Radio Communication frequencies inc Aircraft, Military, Amateur Radio, Shortwave and anything else that comes under the Radar in N.S.W.
Hello and Welcome Back... Sad news with the imminent closure of Victorian radio store 'Strictly Ham' to close..
One of my most Fav store to buy Diamond band antenna's, getting hard to find a decent store that doent sell fakes..
Read more about the closure HERE = https://www.strictlyham.com.au/retirement
#nswradio&communication
Hello and Welcome Back... I Finally managed to get my hands on a Uniden 325P2 Radio Scanner and have been playing with it for a week or so.. Here is My Thoughts.
If this radio looks familiar, that's because its built using the same casing as Uniden UBC93XLT, Is this a good thing? Lets Find Out..
So, i'm guessing someone from Uniden seen that they had excess casings of an old scanner and decided to breath new life into the budget scanner market.. and so the 325P2 was born..
And it kinda works, almost..
Inside it has the same menu system as the 396T/XT which makes this radio compatible with Freescan software.. But that's where the resemblance to the 396XT ends. I was hoping that the 325P2 was a 396XT with added features but, sadly no.
For those who don't know, the 396XT has to one of the best scanners ever invented. The sensitivity of the 396XT is legendary, excellent for Airband, Military Scanning and just about anything you can throw at it so when i seen that the 325P2 had the same menu system, I remained hopeful that it had the same sensitivity as its little brother (396xt) Buuuut... Sadly no.
Firstly the 325P2 seems deaf.. Using the supplied antenna, i was surprised how it seemed to hardly pick anything up... Was it in the programming?
I switched to 2 different programming software to see if something was not right, I started with Freescan then went to Proscan (Proscan has better settings esp with DMR)
But nothing seemed to work so then i thought 'Antenna'
I hooked the radio up to my outdoor antnna and it started to receive better. I also noticed that the firmware was was behind (Use UBC VUP3 to update firmware) so i updated the firmware.. Not sure if its just me but i thought this update only made it more deaf..
Using the outdoor antenna seemed to be overkill so i looked at handheld antennas but was limited as the 325P2 uses a BNC connection and most of my handheld antennas are SMA.
I run a Diamond SRH771 on my 436PT and absolutely love it, its has to be my fav antenna but what to do with my 325P2?
So i decided to buy a BNC to SMA Female adapter so i could mate the Diamond antenna to the adapter and try that..annnnd.. IT WORKED
The 325PT burst into life, It was like a new radio.. It kinda looked funny with the adapter and a gap where the antenna connected so i got a couple of little washers to fill in the gap and some heat shrink and DONE.. now not only does it receive excellent, it looks good too.. Win Win
GOOD POINTS
Large Screen and Well Lit
DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) Compatable
NXDN Compatable
Phase 1 & 2 P25
Good Size (Fits Well Into Hand)
BAD POINTS
No Backlit Keypad
Seems Deaf without a Decent Antenna
2 Battery's Only (Battery's tend to die quickly when using P25 /DMR)
Limited in Programming = Limit of 255 sites in PSN/GRN
Limited in Programming = limit to 20 groups for each bank
Limited in Programming = Limit to 500 TGIDs in Trunked P25 Sites Only
CONCLUSION
Should You Buy One Of These Radio's?
YES
Once you get a decent antenna (something with a bit of gain), some good battery's and programmed properly, its an excellent little radio.. The screen is easy to read, i wear reading glasses and even without my glasses, i can still see the screen.. The backlight is also excellent, i just wish it followed down to the keypad..
Sensitivity could be better, something as good as the 396xt would be the best and having 3 batterys for when the going get tough decoding P25 or DMR
MY SCORE = 7/10
I Offer full radio Programming For The 325P2 to breath life into your radio (Link) = http://scanradionsw.blogspot.com/2021/11/radio-programming-services-available.html
LINKS
https://www.strictlyham.com.au/browse-by-type/antennas/handheld/handheld-antennas/diamond-srh-771 (Diamond SRH771 Antenna)
#uniden325p2
#325p2review
Hello and welcome back.... Surf Lifesaving NSW patrol season started on 16/09/23 for the 2023/24 Season so I thought i would update my database, South Coast to Newcastle (for now)....
