Tech1
Member
Also not every agency in my County has gone to Trunked, there is still a lot to listen on Analog Conventional and a lot of Businesses can't afford Trunked Radios. I have other scanners that cover those radio systems.
BCD325P2/BCD996P2: This scanner radio is confusing
- Thread starter Tech1
- Start date
- Status
Tech1
Member
I monitor NYSP, County Sheriff, Local PD's, County 911 Dispatch, County Fire, EMS, Hospital Security, Local Mall, Motels and Hotels, School Buses and School System, Businesses, Railroad, etc.
From time to time I research all the local frequencies using the DataBase on this web site.
From time to time I research all the local frequencies using the DataBase on this web site.
Dumbest idea ever .. it is called read the manual.
It would be but you can mmost likely do just as well here on the forums....
If not better...
does anyone know whether the BCD996P2 will work with FREESCAN? i just ordered one. I have my BCD396XT and a freescan file for it. wondering if i can share that file or at least use freescan to download from radioref to the 996P2?
SOFA_KING
Member
Yes. Although the software website says use the beta version for the P2. Looking at it, I would guess you could load your XT file right in. The only difference may be in the section creating X2 type systems.
Congrats on the 996P2! Been enjoying mine all morning.
Phil
thanks Phil. u think i need mess with the beta of freescan? hate to download another version. i have wanted this scanner for a long time. no out of box issues like the 536 and 436. not portable though.
SOFA_KING
Member
Maybe not, as long as you are not loading phase II systems. Just bang it in and see what happens. I bet it will work. If not, wipe it clean, get the beta version, try opening the XT file, and then blast it in. But I bet it will work as is. I see all the screens in FreeScan reference the XT all over the place. Looks like one program does all...save the x36 scanners.
You're going to love that 996P2! I love mine. It is the only scanner that I can tolerate listening to my county TRS. The sound quality is just right. Other scanners just don't do that system any justice, although the system itself is weak and has a noisy "hiss" to it. The hiss doesn't come through on this 996P2, but it sounds fuller and still has clarity. Priority on my TRS is also really working well to keep the fire calls and Air Rescue on top of the list (not missing a thing!). And that nice clear bold-text color display...what can I say? It's eye and ear candy. You're going to love it.
Enjoy!
Phil
Update is effortless. I'm using FreeSCAN 2.18-beta5 325 and 996 p2, no complaints.
Have on an old XP , Vista and 2 Win10 machines - running it on all with no issues.
Have on an old XP , Vista and 2 Win10 machines - running it on all with no issues.
Last edited:
SOFA_KING
Member
...one more comment about the 996P2...
The little things that make a big difference in actual performance can't be overstated. Besides priority scan, which the HP-x scanners don't have, being able to boost the volume a little on high priority channels (like fire dispatch), and setting delay longer on channels with more important content, makes usability much better than if you didn't have these features. It really makes a big difference. And for whatever reason, I think this 996P2 scans channels/systems, and locks onto radio traffic faster than the x36 scanners. It may not have everything the x36 has, but it's a good scanner for what I purchased it for. Fits the bill perfectly.
P
EDIT: And don't forget to put your most important groups and channels first. This way priority puts these in first preference order, as do non-priority channels. Scanning channels in order of importance gives the more desired channels first shot. This is especially important on trunked systems. You only get one talkgroup lock on a scan pass, unless priority takes over. Then you get more. I wouldn't recommend over-issuing priority channels though. I did that once on all the main dispatch channels and never heard anything else! (laughs)
The little things that make a big difference in actual performance can't be overstated. Besides priority scan, which the HP-x scanners don't have, being able to boost the volume a little on high priority channels (like fire dispatch), and setting delay longer on channels with more important content, makes usability much better than if you didn't have these features. It really makes a big difference. And for whatever reason, I think this 996P2 scans channels/systems, and locks onto radio traffic faster than the x36 scanners. It may not have everything the x36 has, but it's a good scanner for what I purchased it for. Fits the bill perfectly.
P
EDIT: And don't forget to put your most important groups and channels first. This way priority puts these in first preference order, as do non-priority channels. Scanning channels in order of importance gives the more desired channels first shot. This is especially important on trunked systems. You only get one talkgroup lock on a scan pass, unless priority takes over. Then you get more. I wouldn't recommend over-issuing priority channels though. I did that once on all the main dispatch channels and never heard anything else! (laughs)
Last edited:
thanks for the detailed information on the 996P2. i have been wanting this scanner for a long time and said i would pull the trigger before xmas, so that's what i did. hope i dont miss any black friday blowouts on it. i got it for $348 new and free shipping. i dont think anyone can beat that. your details make me feel good about my purchase. like u, if i also want an X36 scanner, i will buy one. why not have them all. lol. i like the screen on the P2 and have found no known issues with it, only positive reviews. be here weds or fri. will make a video and put on youtube. check my channel, its on my profile. thanks again
- Status
Similar threads
SDS100/SDS200:
FM Radio Broadcasts (SDS100)
