Uniden - TDMA Scanner

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

Uniden should concentrate of first making a scanner that works properly with P25, then worry about other things. The GRE radios are far better at decoding P25 so Uniden had better focus their efforts on that for the next radios. My $500 996XT is a a milair scanner, because it is better than any of my other radios at that....too bad it's digital decoding is weak.

 

[Anon6083]

Uniden should concentrate of first making a scanner that works properly with P25, then worry about other things. The GRE radios are far better at decoding P25 so Uniden had better focus their efforts on that for the next radios. My $500 996XT is a a milair scanner, because it is better than any of my other radios at that....too bad it's digital decoding is weak.

I'm with you there. It's a bit painful to listen to the two P25 systems in my area when most key ups are announced with a blast of vocalized digital signaling before the actual voice comes in.

 

[RoninJoliet]

Thats really wierd because here on the IL-Starcom 700/800 Digital System the GRE500 is constant flickering with very poor decode and the 396/996XT aRE PERFECT...i GUESS ITS JUST HOW THESE DIGITAL SYSTEMS ARE MADE!!....SORRY, ACCIDENTAL HITTING OF THE "caps"....

 

[Danny6569]

Tdma

I dont see the need for the tdma system, it really does not sound like it does much more than any other digital system! really sounds like a waste of money!

 

[Anon6083]

You know, I thought it was the fault of the scanner that we get blasted with vocalized digital modulation during transmissions, but the ISP District 22 dispatcher just had to have a trooper repeat an entire message because she heard nothing but the vocalized data rather than the decoded voice. Hooray P25.

 

[mike_s104]

we needed a reliable way to get news and information. The flooding recently in Nebraska, Iowa and outlying areas has been of great concern to anyone living here. The local news isn't always the greatest or the most reliable. I use my 396XT to also help keep my wife and I out of harm's way.

Same here. We (I catcher her listening to it when I'm not; its actually kinda funny) use a scanner everyday on the way to and from work. It has saved us so many times from being stuck in traffic and having enough time (sometimes only a few mins) to reroute and get to work on time or home before too late. I also email people in my office about accidents and such so they can avoid those areas while working and get to/from work safely. Yeah, it sounds really dorky but I actually have some coworkers call and ask me what's going on when I haven't "reported" the traffic to them.

My wife and I also use it for weather related issues and to judge how the roads are without actually see them. We've lately kept up with break-ins and other things going on around our street and made some changes to make ourselves safer and more aware. Our news sources suck here and we rely on hearing the actual events as the happen. Luckily, Berkeley Co. WV is just FDMA and the scanners we have do a perfect job. But working and commuting in/through Loudoun Co. VA in Northern VA almost in our opinions, is a must to have scanner to keep up with the traffic. The scanner is far better to waiting for the radio stations to tell you what's going on and half of the time the scanner is a faster source and more accurate (more times then not, we've heard the radio stations have the wrong lane, direction or location for accidents). If they were used more in this area, we'd have a CB in the car too to monitor the truckers.

So, yes it is a hobby that I've had for over 20 years but it's also become a tool and news source.

I personally believe Uniden may have put all their eggs in the HP-1 basket and wasn't expecting the backlash of people like me that want a radio, not an mp3 player. Now Uniden has egg all over them and GRE is mopping the floor by being ahead of the game. I despise the PSR-800 simply because there is no keypad, just like the HP-1... BUT if its the only game in town, then for Uniden its game over.

I see it like this, Uniden either has to step up to the plate and say something one way or the other, or go home losers because GRE has already won the game. There are many stores in my area that actually refuse to carry the HP-1 stating that the x96XT is their best sellers. I've been told by many that the x96XT was one of the best Uniden products to date by people who have a long list of scanners they own. I personally can't say that as this is my first.

For Uniden customers, Uniden's next step will make or break them. If they stall the x96XT and focus on the HP-1, they'll hurt their market, if they continue both, they do well as long as they can stay competitive with GRE, AOR, and any others. Once Uniden is no longer competitive, all Uniden employees have to look forward to is unemployeement...

Agree again.

 

[JRayfield]

Whether it's a waste of money or not will depend on the cost of the systems, as compared to P25 Phase 1 systems. P25 Phase 2 (TDMA) will offer 2 'virtual' channels on every repeater. This can reduce the cost of infrastructure considerably, unless the cost of the repeaters and control systems are too high and then the cost savings won't happen.

John Rayfield, Jr.
CETma
W0PM

I dont see the need for the tdma system, it really does not sound like it does much more than any other digital system! really sounds like a waste of money!

