Uniden 246T versus Radio Shack Pro 95 ??

[squale]

Okay I can get the Pro 95 for $130 or the Uniden for about $200. What do you think is the better scanner?

is it worth the extra money going for the newer Uniden model? I mainly want to pick up airband and also need the 40-55Mhz range for local fire and police. I DON'T need digital as there are really no digital frequencies around me. I am mainly concerned with the scanner being very SENSITIVE and having good clear reception.. not picking up a lot of interference..

Thanks

ps.. I was going to go with a base station unit but after doing more thinking, a handheld would certainly provide me with more use as I can take it around with me in the car, to race tracks, to air shows, and to the airport before flights..

 

[safetyobc]

I would go with the 246t. It is smaller and has the dynamic memory. Also close call is a great feature! And with rebanding coming the 246T is going to be upgradeable with a reflash to be able to track the analog moto systems. The size is a great asset! I had a 250D before I got the 246T and now I find myself taking the 246t everywhere just because it is less noticable. In my opinion, the 246t is worth every cent! Also, I recommend getting the software to program the scanner, it makes life easier. Either the Uniden or the ARC246 software will do the job. I have the ARC software, and I love it.


Just research each one and decide which one you want. Good Luck!

 

[squale]

well actually I just came across the Radio Shack Pro-97 for $200. This is also Triple Trunking and looks to do everything the 246T does.. is that true? Plus the Pro-97 gets the Military aircraft band and the 246T DOES NOT...

which of these is the better scanner?

what is dynamic memory btw?

 

[safetyobc]

The close call on the 246 and the signal stalker on the Pro97 are different. If I read it right, you can't use scanning and signal stalker at the same time on the 97. You can use close call and scan with the 246. However, you are right about the Mil-Air on the 97. I have a 246 and am saving for a 96 because I am going to need digital soon, but if I weren't buying the 96, I would almost definately buy the 97. But I already have a 246 and don't have to choose. Choosing between the 97 and 246 would be tough, but the way the memory is on the 246 you can set it up so many different ways, it is going to be hard for me to use the 96 because I'll be restricted by banks again, at least until the BCD396T comes out later this summer. Also the 97 is selling from $150 + on ebay, you may get a good deal there.

 

[Dubbin]

squale you have been asking about all kinds of radios and to be honest with you, you are not going to get the response you are looking for by asking what the best is. You need to look at the features of each radio and decide for yourself which one will fit your needs the best. Try looking into buying more then one radio.

 

[squale]

can you explain how the signal stalker and close call features work? they seem to be very popular features and I'm not sure of their use and how one is better than the other?

what scanner do you think has the better sensitivity?

and what scanner is newer? when did they both come out to the public for sale?

 

[oregontreehugger]

The Uniden and Radio Shack forums each have sticky threads on the BC246T and Pro-97, along with a lot of other radios. A lot of people have posted their opinions and short reviews that are good reading.

Close call is a near-field receiver that basically picks up radios if they are talking nearby. When it gets a "hit" it will show the frequency, the CTCSS tone (if any), and allow you to listen to the transmission.

The Pro-95 is getting a little long in the tooth now. Hence the $130 clearance at Radio Shack. The BC246T came out late last year, and the Pro-97 was just released.

It all boils down to what you need for your area, and the amount of money you're comfortable spending. I bought a BC246T and have been nothing but happy with it. Others prefer the Pro-97. And still others have a Pro-95 they're happy with. And there's others that don't have any of the three.

 

[Voyager]

Okay I can get the Pro 95 for $130 or the Uniden for about $200. What do you think is the better scanner?

is it worth the extra money going for the newer Uniden model?

First, the PRO-97 is actually newer than the BC246T.

But, the BC246T costs 1/3 more. Yet, I believe it has more than a 1/3 advantage in features. Most notably, it's much smaller (it will easily fit and sit in a short pocket). It supports up to 2500 channels. You can put up to 200 systems in it. It comes with the programming cable (saving you $10-$30).

Well, you will get much more reading the threads on each scanner. They are stickeys at the top of the Uniden and GRE forums.

Joe M.

 

[squale]

Yeah the 246T does indeed seem to be the best handheld non-digital currently avaiable..

now if they just made a 246T that picked up Military Airband and FM Radio Stations I would be in heaven!

but I think I will still get the 246T over the Pro-97 as I think I will really like that Close-Call features and it seems to work way better than the RS Signal Stalker from what I have read..

what is the CHEAPEST possible online you guys have found this scanner?

 

[safetyobc]

what is the CHEAPEST possible online you guys have found this scanner?

http://www.bearcatscanner.com

$199.99 + $8.00 shipping = $207.99

I ordered my 250D from this guy and was a very good deal. Beat everybody by $50 at the time..

With the extra money saved vs buying the Pro97 with all accessories, pick up the ARC246 software....It will be well worth it.

http://www.scannermaster.com/store/...ry/va=sortbyc=d/va=scat=ARC246T - BC246T.html

You can download a demo and try it when you get your radio. Don't download it until you get the 246 because you can only open the software a set number of times before the demo runs out. http://www.butel.nl/

 

[oregontreehugger]

www.usascan.com

Had them for $214 including shipping. Might want to call various places before placing an order, though -- a lot of places are out of stock or backordered. The 246T is flying off the shelves.

