AirNav Systems Forum
General => Aviation => Topic started by: BobR on September 04, 2008, 06:13:27 PM
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Hi,
I am in the process of changing my scanner and am thinking about the Uniden UBC800XLT.
Does anybody have any experience of it and if so what are your thoughts.
Cheers,
Bob
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I have the UBC800XLT, only had it about 6 weeks but I'm delighted with it. I use bctool (http://www.bctool.org/) to manage the programming, etc, and use it all the time for scanning both VHF (civilian) and UHF (military). Does everything I want.
I bought mine from xovereign via. eBay (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/XOVEREIGN-ELECTRONICS_Base-Scanners). Excellent dealer at the best price around.
Anything you want to know, just ask.
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Hi Tarbet,
Thanks for the prompt reply. I am keen to use it via the PC and the BCTOOL looks outstanding (especially as it is free!!). I want to also use it for mobile use in conjunction with the RB.
The display looks very clear. What is the audio quality like or are you using an external speaker. Also is it possible to take an audio output from the scanner direct to the hard drive of my PC.
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply.
Bob
I think at the price with xovereign is offering it would be rude not to invest.
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Yes, BCTOOLS is excellent. Display is very clear, with adjustable backlight. Audio quality is okay, better than my previous scanner, another Uniden. Speaker is on the bottom of the case, so you either need to use the supplied bracket, or make sure you leave a gap under the scanner for the sound to get out.
Yes, the REC jack on the rear apron provides a constant-level audio output which is not affected by the setting of the volume control. And I think BCTOOLS can be configured to start/stop recordings - not something I've tried though.
Manual is available for download at http://www.radios-uk.com/UBC800XLTuserguide.pdf
I'd never used xovereign before, but they came well recommended, and proved very reliable and helpful.
Chris (tarbat)
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How fast is the scan rate?
Regards
Gary
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An audio quality makes the real sounds to get out..
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LED Flashlight (http://www.flashlightz.com/)
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Morning Tarbat, I would like to get myself a new scanner, and would like it to receive mil eg Red Arrows. Any ideas on a good one which is not to expensive please mate. Colin Hall.
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Morning Tarbat, I would like to get myself a new scanner, and would like it to receive mil eg Red Arrows. Any ideas on a good one which is not to expensive please mate.
Well, the UBC800XLT can receive military okay, Red Arrows on 243.450. The other scanner I use for mobile use is an old Yupiteru MVT-5000, which has given me many, many years of reliable mobile use.
I'm no expert on scanners though, I just look at the advice/recommendations on other websites!!
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Thanks for that Tarbat, will have a look at that later on when i get home, I will have to get a mobile one for going to H,row etc. Colin.
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Tarbat, Sorry another one for you. oN THE rb do you get the box to find my home automatically. When i do it in the preferences it told me i was in High Wyckomb then when i tried again it said London?? I live on top of the cliffs at St Margarets At Cliffe near Dover???. Colin
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Hi Imropes, thanks for that. Any idea of the sites for that info please?.Will have to get my head round it when I get time to have the box on for a good amount of time. Thanks for that. Colin.
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Hi Imropes, thanks for that. Any idea of the sites for that info please?.Will have to get my head round it when I get time to have the box on for a good amount of time. Thanks for that. Colin.
Google Earth works well.
If you are in the UK, you can also do a Google search for a Postcode to lat/lon converter- I've used this and if I find the link again, I'll post it.
Edit:
This site works well:
http://www.nearby.org.uk/conversions-more.cgi
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Morning Tarbat, I would like to get myself a new scanner, and would like it to receive mil eg Red Arrows. Any ideas on a good one which is not to expensive please mate. Colin Hall.
Colin,
I have the UBC3500XLT scanner for hand held use . The reason I chose it is that it uses the same type of band plan as the UBC785XLT (which I also own) and now the later UBC800XLT that Tarbat has mentioned.
Coverage in distance is not quite as good as the base station but for use at airports/airshows it is ideal.
Regards
Mike
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Morning Roadrunner, thanks for that will google that one to find out where best to get one, price etc. Colin.
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I found the UBC800XLT to suffer breakthrough and interference at my location on the airband, where as my Icom PCR1500 performs much better with no breakthrough but it is a more expensive receiver.
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I have a AOR AR8200 mk3
I have had the mk1 & mk3 version, parts are easy to get hold of and aor uk take care off repairs if needed I have never had to try it mine works ok since day 1
Make sure the scanner you buy has no blanked freq and that it offers the 8.33khz spacing
puddy
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Morning Puddy, have got my scanner of E Bay now, got the bearcat 3500. Hopefully it will arrive today.As you say I hope its ok on all frq!!Got it for 130.00 and there 199099 new. Up to 10 years ago I lived at spalding! Colin.