 

[bama9999]

Uh, NO, we do NOT ALL have that opinion. In fact, lately I've been having more issues with screen contrast, button labels rubbing off, etc. on my last two Unidens than with my last two GREs.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Dewey was meaning we all had opinions, not that everyone shared his opinion on this issue.

 

[Danny6569]

Tdma

I used to love going to radio shack back in the day and asking the guy working there for the box of crystals! lol, 5 dollars each and you plug them in and YOURE DONE WITH IT!!! LOL, now everyday theres either a new frequency to add or a new system to try and hear or another tgid to add, or something dont sound right or the digitals choppy etc...etc... you would think with all the problems we all have already with the current digital systems that they wouldnt make any new systems yet! i was listening to my county last night and they had numerous problems with it, first i thought it was just my 996 xt not being able to pick them up good but it was on their side, the radio companies such as motorola need to figure out how to make a system that actually works right before they keep adding more! and this just didnt happen last night either, its a constant problem with a multi million dollar system that was just put in about 9 years ago.

 

[Dewey]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Dewey was meaning we all had opinions, not that everyone shared his opinion on this issue.

Thanks... no you're not wrong. Exactly what I meant.

Dewey

 

[Bob_61]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Dewey was meaning we all had opinions, not that everyone shared his opinion on this issue.

On my PRO-164 I have a case that protects the keys, but I also use as little as I can some clear finger nail polish. But you have to be carefull to brush only once across given key so not to take off the labels on the keys I woks great if your carefull..... Just thought this could help someone!!

I thought I was quoting Danny6569

 

[KE4ZNR]

A little food for thought:

Even though Paul (Upman) can't say anything, there is nothing stopping Uniden from making a press release.

Well considering it is Paul that crafts the press releases (more times than not)
I would say it is up to him to say when and if new features or radios are released.

I personally believe Uniden may have put all their eggs in the HP-1 basket and wasn't expecting the backlash of people like me that want a radio, not an mp3 player.

I can say the above is false. Uniden knows exactly what the hobbyists want and they have to balance that with what they can offer and still maintain a profit. When the HP-1 was announced UPMan made a comment to the effect of "I know the HP-1 might not be for the advanced userbase initially but please be patient and Uniden has not forgotten you. We are trying to give those folks an option that want to be in the hobby without having to learn advanced radio theory just to be able to listen to their local public safety agencies".

Now Uniden has egg all over them and GRE is mopping the floor by being ahead of the game.

Considering few know what Uniden is doing behind closed doors I think saying that Uniden "has egg all over them" is a false statement. And believe me, GRE is not mopping the floor of anyone. One feature on a minuscule amount of systems hardly means that GRE is the "Top Dog".

I despise the PSR-800 simply because there is no keypad, just like the HP-1... BUT if its the only game in town, then for Uniden its game over.

"Game over?" Again, how many total systems across the entire US are at this very moment using TDMA? Obviously Uniden is watching what is going on and are keeping
an eye on the state of the Public Safety Comm industry.
Again, very few know what Uniden is cooking up in their "secret labs" but I feel very confident in saying the game is very far from being over.

My prediction: The summer temps won't be the only thing to heat up! Our hobby will be red hot with both GRE and Uniden contributing to the heat.

MarMatthias I do understand your frustration and as much as we want companies to give us exactly what we want when we want it that is not realistic. But lets all hope for a competitive marketplace from both GRE and Uniden because we all can agree THAT is what drives innovation and awesome new "toys".

All the best and Happy Monitoring
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[davidzimmerman]

think its time to give this a rest? ohio marcs is going phase-2 maybe in 2 years maybe then were have the right scanner i love my bcd396xt its a great scanner in time i'm getting the 996 base scanner.i use to have the radio shack 2096 and pro-96 i love how easy you can monitor trunking talkgroups its great.

 

[mike_s104]

think its time to give this a rest? ohio marcs is going phase-2 maybe in 2 years maybe then were have the right scanner i love my bcd396xt its a great scanner in time i'm getting the 996 base scanner.i use to have the radio shack 2096 and pro-96 i love how easy you can monitor trunking talkgroups its great.

NO, we shouldn't just because what you monitor will be fine for a few years. Some of us actually have systems that are TDMA for some traffic. I'd say about 25% of traffic for Loudoun Co. VA is TDMA.

 

[Bob_61]

NO, we shouldn't just because what you monitor will be fine for a few years. Some of us actually have systems that are TDMA for some traffic. I'd say about 25% of traffic for Loudoun Co. VA is TDMA.

