So I'm thinking ...

[Chaos703]

I'm thinking of buy a BCD396T (handheld) and two BC-RH96 control heads, one for my truck and one for my motorcycle.

This way I'll have all my programming in one scanner that I can take anywhere with me PLUS enjoy the benefits of a mounted mobile.

Has anyone tried the control head with the handheld? And tips, thoughts or warnings?

 

[freqscout]

They work seamlessly if you have the firmware upgrade on the handheld. The part that isn't so hot is that the remote head does not provide audio. If it did then I would probablymore enjoy that config. If you plug in a remote speaker to the 396 it has a tendency to be quiet or loudly distorted, mostly because the port is designed for a headset instead of a speaker. My advice would be to pick up an amplified speaker and a mobile power adapter. By the time you hook everything up then your 396 looks more like an octopus than a scanner.

If you do not have a handheld or the program files yet then I would be more apt to push you towards a mobile, the BCT-15 (since p25 is more rare in OK) or 996. The GPS data can be added and you do not have to bother with removing the antenna on the HH which can be taxing to your connector. The HH's just aren't designed for the mobile wear and tear. The plugs seem to wear out faster when you are using a HH. So my advice is mobile first. I used my 396 for a stint. The scanning results were fine, I just don't want to damage the expensive unit.

Then you could later add a 396.

 

[woodyrr]

I'll echo freqscout's comments.

I have a 396 and a remote head, and with the exception of the time that I took it to a RadioReference meeting for show and tell, the combination is used exclusively at home. I have not experienced audio problems using an external speaker, however. I use a Motorola speaker that comes with their mobile radios with excellent results.

Like freqscout, I would be very concerned about connector damage. I am only guessing, but I suspect that a motorcycle rides somewhat rougher than a car and that would probably be really tough on the connectors. The USB connector that connects the radio to the remote head doesn't lock, so keeping them plugged together might be a challenge.

For mobile use, I find the GPS functionality of the 996 to be almost better than sliced bread. With the rapidly expanding DPS system, it is better than sliced bread, on the other hand, that the 996 has the ability to share a single list of talkgroups among all sites of a SmartZone Trunked Radio System which the 396 will not do.

 

[freqscout]

I have not experienced audio problems using an external speaker, however. I use a Motorola speaker that comes with their mobile radios with excellent results.

I am using a Radioshack speaker that is mounted in the back seat. That contributes to the problem I am sure, however the audio output is only about 400 milliwatts on the 396 where the audio output on the 996 is 2.6 watts. The audio output is greatly improved in the mobile in my case.