Uniden BC355N for NYC-Area Use?

[FCV96]

Hello all. Being relatively new to the wonders of scanning, I had a few questions pertaining to my circumstances. I currently reside in the Queens, NY area and am rather interested in picking up NYPD transmissions through a scanner. I'd prefer something desktop-based and was interested in the Uniden BC355N scanner. It seems basic enough with no extra frills.

Questions on this particular scanner:

-Would it be able to support frequencies in the NYPDs 470-480 frequency range?
-Would an external speaker be recommended to use in conjunction with it?

That is it, and thank you for taking the time to read this query.


BC355N LINK - Uniden Bearcat BC355N Police Scanner

 

[w2lie]

I use a BC350A for "Simple" scanning. Ex, I put my town's Fire Department, and their Mutual Aid departments in that radio, as well as Police Aviation.

The 350 series (in your case the 355n) are very low end mobile radios by Uniden that are for those people who just want to push 'Highway', 'Police', 'Weather' buttons and hope that the radio finds what they are looking for.

My suggestion for you is to upgrade now, and put the money towards a much better scanner. You can still sit around the $200 mark with a PRO-163, GRE PSR-410, or the Uniden BC15XT.

I have a comparison chart of scanners I recommend here: http://www.monitorlongisland.com/scanners

If you need any help choosing between those radios, please let me know. If you decide to pick one from the list, and need help programming it, I can help you with that as well.

Good luck on your new scanner purchase.

 

[dispatcher812]

I use a BC350A for "Simple" scanning. Ex, I put my town's Fire Department, and their Mutual Aid departments in that radio, as well as Police Aviation.

The 350 series (in your case the 355n) are very low end mobile radios by Uniden that are for those people who just want to push 'Highway', 'Police', 'Weather' buttons and hope that the radio finds what they are looking for.

My suggestion for you is to upgrade now, and put the money towards a much better scanner. You can still sit around the $200 mark with a PRO-163, GRE PSR-410, or the Uniden BC15XT.

I have a comparison chart of scanners I recommend here: http://www.monitorlongisland.com/scanners

If you need any help choosing between those radios, please let me know. If you decide to pick one from the list, and need help programming it, I can help you with that as well.

Good luck on your new scanner purchase.

I agree, while those type of scanner are nice and simple, I found it a little frustrating to program since it is not direct programmable. I currently use a BC350A for my feed. I have seen the BCT15X on amazon for around $170. It is direct programmable meaning you don't need any software to do it. Turn it on, follow the instructions and you are good to go. The BCT15 also has Alpha tags so you can "see" who you are listening to. Good luck and enjoy it.

 

[jaymatt1978]

UGH!! No PL/DPL decode right there is a nonstarter. For what you 're into I agree you don't need trunking nor digital decode. I can also live without alpha tags. Howeve with the newer narrowband splits scanner manufacturers NEED to make PL/DPL decode standard! To me this is a MAJOR FAIL on Uniden's part. A scanner these days without PL/DPL is equalvilent to not having power windows and locks or digital tuning AM/FM radios on cars in the past 15 years (I would say 20 but I'd be really dating myself) adding a PL/DPL board ISN'T going to break the bank to build these scanners and Uniden has enough other money making scanners, let alone the other products they make. I'd be really curious on UPMans take on this topic, I'd especially
Bottom line Uniden needs to make the BC125AT into a mobile unit!!

 

[FCV96]

Now that you've mentioned it, the Uniden Bearcat BCT15X looks rather good. It has just about everything that I'd ever need/want, save for digital capability, though I doubt I'd be using that anytime soon. How is the documentation on it?; is the manual as useless as the other Uniden radios?

And in that case, is the GRE PSR-410 also directly programmable, like the BCT15X, to where I wouldn't have to worry about software for the PC?


GRE PSR 410 - http://www.scannermaster.com/GRE_PSR_410_Police_Scanner_p/30-501607.htm

Uniden Bearcat BCT15X - http://www.scannermaster.com/Uniden_Bearcat_BCT15X_Police_Scanner_Radio_p/10-501359.htm

 

[GTR8000]

I have a PSR-410 and BC396XT (the handheld version of the BCT15X). I recommend the Uniden over the GRE, especially in the city.

The GRE has a terrible front end, and is very susceptible to overload in high RF environments. Both are directly programmable, but the Uniden comes with a programming cable in the box (serial connection, so you'll need a USB to serial converter if your PC lacks a serial port, about $10...vs $30+ for the GRE cable), and FreeSCAN is (as the name implies) free programming software to download and use with the Uniden (it's very good software with good support by a member of this site).

The documentation is basically non-existent with the Uniden, but the GRE's manual isn't so hot either. In either case you're much better off referring to the Easier to Read online guides to get going. Of course you're better off programming with a PC, which as noted above you can basically do right out of the box with the Uniden. There is no free software available for the GRE, so you're looking at $50 minimum for the cable and software, vs at most $10 for the Uniden if you need a USB to serial converter.

Easier to Read BCT15-X Scanner Manual

 

[FCV96]

I have a PSR-410 and BC396XT (the handheld version of the BCT15X). I recommend the Uniden over the GRE, especially in the city.

