What is Rebanding?
The 800MHz band is shared by business, cellular and public safety communications. For over two decades there have been problems with interference, mostly between Nextel and public safety.
Nextel was a hybrid radio/phone type service that used frequencies interspaced among other users, including public safety. The technologies used caused interference to each other, and they needed to be separated.
To eliminate the interference, all public safety systems operating between 865-869MHz have "rebanded" to 851-854 MHz. and Nextel and other business users moved out of most of the frequencies from 851 thru 861 MHz. This makes the 851 thru 861 range reserved for public safety and local government use and provides a buffer between this and the cellular bands that start at 869 MHz. While this process ended up destroying Nextel as an ongoing concern and disrupted other users, it has pretty stabilized since.
All currently produced scanners already handle rebanding so that you don’t need to deal with it yourself. If you have an older scanner however you might be affected.
What does this all mean?
If you have a current or recent Uniden scanner (SDS series, BCD436/536HP, BCD996, 396 and 325 series as well as either the HP1 or HP2) or Whistler models you should not be affected. Some early BCD996T or XT’s, as well as some RadioShack and GRE models might need a firmware update, Scanner Master can handle that for you.
If your scanner is older then this might affect how or even if you can monitor current trunking systems. There are other reasons older scanners might not work on more current systems, including if the system has upgraded to Phase 2 technology. It might be time to replace your scanner anyway.
Firmware
What is Firmware?
It is the operating system inside of your scanner. This can be updated with firmware updates from the manufacture of the scanner. Updates can fix bugs or add new features to the scanner.
Will my scanner work? Is there firmware available?
In the chart below you can see if your scanner needs a firmware update. You may not need a firmware update if your scanner has the latest firmware.
What about “P25 Phase 2”?
P25 Phase 2 is a technology that allows 2 conversations to use the same radio frequency. This is done by splitting the signal into timeslots, with one conversation assigned to “Timeslot 0” and another to “Timeslot 1”. This is all handled in Phase 2 capable scanners and is mostly transparent to users.
Phase 2 effectively doubles the capacity of a trunked system. With 5 radio channels, a Phase 1 system can have up to 4 conversations at a time (since one channel is used for control data). A Phase 2 system however can have up to 8 conversations at the same time on the 4 remaining voice channels of our 5 channel system.
Earlier digital scanners were only capable of Phase 1 systems. While most newer digital scanners can handle Phase 2 as well as Phase 1, older Phase 1 scanners cannot be updated for Phase 2 operation.
Uniden Bearcat Scanners
- Press Menu
- Scroll and select "Settings"
- Scroll and select "See Scanner Info"
- Select "Firmware Version"
GRE/Radio Shack Scanners
- Power the scanner down
- Press and hold the "3" key while powering the scanner on
How to update the firmware?
In the charts below you will see helpful links on where and how to update your firmware.
Uniden Scanners Firmware Chart
GRE Scanners Firmware Chart
Can Scanner Master Update the firmware for you?
Yes we can, you can ship the scanner to us and we can update the firmware for you.
Visit the Programming Page for details on costs and process.
Scanners we can update firmware for::
Uniden:
BCD325P2, BCD996T/XT/P2, BCD396T/XT, BCT15/X*, BC346XT*, BC246T*, BC269D, BC796D
HomePatrol 1, HomePatrol 2, BDC436HP, BCD536HP, SDS100, SDSD150 and BCD150 firmware updates are included automatically with our programming and SD Card services
GRE:
PSR-300*, PSR-310*, PSR-400*, PSR-410*, PSR-500, PSR-600
Radio Shack:
PRO-163*, PRO-164*, PRO-106, PRO-197, PRO-96, PRO-2096
Whistler:
WS1065, WS1040, TRX-1, TRX-2
* indicates the scanner is analog only, it cannot receive any digital systems.
Scanners listed above in italics are P25 Phase 1 only, they cannot receive any Phase 2 traffic, even with a firmware update.
Scanners listed above in italics are P25 Phase 1 only, they cannot receive any Phase 2 traffic, even with a firmware update.
Why Firmware Updates Matter
Firmware is the operating software that controls how your scanner functions. Manufacturers periodically release firmware updates to improve performance, correct bugs, add new features, and improve compatibility with evolving radio systems.
Keeping your scanner's firmware up to date can help ensure reliable operation and may improve digital decoding, trunking performance, and overall usability depending on the scanner model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I update my scanner's firmware?
A: Most scanners do not require frequent firmware updates. However, it is a good idea to periodically check the manufacturer's website for updates that may improve performance, add features, or address known issues. If your scanner is working properly and already has the latest firmware installed, no action may be required.
Q: Can an outdated firmware version cause reception problems?
A: In some cases, yes. Older firmware versions may not properly support changes to radio systems or may lack improvements and bug fixes included in later updates. Before replacing a scanner that appears to have stopped working correctly, verify that the programming and firmware are both current.