Loggings - 12/07/2026

 

Freq	Callsign	Service	Status
27.115	27MHZ CB	27MHZ CB	Investigate
27.125	27MHZ CB	27MHZ CB	Investigate
73.13	B W MANION	Business	Active
118.7	TOWER-LTON	Airband	Active
123.8	ATC-LTON APPROACH	Airband	Active
125.55	ATC HOBART	Airband	Active
126.5	ATC-NORTH	Airband	Active
126.7	CTAF	Airband	Unknown
134.75	AIRPORT TERMINAL INFORMATION - Launceston	Airband	Active
145.175	2M HAM APRS	Amateur Radio	Active
146.4	VK7RAA INPUT	Amateur Radio	Active
147.000	VK7RAA 2M Repeater	Amateur Radio	Active
157.9	BORAL - INPUT	Business	Active
162.15	TASRAIL	TasRail	Active
162.6125	TASRAIL MT ARTHUR	TasRail	Active
450.68125	TASRAIL	TasRail	Active
462.075	TASPORTS	Business	Active
462.375	TASPORTS	Business	Active
464.275	METRO ABLES	Business	Active
464.375	METRO FREELANDS	Business	Active
473.500	TASRAIL UHF	TasRail	Active
474.225	TECS	Business	Investigate
474.775	UNI SECURITY (DMR)	Business	Active
494.925	LAUNCESTON AQUATIC CENTRE	Councils	Active

Total Records: 24

6 Month Radio Monitoring Plan – July to December 2026

 

6 Month Radio Monitoring Plan – July to December 2026

---

Month 1 – VHF Mid Band

Theme: "Who Still Uses VHF Mid Band?"

Focus: Explore the often-overlooked 70–80 MHz spectrum.

Challenges: Log all unique frequencies over a 1-month period.

---

Month 2 – Data Signals & Digital Mystery Month

Theme: "What Is That Noise?"

Focus: Finding and identifying all data transmissions.

---

Month 3 – Up Close Monitoring Challenge

Theme: "Get Out Of The Shack"

Focus: Close Call Hunting.

Challenges: Visit as many locations as possible and document loggings.

---

Month 4 – Site By Site Analysis

Theme: "One Site At A Time"

Focus: Detailed investigation of radio sites.

Challenges: Document each active user for each site.

---

Month 5 – VHF Low Band Revival

Theme: "The Forgotten Spectrum"

Focus: 25–70 MHz

Challenges: Log all active users between 25 – 70MHz

---

Month 6 – 800 MHz And Above

Theme: "What is above 800MHz"

Focus: 806 MHz through 956MHz.

Challenges: Log all active frequencies between 806MHz and 956MHz

 

Loggings - 09/07/2026

Freq	Callsign	Service	Status
146.4	VK7RAA INPUT	Amateur Radio	Active
146.625	VK7RMD 2M HAM NW	Amateur Radio	Active
147.000	VK7RAA 2M Repeater	Amateur Radio	Active
404.81875	METRO - LINK	Business	Active
414.025	TASRAIL UHF LINK	TasRail	Active
438.4125	VK7RJG(D)	Amateur Radio	Active
438.550	VK7RJG 70CM Repeater	Amateur Radio	Active
450.68125	TASRAIL	TasRail	Active
454.275	METRO (TX)	Business	Active
462.075	TASPORTS	Business	Active
462.375	TASPORTS	Business	Active
463.025	LCC QVMAG(D)	Councils	Active
464.275	METRO ABLES	Business	Active
464.375	METRO FREELANDS	Business	Active
473.500	TASRAIL UHF	TasRail	Active
474.775	UNI SECURITY (DMR)	Business	Active
474.925	PFEIFFER CRANES	Business	Active

