| UK1 |
Rating:     |
2022-12-03 | |
| Feature packed but poor audio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I kept reading glowing reports of this radio and took the plunge and ordered one from a US seller via eBay.
I have owned a UBC3500XLT since around 2007 which is basically the handheld version of the 15X so I pretty much knew what to expect performance wise and the well documented complexity of operation due to the dynamic memories etc. It took me a few days to get my head around, but I programmed in my systems and around 500 channels no problem without a computer.
I've found it to be a great tool for searching and scanning. I use it in the shack where it's perfect for finding new signals. The fast scan speeds mean you don't miss much. The features and functionality are hard to beat and ideally suited for UHF airband listening where it seems to pull in more signals better than anything. There's some intermod at my urban location and the dynamic range is just mediocre, so you cannot rely on the signal received being a genuine one. It's a cheap radio, so don't expect good performance in strong signal environments.
One thing lets it down badly - the audio. Shame as otherwise this would have been 5 stars. I don't know if I have a faulty one or they are all this bad, but there's a constant background speaker hiss from the moment it's turned on (I could live with that) but it turns into a more intrusive rumbling/rustling noise when scanning / searching. You can actually hear when it's going over 'noisy' spectrum by the intensity of the noise. Unfortunately an external speaker only makes it more noticeable. The audio of the signals received is also pretty mushy and lacking clarity but this is a cheap radio after all and it's a little unfair for me to compare it to my more expensive receivers.
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| KK6IYW |
Rating:  |
2021-07-26 | |
| Not a intuitive scanner to use. |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I've had this particular scanner for more than a year. Performance wise it's very good, even excellent! My one complaint is its a nightmare to program. I use FREEscan to add radio frequencies and CTCSS codes which makes channel entries a breeze. My scanner has the habit of going into a custom scan and I cannot seem to stop it. I have follow suggestions to go in and edit the custom 1 scanning and lock it out but hitting a button on the scanner front panel brings it back to that mode. I would not choose the scanner again after owning this model. It is not user friendly, its not intuitive. If you are planning on a scanner for fire, railroad and ham listening I suggest you try another, |
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| M0ASW |
Rating:    |
2020-12-07 | |
| OK unit but operation hard to remember for non Uniden folks |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Transitioning from conventional analogue scanners I agree with comments here that the unit is totally useless without in-depth study of the non-existent manual. For what I use this scanner for (mainly Airband monitoring, we do not have any trunking systems here) it does the job reasonably well and fast. But the learning curve for older folks is steep. Although I fully understand the DMA arrangement (and find it useful) I still do not get the top level philosophy of how the unit is meant to be operated by a power user. If this is not your only scanner you will likely forget the how-to of even elementary things like calling up a single channel to monitor and de-activating groups in systems >#10. If you don’t get the key sequence right all sorts of interesting things may happen and you ay easily screw the config up. The possible combination of searches and scans is highly confusing and at times unwanted searches come up when you make some settings. Using a programming and/or operating SW is a must, so get a serial port cable. I use Pro Scan and its features for recording and remote control are very powerful indeed. This is where this scanner shines. But getting it all set up is literally hard work.
I run the antennas into a wideband splitter and can compare it with my Pro-2006. From that I can deduct that the 2006 is miles ahead with UHF signal to noise, while the 15X is slightly ahead on VHF. In fact the Pro-2006 is so good that the Icom R6 does not even register a signal. So far the 2006 is The best performing UHF machine that I have, I can’t even get nicer audio out of an airspy R2.
Generally even if there were a Operator Manual the operation is a bit painful and only partly intuitive. All esoteric function requires the manual to pull off. The unit is feature rich but here in Europe most of these are of no use. Have not tried to use the GPS , this seems interesting if you travel a bit but I think it is probably more a selling point than useful.
