SDS200 vs. BCD996P2
- Thread starter Greg43545
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the 996p2 doesnt have nearly as many problems to deal with as the sds series of scanners and it is half the cost. There are a multi tude of factors that come into play a far as reception of signals goes thats its not funny so its hard to answer the question.
A very general comparison in my estimation; Simulcast is a problem that the SDS series addresses. (I don’t have that problem in Ct. so I can’t speak to the issue.) But if you don’t have that problem the 996P2 is cheaper and hears as good as (if not better) than the SDS’s. It’s mostly a crap shoot however. They both hear well... I recall Uniden’s Paul Opitz (R.I.P.) going on record as saying any difference in reception were not discernible to the human ear, you have to bench test each to see a difference. Do you like a multi-colored display that you can customize (change colors)? Is simulcast an issue? If so, the SDS series are the only Uniden choices. If you’ve got limited funds, the ‘P2’s are always there!
Hit_Factor
Member
Weak signal work is as much about the antenna as it is the receiver. Icom makes some really nice receivers. It's possible those won't do what you want - need more detail.
The SDS200 has several user configurable filters, and that's unique to the SDS line of scanners. The filters are a new thing in scanners - these will help you pull in the weak signals. It takes a lot of work tuning the correct filter for the circumstances. In amateur radio we call that operating, it's complicated and that turns some people off.
Ubbe
Member
If you are familiar with amateur radios you probably know about IF shift that most shortwave receiver have. That's what the SDS scanners are using but have 4 different fixed settings, no continuos adjustments. Other scanners do not have filter settings as they do not need them.
/Ubbe
Thank you all for your responses so far.
As some here already know from another thread I have been posting to, my local SO, PD, Fire and EMS have gone to the Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System.
Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System Trunking System, Toledo, Ohio - Scanner Frequencies
I've been having a signal strength issue with my HP-2 on the 771.70625 freq. while my 325P2 in the same location in my home is picking up everything. I've been recommended to get the Remtronix 830B antenna, which is already on order, to resolve the issue on my HP-2. BUT, my HP-2 does pick up that freq. when I take it out mobile in my vehicle.
IF the Remtronix 830B antenna does NOT resolve the issue my next course of action would be to sell the HP-2 and buy a unit that will receive the 771.70625 freq.
Of course I would like to buy the SDS200, but at almost $700.00 price is a concern. The BCD996P2 is approximately half the price BUT I do understand the adage - you get what you pay for - and I want to buy a unit I know will work properly.
From what I've described so far, in your humble opinions, would the BCD996P2 be capable of resolving my issue and pull in the signal that the HP-2 currently isn't but my 325P2 is?
As some here already know from another thread I have been posting to, my local SO, PD, Fire and EMS have gone to the Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System.
Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System Trunking System, Toledo, Ohio - Scanner Frequencies
I've been having a signal strength issue with my HP-2 on the 771.70625 freq. while my 325P2 in the same location in my home is picking up everything. I've been recommended to get the Remtronix 830B antenna, which is already on order, to resolve the issue on my HP-2. BUT, my HP-2 does pick up that freq. when I take it out mobile in my vehicle.
IF the Remtronix 830B antenna does NOT resolve the issue my next course of action would be to sell the HP-2 and buy a unit that will receive the 771.70625 freq.
Of course I would like to buy the SDS200, but at almost $700.00 price is a concern. The BCD996P2 is approximately half the price BUT I do understand the adage - you get what you pay for - and I want to buy a unit I know will work properly.
From what I've described so far, in your humble opinions, would the BCD996P2 be capable of resolving my issue and pull in the signal that the HP-2 currently isn't but my 325P2 is?
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( I first posted this in another forum, but I believe it belongs here, so I have re-posted it here, )
I know the SDS200 is the top of the line scanner.
How does the BCD996P2 compare to it as far as pulling in weak strength signals in the 700 MHz range?
As some here already know from another thread I have been posting to, my local SO, PD, Fire and EMS have gone to the Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System.
Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System Trunking System, Toledo, Ohio - Scanner Frequencies
I've been having a signal strength issue with my HP-2 on the 771.70625 freq. while my 325P2 in the same location in my home is picking up everything. I've been recommended to get the Remtronix 830B antenna, which is already on order, to resolve the issue on my HP-2. BUT, my HP-2 does pick up that freq. when I take it out mobile in my vehicle.
IF the Remtronix 830B antenna does NOT resolve the issue my next course of action would be to sell the HP-2 and buy a unit that will receive the 771.70625 freq.
Of course I would like to buy the SDS200, but at almost $700.00 price is a concern. The BCD996P2 is approximately half the price BUT I do understand the adage - you get what you pay for - and I want to buy a unit I know will work properly.
