BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Scanning for DMR frequencies

[traynorfamily]

I have owned a scanner for many years but I have never learned too much about programming it. I have the bcd536hp and have only ever set my location and scanned that way and never programmed anything. I recently noticed my scanner is not picking up any local fire calls. After some investigation I discovered they have gone DMR. I purchased the upgrade from Uniden but I still don’t seem to be getting the fire departments. Do I have to program my channels in Sentinel or do I have to change something on the scanner itself?

 

[bearcatrp]

Indoor or outdoor antenna? Have you ever picked up any DMR transmissions?

 

[dave3825]

I have the bcd536hp and have only ever set my location and scanned that way and never programmed anything.

I recently noticed my scanner is not picking up any local fire calls. After some investigation I discovered they have gone DMR. I purchased the upgrade from Uniden but I still don’t seem to be getting the fire departments. Do I have to program my channels in Sentinel or do I have to change something on the scanner itself?

How did you discover they went DMR? Do you see them as DMR in the database? If so, have you updated the full database in Sentinel and pushed it to the scanner? And if in the database, is there any E listed with them? E is encrypted.

 

[traynorfamily]

Indoor or outdoor antenna? Have you ever picked up any DMR transmissions?

Just an indoor antenna.

 

[traynorfamily]

How did you discover they went DMR? Do you see them as DMR in the database? If so, have you updated the full database in Sentinel and pushed it to the scanner? And if in the database, is there any E listed with them? E is encrypted.

I was speaking to a local scanner repair shop and he confirmed my suspicion. All I have done in Sentinel was an update of the firmware first (a few days ago) and then the DMR update yesterday. The only service that is encrypted in my area is city police. Thanks for the help with this

 

[traynorfamily]

I was speaking to a local scanner repair shop and he confirmed my suspicion. All I have done in Sentinel was an update of the firmware first (a few days ago) and then the DMR update yesterday. The only service that is encrypted in my area is city police. Thanks for the help with this

I will try updating the database this evening!

 

[tvengr]

What is your city, county, and state and which agencies do you want to monitor?

 

[HandiScratchy]

Just an indoor antenna.

Hopefully it will work for you once you update the scanner db. If not the signal strength might be a problem. There are some settings to adjust that might save you a new antenna setup.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

What is your city, county, and state and which agencies do you want to monitor?

Yes, please provide this info so we can get eyes on the database and let you know how & if your agency(ies) of interest can be tracked. Are the applicable service types turned on for the channels and/or talkgroups you want to hear? ("tag" column in the RRDB)

 

[traynorfamily]

What is your city, county, and state and which agencies do you want to monitor?

 

[traynorfamily]

Yes the types are turned on. I am hoping the database update is the issue.

 

[tvengr]

In Sentinel, you need to setup each frequency as a DMR One Frequency system. That will allow you to enter the color code for the frequency in the site. You will need to create a department and add a channel for the TGID and slot. If the same frequency is used more than once, such as Peterborough Transit, that is all in one system with 3 channels. The frequency is entered only once in the site. TGID's and slot numbers are entered in each channel. It can all be done in the scanner menu but is much faster and easier using Sentinel.

 

[traynorfamily]

In Sentinel, you need to setup each frequency as a DMR One Frequency system. That will allow you to enter the color code for the frequency in the site. You will need to create a department and add a channel for the TGID and slot. If the same frequency is used more than once, such as Peterborough Transit, that is all in one system with 3 channels. The frequency is entered only once in the site. TGID's and slot numbers are entered in each channel. It can all be done in the scanner menu but is much faster and easier using Sentinel.

Thanks for this. Are you able to suggest a YouTube video or some kind of instruction on this procedure? As I mentioned all I have ever done is enter my location and let the radio scan my local frequencies.