Advise on purchasing a BCD396T

[StlouisX50]

GPS Enabled but not as good as the $550.00 Scanner that has loads of options.

[Road Warrior]

GPS Enabled but not as good as the $550.00 Scanner that has loads of options.

Any DIGITAL and truncking scanner newer than the 996T??? I have not checked this issue for a long time so I might be outdated so far... when I was looking for a digital scanner, 396 and 996 both had the very same price, 996 with the GPS feature but 396 is a handheld unit...

[edweird]

The 996t is Uniden's top of the line base/mobile now. There's a similar radio which lacks digital coverage and a few things called the BC15t. The 396t is still Uniden's top of the line handheld.

Radio Shack's top of the line base is the Pro2096 and handheld is Pro96.

I've had a Pro96 for a while, and recently added a 996t to my collection.

Ed

[StlouisX50]

IT'S AWSOME! BCD996T

Trunk Tracker IV™ Operation — Follows unencrypted conversations on analogMotorola, Motorola Astro 25 (APCO 25), EDACS, EDACS SCAT, and LTR trunkedradio systems, including systems in VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHzbands. The scanner can scan both conventional and trunked systems at the same time.

PRODUCT FEATURE LIST

* 13 Service Searches: Frequencies are preset in separate Public Safety, News,HAM Radio, Marine, Railroad, Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS, Racing, TV Broadcast,FM Broadcast, Military, Air, and Special searches, to make it easy to search forspecific transmissions.
* Close Call™ RF Capture Technology: Lets the scanner detect andautomatically tune to nearby radio transmissions.
* Close Call Do-Not-Disturb: When set, the scanner makes periodic Close Callchecks whenever the scanner is not receiving audio in another mode. Thiseliminates the annoying breaks in conversation while still allowing for Close Callfunctionality.
* Close Call Temporary Store: Temporarily saves the last 10 Close Call hits andincludes them when scanning.
*
Dynamically Allocated Channel Memory: Your scanner’s 6,000 channels areorganized so that it more closely matches how radio systems actually work,making it easier to program and use your scanner and determine how muchmemory you have used and how much you have left.
*
Preprogrammed Systems: Your scanner is preprogrammed with over 500agencies covering police, fire, and ambulance operations in the 25 most populatedcounties in the US, plus the most popular digital systems.
*
100 Quick Keys: You can set the scanner so you can quickly select systemsand groups by using the keypad. This makes it easy to listen to or quickly lock outthose systems or groups you don’t want to scan.
*
Soft Search Keys: Lets you quickly search specified ranges.
*
Channel Lockout: You can lock out any system, group, frequency, or channelwhile scanning. If you lock out a system or group, any channels belonging to thatsystem or group are also locked out.
*
Frequency Lockout: You can lock out up to 500 frequencies (250 permanentlylocked out + 250 temporarily locked out). The scanner skips locked-out frequencies while using the Close Call™ feature or while searching.
*
CTCSS and DCS Squelch Modes: Prevent interference from stations not usingthe tone code you select.Analog and Digital Audio AGC — Helps automatically balance the volume levelbetween different radio systems.
*
Fire Tone-Out Standby: Lets you set the scanner to alert you if a two-tonesequential page is transmitted. You can set up to 10 settings (transmit frequency,tone frequencies) then select one for standby monitoring. Up to ten tone-outs onthe same RF setting can be scanned at one time.
*
Broadcast Screen: Sets the scanner to ignore Close Call™ or search hits onknown broadcast frequencies including common pager frequencies.
*
Custom Screen: Lets you input up to 10 frequency ranges that the scanner willignore during Close Call™ or search operation.
*
Scan/Search Delay: The scanner pauses at the end of a transmission to waitfor a reply. You can set the delay time for each system you scan, and whilesearching and using the Close Call™ feature.
*
Attenuator: Reduces the input strength of strong signals by about 20 dB.
*
Repeater Reverse: Automatically switches to the input frequency on aconventional repeater system.
*
Channel Alert: Alerts you when there is activity on any channel you specifyusing your choice of nine unique alert tones.
*
Memory Check: Lets you see at a glance how much total memory is left.
*
Search with Scan Operation: Lets you include selected service searches orcustom search ranges during normal scan operation.
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Custom Alerts: For each alert in the scanner (such as channel alert, Close Callalert, emergency alert), you can select from 9 different tone patterns and also setthe alert volume level independently from the main volume level.
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Automatic Channel Step: Accepts frequencies on any valid channel step, evenif it does not fall within the band plan’s default step.
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Frequency Step: Lets you select a frequency step (5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10,12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz) for manual mode and search mode.
*
Text Tagging: You can name each system, group, channel, talk group ID,custom search range, and SAME group, using up to 16 characters per name.
*
Data Skip: Allows your scanner to skip unwanted data transmissions andreduces the affect of birdies.
*
Duplicate Frequency Alert: Alerts you if you try to enter a duplicate name orfrequency already stored in a system.
*
Memory Backup: If power is lost or disconnected, the scanner retains thefrequencies you programmed in its memory.
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Temporary Lockout: Makes it easy to temporarily lock out a system, channel,or frequency. The lockout is cleared when you turn power off, then back on so you don’t have to remember to unlock the channels later.
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Startup Configuration: Lets you easily manage multiple configurations for yourscanner.
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Single-Handed Function Control Operation: You can tap the Function/ScrollControl to enable the Function mode. It reverts to normal mode in about 3 seconds from your last press if no other action occurs.
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Record Out Jack: Using the appropriate cable and audio recording device withsignal control, you can record live audio of designated channels.
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Display and Keypad Backlight: Makes the display and keypad easy to see indim light using two color options and six light levels plus off.
*
Vehicle Power Connection (Orange Wire) — Lets you connect to your vehicle’s dimmer circuit to also dim the scanner’s display with the vehicle’s dimmer control.
*
Multi-Site Trunking: Lets you share system channels across multiple sites tomore efficiently use the scanner’s memory and more easily select sites to monitor.
*
Control Channel Only Scanning: If the scanner is set to scan a Motorolasystem, you can set it so it scans using only control channel data. You do not haveto program voice channel frequencies into memory in this mode as long as all possible control channels are programmed.
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Adaptive Digital Threshold: Automatically sets the digital decode threshold forAPCO 25 systems.
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GPS Location Based Scanning: If you connect a GPS unit to the scanner it canautomatically enable and disable systems based on the Location Information(longitude, latitude, Range) that you provide.
*
GPS Non-Radio Based Features: The scanner alerts you to DangerousIntersections, Speed Alerts, and Points of Interest that you program into thescanner.
*
GPS Display Mode: Lets you display extended GPS information such asDistance to a POI, Direction to a POI, Time to a POI, Speed, Position, and more.
*
Weather Search: Lets your scanner receive your local NOAA weathertransmission.
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SAME Weather Alert: Lets your scanner sound an alert when a SAME weatheralert signal is transmitted on a NOAA weather channel. The scanner also displaysthe transmitted alert type. This helps you quickly find out about severe weather inyour area and lets you avoid false alarms.
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WX Priority: Lets your scanner alert you when a weather alert is transmitted ona NOAA weather channel.Service Search — Lets you quickly select and search the scanner’spreprogrammed frequencies.
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Custom Search: Lets you program up to 10 custom search ranges. You cansearch any of these ranges simultaneously.
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CTCSS/DCS Search: Lets the scanner search for CTCSS or DCS tones orcodes on any channel or during a search. The scanner can identify up to 50CTCSS tones and 104 DCS codes.
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Quick Search: Lets you search from the currently-tuned frequency if you aresearching a conventional system.
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Frequency Auto Store: Automatically stores all active frequencies into theselected conventional system.
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Talk Group ID Auto Store: Automatically stores all new talk group ID’s into achannel group you select.
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Priority Scan: Priority channels let you keep track of activity on your most important conventional channel(s) while monitoring transmissions on otherchannels.
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Priority Plus: You can set the scanner so it scans only the priority channels.
*
PC Control and Cloning PC Control: You can transfer programming data to and from your scanner and your personal computer, and control the scanner using a computer. This helps youfind frequencies listed on the Internet and load them into the scanner. PCcontrol and programming software will be available from Uniden direct.
*
Clone Mode: You can clone all programmed data, including the contents of thescanner’s memory, menu settings, and other parameters from one BCD996Tscanner to another BCD996T scanner.

