Uniden and GRE, pay attention to this--

[n1das]

I don't know where to start....way too much information to digest in one sitting. The 396T and 996T are awesome. I have a 396T and love it and will eventually get a 996T. I also have a RS Pro-96 and a Uniden BC-250D (one of the first ones shipped in January '03).

Uniden and GRE keep striking out on 2 things that the digital scanners seriously need:

1. Proper P25/analog mixed mode scanning on conventional (non-trunked) channels: Currently on Uniden and GRE digital scanners, you can only decode and listen to P25 transmissions with PL/DPL decoding OFF. IOW, you can only listen to P25 transmissions in carrier squelch (CSQ) mode. This is "FM" mode on the GRE scanners. You lose all benefits of being able to listen in PL or DPL decode mode for analog transmissions on the same channel. The scanners aren't smart enough to override the PL/DPL decode setting if any P25 traffic is present, like a real P25 2-way radio does on a mixed P25/analog mode channel. I've had a few cases where I've had local interference or a birdie signal in the scanner on a channel that has mixed P25/analog traffic on it and I can't "ignore" it by using the PL or DPL decode feature. Uniden and GRE keep striking out in this area!

2. P25 NAC display/decode capability: Scanners need to have this capability, like PL and DPL display and decode for analog transmissions.

Even if Uniden and GRE choose NOT to implement P25 NAC decode capability, at least implement PROPER mixed P25/analog mode scanning! IOW, if ANY P25 traffic whatsoever is detected on a conventional channel, have the option of automatically overriding the PL/DPL decode setting so we can hear the P25 traffic but retain PL/DPL decode capability for analog traffic on the same channel!

It's painful to try to listen to a conventional mixed mode channel when you've got local interference or another department on the same channel and you can't "ignore" it by using the PL/DPL decode feature because you're forced to listen in CSQ-only to hear the P25 traffic.

Uniden and GRE, *PLEASE* implement PROPER P25/analog mixed-mode scanning on conventional channels like how a genuine APCO-25 2-way radio does!

 

[loumaag]

David, what do you think that Uniden/GRE ought to do about mixed mode conventional channels? :lol:

Seriously, it is a problem but at least when you get that 996T there will be a work around, since it can be set for only P25 you can get rid of that birdie. And if you really have a mixed mode conventional channel, then all you need to do is program it twice: once with P25 and once with the proper PL/DPL.

 

[Universaldecoder]

Ideas from other devices....

In my prior post I expressed the idea of placing a GPS chipset in the scanner itself....

So here are two devices that have done this already......

http://www.escortradar.com/9500i-inside-look.htm#q1 This is to give you an idea of how big the chipset is

http://www.garmin.com/products/rino530/

More pictures of GPS engine boards to give you an idea of how small these things are. Plenty of space in a BCD996T or Pro 2096...

http://www.usglobalsat.com/category.asp?catid=5

I'm really impressed by Garmin's Rhino 530. Heck, it's not that far away from being a scanner with a built in GPS. To boot, it's a handheld too. It'd be kool if you could actually see public safety locations instead of your buddy. Hint hint.....BCD496T????

 

[Universaldecoder]

Alternatives...to an SD Slot

One alternative would be using an existing device such as a....

1. PDA
2. Cellphone
3. Smartphone
4. SD card read/write device
5. Ipod/MP3 Player


With each device, software would have to be written that will allow the user to view listings of memory files/system files/profiles/vCards etc stored on that device; in addition, the software must allow the user to receive, delete, and send system/vCard files. In this case the software would reside in the device itself. Otherwise, the scanner would have to read the device, so this means that the scanner would then need the software functionality (ie in firmware or possibly a firmware upgrade to existing mobile units). The scanner would basically treat these devices as external memory devices.

Also an interface cable would be needed.

So an example scenerio would be.......

Roadtrip: Michigan to Disney World
1. I spend 4 months programming a load of systems and groups for a vacation/road trip to Disney World....40,000 channels???? Starting from Michigan, I would create systems/groups of major cities and stopovers we would be passing through.

2. I save the system files on my wifes 4gb Nanopod.

3. I bring along the Nanopod, and an interface cable (Ipod to BCD996T).

4. Now I have the convience of carrying all that info on a tiny Ipod, instead of a 2-4 lb laptop.

5. We stop to eat at a resturaunt off the interstate....after dinner I could either (A) pull out the laptop from a pile of luggage in the trunk, crossing my fingers that there is enough juice in the batteries, and that my motions are inconspicuous enough that I don't attract would be thiefs/muggers (lord knows this is a possibility!) in an unfamiliar place...or (B) I tell my wife to get her Nanopod out and delete and then load the following systems...as I drive off. Ahhhhh.....yes......convenience.....

