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

This is an excellent scanner. The only problem that I have is the auto adapter is not very durable and it is already broken, and the plug seemed too short to make a connection in my Kia.. There are complaints ones have made about the difficulty programming the scanner. Yes it is difficult. Yes there is a learning curve. I just got the scanner last week so I have a lot to learn with this thing. Im not ready to complain about it just yet because there is plenty of information on YouTube that thankfully people have taken the time to post. My thanks to them for putting forth the effort to help.

Performed as expected

none

Thi is a great scanner using to listed to Motorola Type 2 P25 systems. It takes some figuring out to program, but you can use FreeSCAN software and a standard USB cable to program.

This is a review of the Uniden BCD996P2 system. I am a US licensed amateur extra radio operator,, so I have some experience with radios and their operation. I am also a software developer, avid linux user and advocate. The programming aspects of the system did live up to what many of the reviews stated, it is not for the feint of heart. To get any P25 systems into this system you will be well advised to use some programming software. I had to create a windows system on a spare laptop in order to get the firmware update software package to work with the device (strike one) Once updated I attempted to setup my countys government P25 system (phase 1), specifically for the fire department (no, they were not encrypted channels). I programmed the device by hand with no joy. I downloaded multiple software packages that worked with the scanner to try to automatically load the configuration into the system. I even subscribed to radio reference to take advantage of their configuration file downloads. Still no Joy. (strike two). I spent an entire weekend trying various methods to program this scanner. I tried just about every permutation of options that I could find. For some reason there is something that the local P25 system is doing that this scanner appears to be incapable of decoding. I was able to get multiple other P25 (phase 1 and 2) systems working, every other system that I tried and was with in listening distance in fact worked. (strike three) There is next to no online documentation, and it would appear that Uniden is abandoning support of this product. After all of this, I returned the product, totally disappointed. (gave it 2 stars, because it worked for some sites well enough, but the not for the system I intended to use it with) I looked at the next higher cost option, but at $700, and with such a miserable experience with this $400 scanner I opted to buy an $30 USB SDR device and try my hand at open source, which worked perfectly (on linux!). I can put up with windows only options for programming the system, and complex programming requirements. But for $400 the device should just work out of the box.

No complaints..works great. I do advise you use the cable to the computer and to use radio reference along with FreeSCAN to get it programmed. It took 15minutes for me to do that and I was all set. The instructions are horrible for anyone not good with electronics or computers. Only thing I wish it had were more single button pressing options - I dont need the WX button not sure why anyone would with all the apps and a quick site you can pull up on the computer - would rather like to have a quick FM button for radio usage or a quick CB radio button. Id like to have a quick disconnect method on the mount for the vehicle so I could move it from there to the house with ease so maybe they will look at that in the future since its just too expensive to get two of them at this time for both locations.

Have one and bought one as gift. Good radios. Im barely scratching the surface regarding the use of all the features. I programmed both using FREESCAN and buying a short term subscription to RADIOREFERENCE. Just watch some tutorials on youtube and bookmark the ones that help you the most. When you read about these radios and they talk about trunking and other things you may not understand just look it up online to try to become familiar with those terms. Dont worry if you never quite understand those terms, you really dont have to and you can still program it by studying the youtube vids, as i said. Youll need a special cable to hook up to your computer. Dont buy a cheap immitation get the brand name. Poke around on amazon or online it will pop up for you.

Great scanner for P25 I and II systems and analog trunked and non-trunked systems. Beware, this isnt your fathers scanner as the nomenclature and system trees are totally new for those with previous scanner users. Saying there is a steep learning curve is quite the understatement but when you figure it out its great. Digital squelch is an annoyance remover. As has been suggested, a 6-month or yearly account at readioreference.com and downloading the latest files assures your scanner is up to date with the seeming monthly changes. Pricey but well worth it to know whats going on in your city or town, especially with all the unrest and violence in 2020. Would buy again if I needed to.

I love all the whistles and bells on this scanner. Simple to program. Like the option of different display colors for different programmed talk groups. Only thing I dont like is its range. Poor in my opinion. I have a older hd956d its range is twice the distance of this scanner. Overall its a nice add to all my equipment.

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