Uniden 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

Got for 90 yr old dad. Keeps his mind interested.

This scanner is great. Its easy to program once you figure out, without any help from the manufacturer, that you need to use a windows 7 computer and not windows 10 to program it if you want to use pc software to do it. You can program this scanner from the unit itself if you really want to. Its one of the easier scanners Ive programmed for conventional anyways. I havent had a chance to try out the trunking of p25 capabilities yet as my area is building out their p25 p2 network at the moment.

Ive owned two homepatrols and had reception trouble with both. I thought the home patrol would be easier to program. It is not! The preprogrammed part loads hundreds of unwanted frequencies. The software that comes with it is so confusing to use its crazy! But on to the B996P2. This scanner has great reception with included antenna. Between Radio reference and freescan, programming it was a breeze. Just watch some YouTube videos to get familiar with freescan. And its highly suggested to pay for at least 6 months of radio reference to obtain the correct frequencies in the order and format that the scanner requires its $15. Well well worth the money! The people who give bad reviews of this scanner have no patience or interest in learning a few things. My only gripe is updating the firmware and installing the drivers. I had trouble with it but maybe I was doing something wrong? I dont think so but maybe. It might be a USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 compatibility issue. Once that was completed the rest was easy.

You definitely need a programming cable and free program software to get all you want....

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Replaced my BCT15X with it, programming is much the same, however programming trunked systems is a major pain, even with the software. It helps to a ton to have a subscription to radioreference dot com. Dont even try without it. My only problem is Ive not found a good way to program talk groups, so i get everything, Police, Fire, EMS.... Sometimes all i want is Fire, i get tired of listening to the cops writing speeding tickets. If anyone knows how to do that, please leave a comment.

Could not keep my freq. when I turned off my scanner. Had to start all over. Very distressing and nerve racking.