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Colin,
Nearly bought a Bearcat 3500 at AeroExpo on Sunday - price was GBP 165. I just couldn't quite come up with an excuse (OK, who heeds an excuse!) so I'll be interested to see how you get on with it.
I have the UBC72XLT for the Close Call, but it doesn't cover mil UHF.
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Morning Allocator, as soon as I receive the scanner I shall put it to good use so I will let you know the outcome. Colin.
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The 3500 is a nightmare to program without using a PC, also if you live in a built up area you may suffer breakthrough when connecting it to an external antenna.
Good luck!
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Thanks for that one EMA. No one told me anything like otherwise I might of thought twice about it. Anyway we will try and do something with it, got to otherwise will kill me!!.Of cause when I receive it the task will begin, when?? its been over a week since I paid for it and its not arrived yet. If its not in post today a certain person will be getting a rude E-Mail!!! Colin.
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Use bctools to program - it's free. See http://www.bctool.org/
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Hi Colin
I echo what Tarbat says providing you have the programming cable BCTools is the best way to program the 3500. I only use mine when I visit airfields and it is one of the best handhelds I have owned and I have had a few in my time ;-)
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Roadrunner, Have just received my bearcat3500, there are no cd,pc cables and no instructions.Downloaded the 21 pages of instructions and I haven,t got a clue with them, not in my type of english. Been told it is easier to program it on the pc??. So any ideas on that please?Any plain ideas would be greatly appriecitated. Thanks Colin.
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Roadrunner, Have just received my bearcat3500, there are no cd,pc cables and no instructions.Downloaded the 21 pages of instructions and I haven,t got a clue with them, not in my type of english. Been told it is easier to program it on the pc??. So any ideas on that please?Any plain ideas would be greatly appriecitated. Thanks Colin.
It is a pain to program maually but you can try this
http://marksscanners.com/3500/3500.shtml
Or buy a cable and download BCTool from the net.
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Colin,
I agree with EMA. I would not attempt to use without the PC program to help. Apart from anything else you will need a program as that is the only way I could get it to show the 8.33 mhz frequencies. I actually paid for the Butel program as at the time I did not know of the free BCTools one :-(
Having said that, once programmed it is a fantastic piece of kit and I don't go far without mine. From my location I using the standard aerial I get two-way conversations with the tower at Luton (7nm away but with houses and hills between).
Keep trying it will be worth the effort.
Mike
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Thanks for that Roadrunner. Have ordered the cable from E-bay so should be with me in 3-5 days then I will start the task.!! Will keep you informed of progress all be it a bit slow of cause. Colin.
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I'd agree with others - without bctools, these radios are really hard to program.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3711696379_9b61d513bb_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/3711696379/sizes/o/)(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3711697325_3fc312b56e_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/3711697325/sizes/o/)
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Thanks for that Tarbat. Think I will send it recorded post for you to do it for me!!! Have told you im not to good with pc,s. This looks like a long job coming up!!!! Anyway will try my best when the cable arrives.It sounds that it will be very good when we go to any air shows. That is why I got it.Have downloaded Bc tools on to my pc so it will be attempted . Thanks all. Colin,.
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I have 2 scanners (plus a Sangean ATS 909 SW that I use on SSB for HF).
Those being an old Uniden Bearcat XLT200 & my new Uniden BCD396T.
I still prefer the old 200 as it is way easier to operate. The new one is a sod to program and learn.
Sadly though the battery on the 200 has died and I am having trouble finding a replacement. Uniden don't make them anymore. :(
If anyone knows where I can find a new battery, that'd be great.
I need a complete new case/unit not just new nicads as I butchered the old one beyond repair when trying to hotwire it to a power pack.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Ebay are showing a BC200XLT complete and also a battery pack - both in the USA though - do a search for BC2000XLT.
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Thanks,
I've already searched for the pack. I have found a few suppliers in the US but none ship to Australia.
I'd try ebay but I don't like doing business on there. I may have to.
Cheers,
Paul.
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Found what I need! A supplier of old style Uniden Scanner Batteries!
www.grove-ent.com
Around $60AUS shipped (from US)
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I'd agree with others - without bctools, these radios are really hard to program.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/3711696379_9b61d513bb_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/3711696379/sizes/o/)(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3711697325_3fc312b56e_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/3711697325/sizes/o/)
Hello Tarbat (or anyone that could help!),
I now have a UBC800XLT hooked up to BC tools but I'm struggling to work out how to programme my frequencies. I want to get to a file structure similar to yours in the picture. Would you be kind enough to point me in the right direction to do this please? I'm usually pretty 'literate' with these things but this has got me stumped!
Thanks,
Dave