BackgroundMy background in radio scanning goes all the way back to the late 1990s. I was one of the first people in Tasmania to successfully program a Uniden trunk-tracking scanner to monitor the statewide 800MHz EDACS trunked radio network. Since then, I have continued to follow developments within the radio monitoring hobby and have owned a wide range of scanners over the years.
My previous primary scanner was a Uniden UBCD396XT, which served me well for many years. However, the radio landscape in Tasmania has changed significantly. The rollout of the Tasmania Government Radio Network (TASGRN), increasing use of DMR and NXDN systems, and the gradual retirement of older analogue services meant it was time for an upgrade.
In 2026, I decided to purchase the Uniden BCD325P2-AU. While much of the emergency service traffic on TASGRN is now encrypted and cannot be monitored, the network still provides plenty of opportunities for hobbyists interested in system analysis, site identification, control channel monitoring, and testing. At the same time, commercial, industrial, transport, utility, and local government users continue to adopt DMR and NXDN technologies, making support for modern digital modes increasingly important.
Physical
The Uniden BCD325P2-AU uses the same handheld case design as the UBC126AT and several other Uniden models. I have found it to be a comfortable fit in the hand, with a logical button layout that makes operating the scanner straightforward.
The display is a good size for a handheld radio and remains easy to read in most lighting conditions. Audio quality is excellent for a scanner of this size, with the internal speaker producing clear and reasonably loud audio. Ear phones also work well.
The compact design does come with one compromise: the radio uses only two AA batteries. While this results in shorter operating time than larger handheld models that use three AA cells, I have found that keeping several sets of rechargeable batteries available makes this largely a non-issue.
Features
The BCD325P2-AU remains one of the most feature-rich handheld scanners available in Australia, supporting:
- APCO P25 Phase I and Phase II
- Motorola, EDACS, and LTR trunking
- Dynamic Memory Architecture
- Quick Key system management
- Multi-site trunking support
- GPS-based scanning and location control
- Control Channel Data Output
- Close Call RF Capture
- Fire Tone-Out detection
- Search and Store functions
- P25 One-Frequency Trunk support
- Priority scanning
- Temporary and permanent lockouts
- Signal strength display
- Auto Adaptive Digital Threshold
- Frequency and Talkgroup AutoStore
- Custom search ranges
- Large alphanumeric display
- USB programming and control
For active frequency hunting, search and store functions remain some of the most useful features. The ability to automatically log and save newly discovered frequencies or talkgroups while away from a computer is extremely valuable.
Negatives / Issues
No scanner is perfect, and the BCD325P2-AU does have a couple of shortcomings.
The biggest annoyance is the lack of keypad backlighting. The display itself is illuminated, but operating the scanner in low-light conditions would be much easier if the keypad was also lit.
Battery life is another compromise resulting from the compact size of the radio. With only two AA batteries, operating time is lower than larger handheld models. Fortunately, carrying spare rechargeable batteries easily solves this problem.
The other limitation is simply a reflection of how the radio monitoring landscape has evolved, more communications are encrypted. While this is not a fault of the scanner itself, it does mean that some users may eventually find themselves with less and less to scan.
How It Has Changed the Hobby for Me
This is the area that matters most.
The BCD325P2-AU has put the fun back into radio monitoring. It is small enough to carry almost anywhere and powerful enough to support both active listening and frequency hunting.
The search and AutoStore features have become a major part of how I monitor today. Rather than sitting in front of a computer logging frequencies, I can simply let the scanner search, capture activity, and review the results later before adding them to my database.
Although TASGRN has reduced the amount of monitorable emergency service traffic due to encryption, it has created a different challenge for hobbyists. Identifying sites, analysing control channels, mapping coverage areas, and tracking network changes has become an interesting aspect of the hobby in its own right.
The increasing use of DMR and NXDN systems throughout Tasmania has also encouraged me to expand my monitoring beyond traditional public safety communications. Many of the most interesting discoveries now come from commercial, industrial, transport, and local government users operating on modern digital systems.
More than anything, the BCD325P2-AU has reminded me why I enjoy the hobby. It allows me to get out, explore the radio spectrum, discover new activity, and continue learning. While radio monitoring in 2026 looks very different from the hobby I started in during the late 1990s, it remains just as rewarding for those who wish to put in the time and effort.
