Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, Close Call Capture, Pre-programmed Search “Action” Bands to Hear Non-Digital Police, Ambulance, Fire, Amateur Radio, Public Utilities, Weather & more

This is a no frills basic scanner that works great for anyone in an area that has police and fire still on analog frequencies. Really simple to program; don't believe the naysayers that say it isn't. A simple 3 minute youtube video showed me how to do it. Its a bit time consuming and repetitive but very very easy once you know how. If you plan to listen to over 25 or so frequencies right of the bat, you might want to invest in a programming cable and download programming software. Also, it does have a TOTAL of 300 slots to program frequencies BUT 200 of these are under the Air/Marine slot. It is a bit confusing and if you want to listen to more than 100 frequencies and have to spill over to the Air/Marine presets, you will have to set the scanner to scan your "private" frequencies along with both the "Air" and "Marine" band presets. Its confusing I know, but it DOES have 300 memory slots. If some folks read the free downloadable user manual before purchasing, they would have known that. If you are listening to that many frequencies though, you should probably invest in a better, higher end scanner that has a larger custom memory bank.Its pretty small and takes up very little space on my nightstand and workbench. Worthwhile if you are like me and only listen to around 15 or 20 of the local police/fire/EMS frequencies. If that is all you are looking for out of your scanner, this will do the job. Upon arrival, the box included the scanner, a base telescopic antenna that plugs straight into the back (works well for me, your results may vary with location), a mobile mounting bracket with several feet of fused power wire, a DC cigarette power adapter for quick "plug and go" mobile installation, and finally a second antenna. The second antenna is basically a copper wire with suction cups on both ends and several feet of coax attached to it. According to the directions, you basically suction cup the antenna to the inside windshield on the passenger side of the vehicle or to the rear widow if you drive a standard cab truck. I currently use it in my basement window to gain better reception during the evening when I am working downstairs in my concrete surrounded shop space. Having an additional antenna stuck up in the window really helps improve the reception.Overall, its simple, it works, and its not crazy expensive because of too many bells and whistles I won't use.

Up front: this is an older model, and does not receive digital transmissions. But with that being known ahead of time, this scanner is simply the best, easiest, and highly usable for my purposes.I wanted something that would be great for use in my travel trailer. I need to go to a new area and pick up whatever local stations are transmitting. I want to hear the cops and fire, but also ham radio repeaters, and aircraft from time to time. And it even gets CB which is something I might need too.The "close call" feature is great, as expected, for those times when there are mystery stations nearby such as the security guard in the RV park chasing someone, or hams at a hamfest QSYing where they think it's a private freq).Big features I like are a) programming searched out channels into a bank, b) storing my own favorite freqs into the "private" bank, no matter what the service (air, AND fire, AND ham 146.52, AND FRS, AND CB ch. 19 for example), and c) a pretty fast scan rate, and d) a very sensitive receiver. It's small, low power requirements, and can run on 12V or uses the 115 adapter. It also includes a couple of antennas, for flexibility where it is sitting on the bench at home, or in the car.You can "scan everything" and then cut out band-by-band that you don't want to monitor right now.One tradeoff is that there is no direct frequency entry mode, but that means there are 10 less buttons on the front panel, and for a small radio like this, that is really a plus, not a minus.Ultimately, "would I buy another one if this one was broken or stolen or I gave it away?" Absolutely. It's exactly what I wanted when I bought it, and I'm 100% happy with everything about it (including Amazon's price, as usual).If you're thinking of getting this as a gift for someone, check first to see if their local services use digital radios. This varies all over the country.

The Uniden BC355N is a compact and versatile scanner that offers a wide range of features, making it suitable for both casual listeners and more serious hobbyists. Its small size and lightweight design make it easy to transport, allowing you to take it anywhere.Performance and FeaturesThe scanner's performance is impressive, delivering clear and crisp audio quality. It can handle a wide range of frequencies, including public safety, aviation, and marine bands. However, the included antenna may not be sufficient for optimal reception, especially in areas with weak signals. Upgrading to an external antenna can significantly enhance the scanner's performance.Programming and User InterfaceOne of the challenges with the BC355N is the initial programming process. It can be somewhat complex for beginners, requiring careful attention to detail. However, with the help of online resources and YouTube tutorials, the process becomes more manageable. Once programmed, the scanner's user interface is relatively straightforward, allowing you to easily navigate through menus and settings.Overall ImpressionThe Uniden BC355N is a capable scanner with a lot of potential. While it may require some initial effort to set up, it rewards you with clear audio, a wide frequency range, and a compact design. If you're willing to invest some time in learning the programming process and potentially upgrading the antenna, the BC355N can be a valuable addition to your hobbyist arsenal.

Don't buy, it doesn't pick up local police, EMS or anything... It's great if you want to listen to local cb BS,Would not recommend... I'm going to be buying a digital/analog open scanner and not by this brand name. I used to trust uniden not any more.