Total Records: 17

Loggings - 07/07/2026

Frequency: 118.7

Name: TOWER-LTON

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 123.8

Name: ATC-LTON APPROACH

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 125.55

Name: ATC HOBART

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 126.5

Name: ATC-NORTH

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 129.5

Name: QANTAS

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 135.3

Name: AIR UNKNOWN

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 146.4

Name: VK7RAA INPUT

Service: Amateur Radio

Notes:

Frequency: 147

Name: VK7RAA 2M Repeater

Service: Amateur Radio

Notes:

Frequency: 161.05

Name: TOX FREE SIMP

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 161.075

Name: ARTEC

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 162.375

Name: TASRAIL-MILLERS BLUFF

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 162.5

Name: BORAL

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 162.525

Name: TASRAIL

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 162.55

Name: TASRAIL

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 162.6125

Name: TASRAIL MT ARTHUR

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 414.025

Name: TASRAIL UHF LINK

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 438.4125

Name: VK7RJG(D)

Service: Amateur Radio

Notes:

Frequency: 450.68125

Name: TASRAIL

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 454.275

Name: METRO (TX)

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 462.075

Name: TASPORTS

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 462.325

Name: SPOTLIGHT LAUNCESTON

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 463.025

Name: LCC QVMAG(D)

Service: Councils

Notes:

Frequency: 464.275

Name: METRO ABLES

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 464.375

Name: METRO FREELANDS

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 473.5

Name: TASRAIL UHF

Service: TasRail

Notes:

Frequency: 474.775

Name: UNI SECURITY (DMR)

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 509.8875

Name: UHF SIMPLEX

Service: Business

Notes:

Daily Carry Case for Radio Scanning - July 2026

When most people think of a fishing tackle box, they probably don't think of portable radios. However, I've found that the Daiwa D-Box Large Deep Tackle Tray makes an outstanding storage solution for my radio gear. Originally designed for anglers, its rugged construction and flexible layout are almost perfect for the radio monitoring hobby. The tray features a strong four-latch design, a water-resistant gasket seal, and up to 20 customisable compartments thanks to its removable divider system.

After using a number of different cases over the years, this has become my new daily carry case whenever I head out monitoring.

Modified for Radio Use
The first thing I did was customise the tray for handheld radios.
I've added foam and padding to the rear radio compartments, giving the radios extra protection while they're being transported. The padding helps stop them moving around and prevents the cases from rubbing against each other during travel.
It's a simple modification, but it makes a big difference in protecting the equipment.

Flexible Storage
One of my favourite features is the removable divider system.
As my radio collection changes, or depending on what I'm taking with me for the day, I can quickly rearrange the compartments to suit. Whether I'm carrying scanners, amateur handhelds, spare batteries, antennas, programming cables or adapters, the layout can be changed in just a few minutes. That flexibility means I'm not locked into one configuration. The case can evolve as my equipment and monitoring needs change.

Built to Last
The build quality is excellent. The plastic is thick and rigid, the latches feel solid, and the whole case inspires confidence. Unlike some cheaper storage boxes that flex or feel flimsy, this one feels like it will stand up to years of use in the car, out in the field, or sitting on the shack shelf. It's exactly what I want for protecting equipment that costs significantly more than the storage case itself.

Outstanding Value
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the price. At less than $25, this has been one of the best radio accessory purchases I've made. It's a significant improvement over my previous carry case, offering better protection, more flexibility, and much better organisation.

Sometimes the best radio accessories aren't actually made for radios. This fishing tackle tray is a perfect example.

If you're looking for a strong, adaptable and affordable way to carry your scanners and radio accessories, the Daiwa D-Box Large Deep Tackle Tray is well worth considering. 

Article - Why Searching the Bands Still Matters in 2026

One of the most rewarding aspects of the radio scanning hobby is discovering signals that nobody else has logged, identified, or shared. While online frequency databases, SDR networks, and pre-programmed scanner files have made it easier than ever to get started, they have also reduced the amount of active searching that many hobbyists undertake.

