The next Uniden scanner

[radio50]

I think it'd be just a firmware change to make the 996 display work in "3-line mode" like I show below. It could be an option to show the three lines (system/site - group - channel) at once rather than the alternating view. I'd also like Bluetooth audio for mobile use (clearly a hardware change).

 

[adamr368]

GPS Radii

In the scenario you describe, I use a single set of coordinates centered on the zone's intended coverage area with a range sufficient to cover all areas of site coverage).

I tried that with my 996T and felt the coverage was very limited due to the lack of ability to fine-tune the gps settings. My 996XT should be here on Tuesday and I will dig up my coordinate mappings and try it again since I will be able to more granularly adjust the ranges. However, in the spirit of the thread, I do feel that the option to enter the various tower coordinates would be a good feature for a future model

 

[gary123]

I'm seeing a disturbing trend with these new scanners. Hopefully, new scanners will have a keypad !

A keypad is esential or at least for basic info entry. With the ability to name Talkgroups, systems, towers even individual users (on the latest models) software based programming is the only real way to go. Also without a full keypad this leaves more rooom on the unit for a larger display. Perhaps a touch screen would be a good compromise.

 

[MarMatthias]

I'm seeing a disturbing trend with these new scanners. Hopefully, new scanners will have a keypad !

I agree there... Its weird to have a scanner that looks and feels like an MP3 player...

 

[kb9hgi]

i would like to see them go broke and no more dumb HP-1
I'm still soar they go from one scanner to the next and leave us hanging with a 996XT which was said to have features added and they did not and come out with this touch screen peice of crap. The way things are going people can't keep just putting out money for scanners at the price they are at. I know I can't!

 

[jaymatt1978]

Also if I'm not mistaken you NEED A COMPUTER to programm the HP-1 even if you know the frequency! I'm not saying make it easier to pr ogram say an entire trunk system, but you should be able quckly punch in one conventional frequency quickly without the bells and whistles of a PL/DPL or a NAC.

 

[Gilligan]

A hard-plastic, rugged casing like on a Motorola handheld
A black casing, not the attention-grabbing grey/silver

Dual receivers would be nice for fire tone-out
Bluetooth for using a cordless headset or speakerphone
Automatic digital recording of the last several minutes
4 AA batteries (2x2) instead of 3 for longer battery use
Enough TGs per system to cover largest statewide systems
Stock BNC connector instead of the SMA connector
Show CloseCall results immediately instead of Press Any Key

New Idea: A special jack on the scanner that delivers power, data, audio, & antenna connection. It could plug simply into the scanner and by way of maybe a 6-foot cord, plug into a small adaptor box which would house connections for all four. This would allow you to simply have one cable going to the scanner in a permanent install in a vehicle or at a desk, etc. It could plug into the side of the radio (like Motorola speaker-mics) or the top/back.

 

[W6KRU]

A scanner that gives control back to the owner. The major settings should not be automatic without a possibility of manual changes. See the GRE expert settings for examples.

 

[APXguru1]

I'll be honest, I would like to have a handheld TV like remote to operate the 996XT. Have all the basic functions on the remote and such. Especially Volume controls and L/O (temp). I'm sure its already been said but wanted to throw it out there...Nothing like being on the other side of the room, hearing a working fire go out...have to get up...go turn the scanner up...sit down...then PD covers the call...stand back up...go back over to the scanner...L/O that channel...blah blah blah...Make a remote, save us hassle

 

[tampabaynews]

I'll be honest, I would like to have a handheld TV like remote to operate the 996XT. Have all the basic functions on the remote and such. Especially Volume controls and L/O (temp). I'm sure its already been said but wanted to throw it out there...Nothing like being on the other side of the room, hearing a working fire go out...have to get up...go turn the scanner up...sit down...then PD covers the call...stand back up...go back over to the scanner...L/O that channel...blah blah blah...Make a remote, save us hassle

Does it make me lazy due to the fact I love this idea? ;-)

 

[mharris]

We definitely need a unit with a MIL810 spec that has the durability for public safety and the audio to match!

Absolutly correct. If I cant use the scanner because im in a high rf enviorment then all the other features are useless. Please produce a commercial spec reciever, audio to match and a mil spec case.

