[Scan-DC] Portable Scanner Recommendations

[Larry Van Horn, N5FPW]

James wrote:
>Yes love my Pro-96/2096 I have six actually and they are wonderful much 
>better audio and
>programming software than the Uniden line.

Audio is such a subjective thing James. I had both radios in my hands side 
by side and I loved the 396 audio much better. Now in the early public 
firmware versions of the Uniden 396 there was some issues with the digital 
decode. But those were addressed in subsequent firmware updates. There might 
be a few still having a problem or two on selected systems, but the 96/2096 
are not free of those sort of problems either.

Sadly, the 396/996 radios features and overall performance are heads and 
shoulders above anything RS/GRE has released recently. I have been a huge 
fan of GRE for years (I still have my 43/2004/2005/2006 combo). But until 
GRE jumps on the dynamic allocation memory bandwagon and gets rid of the 
banks concept, their market share will continue to die away.

The reason for the common complaint that the Unidens are to complicated is 
because most folks do NOT spend the time to learn about DMA and the new ways 
to use these scanners. Once they get a grip, take the time and learn what 
they have in their hands (especially the new multi-site trunk capability of 
the 996), they will never look back. I certainly haven't looked back and I 
have relegated all my banked scanners including my RS scanners to Milair/Mil 
LMR and Gov LMR only work.

All my Uniden scanners 246/330/396/996 are being used for PS/Biz LMR work. 
The 330 stays in my camera bag for when I have to leave on assignment. The 
246 stays in the den with the XYL for her listening enjoyment. I carry the 
396 around here at the radio ranch and the 996 stays in the shack unless we 
are on a trip. It is a great scanner for VHF lo band skip work. You can see 
some of my results on my personal blog at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com.

To use a quote from Paul Opitz, who I interviewed for my BCD996T review in 
the July MT: "Tell me how to make the 996 less complicated and keep all the 
features that everyone has asked for and we will do it."  I have looked at 
this extensively since I have to interface with users on a regular basis and 
Paul is correct. This is what happens when you ask for the kitchen sink, 
complexity increases with capability. So this means you will have to spend 
some time with the manual.

I have said this before, but it is worth repeating. When I got the first DMA 
scanner (246) in my hands, the first couple of hours was rough. I was 
honestly worried that I wasn't going to get the darn thing programmed. Once 
I hit brain master clear, sat down and read the manual with the emphasis 
that I really wanted to learn this radio, and I quit crying over the loss of 
the old ways of programming, I have had no problems since. In fact, I have 
programmed the 330/396/996 straight out of the box without cracking the 
manual.

Once you have learned the basic progamming technique of these new scanners 
you can then go back and learn about the nice to have/use features these 
scanners have.

I have been a big fan and advocate of RS/GRE scanners over the years, but 
the lack of listening capability has driven me away from purchasing them. 
Yes, they have a few nice features and are a bit easier to program, but they 
also do not do all the neat things that the Unidens do.

Bottom line: I guess if you don't have something, then you don't miss it. 
But once you have it, you can't do without it.

Have fun all, good hunting and 73,

Chief

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW
ATC (AW)      USN (Ret)
MT Milcom/Help Desk Columnist
Assistant Editor Monitoring Times
Blog Address: http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/
Founding Father Milcom/Fedcom/Trunkcom