I bought my husband this Uniden handheld scanner for Christmas. I want to throw it into the trash. When something is being picked up on his old scanner, NOTHING is coming through on the new one. You would think they would both be transmitting at the same time. I don’t know what the terminology is when it comes to these scanners. Is there a decent website that acts as a scanner’s Bible? It’s going to take an act of God to help us figure it out.
BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Frustrated
- Thread starter SEMorton
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Did you review any of the plethora of “how to” videos on YouTube for the 436?
Sometimes the more you monitor, the less you'll hear. If he's monitoring for everything in the entire national database, especially with a high range set, he'll still be in search mode scanning when the other radio that only has a few channels to scan has already locked on. By the time the new scanner "comes back around", the transmission may have ended.
Has he made any favorites lists yet? What he could do is put what he really wants to listen to in the favorites, then turn off the national database. I'm betting he'll see a drastic improvement.
Has he made any favorites lists yet? What he could do is put what he really wants to listen to in the favorites, then turn off the national database. I'm betting he'll see a drastic improvement.
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Try these 2 sources, the first link is for the scanner, and the second one is for Sentinel… the free software used to program the scanner:
MStep
Member
The 436 is an excellent scanner, but as expected, there is a certain learning curve with such a complex piece of equipment. The two guides mentioned above should be helpful, but these are not "plug & play" devices. They require a certain amount of effort and perseverance to bring them up to their full potential. I would suggest going to the local area sections here on RadioReference and look for someone in your area willing to come over and lend a helping hand.
What is his old scanner? If the 436 the 1st time with digital scanner, the learning curve can be frustrating. Best to start out using location scanning using your zip code and distance, plus turning off most services until you get the hang of it. What city and state are you scanning?
Don't throw it in the trash! It's an excellent scanner. Better than anything that came before it by a mile.
There are a lot of guides as mentioned above, easy to use, etc. But the single most common "gotcha" on these scanners that trips almost all first time users are the "service types". These are the selections that determine "what" you want to listen to. (i.e. Fire, Railroad, Police, etc).
There are a lot of guides as mentioned above, easy to use, etc. But the single most common "gotcha" on these scanners that trips almost all first time users are the "service types". These are the selections that determine "what" you want to listen to. (i.e. Fire, Railroad, Police, etc).
CrabbyMilton
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I’ve had mine for 4 years now and love it as much as the day I bought it. Just study the easier manual and view those YOUTUBE videos. Yes stick with it and soon you’ll be whipping thru it and wondering why you thought it would be so hard. I studied that manual after I placed the order so that helps. Stay with it since it’s a great scanner.
CrabbyMilton
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Oh once you figure it out, you can program it your own way. I know there are preprogrammed sections but I still prefer to do it my way and this thing allows it.
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So this radio has a very high learning curve. As mentioned above it does not come from the factory with all the service types turned on. You're going to have to drill down on the menu oh, the lower left button, using the manual and make sure all service types are turned on.
This radio allows you to simply put your ZIP code in and listen to what's around you but again by default from the factory, search has quite a large area so you want to learn about range and put in 5 miles over what the factory picked. The radio has a database of frequencies in it so you're going to have to install Sentinel into your computer and you're going to have to put the latest update of that database in the radio, you also need to make sure you have the latest firmware update.
So if you would like to pursue mastering this sophisticated radio then provide us with your hometown, your county and the state that you live in. That's a good place to get started.
Let's take a look at what we're dealing with in your area. A couple of other questions. What scanner is it replacing and what's the level of experience of your husband in the scanning Hobby? Where did you buy the radio from, if it is a reputable dealer and you find this radio is way more than both of you can handle you have 30 days from purchase to return the radio or exchange it for something simpler but let's look at the database and see what we're dealing with.
This radio allows you to simply put your ZIP code in and listen to what's around you but again by default from the factory, search has quite a large area so you want to learn about range and put in 5 miles over what the factory picked. The radio has a database of frequencies in it so you're going to have to install Sentinel into your computer and you're going to have to put the latest update of that database in the radio, you also need to make sure you have the latest firmware update.
So if you would like to pursue mastering this sophisticated radio then provide us with your hometown, your county and the state that you live in. That's a good place to get started.
Let's take a look at what we're dealing with in your area. A couple of other questions. What scanner is it replacing and what's the level of experience of your husband in the scanning Hobby? Where did you buy the radio from, if it is a reputable dealer and you find this radio is way more than both of you can handle you have 30 days from purchase to return the radio or exchange it for something simpler but let's look at the database and see what we're dealing with.
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Welcome to Radio Reference.
Since you just received the scanner, the very first thing to do is install the free Sentinel software on your computer (Windows only), and follow the instructions on page 16 of your owner's manual for updating the firmware, and then updating the database (database updates are available through the Sentinel software every Monday). Those updates are very easy, just follow all of the steps carefully.
Download the latest version of the Sentinel Software at this link:
BCDx36HPSentinel < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
Once you have Sentinel installed and running, from the top tool bar menu, click "Tools", then "Target Model", then be sure "BCDx36HP is selected. Then proceed with the firmware and database updates.
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Hi & welcome to the RR forums:
How about taking a moment to tell us where you're from so we can take a look at the database to see what is in your area? Did you use Uniden Sentinel (link in post above) to program? Much much advisable & easier than programming by hand. If you set it up immediately out of the box & used the zip code feature, the info on the scanner itself may be outdated if your agency(ies) of interest recently migrated to a new system, changed tone, TG or mode, etc. Perhaps you have disabled service types causing the scanner to skip over frequency(ies) or talkgroup(s) of interest ("Tag" field in the database tables) Another recommendation I have would be to search this forum to see what has been asked & answered about your scanner. For convenience I will include the search query with "BCD436HP" prefix here
You've come to the bible of scanners. Stay awhile & listen to the "good word" of our knowledgeable members! Peace & good scanning be with you!
Highly likely you just need to update the database on the radio's sd card is all. It ships generally with some years old info on it.
This video while he uses an SDS100 it works the same way for the 436hp.
This video shows how to check and update the firmware
Sentinel software BCD436HP < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
This video while he uses an SDS100 it works the same way for the 436hp.
This video shows how to check and update the firmware
Sentinel software BCD436HP < UnidenMan4 < TWiki
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