Uniden Bearcat BCD996P2(Brand New) Manufactured In 2023

[Bob1955]

Just wanted to share some information on above model:
Either Uniden America Corporations quality has gone downhill or something else as I have FreeScan set up professionally in the above scanner and I can receive everything better on Broadcastify versus this $389.99 piece of garbage. I took the digital squelch threshold off "Auto" and moved it to "8". I'm using all quick keys and have everything in here from conventional analog, digital conventional, trunking on Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, METRO-25/MMRS system for my villages of Eastchester/Bronxville/Tuckahoe which works great, all other digital is worse than models manufactured in 2019. This is NOT good for ANY digital frequiences in Westchester County EXCEPT METRO-25/MMRS. I guess I need to purchase a SDS200 and send this back to the place of purchase.
Any help would be appreciated.
Happy Easter Sunday to all Radioreference.Com members.

Stay Safe,
Bob (KB2GQK)

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

all other digital is worse than models manufactured in 2019.

So in other words you're saying you have a 996p2 manufactured in 2019 and are able to bring in what the 2023 model struggles with?

 

[Ronaldski]

This is a simulcast system, closer to a tower the better. Be sure not to program in the TE ones since they are encrypted.

Less antenna, the better. Even try the attenuator. Ideas to get it working better:

Tower locations

Westchester County (P25) Site: North Simulcast

Westchester County (P25) Site: North Simulcast Details

www.radioreference.com

Westchester County (P25) Site: South Simulcast

Westchester County (P25) Site: South Simulcast Details

www.radioreference.com

 

[Bob1955]

So in other words you're saying you have a 996p2 manufactured in 2019 and are able to bring in what the 2023 model struggles with?

Whiskey-Negative, sold one I had from 2019 and just bought a new one manufactured in 2023 as the serial number starts with a "3' after the (4) digit coding.
It struggles with P25 and yet I realize mostly everything is simulcasted here however, the METRO-25/MTA MRRS system on 700-800 MHz works perfectly EXCEPT Yorktown Police (just put in last night), instead of a GRP saying "3", and everything else has GRP 1-9. It just shows a star-what does that mean as Yorktown does not pick up at all.
Thanking you in advance.

Bob

 

[Bob1955]

This is a simulcast system, closer to a tower the better. Be sure not to program in the TE ones since they are encrypted.

Less antenna, the better. Even try the attenuator. Ideas to get it working better:

Tower locations

Westchester County (P25) Site: North Simulcast

Westchester County (P25) Site: North Simulcast Details

www.radioreference.com

Westchester County (P25) Site: South Simulcast

Westchester County (P25) Site: South Simulcast Details

www.radioreference.com

Thank you, Ronaldski and "seagravebuff", I'm sure you are a "Paid" firefighter and probably dislike volunteers (I'm New York State Exempt) and, I'll IGNORE your "dislike".

 

[tvengr]

I have FreeScan set up professionally in the above scanner and I can receive everything better on Broadcastify versus this $389.99 piece of garbage. I took the digital squelch threshold off "Auto" and moved it to "8"

Do you mean P25 Threshold? Try it on various values between 5 and 11 Manual. Squelch should be set at 2. What do you mean by having FreeSCAN set up professionally on the scanner. FreeSCAN just transfers files to the scanner. Did you have someone do a FreeSCAN file for you to program the scanner? Please attach the file so that we can take a look at it.

 

[cg]

There was someone in Connecticut who had the same issues last year with newer 996P2s. Sitting sided by side with an older one of the same model, the newer ones would not receive the same. Perhaps hardware changed during the Covid days?
I vaguely recall some FCC submissions for parts changes several years ago. Not sure if the 996P2 was involved

 

[sallen07]

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/BCD996P2FirmwareUpdate

There were two "housekeeping updates" in 2021 due to hardware changes.

 

[ka3aaa]

if you have a talk group in a system that isn't scanning and if the "*" is showing it it locked out and will not scan. hold on that system and scan that system and press the corresponding talk group number ( in your case the number 3) to re enable it so it will scan. at that point go back to your normal scanning.

