BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Frustrated with 436HP. Quick key navigation screen.

[gregbart]

Hi all,
Not sure if I pushed an intended button, or what. But, now, whenever I turn my scanner on it goes to the "Quick Key Navigation" screen. Pushing the "Menu" button clears it and the radio begins to scan. Up until a few days ago, the radio went straight to scan.
Can anyone tell me how to stop the radio from going directly to the Quick Key screen?
Thanks,
Greg

 

[tvengr]

When you go to the quick key navigation screen, press AVOID to exit.

 

[gregbart]

This is the screen that comes up when I turn on the scanner. I just tried avoid, and it didn't work. I don't know what the 4 is. I checked Sentinel and I don't have any quick keys checked.

 

[tvengr]

Press E with the 4 showing and see what happens. If there is a favorites list with quick key 4, it should toggle it on and off.

 

[gregbart]

Now, on power up, I'm getting a screen that says "Start up config key #4". It paused there and then went to the Quick key Navigation screen.

 

[tvengr]

Are you holding 4 when you turn on the scanner for the startup configuration?

 

[gregbart]

Nope.
I turn it on and it goes to the QK navigation screen. If I hit menu, it goes to scan mode. I considered pulling the SD card and doing a factory reset. But, I'm sure as soon as I remount the card, it'll pickup all the settings stored on the card and go right back to this.
I've had the scanner for 2 years. We do campground hosting. So, we move around a lot. The scanner stays put in the RV, hooked up to a small base antenna It's nice that I can program using sentinel, and setup a favorite list for each park. I'm probably not using 5% of the scanners capabilities.
I think I'll have to do a deep dive into the scanner, and scanning in general. I hate having a piece of kit that I'm not proficient with.
Thanks for the help

 

[garys]

Weird stuff like that is often a SD card problem. Either reformat and reload the card or buy a new one and load your data.

I got my first 536HP for a very good price because the original buyer thought it was too complicated to program. He couldn't figure out why his data wouldn't load. When I got it, I couldn't get it to accept new data even after I cleared he old data off. I finally figured out hat the SD card was bad and replaced it. It worked fine after that.

The point being that bad SD cards cause the x36HP scanners to do peculiar things.

 

[ofd8001]

Nope.
I turn it on and it goes to the QK navigation screen. If I hit menu, it goes to scan mode. I considered pulling the SD card and doing a factory reset. But, I'm sure as soon as I remount the card, it'll pickup all the settings stored on the card and go right back to this.
I've had the scanner for 2 years. We do campground hosting. So, we move around a lot. The scanner stays put in the RV, hooked up to a small base antenna It's nice that I can program using sentinel, and setup a favorite list for each park. I'm probably not using 5% of the scanners capabilities.
I think I'll have to do a deep dive into the scanner, and scanning in general. I hate having a piece of kit that I'm not proficient with.
Thanks for the help

Any chance the "4" button could be sticking just a bit? (Yeah, it's far out, but far out happens.)

I agree with getting a new SD card. If nothing else you have a spare and they are dirt cheap these days. SanDisk 32GB High Endurance UHS-I microSDHC Memory Card with SD Adapter Also, it looks like the lower capacity cards (less than 32GB, are getting a little tough to find, so stocking up might be a thought.)

Then, when you get it, re-format it (clears unnecessary files). Then use Sentinel to do a Clear User Data (loads files on to the card so it works). Then write your profile and favorites lists to the card.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Any chance the "4" button could be sticking just a bit?

That would be my guess.

 

[gregbart]

If it's stuck, it's stuck at the membrane level. The keypad button is fine.
I tried a different SD card in it last night. No difference.
I REALLY hate to send this in for repair. But, I can't let the $500 scanner sit unused to avoid a $100 repair tag.
Thanks for all the replies and attempts to help. It was really appreciated. Now, to find a box.
Greg

 

[JoeBearcat]

Everything you are saying points to the CPU seeing a 'key 4 press' - no matter what the actual cause. Even the screen is saying it.

 

[RandyKuff]

436 is easy to open up to clean the keypad and contacts...

 

[ofd8001]

If you got one of those aerosol cans of compressed oil like you use to clean a keyboard, you might try giving the keypad a gentle shot.

I imagine it doesn't take much to foul these keys, given they are small.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I hope you meant compressed air.....

 

[ofd8001]

Oops. Guess I got some keys needing compressed AIR to clean.

 

[RandyKuff]

See this post how to open the 436 up so you can clean up the keypad and contacts... It's really simple to do...

BCD436HP/BCD536HP: - Clean backside of display

Remove the six screws. Hold the scanner with keys facing down. Gently pull the case apart. Remove the contact pad and the keypad membrane. You can use canned air or a microfiber cloth to clean the backside of the front lens assy. Reassemble the parts in the reverse order paying attention to the...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[tvengr]

If you got one of those aerosol cans of compressed oil like you use to clean a keyboard,

While apart, check to see if there is corrosion on the circuit board. Corrosion can be electrically conductive and can create sneak paths between foils on the circuit board. You can use alcohol and a toothbrush to lightly clean the board. I would avoid compressed oil. I have seen electronic equipment do strange things due to corrosion.

 

[gregbart]

Thanks again! I dropped off the scanner last night. Hopefully, it will be returned soon. The instructions on how to open it up and clean it may come in handy down the line, if something similar happens.
I have been using this radio for 2 years. And, I'm embarrassed to admit that im not, even close, to being proficient with it. As a ham operator, I know my transceivers well. But, I've never put the work into learning the scanner. That'll be changing.
Greg