The reality is that radio systems change constantly. Frequencies are added, removed, reconfigured, or repurposed. Temporary users appear for a few days and then disappear. Event channels are activated and then fall silent until the next year. New digital systems emerge while older analogue users continue operating quietly in the background.

If nobody is searching, nobody is finding and nobody benefits.

The Importance of Close-Range Monitoring
Many modern radio users operate with relatively low-power handheld radios. These may only cover a few hundred metres or a few kilometres, making them effectively invisible to listeners who rely solely on fixed monitoring locations.

This is where close-range monitoring becomes extremely valuable. By positioning yourself near shopping centres, industrial areas, sporting venues, public events, transport hubs, or construction sites, you can often discover frequencies that would never be heard from home.

A few useful techniques include:

• Using scanners equipped with Close Call, Signal Stalker, Spectrum Sweeper, or similar near-field detection features.
• Monitoring during event setup and pack-down periods when radio traffic is often at its highest.
• Using smaller antennas when searching locally to reduce overload and focus on nearby signals.
• Logging signal strength and coverage areas to help determine transmitter locations.
• Comparing activity heard at different locations to establish operating areas and repeater sites.

Many of the most interesting discoveries in the scanning hobby are made within a few hundred metres of the user rather than from a distant monitoring position, such as at home.

Why Search Mode Is More Important Than Ever
Many scanner users spend most of their time scanning programmed channels. While this is useful for monitoring known activity, it does little to help discover new users.

Search mode remains one of the most powerful tools available to a scanner enthusiast.

Regular searching can reveal:

• New commercial radio systems.
• Temporary event channels.
• Unlisted simplex operations.
• Newly commissioned repeaters.
• Digital systems not yet documented.
• Frequency changes resulting from licence updates.
• Local users operating on shared channels.
• Unusual propagation events.

A common mistake is assuming that online databases contain everything. In reality, frequency databases are only as good as the information contributed by the community. Every database started with somebody pressing the search button.

Building Technical Skills Through Monitoring
Searching the bands develops technical skills that cannot be learned simply by importing a frequency file.

When attempting to identify an unknown signal, consider:

• Frequency and band allocation.
• Channel spacing.
• Signal strength.
• Mode of operation (FM, NFM, DMR, P25, NXDN, etc.).
• Times of operation.
• Repeater versus simplex operation.
• Coverage area.
• Terminology used by operators.
• Unit numbering systems.
• References to locations, vehicles, or businesses.

Over time, experienced listeners become surprisingly effective at identifying users simply through operating patterns and technical characteristics.

This process of investigation is often referred to as being a "frequency detective" and remains one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby.

The Value of Logging Everything
A signal heard once may not seem important. A signal logged consistently over weeks, months, or years can become extremely valuable.

Maintaining detailed logs allows you to:

• Track changes in frequency usage.
• Identify seasonal or event-based activity.
• Monitor system migrations.
• Confirm repeater coverage areas.
• Compare activity between locations.
• Identify unknown users over time.

Modern logging software makes this process significantly easier than it was years ago. Even a simple spreadsheet can quickly become an important reference source. I use RadioFreakDB for my loggings and I think this is one of the best soluations for this purpose, It should be, I wrote it :)

The most useful logs often include:

• Frequency.
• Date and time.
• Mode.
• Signal strength.
• Location.
• User identification.
• Notes regarding traffic heard.
  

Sharing Information Benefits Everyone
The radio scanning hobby relies heavily on community knowledge.

Every frequency database, blog post, forum entry, scanner file, and monitoring guide exists because somebody took the time to search, identify, log, and share their findings.

When hobbyists share information, the entire community benefits.

Sharing allows:

• New users to get started more easily.
• Existing databases to remain accurate.
• Unknown users to be identified.
• Coverage areas to be confirmed.
• System changes to be documented.
• Historical records to be preserved.

Even seemingly minor discoveries can become valuable pieces of information when combined with observations from multiple listeners across different locations.