The unit is solidly built with a heavy steel casing (looks like plastic) so receiving it it exceed my mechanical expectations. All buttons have positive tactile feedback and backlighting. Panel is not backlit. Backlighting unfortunately is only red, the display has several brightness levels and contrast can be adjusted. This is useful when you want to look at the display from above (as I do).
I am thankful I did not pay the new price for this unit, for the price I paid I am happy with it.
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| KD4OBQ |
Rating:      |
2019-10-21 | |
| Revisited |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| At less than $150 shipped how can you go wrong. Sure it is outdated however I am lucky enough not to have digital or trunking living in rural America. I use it for aircraft only as where I live there are 4 air traffic control centers that converge here as well as military air refueling. Sure I have all the local government agencies programmed in as well as the storm chasers however you can put them on different banks as you get 10 of them and a single button to turn them on and off while in scan mode. Also have a 6 meter and 10 meter banks for repeter's programmed as well as UFH/VHF banks. I did use the supplied programming cable and FreeScan software to organize everything and it has been on 24/7 for the past 2 years and still going strong. Also it's nice to label each channel and not worry about loosing the data when the power goes out. I am tempted to get another one in case this one ever gets overwhelmed by mother nature. 73 |
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| FORMER_KC2FYA |
Rating:     |
2017-03-04 | |
| Getting Old |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I purchased this scanner about two years ago. The scanner works very well but where I live in Central NJ, most State agencies have migrated to APCO-25, DMR, or NJICS which the unit does not cover. Otherwise it is great for conventional systems and "earlier" trunking systems. There are many features and selections. I will keep it until I am able to purchase an updated one. |
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| K2FIX |
Rating:     |
2016-05-03 | |
| Very Good ! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I waited till I was past most of the learning curve to comment, in fairness to the unit and my review. I understand the frustration of others, but read on....
My prior scanner was an 895XLT, which died after many years. I wanted alpha tags and faster scan, along with digital squelch. I considered SDR but for my local public safety, and river/air traffic in summer, it appeared overkill-plus I'd need another computer. I needed decent rejection, as I'm line of sight with some paging towers which would spill over on UHF Fire frequencies with the 895.
I live in an area with 99% conventional. I can't comment on trunking-there isn't much nearby.
You will need a computer to program it. You probably can program by hand, but why ? I have 350 or so channels, some have DCS, some PL, and most are open. My location is high enough that I can usually hear my local outlet, and often a co channel occupant 20 miles away, so I have to PL/DCS to keep the gadget from hanging on the distant signal, always just enough to break squelch.
This thing is fast. Much faster than the older unit. Having unlimited banks is easier than trying to juggle channels among defined banks. Freescan works pretty well, and I was able to program the unit with minimal issue once Freescan was sorted. No rejection issues. Using Close Call, I only picked up my local PD, but CC works-I just don't have much close enough to trigger it.
You can give priority to multiple sources-I have three local channels listed-and it will still check them even while scanning/searching.
The part that causes confusion is that you program a System, and under that, your Groups. You will eventually end up with banks, a lockout button, and your normal scanner functionality, but it takes a while. Program with computer, upload.
Get a copy of the "easier to read" manual. Then take the unit, and spend some time with it and go through every function enumerated by hand. It is a long trip from your classic scanner to this, but in the last 20 years, your TV, computer and cell phone have changed too.
There are still one or two bits I'm working on, mostly turning on and off search banks plus scan-I'm also haven't yet mastered the bandscope. The function sets are layered, so you have function plus button, and there is a lot going on. Keep the ETR guide handy.
Kudos to the sensitivity. Local troopers set up a radar trap in the 155 mhz range, with simplex mobiles 7 or so miles away,over hills. My 746 pro was pretty much dead even with the 15x pulling these fluttery and weak signals out of the air, which is pretty good since the 15x was 10% of the price. I'm hearing competing users on local PS frequencies I've never heard before, getting back to the need for PL....
TL:DR. Must be computer literate. Learning curve is straight up till it suddenly levels off. Good radio, very fast, very sensitive.
