Which one will work?

[keithmj]

Hi all..I was planning on buying a Bearcat scanner in order to get the I-CALL or P-CALL feature that Radio Shack scanners lack. It is a toss up between the Uniden BCT8 or the BC350C. From what I understand, if I am correct, is that both will do this. I can get the BCT8 for about 180.00 and the BC350C for about 100.00. I have several scanners so I don't need that many features. Would the BC350C be a good buy? How do you like this scanner? Does the BC350C work with ScanControl? How about the BCT8? Any comments on these scanners? I don't need Digital as I have that covered. I just don't want to kick myself for something that is not any good...Thanks..Keithmj

 

[hiegtx]

I don't own either one of these, though many users that do seem to like them.

I took a quick look at the specs & manual for the 350C & did not see I-calls. Didn't find it with a search of of the manual's *.pdf file either. It's not a trunk-tracker. Looked also at the manual (online) for the BCT-8. I did not find any reference to I-call capability with a *.pdf search. The scanner is a trunk tracker, though, & should be reflashable for rebanding.

You might look for a used, but good condition, BC246T. Brand new, you can get one for about $220.00 shipped. In the last couple of months, I've seen a few go in the $150 to $170 range, including programming software, in the for-sale classifieds here. None in that range right now. The 246 will hold up to 2500 channels, in up to 200 systems. You are not limited to only ten or so trunked systems (one per bank) like the older Uniden & Radio Shack scanners. The 246 is also re-flashable for rebanding (providing the unexpected does not leave us all out in the cold).

If you really want a base-mobile style, then perhaps try to find a good, clean BC780. While not reflashable, it will do I-calls, & may be close to your target price.

 

[Grog]

If you want to TRACK I-calls, I'd say go for a 246t as I know it will work. The 350 series does not trunk-track, and I would doubt that the BCT-8 will do I-calls.

I'm sure there is someone who can say for sure on that.

 

[RISC777]

The BC350C I have is solely for the purpose of UHF and VHF non-trunked system monitoring. I haven't seen any software that would control that model, like Butel's ARC 'Virtual Control' of a 796 or a 396, etc. It, to me, is a pretty basic, simple scanner. It is pre-programmed with some stuff I never utilize, except the Weather once in a while. If you're looking for some non-trunked conventional channels (with *no* I- or P- Call), the 350C is a pretty good value. Vehicle mount-able also. BCT8 I cannot speak to.

 

[keithmj]

If you want to TRACK I-calls, I'd say go for a 246t as I know it will work. The 350 series does not trunk-track, and I would doubt that the BCT-8 will do I-calls.

I'm sure there is someone who can say for sure on that.

This brings up another question..Doesn't the T at the end of the Model number(246T) mean that it is a Trunktracker? And the D at the end (296D) mean that it will do Digital? I'm new to bearcat except my dad had one when I was just a kid and all of mine are Radio Shack...Cheers..Keithmj

 

[Sac916]

Doesn't the T at the end of the Model number(246T) mean that it is a Trunktracker? And the D at the end (296D) mean that it will do Digital?

You are correct.

BC-246T
BCD-396T
(sometimes you'll see just BC-396T )

I recommend the 246T if you don't need a digital capable scanner.



.

 

[keithmj]

You are correct.

BC-246T
BCD-396T
(sometimes you'll see just BC-396T )

I recommend the 246T if you don't need a digital capable scanner.



.

Thanks..Just wondering why you would recommend the BC246T?

I just found out that Scancontrol is coming out with a new software version that will work with the BC246T and the upgrade is only 10.00

The BC246T https://www.bearcatscanner.com/defa...rtat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=1&--SECTIONSword=ww is only 206.00 + 8.00 shipping and isn't a bad price. The cheapest I could find so far.

And am I safe to assume that it will do Control Channel Only?

And will the BC8T and BC898T do CCO also?

Thanks..Keithmj

 

[Sac916]

Thanks..Just wondering why you would recommend the BC246T?


And am I safe to assume that it will do Control Channel Only?

And will the BC8T and BC898T do CCO also?

246T
http://radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/BC246T

BC-246T
Rebanding supported? YES
1600 Channels Typical / 2500 Maximum / Dynamic Memory ( no more banks! )
DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode
Analog TrunkTracker III - Motorola, EDACS and LTR systems
Control Channel only mode: YES
Close Call™ RF Capture Technology - Instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters
NOT DIGITAL CAPABLE

The memory size, the CTCSS decode are big pluses, the Close Call is fun.




BC-898T
http://radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/BC898T
Rebanding supported? YES
Multiple Channels (500) / Banks (10) (not very many channels)
DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode
Analog TrunkTracker III Technology
Control Channel only mode: YES
NOT DIGITAL CAPABLE

borderline decent amount of memory and has DCS CTCSS decode




BCT8
http://radioreference.com/wiki/index.php/BCT8
250 User Programmable Memories ( not much at all )
Rebanding supported? YES
Analog Trunking (BCT8) - Motorola Analog Trunking, EDACS/EDACS SCAT, LTR
Control Channel only mode: YES
NOT DIGITAL CAPABLE
NO DCS/CTCSS ( lame! )

not recommended





BC350C
no trunking
not recommended




.

 

[keithmj]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I finally did it and got the BC246T. My company owed me some back pay so I bought it. This is one nice little scanner. I put in my TalkGroup IDs and then put in 700000 as a ID also and it catches all the I-Calls that I was trying to follow. The first thing I did was save all the info that was in the scanner to file using ScanControl, (I use ARC246 also) so I could set it back to original and then just started to play with it. It takes awhile to get use to it but now I have no problem moving around in the scanner. Just use the software to program it until you get use to how it works. I would recommend this scanner to anyone. I should have bought this as my first scanner instead of buying from RadioShack and saved myself time and money trying to get what I wanted. I'm thinking of selling my other scanners and getting the BC15T. Should I sell my other scanners or is that something you never get rid of because you'll be kicking yourself for doing it? Which would you sell or keep..I have 2 PRO-2053, 2 PRO-2052, 1 PRO-92, 1 PRO-83, 1 PRO-95 that might go and why would you keep them or get rid of them?
Cheers..And happy scanning..Keithmj

 

[trunker]

Should I sell my other scanners or is that something you never get rid of because you'll be kicking yourself for doing it? Which would you sell or keep..I have 2 PRO-2053, 2 PRO-2052, 1 PRO-92, 1 PRO-83, 1 PRO-95 that might go and why would you keep them or get rid of them?

The 2052's are the only ones with Mil Air you now have.
The Pro 92 has LTR and is a good radio for searching freqs.
The Pro 95 and 2053 are great trunktrackers with-alpha tags.
Nothing special about the Pro 83 but you probably couldn't get $50 for it.