A frequency that appears insignificant to one listener may help another identify an entire radio system.

Technology has changed dramatically since many of us first entered the scanning hobby. Modern scanners, SDRs, recording functions, GPS integration, and online databases are all powerful tools.

However, the fundamental skill remains unchanged. The hobby advances because people search.

Every unidentified signal, every new frequency, every temporary event channel, and every newly discovered user starts with somebody taking the time to explore the spectrum.

So don't just scan known channels.

Search the bands.

Log what you find.

Share your results.

The next major discovery in your area may be only one search pass away.

Uniden UBCD396XT – 15 Years On

Fifteen years is a long time in the world of radio scanners. Digital modes have evolved, trunked radio systems have become more complex, and features that were once considered premium are now expected as standard. Yet despite all of these changes, the Uniden UBCD396XT remains one of the most capable and enjoyable scanners I have ever used.

In many ways, the UBCD396XT proves that a good scanner design can stand the test of time.

Still Has a Place in the Scanning Hobby

The scanner market has changed significantly since the UBCD396XT was released, but that doesn't mean it has become obsolete. Far from it.

For hobbyists interested in monitoring conventional VHF and UHF communications, searching for new signals, or simply enjoying the art of radio scanning, the 396XT remains a highly relevant receiver. While newer scanners offer additional digital modes and advanced features, the core scanning experience provided by the 396XT is still outstanding.

Outstanding VHF and UHF Performance

One area where the UBCD396XT continues to shine is receiver performance.

Its sensitivity on VHF and UHF is excellent, allowing weak signals to be received clearly and consistently. The radio has a reputation for hearing signals that some newer scanners struggle with, particularly when searching large sections of spectrum.

For those who enjoy hunting new frequencies, identifying unknown users, or monitoring distant stations during favourable conditions, the 396XT remains a formidable tool.

Even after fifteen years, it is difficult to find a handheld scanner that offers a significantly better overall VHF/UHF listening experience.

Fast Scanning and Searching

Speed is another area where the UBCD396XT excels.

The radio moves quickly through systems, channels, and search ranges, making it highly effective when monitoring busy bands or searching for new activity.

Many modern scanners have added features that come at the expense of responsiveness. The 396XT feels direct and efficient. Press a button and it responds immediately. Start a search and it gets to work without hesitation.

For many hobbyists, this speed is one of the reasons the radio remains a favourite.

The Features It Doesn't Have

Of course, no review would be complete without acknowledging the scanner's limitations.

The UBCD396XT was designed before several modern digital standards became widespread. As a result, it does not support:

• P25 Phase 2
• DMR
• NXDN

For listeners whose local services use these modes, a newer scanner will be necessary.

The radio also lacks a built-in recording function, something that has become increasingly common on modern scanners. Recording can still be achieved using external equipment, but it is not as convenient as the integrated solutions available today.

A Near-Perfect Portable Size

The physical design of the UBCD396XT remains one of its greatest strengths.

It is compact enough to carry comfortably all day, yet large enough to operate easily in the field. The radio feels solid, well-balanced, and purpose-built.

Many newer scanners have grown larger and heavier as additional features have been added. The 396XT strikes an excellent balance between portability and usability.

Whether used at home, in the car, or while travelling, it remains a pleasure to carry and operate.

It Just Works

Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to the UBCD396XT is simply this:

It just works.

The radio is reliable, predictable, and effective. It turns on, scans quickly, receives well, and gets out of the way. There are no complicated upgrade paths, paid digital keys, or feature activations to worry about.

For many enthusiasts, that simplicity is refreshing.

Final Thoughts

Fifteen years after its release, the Uniden UBCD396XT remains one of the best handheld scanners ever produced.

Yes, it lacks modern digital modes such as P25 Phase 2, DMR, and NXDN. Yes, there is no built-in recorder. But when it comes to core scanning performance—especially on VHF and UHF—it continues to impress.

