Uniden Bcd536hp Homepatrol Series Scanner
If youre not handy with programming but want a digital radio scanner for yourself, Uniden BCD536HP is exactly what you need.
Its a next-level digital radio capable of trunk tracking V with genuinely advanced features for an enhanced radio scanner experience. But you think youre not so techy? No problem! The company hears you and offers this user-friendly device designed both for newbies and advanced level users.
Many of us would agree that programming doesnt go easy, especially for the starters. So its quite disappointing how a lot of radio scanners require programming before they can be serviceable.
But not 536HP! Right after purchase, you can immediately use this scanner as it comes with its own radio reference database. The moment you turn it on, its ready to start scanning.
Therell be no need to key in every emergency service provider frequencies around to listen to them. Plug it in and listen to police, fire, E.M.S., weather, military, and other similar frequencies right away!
You also dont need to load up your scanner with useless frequencies because it sports a system that can accurately detect and monitor frequencies available nearby permitted locations. Scanning has also been made easier with its scan-by-location mode, where you only need to input your zip or G.P.S. coordinates to refine the search.
I like that its Wi-Fi-ready because it allows me to access the scanner through my smartphone via the Uniden Siren App. A real scanner master.
Q: Batteries How Long To Charge And How Long Do They Last
Well, hold on Cowboy, thats technically two questions. Well allow it this time, but dont get carried away. Charge time is going to be similar to any handheld device and will increase as the mAh rating goes up. It also depends on the effectiveness of the charger i.e. how many amps it can push out.The length of battery life is another consideration that differs depending on the batteries ability and how it is being used. Some of the models above have 1500 mAh batteries, which are only really going to give a few hours of continuous use. On the other hand, some models pack in 2200mAh batteries that could be good for 12, 16 or even 18 hours of use, especially if the scanner is set to a low power mode.
Uniden Bc125at Handheld Police Scanner Review
The Uniden BC125AT handheld police scanner is one of the most sophisticated scanners you can buy. This model also includes the Uniden-specific Close Call RF capture technology. Whats interesting is the Do Dont Disturb mode that will stop all close call checks during any transmission.
There are 500 Alpha-Tagged Channels, which are divided into 10 storage banks, making it way easier to find the channels that you want to listen to frequently.
In total, this gadget works with more than 40,000 frequencies so that you can listen to many bands that include the police band, the military, civilian, aircraft, railroad, civil air, racing, and amateur radio services, bands. Of course, you will get access to weather bands as well.
The unit doesnt require programming to use because you can use the handheld scanner straight out of the box using the presets for the common searches. That doesnt mean you cannot program it. It comes with a USB cable that you can use for programming it using your computer. The programming software is available for free on the internet.
The device comes with a multi-functional rotary knob that you can use for controlling the volume, scroll through channel banks, and adjusting squelch.
The sound quality of the scanner is decent, and it can remove static. The backlit screen is also easy to ready. The unit is very lightweight and allows for easy portability.
Pros
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Why You Need A Scanner
So why would you actually need to have a police scanner? First off, you can hear first-hand about local emergencies in your area, including natural disasters, break-ins, criminal manhunts, accidents on the freeway, and crimes in action. Additionally, youll always have the inside scoop regarding weather conditions and road conditions, and traffic, which can be very useful especially if you spend most of your day on the road commuting.
Uniden Bc365crs Radio Scanner
The Uniden BC365CRS Radio Scanner is another scanner that I would recommend checking out if youre looking for one thats well suited for home use.
It offers the ability to store up to 500 channels in 10 different banks depending on the frequencies that youre most interested in listening in on and it also comes with a built-in FM radio so you can also listen to your local stations.
Thanks to the built-in alarm clock you can wake up with your favorite channels playing and ask for the FM stations it can save up to 30 different ones in the memory so that its possible to quickly tune to it and listen to a broadcast.
Like I mentioned this scanner is well-suited to use at home and the buttons boast a nice layout that makes them easy to use and the LCD display is backlit so that it can be used at night.
Its possible to keep any frequencies that are important to you in the priority channels and during scanning these channels can be checked every 2 seconds making it possible to always listen in on anything important that might be happening.
It also comes with the ability to make 5 service searches so you can easily search the bands that are most often used by police, fire, amateur radio, marine, and aircraft transmissions.
