Recently Uniden announced an update for its BCD436HP and BCD536HP scanners to allow them to monitor ProVoice digital radio systems. This has led to a lot of questions that we will try to answer here.
What is ProVoice?
ProVoice is a form of digital modulation used on some EDACS trunking systems, somewhat similar to APCO P25. Most digital scanners cannot hear it but Uniden has found a way to make it work on their 436 and 536 scanners.
Do I need the upgrade?
If you want to hear a ProVoice system then yes you do. There are several large wide-area systems using ProVoice, Uniden has produced a map showing most known systems. See http://info.uniden.com/UnidenMan4/ProVoice for a map.
Why are they charging for it? It should be free!
Uniden has to pay the license holders a fee for every radio they sell that has this technology. They also have to pay for all the research and development costs.
How do I update my radio?
If you buy the radio from us we can install the ProVoice update for you before we send the radio to you. If you want to update a radio you already have go to http://my.uniden.com to buy the upgrade.
I have a different scanner; will it work with ProVoice?
At this time only updated 436 and 536 scanners will work with ProVoice.