FREQUENCIES... Most of these frequencies require DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) activated on your radio (cc = Colour Code)
SLSA VHF 27.750000
Central Coast SLSA 464.725000
Central Coast SLSA 465.112500
Central Coast SLSA 467.337500
Central Coast SLSA 470.525000
Waverley / Bondi SLSA 471.200000 (Surfcom) (cc8)
Far South / Newcastle Coast 472.675000
Northern Beaches SLSA (Collaroy) 472.750000
South / North Coast SLSA 472.950000
Far South Coast (Bega) 473.250000
Central Coast SLSA 473.300000
Central Coast SLSA 473.425000
Waverley / Bondi SLSA 473.525000
Central Coast SLSA 473.575000
La Perouse SLSA 473.675000
Wollongong SLSA 473.800000
Central Coast SLSA 474.025000 (Wollongong Surfcom) (cc8)
Cronulla SLSA 474.050000
Central Coast SLSA 474.175000
Wollongong SLSA 474.250000
Northern Beaches SLSA (Manly) 474.725000 (cc7)
SLSA Helicopter Base (La Perouse) 474.862500
South Coast SLSA 474.987500
SLSA Helicopter Base (La Perouse) 475.100000
Central Coast / Newcastle SLSA 484.825000
Surf Lifesaving (Aust Wide) 484.950000
Surf Lifesaving (Aust Wide) 485.000000
South Coast SLSA (Maiua Bay) 485.137500
Central Coast SLSA 487.850000
Central Coast SLSA 488.625000
South / Central Coast SLSA 488.650000
South / Central Coast SLSA 489.225000
Central Coast SLSA 490.175000
Cronulla SLSA 490.575000
La Perouse SLSA 491.087500
Various SLSA (Bega) (Collaroy) 494.550000
477.025 = UHF CB Ch 25 - Training & Patrols
477.150 = UHF CB Ch 30 - Training & Patrols
WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Services runs several bases across NSW. Their main Northern site is at Broadmeadow (outside Newcastle) which is their Maintenance Facility.
Another's are (Lifesaver 21) @ La Perouse (Sydney), Belmont, Lismore & Tamworth & (Lifesaver 23) @ Moruya (South Coast)
Surf Lifesaving (Aust Wide) 484.950000
Surf Lifesaving (Aust Wide) 485.000000
SLSA Helicopter Base (La Perouse) 475.100000
SLSA Helicopter Base (La Perouse) 474.862500
CODES
01 = on duty, available for tasking
02 = on standby and available for tasking
03 = on meal break
04 = begin pack up patrol area
05 = leaving beach, toilet break
06 = entering water for training
07 = unavailable to respond to calls
08 = unable to be contacted
09 = entering water to undertake rescue
10 = lifeguard in trouble
11 = search for missing person in water
12 = search for missing person on land
13 = mass rescue, many patients
14 = deceased person
15 = CPR incident
16 = shark sighting
17 = shark attack
18 = indecent behaviour
19 = undertaking first aid treatment
20 = undertaking enforcement function
21 = aircraft accident
Priority 1 = urgent task
Priority 2 = non-urgent task
Priority 3 = routine task
LINKS
Sydney / Southern NSW = https://www.westpac.com.au/help/community/rescue/rescue-helicopters/
Northern NSW = https://www.lifesaver.org.au/
Magazine = https://rescuehelicopter.com.au/rescue-magazine/
#westpacrescue
#nswslsa
Found This Interesting... Worth Getting?
#ats120
#shortwaveradio
#nswradio&communications
Hello and Welcome Back... I thought i would do a review on the remaining available radio scanners that do Phase 2 (P25) PSN (Public Safety Network) / GRN (Government Radio Network) This is where you will find NSW Ambulance, Rural Fire, Fire & Rescue, SES, State Rail and heaps more (See Full List Here)
So, today, I Take a look (and listen) to the main drivers of Handheld Radio Scanning in 2023 before you pay out your hard earned cash
Who will be our winner??
