The Other Guy wrote:
Uniden BCD396XT, without a doubt.I always get nervous when someone uses a phrase like, "without a doubt"
when discussing a subjective matter. The BCD396XT is a cracking scanner,
I'm sure we'd all agree, but the OP said he listens to cellular and he
won't be able to do that with a Uniden. So, I respectfully counter with
the Icom IC-R20 (unblocked) and/or the AOR AR-8200 Mark III. They are
worthy of a look by anyone who wants to buy a serious scanner.
--
Golan Klinger
Dark is the suede that mows like a harvest.
The Other Guy wrote:
Uniden BCD396XT, without a doubt.I always get nervous when someone uses a phrase like, "without a doubt"
when discussing a subjective matter. The BCD396XT is a cracking scanner,
I'm sure we'd all agree, but the OP said he listens to cellular and he
won't be able to do that with a Uniden. So, I respectfully counter with
the Icom IC-R20 (unblocked) and/or the AOR AR-8200 Mark III. They are
worthy of a look by anyone who wants to buy a serious scanner.
--
Golan Klinger
Dark is the suede that mows like a harvest.
For 2021, I would assume the Uniden SDS-100 is the best handheld "digital" scanner out there. My locality is still mostly analog (Washington State Patrol went digital two years ago). My BC-200XLT (handheld) and my BC-8500XLT still run fine. One ofthese days, I've got to repair my now non-functioning backlight on the 8500.
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 07:44:38 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to digest...these days, I've got to repair my now non-functioning backlight on the 8500.
For 2021, I would assume the Uniden SDS-100 is the best handheld "digital" scanner out there. My locality is still mostly analog (Washington State Patrol went digital two years ago). My BC-200XLT (handheld) and my BC-8500XLT still run fine. One of
From others more knowledgeable than me the SDS-100, which I own, is the best for my location. Your location probably had different needs. Are you thinkingI was thinking of upgrading to a digital scanner. Our county dispatch radio system had a bond issue approved by voters two years ago to switch the entire Thurston County ( in Olympia, Washington) to digital. This would mean police, fire, search & rescue,
of upgrading or just want a new scanner?
--
Tekkie
On Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:58:22 AM UTC-8, Tekkie wrote:these days, I've got to repair my now non-functioning backlight on the 8500.
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 07:44:38 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to digest...
For 2021, I would assume the Uniden SDS-100 is the best handheld "digital" scanner out there. My locality is still mostly analog (Washington State Patrol went digital two years ago). My BC-200XLT (handheld) and my BC-8500XLT still run fine. One of
rescue, public works, dogcatcher, and city buses would go digital. There's a big flyFrom others more knowledgeable than me the SDS-100, which I own, is the best
for my location. Your location probably had different needs. Are you thinking
of upgrading or just want a new scanner?
--I was thinking of upgrading to a digital scanner. Our county dispatch radio system had a bond issue approved by voters two years ago to switch the entire Thurston County ( in Olympia, Washington) to digital. This would mean police, fire, search &
Tekkie
in the ointment though. They didn't count on all the businesses closed for a year and no tax revenue coming into the government coffers because of the corona. So the county may not have the money to convert.
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 18:29:59 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to digest...
of these days, I've got to repair my now non-functioning backlight on the 8500.On Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:58:22 AM UTC-8, Tekkie© wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 07:44:38 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to
digest...
For 2021, I would assume the Uniden SDS-100 is the best handheld "digital" scanner out there. My locality is still mostly analog (Washington State Patrol went digital two years ago). My BC-200XLT (handheld) and my BC-8500XLT still run fine. One
rescue, public works, dogcatcher, and city buses would go digital. There's a big flyFrom others more knowledgeable than me the SDS-100, which I own, is the best
for my location. Your location probably had different needs. Are you thinking
of upgrading or just want a new scanner?
--I was thinking of upgrading to a digital scanner. Our county dispatch radio system had a bond issue approved by voters two years ago to switch the entire Thurston County ( in Olympia, Washington) to digital. This would mean police, fire, search &
Tekkie
Here's an update. I decided to rebuild the Metro West Pro Pack 1200 battery pack for my Uniden BC200 XLT. I bought six of the AA solder tab 2000 mah NiMH batteries on ebay to replace the original 1200 mah batteries that were inside the battery pack. Thein the ointment though. They didn't count on all the businesses closed for a year and no tax revenue coming into the government coffers because of the corona. So the county may not have the money to convert.I would hold off until the county gets their act together. The twists and turns
are numerous. I think Uniden will be making scanners for awhile and may possibly come up with something 'newer and better'...
A bond issue probably means they have the money in their hands. See if they spend it correctly. Don't worry about the tax money, they will get it from you.
;-(
In the meantime I would make an investment in RadioReference.com to keep current.
Good luck Ken, keep us informed and help bring this group back.
--
Tekkie
On Monday, March 8, 2021 at 12:28:07 PM UTC-8, Tekkie wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 18:29:59 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to digest...
of these days, I've got to repair my now non-functioning backlight on theOn Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:58:22 AM UTC-8, Tekkie wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 07:44:38 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to
digest...
For 2021, I would assume the Uniden SDS-100 is the best handheld "digital" scanner out there. My locality is still mostly analog (Washington State Patrol went digital two years ago). My BC-200XLT (handheld) and my BC-8500XLT still run fine. One
rescue, public works, dogcatcher, and city buses would go digital. There's a bigFrom others more knowledgeable than me the SDS-100, which I own, is the best
for my location. Your location probably had different needs. Are you thinking
of upgrading or just want a new scanner?
