New CFA P25 Digital Scanner selected

[cartman]

New digital scanner selected
Wed 5 Aug 2015
Posted byCFA Media

A new digital scanner has been selected to replace existing listening sets at CFA brigades, with an order now placed with the supplier.

The Uniden UBCD436HP-ES digital scanner was selected after an exhaustive 18-month selection process.

The scanner was subjected to a thorough technical testing process before samples of the scanner were provided to VFBV representatives across the state for field trials.

After considerable consultation between the CFA Evaluation Team and the VFBV representatives, the Uniden scanner was evaluated as being the superior product offered during the tender process.

CFA has signed a contract with Preston-based Pacific Telecommunications - the Australian distributer for Uniden scanners. Uniden is gearing up for production, and delivery is planned for the end of October 2015.

CFA understands the selection process for the new digital scanners has led to frustration among some CFA members. The rigorous selection process has revealed that the selected digital scanner is the best product currently available and has features that will enable it to be used with future developments in CFA’s radios including transition to P25 Phase 2.

The new digital scanner will be delivered pre-programmed with the current CFA/DELWP radio channel plan. These scanners are capable of receiving analogue and digital radio traffic and meet all of CFA’s technical requirements for a digital scanner.

CFA is working with VFBV to determine a process for equitable distribution of the scanners across all CFA brigades, along with implementing a subsidy to lessen the financial impact. Further details of the distribution and subsidy will be provided when they are finalised

http://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/new-dig ... ected.html

[Adapad]

Any ideas on the cost when it is released?

[rustynswrail]

Any ideas on the cost when it is released?

Yes, but cannot say at the moment.

R

[Scotty]

While many of these scanners will be used personally by the volo's, these will also be the 'sets' installed in fire stations so the crews can listen to activity when not in a truck. It's interesting how they chosen a consumer grade radio receiver (and a portable at that) as the 'superior product' over a commercial grade fixed-mount radio/receiver - no doubt cost was a massive factor in their decision. I'd image they can get the scanner for sub $500 a set, where a commercial radio would plus $1.5k.

Being a 'U' version it would appear Uniden will be officially releasing an AU model of this scanner sometime in the future, no doubt in part for the CFA volo's who want to listen. Will be interesting to see the price of those.

[Adapad]

I will be buying one and im a Volo so bring it on . I hope there is some good programming software for it ?

[JAFO]

The last paragraph is a little interesting and given the Model Number UBCD436HP-ES with the 'ES', and the fact the CFA would be subsidising the cost of theses to make them more cost affordable for their Vol's / Brigades to purchase, and the fact majority of CFA Mature Members would have problems programming theses things, it's a very good possibility that the CFA Scanners may be rolled out permanently locked to CFA & DELWP Freq's and it's purchase restricted to a certain criteria.

it will be interesting to see how theses CFA UBCD436HP-ES pan out, if by the CFA placing such a large order makes it worthwhile for Uniden Aus to release a standard BCD436HP version to the wider Australian market given Uniden Aus haven't really been that committed to providing us end users with firmware updates and updated digital scanning models.

[Adapad]

Here is hoping that Uniden Aust come to there senses and release it