Current Digital Scanner Options (P25/DMR/NXDN)
Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2016 3:23 pm
Updated May 2020
Background:
The thread was created when I was seeking to purchase a new digital trunking receiver which covered not only unencrypted P25 (P1 & P2) but also DMR and NXDN, and has remained to help myself, and for the info of others. Please let me know of any corrections.
CURRENT AUSTRALIAN DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Uniden USDS100 (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden UBCD436-PT (handheld) / UBCD536-PT (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden UBCD325P2 (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
- Previously sold as BCD325P2-AU.
CURRENT EUROPEAN DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Uniden SDS100E (handheld) / SDS200E (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases for the SDS100E, however are included with the SDS200E.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden UBCD3600XLT (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR is included, NDXN support is an additional purchase.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
CURRENT USA DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Uniden SDS100 (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Restricted low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden BCD436HP (handheld) / BCD536HP (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Restricted low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden BCD325P2 (handheld) / BCD996P2 (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Restricted low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
CURRENT UNIVERSAL/WORLDWIDE DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Whistler TRX-1 (handheld) / TRX-2 (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- 800MHz restrictions.
Whistler WS1088 (handheld) / WS1098 (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
Notes:
- 800MHz restrictions.
So.... What do I buy?
Essentially all of Uniden Australia's current digital scanner offerings (USDS100, UBCDx46-PT series and UBCD325P2) provide DMR and NXDN support, negating the need to import overseas models. Australian models are the best solution when you consider ongoing warranty, service and support.
However if you are looking elsewhere, or a model not available in Australia:
- If comparing models on a price basis, be aware that the DMR and NXDN updates on both Australian and USA Uniden models are each at an additional cost. The EU Uniden UBCD series (but not all EU SDS series) include DMR at no cost, and in some cases NXDN. Whistler include DMR and NXDN at no cost.
- Ensure postage, insurance and GST are also considered when calculating cost on overseas models, as all may apply to imported goods.
- If you need the low VHF and/or 800MHz coverage the USA models will not be suitable. Consider the European models.
- Uniden and Whistler monitor DMR and NXDN in different ways, and each model may not monitor every DMR or NXDN system.
A (very) basic overview of common digital modes:
- P25: A standard commonly used by emergency services in Australia. There is currently Phase I using FDMA and operating in either conventional or trunked modes and Phase II using TDMA and operating in trunked mode only. Both can now be monitored out-of-the-box by most new digital trunking receivers and are considered essential if monitoring most emergency services.
- DMR: A growing standard among business and non-emergency service users. Encompasses the ‘MOTOTRBO’ model radios. There is currently Tier I for low power licence-free applications in Europe, Tier II for general conventional modes and Tier III for general trunked modes. All use TDMA. This mode can be monitored by most new digital trunking receivers and should be considered if you plan on listen to more than emergency services.
- NXDN: A standard used mostly among business and non-emergency service users. Encompasses 'IDAS' and 'NEXEDGE' model radios. There is currently Conventional for general simplex and repeater use, Type-C for trunking using a dedicated control channel and Type-D for trunking without a dedicated control channel. All use FDMA. This mode can be monitored by most new digital trunking receivers.
- TETRA: A standard commonly used by emergency services in the Europe, but less frequently in Australia. This standard uses TDMA. There is limited to no capability to monitor this standard on digital trunking receivers.
- dPMR: A standard that is less commonly used in Australia. This standard used FDMA. There is limited to no capability to monitor this standard on digital trunking receivers.
Background:
The thread was created when I was seeking to purchase a new digital trunking receiver which covered not only unencrypted P25 (P1 & P2) but also DMR and NXDN, and has remained to help myself, and for the info of others. Please let me know of any corrections.
CURRENT AUSTRALIAN DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Uniden USDS100 (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden UBCD436-PT (handheld) / UBCD536-PT (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden UBCD325P2 (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
- Previously sold as BCD325P2-AU.
CURRENT EUROPEAN DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Uniden SDS100E (handheld) / SDS200E (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases for the SDS100E, however are included with the SDS200E.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden UBCD3600XLT (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR is included, NDXN support is an additional purchase.
- Full low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
CURRENT USA DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Uniden SDS100 (handheld)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Restricted low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden BCD436HP (handheld) / BCD536HP (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Restricted low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
Uniden BCD325P2 (handheld) / BCD996P2 (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- DMR & NXDN support are both additional purchases.
- Restricted low VHF and 800MHz coverage.
CURRENT UNIVERSAL/WORLDWIDE DIGITAL TRUNKING MODELS:
Whistler TRX-1 (handheld) / TRX-2 (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
- NXDN
Notes:
- 800MHz restrictions.
Whistler WS1088 (handheld) / WS1098 (desktop)
- P25 (Phase I & II)
- DMR (Tier I, II & III)
Notes:
- 800MHz restrictions.
So.... What do I buy?
Essentially all of Uniden Australia's current digital scanner offerings (USDS100, UBCDx46-PT series and UBCD325P2) provide DMR and NXDN support, negating the need to import overseas models. Australian models are the best solution when you consider ongoing warranty, service and support.
However if you are looking elsewhere, or a model not available in Australia:
- If comparing models on a price basis, be aware that the DMR and NXDN updates on both Australian and USA Uniden models are each at an additional cost. The EU Uniden UBCD series (but not all EU SDS series) include DMR at no cost, and in some cases NXDN. Whistler include DMR and NXDN at no cost.
- Ensure postage, insurance and GST are also considered when calculating cost on overseas models, as all may apply to imported goods.
- If you need the low VHF and/or 800MHz coverage the USA models will not be suitable. Consider the European models.
- Uniden and Whistler monitor DMR and NXDN in different ways, and each model may not monitor every DMR or NXDN system.
A (very) basic overview of common digital modes:
- P25: A standard commonly used by emergency services in Australia. There is currently Phase I using FDMA and operating in either conventional or trunked modes and Phase II using TDMA and operating in trunked mode only. Both can now be monitored out-of-the-box by most new digital trunking receivers and are considered essential if monitoring most emergency services.
- DMR: A growing standard among business and non-emergency service users. Encompasses the ‘MOTOTRBO’ model radios. There is currently Tier I for low power licence-free applications in Europe, Tier II for general conventional modes and Tier III for general trunked modes. All use TDMA. This mode can be monitored by most new digital trunking receivers and should be considered if you plan on listen to more than emergency services.
- NXDN: A standard used mostly among business and non-emergency service users. Encompasses 'IDAS' and 'NEXEDGE' model radios. There is currently Conventional for general simplex and repeater use, Type-C for trunking using a dedicated control channel and Type-D for trunking without a dedicated control channel. All use FDMA. This mode can be monitored by most new digital trunking receivers.
- TETRA: A standard commonly used by emergency services in the Europe, but less frequently in Australia. This standard uses TDMA. There is limited to no capability to monitor this standard on digital trunking receivers.
- dPMR: A standard that is less commonly used in Australia. This standard used FDMA. There is limited to no capability to monitor this standard on digital trunking receivers.