ARC536: ARC536BASIC or ARC536PRO?

[RFSnoop]

Having just purchased a BCD436HP, and anticipating buying a BCD536HP sometime later, I believe that I want the ARC536 software for building and managing favorite lists. The following warning on BuTel's website raises several questions for me:

"Important Information: because of issues with the reliability of USB/serial port on the 436/536 scanners ARC536PRO must be used with the BCD536HP GPS/remote rear port or the BCD436HP GPS port for reliable virtual control."

After searching and reading what I could dig up, I understand the above to mean I only need the PRO version if I want to control my scanner with my computer. Is that correct? I do not think that is something I want to do, am I being short-sighted? Am I overlooking something else? For the few dollars difference in price, should I just pop for the PRO version to be on the safe side?

 

[Butelsoftware]

For Virtual Control the front port may not work reliable. For ARC536basic the usb connection is fine, there is a pdf with detailed info on our website. You can always upgrade from basic > pro.

Gommert
Butel Software

 

[RFSnoop]

Thank you, Gommert! I downloaded the Pro version and have been playing with that a little bit. Amazing! The world has changed since I last fooled with radio scanners. I will buy the license before the trial period expires.

 

[ofd8001]

Also the Virtual Control will do logging - helpful if you are interest in keeping a history of received transmissions.

 

[RFSnoop]

Also the Virtual Control will do logging - helpful if you are interest in keeping a history of received transmissions.

Thanks, ofd8001! I will keep that in mind. I have not gotten that far yet, just struggling with the basics of the scanner. The technology of the BCD436HP is a bit overwhelming to me, having not fooled with a scanner since an AOR AR1000XLT many years ago.

 

[K8RJW]

Share File Directory?

I am using ARC Patrol Extreme with my HP-1 and ARC536Pro with my BCD436 and BCD536. Is there any reason I should not share the .hpd Favorites List files in one directory and access the same files for all three radios? I've been doing it for a couple weeks and everything seems to work, but I'd like to know if there is some problem lurking out there that I'm going to regret doing this down the line. Thanks.

 

[ofd8001]

You should be able to do this, as long as you are cautious. The structure of the files for the Home Patrol are probably different for the HP versus x36. So if you open an HP file with the ARC 536, it may get corrupted.

Each program's data file path can be set. I prefer to separate data files into separate folders. Reduces the opportunities to say "Oops".