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+1 on the Uniden.
The Freescan software is free.

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Update:

Cliff notes: SDR using dvb usb sticks, cheap..works..but pretty much sucks. Ebay + bcd996xt ($290 to the door) = happy me!

So I decided to try the SDR route after finding the usb radio sticks on amazon for $12 a piece. Bought 2 so I could use one for the control channel and one to monitor the actual call. Used only the stock antenna's that come with the dvb sticks. I had some trouble getting all the software to work on my lenovo yoga 13 ultrabook but eventually it did decode the apco 25 signal for Tacoma/Puyallup.

However it is a really inelegant solution and one that I would only consider recommending for folks that just like to tinker and/or do something different than everyone else. Now, the purpose built SDR boxes...those are something that I'd still like to try.

At about the same time I found a Uniden BCD996XT on ebay and was able to snag it for $290. It arrived today, sans A/C power cord, computer programming cord or stock antenna but otherwise it appears new. No wear on the screen or buttons though it was installed in someone's dash or maybe ham shack as the external case was slipped on but not screwed in.
Luckily Uniden used the same power for the 785D I have and viola! it's alive!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I can see I'm going to need a programming cable, any recommendations for source?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-1-UNIDEN-SC ... 1123016548

This is the same price at most retail outlets but with free shipping.

FYI, the drivers are on Windows Update so you don't need to download anything.

PS. See which version of firmware the 996xt has on it... the latest is 1.07.03

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/U ... wareUpdate

Ver 1.04.00, are there any downsides to updating to the latest bios?
I see later versions are supposed to help with apco 25 decoding.
Pretty steep learning curve to this radio's menu/memory system, glad there's programming software out there heh.

Nope... do the firmware upgrade ASAP especially with P25.

Cable arrived, plugged it into ultrabook, it installed a driver and it's working.
Got the bios on the radio updated. Thanks for that tip.

Had to set the comm port speed in Freescan and used a download I found on the site here: http://www.interceptradio.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4841

Took me awhile to get Puyallup sim to finally show up as I was just getting the 'Nothing to Scan' message and then when I did finally get it to scan I got nada, seems 868.375 needs to be added to the 'InterceptRadio_USA_West.996' file.
Drilled down through the system menu's and finally got that freq added, now it seems to be working.

Hearing Puyallup, Bonney lake, Tacoma(?) fire so far.

Thanks again for the suggestions, I'm now trying to read through the 'Easier to read scanner manual' http://marksscanners.com/996xt/996xt.shtml

Tacoma dispatches for both themselves and Central Pierce, which covers Puyallup.

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President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
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