Scanner suggestions, need more than the usual (for uniden) 10 banks

[CN2434]

I am currently using a BC125AT. I use my scanner for both my hobbies of aviation and rail photography, but I find the 10 banks is limiting. I also don't need anywhere close to the 50 channels per bank.

I like to assign a single bank per airport or railroad, so given the limitation of 10, I find myself always having reprogram my frequencies. I really wish I could have as many banks as needed among the 500 frequencies (Assigning a custom/variable amount per bank), so I could save every RR/Airport I visit without need for constant reprogramming.

I don't believe the BC125AT has any such functionality, but I wouldn't mind upgrading if I could find something that suits this need.

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

What's your budget? Any Uniden scanner at the bottom of this wiki page should more than suit your needs, although about the top half of those listed there are only available on the used market. Expect a bit of a learning curve if you have little to no experience with Dynamic Memory Architecture (or object-oriented: x36HP, SDSx00, etc) scanners. Most of these scanners are much harder to program by hand out in the field but are much easier via software. There are plenty of resources & FAQs on the Uniden Forums you can peruse to help you make an informed decision. Lastly, 10 banks certainly isn't today's "usual" (as suggested in your subject line) with Uniden's current scanner offerings. Hasn't been for well over a decade now

 

[CN2434]

I remember looking at the BCD325P2 previously, I haven't upgraded my setup in a very long time so it might be time.

To my understanding, I would have 500 systems at my disposal - each of which I can just put one group in and put my 10 or so frequencies in there.

Then, I can select which system(s) to tune into by using the quick keys? From what I can tell, quick keys are essentially the same idea as selecting the bank on the BC125AT?

 

[pb_lonny]

Correct

 

[n1oty]

There are some other things to also consider before making a decision. Uniden's Sentinel software comes with many of their scanners and allows for updating the scanner's programming at no additional cost. The 325P2 is NOT one of those scanners. You MIGHT end up spending money on software and a RR premium membership, if you want access to downloading from the RR database with the 325P2.

Having said the above, I recently purchased a 325P2 from Amazon and I am extremely happy with it, even though I own an SDS100, SDS200 and a 396XT. I use the SDS100 exclusively in my truck, the SDS200 exclusively at home and the 396XT WAS my handy, little walking around scanner. Well, I gave that scanner to my sister-in-law, so I was looking for a new scanner for that role. Well, the 325P2 made sense FOR ME because the form factor was right, I already have the premium membership and I already had the ARC XT Pro software.

I would not want to program this scanner from the keypad. YMMV. If programming software and/or RR premium membership are not hurdles for you, I can highly recommend the 325P2. It's a great scanner.

 

[wtp]

BCD160DN
1,000 Channels
Out of Stock
that last line kind of kills it.
$249.99
and it was built for railfans
NXDN - Digital Capable

 

[tvengr]

BCD160DN
1,000 Channels

From what I read in the manual, the BCD160DN has only 10 banks with 100 channels per bank. The OP wants more than 10 banks. The BCD325P2 can have 100 conventional systems with their own quick keys. Each conventional system can have up to 1,000 frequencies. With 10 group quick keys per system, that would be equivalent to 1,000 banks which can be selected separately. It can also be upgraded to receive NXDN if the railroads go that route. In addition, it also receives P25 Phase 1 & 2 and can do trunked systems. It appears to have the same form factor as the BCD160DN.

 

[wtp]

tvengr,
i had not heard that it was in banks.
good time to check...
yep, you were right. 10 banks of 100 oops...

 

[tvengr]

From the BCD260DN manual:
You can save 100 channels into each of the 10 channel banks (1000 channels total).

 

[CN2434]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I do like the price of the BCD260DN, and I suppose I could put multiple railroads in a bank and just lock out whatever I don't need at that moment. I'll have to mull it over to determine whether the convenience of the BCD325P2 is worth the extra bucks.

 

[Scan125]

I guess 10 banks could be limiting but how do you use your scanner.

1) Do you need more than 10 banks when mobile?
2) Do you need more than 10 banks when at home?
3) Do you use mainly at home and have a PC with Windows?
4) Have you considered splitting a bank into two chunks - 0-25 / 26-50

The reprogramming would be a problem when mobile but once back home or with a PC in your car then reprogramming is very easy todo.

