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write your own review of the Bearcat BCD396T.
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W9THD
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 5, 2008 05:50
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Style trumps function
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Let me start by saying the 396 does what it claims to do. The features all seem to work as advertised, and I've used the free software to program and reprogram it without a hitch.
I agree with some other reviewers - the mismatch between digital / analog volume can be annoying. I've not found the correct setting of the AGC to smooth this out to my satisfaction.
My biggest problem concerns portable use. I'm a reporter, so it pretty much goes everywhere with me. Unfortunately, it seems Uniden designed this to look like a portable transceiver. They side mounted a dual switch for the function/hold functions, and it is nearly impossible to carry this thing around without accidentally activating one or the other. They made it 3 CM tall, much bigger than the transmit switch of my Kendwood HT's. Yes...there is a key lock for the front panel, but that doesn't help with the side switch. Perhaps including that big side switch to look like the TRANSMIT button of a transceiver was done for marketing reasons, but it sure is annoying when it comes to using this receiver.
For that reason, I find myself wanting to leave the 396 at the office connected to an internet server rather than slogging along with me out here in the working world. Too bad.
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KI4BBL
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 15, 2007 15:04
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Absolutely what I need
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had this for a short time; however, I am finding it very good for all of my needs. I traded a 996t for this because I don't sit in one spot very much. It has great sensitivity, close call is what I have been looking for to pick up certain signals (RS "signal stalker" did not pick up the freq.) I love the simplicity of the scanner and the small size. The standard belt clip is phenomenal (twist and go kind) I love this scanner and use it ALL of the time.
Greg
ki4bbl
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N0VKG
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 27, 2007 19:22
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One of the best....
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is one of the very best radios...
I'm keeping it short, sweet and to the point. I have no complaints for this radio. Simply one of the best.
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SIWADLOJ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 8, 2007 19:56
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excelent scanner radio
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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i owned one of the first rs programable scanner
in the mid 80"s.a couple years later i had two
or three pro radio shack radios.two years ago
i owend my first uniden250d.which at then i thought was also a great radio.i sold that one to purchase the 396t.programing was simple for
me,radio works exceptonaly well.i only had one
small minor detail,and that is finding the tone
out signals to set for my area.i wish it would
have a search feature in the menu.
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K4YHQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 26, 2006 20:04
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Wonderful eatures, Great Software, Sensitivity Lacking
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Oddly enough, if it weren't for the RS Pro 96/2096, I'd be giving this scanner a 5/5.
Pros:
(1) Dynamic Memory Allocation allows you to program as many as 500 Systems (banks) with as many as 250 talkgroups per bank. This should be the model for all future scanners to copy.t's very easy to build an custom scanner profile that lets you activate or lock out whole systems as you need to. It takes a little getting used to, but once yopu've forgotten all you learned about programming other scanners, the Uniden Dynamic Memory Allocation is much better than anything you used before.
(2) It's very easy to operate with the Butel ARC396 software. Butel software makes it a pleasure to program the 396. You can import whole systems directly from the RadioReference Database. You just open up the software and pick and choose, like a kid in a candy store. Butel ARC396 also allows you to control the scanner directly from your computer.
(3) The display is an attractive blue with good contrast.
(4) The unit is about 1/2 the size of the RS Pro 96, and fits easily into your shirt pocket.
(5) The 396 has good audio quality, if not too much volume.
Cons:
(1) Clearly less sensitive than the RS 96/2096. I have both scanners, and if put them side by side, programmed with the same frequencies, the Pro 96 will pick up almost twice as many signals.
(2) Without the Uniden or Butel software, the 396 would be a nightmare to program.
(3) It eats batteries at almost twice the rate of the RS Pro 96.
(4) The volume levels are not equalized, especially when going from digital to analog signals. This means that some transmission are so soft you're tempted to turn up the volume, then the next signal is so loud you're tempted to turn it down.
(5) Service Searches are not as easy to initiate, as with the RS Pro 96. When near the shore, I like to flip the Pro 96 onto the Marine Bands to monitor the Coast Guard. With the Pro 96 I just hit one button and can switch it back and forth between the Marine Band and whatever else I'm scanning. With the 396 this requires hitting buttons and scrolling, and can't be done as quickly.