--I was thinking of upgrading to a digital scanner. Our county dispatch radio system had a bond issue approved by voters two years ago to switch the entire Thurston County ( in Olympia, Washington) to digital. This would mean police, fire, search &
Tekkie
The new batteries are smaller in diameter than what Metro West had inside the battery pack. Even with smaller diameter batteries, it's still a snug fit (I was a bit sloppy in soldering the batteries together). I ended up using a Dremel tool with cutoff wheel to cut the old Metro West battery pack case open. Once I got the casein the ointment though. They didn't count on all the businesses closed for a year and no tax revenue coming into the government coffers because of the corona. So the county may not have the money to convert.I would hold off until the county gets their act together. The twists and turns
are numerous. I think Uniden will be making scanners for awhile and may possibly come up with something 'newer and better'...
A bond issue probably means they have the money in their hands. See if they spend it correctly. Don't worry about the tax money, they will get it from you.
;-(
In the meantime I would make an investment in RadioReference.com to keep current.
Good luck Ken, keep us informed and help bring this group back.
--Here's an update. I decided to rebuild the Metro West Pro Pack 1200 battery pack for my Uniden BC200 XLT. I bought six of the AA solder tab 2000 mah NiMH batteries on ebay to replace the original 1200 mah batteries that were inside the battery pack.
Tekkie
To close up the rebuilt pack, I wrapped a couple of 8" zip ties around the middle of it. Then I ran a bead of silicone glue only down the sides of the battery pack case. After that dried, I cut the zip ties off and finished putting some silicone gluewhere the zip ties were.
I've been running the scanner off that rebuilt battery pack for three days now, six hours a day, WITHOUT having recharged it yet! I'm glad I rebuilt that battery pack because now I get some decent run time. The batteries I bought on ebay were shippedfrom Battery Concepts of San Marcos, California ( www.batteryconcepts.us ).
Ken Layton
Olympia, Wash.
On Sat, 3 Apr 2021 09:10:19 -0700 (PDT), Ken Layton posted for all of us to digest...
On Monday, March 8, 2021 at 12:28:07 PM UTC-8, Tekkie© wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 18:29:59 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to
digest...
One of these days, I've got to repair my now non-functioning backlight on theOn Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:58:22 AM UTC-8, Tekkie© wrote:
On Sat, 6 Mar 2021 07:44:38 -0800 (PST), Ken Layton posted for all of us to
digest...
For 2021, I would assume the Uniden SDS-100 is the best handheld "digital" scanner out there. My locality is still mostly analog (Washington State Patrol went digital two years ago). My BC-200XLT (handheld) and my BC-8500XLT still run fine.
8500.rescue, public works, dogcatcher, and city buses would go digital. There's a big
From others more knowledgeable than me the SDS-100, which I own, is the best
for my location. Your location probably had different needs. Are you thinking
of upgrading or just want a new scanner?
--I was thinking of upgrading to a digital scanner. Our county dispatch radio system had a bond issue approved by voters two years ago to switch the entire Thurston County ( in Olympia, Washington) to digital. This would mean police, fire, search &
Tekkie
flyThe new batteries are smaller in diameter than what Metro West had inside the
in the ointment though. They didn't count on all the businesses closed for a year and no tax revenue coming into the government coffers because of the corona. So the county may not have the money to convert.I would hold off until the county gets their act together. The twists and turns
are numerous. I think Uniden will be making scanners for awhile and may possibly come up with something 'newer and better'...
A bond issue probably means they have the money in their hands. See if they
spend it correctly. Don't worry about the tax money, they will get it from you.
;-(
In the meantime I would make an investment in RadioReference.com to keep current.
Good luck Ken, keep us informed and help bring this group back.
--Here's an update. I decided to rebuild the Metro West Pro Pack 1200 battery pack for my Uniden BC200 XLT. I bought six of the AA solder tab 2000 mah NiMH batteries on ebay to replace the original 1200 mah batteries that were inside the battery pack.
Tekkie
battery pack. Even with smaller diameter batteries, it's still a snug fit (I was a bit sloppy in soldering the batteries together). I ended up using a Dremel tool with cutoff wheel to cut the old Metro West battery pack case open. Once I got the caseopen, it was not too hard to stuff the new batteries in it. Before sealing it up,
I checked the + and - terminals on the battery pack for signs of life. I measured 7.5 volts output, so evidently the new batteries were sent to me charged up (they arrived with the terminals insulated with tape and each battery individually wrapped ina plastic bag).
where the zip ties were.To close up the rebuilt pack, I wrapped a couple of 8" zip ties around the middle of it. Then I ran a bead of silicone glue only down the sides of the battery pack case. After that dried, I cut the zip ties off and finished putting some silicone glue
from Battery Concepts of San Marcos, California ( www.batteryconcepts.us ).I've been running the scanner off that rebuilt battery pack for three days now, six hours a day, WITHOUT having recharged it yet! I'm glad I rebuilt that battery pack because now I get some decent run time. The batteries I bought on ebay were shipped
Another update: I ended up with a total run time of six days at 6 hours per day on that rebuilt battery pack (2000 mah nickel metal) before it needed to be recharged. It took 6 hours on the Metro West charger to recharge the new battery pack. I'm veryKen LaytonVery good, new life. I might have one of those around here *somewhere*
Olympia, Wash.
--
Tekkie
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