The Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner is a robust, feature-rich device that’s well-regarded among radio enthusiasts and professionals alike. This review will explore its various strengths, features, and limitations to give you a clear understanding of what you can expect from this versatile scanner.Key Features and Performance1. Digital and Analog ScanningThe BCD996P2 supports both analog and digital transmissions, including APCO P25 Phase I and II, Motorola, EDACS, and LTR trunked systems, making it compatible with a wide range of communications. Its digital compatibility is a significant upgrade over other analog-only models and is ideal for users looking to future-proof their scanner in light of the ongoing shift towards digital communications.2. TrunkTracker V TechnologyThe TrunkTracker V technology is a standout feature of this scanner. It allows for seamless tracking of trunked radio systems, which are commonly used by public safety and local government agencies. This capability enables users to monitor communications across multiple frequencies, ensuring that no information is missed.3. Quick Key System AccessUniden’s Quick Key system makes organizing and accessing frequencies and talk groups easy and intuitive. Users can assign frequencies to specific quick keys, allowing for faster access during scanning. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who regularly monitor different sets of frequencies or locations.4. Close Call RF Capture TechnologyAnother innovative feature is the Close Call RF Capture, which detects nearby transmissions and automatically tunes the scanner to that frequency. This is especially useful in dynamic environments where transmissions are likely to change frequently, such as during large public events.5. Dynamic Memory SystemWith a dynamic memory system, the BCD996P2 offers more flexibility in organizing frequencies compared to traditional banked scanners. The system has 25,000 channels, allowing ample space to store frequencies, talk groups, and systems, catering to both casual users and advanced listeners who need high-capacity storage.6. GPS CompatibilityThe scanner can integrate with an external GPS receiver (sold separately), enabling location-based scanning. This feature is invaluable for travelers, as it allows the scanner to automatically select and scan local frequencies based on the user’s location.7. Display and ControlsThe backlit display on the BCD996P2 is clear and easy to read, even in low light conditions, although it is somewhat small, which may be a drawback for users with visibility concerns. The control layout is intuitive and relatively straightforward, though some users may find the menu navigation complex due to the sheer range of options available.8. PC Programming and Firmware UpdatesUniden has made the BCD996P2 compatible with third-party programming software, allowing users to program their scanner on a PC. Firmware updates are also available, ensuring the scanner can receive performance enhancements and bug fixes over time. However, the initial setup and configuration may be challenging for less tech-savvy users.9. Audio QualityAudio quality is one of the BCD996P2’s strengths. Its speaker is clear and adequately loud, ensuring that users can hear transmissions in noisy environments. The audio remains relatively consistent across different frequencies and transmission types, making it suitable for professional use.10. Customizable Alert TonesThe BCD996P2 allows users to assign customizable alert tones to specific frequencies, channels, or talk groups. This feature is particularly useful for users who monitor multiple channels and want to quickly identify priority signals.Performance in the FieldIn real-world testing, the BCD996P2 performs admirably across urban and rural settings. The reception quality is strong, especially for users in areas with a solid digital signal infrastructure. However, in regions where digital coverage is sparse, analog channels may experience interference or weaker signals, a limitation inherent to many digital scanners.The Close Call feature works as expected, swiftly capturing nearby transmissions even in crowded frequency environments. GPS integration is seamless when paired with a compatible receiver, with the scanner quickly adapting to location changes.Pros and ConsProsWide range of compatibility with digital and analog systems, including APCO P25 Phase I and II.Large memory capacity of 25,000 channels with a dynamic memory structure.Trunking capabilities with TrunkTracker V technology.Close Call RF Capture for detecting nearby transmissions.GPS compatibility for location-based scanning.Strong audio quality suitable for a variety of environments.ConsComplex setup and programming can be challenging for beginners.Additional cost for the GPS receiver, which may be an essential feature for some users.Small display size might be inconvenient for users with visibility issues.Lack of Wi-Fi or app integration for remote programming or monitoring, which is available in some newer models.Ideal Use CasesThe Uniden BCD996P2 is particularly well-suited for:Public safety and emergency services professionals who need reliable trunking capabilities.Radio enthusiasts looking for a robust, feature-rich scanner compatible with digital systems.Travelers who can benefit from GPS-based location scanning.Users in urban areas with strong digital infrastructure.Final VerdictThe Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner is a high-performance device that offers excellent value for those requiring digital and analog compatibility in a compact, mobile-friendly design. While the setup and programming may be challenging for beginners, its extensive feature set makes it a worthwhile investment for users willing to learn. This scanner is ideal for radio enthusiasts and professionals who need reliable trunking capabilities and support for digital transmissions.Its performance in the field, paired with Uniden’s renowned durability and support, make it a solid choice in the world of digital mobile scanners. Despite its learning curve and lack of some modern features like app integration, the BCD996P2 remains a top choice for anyone serious about radio scanning.

