BCD436HP/BCD536HP: DMR Upgrade BCD436hp

[mpwilson]

I just purchased a BCD436hp from a friend. He got it and never used it, so I finally asked if he wanted to sell and I got it to replace my BCD325P2.

Now I'm trying to learn about all the in and outs of this thing and one question I have is about DRM. The unit has NOT been upgraded and I wondered if it was worth doing, as I don't have much experience with DMR and wondered where I can find out if there are DRM frequencies in my area that would be of benefit to my listening.

Not sure how to check for DRM in the Richmond Virginia area and since I want to use Sentinel to program, will it pick up those DMR frequencies if there are any in the RR database. I don't really want to worry about doing it manually. (I guess I can get to that later.)

Any help with whether the upgrade is worth it for my area is appreciated.

BTW, I also purchased his Sony SW-77 and Sony ICF-2300.

I still have the BCD325P2 and will probably sell it sooner or later. It was sitting on the shelf and not being used, but my interest has picked up considerably.

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[troymail]

Larger cities like Richmond are more likely to have lots of business radio activity - including DMR and NXDN. I know there is DMR in the area but that shouldn't be your only consideration.

Part two of that question should be - sure, there is DMR (MotoTrbo, CAP, CON, etc.) - but do I care?

You are paying for an upgrade so you'll want to get some use out of it.... If $60 doesn't matter to you, go ahead and get it.

What do you normally listen to? Most people are listening to public safety systems, aviation, etc.

While there are some public safety DMR and NXDN systems scrattered around the country, most DMR and NXDN is business related - tow trucks, dump trucks, trash trucks, taxi dispatching, manufacturing plants, etc. It is something to listen to but do you care?

Looking at the database, there are multiple DMR systems in Richmond - you'll have to drill into each and see what is known about what they carry:

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2948
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=2090

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2862

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=2840

There is likely to be more than these that hasn't yet been submitted to the database but the "interesting stuff" is more likely to be submitted so I wouldn't expect alot more "cool stuff".

So - your call ...

 

[UPMan]

Since you are a premium member, you can also run a report showing all DMR in use (sorted by state): https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?rpt=3&sType=4 for trunked and https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?action=reports&rpt=5&mode=6&os=0&sort=6 for "conventional".

 

[mpwilson]

DMR Upgrade

Thanks for the response. You are right, I am listening to everything now, but will weed stuff out as I determine more interest in certain frequencies. I have made some favorites already, Local RR and Local Air and turned off the nationwide versions of those two. I'm also going to put the HAM and some others.

I am going ahead and put the DRM update on the unit, just so it's there and if things show up, I'll be ready. I went and checked the lists you mentioned. I should have already done that, but now I know.

Anyhow. Since I put it in the unit, it's there, but I did NOT see an update for NXDN in the scanner itself, but I do see one on the Uniden Site. And I've updated to the latest firmware and all that, so I'll wait to see if Uniden put the NXDN update in the radio and I know it's available for $30 on their site now.

I'll see what happens.

73

PatW

 

[troymail]

For DMR, NXDN (and Provoice), you pay for the key online and then enter the key into your radio to unlock the capability. I think NXDN has been in the firmware since f/w 1.14 ... and they just provided a new update today of 1.18.

 

[mpwilson]

DMR Upgrade and More

Well,

I thought I had the latest firmware, but lo and behold, I did not. I upgraded the firmware and now I see that the upgrade selection also lists the NXDN upgrade choice, which I did not see before.

Oh my, I'm getting a lesson in paying attention to this stuff. But, I will probably do that upgrade too.

Some of this is a steep learning curve for an "old man". Not sure when that happened to me, but at 73, I can tell I'm slowing down on this stuff.

I'm not sure whether or not the Sentinel Software will program DMR or NXDN frequencies in the radio and I sure as heck don't quite get the "colors" I'm reading about. But I keep reading. So eventually, maybe it will hit me. Like landing a plane.....one day it just happens.