Conclusion:
I like this little scanner very much, and I use it often, but here's no getting around the fact that the RS Pro 96 will give you more to listen to.
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KC5IMN
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 6, 2006 17:32
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Very complex radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is an initial review of the BCD 396T after two weeks of use. I had a need of a portable radio capable of demodulating P25 digital voice transmissions because our local police department just switched all their voice operations over to P25 and the Texas Department of Public Safety is in the process of switching over to P25 digital.
My first impression of the unit is that it is very small, nearly twice the size of my Radio Shack PRO 97. This radio is complex. It has a tall learning curve and will require more than a basic understanding of trunking and conventional radio systems. The downloadable software from Uniden to program and control the radio is not user friendly and will require some time to master. Using the manual and Uniden software I was not able to successfully program local radio systems into the radio. This was very frustrating because I feel that I am a power user of windows GUI driven software and of cutting edge personal electronic devices. After about five days of use, I reluctantly purchased the downloadable software from Butel software (ARC396PRO). This software was pretty straight forward on programming the radio and has so many logging and control features that I may never use them all. Using the ARC396 PRO software I was able to download all of my local, rural, radio systems (conventional and trunking). After three days of frustration, I spent about 8 hours on the yahoo.groups BCD396T site, and now, I have determined that this is an awesome radio.
It actually tracks the TXU 900 MHz narrowband EDACS trunking system; a massive statewide networked trunking system (something that no other handheld scanner could do). So far, it has worked great for Motorola Type II and LTR trunking systems as well as conventional systems. The radio hears as well as any high end scanner/receiver that I have owned. It does a great job of decoding the P25 digital voice transmissions from our local police department. The system/group method of data storage is very effective and efficient; I have all the state police frequencies, all the state DOT frequencies, and all the major and minor trunking/conventional systems in my area (including the Dallas/Fort Worth areas and 50 miles east) programmed up and have only used about 25 percent of the memory storage.
In the end I really wish that the radio had a per channel delay instead of being on a per system basis. Absolutely no other derogatory items to report. Overall, this radio has to be the most feature packed hand held scanner radio on the market today. However, be prepared for a steep learning curve just for basic operation of the radio.
Robert
KC5IMN
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W2DI
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 21, 2006 13:42
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Best Scanner I've had
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am not a scanning expert. However I've had many scanners and wideband HTs that also scan. I think the BCD396T is, by far, the best I've owned...therefore the 5.
This scanner does everything it is supposed to do and more. I don't know if I will ever use all its capabilities.
It is lightning fast. I can't imagine needing a faster scanner. Memory management is superb and the radio has a solid feel. The display is good and the blue light on the display and keys make it even better. Using 3 AA alkaline batteries last a very long time.
On the controversial issues mentioned, I find the sensitivity to be comparable to any handheld I've used with the supplied duck. Using a BNC whip that extends from 6 to 20" makes the 396 pull in all kinds of signals. The supplied duck isn't bad, but the longer whip is so much better.
I do agree that the audio could be louder from the speaker. In most environments it is very sufficient, however. With stereo phones (1/8" 3 conductor plug) you hear equal output from both speakers and the sound is excellent - hearing things and words you miss otherwise. But, as the manual warns, PUT THE HEADPHONES ON WITH THE VOLUME WAY DOWN AND MOVE IT UP SLOWLY - OR YOU MAY DAMAGE YOUR HEARING!! Some of the digital signals 'pop' in rather quickly!!!
Finally, if you are not an expert programing trunked, digital systems, you may find the task daunting. I thought I was good at programing handhelds until I got this radio. I ended up purchasing ARC396 software and subscribing to RadioReference.com. The extra cost is well worth it. There are a lot of sites and groups around to get valuable information. But there is a steep learning curve with the radio that might easily frustrate a new owner. I feel this may be the case with all radios in this class.
No, it may not be a perfect radio, but I feel it merits a 5 simply because it is excellent at what it is made for. Just my 2 cents and thanks for looking.
