Considering a HomePatrol - thoughts from owners?

[dmg1969]

I have not had a scanner in my vehicle in quite a few years (ever since the county I used to live in went to OpenSky). The county I live in now uses primarily VHF (45-46MHz range) for police, fire and EMS. So, at home, I just use my old RadioShack PRO-2014. I am considering investing in a Uniden HomePatrol for my 09 Hyundai Tucson. I would probably just use a RAM Mount window or cup holder mount. Thoughts?

Also, thoughts on antenna solutions that would cover both VHF and UHF ranges (no drilling).

Thanks,
Dave

 

[retjake65]

Re: Home Patrol Scanner

It sounds as if you don't have a state trunking system where you live judging by the info you posted. A Home patrol Scanner would be gross over kill for you unless you do a lot of traveling. Yes, there are a lot of states that don't have trunking systems but there are several that do (I Iive in Massachusetts where most of the towns and counties rely on the State Police trunking Sysytem for public safety communications). The scanner was designed as a trunk tracker IV radio and is quite expensive to justify buying one if all you are going to listen to are simplex frequencies. I just bought a Home Patrol and love it.

 

[WILSON43]

Just picked up a re-furbed HP-1, like new and saved a bunch of money.

I also had a GRE PSR-800 which was a nice radio, but too cumbersome to use for my tastes.

I am sure the HP-1 would be great in the mobile, but in the base it really is an amazing piece of scanning
technology - kudos to Uniden.

What I like about it first and foremost as opposed to the GRE is that when information pops up on the screen , 98% of the time you know exactly which department channel you are listening to by name. As compared to the GRE PSR 800 database interface, which was lacking in that respect much of the time, and only as good as the data placed there by users on the RR database. Uniden has this corrected in the HP -1.

Also, the battery life in the GRE PSR 800 was pathetic, almost totally negating the portability of the unit, and every time you power up you had to wait for the entire database to load.

Not so with the HP-1 as long as you leave it plugged in and press clock when powering off, it will stay in stand by mode. Nice touch Uniden!!!

I am sure others will chime in with all the other technical details that make this unit a marvel.

Enjoy!!!

 

[fulfordr]

I bought a Home Patrol 1 with the Ram mount suction cup setup from ScannerMaster. I have mine in my Nissan 350Z mounted on the front windshield by the Texas inspection sticker and license plate stickers. The suction cup works well and there is room for the antenna to go up alongside the roof post. From looking in from the front of the car, you can hardly see the scanner, as its hidden behind the stickers. The view from inside is great, and the reception from the rubber antenna is about what you would expect to get. Dont know what it would do with a better antenna, but I like it now as it is. I also have a BCD996XT on a Ram mount solid to the dash in my pickup with a outside antenna. If I had bought the Home Patrol first, I probably would not have bought the 996XT. I like the screen on the Home Patrol better.

 

[GrumpyAeroGuy]

I am NOT a HP owner, but considering one, just because I enjoy the hobby/radios/communications in general. I am now using a PSR500. I like it.

based on what I have read, I would only get a HP if I could buy the "enhancements" to give me the ability to do some manual tweaking as far as favorites and selectivity of the talk groups I would like to listen to. I believe the extra enhancements gives you some of that ability.

I still enjoy the utility of personal customizing. Most folks seem to really like the HPs. It is certainly an attractive device with a more modern twist than the traditional scanners (touchscreen, etc.).

I say do research, ask here, and you will probably enjoy the unit immensely.

 

[bgav]

It's an outstanding mobile scanner, especially when combined with the GPS for location-based scanning. The touchscreen UI is very mobile-friendly. I have my HP-1 installed in a 2011 Ford Fusion using a RAM single seat-bolt mount and am using a Garmin GPS 18x PC and Larsen Tri-Band antenna with a trunk-lip NMO mount (no drilling). I've been using scanners for over 20 years, got into computer controlled scanning with an OS456 and Optocom, and the HP-1 with Extreme Upgrade is by far a very powerful scanner with trunked system analysis, discovery logging, and recording built-in.

With the GPS you can just select your desired service types, set and forget, or you can build custom Favorite Lists on the radio (with Extreme Upgrade) or using the Sentinel software (much easier). Lots of great features including Radio ID lists/alerts, per TG/channel alerts, etc. I also have a PSR-800 which gets more use around the house as a handheld, but the HP-1 also makes a great table-side scanner with the option to run it off of AA batteries.