Sadly, The Uniden UBCD396XT will not feature in this showdown as this radio is Phase 1 only.. :(
CONTESTANTS
UNIDEN 396XT (N/A) (Phase 1 only)
UNIDEN 325P2
UNIDEN BCD160DN (N/A) (No P25)
UNIDEN 436PT
UNIDEN SDS100
WHISTLER WS1040 (N/A) (Yet To Test)
*** UNIDEN 325P2 ***
GOOD
* Robust Construction
* Phase 1 & 2
* DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) Compatible
* Easy To Program (Proscan/Freescan)
BAD
* Battery Life is Woeful
* No Backlight Keypad
* Limited to 255 sites on P25
The Uniden 325P2 is a remake of the UBC93XLT which is why these scanners still has the 2 battery configuration which is this radio's downfall. When you add power hungry P25 & DMR decoding, you need power to back it up... Most radios that do this decoding have 3 battery's, not this scanner. Battery problems aside, this scanner has the same inside architecture (Radio Menu) as the UBCD396XT so its fairly easy to program.
Reception on analog like Airband / Military Airband is excellent and is the last of the full analog type scanners as the SDS100 & 436PT use SDR (Software Defined Radio) as part of there reception..Prices for these radios have gone up substantially
*** UNDEN 463PT ***
GOOD
* Robust Construction
* Backlit Keypad
* Phase 1 & 2
* DMR / NXDN Compatible (Digital Mobile Radio / Next Generation Digital Narrowband)
* Micro SD Card (up to 32gb)
BAD
* Screen Is Hard To See In Sunlight
* Programming Is A Nightmare (Use Australian Version of Sentinal Software)
* Reception Can Be Hit And Miss (does well with an External Outdoor Antenna)
* No Actual 'Scan / Hold' Button
* Speaker Is Prone To Burn Out If Up Too Loud (Don't turn up over 8, the speaker will burn out)
These radios are a hybrid of Analog and SDR (Software Defined Radio) have an extremely well build to them, it feels solid in your hand. Sometimes a bit deaf using an handheld antenna, hooking up to an outdoor antenna will give you the best results. The 436PT uses 3 battery configuration and can charge rechargeable battery's in the scanner.
The 436PT uses a Mirco SD card (up to 32gb) for it memory and is a very strong learning curb to program. Took me several months to nut out the various menu systems so if you like database type programming, you will do well with this radio.
One thing i noticed going from a cold environment to a warm environment (inside the house to outside in the sun) the screen tends to fog up..
Over all, an excellent scanning experience..
*** SDS100 ***
GOOD
* Waterproof Construction
* Large Colour Screen
* Phase 1 & 2
* DMR / NXDN Compatible (Digital Mobile Radio / Next Generation Digital Narrowband)
* Micro SD Card (up to 32gb)
* Excellent For PSN/GRN Decoding
BAD
* Antenna Socket Limited (only a few antennas will fit due to plastic rim protruding due to waterproofing)
* Battery Clip Prone To Snapping
* Side Recharging Port Prone To Breaking (USB Charging Port)
* Cold Solder Joint Problem
* Heats Up Like An Oven
* Screen Is Hard To See In Sunlight
* Battery is Limited (Brick Style Battery, No AA Battery Option)
* Programming Is A Nightmare (Use U.S Version of Sentinal Software)
* Reception Can Be Hit And Miss (External Outdoor Antenna is recomended)
* No Actual 'Scan / Hold' Button
* Speaker is half hidden and sounds muffled (Don't turn up over 8, the speaker will burn out)
The Uniden SDS100 is a full SDR (Software Defined Radio) radio scanner built into a waterproof housing. Sounds good on paper but sadly, has a heap of problems. To start, the antenna socked is protruded with a plastic type rim so only a select few antennas fit this radio without the use of a adapter and considering its a $1000 radio, its just a joke. Not only does it look stupid with a SMA to BNC adapter but is prone to easily snap if any pressure is put on it.. Out of 12 antenna's in my collection, only 2 fit and one sits on 2 threads hanging on for dear life
Then there is the 'Cold Solder Joint' problem that plagues these radios. I know of 5 people who have had this happen to them. The Cold Solder Joint problem is where there are 2 main circuit boards joined together in the middle by a connector that can break very easy. What happens is, when in use, these radios heat up massively and the solder that holds the connector in place can snap if bumped or dropped and will have to be sent back to Uniden to get re-soldered (or if your handy with a soldering iron (and out of warranty))
Heat is also a issue as just running it for 30mins to 1 hour can see the screen and antenna socket get almost too hot to touch, one wonders what this does to the internal components of this radio as heat is the number one killer in computers
The side recharging port (USB) is also prone to breaking if too much pressure is applied as is the battery clip that holds the battery cover to the main unit. Numerous pages online of people who have gone with the 'pregnant' extended battery option only to have the clip break in half and is forced to use a rubber band to hold together their sub $1000 radio together. Thankfully you can get a clip made on a 3D printer that seems to work. One wonders why a metal type clip was not used?