 

[tvengr]

There was someone in Connecticut who had the same issues last year with newer 996P2s. Sitting sided by side with an older one of the same model, the newer ones would not receive the same. Perhaps hardware changed during the Covid days?
I vaguely recall some FCC submissions for parts changes several years ago. Not sure if the 996P2 was involved.

The BCD996P2 had a problem decoding digital frequencies in the 171.225-173.9875 MHz range. The Westchester County trunked system is UHF.

 

[wtp]

since you are not happy with it, send it back.

 

[tvengr]

If you have a DB9 null modem cable, you can clone the programming from a BCD996P2 that works to the one with problems using the rear connectors on the scanners. You will probably need a gender changer or 2 depending upon the cable. That will ensure that you have the same exact programming in both scanners. A firmware update corrected the VHF receive problem.

 

[tvengr]

Here is a FreeSCAN programming file for the Westchester County trunked system for you to try. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Open the extracted file with FreeSCAN and Upload Programming. You can try the P25 Threshold adjustment for your local area. Quick keys as follows:

WestchesterCo NY
SYSTEM QUICK KEYS:
1. Westchestr North (Site)
2. Westchestr South (Site)
GROUP QUICK KEYS:
1. WestCo Interop
2. WestCo Trunk Ops
3. WestCo Emerg Ops
4. WestCo Fire/EMS
5. WestCo Police
6. WestCo DOT/LLT

 

[trimmerj]

C

If you have a DB9 null modem cable, you can clone the programming from a BCD996P2 that works to the one with problems using the rear connectors on the scanners. You will probably need a gender changer or 2 depending upon the cable. That will ensure that you have the same exact programming in both scanners. A firmware update corrected the VHF receive problem.

Can the db9 connector on the be used instead of the USB on the front for programming? Usb Connector is gonna fail soon or later.

 

[62Truck]

So the issue is here you are trying to monitor simulcast systems in which it is well known that anything other then the SDS series or a unication will not always work with simulcast systems.

At the end of the day you bought the wrong tool for the job you're trying to do.

 

[tvengr]

Can the db9 connector on the be used instead of the USB on the front for programming? Usb Connector is gonna fail soon or later.

Yes! The DB9 connector can be used for programming also. You will need a null modem cable between the computer and DB9 connector. The front panel USB connector must be used for firmware updates.

 

[trimmerj]

Yes! The DB9 connector can be used for programming also. You will need a null modem cable between the computer and DB9 connector. The front panel USB connector must be used for firmware updates.

Good news. Thanks!

 

[tvengr]

Good news. Thanks!

Unless your computer has a serial port, you will also need a USB to RS-232 serial adapter.

 

[Bob1955]

Do you mean P25 Threshold? Try it on various values between 5 and 11 Manual. Squelch should be set at 2. What do you mean by having FreeSCAN set up professionally on the scanner. FreeSCAN just transfers files to the scanner. Did you have someone do a FreeSCAN file for you to program the scanner? Please attach the file so that we can take a look at it.

tvengr-Yes, FreeScan is on my HP All-In-One Computer and it was updated (2) days ago from a scanner programming expert in Maryland utilizing the QUICK keys too. He did it in November 2023 and updated it on 4/29/24.
And yes, P25 Threshold. I have it at (8) now, from AUTO mode. What happens as you drop it bellow (8) to (7) or (6), etc. ?
Thanking you so much, dude.
Happy Easter EVERYONE!

Bob (KB2GQK)

 

[Bob1955]

There was someone in Connecticut who had the same issues last year with newer 996P2s. Sitting sided by side with an older one of the same model, the newer ones would not receive the same. Perhaps hardware changed during the Covid days?
I vaguely recall some FCC submissions for parts changes several years ago. Not sure if the 996P2 was involved

cg: Absolutely, the hardware has 100% changed and without Paul Opitz, the ship is sinking fast at Uniden America Corporation.
And yes, I had one here today made in 2019 sitting side-by-side and the 2019 production run is WAY better.
R.I.P. Paul
Happy Easter to you.

Bob (KB2GQK)