From what I've described so far, in your humble opinions, would the BCD996P2 be capable of resolving my issue and pull in the signal that the HP-2 currently isn't but my 325P2 is?
I know the SDS200 is the top of the line scanner.
How does the BCD996P2 compare to it as far as pulling in weak strength signals in the 700 MHz range?
As some here already know from another thread I have been posting to, my local SO, PD, Fire and EMS have gone to the Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System.
Northwest Ohio Regional Public Safety System Trunking System, Toledo, Ohio - Scanner Frequencies
I've been having a signal strength issue with my HP-2 on the 771.70625 freq. while my 325P2 in the same location in my home is picking up everything. I've been recommended to get the Remtronix 830B antenna, which is already on order, to resolve the issue on my HP-2. BUT, my HP-2 does pick up that freq. when I take it out mobile in my vehicle.
IF the Remtronix 830B antenna does NOT resolve the issue my next course of action would be to sell the HP-2 and buy a unit that will receive the 771.70625 freq.
Of course I would like to buy the SDS200, but at almost $700.00 price is a concern. The BCD996P2 is approximately half the price BUT I do understand the adage - you get what you pay for - and I want to buy a unit I know will work properly.
From what I've described so far, in your humble opinions, would the BCD996P2 be capable of resolving my issue and pull in the signal that the HP-2 currently isn't but my 325P2 is?
Having both
If you have good signal and no SIMULCAST 996p2
If you need extras lcn finder ect with no SIMULCAST 536
If have SIMULCAST sds200
If you have good signal and no SIMULCAST 996p2
If you need extras lcn finder ect with no SIMULCAST 536
If have SIMULCAST sds200
Thank you for the info.
I have NO Simulcast, but a weak signal.
Not sure about needing " extras lcn finder ect "
My sds200 decides p25 where my others do not.
I would invest in more antenna 1st.
I would invest in more antenna 1st.
The Remtronix 830B antenna has already been ordered and should be here in about a week.
an outdoor antenna will help with reception.
I have a mobile scanner magnetic antenna on an air-conditioning unit ( for ground plane ) outside a 3rd. story window attached to the HP-2 and that didn't help at all.
i hope the signal that your trying to receive originates on the same side of the house as your window is, if not the house is and will block the signal and is the antenna designed to cover the 700/800 mhz band
I always Bring My Uniden 996P2 Or my SDS 200 (I trade off from day to day) When Making my Deliveries all around Southern California / Los Angeles Basin / San Diego / Bakersfield / Inland empire, so about 50 Hours a week of Monitor time, not counting home time.
There's about 7 different P25 Trunking systems that the 996p2 works pretty good on (not Perfect) & There's 3 different P25 systems that The 996P2 Absolutely Hates !!..........Where The SDS 200 performs Flawlessly on all 10 P25 Systems!
Another Issue you may have is the 700 mhz competes with the cell towers which causes more Simulcast Distortion as we all know the SDS Scanners can Handle this & The 996P2 cannot.
All I can say is Buy a 996P2 and try it ? ..... They hold Resale value very well ....... it don't work....... sell it and get a SDS 200
Also you asked..... will the 996 pull in weak P25 signals..... my experience with the 996 on P25 weak Signals.... is No !....... you will want SDS
Good luck
There's about 7 different P25 Trunking systems that the 996p2 works pretty good on (not Perfect) & There's 3 different P25 systems that The 996P2 Absolutely Hates !!..........Where The SDS 200 performs Flawlessly on all 10 P25 Systems!
Another Issue you may have is the 700 mhz competes with the cell towers which causes more Simulcast Distortion as we all know the SDS Scanners can Handle this & The 996P2 cannot.
All I can say is Buy a 996P2 and try it ? ..... They hold Resale value very well ....... it don't work....... sell it and get a SDS 200
Also you asked..... will the 996 pull in weak P25 signals..... my experience with the 996 on P25 weak Signals.... is No !....... you will want SDS
Good luck
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Ubbe
Member
I would put my money on a remote antenna. A magnet base with a telescope antenna with a short coax like 10ft and a sma connector at the end. Then try out different positions and lenghts of the telescope.
Program your HP-2 with that 771Mhz frequency and set it to analog only and then set the squelch to 0 and listen for the datasignal while you are moving the antenna around to find the best spot. Try the telescope first at it longest postions and then shorten it in steps to find where the antenna gives the strongest signal. The tests are done best in analog mode as the digital decode will have a time lag that makes it more difficult to do test for best signal strenght. There might be gain antennas, for car use, that perform better than a telescope on the magnet base.
There are many antennas and I do not know which one will receive 770Mhz the best. You probably would like to recieve other frequencies as well.
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/Ubbe
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