I have a pro 106 I’ve had for quite a long time and currently use on a simulcast system. It works some days, somedays not, has the typical simulcast issues reported. I get that the Uniden SDS units are the best for these system, but how well do other radios work? Are newer and updated radios like the BCD436, 396XT, 325P2, TRX2 etc better on simulcast than my older 106? Or are the simulcast issues something that makes no difference?
Simulcast questions
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Click here and reveal hundreds of threads on the topic reporting the same issue with the scanners you inquired about, I encounter more than one thread daily about it here. Bottom line: The Uniden SDS series and the Unication G series (pagers) are the only receivers designed to deal with the ugly effects of simulcast distortion. If you haven't already, have a read at the simulcast distortion wiki entry here. There are workarounds for other receivers suggested there but they work in very few cases
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Simulcast is an issue on all scanners as @Whiskey3JMC points out. Location makes a big difference, but it remains a problem. Your choices are basically SDS scanners, Unication pager, or SDR dongle.
trentbob
Silent Key W3BUX
A consumer scanner is either simulcast capable or not. It's all location dependent. GRE radios have a reputation for not handling simulcast as well as non simulcast capable radios from Uniden but it's a crapshoot. It depends on where you're situated between the towers that are simultaneously transmitting what your radio is calling for.
As noted above, the SDS series are the only scanners designed to handle simulcast. Unication pagers work well, but don't have the full functionality of scanners. All simulcast-compatible radios are going to be somewhat expensive compared to other scanners, unless you set up your own SDR receiver.
This is quite simple. The only traditional scanner product that supports simulcast is the SDS Series. It's competing against itself. No other scanner supports simulcast. None, zero, zilch. The End.
Also P25RX, although it is not a traditional scanner still an option, and a heard a lot of good things about it.
That falls in the SDR category with either a regular dongle, Hack RF, AirSpy, or P25RX, but I can't see spending nearly $300 when a $35 dongle and free software will work just as good.
Well, not exactly. All digital scanners support simulcast. How well they decode the audio varies based on proximity to the multiple towers of a simulcast system. The SDS scanners were engineered to significantly improve audio decoding (but they have hiccups too).
I got a Uniden 436 scanner the decodes the audio quite well in my garage. Other places the decode is horrible. My SDS 100 will decode audio just fine in those other horrible places.
The P25RX/P25RX-II receivers are designed for narrow band reception unlike the others. These receivers are also stand-alone unlike the others.
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- Retired 40 Year Firefighter NW Tenn
I ask 1 question if using a P25RX standalone who wants to guess who is talking?
jtwalker
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oh, oh … I know that woman’s voice. She’s the ems/fire dispatcher for the county west of me.
FreqNout
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I do not have to guess. I know my system well enough to understand who is talking. The P25RX is a great tool in my toolbox. It is probably not a good choice for everyone. It is a mystery to me why some seem to blindly bash a great product they have no direct experience in owning. Enjoy your hobby, life is short.
west-pac
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Use what you have and try the tips and tricks listed above on the links, or buy an SDS200. Don't bother buying anything else. Everything else is subpar to the SDS200, and keeps you in the category you are already in. Personally, I would play with the location and antenna on your 106, and try as many tips or tricks as possible before I bought an SDS200.
I also wouldn't buy an SDS100 handheld scanner due to all of the quality control issues that are found and can be discussed on dozens of other threads.
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I do not own one for the reason I stated not blindly it just does not fit my needs it does for you.
FreqNout
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Getting back to the Simulcast topic.. The P25RX and P25RX-II are both high performing simulcast rigs. As I said, they are not for everyone. Enjoy the radio of your choice and have fun.
Edit: There is a Blue Tail Tech forum here on RR for those truly interested getting facts about the P25RX and P25RX-II performance in simulcast areas.
Edit: There is a Blue Tail Tech forum here on RR for those truly interested getting facts about the P25RX and P25RX-II performance in simulcast areas.
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I'm not sure if I'm missing something but using Free Scan, I programmed my 996P2 for the Cobb County simulcast system but only loaded the tower nearest me into the radio. No issues what so ever, in fact it sounds better than my department mobile XTL5000.
Hi & welcome to the RR forums. Freescan support for the 996P2 is "experimental" as indicated on their downloads page & there hasn't been an update in well over 6 years. If issues persist, I'd recommend using Proscan instead. 30-day free trial and then $50.00 gets you licenses for two computers. Best programming app for supported Unidens bar none IMHO!
Fwiw the 436 with latest firmware I had no issues on the Albuquerque simulcast system. But sds series is preferred by most.
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