Video of the new BCD536HP in action

[kruser]

I also believe the system Lindsay is showing is a Phase 1 VHF system.

Not really the same as trying to monitor a Phase 1 or 2 700/800 system.

Being VHF or UHF does not matter. What matters is if the site is simulcast.
Simulcast (or multipath) distortion can occur on any band.

With that said, you are probably right as I can't think of any simulcast VHF sites but there could be some out there.
Are there any rules against VHF simulcast trunking sites, or low UHF (300 to 500 MHz)? I know there are simulcast VHF analog systems. Usually all single channel though and often called Multicast systems. We have one here in Jefferson County that works fairly well unless you are in certain areas where the timing differences can cancel out the signal from all towers or make it nearly impossible to understand someone. They were replacing that old system with several 800 MHz simulcast sites but for some reason, they cancelled their license the other day for the new system.

Can't say I've ever looked at the rules to see if VHF simulcast trunking sites are allowed. It may be difficult with the larger antennas needed if it is allowed.

Do you really have a 380 kHz trunked system! I'm guessing that was a typo and you meant MHz!

 

[CoryD81]

Random questions about the 2 new units I'm sure will be answered soon...

First of all both of these new units look great and seem to place Uniden back on top with P-25 Phase I and II, and X-2 TDMA capability now. But my main (and perhaps not that important at this time of pre-release unknowns) question is to confirm that the port on the front panel next to the uSD card slot is a mini-USB port for PC connectivity. We already know that the days of serial cables or converting cables are gone with these 2 new models, so I'm just making sure that the front port is a mini USB (or perhaps a Uniden-designed port of their own with the same purpose as the 996XT's, just not in serial format) for connecting the scanner to a PC for programming (Lindsay, I'm guessing made sure this also is compatible with ScannerCast and stream software we feed providers use on BC) and providing a GLG query string for alpha-tags that make our feeds that much better when they're possible to provide on the system being streamed. If it's a different format, than I hope ScannerCast was given an idea of what to prepare as these hit the market in the next couple months and some eventually use them to provide a feed with. I only ask since that is one port on the front that is not labeled with any words or symbols that I could see and before the official release when certain technical drawings were leaked I recall there being a USB port like a regular PC would have, after seeing Paul's official release video yesterday (Saturday 11/16) I would imagine that is for the wi-fi device and a GPS device would be able to be connected in same/similar ways past leaving the small port in front that appears to be a mini-USB for PC connection and meta-data upload to stream software for those that end up providing feeds with the new scanners. At least 80% of my feed's listeners use a player or app that supports alpha-tags and is a big reason many are loyal listeners with the ability to hear quality audio while seeing what TG's they're listening to and able to keep track of incidents or activity much easier that way. I'm sure that was addressed in the implementation of USB vs serial, but just wanted throw it out there just in case, or if ScannerCast or other stream software might not be prepared for any difference in meta-data acquisition.
My biggest problem with these new scanners is which one I I want to get!!!! Handheld is nice, but that wi-fi capability and app pull me that way....so job well done Uniden!!!! If that is my only issue than your goal has been met with me and many others I've spoken to mostly in MN but also nationwide. Some are debating and curious about the backlight of the display and whether that is able to be changed at all; The video shows a blue backlight while the manual states it as white. Of course the variables of pre-production or prototype models possibly used n the Uniden video and a manual that is not the final draft make this something we'll just have to see about.
I haven't had the need to use GPS-based scanning but I know that the BCD535HP will use the same RS-232 9-pin connector as the 996 does, but the BCD436HP handheld version generally states a 4-pin connector can be used for GPS connectivity, so I'll be curious what that is. If things like a display color and connectors used on the 536 in front (and alpha-tag compatibility with software) and the 436 for GPS are the only things I am wondering about, then with my technical knowledge, decades of monitoring and radio experience, etc. I would say that things are looking very good for Uniden with this upcoming launch!
Hopefully the word will get out to enough people that now since it's confirmed that Uniden has a working P-25 Phase II and X-2 TDMA capability, they'll understand that it's NOT something simple as a firmware update to get any kind of TDMA ability to a 396/996XT model. I feel bad for all the emails/messages that Paul has certainly received about this, or even been accused of holding out on firmware updates that would accomplish the decoding ability of the new BCD436HP & BCD536HP when that is simply not possible to achieve without a processor upgrade and a lot of other redesign that would end up costing more than just buying one of the new ones if obtaining the new processor was even a possibility. It should be fun when these hit the shelves! I am looking forward to it even though MN isn't looking at upgrading our statewide P=25 system to Phase II anytime soon, still would look great on my desk or in my truck!!!
Cory R.