So I'm now trying to figure out how to put in the local ham repeaters in the 436. I had all this in the 325, so it can't be that difficult, but this memory is so different. I used FreeScan before and I'm finding Sentinel a world of difference, but it seems to have a deep set of things you can do if you take the time.

Oh well, I'll muddle through for a while. But I do like listening to the 436 and I'm hearing a boatload.

Now to try and figure out what DMR and NXDN are and how they work.

Being old and new at the same time is a hoot.

Thanks,

PatW

"Never Stop Learning or Trying"

 

[troymail]

Well,

I thought I had the latest firmware, but lo and behold, I did not. I upgraded the firmware and now I see that the upgrade selection also lists the NXDN upgrade choice, which I did not see before.

Oh my, I'm getting a lesson in paying attention to this stuff. But, I will probably do that upgrade too.

Some of this is a steep learning curve for an "old man". Not sure when that happened to me, but at 73, I can tell I'm slowing down on this stuff.

I'm not sure whether or not the Sentinel Software will program DMR or NXDN frequencies in the radio and I sure as heck don't quite get the "colors" I'm reading about. But I keep reading. So eventually, maybe it will hit me. Like landing a plane.....one day it just happens.

So I'm now trying to figure out how to put in the local ham repeaters in the 436. I had all this in the 325, so it can't be that difficult, but this memory is so different. I used FreeScan before and I'm finding Sentinel a world of difference, but it seems to have a deep set of things you can do if you take the time.

Oh well, I'll muddle through for a while. But I do like listening to the 436 and I'm hearing a boatload.

Now to try and figure out what DMR and NXDN are and how they work.

Being old and new at the same time is a hoot.

Thanks,

PatW

"Never Stop Learning or Trying"

DMR uses "color codes" and NXDN uses "RAN" - they are somewhat akin to CTCSS and DCS tones for analog channels. For example: you might have two licensees in a close area using the same frequencies.... usually the CTCSS, Color Code, or RAN will help your radio determine which user is which. In some cases, you can just leave these values as "search", etc. (in others - like conventional NXDN, you cannot).

Just be aware that Sentinel does not handle NXDN yet ... you can only program NXDN stuff into the radio manually via the keypad and/or by using some PC config file editing magic. Also, use caution - Sentinel will damage those configurations since it doesn't know what NXDN is. The NXDN firmware - like it's DMR relative was in the past - is a "work in progress"... Basic functionality seems to work but there are various bugs that are being squashed (and some others created) with new firmware releases each week.

 

[Mrbakingsoda]

Hey I need help I have a bcd436hp and I purchased the provoice upgrade and now I cannot purchase the DMR key. Every time I try it declines my credit card. I live in Vancouver bc Canada. Please help!

 

[buddrousa]

Hey I need help I have a bcd436hp and I purchased the provoice upgrade and now I cannot purchase the DMR key. Every time I try it declines my credit card. I live in Vancouver bc Canada. Please help!

post your question here
https://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-tech-support/378710-uniden-tech-customer-support.html

 

[noseynody]

Hey I need help I have a bcd436hp and I purchased the provoice upgrade and now I cannot purchase the DMR key. Every time I try it declines my credit card. I live in Vancouver bc Canada. Please help!

I had the same problem a while back. It was with a master card. A month or so ago I got a visa card, went back and tried again, went through no problem, I had the same problem here in canada with an app using my MC. Have not tried it again with the visa yet. Not sure if any of the above is relevant. Just my experience. If you have another credit card, try it. Or a good friend with another credit card.

 

[Ubbe]

Both cards could have extra 3D security by SecureCard and Verfied by Visa and maybe the mastercard had that enabled and Uniden might have a problem to handle that.

/Ubbe

 

[Mrbakingsoda]

Thanks for the replies guys! I purchased the Provoice tho with the same card... I will try a visa I was thinking of resetting my scanner since I have the provoice key but I don’t know if that will work and I don’t want to screw my self over.