 

[RocketMan1]

squale you have been asking about all kinds of radios and to be honest with you, you are not going to get the response you are looking for by asking what the best is. You need to look at the features of each radio and decide for yourself which one will fit your needs the best. Try looking into buying more then one radio.

He may not get the response you think he's looking for, but he will get some usefull input that may help him in deciding, it doesn't hurt to get as much info and suggestions from the "experts" as possible, what harm is it doing anyone what he asks and how often anyway? If he's anything like myself, with a VERY TIGHT budget, just the purchase of 1 scanner at any price is a HUGE purchase, and buying more than one (sorry for the choking sounds) is definitely out of the question. Let the man research in the way that makes him confortable, and feel good about his purchase.

 

[Dubbin]

He may not get the response you think he's looking for, but he will get some usefull input that may help him in deciding, it doesn't hurt to get as much info and suggestions from the "experts" as possible, what harm is it doing anyone what he asks and how often anyway? If he's anything like myself, with a VERY TIGHT budget, just the purchase of 1 scanner at any price is a HUGE purchase, and buying more than one (sorry for the choking sounds) is definitely out of the question. Let the man research in the way that makes him confortable, and feel good about his purchase.

RocketMan, doing research is fine but he wants someone to tell him what radio to get without do much research other then asking which one is the best and there is no answer to that.

edit: safetyobc try using www.tinyurl.com for those looooong url's so you dont make us lazy people scroll

 

[Voyager]

now if they just made a 246T that picked up Military Airband and FM Radio Stations I would be in heaven!

Prepare for heaven. No, I'm not making a threat - your wishes ARE going to come true.

BCD396T

Due out Late Summer

http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=17995

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD396T/

Pics on the Yahoo group in the pictures section.

Joe M.

 

[safetyobc]

edit: safetyobc try using www.tinyurl.com for those looooong url's so you dont make us lazy people scroll

I know how to do it, I am just lazy! :wink:

 

[squale]

lol yeah but that scanner is way expensive like $500+,,, I am on a tight budget, even $200 is really pushing it for me..

anyhow last night I picked up a Pro-97 from radio shack to try out and see what I can pick up at my house. Saddly not much, I think I definately will need an external antenna. I have been playing with the 97 quite a bit and got it's use down pretty well, except for Trunking stuff that is. Not a bad scanner I don't think, although the Signal Stalker is a bit lacking I think because it only lets you do All frequencies or Police/Fire, not anything you choose. Plus you can't be in normal scan mode while doing this..

question on the Squelch, this may be a dumb question, but when you turn Squelch up higher, you are actually cutting out more frequencies right? only getting the strongest frequencies when squelch is high?

I find that I turn the Squelch completely counter-clockwise and the radio is a constant hissing, then I turn slowly clockwise until the hissing stops and the radio starts scanning. This is the proper way of using squelch right?

would you ever put squelch all the way up? and how about the ATT button?

 

[Voyager]

lol yeah but that scanner is way expensive like $500+,,, I am on a tight budget, even $200 is really pushing it for me..

question on the Squelch, this may be a dumb question, but when you turn Squelch up higher, you are actually cutting out more frequencies right? only getting the strongest frequencies when squelch is high?

I find that I turn the Squelch completely counter-clockwise and the radio is a constant hissing, then I turn slowly clockwise until the hissing stops and the radio starts scanning. This is the proper way of using squelch right?

would you ever put squelch all the way up? and how about the ATT button?

If you want all the features, you have to pay for them.

Yes on the squelch operation. Turning it up eliminates picking up weak signals. The more you turn it up, the stronger the signal has to be to break the squelch.

I've put it up all the way when I know the signals I want to hear will be strong. The Attenuator can help reduce interference from other signals.

Joe M.

 

[squale]

I find that on civil airband there are LOTS of frequencies that will break the squelch but they sound all hissy and I can't hear any voices or anything, a lot of them almost sound like an airplanes engine running or something...

so by using the ATT button, does that also bypass weak signals? when would you typically use this button?


oh yeah, and another feature I have no idea what it does on the Pro-97 is called "Zeromatic" I can turn this on and off but don't hear any difference so I don't understand what it does. The owners manual isn't very specific either on this..

 

[Voyager]

so by using the ATT button, does that also bypass weak signals? when would you typically use this button?

oh yeah, and another feature I have no idea what it does on the Pro-97 is called "Zeromatic" I can turn this on and off but don't hear any difference so I don't understand what it does. The owners manual isn't very specific either on this..

The attenuator reduces all signals by about 20 dB. That means signals that are weak will not be received, but signals that are just above the attenuator level will become as weak as those you eliminated. It lowers the levels by about 20 dB - putting some below the squelch, and others just above it.

Zeromatic is only really useful on searches where the scanner may stop a step before the actual frequency in use. If you're on the right frequency, you won't hear any difference.

Joe M.