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Beginners Guide To Buying Radio Scanners
Radio scanning is a hobby that has been around since the 1970s. The first radio scanners were not as nice as the ones found on the market today, but they did allow citizens to find out what was going on in the community.
During this time, CB radios were a popular way to communicate, so anyone who owned a radio scanner could tune the radio channel to the same frequency to hear the conversations that the truckers were having. Listening in could be a great way to get information about accidents and road conditions ahead on the highway.
These devices used to only have a few channels to tune into. The reception was bad and the audio was sluggish, but it was a way to be informed. Today, radio scanners are designed with much more advanced technology, so the device is much higher quality overall.
Uniden Bc365crs 500 Police Scanner
BEST NIGHTSTAND MODEL
This police scanner can do a little bit of everything. It has 500 channels in 10 banks to scan police, EMS, and local weather. But it also has an FM radio for when you want to tune into your favorite sports radio or news radio program. And we all know the early bird gets the worm, so you can program the alarm clock to wake you up for the day so you can get to scanning the airways. Its simple to control with big buttons and the display makes it easy to read even in low lighting.
Pros: Has 500 police, EMS and weather channels in addition to FM radio so you can switch back and forth between pleasure and purpose.
Cons: The aesthetic design leaves something to be desired.
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Who Are They For
There are many uses for a radio scanner. They can be used for professional means or they can simply be a hobby that an individual takes an interest in. Radio scanners are used by those who are interested in law enforcement. Some people enjoy listening to conversations that the investigators are having about an ongoing investigation. Emergency warnings will also often be broadcasted over radio scanners.
Anyone who is interested in the military activity occurring in a specific area of the world will be able to hear the communication between the commanding officers and their company. It can actually be a pretty exciting experience to hear some of the Intel of a military operation.
Any writer who likes to keep up with all of the current events will also find that having a radio scanner can be useful for getting the story first. It will help a reporter know when and where news is occurring, which will help them get the scoop and the headlines.
Weather watchers will also want to have this device. It will help them know exactly where bad weather is going to hit so that they can get a great image of the perfect storm. Most weather watchers like to capture tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods, or blizzards. If it is a dangerous situation to be in, then they will want to know about it before it occurs, and the best way to locate these storms is to hear the details straight from the meteorologist.
Are They Worth The Money
A radio scanner has a lot of uses, but purchasing one can also be a costly experience. The radio scanners featured on this list range in price from around $100 to nearly $500, and some of the scanners on the market can even be more expensive than that.
So, is it worth the money? Well, most hobbyists would say that it is a valuable investment to make. Most scanners have a durable construction that will ensure that they can be used for years.
If a portable radio scanner is purchased, it can be a companion while driving down the road. Even scanners that have a designated base can be installed in a vehicle to be listened to on long road trips. Knowing that there is an accident ahead that will cost hours of valuable time is well worth the cost. With that information alone, the accident can be avoided, and the travel destination can still be reached in time.
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Whistler Ws1025 Analog Scanner
The Whistler WS1025 Analog Desktop Scanner is something I can highly recommend. I have been using it for a while, and have been totally satisfied with its performance. It has first-rate features that I find very convenient to use, like programming and directly creating backup data from my PC. I can easily tune in to new channels and save them for quick browsing later.
I also find the lock-out feature advantageous that way, I can avoid connecting to reserved frequencies like military or other confidential operations during scanning. Speaking of scanning, the two-second delay is a good detail for me. This allows me to hear if the scanned frequency will have replies before the device moves to the next one.
The Weather and hazard detection or alerts work well, and I considered it a very dependable feature, especially if Im on the road. It allows me to be ahead of all the happenings in my area and makes me feel safe. This is especially useful when my phone is dead or out of coverage.
I love the Priority Channel feature because it enables me to check one channel every two seconds while scanning ensuring that I can monitor events within my area while still maintaining situational awareness.
- Easy to program and create a backup file
- Lock-out function skips unwanted channels or frequencies
- Scan delay feature avoids missing replies
- Keeps you ahead and updated with necessary information
- Weak radio signals from moving units
Why Should You Buy A Handheld Police Scanner
When we think about hand help police scanner the first thing hits our mind is why handheld? Why not a desktop scanner. The most important reason is portability. Although we have discussed best police scanner for the car in another article which is kind of portable. But they dont give you the same freedom as handheld scanners. You can go to a place where a vehicle cant go and still scan for frequencies. There are many other points too like power consumptions, flexibility, etc which makes the handheld scanner popular.
