BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner, 25,000 Dynamically Allocated Channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, 4-Line Alpha display, Base/Mobile Design, Phase 2, Location-Based Scanning

Brilliant , good price highly reccomended.

Happy with item I purchased

This scanner is not usually available in the UK, it has a lot of features seen in the Wistler TR-X2 but at a lower cost. Scanner is high quality and gets good reviews on the WWW. It is supplied with a US adapter so a UK will be needed but these are widely available in the UK. Order was dispatched on 18 December and received 22 December, I did pay for DHL expedited delivery, if I hadn’t I may have had to wait until 8 January.

Not the latest from Uniden but remains a great option for in car or as a base unit at home. Loaded with features and able to decode just about every except the encrypted. Open up to even more with paid upgrades.

Excelente equipo, yo lo uso en un pueblo en veracruz a 60m sobre el nivel del mar con una antena multibanda a 20m de altura , y tengo excelente recepción de aproximadamente 15 estaciones de radios que se escuchan a 150km a la redonda. en mi pueblo local decodifica bien una repetidora P25 , también puedo escuchar estaciones DMR , “recordemos que debemos comprar una licencia para activar la función DMR al igual de NXDN y si son algo caras”. Además debe tener mucha paciencia y tiempo para poder configurar el equipo ya que al principio si es difícil , si usted no tiene paciencia entonces ni lo compre. No se pueden escuchar estaciones encriptadas Digitales . El idioma del equipo es en inglés .

Excellent, solid construction, could be complicated if you are new to scanning. The newest update of the excellent bct15/996 lineup, uniden really has a good system there and being a Phase 2 digital this scanner be good for the foreseeable future. If you are new to scanning, this receiver might not be the best place to start, however if you locale uses digital trunked systems I would recommend jumping into this radio. If your local doesn't use digital systems you might be better off getting a bct15x ([very similar to this radio minus digital], if locale has analog trunked systems) or a bc125at if there are not any trunked systems. You can check what your local services use in the radioreference.com frequency database. This scanner is capable of listening to police UHF VHF, fire UHF VHF, railroads, aviation 118-130 MHZ ish, GMRS/MURS/FRS(walkie talkies) 460 MHZ ish, Marine band, weather band(noaa) 160 ish mhz, HAM radio, state police/highway patrol operating in the 30-40 mhz range, cb radio. This scanner does not have ssb so its not a good solution to listen to longer wave ham or shortwave broadcasts. Like I said it can be complicated, however once you understand it, it becomes a very powerful tool. I had little trouble with it but I had previously used scanners so I wasn't overloaded with the radio mumbo jumbo, all I needed to learn was how to operate the radio itself. A good place to learn the radio "mumbo jumbo" would be radioreference.com. Compared to the radioshack/whistler units may have 20 "scan lists" (newer models have more I believe). While they are not equivalent, in conventional systems with the uniden you have 10 group 'quick keys' per system and 100 systems with 'quick keys' all of which can be independently toggled. So in theory you can have 1000 "scanning bank toggles" just by using groups and system quick keys. Trunked systems are programmed slightly different but afford plenty of customization. And work around systems and groups. Also this radio has the ability to search for talkgroups within trunked systems. You can technically get more than 1000 groups/100 systems into this receiver using tags but the quick keys seem easiest and I would be shocked if you could use them all for you regular scanning (obviously if you wanted to program your whole state things would get pretty full, however you would be able to get a pretty large coverage. I have the entirety of California Highway Patrol programmed in mine(I use 1 system for each division), as well as 3 counties [Stanislaus, Merced, San Luis Obispo] (including most cities in them) (fire, pd, sheriff, ambulance services, HAM and aviation) and I'm only using 30 systems out of 100. And those are fairly spread out to allow minute adjustments in which departments/services I'm listening to, where as if you condensed them you could use far less than 30 systems. Receive is very good. I operate mostly conventional systems in the UHF (Police, Fire, Ham), VHF (Sheriff, fire, ham, aviation) area, but have a trunked motorola 800mhz which does very well, and also use it to scan for CHP mobile extenders (handheld radios) which operate as a conventional p25, it receives those no problem. For CHP I primarily use my other scanner a BCT15x because I have it attached to an antenna optimized for around 40 mhz however for my bcd966p2 I use a larsen triband 150/450/800 and it works great at pulling in vhf/uhf/and 800mhz it even pulls in chp in the 40mhz quite well for a small antenna.

Can listen all type of conversation over 29 Mhz except those are encrypted.

The Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner is a robust, feature-rich device that’s well-regarded among radio enthusiasts and professionals alike. This review will explore its various strengths, features, and limitations to give you a clear understanding of what you can expect from this versatile scanner. Key Features and Performance 1. Digital and Analog Scanning The BCD996P2 supports both analog and digital transmissions, including APCO P25 Phase I and II, Motorola, EDACS, and LTR trunked systems, making it compatible with a wide range of communications. Its digital compatibility is a significant upgrade over other analog-only models and is ideal for users looking to future-proof their scanner in light of the ongoing shift towards digital communications. 2. TrunkTracker V Technology The TrunkTracker V technology is a standout feature of this scanner. It allows for seamless tracking of trunked radio systems, which are commonly used by public safety and local government agencies. This capability enables users to monitor communications across multiple frequencies, ensuring that no information is missed. 3. Quick Key System Access Uniden’s Quick Key system makes organizing and accessing frequencies and talk groups easy and intuitive. Users can assign frequencies to specific quick keys, allowing for faster access during scanning. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who regularly monitor different sets of frequencies or locations. 4. Close Call RF Capture Technology Another innovative feature is the Close Call RF Capture, which detects nearby transmissions and automatically tunes the scanner to that frequency. This is especially useful in dynamic environments where transmissions are likely to change frequently, such as during large public events. 5. Dynamic Memory System With a dynamic memory system, the BCD996P2 offers more flexibility in organizing frequencies compared to traditional banked scanners. The system has 25,000 channels, allowing ample space to store frequencies, talk groups, and systems, catering to both casual users and advanced listeners who need high-capacity storage. 6. GPS Compatibility The scanner can integrate with an external GPS receiver (sold separately), enabling location-based scanning. This feature is invaluable for travelers, as it allows the scanner to automatically select and scan local frequencies based on the user’s location. 7. Display and Controls The backlit display on the BCD996P2 is clear and easy to read, even in low light conditions, although it is somewhat small, which may be a drawback for users with visibility concerns. The control layout is intuitive and relatively straightforward, though some users may find the menu navigation complex due to the sheer range of options available. 8. PC Programming and Firmware Updates Uniden has made the BCD996P2 compatible with third-party programming software, allowing users to program their scanner on a PC. Firmware updates are also available, ensuring the scanner can receive performance enhancements and bug fixes over time. However, the initial setup and configuration may be challenging for less tech-savvy users. 9. Audio Quality Audio quality is one of the BCD996P2’s strengths. Its speaker is clear and adequately loud, ensuring that users can hear transmissions in noisy environments. The audio remains relatively consistent across different frequencies and transmission types, making it suitable for professional use. 10. Customizable Alert Tones The BCD996P2 allows users to assign customizable alert tones to specific frequencies, channels, or talk groups. This feature is particularly useful for users who monitor multiple channels and want to quickly identify priority signals. Performance in the Field In real-world testing, the BCD996P2 performs admirably across urban and rural settings. The reception quality is strong, especially for users in areas with a solid digital signal infrastructure. However, in regions where digital coverage is sparse, analog channels may experience interference or weaker signals, a limitation inherent to many digital scanners. The Close Call feature works as expected, swiftly capturing nearby transmissions even in crowded frequency environments. GPS integration is seamless when paired with a compatible receiver, with the scanner quickly adapting to location changes. Pros and Cons Pros Wide range of compatibility with digital and analog systems, including APCO P25 Phase I and II. Large memory capacity of 25,000 channels with a dynamic memory structure. Trunking capabilities with TrunkTracker V technology. Close Call RF Capture for detecting nearby transmissions. GPS compatibility for location-based scanning. Strong audio quality suitable for a variety of environments. Cons Complex setup and programming can be challenging for beginners. Additional cost for the GPS receiver, which may be an essential feature for some users. Small display size might be inconvenient for users with visibility issues. Lack of Wi-Fi or app integration for remote programming or monitoring, which is available in some newer models. Ideal Use Cases The Uniden BCD996P2 is particularly well-suited for: Public safety and emergency services professionals who need reliable trunking capabilities. Radio enthusiasts looking for a robust, feature-rich scanner compatible with digital systems. Travelers who can benefit from GPS-based location scanning. Users in urban areas with strong digital infrastructure. Final Verdict The Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner is a high-performance device that offers excellent value for those requiring digital and analog compatibility in a compact, mobile-friendly design. While the setup and programming may be challenging for beginners, its extensive feature set makes it a worthwhile investment for users willing to learn. This scanner is ideal for radio enthusiasts and professionals who need reliable trunking capabilities and support for digital transmissions. Its performance in the field, paired with Uniden’s renowned durability and support, make it a solid choice in the world of digital mobile scanners. Despite its learning curve and lack of some modern features like app integration, the BCD996P2 remains a top choice for anyone serious about radio scanning.