Thanks...could not remember if it was from Mark Meese or Tom Swisher or Eric...remember reading a good comparison though...
Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Cuff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Discussion list for the Winter SWL Fest" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 1:13 PM Subject: [Swlfest] Fwd: Scanner Choices for the Fest was Re: RS Pro-96 and2096 scanner firmware update > Mike - I believe this one from Eric C is the one you're looking for... > > RDC > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Eric A. Cottrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Feb 25, 2007 1:06 PM > Subject: [Swlfest] Scanner Choices for the Fest was Re: RS Pro-96 and > 2096 scanner firmware update > To: Discussion list for the Winter SWL Fest <[email protected]> > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >> Montgomery county trs is mixed mode, at this point with about 60% of the >> county digital capable. Many municipalities have not upgraded all their >> radios yet. I can still use my PRO-92 most of the time. I know I know, I >> should have upgraded by last years fest. No $. If my old cameras >> sell... One question PRO-96 or BCD396T ? And why ? Thank you. CRAIG >> >> PS: 138.425mhz used at Willow Grove JRB is now using mixed mode >> P25/analogueFM > > Hello, > > I have both the Pro-96 and BCD396T. I suggest you also read the threads > on www.radioreference.com. > > I use the BCD396T more. Most people say the audio quality is better on > the 96 and I can hear a difference. The 396 has other features that to > me outweigh the slight degrade of audio. The P25 audio has improved on > the 396 through firmware upgrades. > > The 396 is smaller and I am more likely to put it in my coat pocket or > cell phone pocket of my computer case. > > I like the systems/groups/channels scheme on the 396 better than the > virtualbanks/banks/channels scheme on the 96. I have a PA Statewide > system that is enabled on both a Kulpsville and a Dayton trip. On the > 96 I would likely have it in a Kulpsville virtual bank and Dayton Trip > virtual bank. Having data in two places means you update it two times > or miss updating one! I also like being able to group channels together > on the 396 and use the Group alpha tag to provide more information. > > I like being able to computer control the 396 (if I remember to bring > the cable). There are computer programs that can record audio separated > out by frequency+tone/channel/talkgroup so you can search while > attending the forums. > > Pro96com is a neat program to decode 9600 baud control channels using > the 96. Several years ago I tried to decode a 380 MHz P25 system in > Washington DC and and found the 96 is deaf at 380 MHz. My Uniden 796 > could hear the control channel but could not trunk track. Somebody > else was able to decode the control channel with a 96 using another > receiver as a front end. The 396 will trunk track a 380 MHz system. It > is now possible to use other programs like Unitrunker to decode 9600 > baud control channels. A 396 firmware update changed the default for > 380 MHz from AM to FM as 380 MHz is being used for trunked radio systems. > > Both scanners have the wrong default step size for NBFM systems on 217 > and 220 MHz. The step size can be changed on the 396. Mobex has a FM > Land Mobile system in Philly using Passport on the 217.5 to 218 MHz > band. http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=RR&sid=3185 > > I like upgrading the 396 myself instead shipping the 96 off to Texas and > paying $50+. > > Pro-96 was the "first to market" 9600 baud P25 system scanner. I feel > that Radio Shack needs a follow-on product that addresses some of the > issues. > > 73 Eric > _______________________________________________ > Swlfest mailing list > [email protected] > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest > > To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to > [EMAIL PROTECTED], or visit the URL > shown above. > > For more information on the Fest, visit: > > http://www.swlfest.com > http://swlfest.blogspot.com > > > -- > Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA > > International broadcasting / shortwave blog: > http://www.intlradio.blogspot.com > _______________________________________________ > Swlfest mailing list > [email protected] > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest > > To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to > [EMAIL PROTECTED], or visit the URL > shown above. > > For more information on the Fest, visit: > > http://www.swlfest.com > http://swlfest.blogspot.com > _______________________________________________ Swlfest mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swlfest To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED], or visit the URL shown above. For more information on the Fest, visit: http://www.swlfest.com http://swlfest.blogspot.com
