Uniden mobile/base recievers, who has them?

L

Lt.Col.Vortex

Joined
Jul 22, 2012
Messages
752
I'm looking at getting a scanner/receiver and I want to know what you guys have in your vehicles and what brand you like. I dont have any particular reason for picking Uniden (I just like their stuff), so all other brands are welcome for sugesting.

I'm looking at the Uniden BCT15X , but I am also considering the BC355 (C or N, not sure yet). And now I'm looking at other receivers to see how they compare. I am talking with the guys on RadioReference, but I like several opinions when making decisions.

Thanks for your help.
 
I've got the 996xt which is the digital, bigger brother to that unit. The only complaint is that programming is a pain unless you get software to do it. I also have GRECOM and Radioshack units (which are produced by GRECOM) and programming software helps greatly with them as well. One thing you might want to look into is if you're local services are going to be going digital anytime soon. Even though the 996xt is roughly twice the price of the 15x, if you're area goes to digital you'll end having to buy another unit anyway. Just as well to bite the bullet once and be done with it.
 
Yes the 996xt would be nice, but thats like giving a poor man all the money in the world. The x15 is right down the middle of the road for me, its just close enough to the bigger scanners but is equally as close to the cheaper/less powerful scanners. I will get something like the 996xt for a base unit, but I want a simple Public Safety, FRS, CB and possible trunk scanning for my truck. I'm actually thinking of getting a cheaper/less featured scanner (like the BC355) and if my area goes digital, I'll only be out $90ish.

Thanks for recommending GRECOM, I forgot about them. Do you use Motorola or know anyone who does? I ask because I dont hear many people using their scanners.
 
I don't know anyone using Motorola scanners. I do keep Yaesu radios in my vehicles. While they lack the features of dedicated scanners, they can receive all the frequencies I want to listen to and they legal everywhere as they are Ham radios and not 'scanners'. In some states scanners are illegal to operate in a motor vehicle. Ham radios are legal just about everywhere. The only thing is that you have to know the frequencies you want to listen to because while most Ham radios have a scan function, they are SLOW if you're scanning entire bands.
 
GRE is out of business.

The type of receiver is going to depend on what's available to listen to in your area. Keep in mind that all the current public safety technology is rapidly becoming unlistenable (through encryption or trunking technology) on any scanner or receiver
 
I didn't realize that GRECOM went out of business. I knew in the past their products disappeared from the market right before the release of new models. I guess there won't be any more new models...too bad, I have the PSR-800 and was looking forward to the next model. As for trunking, any decent scanner will capture most trunked conversations, but you're right in that encryption is limiting (legally anyway) what can be received (although it's mostly on a federal level now). Digital is the way to go. Supposedly all public services were going to be digital by 2013, and that hasn't happened but it is coming.
 
jstrykr74 said:
Digital is the way to go. Supposedly all public services were going to be digital by 2013, and that hasn't happened but it is coming.
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Not true.

The only requirement public safety agencies needed to make was to migrate to narrowband (12.5khz) from wideband (25khz) by January of 2013. Digital is purely an option, but not a requirement.

Most agencies that have gone digital are having major issues. The Washington State Patrol did just that, and last time I heard they were going back and forth between digital and analog while trying to get things right. Digital also doesn't work hardly at all in areas with mountains, hills, and large buildings unless you have LOTS of repeaters.

None of our counties fire, police, or ambulance agencies have plans to go digital anytime soon. Just getting the new narrowband analog equipment was a huge burden on their budgets, and as I mentioned above, our county sits in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, and analog narrowband is challenging most of the time, let alone trying to go digital.

Also, mentioned above was a Motorola scanner. No such thing. Some advanced hobbyists are buying older Motorola two way radios, and having them programmed to receive only, and using them like a scanner. They do work well for that purpose, and any older radio will receive narrowband just fine. They just cannot transmit legally, because they don't meet the 12.5khz maximum spacing requirement.

As for scanners, I'm running a Bearcat BCT-15, and an older BC-760XLT at home. I also have an old Motorola GM-300 two way that is set up to receive only, and I use it to 'scan' the three main fire frequencies for my area. I have an Icom F-5021 in my vehicle for all public safety frequencies, and I have it scanning the main fire, PD and sheriff frequencies. I also have a Kenwood TM-V71A 2M/70cm dual band 'ham' radio that I can monitor public safety with, but it mainly does ham duty. I'm a member of a couple of different public safety agencies, so I also had to upgrade my two way to meet the 2013 narrowband requirements.
 
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I have had a Uniden BCD396XT for a few years now. Good unit but as jstrykr hit on, the thing is down right a PITA to program, unless you spend the additional coin. Glad you found RR, they a wealth of information in this area. Good luck on your quest, I know its no easy thing. It does help to say where you are from when asking about radios as Mike hit on since many system are in constant flux right now you may be good, but lets say it is already in the plans to upgrade and average citizen "John Q Public" may not be in the know that the system is about to be updated and your scanner no longer able to perform how you wanted it to. Think back to the 800Mhz rebanding, a lot of people were bit by this, buying "old 2nd hand scanners" or even worse "close out models" but they would not work in the area due to the reband.

Thank you for your service as well.
 
I really really really wan tot get the BCT996XT, but I'll have to wait for the price to come down a bit. Right now its looking like the BCT15X and the BC355N is whats on the table.
All my local counties (in my state) are analog and dont look like they will change over anytime soon. But crossing the border is a whole new story. Florida is one of the most frustrating states to monitor.

I've thought long and hard about getting one that can go digital, but all I really need is the basics (CB FRS and police/fire). And I'm not too much at a loss if I dont receive/decode trunking (15X trunks, 355N does not). I'm down to an option of 2, and I'll sleep on it for a few days and decide.

Now I'm off to antennas...what fun :) I didn't know finding a decent multi/wide-band mobile antenna would pose a challenge. There are a lot that people like and use, but none that stand out. I guess I'll find one that fits my budget and go with it.
 
Mike G said:
Not true.

The only requirement public safety agencies needed to make was to migrate to narrowband (12.5khz) from wideband (25khz) by January of 2013. Digital is purely an option, but not a requirement.

Most agencies that have gone digital are having major issues. The Washington State Patrol did just that, and last time I heard they were going back and forth between digital and analog while trying to get things right. Digital also doesn't work hardly at all in areas with mountains, hills, and large buildings unless you have LOTS of repeaters.
Click to expand...
You are correct about digital, sometimes I get tunnel vision. Many of the agencies around here were slated to go digital, but I think that after seeings how well it's worked out for the state police very few have. And those that have, have also gone with encryption as well. You're also right about the quality of digital transmissions. Even with the little hills we have here in CT, the digital signal is far from good.
 
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