Uniden BC125AT Review

Uniden BC125AT Review

Our Uniden BC125AT Review offers the most extensive and factual information you will find on the Net. Are you a radio scanner enthusiast? Do you love knowing you can access current crime and weather information right as it is happening?

If so, you are certainly not alone. Millions of people enjoy scanning as a hobby, part of their job, or to keep themselves informed. No matter the reason you love radio scanning, you must have the right equipment. So, sit back and enjoy this complete review to help you stay informed.

Uniden BC125AT Specs

  • Brand: Uniden
  • Color: Multicolor
  • Number of Channels: 500
  • Special Feature: Search channels more efficiently
  • Talking Range Maximum: 10 Mile
  • Tuner Technology: UHF
  • Voltage: 3 Volts
  • Water Resistance Level: Not Water Resistant
  • Item Dimensions: 4.33 x 2.17 x 7.28 inches

Uniden BC125AT Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Wide Frequency Range: Can listen to over 40,000 frequencies, covering both civilian and military bands.
  • Close Call RF Capture Technology: Instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters.
  • Alpha-Tagged Channels: Allows for easy organization and identification of channels.
  • Pre-set Frequencies: Convenient for beginners or those unfamiliar with specific frequencies.
  • Portable Design: Lightweight and easy to carry, suitable for on-the-go use.
  • This radio is highly compact and fits easily in a pocket.
  • The Uniden BC125AT offers 500 channels.
  • You can pick up both civil and military bands with this analog radio.
  • It is simple to switch from the police to fire, etc.
  • This radio offers Close Call RF Capture with DND.
  • This Uniden model also offers Priority Scan with DND.
  • You can use Alpha Tagging with this radio.
  • The programming options are easy to use.
  • The screen is well light and large.

Cons

  • Not Suitable for Trunking or Digital Radio System Monitoring: Cannot monitor systems like Project 25, DMR, NXDN.
  • No 2-Way Communication: Only a scanner for receiving radio transmissions.
  • Some Radios Might Miss the ETS Tones: Due to a momentary drop of transmit when the mic is un-keyed.

What Do Radio Enthusiasts Look for in Their Radios?

If you join a radio scanning enthusiast community, you are going to find they are very opinionated on what they want in a radio.

Some features are more important than others, and scanners love knowing their radios offer clear transmissions. The following are some of the most important features scanners look for in radios.

  • Crystal clear transmission
  • Wide range of channels
  • Plenty of scan features
  • GPS compatibility
  • Emergency systems connectivity

With the right features, radio scanners will ensure they can use their radios to monitor weather conditions, listen in on crimes in progress, and learn about important events taking place in their immediate area.

What are the Basic Features of the Uniden BC125AT?

Like most of Uniden’s police scanner radios, this handheld unit is packed with features that are sure to make it a favorite on your list. Although we will go into further detail later, the following offers a list of some important features of this radio.

  • Weighs 6.21 ounces
  • The dimensions of this radio are 2.6 X 1.3 X 4.5 inches
  • Offers 500 channels
  • Offers 50 analog and 104 digital sub-channels
  • Offers a segment-bar signal meter on the display
  • Requires two AA batteries
  • Audio power is 0.3 watts

As you can see, this handheld radio offers a lot for such a small package. We were immediately impressed with the way it felt in our hands and how easy the features were to navigate.

Top Features of the Uniden BC125AT

We would not be very thorough if we did not go into great detail on each of the top features of this Uniden radio. Right out of the box, we enjoyed using these features and seeing how each changed the radio’s transmission dynamics.

Alpha Tagging

If you have ever used a scanner, you know some models are more tedious than others to organize channels. Because the Uniden BC125AT offers 500 channels, imagine how difficult it would be to get them organized according to your liking.

That is where Alpha Tagging comes in. Alpha Tagging allows users to assign special names to each of their favorites. This feature also allows you to organize your channels by area of interest, location, or department, making it much easier to find the one you are looking for right away.

Temporary Lockout

Scanning enthusiasts love this feature on the Uniden BC125AT. Because this radio offers no attenuation feature, users can temporarily or permanently lockout any active frequency.

To use this feature, press the button once for a temporary lockout, and press it twice quickly for a permanent lockout of the frequency.

Close Call RF Capture

This is an important feature, and thankfully, it is found on many radios, including Uniden. Close Call RF works with Close Call DND, helping you to get the best transmissions possible.

The Close Call RF Capture feature works to track and tune the closest signal, while the Close Call DND feature helps to prevent any interruptions caused by other transmitters in the immediate vicinity.

These two help to ensure your transmissions do not get interrupted at any time. The DND begins actively searching for signals once you are no longer transmitting.

Narrowband Compatibility

This feature offers built-in auto service searches with 10 presets that include police, fire, emergency, marine, ham, railroad, civil air, military air, racing, and FRS/GMRS/MURS.

There is also a delay function that allows users to set the pause length at the end of each transmission. You can even search for up to ten frequency ranges.

How Does the Uniden BC125AT Perform?

While testing the Uniden BC125AT, we were quite impressed with its performance. It outperformed many other brands we have tried, including Whistler. So, let’s get right down to the details.

Audio

Because the audio is often the most important aspect to people, let’s first dive into the sound. This unit has a built-in speaker, so it does not require any external sound devices.