Its excellent receiver performance, fast scanning and searching capabilities, compact size, and dependable operation ensure that it still deserves a place in the radio hobby.

In an era where technology often becomes obsolete within a few years, the UBCD396XT stands as proof that great engineering never goes out of style.

Retro Review - Icom RX7

This is my review of the Icom RX7 wideband handheld receiver which is Icom’s latest handheld receiver to hit the market.

When I first started reading about it a few months ago I was interested to read that Icom had finally fixed some of the issues that had bugged me with previous radios I had owned from them such as the R5, R20 and R1500 which were all good radios but lacked some of the basic features I felt a wideband receiver should have such as a decent scan / search speed, easy bank linking for scanning and searching, simple memory bank / channel management and an easy to understand user interface.

My reason for buying the RX7 was twofold, first I was looking for a good handheld radio that had a proper VFO, decent scan / search speed and was small in size; the second reason was that I just love new toys and after a less then happy time with the Yaesu VR500 I was hoping the RX7 would be a radio I would be happy with.

This review is not “technical” but simply some comments and other things I have noticed about it and how it works for me, I am not trying to sell it to you or tell you not to buy one but simply share what I have found and like / dislike about it.

The first thing you notice about the RX7 when you see it is that it is white on the front and grey on the back and sides, this makes it stand out from other scanners that are normally black or grey, the size of it is fairly small given it has a good size display and a full keypad, as it is so slim it can slip in to a pocket easily.

Using the radio in VFO mode has shown it to work very well, frequencies can be typed from the keypad or changed via the top VFO knob, things like turning steps, mode and other options are set from a menu which helps keep the keypad and display simple to use and understand, please take note that this radio is like most things these days and menu driven with many different options and levels depending what you are trying to do, even for somebody like me who works in IT technical support and has had a number of radios over years it took me some time to get used to this way of doing things, the manual explains it fairly well but the best way to learn is to play around with the radio and try new things.

The single biggest change from other Icom radios and most scanners in general is the way the memory is set out, think of it like the way the Uniden 396T/996T is done, add some extra steps / options and that is about the level this is at. Instead of banks you have Category’s Groups and Channels. Here is a quick rundown on how I have mine programmed which will help make it easier to understand.

First you have a Category (000 services in my case) which you setup, then you make a Group (TAS Fire) and inside this you add the frequencies (79.0375MHz as an example) with an alpha tag, CTCSS tone, Mode, Turning step, ATT, stop beep and VSC settings if you want.

Here is how I have mine setup:

000 SERVICES

- TAS FIRE

- AMBULANCE

- SES

AIRPORT

- ATC

- BUSINESS AIRBAND

UHF CB

- UHF CB

2WAY GENERAL

- RADIO

As you can see above every category must have at least 1 group under it but you can have up to 26 categories each with 100 groups and each group can have 100 channels so that gives you lots of choices as far as how to have your memories setup. Using my setup above I can scan all the categories, 1 category or a mix, I can even just scan the TAS FIRE group if I want to, for somebody like me who likes to listen to everything but also at times narrow down to a single group of users this setup works well.

The only issue I have found is that as you had to add the frequencies to the right category / group as you program them it slows down the process a bit but I think it is well worth it for the flexibility you get from having it setup like this.

After programming a couple of hundred frequencies in and scanning them for a few hours I can report I have found no issues with lock up or overload even from my location which is close to the West Launceston radio towers, line of sight to Mt Barrow and close to the CBD; I am planning on testing it at Freeland’s lookout soon which will see how it performs in a “dirty” RF location. The scan speed seems to be in excess of 50 channels per second which is a great improvement on previous Icom radios.

Searching of frequency ranges is well supported, Icom have programmed some common one’s for you but you can also edit your own and link these which has always been something I have had issues with on Icom radios, it is good to see this has now been fixed and works really well, the search speed seems to be around 50 steps a second for 25KHz steps in the UHF band which is also very nice.