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| 2E1VAR |
Rating:      |
2016-04-23 | |
| Amazing radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Okay, for starters this rados memory works totally differently to anything you have used before. Try to figure it out from prodding buttons or even using the manual and you will get lost. I use the Butel software to enter the memories but could have done it manually with the help of youtube. I've owned most of the scanners that are available and this baby wipes the floor with them. lightning fast scanning, great sensitivity, loads of features and amazing memory flexability. Of all the scanners I've owned (and I've had them all) this is by far the best. Ignore the bad reviews, those guys just didn't take the time to understand the amazing features of this great radio. I've owned UBC9000, UBC360, UBC125, AR8600, AR1000, VR500, Pro 2006, 2042, 26, Yupi 7000, 7100, 8000. IC-R2. This beats them all by miles !!! |
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| K1ESL |
Rating:      |
2014-08-10 | |
| Great non-digital scanner |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I'm amused by the number of reviews that downrate these radios (DMA scanners) because they are "hard" to program. As hams, you would think technology would be embraced rather than rejected. The old bank-and-channel programming looks stupid compared to DMA, yet it was fine when it was the only thing. All DMA means is that memory is allocated to the things you create, you aren't forced to fit inside 10 banks of 100 channels or whatever. You simply define your systems for each thing you want to listen to and then make groups of channels (or talkgroups for trunk systems). You can turn them on and off at will - it's a great way to listen. Having said all that, the radios are decently average scanning receivers. They are not better than the older versions, and not worse either. Since the BCT15X is not digital, there are no arguments about the ability to receive this or that digital modulation - it's a strictly analog receiver. It can do trunking though. I don't use the "beartracker" stuff - it's pretty useless. The fixed methodology of looking for mobile extenders is going away with increased use of digital radios for extenders. All in all, this is a solid radio that is a joy to use and program via the computer. Once you "get" DMA, you will love it, and it will make this the most flexible scanner you have ever owned. (I also have a BCD996XT and BCD396XT which are digital, but share the DMA aspect). I have one master file to program them all. |
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| KD7WNJ |
Rating:      |
2014-07-19 | |
| New to uniden but I like it |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Only had this for a few days, but I will say, DMA is a pain to get used to. However, once you get the hang of how it works and how to use it, it's not bad and is VERY efficient, don't think I'll ever fill all the memory up!!!
Also, you don't absolutely NEED a PC (sorry mac users, though there is bootcamp) and software, I programmed mine by hand and it works great.
Yes, the manual SUCKS, go to Mark's easier to read manual for this thing, 1000 times better.
And for all the naysayers, yes there is a learning curve to this thing, but you just need to sit down and mess with it for a little bit and figure it out bit by bit and you'll probably learn to enjoy it. |
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| KC7JNJ |
Rating:      |
2014-07-18 | |
| love it |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have two if these now. I gave $189 for each of them. I love them, they replaced a dead ratshack 2006. I have no trunking in my area, so they are used for conventional scanning . I mainly program with the software. But everyone was complaining about how hard they are to program from the face. So I decided to try and learn to program them from the face. It was really not hard at all, even without a manual. I took less then 15 min to figure it out. I now use face programing all the time to program a quick freq.
The things I really like about this unit is:
1:The price. $189 I gave $400 for the ratshack 2006
2: I can program with the software and build a code plug. I can clone between units. and I can back the code plugs up.
3: I really like the fact It will use tone squelch. I have tones setup on everything that uses tones in my area.
4: The audio on these units it really top notch. Everyone that comes over is shocked at how good the audio is.
The only drawbacks I see for how I use the unit.
1: They get a little intermod, but only on my external yagi.
a: in all fairness everything I have ever owned has done this with an external antenna.
2: I was hoping for a little more scanning speed.
a: but it is on par with my old ratshack 2006 at 30 cps
Over all I am very pleased with the units and would love to have two more.
Anyone want some help with theirs shoot me an email.
KC7JNJ
Al
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