When we tested this radio, the audio was very clear, even during periods of heavy traffic noise. We did notice a slight bit of interference when the volume was turned all the way up, but this certainly is not a deal-breaker.

Receiver

The receiver is an integral part of any scanner radio. If it does not receive transmissions properly, it is of no use. This scanner does a good job of receiving signals, whether they are UHF or VHF. Because it can exclude RF signals that are interfering, it is excellent at receiving civilian and military air transmissions.

Here is a pro tip: This unit comes with a stock rubber antenna. If you want to boost the receiving power, purchase an upgrade, but make sure it is compatible.

Battery

If you are like most people, you use your scanner radio a lot. Battery life is important to most users, but some radios just suck the life right out of the batteries right away.

The battery life of this unit is good, though if you read reviews, you will find a mix of information. Some users have complained the batteries die quickly, while others say they used their radio for days before they needed a charge.

Packing extra batteries is always a good idea, especially if you plan on using your radio for a long time and will be away from home. One really good thing about this radio is that it does warn you when the battery life is going down to the danger zone.

When you have just about exhausted your batteries, the warning will come on and the unit will beep for two minutes. If you do not change the batteries in those two minutes, the scanner will auto power down.

Display

The Uniden BC125AT display is back-lit with an orange color, making it easy for you to see, even in low light conditions. Some radio displays are so dark, it can be difficult to use the functions in low light, but Uniden did a good job in making sure this model would perform well at all light levels.

What About Range?

The Uniden BC125AT offers about what you would expect for frequency ranges with an analog radio. The following are the current frequency ranges of this model, though they are subject to change.

  • 25-54 MHz
  • 108-174 MHz
  • 225-380 MHz
  • 400-512 MHz

Is This Model Difficult to Program?

As we have mentioned, some radio scanners are incredibly difficult to program and should not be used by beginners with no knowledge. Thankfully, this model is beginner-friendly, and programming could not be simpler. Here, we will walk you through the necessary steps.

  • Press hold
  • Enter the channel location for storing the frequency
  • Press the FUNC button
  • Press E two times
  • Type in your rate
  • Press the “.” button to exit the menu

They will become second nature once you grow accustomed to following these steps.

How Do they Look and Feel?

This is a sturdy-looking and feeling compact radio. It feels great in your hands and is durable enough to withstand normal day-to-day use.

Case

Because the case is made of plastic, this radio is not as indestructible as a metal case but lightweight.

Display

We immediately noticed the ample display, as stated earlier in our review. The screen is large enough to display the following.

  • Mode
  • Alpha tag
  • PL tone
  • Signal strength meter
  • Frequency

The screen is back-lit, but you can turn the light off to save battery power when you have plenty of light. One thing we wish Uniden would have added is an option for dimming or brightening the backlight.

Buttons

We liked the layout of the buttons and their size and feel. The buttons are soft and large, and your fingers just naturally seem to grip them.

Battery Compartment

You will find the battery compartment at the bottom rear of the radio. There is a sliding door that allows you access to the batteries, and it snaps in place when you are done loading or unloading them.

Inside the compartment, you will find a small switch. This switch allows you to toggle back and forth between alkaline or rechargeable batteries. You must turn the switch to the right battery, so the unit does not attempt to recharge your alkaline batteries.

What About the Warranty?

Uniden offers a one-year warranty for defective parts and manufacturing. They do not cover issues that arise due to modifications, DIY repairs, or improper use. Save your receipt!

How to Care for Your Uniden BC125AT

To know how to care for your radio properly, it is important you first read the owner’s manual in its entirety. Follow the instructions for use each time.

Keeping your radio away from moisture and temperature extremes is vital. If the unit becomes dirty, make sure to avoid using cleaners. You can safely use a soft cloth or a can of compressed air.

It is important to store your radio correctly. Many people purchase a case to ensure their radio does not become damaged.

FAQ

Because we publish such a wide array of reviews, we often hear from our readers who want to ask questions and get in on the conversation. If you would like to submit a question, we may add it to a future review. We have received The following frequently asked questions regarding the Uniden BC125AT.

What are the key features of the Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Handheld Scanner?

The scanner has 500 alpha-tagged channels, Close Call RF capture technology, and can listen to over 40,000 frequencies, including civilian and military bands. It also has a lightweight, portable design and comes with pre-sets for popular channels.

Is the Uniden Bearcat BC125AT suitable for monitoring digital trunking systems?

No, the model BC125AT is unsuitable for Trunking or Digital Radio system monitoring, such as Project 25, DMR, and NXDN.

What is the return policy for the Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Handheld Scanner?

The item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

What is the most important accessory to purchase for the Uniden BC125AT?

As with all handheld radio scanners, it is important to keep your unit protected always. Buying a case from Uniden will help ensure your radio is protected while being stored and used. These cases prevent a buildup of dirt and scratches.

My audio keeps cutting in and out. How can I fix this?

To fix this problem, simply turn off Close Call. This will stop the interference and ensure you have a clear transmission.

Final Thoughts

As you can now see, we have given you all the details on this unit, allowing you to learn both the good and the bad so you can make an informed choice. It is our goal to provide accurate, hands-on details so our readers get the truth at all times.

With this uniden bc125at review, you have learned about each feature and what makes this handheld radio such a good buy. Check it out for yourself!