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W6JHC
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 21, 2006 11:58
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very good radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After a year this radio continues to amaze me with it's ability to receive interesting transmissions.
That is what it is all about right?
The LAPD come in perfectly, especially when connected to a discone.
I can listen to air traffic all over southern California when using that same discone.
The memory system makes all the difference in the world if you travel. There is nothing like being able to engage a couple of quick keys and being able to hear the action in a place you are visiting.
I have never rated a radio a 5 (I think it should be a 1-10 scale) because a 5 would be perfect. The perfect radio doesnt exist ...yet.
I believe that this is the radio that Bill Cheek was dreaming of when he worked so hard modifying the 2006 pro 43 and others. The BC 396 does virtually everything Bill worked to get into radios and much more. If you are on the fence just jump you can't go wrong with the 396. It does it all and more. The 396 is a cool radio, I think it will take one heck of a radio to displace the 396 in my EDC (every day carry) of a scanner. For me this is the one.
Till then.
Yaesumofo
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PAULGBLUNDELL
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 3, 2006 17:42
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Great handheld Radio
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Uniden BCD 396T Digital Hand Held Scanner
Here’s my review of the new Uniden BCD 396T scanner.
Some of the more important specs:
25 MHz – 1300 MHz coverage
AM / FM/ NFM /WFM Modes
Steps from 5 kHz to 100 kHz
6600 channels – up to 400 systems
100 quick keys to access systems
Trunk Tracker IV operation
APCO 25 Digital decoding
Close Call
CTCSS / DCS decoding
Channel Alert tones
Text Tags
10 Custom search ranges with Auto Store.
PC Control / Programming
Here’s what you get with it out of the box:
Uniden BCD 396T unit:
This is a mid sized unit and is built quite well, it runs off 3 x AA cells and these seem to last quite a while.
Belt Clip:
This is a very professional setup and comes in two parts, one is attached to the back on the radio and clips on the second part on your belt, and this means the unit has to be turned upside down to get it off, reducing the chance of it falling off by accident.
SMA Aerial
AC Adaptor / 3x 2300Mah AA Cells
This is a 6v 800Ma unit and charges the 3 AA cells in 16 hours; it also powers the radio while it is charging.
Programming Cable
This allows the radio to be programmed via a PC; the software is a free download off the Uniden website and works very well.
Manual
This is a must have item as this is a very complex unit to set up and use.
Programming the unit:
Before using this unit you MUST have an understanding of how it is setup as it is very different to all other Uniden scanners.
You have a pool of 6600 channels by default, instead of banks you have systems which you can have to 400 of.
As you build each system it takes the channels from the pool and assigns them to the system, this means that to program the EDACS Mt Barrow site in to system 1 you take the 9 channels from the pool and add them to system 1, you can them add the 11 channels to build the system for EDACS West Launceston to system 2, this means that you are not wasting channels like you do on a Uniden 780 where you use 1 bank of 50 channels for a EDACS site with only 11 channels.
As you can have up to 400 system’s setup, you could have EVERY EDACS site in Tasmania programmed and still have over 6000 channels spare to put in your normal two way stuff like the Air band or UHF CB, with the UHF CB you could build a system with only the 40 channels required for it, by doing this you don’t waste any channels.
How I have my bcd396t setup is like this:
System 1 – 000 Services
System 2 – Air band / HAM Radio
System 3 – Business Band
System 4 – UHF CB
System 8 – EDACS Mt Barrow
System 9 – EDACS West Launceston
Using it for the last few days after programming it via my pc shows that it has every feature you could want in a handheld and that so far it seems to work very well both on the EDACS trunking and on normal vhf / uhf channels.
Having 6600 channels and custom system sizes allows a great level of freedom to set it up just how you want.
The only problem with a unit like this is that is VERY COMPLEX to setup and use, if you find a Uniden 245 or 780 hard to program / use , this will really test you out as it has so many feature and options you need to have a good understanding of it.
Hope this has been helpful, and please let me know if you have any questions about it.
Paul
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