 

[nycap]

i love my 396t but realistic improvements uniden should make are: (1) a stronger more rugged case, my marine radio is waterproof, floats, and has GPS for a price of $180 so this should be in a $500 product; (2) better P25 reception, if i get 2 or 3 bars i should not be having that buzz coming in and out; (3) more storage per group especially for searching; (4) faster scan/search speed.

if these improvements were made i would buy a new one for up to $500. there is no way in hell i am shelling out 500 bucks for the HP which i made for someone who basically dosnt know anything about radios and doesnt care to learn. why would uniden think that such a person be willing to shell out 500 bucks for a scanner?

 

[KE4ZNR]

why would uniden think that such a person be willing to shell out 500 bucks for a scanner?

Because the electronics market has proved time and time again that
people will part with disposable income if the product desire is strong enough.

Look at Apple Ipads. People spending $699 and over for Ipads.

Seems to me that folks disagree with your statements as sales for the HP-1
have so far been great. And should Uniden roll out firmware update(s) with additional features for the HP-1 or XT line of radios down the road it will make great products that much better.
We just have to sit back and see what the future holds

Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[PCTEK]

Improvement

I'd like to see Uniden add the ability for the scanner to decode the 3, 6 and 9 burst DTMF tones that EMS and Fire Departments are now using in place of the old QC II. Then allow channels to be setup using these tones to open the squelch. Then we could program specific types of "ring down" (single station, full assignment, etc.) into the scanner.

 

[jeffreyinberthoud]

At the risk of TMI
How about the sceen show .....................

alpha tag
freq
PL FOR CON.
talk group for DIGITAL OR TRUNK SYSTEMS
all at same time


ALSO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LIGHTEN UP
THE BLUE AND RED LED painful

system hold and or group hold would be very cool in adition to site hold
like if you have a large fire in a certain city it will just scan those few freqs with out having to reprogram and lock out a bunch

Last and most important how about some
sort of ANTENNA UPGRADE
surly there is something better than a plain rubber duck?
what about dual sticks like one for 25-150-450 one for 700-800-12

​

 

[SCPD]

Follow patches on P25 system properly. Display alpha tag, frequencies, tg/pl tone/nac, and mode all at the same time. Delay set by channel not system. More channels per system. Detachable control head for mobile. Either BNC or Male SMA. Better sound quility from the speaker. Have all setting options available (no hidden menus). Black ruggadized case. Speaker on top of the mobile/base unit. Easier to program by hand. Mix mode P25, program both nac and pl/dpl tone on the same channel.

 

[nycap]

Follow patches on P25 system properly. Display alpha tag, frequencies, tg/pl tone/nac, and mode all at the same time. Delay set by channel not system. More channels per system. Detachable control head for mobile. Either BNC or Male SMA. Better sound quility from the speaker. Have all setting options available (no hidden menus). Black ruggadized case.

YES. DISPLAY ALPHA TAGS AND NACS and user/tower ids! i should have thought of that. i shouldnt need a pc to get this information.

 

[WX4JCW]

i for one love the HP-1 it is great for general scanning and as a mobile unit nothing compares when traveling the country

 

[nycap]

i know its a good reveiver and ease of use was obviously what uniden had in mind when they creating it. i mean for somelike who isnt really into radios that much or dosnt have the time to learn about them its a great product. pull it out of the box and start monitoring. that being said i dont need uniden to put the frequencies in for me. anyone that studies scanning knows that there are errors in the database on this website. i and I the ability to search and store without a pc. HP just takes to much control of the receiver out of the users hands for my taste. I will stick with my 396T.

i said it before and ill say it again: along with the 396T and XT, it is not rugged enough. It is very inexpensive to make a rugged waterproof case for the receiver. and for me, someone who is outdoors alot, that is very important. when i go boating or hiking i have to put my 396T in a ziplock back like a freakin cell phone. I mean come on, a handheld is ment to be handled outdoors and someitmes in poor conditions. why shouldnt it be shockproof and waterproof?

 

[FDNY10-75]

They recently posted on their facebook page to stay tuned for a new scanner...