The Uniden BCD396XT is a Phase 2 scanner
The Uniden BCD396XT is a Phase 2 digital scanner. This matters because Phase 1 and Phase 2 refer to two different digital radio standards used by police, fire, and emergency services across North America. Your scanner can only receive transmissions that match its phase — a Phase 2 scanner will not pick up Phase 1 signals, and vice versa.
Phase 2 became the standard for most public safety agencies starting in the mid-1990s and is now used by the vast majority of departments in the United States and Canada. If you are buying this scanner to listen to your local emergency services, Phase 2 is almost certainly what you need.
Key Takeaways
- The BCD396XT receives Phase 2 digital signals only, which is the standard used by most police and fire departments today.
- Phase 1 and Phase 2 are incompatible — a Phase 2 scanner cannot decode Phase 1 transmissions, even if it picks up the signal.
- You can check what phase your local agencies use by visiting RadioReference.com and searching your county or city.
- Some regions still use Phase 1, so confirming your area's standard before buying a scanner saves money and frustration.
What Phase 1 and Phase 2 actually are
Phase 1 and Phase 2 are technical standards for how digital radio signals are structured and transmitted. They were created by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) as part of the Project 25 (P25) digital radio standard. The difference is in how the radio encodes and sends data — the modulation, error correction, and timing are all different between the two.
Phase 1 was the first digital standard adopted by emergency services in the early 1990s. Phase 2 came later and added features like better audio quality, more efficient use of radio bandwidth, and improved encryption options. Because the two phases use different encoding methods, a radio built for one phase cannot understand the other without hardware changes.
This is not a software update or a setting you can change. A Phase 2 scanner is built with Phase 2 circuitry. You cannot make it Phase 1-compatible by reprogramming it.
Why your area probably uses Phase 2
Most major cities and counties in the United States switched to Phase 2 between the late 1990s and early 2010s. Phase 2 offers better performance on congested radio channels and allows agencies to fit more traffic into the same bandwidth — a real advantage in busy urban areas.
Phase 1 is still in use in some regions, particularly in rural areas or smaller departments that have not yet upgraded their radio systems. But if you are listening to a major metropolitan area, a state police network, or a large county system, Phase 2 is almost certain.
How to find out what phase your local agencies use
The easiest way is to visit RadioReference.com, search for your county or city, and look at the frequency listings. Each frequency entry will note whether it is Phase 1, Phase 2, or analog. You can also call your local police or fire department's non-emergency line and ask directly — they usually know and will tell you.
If you find that your area uses Phase 1, the BCD396XT will not work for you. Uniden makes Phase 1-capable scanners, such as the BCD396D (an older model) or the BCD536HP, which is dual-phase and can receive both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Dual-phase scanners cost more but give you flexibility if your region is mixed or transitioning.
What happens if you buy the wrong phase
If you buy a Phase 2 scanner and your area uses Phase 1, you will hear nothing on those frequencies — not static, not garbled audio, just silence. The scanner will lock onto the frequency but will not be able to decode the signal. You will not know whether the channel is active or dead.
This is why checking first matters. A scanner is a significant purchase, and discovering after the fact that it does not work in your area is frustrating and expensive. Spend ten minutes on RadioReference or make one phone call before you buy.
The BCD396XT's other features
Beyond Phase 2 support, the BCD396XT is a handheld scanner with a few other specifications worth knowing. It receives both digital (P25) and analog FM signals, so it can pick up both modern encrypted emergency channels and older analog frequencies. It has a built-in GPS, which some users find helpful for tracking signal strength as they move around.
The scanner requires programming — you cannot just turn it on and scan. You load frequency lists into it using software and a computer cable, or you can read pre-built frequency databases from sites like RadioReference. This is normal for modern scanners and is not difficult, but it is not a plug-and-play device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Phase 2 scanner receive Phase 1 signals at all?
No. A Phase 2 scanner will not decode Phase 1 signals under any circumstances. It may detect that a signal is present on a frequency, but it cannot translate the digital data into audio. You will hear nothing.
If my area is switching from Phase 1 to Phase 2, which scanner should I buy?
A dual-phase scanner like the Uniden BCD536HP can receive both Phase 1 and Phase 2, so it works during and after a transition. It costs more than a Phase 2-only model, but it future-proofs your purchase if your region is in the middle of an upgrade.
Does the BCD396XT work with encrypted channels?
The scanner can receive encrypted Phase 2 channels, but it cannot decode them — you will hear only digital noise or silence. This is by design; decoding encrypted emergency channels is illegal in most places. Unencrypted channels will come through clearly.
Where do I find the frequency list to program into my scanner?
RadioReference.com has user-maintained frequency databases for most areas. You can also read pre-built files from scanner enthusiast forums. The BCD396XT uses software called Sentinel or similar tools to load frequencies from your computer.
Is Phase 2 the same as P25?
P25 (Project 25) is the overall digital radio standard. Phase 1 and Phase 2 are two versions of P25. When someone says a scanner is P25-capable, they usually mean Phase 2, but always confirm which phase.