I may be the odd ball but I like both brands. What ever brand makes the features I like that is where I go. To say that Uniden scanners are made better might be a stretch. Just because It feels stronger does not make it better. Features can go along way!! I have a BC200XLT from around 1985 and works and looks great! Don't get me wrong Uniden makes a great scanner as they always have. But I have a PRO-164 at this time for analog trunking. I like messing with my radios so the PSR 800 seems too to easy to use! I think for now I will wait and see if Uniden or grecom can come out with a regular scanner that can decode TDMA. Now that would be FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mike_s104]

I think for now I will wait and see if Uniden or grecom can come out with a regular scanner that can decode TDMA. Now that would be FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exactly what I'm waiting for too.

 

[kayi4cle]

I think for now I will wait and see if Uniden or grecom can come out with a regular scanner that can decode TDMA.

And, if it's not too much to ask for, I will be wanting one that decodes TDMA and handles Simulcast well. I would greatly prefer the Uniden dynamic memory variety. Hope Paul reads this

 

[MarMatthias]

Considering few know what Uniden is doing behind closed doors I think saying that Uniden "has egg all over them" is a false statement. And believe me, GRE is not mopping the floor of anyone. One feature on a minuscule amount of systems hardly means that GRE is the "Top Dog".

"Game over?" Again, how many total systems across the entire US are at this very moment using TDMA? Obviously Uniden is watching what is going on and are keeping
an eye on the state of the Public Safety Comm industry.
Again, very few know what Uniden is cooking up in their "secret labs" but I feel very confident in saying the game is very far from being over.

It doesn't matter what Uniden is doing in there "secret labs" because rest asured GRE is not sitting back full well knowing they have a tactical market advantage. Second, the GRE PSR800 is in the hands of consumers while whatever Uniden has is their secret lab is not. From the standpoint of the consumer, all Uniden has is "vaporware" while GRE has hard cold cash from sales.

Basic marketing applies here very well. There is only first and last place. Uniden bringing out TMDA at this point (while we will be happy to see it) only means Uniden is playing catching up to GRE and still "second fiddle" to GRE as they have it first...

As long as GRE tas a tactical market advantage, Uniden will be playing catch-up. So, yes, game over unless Uniden can take the air out of GRE's sails. Evidence Icom and AOR. While they still make sales, there not much life there anymore... The RR forums are pretty clear on that... I've got less cob webs in the darkest recesses of my garage.

 

[CoolCat]

It doesn't matter what Uniden is doing in there "secret labs" because rest asured GRE is not sitting back full well knowing they have a tactical market advantage. Second, the GRE PSR800 is in the hands of consumers while whatever Uniden has is their secret lab is not. From the standpoint of the consumer, all Uniden has is "vaporware" while GRE has hard cold cash from sales.

Basic marketing applies here very well. There is only first and last place. Uniden bringing out TMDA at this point (while we will be happy to see it) only means Uniden is playing catching up to GRE and still "second fiddle" to GRE as they have it first...

As long as GRE tas a tactical market advantage, Uniden will be playing catch-up. So, yes, game over unless Uniden can take the air out of GRE's sails. Evidence Icom and AOR. While they still make sales, there not much life there anymore... The RR forums are pretty clear on that... I've got less cob webs in the darkest recesses of my garage.

Don't forget that TDMA decoding is not an officially advertised PSR800 feature. While Uniden may not be saying anything about it, people seem to forget that GRE hasn't said anything about it either, they just slipped the feature in without advertising or annoucing it. To me, this says that GRE was/is not confident enough in it's TDMA decoding capabilities to advertise it as an official feature. They cannot advertise it as P25 Phase II capable (since nobody knows yet what the standard will be), but they could have advertised it as TDMA-capable if they wanted to.

I don't think they have a "tactical advantage" on anything. How many people do you think ran out and purchased a PSR800 primarily for the [unofficial] TDMA decoding? (vs. the people who liked the PSR700 style scanner but needed standard P25 decoding?) And out of those [few] people, how many of them do you think 'settled' for a scanner style they didn't want, but purchased it because there is currently no other choice? And out of those [fewer] people, how many of them will buy a Uniden TDMA-capable scanner the first week it comes out and sell their PSR800 on eBay the next day? How many people want a TDMA-capable scanner, but are waiting for a traditional (non iScan) style scanner to feature it before they buy one?

The bottom line is; will Uniden lose out on some potential sales over this? Perhaps a few, but not enough for them to lose any significant market share. :roll:

 

[W2SJW]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9650; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.576 Mobile Safari/534.8+)

Just a brief reminder to those here that keep mentioning that Phase-II hasn't been aproved, TDMA was chosen as the official standard over SIX MONTHS ago.

Motorola will be shipping the latest 7.x systems with the approved format by Q4-2011...