DennisKink
Member
If you were only going to pay for one upgrade for your bcd436hp,would it be for NXDN or DMR and why? TIA
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DennisKink
Member
Jon,after all the times I’ve looked at that list, I still can’t make heads nor tails out of it except the frequencies.
DennisKink
Member
I don’t show anything that I would be interested in,but I do plan on traveling. I have no idea yet as to where. So I guess what I’m asking is, what’s best for traveling? Police frequencies are the most important I guess.
If you are a rail fan, then the NXDN upgrade is a given. Eventually, all of the railroads will be moving to NXDN. While most of the mainline companies are still using analog, some have switched in specific areas. Locally, NXDN is used in a few yard frequencies, but most frequencies are still analog (for now).
There are a couple of NXDN public safety trunked systems in my area, so I went ahead with that upgrade. You might look at the list of trunked systems in your state, as well as other states where you would likely travel to at some time or another, and see how many NXDN systems are identified & in the database.
DMR is much more common. One of the local EMS providers in my area, CareFlite, uses a DMR system to dispatch their ground and air ambulances here in North Texas. Many of the hospitals are also using DMR, as well as other facilities.
Use the Digital Frequency Search page to see who is licensed for DMR or NXDN in your area, as well as others you may travel to. Being licensed for DMR or NXDN does not mean that they are absolutely using it at this time. I've seen entities, including public safety agencies, that have modified their FCC license to include not only analog & P25 conventional, but also DMR & NXDN emission codes. But for now, they are still using analog. I guess they are keeping their options open.
iMONITOR
Silent Key
When the DMR and Provoice upgrades were made available for my Uniden BCD996P2 scanner, I did an impulse buy ASAP! I soon found out there wasn't any Provoice in my area, and very little DMR (nothing worth listening too). Save your money, unless you just want bragging rights. If you find out there is something in your area that uses NXDN or DMR that you feel the need to monitor than buy that upgrade when that time comes.
DennisKink
Member
Yes this is what I plan to do,as there isn't much around me to listen to(railroad maybe). I plan on traveling sometime in the future;that is the reason for my post.
Thread moved.
Like others said, depends on what's in your area and if you travel with your scanners. I like all the upgrades for when I travel. I take handhelds with me even on short journeys.
troymail
Silent Key
The only real good reason to purchase any of these upgrades is if you know of something you want to monitor that uses that upgrade - and/or maybe if you are in a fairly "active" area and regularly run custom searches trying to find new stuff.
Remember - you can order an upgrade 24/7/365 - once you determine you need it.
I cannot for the life of me understand folks who ran out and make these purchases and only then say now that I have it, "what can I do with it?" or "I bought it and then found out there is nothing in my area to listen to with this upgrade...".
DennisKink
Member
Thank you everyone for your input. Now one more noobie question please. IF I got the DMR upgrade and program the key into the scanner,is that all I would need to do? Would DMR frequencies automatically be heard,or is there more programming to be done?
DMR would not 'automatically' be heard unless you program them in. But, if you are using your location and the main database, instead of a set Favorites list, you may begin to see some of them come up as new entries are made to the database. There are a lot more DMR (and NXDN) systems out there that are not in the database yet. However, more are being discovered, documented, and added as more RadioReference members acquire scanners capable of the formats.
DennisKink
Member
So if I were using my location (zip code),then DMR would come up if there were something on?
I believe it should, as long as the system had the service types that you have enabled.
DMR. Why? Way more of it in my area.
That said, if you ever want to get NXDN, get it now while it's on sale for half off.
K2KOH
Silent Key
I have DMR in Putnam County NY, but got both DMR and NXDN because I travel frequently.
K2KOH
Silent Key
At half off, a good reason to get it now even if you don't have any nearby. Things happen down the road.
pinballwiz86
Member
I'm a rail fan.
I've been hearing about railroads switching to NXDN for the past 5 years now. It hasn't happened. Will this ever come to fruition? I don't think it will.
Yep. Every week, looking at the weekly license grants, there's almost always several licenses for one or more of the main line RRs that are being updated to allow NXDN. But, as you note, still no switch-over imminent.
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