Scanner selection (icom, uniden, yaesu)

[scottw]

Hey,

I'm looking into buying a hand-held scanner (my first - so I have
little experieice amongst the brands). I'm primarily interested in
airband (both civil and defence) but wouldn't like to exclude use at
events such as the V8's, Rally's, etc.

The price range I'm looking at is ~$250, as I'm not overly fussed about
trunk tracking or digital at this stage.

So far I've found these models:

* Uniden UBC93XLT
Pros: Simple interface, easy to program in-field
Cons: No computer connection, Gaps in coverage / less coverage than
other two models (this has me concerned)

* Icom IC-R5
Pros: Computer connection, wide-band coverage,
Cons: Lack of full keypad, Reportedly a pain to program in-field?
Reportedly slower to scan (all or no bank scan i assume is the reason)

* Yaesu VR120D
Pros: Computer connection (tk120), wide-band coverage
Cons: Lack of full keypad

I plan to download all the manuals and have a closer look at how the
units are used.

But does anyone have any experience and/or recommendations regarding
these units?
How do they rate reception wise, are any of the units clear winners in
performance?

Thank you for your help.
Scott.

[Andrew Kenna]

Well at the V8's some of the teams are now using APCO25 so none of those
scanners you have listed will do that

You will probly also want close call if you goto the V8's so you can tell
what the relevant organisers use, or say for example you want to find out
what the security channel is.

I'd look at a ubcd396t, and if you look on ebay there are plenty of good
ones on there becuase of all those silly people selling them because they
cannot listen to the cops anymore.

Hey,
I'm looking into buying a hand-held scanner (my first - so I have little
experieice amongst the brands). I'm primarily interested in airband (both
civil and defence) but wouldn't like to exclude use at events such as the
V8's, Rally's, etc.
The price range I'm looking at is ~$250, as I'm not overly fussed about
trunk tracking or digital at this stage.
* Uniden UBC93XLT
Pros: Simple interface, easy to program in-field
Cons: No computer connection, Gaps in coverage / less coverage than other
two models (this has me concerned)
* Icom IC-R5
Pros: Computer connection, wide-band coverage,
Cons: Lack of full keypad, Reportedly a pain to program in-field?
Reportedly slower to scan (all or no bank scan i assume is the reason)
* Yaesu VR120D
Pros: Computer connection (tk120), wide-band coverage
Cons: Lack of full keypad
I plan to download all the manuals and have a closer look at how the units
are used.
But does anyone have any experience and/or recommendations regarding these
units?
How do they rate reception wise, are any of the units clear winners in
performance?
Thank you for your help.
Scott.

[Pagey]

Post by Andrew Kenna
I'd look at a ubcd396t, and if you look on ebay there are plenty of good
ones on there becuase of all those silly people selling them because they
cannot listen to the cops anymore.

If all they were interested in and listened to were the cops, and they can
no longer hear the cops, then why are they 'silly' for selling?

But I agree, get a digital model and give eBay a try for a bargain on a
396T. There are a few on there at the moment - some less than $500, which is
almost 50% off RRP.

AP

[scottw]

Thank you Andrew and Pagey for your suggestions. I had noticed the
ubcd396t going on ebay for around $300 or so (without remote head - not
interested in that anyway).

These do look like a much more capable device, brand new they are way
out of my price range at present. I might just buy a cheap unit
sufficient for airband (my main priority) for now, then if interest is
maintained I'll seek a second hand ubcd396t.

Cheers
Scott.

Post by scottw
Hey,
I'm looking into buying a hand-held scanner (my first - so I have
little experieice amongst the brands). I'm primarily interested in
airband (both civil and defence) but wouldn't like to exclude use at
events such as the V8's, Rally's, etc.
The price range I'm looking at is ~$250, as I'm not overly fussed about
trunk tracking or digital at this stage.
* Uniden UBC93XLT
Pros: Simple interface, easy to program in-field
Cons: No computer connection, Gaps in coverage / less coverage than
other two models (this has me concerned)
* Icom IC-R5
Pros: Computer connection, wide-band coverage,
Cons: Lack of full keypad, Reportedly a pain to program in-field?
Reportedly slower to scan (all or no bank scan i assume is the reason)
* Yaesu VR120D
Pros: Computer connection (tk120), wide-band coverage
Cons: Lack of full keypad
I plan to download all the manuals and have a closer look at how the
units are used.
But does anyone have any experience and/or recommendations regarding
these units?
How do they rate reception wise, are any of the units clear winners in
performance?
Thank you for your help.
Scott.