Although the handheld scanners are not as powerful as the base or car mounted scanners, the portability and flexibility is something which makes it a better choice. If you need something strong most handheld scanners will not meet your requirements. In that case, you should focus on strong and highly capable handheld scanners. Most handheld scanners will satisfy your frequency coverage needs. The sensitivity and selectivity are where it cant compete with base scanners. There are always some extra accessories which will increase the sensitivity and selectivity of your scanner.
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Best Portable Police Scanner
Our Rating:
Use this model to quickly access channels for police, ambulance, fire, public safety, weather, military, and aircrafts. Its both analog and digital capable, and comes with a desk stand, flex antenna for improved reception and range, and a USB cable. The simple setup is a huge selling point for beginners, especially considering many competing models can be very complicated to use. For this model, all you have to do is enter a zip code and the scanner will take care of the rest, giving you instant access to a variety of local channels.
Best Digital Police Scanner
Our Rating:
This model offers the Skywarn Storm Spotter feature, which will give you instant access to all frequencies that are used by storm spotter agencies. With most digital models, you may struggle with audio levels, which is why buyers love the digital AGC feature which is designed to compensate for low audio levels. The scan list feature allows you to arrange frequencies for quicker and easier access. The pre-programmed frequencies will allow you to quickly access important emergency agencies including fire, ambulance, and police.
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The 3 Best Police Scanners Of 2019
I want to go over the three different types of scanners that are most common and that youll most likely come across.
Portable Scanner
One of the most popular types of scanners and the easiest one to bring around with you is a portable police scanner.
These are basically like walkie-talkies that allow you to pick up the signal and listen in to what the police are saying to one another over their scanner systems wherever you happen to be.
Fixed Scanners
Another popular type are the fixed police scanners and these are fixed units that plug directly into the wall for a power source.
With one of these youre only able to access the scanner from a stationary position and while its possible to bring it around with you they tend to be a little bit bigger than the portable ones and require more power so they need to be plugged in as well.
Installed Scanner
The final most popular type of scanner are ones that are installed right into the vehicle just like a car radio would be.
This type allows you to listen to the scanner while youre out driving around and they can typically be installed in just about any car thats capable of holding a radio device.
With some of the basics out of the way lets take a look at my recommendations.
How To Buy A Police Scanner
Scanners give you a live feed of the public safety activity in your area, granted you have the ability to hear police reports, EMS calls, firefighter activity, weather alerts, and more.
Police scanners are one of the best worst-kept secrets in the history of modern technology.
Scanners a powerful means of keeping tabs on all public agencies in your city. They are relatively simple to obtain, use, and set up.
Most people use police scanners to monitor the law enforcement, fire, and EMS activity in their local area, as well as stay up-to-date on severe weather or emergency alerts.
In the olden days of scanning, this was as easy as switching on an analog scanner and waiting for the calls to roll in.
However, as Bob Dylan famously said, things have changed.
Advances in radio technology and digital systems have made finding the right scanner for your area is slightly more complicated than it used to be.
The good news is we’re here to help!
This guide was designed to guide you through picking the best police scanner for your specific area and needs.
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Different Types Of Radio Systems
Broadly speaking there are three types of system:
- Handheld As the name suggests, you hold it in your hand. This model has the most mobility of course, whilst often being weaker models in terms of broadcast pick up range. It is also limited by its battery lifespan.
- Base/Mobile A middle ground between handheld police scanners and desktop models. They can be plugged into the wall for base use, or installed in a vehicle for mobile use.
- Desktop The complete opposite of Handheld. As the name suggests, they are designed to sit on the desktop and must be plugged into a wall power outlet. That lack of mobility is usually offset with more frequency pick up power, as well as more built-in features such as additional channel memory.
Analog Vs. Digital Analogue is the traditional radio source that has been around since the very birth of the device. Digital is a far more modern communication medium. Analogue has the advantage of being generally cheaper, whilst digital is more powerful and has more options. It can, for example, be trunked or broken up into essentially different channels making it a more effective medium. As it is more expensive to install, many law enforcement agencies have not yet switched over.