uniden programming fee

[trebor1090]

I just noticed on the Uniden website that they will program any Uniden scanner for $80.
I'm considering having my BC246 scanner programmed. Does anyone have experience with Uniden's offer? How good a job do they do? I have no experience with programming so I need help. Is this a good route to take.
Thanks

 

[safetyobc]

If it were me, I would buy the software from butel, ARC246 and program it myself. The software costs you $40 and will allow you to easily change the info with your PC.

I had the BC246 and ARC246. They make a good combination. I personally feel that $80 is a little steep. I could see maybe $30?

You can go to the database here and find most all frequencies for your area http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR

In my opinion it is better to program your own. Most likley Uniden will get the info they need from the database here anyway. Or FCC data.

It isn't that difficult to learn, especially with the ARC software. http://www.scannermaster.com/?Click=20907 sales the software and also you can get it from http://www.butel.nl/

Just my $0.02

 

[hank1944]

To NWTSCL, I agree with you completely.Seems like some people don't understand when others give Uniden bad feedback.I wish I didn,t have any problems with my 2 units but I will continue to complain as long as I do.So far I have had 1 months listening to a radio I purchased in December.How's that for a Great product?

 

[MetalCarnage]

I just noticed on the Uniden website that they will program any Uniden scanner for $80.
I'm considering having my BC246 scanner programmed. Does anyone have experience with Uniden's offer? How good a job do they do? I have no experience with programming so I need help. Is this a good route to take.
Thanks

You could learn to program it yourself and its much cheaper

Its really no harder then programming a VCR

 

[Grog]

Its really no harder then programming a VCR

Get with the times, people use Tivos........
















BTW, How do I stop my Tivo from flashing "12:00"?

 

[MarkWestin]

Hello,

I don't know about anyone else, but I tend to change some part of my scanners' programming at least once a week, or more. Having someone program your scanner for you once, so you can study how it was done, might not be a bad idea, but if you look around on the internet, you can find many systems, and also if you look at the pre-programmed systems that come on the scanner you can learn the same thing. I agree that having a software package like Butel's ARC or Uniden's USAD is a must.

Mark

 

[John_M]

Treber1090, do you have a friend or a reletive that could program it for you. Where are you located? and, What do you want to listen to?

 

[MetalCarnage]

Personally i prefer using the Uniden Bearcat software that came with my BC796D.....but everyone says its too complicated, lol

 

[safetyobc]

I have had the displeasure of using the 296/796 software. It isn't complicated but it is frustrating to use. No copy and pasting of multiple frequencies, etc. It is however better than programming by hand!

I like the UASD software that came with the 396. I have both ARC396 and UASD396. I use UASD over the ARC. I like how it is set up. I have used ARC246 and UASD246 which are basically the same as with the 396.

Either way, the software will prove it's worth if you want to program for yourself.

 

[MetalCarnage]

I have had the displeasure of using the 296/796 software. It isn't complicated but it is frustrating to use. No copy and pasting of multiple frequencies, etc. It is however better than programming by hand!

I like the UASD software that came with the 396. I have both ARC396 and UASD396. I use UASD over the ARC. I like how it is set up. I have used ARC246 and UASD246 which are basically the same as with the 396.

Either way, the software will prove it's worth if you want to program for yourself.

I want to see someone program the entire Fleetnet Zones + Talkgroups manually, he he.....i give it 2 hours till they lose their sanity

 

[hiegtx]

I just noticed on the Uniden website that they will program any Uniden scanner for $80.
I'm considering having my BC246 scanner programmed. Does anyone have experience with Uniden's offer? How good a job do they do? I have no experience with programming so I need help. Is this a good route to take.
Thanks

For Uniden to program it, you have to provide them all the frequency information that you want programmed.
You'd be much better off posting in your state forum for someone with a 246 in your area who would share programming files with you, then buying whichever software program they use so that you could load those files. Uniden's software is $29.95. The Butel is, I believe, $39.95. Either way, that's cheaper than $80.

That way, you'd be able to change the programming yourself later on. Not a week goes by, as others have also noted, that I don't change something in the programming on one or more scanners. I may add or subtract a frequency or talkgroup. Update a PL tone or DCS code. Or maybe see some other change to a system in my area that I need to include in my programming. Once you look at a few of the systems you actually listen too, & see how they look in the software, you'll begin to understand the software (whichever one you use) & realize it is pretty straightforward.

 

[hotdjdave]

I just noticed on the Uniden website that they will program any Uniden scanner for $80.

Send it to me, I will do it for $60.00 - just kidding

I also highly recommend the Butel Software. You can download a free trial first and try it out. Actually, my recommendation is to try to program your scanner first by hand to get used to its features (couple of days). Then download the free software from Uniden and play with it for a while - see how it works and how programming interacts with your scanner (few days to a week). Then download the Butel software trial and see how easy it is. By then, you will be a pro at programming your scanner, and it will all be for free.

Then BUY the BUTEL software - it's worth it.


See these related topics:
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29293
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29170
http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29361

 

[hiegtx]

Dave, only the 396 software is free from Uniden. The 246 (and 330) software is $29.95. You can download a "demo" version of the 246 software, but that only lets you load one system named "Motorola", one named "Edacs", one named "Conventional", or something like that. Very limited.
Better off with a free trial of the Butel. At least that's a 'full function' free trial.

 

[hotdjdave]

Dave, only the 396 software is free from Uniden. The 246 (and 330) software is $29.95. You can download a "demo" version of the 246 software, but that only lets you load one system named "Motorola", one named "Edacs", one named "Conventional", or something like that. Very limited.
Better off with a free trial of the Butel. At least that's a 'full function' free trial.

Didn't know that...good point. Huh, wonder why some of the Uniden programs are free and not others? :roll:

 

[SIMON11]

I think it is wrong that you buy a scanner with a computer interface and then find that you have to purchase the software as an extra. To be quite honest I don't know how Uniden sell it. I find the Arc330 superb and wouldn't dream of purchasing Unidens attempt.
As stated in a previous post you will change the system often. The only way is to do it yourself.

 

[RISC777]

I alternate between UASD and ARC depending on what I'm doing (or maybe the mood I'm in). Uniden charges $80, right? and you have to provide the data, right? And I imagine Uniden doesn't pay shipping. And you don't have the scanner while it's in transit and Uniden has it. Butel's ARC Pro is $70. Basic is half that. The two weeks and lesser cost for software = less cost, you have the scanner, and you learn more about using it. To me it boils down to at least one thing...leave Uniden's programming service out of any decision making.

 

[Napalm]

I think it is wrong that you buy a scanner with a computer interface and then find that you have to purchase the software as an extra. To be quite honest I don't know how Uniden sell it. I find the Arc330 superb and wouldn't dream of purchasing Unidens attempt.
As stated in a previous post you will change the system often. The only way is to do it yourself.

It's better than buying a radio, and finding you have to pay £40 for a programming lead!

To be honest, I think Uniden have (almost) got it right. I'm currently using ARC330, which although "demo limited" the only restriction so far is the limit of 30 systems.

Hasn't stopped me yet.