New BC-296D

Batman · Post by **Batman** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 7:00 pm

The new Uniden scanners say they do 9600 Systems. I'm not a Astro expert so bear with me. Does 9600 capability mean they will do fully digital systems as apposed to a mixed mode system?

See link these scanners are brand new.

http://www.scannerworld.com/template.as ... uct=BC296D

Thanks,

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Fri Dec 05, 2003 7:02 pm

Yes, the BC296 and BC796 will do 9.6Kbps-control ASTRO 25-style systems, like the Radio Shack PRO-96. However, the 296 and 796 will also do CQPSK modulation, whereas the PRO96 is currently limited to C4FM (supposedly will be upgradable with a flash program sooner or later.)

We've got a 796 on order for a play-toy. It should be interesting...

RocketNJ · Post by **RocketNJ** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 6:15 am

It will still do mixed mode systems but in addition of what the 250D does it also tracks and decodes the CQPSK and P25 C4FM sysems as Batman pointed out.

George

ASTROMODAT · Post by **ASTROMODAT** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 6:40 pm

Most of the recent postings I've seen on the PRO-96 say that it will NOT be field FLASH upgradable to handle CQPSK, albeit there is definately a lot of ongoing controversy on this subject.

Larry

RocketNJ · Post by **RocketNJ** » Sat Dec 06, 2003 7:34 pm

I have a Pro96 and on the bubble as whether to sell it and get 296 or wait and see.....

Right now there are no 9600 baud systems for me to monitor in my area. I've heard rumors of possibly one or two down the road but nothing in concrete.

Pro 96 has faster PL/DPL decoding in search mode, digital AGC, and virtual memories which you can load up as you need them.

George

2wayfreq · Post by **2wayfreq** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 4:39 pm

Hi,
This might be a given but I am not sure. I want to snatch one of these up but I want to confirm. This things RX mode is the equivalent to motorola's "Digital CSQ/Net 293 setting? I know it wont do Network ID stuff (I wish) but can someone confirm?
Also, http://www.usascan.com has them for $519.00 but it says in the text under the radio:"Not compatable with ASTRO systems" and a few others. Hmmm..what does that mean??? Thanks..JM

Post by Pj » Sun Dec 07, 2003 5:17 pm

I haven't seen anything either way, but I would suspect that it monitors as "digital CSQ". Chances of two astro systems on the same freq (as the world is now) are fairly remote.

At some point as digital is 50/50 with analog, you may see a NID search as there is a PL/DPL search, but look how long it took for us to get that.

RocketNJ · Post by **RocketNJ** » Sun Dec 07, 2003 6:28 pm

It is not compatible with Astro 25 CQPSK systems (12.5 kHz narrow band digital). Only systems I know of that are using CQPSK are Phoenix/Mesa, Michigan, and Minnesota systems. I'm sure there are a few more.

George

2wayfreq wrote:Hi,
This might be a given but I am not sure. I want to snatch one of these up but I want to confirm. This things RX mode is the equivalent to motorola's "Digital CSQ/Net 293 setting? I know it wont do Network ID stuff (I wish) but can someone confirm?
Also, http://www.usascan.com has them for $519.00 but it says in the text under the radio:"Not compatable with ASTRO systems" and a few others. Hmmm..what does that mean??? Thanks..JM

Post by **CAPTLPOL** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:34 am

CQPSK systmes in addition to the aforemetntioned are Hamilton County, Ohio, and Austin, Texas.

2wayfreq · Post by **2wayfreq** » Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:01 pm

Hmm,
Pro-96 vs bc-296d. I think the Bearcat has more features and bang for the buck. I am leaning toward that one. Its just too bad they didnt go ahead and include 700MHz Public safety band. I would hate to have to get (yet another) scanner just to cover that. Yeah..and Net ID search would have been smart for the astro side. The Pro-96 does have a GOB of channel capacity. But, i think 1000 channels should be enough. Anyone have their pros and cons? Or, is one definitely a STOMP!! over the other one?

Dale Earnhardt · Post by **Dale Earnhardt** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 1:42 am

naaa, I hope they dont put network ID search, astro repeater are so much secure, you cant find the network ID unless you read one of somebody radio that has it in there, other then that, dont have to worry about ppl finding your decodign your network ID and getting on the system, unless there is a way of decoding it, and nobody mention it yet lol.

2wayfreq · Post by **2wayfreq** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 9:18 am

I went ahead and bought the pro-96. Nice!! Tried it with my AS3 transmitting clear astro. A "DG" designator pops up on the screen. There is a little bit of delay on the voice but sounds crisp.

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 4:16 pm

Does anyone know if the new Uniden digital scanners will intercept private calls (on a trunked system), like the older model?

RocketNJ · Post by **RocketNJ** » Tue Dec 09, 2003 7:32 pm

someone had said yes.

George