Which is the better radio: ICOM R20 or Unidem 296/396T

[Trifit65]

Folks

The Unidem 296/396 are the UNIDEM top of the line handhelds, but the ICOM R20 is also the top of the line. If you had to choose between the two (which I am trying to do), what's everyones opinion of which one is the better scanner.

Unidem of course has the APCO 25 digital, but ICOM has wider frequency ranges.

I would appreciate any recommendations before I purchase. I've already read through just about all the reviews I could find.

Thanks

 

[SAR923]

Simple. Do you want to listen to trunked systems, both conventional and digital? The Uniden is the right purchase. Do you want a daylight to DC receiver with every option known to man but don't need trunking and digital? The ICOM is a nice rig. The price is about the same but they are two different types of radios for different needs.

 

[Dubbin]

First off its Uniden not UNIDEM :wink: Anyway the Icom R20 isn't made to be a "scanner" but more of a receiver. You will get a MUCH faster scanning with a "scanner" then you will with a receiver. If you're looking for digital and trunking then you don't have much of a choice.

 

[Trifit65]

Thanks Gentlemen

Actually, I'm trying to figure out which system will recieve signals better. Which is the most sensitive receiver? I'm primarily interested in picking up the aviation bands, but my current scanner can only hear transmitting pilots and cannot hear Air Traffic Control.

So I'm trying to figure out which receiver may best enable me to hear both the pilots AND Air Traffic Control.

ICOM posts their receiver sensitivity in their specs, but UNIDEN does not seem to post their receiver sensitivities. So I cannot do a comparison.

Perhaps its a wash? ... Perhaps they are both about the same in terms of reception?

Thanks again

Tom C

 

[Concrete1]

If you plan to use the radio mainly for Police/Fire/EMS/FBI public Saftey, Marine listening, you have no choice, the Uniden simply blows the ICom away in this regard.
If you don't care as much for the above, but more Important to you is listening to AM & FM Broadcast Radio, TV sound and Shortwave broadcasts, then the Icom would be the better choice.

 

[mlevin]

You will not get both sides of ATC conversations unless you're close to the controllers position, or you have a really good antenna setup. The controllers signals are aimed toward the sky so you won't get much range over large georaphic areas. That's just the narure of the beast. Anyways I would go with the Uniden. It does a good job on Aviation, (both civil and Mil-Air bands.) and does a good job with the trunking and digital.

 

[Trifit65]

Thanks fellows. I very much appreciated your incites. I've decided on the Uniden BC396 verses the ICOM R20. In Los Angeles, the APCO police scans would be cool, and the R20 wouldn't provide that. Most of you seem to feel the higher frequency bands supported by the R20 may not be so interesting.

Thanks!

Tom C