 

[hiegtx]

I have not had a scanner in my vehicle in quite a few years (ever since the county I used to live in went to OpenSky). The county I live in now uses primarily VHF (45-46MHz range) for police, fire and EMS. So, at home, I just use my old RadioShack PRO-2014. I am considering investing in a Uniden HomePatrol for my 09 Hyundai Tucson. I would probably just use a RAM Mount window or cup holder mount. Thoughts?

Also, thoughts on antenna solutions that would cover both VHF and UHF ranges (no drilling).

Thanks,
Dave

My Home Patrol works very well when used mobile. Depending on whether I'm making a trip that I take fairly often, or just around town, I mostly use a Favorites list that I tweaked to my tastes. However, for 'out of area' trips, where I don't want to create a specific list (or don't have time), the GPS handles systems very well.

While I use one of Uniden's mounts, the RAM mount should work as well. The scanner is not large and heavy.

For an antenna, I usually use a magnetic mount, such as this one. It gives me good range on the Vhf systems that are most common in my area of the state, and also works well for Uhf & the 800MHz trunks in the metro areas. (ScannerMaster sells the same antenna, SMA or BNC. Universal shows both versions on the same page linked above.) Using the magnetic antenna, I can generally hear most Vhf systems up to 40 or 50 miles away when driving (excepts, of course, for weaker systems, or those blocked by terrain).

As most of my other antennas, including the two rooftop ones, have BNC connections, I ordered that version for the magnetic. The Home Patrol has an SMA connection as standard, so I ordered an SMA to BNC adapter from Universal (they're available elsewhere as well). I preferred the looks of the one from Universal, low profile, black color, blends in well on the scanner. (It's item 0292, SNCJ-SMAP, on this page.) I also use a right angle BNC adapter, which you can find at Radio Shack. That way, when I'm at home, I can connect the HP-1 to any of my whip antennas, or the externals.

 

[hiegtx]

I am NOT a HP owner, but considering one, just because I enjoy the hobby/radios/communications in general. I am now using a PSR500. I like it.

based on what I have read, I would only get a HP if I could buy the "enhancements" to give me the ability to do some manual tweaking as far as favorites and selectivity of the talk groups I would like to listen to. I believe the extra enhancements gives you some of that ability.

I still enjoy the utility of personal customizing. Most folks seem to really like the HPs. It is certainly an attractive device with a more modern twist than the traditional scanners (touchscreen, etc.).

I say do research, ask here, and you will probably enjoy the unit immensely.

Remember that you do not have to purchase the Extreme Upgrade if you want to manually tweak your programming. The Extreme adds some other functions, such as the LTR and EDACS analyzers, and more. Also, it does allow you to make changes, add, edit, etc, to your existing systems directly through the scanner keyboard. However, you can make all those changes without the Extreme Upgrade by editing your Favorites list in the included Sentinel software. Once you make your changes,then just upload the modified list to the scanner.

I like the larger touch screen, and particularly utilize the touch-hold feature. I can top on a specific channel, or agency (within a larger system), and restrict listening to only that. It's really useful for a large developing incident, such as a growing multi-alarm fire, a chase, SWAT incident, whatever. Much easier than trying to lock out (or turn off) multiple other scanlists and objects (PSR-500) or systems & groups (the Uniden scanners). While the XT series Uniden's, such as the 396XT, have "System Hold", which I use as well, if the incident is carried on a larger system, you still have a number of non-involved channels/groups that would still be "on" if system hold was used. With the HP-1, I can hold on only the department, or talkgroup, that is of interest, without having to lockout or disable anything else.

 

[KD8HE]

Nice Mount...Ford Fusion, RAM mount bolted to the seat frame

 

[Jay911]

Nice Mount...Ford Fusion, RAM mount bolted to the seat frame

Nice setup - quick question though if I can threadjack for a second. When you beacon on APRS, does your HP1 cut out?

 

[dmg1969]

I live in Perry County PA and travel to Dauphin County for work. Perry is mostly VHF. I have not monitored Dauphin in a few years. They used to be UHF, but now it looks like they went to a trucked system according to the RR database. In that case, the HomePatrol would be great because I have NO experience with trunking. The HomePatrol would do all of that for me if I entered my zip code at work, right?

I started in scanning quite young (43 now) and all I ever listened to was Cumberland Co. PA which was a mix of VHF for police and fire and UHF for EMS. Most surrounding countes were the same...VHF, UHF or a mix of both.

I know that the HomePatrol would be unnecessary for home, but I could still listen to my home county in my vehicle around town and be able to monitor Dauphin Co. at work.