Earlier today I did some testing of the search auto write which is a feature I have used quite a bit in the past on Uniden radios and I can report this also works well which is a first for me to get working on an Icom radio.

Battery life is good from the 1100mAh battery and as I purchased the optional battery case for 3 AA cells this has improved it even more.

Overall I am very happy with the RX7 and it is a very nice radio which Icom have made more like a normal “scanner” but also with the VFO and other “advanced” features.

I am very pleased with this radio and if you don’t need trunking or APCO25 digital then this is the radio to get.

Here are some good / bad points I have found with it:

Pros:

+ Fast scan / search speed.

+ Very nice clear audio from both the speaker / ear phones even if it is a little quiet at times.

+ Good physical size and fits well in a pocket.

+ Memory / search linking that works.

+ Well designed memory layout if hard to understand at first.

+ It seems quite sensitive and does not overload / have many birdies like some other radios I have used.

+ Major fun factor and many options to play around with.

Cons:

- Delay is set on a radio wide basis not per channel which is a pain.

- The CTCSS tone decode feature is painful to setup and VERY slow to decode the correct tone.

- The keypad does not have a backlight like the display so night time use is hard until you learn all the keys by touch.

- Voice squelch seems to work well but does cut off the first bit of each over while it checks if the signal is voice and it should pass it to the speaker.

Retro Review - GME RX1300

Day 1:

Tonight I have had my first chance to setup and use my new GME RX1300 scanner receiver which I ordered last week.

First let’s look at what you get with it as standard when you purchase it.

- RX1300 unit

- Antenna

- 1900mAh Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery

- Ear phones

- Charger cradle and power supply

- Lanyard Strap.

All of these are fairly standard type devices, the battery takes around 12 hours to charge from empty to full and it is uncommon to find a desktop type charger rather than a more normal wall charger of a radio in this price bracket. Having said that it is possible to charge the RX1300 using just the wall charger if the charging cradle is not available to you. The aerial is an SMA type which is solid on the bottom half and semi flexible on the top half. The only thing missing from the RX1300 is a belt clip which I feel is a slight let down but as it is so small it will mostly be carried in a pocket.

The RX1300 unit is very well built and feels very solid in the hand, it has a much better feel then the low end Uniden scanners or almost any other scanner I have ever used / owned. It is around 75% the height of the UBC93XLT, 90% of the width and about 90% the depth. The weight is much the same with the RX1300 being slightly heavier. Both the LCD and keypad light ups after each key press in a nice yellow glow.

So far I have not had much time to do a huge amount of testing with it; I have worked out the menu system which is slightly confusing until you understand the logical of it then it makes a lot of sense and is easy to use. I have programmed in around 90 VHF / UHF channels and the 40 UHF CB channels, this took around ¾ of an hour which I think is fairly good given I had not used a radio of this type before with the method of storing frequencies. After programming these frequencies (the VHF / UHF frequencies in to bank 00 and UHF CB in to bank 01) I found what I see as the single biggest issue with radio, you cannot scan more than a single 100 channel bank at a time, this means you can’t program different users in to each bank and then scan a mix of them. What you can do is press the two digit code for each bank that activates that bank to scan but that turns off the other bank for scanning. As an example if I press 00 it will scan my 90 VHF / UHF channels in bank 00 but if I press 01 it will then scan the 40 UHF CB channels I programmed in bank 01 instead. Other than that I am happy with the scanning side of things, the speed is around 20 channels per second which is fine for me. 

The ability of the RX1300 to pick up signals seems really good from my limited testing I could hear casino security on 467.475MHz with just the standard aerial which is a good effort for where I live, none of my others radio even hear this at all except on an external aerial. I can also report that not a single frequency in either of these two banks has any issues with birdies or other signals locking them up.

