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You can
write your own review of the Bearcat BCD396T.
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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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VE3VWX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 27, 2006 23:17
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Simply the best
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Time owned: months
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This scanner is basically the portable version of the 996T minus a few features.
This scanner does not use those wasteful lists former versions did, it has plenty of memory (fits the entire province of Ontario easily), has beautiful sensitivity (1/4 - 1/2 ~wave VHF whip works for all frequencies).
The ability to have the scanner automatically tune out channels when the control channel can no longer be heard makes mobile use a pleasure.
One side note is that this scanner is extremely complex and tiring to program without the aid of computer, hence get a cable and let the computer do all the work.
This is the best portable scanner on the market right now; it kills everything Radio Shack has and every other scanner out there except for the 996T.
Enjoy! Well worth the money!
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VK7ZJA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 2, 2006 23:38
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A great little box of tricks
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Such a pleasure to get a scanner that scans so quickly after owning a 4-channel-per-second scanner previously. This thing rips through the spectrum at breakneck speeds!
Sure, it's complicated to program, you didn't expect to buy one of the most technologically advanced, feature filled scanners out there today and have it as easy to program as an old PRO34 did you?
And no, it's not robust, but as far as scanners go, this is definitely one of the better ones, for sure.
The manual isn't bad but it definitely could have been better, but does omit vital facts and concepts. If you've owned a Uniden 780 before, you will have no trouble. But if this is your first, be prepared for a steep learning curve, lots of reading and re-reading the manual, and asking for help from other owners.
Sensitivity? Pretty much average. Not great, but not bad, either.
Selectivity? A bit better than average I'd say. Seems to be fairly interference resistant, to a point. Not the best in this department, but definitely in the top 25%.
But this thing does very well what a scanner should do: SCAN! A few other manufacturers seem to have lost the plot when it comes to this point. Thankfully, Uniden have not.
Sound quality is a bit average, not hi-fi by any means. More 'comms quality'. Can sound a bit raspy at times. My ears have gotten used to it now, so it doesn't bug me. A pair of headphones reveals great audio, so it must be the tiny internal speaker that's the problem here.
Well done Uniden. A great product, and with a few firmware updates to fix the occasional bug, it'll be even better. Worth the high asking price? Well, I think so (and I'm not even using the digital P25 reception capabilities!), but others might disagree.
For my money: I like it a lot!
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NX1Z
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Rating: 2/5
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Feb 17, 2006 09:18
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UPDATE from NX1Z
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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See my previous review below on Feb 8, 2006 13:53 “Great Features but Low Sensitivity”
I have brought back my BCD396T for an even exchange. On my way home, I was able to conclude that it suffered from the same sensitivity issues as mentioned in my previous review. Also, on the yahoo group KD4UKH uploaded an MS Excel spreadsheet of data that he collected comparing the measured sensitivity of his pro-96 with the 396T. The numbers on the spreadsheet concur with my review that the scanners sensitivity needs help.
To see the data sheet, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCD396T/ and view the file named “BCD396T Sensitivity.xls” in the “Files” area of the group site.
John/NX1Z
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VE6BGM
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 23, 2005 16:24
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Great portable scanner
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Had a chance to use one for about a month. A little too expensive to buy, but am saving up for one. Have had a number of scanners, both base and portable. This is one of the best sounding portables I have heard. Volume is "load and clear" as some like to say. It is a little difficult to program [mine was easy as someone else programmed it]. The rechargeable batteries at nearly 2300 mAh last about 12 hours. Can't say enough about this scanner. Yes, it is not intended to be a VX-170, or Motorola work radio, so the exterior is not made out of steel. The one I used, had been dropped a couple of times, yet only had 2 very small marks on the back. At least the light coming on when turned off confirms that it has indeed turned off. I have had other scanners that killed the battery because there was no confirmation that it had been turned off.
Other than a high price, the radio it self is a 10!
Bob, ve6bgm
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K9XYZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 23, 2005 15:37
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WRONG!!!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I could make this review pages but I wont.
The fit, feel and make of the 396 is fantastic. The features of this small handheld scanner are untouched by anything else on the market now or ever in history, PERIOD!!
The only thing that comes close is the pro-96 but it has nowhere near the number of features. I have both and use them both daily. Both great scanners but as soon as you take the 396 out of the box, you'll know what a classy radio it is.
I have been a ham for years holding an extra class license and have been scanning even longer and I have never dropped one of my radios, scanners, HTs, etc. When you spend this much on something take care of it, geezz!
I dont take my expensive radios to the local construction site and dangle them from my belt to find out whether or not they will get a scratch, how bout you?
As far as the lettering problem on some early modles of the 396, this is well documented and Uniden fixed it early on as soon as they found out about it and replaced face covers under warranty and they still are.
If you want the best handheld scanner ever made, buy this one, whether or not you need the digital functions, BTW the volume is so loud I have to turn mine down all the time.
INCREDIBLE LITTLE SCANNER!!
No, I dont work for or have any interest in uniden, I just love this scanner.
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KC8YWO
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Rating: 2/5
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Dec 23, 2005 11:53
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High price, low quality materials.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This is my third handheld scanner I have owned. My first was a BC100XLT purchased back in 1993.
I paid over $540.00 for this scanner and expected a rugged handheld. Unfortunaately what I got was a cheap quality scanner. After owning this thing for less than a week, the letters were wearing off the plastic. I returned it to Uniden and they sent me a new one.
The plastic case feels like it will shatter on impact if dropped. They should have made the case out of magnesium like my Yaesu VX-7R.
I am also disappointed in how muffled the sound is comming out of the speaker. I expected a much clearer sound.
And last but not least, the god awful manual! It is by far the most confusing scanner manual I have ever read. You have to refer to this page and that page. Nothing is in order.
I like the blue LCD, but do not like the fact they built the light button into the power button. Every time you turn off the scanner, the light comes on.
The scanner excels internally. It picks up signals great and is feature packed inside. In this regard I commend Uniden.
I am giving this scanner a score of 2 out of 5, mainly because the exterior of the scanner (which will see the most wear and tear) was not built rugged enough. Before you go and buy one, I would recommend seeing one in person first. If you can get by the exterior materials, then buy it.
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K6LCS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2005 13:43
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Improving All the Time
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It has been an exciting last twelve months for Uniden! Physically, this new APCO25-compatible scanner is about the same size as the '246 - but the edges are a little more "squared," giving the unit a little more "box-y" feel.
Uniden is working on a firmware release already - and end-users can update! (Some have experienced problems with TGIDs above 4096 - and Uniden has quickly addressed this issue with a firmware update).
There is a very active YahooGroup on this unit - and Uniden rep Paul is there to answer all inquiries.
The CloseCall sensitivity "feels" beter on this unit than on the '246 (subjective observation - I do not own lab equipment).
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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