Dual Serial Ports: Front-set serial port using the same connector as BC246T/BCD396T/BR330T/SC230. Rear DB9 Male connector (for convenient direct plug-in of GPS Serial cable). Either port can be configured to be PC interface or GPS interface.

Dimensions: 7 1/3"W x 2 1/2"H x 5 15/16"D
Accessories: AD1009 AC adapter, cigarette lighter adapter power cord, mounting bracket, push on telescopic antenna, PC serial cable and Owner's Manual.

Frequency coverage, mode, step (kHz)
25.0000 - 27.9950 AM 5.0
28.0000 - 29.6800 NFM 20.0
29.7000 - 49.9900 NFM 10.0
50.0000 - 53.9800 NFM 20.0
54.0000 - 71.9500 WFM 50.0
72.0000 - 75.9950 FM 5.0
76.0000 - 87.9500 WFM 50.0
88.0000 - 107.9000 FM 100.0
108.0000 - 136.9750 AM 25.0
137.0000 - 143.9875 NFM 12.5
144.0000 - 147.9950 NFM 5.0
148.0000 - 150.7875 NFM 12.5
150.8000 - 161.9950 NFM 5.0
162.0000 - 173.9875 NFM 12.5
174.0000 - 215.9500 WFM 50.0
216.0000 - 224.9800 NFM 20.0
225.0000 - 379.9750 AM 25.0
380.0000 - 512.0000 NFM 12.5
764.0000 - 775.9875 NFM 12.5
794.0000 - 805.9875 NFM 12.5
806.0000 - 823.9875 NFM 12.5
849.0125 - 868.9875 NFM 12.5
894.0125 - 956.0000 NFM 12.5
1240.000 - 1300.000 NFM 25.0