 

[dmg1969]

And thank you all for the wealth of insight. I need to think about making this investment. I appreciate the input. Thanks!

Dave

 

[TxScanner]

I'll be picking up at Home Patrol-1 Tomorrow, it should go great with my RC Pro-106.

 

[KD8HE]

Nice setup - quick question though if I can threadjack for a second. When you beacon on APRS, does your HP1 cut out?

APRS beacon does not affect HP in any way...thought I might hear the beacon on HP due to overload but not an issue.

 

[Jay911]

APRS beacon does not affect HP in any way...thought I might hear the beacon on HP due to overload but not an issue.

I can't send you a private message because you have them blocked. Apologies to the OP for continuing to hijack this thread.

Where do you have your main radio body then, and/or the antennas for both the HP1 and your ham radio? My Kenwood D710 is under the passenger seat with the antenna on the trunk lid, and the HP1 is on a windshield mount with antenna on the center of the roof. I get desense on the HP1 every time I beacon. 99% of the time it's strong enough to completely cut out the HP1's receive; the only time it will not is when I'm receiving certain 800 MHz frequencies - then I hear the AX.25 data mixed with the received signal.

 

[airems]

Nice Mount...Ford Fusion, RAM mount bolted to the seat frame

I saw your pic of the install of your HP, D700 and Nuvi. Very nice set up. Just a quick question for you. What cable set up did you use to send GPS data to both the D700 and HP? I'm asumming you are only running the single Nuvi for GPS source. Thanks!

 

[AK9R]

I'm going to post an alternative view on the use of touch screens while mobile...

I don't care for them.

If I'm reaching for a real button or a knob on a radio while mobile, I can tell if I have my fingers in the right place simply by feel. Once I learn a radio's faceplate layout, I can do most things by feel.

But, that doesn't seem to work very well for me with a touchscreen. Is my finger in exactly the right spot to get the reaction I want from the radio? With a touchscreen, you don't know unless you look at the screen.

To the OP, for your scanning needs, I would consider a Uniden BCD996XT. It has GPS-based scanning like the Home Patrol and it has real buttons and knobs. With a good scanner programming tool, like ProScan or Freescan, you can access the RadioReference database (after you purchase a RR subscription) and use it to program your scanner.

 

[ErieCountyPublicSafety]

I just bought my Home Patrol at the start of December. I love it. I have a couple Radio Shack scanners and some Uniden scanners, but wanted a mobile one for on the go. It was a great investment. I bought the RAM mount from Scannermaster.com. I am currently using a small antenna on the unit, but I get great reception.

 

[N0USY]

I recently added a Home Patrol to my truck and have some thoughts:

1) My stock antenna sucks on all but 800MHz. VHF/UHF was non-existent to the point I almost returned the scanner. With a Comet SH-55 or an external Comet dual-band antenna, I now have excellent VHF/UHF results.

2) I found the SMA challenging, particularly when trying to get 90deg connections with my mobile or rubber duck antenna. I've got a few bucks in adapters and cables and have this worked out except for the SMA working itself loose. I wonder if/when the solder joint will start giving me trouble.

3) My speaker is pretty weak. I needed a 2.5mm-3.5mm adapter and a powered speaker to get good audio. The aux input on the truck stereo also works well with a stereo 2.5-3.5mm adapter (almost $9 at Radio Shack!!). Again, finding 90deg adapters is challenging to minimize stress on the jack.

4) My initial GPS attempt failed but it is a promising feature. This cable (borrowed from a SC230) comes out the opposite side of the unit making quite a mess of cables.

5) Record and replay didn't appear to work at first. Batteries are required for use of these functions. Read the manual.

6) No priority setting. Not a deal killer since my old BC350A is still riding shotgun but I'm still stumped by this omission.

Even with these initial hurdles, I find the HP to be a fantastic scanner, even more so when traveling to different areas. The touch display and nationwide database just work really well to make this an excellent experience.

Just plan a few dollars for antennas, various SMA/BNC adapters, and possibly audio adapters and a speaker.

 

[KD8HE]

I saw your pic of the install of your HP, D700 and Nuvi. Very nice set up. Just a quick question for you. What cable set up did you use to send GPS data to both the D700 and HP? I'm asumming you are only running the single Nuvi for GPS source. Thanks!

Argent Data Systems cable from the Nuvi to the D700. The Home Patrol GPS is fed with a Duelo Gps puck powered off a cell phone charger. I had both from previous installs in other vehicles. I have heard you can feed both radios from one GPS..just haven't tried it.