Programming DMR in a BCD436HP for Canada

[thumper7458]

Good day, I bought a BCD436HP two weeks ago and just purchased the DMR upgrade. Is there an easier way to program DMR frequencies, in the same manor as https://digitalfrequencysearch.com but for Canadian frequencies?

This is so confusing to me. I saw a video on how to do it with DFS that was extremely simple but the information provided on that site is American, I'm afraid I wasted $60.00 USD because this is making my head spin.

 

[popnokick]

Isn't that what this is for? -
RadioReference.com Web Service - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If the info is in the Radioreference database, use Uniden Sentinel for programming (yes, it includes Canada). The Digital Frequency Search site you linked includes an export formatted for Sentinel. The drawback to digitalfrequencysearch data is it does not provide system info, talkgroups or color codes so you'll need to fill this in on your own

 

[gary123]

For many DMR systems I create my own system and departments. This lets me know exactly what is programmed into it and why. The process is pretty basic. I can do a walk through if you wish.

 

[thumper7458]

So just so I am clear, I have the BCD436HP + The DMR Upgrade, I use Sentinel to update my DB, I should get all the DMR information required, the paid upgrade adds the ability to monitor and scan Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) systems including MotoTRBO™ Connect Plus and MotoTRBO Capacity Plus systems that should already be in my database that I updated via the Sentinel software.

Just guessing that without the DMR upgrade I still had the information in my database but the scanner wasn't able to properly decipher it?

Sorry for my ignorance, this is all quite new to me and I see a lot of information about programming DMR frequencies that has be confused. Why does it appear so convoluted if all I have to do is pay for the upgrade and update my DB through the Sentinel Software.

For many DMR systems I create my own system and departments. This lets me know exactly what is programmed into it and why. The process is pretty basic. I can do a walk through if you wish.

I would appreciate any assistance, still quite "Fresh" with this, I had a basic scanner when I was 20 or so ( 30 years) ago and I think the systems were much simpler back then lol

 

[fxdscon]

I would appreciate any assistance, still quite "Fresh" with this, I had a basic scanner when I was 20 or so ( 30 years) ago and I think the systems were much simpler back then lol

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Using Sentinel (Uniden's free software), you can create favorites lists with the systems you are interested in and write them to the scanner with a minimum amount of mouse clicks. All the proper programming (for DMR systems as well) is handled by Sentinel, but you can customize further if you wish.

Just guessing that without the DMR upgrade I still had the information in my database but the scanner wasn't able to properly decipher it?

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The paid upgrades unlock the portion of the firmware necessary to monitor those systems. Uniden has to pay licensing fees for each scanner that is enabled to use those modes.


There are some good resources at these links for help:

For your BCD436HP....

Easier to Read BCD436/536HP Digital Scanner Manual

For the Sentinel Software...

BCDX36HP Sentinel Software Manual

There are many instructional video's on Youtube for using Sentinel to create favorites lists.

Once you have created your favorites lists, you can monitor just those favorites lists, with or without monitoring the full database as well.

 

[mciupa]

If you want to program in known frequencies from trunk systems, right click from the Full Database in Sentinel and append the system to a Favorite List. This way you can make it ala carte for only the things you are interested instead of a bloated database.

If you want to find new frequencies. Go to Custom Search. Edit Custom Search to the range you like (150-174 MHz) and/or (450-470 MHz)
When you get a hit, press E and it will save in a Quick Saves from Search category. For DMR the CC or Colour Code will flash. Press E again to save it. You will likely have to change the Audio Type from All to Digital Only for quicker decode.

You've only been at it for two weeks. It takes time, trial and error to get familiar with all your scanner can do.

 

[thumper7458]

-
Using Sentinel (Uniden's free software), you can create favorites lists with the systems you are interested in and write them to the scanner with a minimum amount of mouse clicks. All the proper programming (for DMR systems as well) is handled by Sentinel, but you can customize further if you wish.

-
The paid upgrades unlock the portion of the firmware necessary to monitor those systems. Uniden has to pay licensing fees for each scanner that is enabled to use those modes.


There are some good resources at these links for help:

For your BCD436HP....

Easier to Read BCD436/536HP Digital Scanner Manual

For the Sentinel Software...

BCDX36HP Sentinel Software Manual

There are many instructional video's on YouTube for using Sentinel to create favorites lists.

Once you have created your favorites lists, you can monitor just those favorites lists, with or without monitoring the full database as well.

Thanks, the Sentinel software was fairly easy to use, I have already set up some fav list prior to buying the DMR upgrade, I was worried that I might have been "missing out" on the DMR.

 

[gary123]

Thumper, if you would like a walk through on creating your own DMR system PM me, that way we do not fill the thread with a pile of back and forth.

Yes,loading form Sentinel will install the systems, but for many of the larger services like FleetConnect it also loads them with everything enabled. This means you will have to go back and turn off some things like unused sites etc. Building your own system will at least help you understand how the prebuilt systems are set up.