 

[troymail]

Do you really have a 380 kHz trunked system! I'm guessing that was a typo and you meant MHz!

Doh! Yup - Mhz ... not sure what happened there...

 

[KE4ZNR]

But my main (and perhaps not that important at this time of pre-release unknowns) question is to confirm that the port on the front panel next to the uSD card slot is a mini-USB port for PC connectivity.

It is a standard Mini-USB port for PC Connectivity.

Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[box23]

Being VHF or UHF does not matter. What matters is if the site is simulcast.
Simulcast (or multipath) distortion can occur on any band.

With that said, you are probably right as I can't think of any simulcast VHF sites but there could be some out there.
Are there any rules against VHF simulcast trunking sites, or low UHF (300 to 500 MHz)? I know there are simulcast VHF analog systems. Usually all single channel though and often called Multicast systems. We have one here in Jefferson County that works fairly well unless you are in certain areas where the timing differences can cancel out the signal from all towers or make it nearly impossible to understand someone. They were replacing that old system with several 800 MHz simulcast sites but for some reason, they cancelled their license the other day for the new system.

Can't say I've ever looked at the rules to see if VHF simulcast trunking sites are allowed. It may be difficult with the larger antennas needed if it is allowed.

Do you really have a 380 kHz trunked system! I'm guessing that was a typo and you meant MHz!

Just in Wisconsin both Washington and Dane Counties have VHF P25 simulcast trunking systems. Washington's has been online for a few years now and Dane's is in the process of being built out. In addition there are a number of counties utilizing conventional P25 simulcasts.

FYI, there are no rules prohibiting trunking or specifically simulcast trunking on any bands above VHF-Low. And even lowband is limited more by equipment and practicality than policies.

You also appear to be mixing terms. Simulcast and multicast are two very distinct operations. Both involve transmitting the same information at the same (relative) time from multiple locations, however simulcast uses a single frequency, while mulicast uses multiple frequencies. From an external receiver's point of view each multicast transmitter is stand alone which is why there is no such thing as "multicast distortion."

 

[jdm911]

Any possibilities of seeing the 436 in action?

 

[kruser]

You also appear to be mixing terms. Simulcast and multicast are two very distinct operations. Both involve transmitting the same information at the same (relative) time from multiple locations, however simulcast uses a single frequency, while mulicast uses multiple frequencies. From an external receiver's point of view each multicast transmitter is stand alone which is why there is no such thing as "multicast distortion."

Thanks for the verification.

Also, my mistake on using the Multicast term. The system I'm referring too is using what they call SYNCHROCAST technology which does use the same frequency from multiple towers just as a simulcast P25 site does. Timing is critical but not quite as critical as a P25 system needs to be as they are only synchronizing the audio. It is basically single channel analog sites running in a simulcast mode. They actually have at least two channels using this SYNCHROCAST technology.
I'd found an article explaining how Synchrocast works but I can no longer find it. Some users of the system do get into areas where the timing is not correct (most likely due to signal propagation delays) and one transmitters audio will cancel out the others audio. That makes for some interesting sounding audio at times! I'm fortunate to live outside that county so I only receive one of the towers and get perfect audio quality but others that live within the county have reported horrible scanner reception for years from the Synchrocast system.

 

[scosgt]

Is the backlight blue or white?

 

[RF23]

According to UpMan during his BCD536BC: First Power-On Video he states that the back-light is white but the camera picks up or makes it look blue.

Since the back-light is white perhaps the letters and numbers are a bit bluish in color?

Also there is a video by the CEO of RR named "BCD536HP in action" and the back-light to me looks white but the characters look a bit blue.

Hope this helps.