This scanner is capable of receiving the majority of everything (not encrypted) in the Police/Fire/Public Service/Military Air/Gov/Misc bands in either analog or digital modes. It receives APCO P-25 digital (both Phase I & II) signals great for me with a stock antenna but I am in a good location to receive two actual P-25 trunk radio "system site" towers with good signal levels. With digital 800 Mhz signals though, you may need less antenna. About 6.5 inches in length is a good 800 Mhz antenna. With an attic mount ST-2 antenna on a tv antenna booster, I can receive analog signals 60 plus miles away cleanly but that's flat terrain to the top of the Willis Tower.If you have marginal (P-25) 800 Mhz signal levels you won't get many signal bars lit up, it won't trunk track right and you may see talkgroups show up on the display but no audio is heard/garbled/breaks up because it can't decode the digital modulation, or it just might be encrypted. When you get trunking lock on a control channel in APCO P-25 mode, the actual frequency will show up (small) on the display, otherwise you just get "NFM" on the display which means you're not tracking the system and it will not work. But once you get lock on a control channel, if it all works correctly, it grabs talkgroups at will and you will have to label them or sort out what you wish to really listen to as there will be plenty of (channels=talkgroups) at busy times.With digital trunking systems, it depends on the tower near you having the talkgroup channels you want to hear available on that tower. As far as digital trunking signals go with any digital scanner, all bets are off. The signals fade out at times, some of these RF tower signals get more/less power alloted to them on each tower. In order to fully monitor one P-25 system, the scanner may have to "listen to" 6 or more towers (in one system) that are all directions from you with varying RF power levels on each frequency, in order to properly receive ALL of your chosen channel (talkgroups) in that Police system you want to hear. If this seems too complicated, well it is. There is a Computer Control channel on P25 digital trunking systems that tells the police system computer what frequency to use or "hop to" (each split second) and you may get that individual frequency's (talkgroup) good/bad/gone off various towers (and all at nearly the same time yet!) This is called simulcasting distortion and makes listening to any APCO P-25 digital Police trunking radio system extremely hard for any new digital scanner. And the nasty winds, rain, leaf foliage too all mess havoc with these signals. No getting around this. You may be in a good/bad location, it all depends. You may have missed details in your programming, yes I did too many times. Could be your location, your antenna, your programming, proximity to too many other "site" towers, winds, (high winds or hot/humid air seem nasty on narrow P-25 signals), or the big TV/Radio/Cell Towers nearby with mega kw watts etc. It is a huge complicated mess even for an expert radio engineer to deal with. A lot of it is...trial and error with P-25 digital. Does it track control signal? No. Move antenna/radio a few inches, try again. But the BCD996P2 (once setup right) excels at receiving everything great!This scanner works Great for me in my location even on the factory antenna. And the bandscope mode is fabulous too. I love it. It is up to you to sort out the critical-channel-programming first before you use it. Study the Radio Reference website, it might take time. I would advise to use a computer to program this scanner, otherwise you'll just pull your hair out. You can't program this scanner by using zip codes like some others. Freescan (sixspotsoftware) is a great Free program to use, I use it, others exist too. You can plug the scanner into your PC via the included USB cable. My Win 7 PCs found it right away (You setup Control Scanner, Set com port to auto find in Freescan and it should find your scanner on a com port. Then you upload your channels/lineups to the scanner) But first you need to find the frequencies in the Radio Reference website. Freescan also has a Cut 'N' Paste frequency import method which works fine as you select from database info.An outside scanner antenna used with at least an RG-6 cable is optimal for the best reception with this extended coverage scanner to hear everything. I also use a cheap (75 ohm) TV antenna signal booster with 18 db gain, on 50ft RG-6 and a 4 port ant splitter. I have a lot of RF signal levels (using bandscope mode) but no overload that I can see or hear. But for local signals (20 miles or less) you probably will do just as well with the back of set stock antenna, for both analog channels and digital systems. For 800 Mhz specific signals, use a 800 Mhz antenna like a Remtronix.The scanner can be used in the car, it comes with 2 DC power cords, one with a lighter plug, it has a nice bracket and includes the AC adapter. This unit is the base model of the portable BCD325P2 hand held scanner. They are the same to operate/use and program. This 996P2 model has a bottom fire speaker with a "deep bass audio sound" on digital systems and it sounds like a loudness circuit in a stereo, compared to my RS-652 desktop scanner which has a tinnier sound. You can choose one of 7 colors for the display and it has many signal adjustments for each channel/system, which is why you need patience. You can upgrade this scanner now to receive ProVoice, Mototrbo and DMR but Uniden charges an extra fee for each one. I do not have these upgrades and may not get.These new digital scanners are frustration devices to many people. For the expert, yes, this scanner is marvelous, you can "hear" everything except Encrypted signals. Be sure you have days/weeks of time and patience to spend with this thing first though. The learning curve is very steep. It is not plug it in, put in a few channels and listen like in the old days. Every channel has about a dozen parameters to setup first, a P-25 digital system may have 2 dozen parameters to setup first, then one dozen items per channel on top of this. This scanner does Not use an SD memory card to store channels/data to. These can be problematic and cause odd errors of all kinds. But the BCD996P2 scanner is a techs dream to use (once programmed properly) and a upgraded cousin to my all time favorite pal the Uniden BCD396XT portable scanner. But this scanner is still quite a challenge for anyone to setup/operate/use. Five stars because it is simply a phenomenal scanner (with exceptional abilities) targeted to mostly expert scanner junkies.

Brilliant , good price highly reccomended.

Not the latest from Uniden but remains a great option for in car or as a base unit at home. Loaded with features and able to decode just about every except the encrypted. Open up to even more with paid upgrades.

Excelente equipo, yo lo uso en un pueblo en veracruz a 60m sobre el nivel del mar con una antena multibanda a 20m de altura , y tengo excelente recepción de aproximadamente 15 estaciones de radios que se escuchan a 150km a la redonda.en mi pueblo local decodifica bien una repetidora P25 , también puedo escuchar estaciones DMR , “recordemos que debemos comprar una licencia para activar la función DMR al igual de NXDN y si son algo caras”.Además debe tener mucha paciencia y tiempo para poder configurar el equipo ya que al principio si es difícil , si usted no tiene paciencia entonces ni lo compre.No se pueden escuchar estaciones encriptadas Digitales .El idioma del equipo es en inglés .

Can listen all type of conversation over 29 Mhz except those are encrypted.

Happy with item I purchased