On a good note, It does decode P25 PSN/GRN fairly well, I have set the hold for 4 seconds and that seems to work..
*** CONCLUSION ***
Other contenders for this showdown could include 'Whistler' WS1040' but i'm yet to play with one of these scanners so i can't add it..
At the end of the day, everyone is different.. Some people like a challenge and love spending hours and hours learning to program a new scanner and some people just want to turn it on and listen..
For me, i have been using radio scanners since i was 16 with my first being a 10ch Tandy (Realistic) scanner and i still had problems programming various new radios, seriously, they don't need to be this complicated.
My SDS100, I just want to throw out a window, I have owned i for a few weeks and its frustratingly deaf especially on Airband (analog) and don't even try using the handheld antenna, it hardly picks anything up while my 436pt sitting next to it with exact same antenna and using the same set-up programming is going nuts picking up heaps... I'm thinking of selling my SDS100 or doing some modifications, drilling / dremel the antenna socket out so its larger and cut the foam in half for the battery lid so less pressure on the battery clip or replace the clip with stronger built plastic ??
I would have to recommend the Uniden 436PT as my go-to scanner of choice.
The 436PT, once programmed properly, is well build (i have dropped it a few times) radio scanner with heaps of features and with the right combination of programming / battery & antenna setup, its a win win..
I recommend using Panasonic Enloop Pro (2450ma) AA batterys (4 pack coast $30 on Ebay) for extra goodness..
Hand Held Antenna's i recommend is the Nagoya NA-771 or the Diamond SRH771.. I have used both these antennas with excellent results
A FULL Scanner Program is Available Here = https://scanradionsw.blogspot.com/2021/11/radio-programming-services-available.html
** WINNER ***
UNIDEN UBCD436PT
#uniden
#ubcd436
#sds100
#325p2
#396xt
#radioscanners
Hello and Welcome Back... NSW RURAL FIRE & NPWS FREQUENCIES 2025
(Updated 05/12/25)
*** AVIATION ***
Aircraft used by NSW Rural Fire
Current Fleet
Parkair 1 (VH-NPX) - Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 2 (VH-NPD) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 3 (VH-WDS) - Airbus Helicopters H125 Helicopter
Parkair 4 (VH-UAH) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 5 (VH-ZHG) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 6 (VH-TFV) - Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Airplane
Parkair 7 (VH-TQV) - Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Airplane
FREQUENCIES
119.600 (Perisher)
122.850 c
123.850
124.050
125.450
130.650 (Mt Poppong/Howes Valley)
134.700
NSW Wide (Fireground)
161.175
161.1375
161.300
161.3125
162.525
162.6375
162.700
*** LINKS ***
https://www.nafc.org.au/fleet/ (Current Aircraft)
Hello and Welcome Back... As predictions of a Hot Dry Summer for 2023-24 continue, now is a great time to program the scanner in readiness in case things turn bad..
National Parks & Wildlife Service (also known as Office Of Environment & Heritage (ACMA)) runs a fleet of helicopters & light aircraft around NSW for both Field Operations and Fire Fighting
Current Fleet
Parkair 1 (VH-NPX) - Aerospatiale AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 2 (VH-NPD) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 3 (VH-WDS) - Airbus Helicopters H125 Helicopter
Parkair 4 (VH-UAH) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 5 (VH-ZHG) - Eurocopter AS 350B3 Helicopter
Parkair 6 (VH-TFV) - Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Airplane
Parkair 7 (VH-TQV) - Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Airplane
FREQUENCIES
119.600 (Perisher)
122.850
123.850
124.050
125.450
130.650 (Mt Poppong/Howes Valley)
134.700
NSW Wide
161.175
161.1375
161.300
161.3125
162.525
162.6375
162.700
Parkair 2 in flight (below)
#npws
#npwsfrequencies