The GRE has a terrible front end, and is very susceptible to overload in high RF environments. Both are directly programmable, but the Uniden comes with a programming cable in the box (serial connection, so you'll need a USB to serial converter if your PC lacks a serial port, about $10...vs $30+ for the GRE cable), and FreeSCAN is (as the name implies) free programming software to download and use with the Uniden (it's very good software with good support by a member of this site).

The documentation is basically non-existent with the Uniden, but the GRE's manual isn't so hot either. In either case you're much better off referring to the Easier to Read online guides to get going. Of course you're better off programming with a PC, which as noted above you can basically do right out of the box with the Uniden. There is no free software available for the GRE, so you're looking at $50 minimum for the cable and software, vs at most $10 for the Uniden if you need a USB to serial converter.

Easier to Read BCT15-X Scanner Manual

Thanks very much for your help; you've just about decided it for me. I'm already somewhat familiar with Freescan and have a serial-to-USB adapter in mind. The link for the easier to read manual is also greatly appreciated. - Definitely going to choose the Uniden.

 

[w2lie]

The GRE 410 is much easier to program. That radio uses a 'list' and you pick and chose the scan 'banks' or 'lists' to put each frequency and talk group into.

The Uniden uses Hierarchy of System, Group, Frequency/Tg. you can have multiple groups on a system. You can have multiple systems in a "bank" (System Keys).

Using software for both radios is the EASIEST way to go. If you decide you need someone to take care of the programming for you, please let me know. I'm located in Nassau County and have done a load of these scanners for the area.

Additionally, if you are just getting into scanning, I would like to invite you to Ham Radio University - Ham Radio University It is the 2nd Sunday of January 2013 (and every year for that matter). I will be giving a Scanner Radio forum at 9am. This will be the same 'intro' class I have given for the last 2 years. I will be following it up with an 'advanced' class at 10am. This will be the first year of this class and it will be how to get more out of your radio with the help of software. Think along the lines of DSDecode, Unitrunker, BuTel, ProScan, etc.

Enjoy your new scanner.

 

[scannerman5555]

the BC 346 XT scanner is good too ! BC346 XT on sale Police Scanner Radios Holiday Packages web site right now !

 

[FCV96]

The GRE 410 is much easier to program. That radio uses a 'list' and you pick and chose the scan 'banks' or 'lists' to put each frequency and talk group into.

The Uniden uses Hierarchy of System, Group, Frequency/Tg. you can have multiple groups on a system. You can have multiple systems in a "bank" (System Keys).

Using software for both radios is the EASIEST way to go. If you decide you need someone to take care of the programming for you, please let me know. I'm located in Nassau County and have done a load of these scanners for the area.

Additionally, if you are just getting into scanning, I would like to invite you to Ham Radio University - Ham Radio University It is the 2nd Sunday of January 2013 (and every year for that matter). I will be giving a Scanner Radio forum at 9am. This will be the same 'intro' class I have given for the last 2 years. I will be following it up with an 'advanced' class at 10am. This will be the first year of this class and it will be how to get more out of your radio with the help of software. Think along the lines of DSDecode, Unitrunker, BuTel, ProScan, etc.

Enjoy your new scanner.

Thanks a bunch for the information, offers, etc. Quick question though; I plan to use the supplied serial cable with a serial-to-usb adapter [correct chipset]; what would I do about PC drivers - will Windows 7 find them automatically or is there a specific place in which they are available?

 

[GTR8000]

It depends on what chipset the serial to USB converter uses. If it's a Prolific chip (same one the Uniden USB cable uses), W7 drivers are available on their website. It's pretty straightforward.

Also for the record, I find programming the PSR-410 from the keypad annoying and less than ideal. The Uniden DMA architecture is much more flexible than the GRE Object Oriented memory. The little bit of effort it takes to get used to the Uniden DMA is worth it in the long run.

 

[FCV96]

It depends on what chipset the serial to USB converter uses. If it's a Prolific chip (same one the Uniden USB cable uses), W7 drivers are available on their website. It's pretty straightforward.

Also for the record, I find programming the PSR-410 from the keypad annoying and less than ideal. The Uniden DMA architecture is much more flexible than the GRE Object Oriented memory. The little bit of effort it takes to get used to the Uniden DMA is worth it in the long run.

Thank you for the help; the adapter I was looking into was this one for reference, and it does use a Prolific PL2303HX chipset. Have the drivers set to download when necessary.

Amazon.com: Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset): Computers & Accessories

 

[GTR8000]

I'm going to personally recommend you go with the TRENDnet instead. This is the one I use, and it's flawless, well built. It's also cheaper than the one you were looking at. Just note that the newer version is white, not blue.

Amazon.com: TRENDnet USB to RS-232 Serial Converter TU-S9 (White): Electronics

 

[msradell]

Thank you for the help; the adapter I was looking into was this one for reference, and it does use a Prolific PL2303HX chipset. Have the drivers set to download when necessary.

Amazon.com: Plugable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter (Prolific PL2303HX Rev D Chipset): Computers & Accessories

I don't have any experience with that particular adapter but you definitely want to purchase one with a Prolific chipset. They're much more stable and compatible.