Reddit reviews Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner. TrunkTracker V, Simple Programming, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert, Covers USA and Canada
We found 6 Reddit comments about Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner. TrunkTracker V, Simple Programming, S.A.M.E. Emergency/Weather Alert, Covers USA and Canada. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
The BCD436HP is the first scanner to incorporate the HomePatrol-1 ease of use in a traditional handheld scanner. Plus, Uniden's exclusive Close Call RF Capture feature, GPS Connectivity, Extra-Large Display, Radio System Analysis and Discover Modes put the most advanced scanner features ever right in the palm of your hand.Simple to operate, no programming needed. Simply turn it on, enter your zip code, and TrunkTracker V does the rest.This user-friendly digital scanner will immediately begin receiving communications used by Public Safety, Police, Fire, EMS, Ambulance, Aircraft, Military, Weather, and more.Scan Speed - 85 channels per secondThis functionality is made possible by combining the rich radio system database from Radio Reference with Uniden's patented radio system selection methods to correctly identify and monitor only nearby systems in the USA/Canada.Whether it is across town or across the street, the BCD436HP keeps you informed. Now with the largest display on the market and more advanced features, the BCD436HP makes a superior unit for the scanner enthusiast.Instant Replay – Plays back up to 240 seconds (4 minutes) of the most recent transmissions.Custom Alerts – You can program your scanner to alert when you receive, a Channel or Unit ID, a Close Call hit, an ID is transmitted with an Emergency Alert, or a Tone-out hit. For each alert in the scanner, you can select from 9 different tone patterns, 15 volume settings, 7 colors, and 3 flash patterns.
There are a few ways.
The cheapest and easiest is the broadcastify stream. You can listen directly or with an app on your phone like Scanner Radio. Obviously you're at the mercy of someone else to provide the content with this approach and you won't hear everything available as broadcastify places limits on what communications can be streamed, but this is the simplest way.
There's only 1 scanner on the market capable of decoding the radio system the city uses, and that's the Uniden BCD436HP. It's not cheap, it'll set you back almost $500 for the scanner and necessary software upgrade.
The 3rd way if you're decent with computers is to use some inexpensive software defined radio dongles and some freely available software to listen in.
Buying the next step down - about $400 (plus for AC adapter cable etc.) without the cool color display but also the easy setup. Hopefully a lot easier than my ancient Radio Shack handheld that doesn't hear anything any more as everyone's gone trunking here (some encrypted, so Broadcastify will still be needed).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I33XDAK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
When the Radio Shack near me closed, I got one of these for $45.00
Yes, but they are not cheap. The comment below using SDR would be much less expensive, but I don't know a lot about digital trunking with an SDR unit.
Here is a standalone portable unit: https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BCD436HP-HomePatrol-TrunkTracker-Programming/dp/B00I33XDAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549520011&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+trunking+scanner+p25
It's about $50 cheaper if you get a base unit, but still crazy expensive. If you do happen to invest in one, there is software to program it easily using data from radio-reference.com. It's called freescan.
Currently on the market:
https://www.amazon.com/Whistler-TRX-1-Handheld-Digital-Scanner/dp/B01H3XYNUO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894827&sr=8-1&keywords=whistler+trx-1
or...
https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BCD436HP-HomePatrol-Digital-Handheld/dp/B00I33XDAK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894827&sr=8-2&keywords=whistler+trx-1
Both of these are nearly-do-it-all scanners. Expensive, but will give you the capability to listen to just about anything that's not encrypted. There are minor differences between them, so I would recommend doing research or asking further questions.
If you do consider the Uniden they are about to release their SDS100 scanner which will become their flagship. Which may also drop pricing on the 436.
If you still desire something that is capable, but easier to use take a look at the remainder of the Uniden Home Patrol line. Specifically the Home Patrol 2.