Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner

Curated from 79 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: January 9, 2025

Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner

Brand: Uniden
Price: $90
Snoop Score:
5.3
Sentiment
6.9
Popularity
8.3
Technical
2.7

Snoop's Take

The Uniden BC355N is a versatile 300-channel base and mobile scanner designed to capture a range of analog communications, including police, fire, and weather frequencies. With its Close Call Capture Technology, users can easily tune into nearby signals, making it an excellent choice for those interested in local happenings and emergencies. Consumer feedback highlights the scanner's strengths in analog scanning and user-friendly design, with many praising its ease of use and portability. As one user noted, "If you just want to listen to specific services and to know what you're listening to, a scanner radio is the way to go." However, some users express concern over its inability to pick up trunked radio systems, which are increasingly used by law enforcement and emergency services. Overall, the Uniden BC355N is recommended for those looking to engage with analog communications. While it may not cater to digital users, its strong performance in analog scanning and user-friendly features make it a solid choice for entry-level scanner enthusiasts.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Radio Scanners

The Uniden UBC-125XLT is a solid choice for analog scanning.

Positive Feedback

A majority of American law enforcement and emergency services are on trunked radio. Won’t be picked up by your scanner.

Negative Feedback
Product
5.3
Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner
Emergency Monitoring
3 / 10
Weather Alerts
2 / 10
Hobbyist Listening
8 / 10
Mobile Use
10 / 10
See how this compares to all Radio Scanners

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Good for analog scanning
The Uniden UBC-125XLT is a solid choice for analog scanning.
Is the evolution of digital static enough to justify buying older gear like this?
Just buy it.
I’ve always found it very interesting.
Good for listening to specific services
If you just want to listen to specific services and to know what you're listening to, a scanner radio is the way to go.
User-friendly design
It's really not difficult to do, don't be lazy.
It is easy to use, very portable, and for only a couple of dollars extra, you can add a DIAMOND RH-77CA antenna, which really gives the radio great capability.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Cannot pick up trunked radio systems
A majority of American law enforcement and emergency services are on trunked radio. Won’t be picked up by your scanner.
Given that more and more first responder teams are starting to use encryption I can't see the point of waiting for a next generation scanner.
most public service, ie police, fire and ems have switched to digital trunked systems so the old bearcat won't receive them.
Limited use in areas with digital communications
My 396T sits on the shelf because literally every community in the Denver metro is full crypto for police and fire.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Uniden SDS200 True I/Q™ TrunkTracker X ScannerUniden SDS200 True I/Q™ TrunkTracker X Scanner$695
7.2
DetailsBuy
Uniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen ScannerUniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen Scanner$442
6.7
DetailsBuy
Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V ScannerUniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner$398
6.5
DetailsBuy
Uniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld ScannerUniden BCD436HP HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner$535
6.4
DetailsBuy
Uniden SDS100 True I/Q Digital Handheld ScannerUniden SDS100 True I/Q Digital Handheld Scanner$649
5.8
DetailsBuy
Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile ScannerUniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner$90
5.3
DetailsBuy
BAOFENG UV-5G PRO GMRS Handheld RadioBAOFENG UV-5G PRO GMRS Handheld Radio$25
3.4
DetailsBuy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Discussion on amateur radios vs scanners
If your goal is simply to listen in, I would recommend focusing in scanners.
The Baofeng is considered 'the best amateur radio' ONLY because of its price.
Radios are for transmitting they make very poor scanners.
More a radio-amateur right now and interested to listen to ATC (and more things).
Discussion on capabilities of scanners vs transceivers
Simple, cost effective, and fully capable for your purposes.
Supports any type of modulation and can pass digital signals to other software to decode them.
SDR hardware and software has become a paradigm shift for the monitoring hobby and it changes everything.
Comments about alternative scanner brands
Bearcat sds100 is my fav.
Comments on the evolution of communication technology
I'd imagine it's so much more rare now.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Anecdotes about capturing unusual communications
I was scanning through the 900mhz band and my scanner stopped on an in-use frequency... All I heard was "and then I'll bring the rottweiler in and let him fuck you, how'd you like that?".
Truly heartbreaking.
What a hellish situation to be that calm in.
Even I knew what was up.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion on regional compatibility and usage
I have to resign myself to listening to the little analogue that remains.
I mostly listen to commercial businesses and mil/air with the 125.
You can put together a raspberrypi, a powered usb hub, RTL-SDR’s and trunk-recorder for < $200.
Whats the make and model?
Discussion on programming scanners for specific uses
I have one and really enjoy it.
I bought a Baofang and regret it.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion on legality of scanner usage
My worst nightmare is accidentally pressing a button and transmitting something from my end.
It’s perfectly legal to use a scanner.
Comments on digital systems and encryption
You can pick it up just fine, but it’s just noise.
Discussion on scanning capabilities of old devices
Used to love my Yupiteru, man.
Bearcats were the shit back in the day.

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