I searched the following banks with a list of how many frequencies had problems:

70-80 MHz: 3

118-137MHz: 12

144-148MHz: 0

156-174MHz: 5

462-512MHz: 7

I think this is fairly good, much better then what my other scanner do and right up with the best I have seen in the past for searching.

Overall I am fairly happy with it so far, the lack of a belt clip is a pain and the single bank scanning seems a bit strange but for general scanning it seems to be spot on.

I still have a few features to test such as memory auto write and tone coding, once I have tested these features and done some more general testing in different locations I will add to this review.

 

Retro Review - Uniden BCD396T (USA Model)

A retro review of the Uniden BCD396T (USA Model), I wrote this in 2006.

----------------------
Uniden BCD 396T Digital Hand Held Scanner
Here’s my review of the new Uniden BCD 396T scanner.
Some of the more important specs:
25 MHz – 1300 MHz coverage
AM / FM/ NFM /WFM Modes
Steps from 5 kHz to 100 kHz
6600 channels – up to 400 systems
100 quick keys to access systems
Trunk Tracker IV operation
APCO 25 Digital decoding
Close Call
CTCSS / DCS decoding
Channel Alert tones
Text Tags
10 Custom search ranges with Auto Store.
PC Control / Programming

Here’s what you get with it out of the box:
Uniden BCD 396T unit:
This is a mid sized unit and is built quite well, it runs off 3 x AA cells and these seem to last quite a while.

Belt Clip:
This is a very professional setup and comes in two parts, one is attached to the back on the radio and clips on the second part on your belt, and this means the unit has to be turned upside down to get it off, reducing the chance of it falling off by accident.

SMA Aerial

AC Adaptor / 3x 2300Mah AA Cells
This is a 6v 800Ma unit and charges the 3 AA cells in 16 hours; it also powers the radio while it is charging.

Programming Cable
This allows the radio to be programmed via a PC; the software is a free download off the Uniden website and works very well.

Manual
This is a must have item as this is a very complex unit to set up and use.

Programming the unit:
Before using this unit you MUST have an understanding of how it is setup as it is very different to all other Uniden scanners.
You have a pool of 6600 channels by default, instead of banks you have systems which you can have to 400 of.

As you build each system it takes the channels from the pool and assigns them to the system, this means that to program the EDACS Mt Barrow site in to system 1 you take the 9 channels from the pool and add them to system 1, you can them add the 11 channels to build the system for EDACS West Launceston to system 2, this means that you are not wasting channels like you do on a Uniden 780 where you use 1 bank of 50 channels for a EDACS site with only 11 channels.
As you can have up to 400 system’s setup, you could have EVERY EDACS site in Tasmania programmed and still have over 6000 channels spare to put in your normal two way stuff like the Air band or UHF CB, with the UHF CB you could build a system with only the 40 channels required for it, by doing this you don’t waste any channels.

How I have my bcd396t setup is like this:
System 1 – 000 Services
System 2 – Air band / HAM Radio
System 3 – Business Band
System 4 – UHF CB
System 8 – EDACS Mt Barrow
System 9 – EDACS West Launceston

Using it for the last few days after programming it via my pc shows that it has every feature you could want in a handheld and that so far it seems to work very well both on the EDACS trunking and on normal vhf / uhf channels.

Having 6600 channels and custom system sizes allows a great level of freedom to set it up just how you want.

The only problem with a unit like this is that is VERY COMPLEX to setup and use, if you find a Uniden 245 or 780 hard to program / use , this will really test you out as it has so many feature and options you need to have a good understanding of it.

