same time.

 

[mscir]

I ordered the BCD996P2, am plowing through the manual, and researching outdoor antennas (I live in a metal mobile home), and DB s/w options.
If anyone can recommend an outdoor antenna and low loss cable I'm all ears, DIY works too. I don't know exactly what frequencies I'll be using the most, if there are wideband antennas that would be good to know.
I don't know if it's appropriate to mark the thread closed or resolved at this point, IDK how to do that, if I should pls lmk the procedure.
Thanks to EVERYONE for all of your great posts, I appreciate your time.

 

[mscir]

While you can install ProScan on two separate PC’s, you can run more than one session on the same PC at the same time.

IDK enough about the program to understand why you'd want to do that. I have a lot to learn.

 

[hiegtx]

IDK enough about the program to understand why you'd want to do that. I have a lot to learn.

I have three sessions of ProScan, running at the same time on my laptop. Each session has a separate scanner connected and I am logging activity.

 

[mscir]

I have three sessions of ProScan, running at the same time on my laptop. Each session has a separate scanner connected and I am logging activity.

Thanks for explaining. I didn't know it had logging, nice feature that!