I have users who use a Speadsheet with *many* tabs where each tab is dedicated to / used as effectively a virtual bank.

Most programs for programming the BC125AT support CSV files. Some support Radio Reference.

I can't but help think that when you have a scanner with 20 banks you will then find you need 30, then 40, ......

 

[RichM]

If you’re not married to staying with Uniden consider the Whistler 1040. It has 20 ”banks” that will hold 1800 “channels” along with a V-scanner feature that expands it to 420 “banks” and 37,800 “channels”. I use quotation marks because they use different terminology calling channels objects and banks scan lists. You may not need the phase 1 digital capability but you will have the memory capacity you want and then some. Price is reasonable (around $300) as this is an older digital design. There are also many used ones available that go for much less. Learning curve is a bit steep but since you’re not new to scanning you will get the hang of it, especially if you use software to program. I use Arc500 and like it.

I listen to just about everything in a 7 county phase 1 area and have not out grown it‘s capabilities. Good luck.

 

[tvengr]

If you’re not married to staying with Uniden consider the Whistler 1040.

That would be a good scanner for aircraft and railroads presently but cannot be upgraded to NXDN if the railroads go that route. Also, it cannot be upgraded to DMR. It can decode P25 Phase 1 and do trunk tracking.

 

[RichM]

That would be a good scanner for aircraft and railroads presently but cannot be upgraded to NXDN if the railroads go that route. Also, it cannot be upgraded to DMR. It can decode P25 Phase 1 and do trunk tracking.

You are correct, as an older model it is not future proof. The price reflects that. As the original poster wants more banks for better organization rather than purchasing for potential future format changes, I still think it could be the right radio for what he‘s trying to accomplish.

 

[phask]

If you look at a SDS100 you could definitely do it with quick keys. You could have 99 Favorite lists and within those another 99 (I think 99 offhand).

I have a 325, but I honestly don't know how many systems you can have. I think it's 100 system quick keys.

 

[tvengr]

I have a 325, but I honestly don't know how many systems you can have. I think it's 100 system quick keys.

The BCD325P2 will allow 500 systems but you only have 100 system quick keys. You would be limited to 100 systems to have a system quick key for each system.

 

[CN2434]

I guess 10 banks could be limiting but how do you use your scanner.

1) Do you need more than 10 banks when mobile?
2) Do you need more than 10 banks when at home?
3) Do you use mainly at home and have a PC with Windows?
4) Have you considered splitting a bank into two chunks - 0-25 / 26-50

The reprogramming would be a problem when mobile but once back home or with a PC in your car then reprogramming is very easy todo.

I have users who use a Speadsheet with *many* tabs where each tab is dedicated to / used as effectively a virtual bank.

Most programs for programming the BC125AT support CSV files. Some support Radio Reference.

I can't but help think that when you have a scanner with 20 banks you will then find you need 30, then 40, ......

I would probably just need the extra channels for mobile. I actually am a big fan of you program though, I've been running it at home for more than 4 years now! It's been awesome to listen back on stuff I've missed while away or asleep!

 

[lamarrsy]

Considering that :
- your main listening services are aviation and railroads, so,
analog AM and analog FM,
- you are already accustomed to the BC-125AT analog sensitivity and performance
- you are also accustomed to its reasonable battery life on a single recharge
- don’t necessarily need digital option in the short / mid-term future
- all you need is better channels management

I would suggest that you :
- stay away from the BCD325P2 because of its less than stellar battery life per charge
- stay away from the BCD436HP and STS-100 because of their less than stellar analog performance

- seriously consider RichM suggestion regarding the Whistler WS-1040 : one of the best analog performance in the frequency ranges you want, more than reasonable battery life, and ease of operation once you master the concept of objects and their ties with scan lists.

 

[Akuriko]

may i just recommend if he needs something for just home to try the uniden 15x

 

[lamarrsy]

may i just recommend if he needs something for just home to try the uniden 15x

Hi, we’re suggesting portable radios because he talked about the RR/Airports he visits, thus hinting that he may not do all his listening from home.