Loggings - Hobart - 04/07/2026

Frequency: 118.1

Name: TOWER-HOBART

Service: AirBand

Notes:

Frequency: 125.55

Name: ATC HOBART

Service: AirBand

Notes:

Frequency: 128.45

Name: HOBART ATIS

Service: Airband

Notes:

Frequency: 146.7

Name: VK7RHT 2M

Service: Amateur Radio

Notes:

Frequency: 439.75

Name: 70CM HAM HOBART

Service: Amateur Radio

Notes:

Frequency: 454.175

Name: METRO (TX)

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 464.175

Name: METRO HOBART

Service: Business

Notes:

Frequency: 464.225

Name: METRO HOBART

Service: Business

Notes: 

RFScanMate – A Radio Scanning Database and Logging Program

Introducing RFScanMate: A Modern Radio Scanning Database and Logging Solution

Radio scanning has always been about discovery. Whether you're monitoring amateur radio, aviation, marine communications, business radio networks, or modern digital systems, keeping accurate records of what you've heard is an essential part of the hobby.

That's where RFScanMate comes in.

RFScanMate is a modern radio scanning database and logging application designed to help radio enthusiasts organise, search, and analyse their monitoring activity. Built with simplicity and efficiency in mind, RFScanMate provides a powerful platform for maintaining frequency databases while making it easy to record and review radio traffic.

Why RFScanMate?

Many radio enthusiasts rely on spreadsheets, notebooks, or ageing software to track their monitoring activities. While these methods work, they often become difficult to manage as databases grow larger and more complex.

RFScanMate aims to solve these challenges by providing:

• Centralised frequency management

• Fast and efficient logging

• Advanced search and filtering

• Cross-platform accessibility

• Simple data import and export

• Modern user-friendly interface

Whether you're a casual listener or a dedicated monitoring enthusiast, RFScanMate helps keep your radio intelligence organised.

Key Features

Comprehensive Frequency Database

Store detailed information about frequencies and channels, including:

• Frequency

• Service

• Mode

• Band

• Callsigns

• Site details

• Notes and observations

This allows users to build a detailed and searchable database tailored to their local area and interests.

Logging Made Easy

RFScanMate makes it simple to record monitoring activity as it happens.

Users can quickly capture:

• Date and time

• Frequency

• Talkgroup

• Callsign

• Signal information

• Location

• Monitoring notes

Over time, these logs become a valuable historical record that can be used for research, identification, and trend analysis.

Powerful Search Tools

Finding information should never be difficult.

RFScanMate includes powerful filtering and search capabilities that allow users to quickly locate:

• Specific frequencies

• Callsigns

• Talkgroups

• Services

• Locations

• Historical monitoring records

This makes large databases manageable and useful.

Built for Modern Radio Monitoring

The radio landscape continues to evolve. From traditional analogue systems to digital radio networks, hobbyists need tools that can adapt.

RFScanMate is designed to support a wide range of monitoring interests, including:

• Amateur Radio

• Aviation

• Marine Radio

• Business Radio

• UHF CB

• Digital Trunked Networks

• Community Services

• Utility Communications

Developed by Radio Enthusiasts

RFScanMate is being developed with real-world radio monitoring in mind.

Rather than focusing on unnecessary complexity, the goal is to create software that radio enthusiasts will actually use every day. The emphasis is on speed, reliability, and practical features that support the monitoring hobby.

Every feature is driven by real monitoring requirements, making RFScanMate a tool designed by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.

Looking Ahead

Future development plans include:

• Enhanced database management

• Mapping and location features

• Advanced reporting tools

• Additional import and export options

• Improved mobile compatibility

• Expanded analysis capabilities

The vision is to make RFScanMate a complete monitoring companion for both home and portable radio operations.

Join the Journey

Radio monitoring remains one of the most rewarding and accessible technical hobbies available today. As communications systems continue to change, having reliable tools to organise and analyse monitoring activity becomes increasingly important.

RFScanMate is being built to meet that need.

Whether you're tracking local repeaters, logging DX contacts, identifying new frequencies, or building a comprehensive regional database, RFScanMate aims to become an essential part of your monitoring toolkit.

Stay tuned as development continues and new features are introduced. The future of radio logging and database management is taking shape with RFScanMate.

Download Link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vx277_UM9XYtvc4br95dO7ZXFzG6SY2B/view?usp=sharing