Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Scanner: Is It Worth Your Money?

If you’re a radio enthusiast or just someone who wants to stay informed about local emergency communications, we’ve been testing the Uniden BC355N scanner. It’s quite an impressive device for those new to the scanning world. This affordable base/mobile scanner packs 300 channels and covers all the essential “action” bands you’d want to monitor.

We found the BC355N particularly user-friendly. Its pre-programmed search bands let us quickly tune into police, fire, ambulance, marine, and weather frequencies. The “Close Call” feature really stands out, automatically detecting and tuning to nearby transmitters. It was a huge help when we were trying to track local activity during a recent severe weather event.

The backlit display makes nighttime use much easier. We also appreciated the multiple power options that come in the box. You can run this at home with the AC adapter or in your vehicle with the included DC cable. During our testing, reception was clear and reliable within our area.

One important note: this scanner doesn’t support trunking or digital systems. If your local agencies have moved to these newer technologies, you’ll need to consider one of Uniden’s digital models instead. For analog scanning, though, this unit delivers solid performance at a reasonable price point.

Overview of the Uniden BC355N

After spending time with the BC355N scanner, we’re impressed by how user-friendly this entry-level device is. This affordable base/mobile scanner packs 300 channels and covers all the essential “action” bands. We found the Close Call RF Capture Technology particularly useful. It automatically detects nearby transmitters, helping us stay informed about local happenings.

The BC355N monitors a wide range of frequencies including police, fire, emergency services, marine, air, and weather bands. Keep in mind this model handles conventional analog signals only. It won’t work with digital or trunked systems.

What we appreciate most:

• Easy setup right out of the box
• Backlit display that’s readable in low light
• Versatile power options with included AC adapter and DC cables

While not the most advanced scanner available, the BC355N hits a sweet spot for beginners and casual users who want reliable monitoring without complexity. Its straightforward operation and solid reception make it a worthy consideration for your first scanner.

Close Call RF Capture Technology

One of the standout features of the BC355N is its “Close Call RF Capture Technology.” We tested this function extensively during a weekend at the local racetrack, and it’s genuinely impressive. When enabled, the scanner automatically detects and tunes to strong radio signals from nearby transmitters.

This feature works remarkably well when you’re trying to pick up on local emergency communications or find active frequencies in your area. We drove around our city with the BC355N mounted in our test vehicle, and it consistently picked up police and emergency services communications without any programming on our part.

The Close Call function can be a real timesaver for scanner newbies who don’t want to spend hours manually programming frequencies. However, it’s not perfect. In dense urban areas, it can sometimes get overwhelmed with signals. But for most situations, it’s an invaluable tool that makes this Uniden scanner far more user-friendly than older models we’ve tested.

Easy Programming and 300 Channel Storage

Programming this Uniden scanner couldn’t be simpler. We found the interface intuitive enough that we had it up and running within minutes of unboxing. The BC355N lets you store up to 300 frequencies, which is plenty for most scanning enthusiasts. We appreciate how the scanner organizes these channels into service banks (Police, Fire, EMS, etc.), making it easy to find what we’re looking for.

Adding new frequencies is straightforward. When we discovered an active local frequency, we quickly saved it to the appropriate category bank. The backlit display helps tremendously when programming in low-light conditions. While not the most advanced scanner on the market, the storage capacity and ease of programming make the BC355N an excellent choice for beginners or casual users who don’t need digital or trunking capabilities.

Sturdy and Transportable Design

When handling radio equipment, durability matters. The BC355N scanner feels solid in our hands, with a robust build that can handle being moved between home and vehicle without issue. At just 3.25 pounds, it’s light enough to transport easily but substantial enough to stay put on a desk or car mount.

The dimensions (9.25 x 2.68 x 8.26 inches) make this Uniden scanner compact enough to fit in most vehicles without taking up excessive space. We appreciate the thoughtful design that includes various power options. It comes with an AC adapter for home use, a DC power cable, and an automotive power outlet plug.

The casing seems well-constructed, able to withstand the occasional bump when moving between locations. While not specifically designed for extreme conditions, we’ve found the build quality sufficient for typical scanner enthusiasts who might transport their unit between different listening locations.

