Should I save up for digi scanner or buy now and trade later

[safetyobc]

I know that I should go with what my needs are, but I want everyone's opinion.

I am saving for a digi scanner which I will need in 8 to 12 months, but I don't need it right now (new system is being installed). I have a 246T and just sold my BC250D. I have about $260 saved toward the purchase of a digi scanner. I thought of buying a used Pro-96 but that is $350 for a used scanner!!!

I was considering buying something like a Pro-97 or similar scanner, and when the BCD396T comes out, selling my 246t and the scanner I buy now, adding a $100 or so and getting the 396.

What do you guys think. Saving more money is extremely difficult because I don't have lots of spare money laying around. Kinda on a tight budget. Thanks for any replies.

 

[Dubbin]

I would wait and see what the 396 has to offer.

 

[Voyager]

I would wait and see what the 396 has to offer.

Ditto on the advice.

Joe M.

 

[n4voxgill]

I would wait and see if the 396 is able to be reflashed to accommodate rebanding. The same for the Pro96. There is a lot of speculation, but I would save my money until both scanners have several months of working with various rebanded systems. The Uniden post that said they could be reprogramed and reflashed at the factory had a fine print statement at the bottom of the post.

Nothing beats seeing it work.

 

[Dubbin]

The PRO-96 will not have to be reflashed, just reprogrammed. The 396 will be able to be reflashed and that is strait from Uniden.

 

[safetyobc]

The PRO-96 will not have to be reflashed, just reprogrammed. The 396 will be able to be reflashed and that is strait from Uniden.

What's the difference?




.

 

[Voyager]

The PRO-96 will not have to be reflashed, just reprogrammed. The 396 will be able to be reflashed and that is strait from Uniden.

What's the difference?

Reflashed means you will have to DL new firmware into the scanner. Uniden has already committed to making updates available for several recent models. It makes sense that they will support the BCD396T as well, if it doesn't support the rebanding when it's released.

Reprogramming means entering new data in your scanner. Specifically, programming the extended tables to the new ones that will be used. The pre-programmed tables will be obsolete for the rebanded systems. No change in the firmware is required.

The Unidens can't be reprogrammed since they either don't support enough tables (6 are required) or they don't support any on 800 MHz.

The PRO-(20)96 supports 6 tables, so you can just program them. Win96 will be required to access all 6 of the extended tables.

Joe M.

 

[Dubbin]

The Unidens can't be reprogrammed since they either don't support enough tables (6 are required) or they don't support any on 800 MHz.

Thats not totally true. You will have to have it reflashed for Motorola Analog/Mixed but the rest you will only have to reprogram.

 

[safetyobc]

Well I wouldn't mind doing either as long as they work!

As far as the 396 goes, I would love to get one, but I am a little concerned about buying one the first few months they are out because of the possibility of some major bugs not being worked out. I know most can be fixed with firmware. Also I was thinking of getting another scanner until it is released, supposedly late summer? That is still about 4 or 5 months away. I am not a patient person. I may just keep saving so I can keep the 246t as a conventional scanner......won't do me any good after the Arkansas State Police go digital, because that is the only trunked radio system I follow within 100 miles.

I hear that some dealers are taking advance orders on the 396? How does that work? Are you required to pay all or part of the price then the rest when it is released?

 

[Dubbin]

If you are that short on "radio money" then by buying a radio now and then selling it in a few months will only cost you money. If you really want a digital radio then just hold off for a few more months to save you the troubles of loosing money. Or since you have $260 now what kind of scanner do you own now that you could sell?

edit: I just saw in your first post that you own a 246T. Sell that puppy and go get your digital radio

 

[rdale]

"the possibility of some major bugs not being worked out"

What major bugs? Did the 246T have anything big? Since both are updated VERY easily with new firmware downloads, I have a hard time believing there will be any showstoppers with release.

 

[safetyobc]

If you are that short on "radio money" then by buying a radio now and then selling it in a few months will only cost you money. If you really want a digital radio then just hold off for a few more months to save you the troubles of loosing money. Or since you have $260 now what kind of scanner do you own now that you could sell?

edit: I just saw in your first post that you own a 246T. Sell that puppy and go get your digital radio

Yeah dubbin, you are probably right. I should just be patient and get the 396T!

 

[Voyager]

The Unidens can't be reprogrammed since they either don't support enough tables (6 are required) or they don't support any on 800 MHz.

Thats not totally true. You will have to have it reflashed for Motorola Analog/Mixed but the rest you will only have to reprogram.

Using what criteria? There are 6 tables required in the new format. You can't program any on the newer Unidens on 800 MHz.

The current P25 tables AREN'T THE SAME as the rebanding tables.

Tell me HOW I would reprogram a BC246T for a rebanded system.

Joe M.

 

[Dubbin]

Using what criteria? There are 6 tables required in the new format. You can't program any on the newer Unidens on 800 MHz.

The current P25 tables AREN'T THE SAME as the rebanding tables.

Tell me HOW I would reprogram a BC246T for a rebanded system.

Joe M.

Look here and you will see what I am talking about http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=22155

 

[Voyager]

Using what criteria? There are 6 tables required in the new format. You can't program any on the newer Unidens on 800 MHz.

The current P25 tables AREN'T THE SAME as the rebanding tables.

Tell me HOW I would reprogram a BC246T for a rebanded system.

Joe M.

Look here and you will see what I am talking about http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=22155

Any system using the new tables, tables that do NOT EXIST in the current scanners, will have to be reflashed if they don't support 6 tables. That includes all Uniden models.

While it's POSSBILE to use the current P-25 bandplan for new systems, that is NOT the proposed bandplan. If they do use the P-25 bandplan, it will not be the same as the new tables. So yes, if they ignore the new bandplan and use something that exists now, no reflash will be required. It's simply not possible to use the 3600 bandplan as it exists in the rebanded frequency range - half of the new channels do not exist in that bandplan.

The current P-25 bandplan is:
BASE OFFSET STEP
851.00625 001 6.25k

The proposed rebanding bandplan is:

BASE OFFSET STEP
851.03750 002 12.5k
851.53750 040 12.5k
852.03750 078 12.5k
852.53750 116 12.5k
853.03750 154 12.5k
854.01250 231 25.0k

As you can see, the P-25 bandplan can be used, but the channel numbers will not line up with the systems using the rebanded bandplan.

In any case, to receive ALL trunked systems that you can currently receive, a reflash will be required for the Uniden scanners.

Joe M.

 

[Dubbin]

In any case, to receive ALL trunked systems that you can currently receive, a reflash will be required for the Uniden scanners.

Thats what I was saying.