Using RR Database with Uniden Scanner?

[snerd]

Using the Sentinel software with my 436hp, I'm confused on where it updates the database from? I believe it says it's connecting to a Uniden server. What if I want to use the database here at RR? From what I have read here, I should be able to enter my name and password in the Sentinel software to take advantage of my Premium subscription here. However, there are no options that I can find to enter that data. Is there something I am missing here?

 

[ShyFlyer]

Ok, here's how it works.

First of all, you don't need any sort of membership here are RadioReference to use Sentinel with your 436HP.

Sentinel gets it's database from the one here. Once a week, Uniden downloads the database here and places it on it's own server. Then, Sentinel users update the database on their on PCs by opening Sentinel and going to the update menu.

 

[ofd8001]

As noted above, Uniden's servers "pull" the Radio Reference database once a week, usually Monday around 9:00 AM for use by Sentinel. When you use Sentinel Update>Update Master HPDB, Sentinel is "pulling" from the Uniden's server.

Uniden has a financial arrangement with Radio Reference for access to the database for ultimate delivery to scanners programmed by Sentinel. This cost is part of the scanner purchase price. As such you don't need to be a RR premium subscriber to access the Uniden/Sentinel database.

Other scanner programming software, such as Butel, FreeScan or ProScan can directly access the Radio Reference Database if you are a RR premium subscriber. That's where the Username and password get involved.

 

[snerd]

Ah, I see now. Thanks.

 

[W8RMH]

Even though other software will update the DB I believe only Sentinel will update the firmware.

 

[dave3825]

In addition to all the above, Uniden filters the rr database info before it makes its way into Sentinel. Any trunked systems, that do not have any talkgroups will not show up. Any formats that the scanner does not officially receive will not show up either. DMR, NXDN TETRA MPT-1327 are all filtered out of the Sentinel database. Tho, the x36 series scanners will decode Dmr using beta firmware and Sentinel support, its not official yet and Uniden has stated that Dmr freqs in Sentinel's database may be added at a later time.

 

[ofd8001]

Any formats that the scanner does not officially receive will not show up either. DMR, NXDN TETRA MPT-1327 are all filtered out of the Sentinel database.

I wish that was the case, but I don't believe it is.

The Frankfort Kentucky (Franklin County) has some channels that are NXDN and they show up in the Sentinel database.

Franklin County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

 

[dmaria]

I wish that was the case, but I don't believe it is.

The Frankfort Kentucky (Franklin County) has some channels that are NXDN and they show up in the Sentinel database.

Franklin County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

And so does a local county sheriff using NXDN here. Causes an irritating white noise. Fortunately they don't transmit much. I am not sure why these are included in the Uniden (and Whistler) databases when the scanners cannot decode them.

 

[amcferrin90]

I have an observation/question about the Sentinel database and the RR database. Is there a way to use the talkgroup alpha tags instead of the talkgroup description? I guess this is more of a preference than anything. The descriptions do tend to run off the edge of the display which makes some talkgroups annoying to decipher. I realize the alpha tags are from the public safety radios.

Second observation maybe even a request. I realize that as a part of standardization of database records that the main database is off limits for editing. It would be nice to offer the ability to have a checkbox to enable custom user labels for "system" "dept" or "channel" labels. I just don't want to make a bunch of favorites lists to get around that. That's one way for sure but that is a lot of replication of data.

 

[dave3825]

I wish that was the case, but I don't believe it is.

The Frankfort Kentucky (Franklin County) has some channels that are NXDN and they show up in the Sentinel database.

Franklin County, Kentucky (KY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

And so does a local county sheriff using NXDN here. Causes an irritating white noise. Fortunately they don't transmit much. I am not sure why these are included in the Uniden (and Whistler) databases when the scanners cannot decode them.

Thats interesting. My apologies. It was stated last year by Upman that only scannable systems are in Sentinel. I am not sure if that changed or not. I did see the Nxdn freqs in Franklin show up in my Sentinel. Tho it lists the audio type as Search. In any event, they are there. I would try to see what Upman says seeing as the scanners will not decode Nxdn (yet) His statement ,(tho we were speaking of trunked systems w/o talkgroups), was "We only include scannable systems in the HPDB. " I would think that would also mean conventional also.

You guys should start a thread for upman to see saying that nxdn conventional freqs are showing in sentinel. Or even better, start a "discuss x36hp nxdn coming soon thread". lol

 

[UPMan]

Why wouldn't I see this one?

They are included because of complaints that they were not included (because many of them are mixed mode w/analog, but only in the RRDB one time as NXDN). It is easier to avoid them than to program them.

 

[ofd8001]

They are included because of complaints that they were not included (because many of them are mixed mode w/analog, but only in the RRDB one time as NXDN). It is easier to avoid them than to program them.

Well at least there is a method to the madness. I feel for ya Upman on getting pushed and pulled in different directions.