 

[Turbo68]

I think its good for consumers to have a big choice of Radios because everyone is different when it comes to monitoring bands and as in my case I only listen to the Aircraft Bands but I can monitor Apco 25 but I am not intrested and I always take 2 Radios with me when I got somewhere and 1 of those Radios has to be a wideband receiver and I do like all my Radios and I would not change anything in them and the reason I say that because I am not a technical person and I beleive at the end of the day if you dont have a good antenna you are not going to hear much at all.

Regards Lino (Melbourne Australia)ALINCO-DJX2000E,AOR-3000A,AOR-8200MK3,ICOM-R5,ICOM-R20,ICOM-PCR1000 W/DSP,ICOM-R2500 W/DSP & UT-122 APCO 25 DIGITAL BOARD,ICOM-R9000,ICOM-R9500,MAYCOM-AR108,UNIDEN-245,UNIDEN-780,UNIDEN-396,UNIDEN-996,UNIDEN-BCT15,UNIDEN-3500,RADIO SHACK-PRO96,REALISTIC-2035,YAESU-VR500,YAESU-VR5000,YAESU-VX7R.

 

[Utah_Viper]

So an example scenerio would be.......

Roadtrip: Michigan to Disney World
1. I spend 4 months programming a load of systems and groups for a vacation/road trip to Disney World....40,000 channels???? Starting from Michigan, I would create systems/groups of major cities and stopovers we would be passing through.

2. I save the system files on my wifes 4gb Nanopod.

3. I bring along the Nanopod, and an interface cable (Ipod to BCD996T).

4. Now I have the convience of carrying all that info on a tiny Ipod, instead of a 2-4 lb laptop.

5. We stop to eat at a resturaunt off the interstate....after dinner I could either (A) pull out the laptop from a pile of luggage in the trunk, crossing my fingers that there is enough juice in the batteries, and that my motions are inconspicuous enough that I don't attract would be thiefs/muggers (lord knows this is a possibility!) in an unfamiliar place...or (B) I tell my wife to get her Nanopod out and delete and then load the following systems...as I drive off. Ahhhhh.....yes......convenience.....

Great Idea and all I still think that a SD card would be even more convenient. You can get 1gig SD cards for $50 and the fit in your wallet even.

 

[safetyobc]

Great Idea and all I still think that a SD card would be even more convenient. You can get 1gig SD cards for $50 and the fit in your wallet even.

I agree. I bought 2 of the 1 GB SD cards on Black Friday for $13 each!!!

 

[Universaldecoder]

Another alternative....

SD Slot vs Existing Memory Device......

It was another alternative for the manufacturers to ponder upon, I figure an SD slot will require more R&D versus designing an interface cable and writing program code (aka firmware upgrade) to allow the use of an external memory device. Plus it would have the potential to be applicable to existing units.

 

[Universaldecoder]

Total fun......

How about this….using the BCD996T as an example……the equation would be

BCD996T + Doppler Direction Finder….and I picture getting something like this….

1. This would be a hardware and firmware upgrade, so the model number would probably change to BCDxxxxT.
2. A 4 piece antenna array would have to be offered as an accessory….

So the scenario would be as follows…..

On this new BCD996T you would have the following button marked “GPS/DDF”. Pushing on it once changes the screen to the existing GPS screen like in the current units. Pushing it a second time brings up a new screen and a new feature……the Doppler Direction Finder feature.

Basically you’ll have a screen that looks like a compass. There will be a directional arrow that can rotate 360 deg. Center and Top of the screen will be referenced to the car’s heading (GPS). So what is a Doppler Direction Finder? Well the way it would work for the user……. When the squelch is broken by received transmission…the arrow would turn to point in the direction of the source. Simple huh!

Essentially, we’ll be taking the following

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=DDF1

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/downloads/manuals/DDF1.pdf

and miniaturizing it to be incorporated into the scanner. The circle of directional LEDs and the huge housing would be replaced by the scanners LCD display. An additional external BNC connector would be needed for the antenna array.

Do these things work? You bet ya, I got one of the first kits. It’s a blast, and a great deal of fun. But it's a chore to set up.