Hello and Welcome Back... Sad News for owners of Uniden 396T / XT & 996P2 radio scanners as various reports online of Phase 2 PSN is currently underway.
The Uniden 396T /XT & 996P2 models are Phase 1 Only (sadly)
If you own a Uniden 396T / XT or 996P2 and the PSN (Ex GRN - Government Radio Network) suddenly stops working, its a high possibility that your local tower has switched to Phase 2
** What is Phase 2? **
Phase 2 PSN (Public Safety Network) is UHF 6.25khz 2 Channel send/receive while PSN/GRN Phase 1 is 12.5khz single channel..
So, What Are Your Options?
The three choices are Uniden
UBCD325P2, UBCD436PT (Handheld) / UBCD536PT (Desktop) & SDS100 (Handheld) / SDS200 (Desktop)
The Uniden 325PT (handheld) is a basically a remake of the UBCD73XLT but redesigned.
The main problem i encountered with the 325PT was the battery life.
From the forums i read and the various comments, they all said the same
thing, the battery life is crap, like it lasted 3 hours on a set of AA
battery's kind of crap... But on a good note, It does DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and Phase 2 PSN/GRN
OR
The other option is the UBCD436PT
The first thing that gets you is the large screen and better battery usage but can be a bit steep in price.
The 436pt takes 3 batterys, has DMR and Phase 2 PSN / GRN
I own one of these radios and highly recommend..
OR
the SDS100 (Handheld) / SDS200 (Desktop) (The Best of the Best)
The SDS100 runs purely on a SDR platform (Software Defined Radio) which is why these radios can get very hot.. They are also cursed with the dreaded 'Cold Solder Joint' problem = 2 large boards with a connector joining the 2, the heat and movement breaks the solder that holds the two boards together causing a breakdown.. Back to Uniden for repair of if your handy with a soldering iron, a DIY project...The SDS200 Desktop Model doesn't have the cold solder problem.. Yay
The 2 main scanners, 436pt & the SDS models take a Micro SD card for their memory while the 325P2 is programed similar to the 396xt, they even have the same menu system...
I can supply you with a pre-programmed
card for your new 436PT or SDS100 which is tailored to your area or
interest and i live in NSW, so i know whats going on and use the same
program i give to you.. i also include COWs (Cell on Wheels) frequencies
for the PSN/GRN.. I even adjust radio setting so your radio picks up better on PSN
For more info in getting your pre-programmed card, CLICK HERE..
Discounts apply for previous customers..
Enjoy Scanning..
Michael