My New Winter Friend- The BCD-396T

[x635 4,066]

Today, I recieved my new scanner, a Uniden BCD-396T Digital Scanner. I purchased it from ScannerMaster, which is excellent and has excellent customer service. (http://www.scannermaster.com)

I've been a Scanner buff since my father bought me my first "Realistic" (Radio Shacks scanner brand) desktop scanner a long time ago. As a teenager, at the height of my scanning interest, I had a few portable Unidens, and mobiles.

Now, I basically only listed with my desktop, a BC-760XLT. This new scanner I got so it could go everywhere with me, and I could listen to everything going on- from local FD's to Metro North while on the go. One of my hopes with this new scanner is that it will lead to new photos for me, and the site.

This scanner has so many features, I don't know where to begin. It can montior APCO 25 digital systems, and trunked systems, which allows me to monitor agencies that I haven't been able to listen to in years. It also has "Fire Tone Out", which allows it to act sort of like a Minitor II, and pick up tones when they go out. I also like the alpha tagging, so I can see/read what I'm monitoring. (It's hard to remember what every frequency is!) The Close Call feature automatically picks up any nearby transmitters, which is great at a fire scene where you don't have the Handi talkie frequncies. It is preprogrammed with 400 cities, so off the bat I can monitor a whole bunch of places while traveling without having to do a thing. I also purchased the Butel software with it, so I can program it using my computer, as well as record audio (maybe for the website as well)

Now, I can give Truck4, tbendick, JTCamp, Photofires, and ndemarse all some competion on buffing and shooting jobs, since I will be in the know everywhere I go! It's also going to be great to be able to monitor LA City and other cities when I travel.

Also, HFD23 (BDiddy) and I have something new to do for when we work together, lol!

I'm so excited about this new scanner, however it is very complicated and is going to take me a while to learn, but I'm going to have fun with the whole new world it opens up to me again! I back into scanning!

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Edited December 10, 2006 by x635

[IzzyEng4 427]

Seth did you get the programing software yet? If so I made some profiles and groups foir it for NYC, Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester counties of you want them. Plus CT profiles too. I can send them to you.

[x635 4,066]

I have both the Uniden and ARC/Butel software. I'm still figuring out how to put a frequency in......it's very intimidating. If you could send me the profiles Izzy, I'm sure I can figure out how to input them.

Edited December 10, 2006 by x635

[Guest]

Very nice. I have the base station version of that scanner and it's great. If only I knew how to program it! My chief did it for me so I'm clueless about that despite having the software to program it.

[firecapt32 282]

x635 your starting to scare me!!! you better be studing for a promotional exam... it will be time sooner then you think. remember they cant stay for ever---well in your case it might be different!!! just kidding

good luck with the scanner--heres a secret--I have one too. an old one like me it needs upgrading

[x635 4,066]

LOL, cap.

Well, here's an update. If you're loooking for any easy-to-use scanner, THIS IS NOT THE ONE!

This scanner is SO complicated, I am still learning it and figuring it out. The instruction manual is horrible, so thankfully there's a few different references on the web.

However, some great features and I'm looking foward to learning more about them. That's once I figure out this darn quickkey system.

Edited December 13, 2006 by x635