Uniden BC355N 800 MHz 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, Close Call RF Capture, Pre-programmed Search “Action” Bands to Hear Police, Ambulance, Fire, Amateur Radio, Public Utilities, Weather, and More, Black

I gave this item a bad review when I first got it (for static and transmission interruptions). Since then I found that this item is fine, it was the recommended external speaker that was the problem ( in a review the speaker was recommended and was sold as a package deal when I bought the Scanner). Once I removed the speaker (as I was going to return/replace the scanner) a broadcast came over PERFECTLY clear and uninterrupted. AND the built in speaker for the scanner was fine.......no external speaker needed. Just so you know, when an external speaker is attached, it by-passes the internal speaker completely. When I was purchasing and reading review it was suggested that the scanner NEEDED an external speaker........NOT TRUE!!!! The scanner works beautifully without the external speaker and I am now very pleased with this scanner. Sometimes reading reviews hurt you, I hope this one helps you. This is a really good scanner for what I needed and I am very happy with it now that I removed the external speaker.

hello i recently bought this scanner for my uncle. Since buying this item i have found myself listening it just as much as he does. When we got the scanner it was programmed out of the box with some preset codes that work perfectly for our area, the box came with all the accessories to hook up to a car or home and is loud enough that anyone can hear it. My only complaint is that the antennae does not pick up alot of traffic if you live outside of a town but that can be corrected by buying a bigger antennae. Another problem is if you already have codes to program in, there is no key pad to program them in to the private bank but beyond these problems this is a good beginner to intermediate scanner for anyone. Still i like it and am happy i bought it.

This works great if you dont need to scan bands. The stock antenna it comes with works well right out of the box, and i was able to monitor my municipality (fire dept) on a single channel after about 3 zillion hours with the manual... So other than the fact that this thing is more complicated than the Hubble telescope to use and despite having a tech degree and being a reasonably geeky fellow I still cant figure out the scanning feature - it works. If you are easily frustrated by technology, you might want to opt for something a bit more user friendly.

This is a hard review to write. I purchased this because as a CERT responder I wanted to know what was going on the Police, Fire, and Emergency channels. But so far the only channel I have received anything on is the Weather channel. I live near a large city in Southern Utah so it isnt like I am somewhere out in the boonies. Maybe the police, fire, and emergency people use a different range of frequencies than this radio is tuned for. I cant complain about the radio, but I am disappointed that I cant get the broadcasts I was hoping for.

For 75 dollars, an excellent scanner for the price. Connect an outside rooftop antenna and a external speaker and you have a scanner as good with sensitivity and selectivity as a 500 dollar one. Contrary to what is said, you can monitor 800 MHz trunked radio systems, as long as you lock out the control data frequencies that run 24 hrs a day. Will not be as good as a scanner made for trunking, showing you the names of the talk groups, etc but does enable you to monitor trunked systems as long as they are not digital. The only con with this radio is there is not a keyboard, so you just cannot punch in a frequency. You have to scroll through the frequencies of a particular band and enter them into scanner that way. I wanted a scanner to monitor the marine VHF band during summers, and this scanner fits the bill perfectly for a very low price. Did not try this radio in a vehicle, so cannot comment on its performance. In any case you must plug in an external antenna into the BNC connector on the back of radio if you want decent performance. The little antenna supplied is good only for 5 miles max.

I compared this new model,BC355N, to my older model BC147XLT, at least 30 years older. I found that the 355 was great for discovering new frequencies in my area, but comparing the scanners side by side, squelches just above white noise,with both scanners parked on the same frequency the 355 received the transmission less than half the time of the 147. Some frequencies not at all. Ill be keeping the 355 to keep searching for new frequencies, but I wont be retiring my 30 year old BC147XLT, which has been spectacular, never a problem.

This is a no frills basic scanner that works great for anyone in an area that has police and fire still on analog frequencies. Really simple to program; dont believe the naysayers that say it isnt. A simple 3 minute youtube video showed me how to do it. Its a bit time consuming and repetitive but very very easy once you know how. If you plan to listen to over 25 or so frequencies right of the bat, you might want to invest in a programming cable and download programming software. Also, it does have a TOTAL of 300 slots to program frequencies BUT 200 of these are under the Air/Marine slot. It is a bit confusing and if you want to listen to more than 100 frequencies and have to spill over to the Air/Marine presets, you will have to set the scanner to scan your private frequencies along with both the Air and Marine band presets. Its confusing I know, but it DOES have 300 memory slots. If some folks read the free downloadable user manual before purchasing, they would have known that. If you are listening to that many frequencies though, you should probably invest in a better, higher end scanner that has a larger custom memory bank. Its pretty small and takes up very little space on my nightstand and workbench. Worthwhile if you are like me and only listen to around 15 or 20 of the local police/fire/EMS frequencies. If that is all you are looking for out of your scanner, this will do the job. Upon arrival, the box included the scanner, a base telescopic antenna that plugs straight into the back (works well for me, your results may vary with location), a mobile mounting bracket with several feet of fused power wire, a DC cigarette power adapter for quick plug and go mobile installation, and finally a second antenna. The second antenna is basically a copper wire with suction cups on both ends and several feet of coax attached to it. According to the directions, you basically suction cup the antenna to the inside windshield on the passenger side of the vehicle or to the rear widow if you drive a standard cab truck. I currently use it in my basement window to gain better reception during the evening when I am working downstairs in my concrete surrounded shop space. Having an additional antenna stuck up in the window really helps improve the reception. Overall, its simple, it works, and its not crazy expensive because of too many bells and whistles I wont use.

Easy to program once you figure it out sounds great no issue receiving transmissions.

The BC355N is perfect for those who desire a simple easy to setup and operate radio. Ability to key pad frequencies into unit would make it a 5++. I have owned a significant number of radios over the years and must say this is a great unit for the $. I will also say that a scanner is only as good as the Antenna which is attached to it so before you give up on a radio add a better antenna first. Phil Tee Staten Island NY