Uniden BC346XTC TrunkTracker III Portable Compact Handheld Scanner Review

I am the owner of a factory and always seem to be walking around looking for my employees when not available close to a phone and mobile costs are so high in phoning someone advising them to come to my office. I was looking for a handheld scanner that was not too expensive as I only required four and decided on buying the Uniden BC346XTC TrunkTracker III Portable Compact Handheld Scanner.

After using them for a few months now decided it is time to share my experience with this handheld as could not find many detailed reviews on the radio and would assist others in deciding if this CB radio would be helpful for them when making a decision on buying one.

Opening the Uniden BC346XTC

The Uniden BC346XTC is nothing fancy when opening the box and works great for me, as I was not in need of using complicated handhelds at work, however, offers you with enough features for those who are more technically minded and looking for a scanner loaded with modern technology. The handheld came with the basics a rubber antenna, belt clip that works great for us in the factory, an AC wall adapter, USB power cable as mentioned for the technology minded people, a wrist strap, and user manual.

The radio itself has a wideband receiver covering important trunking frequencies in UHF/VHF band and a small section of the HF band including CB allocations. It comes with packed features mentioned previously.

Programming the Uniden TrunkTracker iii

As I was going to use the Uniden TrunkTracker iii at the factory decided why not take a look and see what else this scanner has to offer except for keeping in contact with others. I took it home and started playing around with it before handing them over and yes it took me a while. The first thing I noticed was you could incorporate GPS locations into the trunking side of the handheld. It saves you time if intending to use it in various locations and providing it with a position it searches for the right frequencies and that is what I had done instead of fiddling around with it and works great.

The handheld comes with an overloaded data memory that you need to enter before you can use the trunking side of the scanner and very time-consuming, however, found some shortcuts. With USB connected to the handheld and your PC with the software, you program the radio, the trunking data come from the disc, and the software does the job. After using the software, you are still left with the option to make manual changes where needed.

What I found using the BC346XTC Portable Compact Handheld Scanner

I found that the BC346XTC Portable Compact Handheld Scanner designed to use rechargeable batteries although, it has been mentioned that the latest model the availability of charging the batteries in the handheld has been removed and they suggest that you buy a separate charger and rechargeable batteries. I find the feature greatly imagine buying batteries for four people every time it saves you costs in the end.

Some of the Features that stood out for me

The BC346XTC has many features to offer and found the following to be helpful.

Search mode: I have used this feature and checks for frequencies that fall under your user-programmed range. When using trunked systems it will check each control channel programmed and when detected, it stays on the channel and opens Squelch.

Another great option, it comes with is a Close Call Priority mode that interrupts the handheld operation every two seconds while searching for stronger signals on a selected band and returns to the previous operation. Once it detects a Close Call, it switches to the channel and opens Squelch all depending on the settings.

Main Features

• The BC346XTC comes with TrunkTracker iii compatible with Motorola, Edacs, E.F. Johnson
• It comes with location-based scanning
• With Close Call RF Capture Technology, the handheld instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters
• Fire Tone-Out
• Alpha Tagging
• 100 Quick Key System Access
• Band Scope – Graphically finds radio activity
• Compact Size
• Temporary Lockout
• Search with Scan
• DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode – Instantly detects and Displays the Sub-audible Tone So You Can Quickly Determine the System Settings.
• A.M.E. Weather Alert – Specific Area Message Encoding – During an NOAA Weather or Emergency Alert, a code for your specific location will alert you to severe conditions in your immediate area.
• Public Safety Scanner
• System / Channel Number Tagging – provides rapid access to a specific system or channel
• Individual Channel Volume Offset
• Priority ID Scan on trunked systems
• PC Programming/Control
• The handheld has a one-year limited warranty

Uniden BC346XTC TrunkTracker III Portable Compact Handheld Scanner

Customer Feedback

Many customers have bought the BC346XTC Portable Compact Handheld Scanner and pleased with the radio when it comes to the design and features offered. If you are looking to read some user, feedbacks visit Amazon for some great reviews.

One customer said that he has had the scanner for a month and while using discovering new features every time. He said that he had no knowledge of scanner when buying except that he wanted one for scanning trunking systems. Once turned on he was overwhelmed by the short of information, however, after reading and looking at different video reviews finally had the scanner working and pleased with the results.

Uniden BC346XTC TrunkTracker III

Uniden BC346XTC TrunkTracker III Portable Compact Handheld Scanner

Pros

• Packed with some great features
• The display is great and visible to read
• The search with scan option is great
• Compatible with different trunking systems
• Have not only used it at work, but home as well listening to different channels and cheaper to communicate with others

Cons

The biggest complaint is that users find the scanner difficult to program, I agree if you do not have the right software although the GPS settings are great and helps allot.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a compact, feature filled handheld, then the Uniden BC346XTC TrunkTracker III Portable Compact Handheld Scanner the one to buy. It is affordable, provides you with a large data memory base, GPS compatible, and automatically scans for nearby agencies. Even the Close Call RF Capture detecting and tuning to nearby transmissions without programming is a great feature to have.