Ample Powering Options

Power is never a concern with the BC355N scanner. We found it works anywhere you might need it. The kit includes an AC adapter for home use, a DC power cable for direct wiring, and an automotive power outlet plug for easy car use.

This flexibility meant we could listen to police and emergency channels at home, then quickly move the scanner to our car for road trips without missing important transmissions. The backlit display is a nice touch for nighttime use in vehicles.

We appreciated not having to worry about batteries dying during extended listening sessions. Whether at our desk or on the road, we always had a power option available. This versatility makes the Bearcat particularly user-friendly for both beginners and experienced scanner enthusiasts.

Limitations and Applicability

While testing the BC355N scanner, we noticed some important limitations worth considering. This model only picks up analog signals—not digital or trunked systems increasingly used by many police and emergency services. If your local agencies have switched to digital communications, you’ll miss their transmissions entirely.

The scanner performs best in areas with traditional analog systems still in operation. Rural communities and smaller towns typically offer better compatibility than major metropolitan areas. We found the reception range limited in some environments, particularly inside buildings with thick walls or in areas with geographical barriers.

Another consideration is the learning curve. Although the Uniden is marketed as user-friendly, programming frequencies requires some patience and technical understanding. The included manual provides basic guidance, but new users might need additional resources.

For monitoring weather alerts, aviation communications, and amateur radio, the BC355N works reliably. Just be sure to verify your local emergency services still use analog systems before purchasing.

Pros and Cons

After spending some quality time with the BC355N scanner, we’ve got a pretty clear picture of where this device shines and where it falls short. This Uniden scanner has become our go-to for monitoring local emergency services when we’re at home or on the road. Let’s break down what works and what doesn’t.

Pros

• Easy setup right out of the box with pre-programmed service banks for emergency services, marine, air, and weather frequencies
• Close Call RF Capture Technology automatically finds active nearby transmitters without manual programming
• Storage for 300 custom frequencies on top of the pre-programmed channels
• Versatile power options with included AC adapter, DC power cable, and automotive power outlet plug
• Backlit display makes nighttime use much more practical
• Compact size fits well in vehicles or on a desk without taking up too much space

Cons

• Not compatible with trunking systems or digital radio communications, which limits usefulness in areas that have upgraded their systems
• Programming can be tedious with the button interface compared to more modern computer-programmable scanners
• No SD card slot for backing up or transferring programming
• Display information can be somewhat limited compared to higher-end models
• Range is decent but not exceptional in rural or hilly areas

The BC355N hits a sweet spot for beginners or those in areas still using analog systems. However, if your local agencies have moved to digital communications, you’ll need to look at Uniden’s more advanced digital scanners instead.

Analyzing Customer Feedback

When diving into what actual users say about the BC355N scanner, we found generally positive reactions across thousands of reviews. Most users appreciate how easy it is to monitor local emergency channels and weather alerts. We noticed many first responders particularly value this device for staying informed about area incidents.

The scanner’s pre-programmed channels are a hit with most buyers, though we did see a few mentions of occasional programming issues with certain frequencies. Some users needed to contact Uniden support, which apparently provided helpful assistance.

International customers noted the power adapter uses American plugs and 120V, requiring adapters in other countries. This is worth keeping in mind if you’re purchasing outside the US.

Overall, with a 4-star average across nearly 6,000 ratings, the BC355N clearly satisfies most users’ needs for monitoring local radio traffic. The compact size and versatility received consistent praise, especially from emergency service workers and weather watchers.

Conclusion

After spending time with the BC355N, we’ve found it to be a solid performer for radio scanning enthusiasts. This Uniden scanner delivers reliable reception across emergency channels, weather alerts, and other public service bands.

While we encountered a few programming quirks, the 300-channel capacity and Close Call feature make up for minor inconveniences.

The compact design fits nicely on a desk or in a vehicle, and we appreciate how easy it is to hear what’s happening in our area. For first responders or weather watchers, this device offers good value.

It’s not perfect—the power adapter is US-specific and some users may need to manually program certain frequencies—but the BC355N performs its core functions well.

For anyone wanting to monitor local emergency services or keep tabs on severe weather, we think this scanner is worth considering. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve.