ProVoice: What is it and do I need to update my scanner for it?

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.

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This entry was posted in 800Mhz, Firmware Update, New Products, Scanner 101, Scanner Tip, Scanner Tip of the Day, Trunking Systems and tagged , , , , , , , , by Rich Carlson. Bookmark the permalink.

About Rich Carlson

June 12, 2015 - Scanner Master is extremely proud to announce that Rich Carlson, past-president of the Chicago Area Radio Monitors Association (CARMA) and one of the nation's leading scanner experts, is now part of our team. Rich recently retired as a Sergeant for the Winnetka, Illinois, Police Department and is now assisting Scanner Master customers in choosing the right scanner for their area, answering technical questions and helping us to develop new products and services. Rich is a highly respected member of the monitoring community who has decades of experience with all types of scanners and communications receivers, antennas, software and accessories. He has a great knowledge of the radio systems that we all monitor as he himself helped to institute and manage many in his time. We couldn't be more excited to have Rich on board. Rich Carlson, N9JIG, has been a railfan since the late 1970's and a radio listener since the 1960's. He has written several scanner guides, including the Scanner Master Illinois Communications Guides. He was a Director of the Chicago Area Radio Monitoring Association, the largest scanner club in the USA and edits the renown CARMA Profiles. He has written several articles for Monitoring Times and other publications. He also owns the Illinois Highways Page at www.n9jig.com. He has a collection of over 25 scanners and dozens of transceivers and specialized receivers. Professionally, he was a Sergeant with an Illinois police department, in was charge of 9-1-1, Communications and Records. He is happily married with a grown son.