Uniden 396T/RH96 Combo

[cowand]

Dear Forum,
I am in the process in getting ready to order a Uniden Digital 396 scanner, with the RH96 remote head. I have a few questions I would like to clarify before I make any purchases. The scanner will be placed in my center console of my Ford Expedition while in use in the vehicle. I will mount a clip on the side of the interior console for the scanner to be mounted to while mobile. I will have a hole-mount monitor antenna from Larsen (Must have Black in color) on the roof. I will be monitoring anywhere from 37MHz to 900MHz. I have no clue on which adapter to use for the co-ax to scanner, or if there is a crimp on adapter the will go directly into the scanner. Should I use solid center, or braided center co-ax? All the power, antenna, and data cable will be run into the console as well. The RH96 head will be mounted just below the A/C control in a void area. I just want to make sure there are no gimmicks that I am going to have to deal with regarding the aforementioned scenario.

So in summary:
1) Solid or braided center co-ax? Does anyone have a certain brand that is better for scanners?

2) Is there a crimp-on adapter that will work with the co-ax I will be using?

3) Have there been problems using the RH96 with the Uniden 396T or XT?
3a) Will the 396XT even work with the RH96?

4) Anyone used this antenna?

Thanks in advance for any information.

Sincerely,



Cowand

 

[Eng74]

I can let you know about number 3 and that is the 396T and the XT both work with the RH96 remote head. There is an update for the RH96 that you will need to do to work with the XT. I have not had any problems with any radio and the RH96.

 

[Dewey]

The antenna questions are more dependent one which antenna you are getting. My Larsen uses the NMO mount. For NMO, I've always like the Antenna Specialists brass NMO mount with Teflon coax (Google "MABDB"). Going "way out there" for a mobile scanner installation, like using Belden 9913, just doesn't seem normal to me, but maybe I'm the one that's not normal.

Dewey

 

[cowand]

Yes I am talking about the NMO. I have installed one of these before, but did not get the chance to monitor many bands before it went out.

Ok here is the Tessco antenna page (only Larsen on there):
Antennas, Mobile, Monitor Antennas | TESSCO 800 472 7373

 

[rvictor]

So in summary:
1) Solid or braided center co-ax? Does anyone have a certain brand that is better for scanners?

2) Is there a crimp-on adapter that will work with the co-ax I will be using?

3) Have there been problems using the RH96 with the Uniden 396T or XT?
3a) Will the 396XT even work with the RH96?

4) Anyone used this antenna?

1. Braided will be easier to work with, especially if you have lots of twists and turns to make. RG-58 is common for vehicle installations where the run length is fairly short so losses don't get out of hand.

2. I'd use a crimp-on BNC connector connected to the adapter that comes with the radio that converts to SMA.

3. Yes, with the firmware update. Keep in mind that the remote head doesn't control power to the scanner nor does it contain a speaker, so you will have to deal with those issues.

4. Yes in their mag mount. Very pleased with the results.

Dick

 

[cowand]

I plan on installing the speaker under the passenger seat with all the other speakers to my two-way mobiles.

I would like to know how loud the speaker is compaired to a standard motorola mobile. I might have to amplify it somehow.

 

[cowand]

While looking around on Google I found some SMA male crimp connectors that might crimp directly on to the co-ax for the BC396 scanner. As previously stated, I am going to install a roof antenna (hole mount) on my vehicle and I want to weed out the adapter to lessen the loss. Does anyone have any recommendations or have tried this?

Here’s what I have found so far:

http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=416579&eventPage=1

http://www.wifi-antennas.co.uk/index.php?target=products&product_id=58

http://www.wpsantennas.com/rsa-3000-ccsma58smamalecrimpforrg-58lmr-195cable.aspx

Thanks!

 

[rvictor]

I might have to amplify it somehow.

If you amplify it, you may want to take a look at this thread.

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/uniden-scanners/141725-bcd396xt-audio-popping-solved.html

I think the SMA connector and avoiding the adapter would be fine if you aren't going to be connecting and disconnecting it frequently. My feeling is that if I were going to be doing it frequently, I'd want to protect the SMA connector in the radio by using the adapter and taking the slight loss.

Dick

 

[cowand]

Thanks for all the good resource and any additional information is absolutely welcome!

-Daniel