BCD436HP Discussion Thread

[KG4KHQ]

Backlight

Looking at the owner's manual, it looks like the multi-colored LCD backlighting is gone in favor the the little alert light. That's... unfortunate.

I was noticing that also, looks like blue is the only option.

 

[cherubim]

I was noticing that also, looks like blue is the only option.

I don't like the backlight color at all. It looks pale and boring.

 

[LAflyer]

Nice looking radio, but very disappointing no additional modes like TRBO which has become extremely common in these parts.

 

[Jay911]

I was noticing that also, looks like blue is the only option.

Not so..

- Programmable Alert LED lets you set a specific color to alert you when a channel becomes active.

Multicolor LED Alert – The alert LED with 7 colors, Blue, Red, Magenta, Green, Cyan, Yellow, or White, can be used with your Custom Alerts.

 

[walter900]

Can someone please let me know if this new scanner still has the Trunk System Activity Indicators option.. Where you can see activity on other Trunk channels when it's stopped on one. The display looks real skinny, so it makes me wonder if Uniden opted to leave that exclusive Trunk option out.

 

[Jay911]

Nice! The manual states that the radio conforms in Canada to the license-free standard. Maybe that will finally silence that particular nonsense argument.

Although, UPMan, the IC declaration appears to only be in French in the 10182013 version available on the website...

 

[walter900]

Nice! The manual states that the radio conforms in Canada to license-free radio use. Maybe that will finally silence that particular nonsense argument.

Although, UPMan, the IC declaration appears to only be in French in the 10182013 version available on the website...

Hi, would you happen to have a link to the manual?

 

[hiegtx]

Downloaded and installed the Sentinel software for the new scanners. Very similar to Sentinel for the Home Patrol.

I exported one of my HP-1 favorites lists into an *.hpe file, and it imported seamlessly into the BCDx36HP Sentinel program. That'll save setup time, since all I'll need to do is edit to add the quick keys.

 

[hiegtx]

Hi, would you happen to have a link to the manual?

Manual is here.

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

When January rolls around, I think I'll be selling both my HP-1 and PSR-800 and getting a BCD346HP. That is one sharp looking scanner.

Any idea where the the microSD slot is located on this scanner? I looked thru the manual, but it didn't mention it. I see on the 536HP the slot is in the front. Hopefully if it's behind the battery cover, it's not behind the batteries like the HP-1. GRE got it right when it put the slot on the side of the scanner under the battery cover. Let's hope Uniden did the same.



( In other breaking news, at about 12:15 CST today, the price of PSR-800 scanners being sold on eBay fell by about $200 per unit on news of Uniden's new offerings. LOL!! )

 

[Boatanchor]

No apparent Simulcast progress after all this time??

One of the biggest gripes of digital scanner users and still no implementation of CQPSK - Very big disappointment!

Will probably still race out and order one anyway

 

[KG4KHQ]

DMR

My thinking right now is that I may purchase the 436 for traveling. I have been holding off buying a Vertex DMR portable radio because I wanted to see what Uniden was going to come out with today so it appears I will be proceeding in that direction. I do like my Uniden radios and the 436 will fit some needs (like being able to keep the DC area and the Atlanta area in the same radio without temporarily adding or erasing a profile) but too many things I have an interest in listening to are going the DMR route so the Vertex will be my Christmas present. I will say however that both the new Uniden radios look impressive.

 

[ScannerDude244]

I wonder if they will offer that WiFi adapter later on that would be sweet!

 

[Ersin]

Had Whistler not picked up the GRE IP I too probably would race out to order one -- I really need P25 Phase 2. But I will wait to see what Whistler has. The competition should be good for consumers.

 

[airwolfbell222]

This handheld is looking pretty sweet! Reading the manual, the fact I can not only record on a handheld now, but also record during regular search and during close call, I'm just hoping they fixed the convention discovery mode so it doesn't hang up on control channels like the HP-1 and apparently will never be fixed on the HP-1.

 

[garys]

These scanners have some nice features, but I'm on the fence about whether or not I'll buy one. I'm going to wait for user reviews and to see what Whistler does.

I've been playing with the Sentinal software and I can't find a way to add or modify the information. For example, some of the information for Boston EMS is wrong, plus the DB doesn't have the newly added Med Channels.

MA is odd (in so many ways) in that law enforcement and fire services aren't broken down by county. They are broken down by several regional nets that cross over county lines. In my XT scanners I've been able to program taking that in to account, but so far haven't seen a way to do that. Nor can I add TGs or conventional channels as I could with EZScan. Maybe that's just due to my not using the software all that long.

I'd really like to be able to edit all of the fields in the Sentinel software and load that on the card.

I also don't really want to be tied to GPS based scanning. With the XT scanners I have the Start Up key option. Does that exist with the HP scanners? With the PSR800, I have scan lists and scan sets. Or had, since the scanner was only a loaner. Still it gave me a lot of flexibility.

As others have said, not having some of the other digital modes, particularly MotoTrbo is disappointing. There are a lot of commercial trunk systems in my area going to that format and taking some of what I want to listen to with them. Not a deal killer, unless of course Whistler comes out with a scanner that covers them in the near future.

My last whine is about no WiFi option. I generally buy the most advanced portable scanner I can find because I like to take it with me when I travel. If I rent a car, I like to use the scanner with a mag mount scanner and headphone/speaker. WiFi with the mobile app would be great. Assuming I can use the app via USB cable, that leaves me with the drawback of not being able to charge my Smart Phone or the scanner when I'm using it as a mobile. Boo.

All of the negatives and questions being taken care of so far, this is very impressive evolution of both the HP and XT scanners. It's a feature rich scanner and there is a lot to like. Actually both scanners are feature rich and have a lot to like. I just don't know if it's enough for me to replace my XT scanners.

Hopefully some of the beta testers can share what they discovered now that the scanner has been announced.

 

[sffire]

Very nice features. I like the recording mode best.

Too bad there is not blue tooth feature where you can use a wireless ear piece.

Just wondering if this scanner can monitor the Open Sky radio systems?

 

[shanny19]

Nice looking radio for sure. Very happy about the decision to stick with AA's!!
Not so happy about P25 only. In light of today's news, could one of you railfans
point me in the direction of a commercial radio that you use for NXDN????? Thanks!

 

[Jay911]

Very nice features. I like the recording mode best.

Too bad there is not blue tooth feature where you can use a wireless ear piece.

Just wondering if this scanner can monitor the Open Sky radio systems?

Not even OpenSky radios can monitor OpenSky radio systems.

From the video and documentation, the only trunking protocol this adds over and above past Uniden radios is P25 Phase 2.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I've been playing with the Sentinal software and I can't find a way to add or modify the information. For example, some of the information for Boston EMS is wrong, plus the DB doesn't have the newly added Med Channels.

As with the existing Sentinel for the HP-1 Editing or adding info to a FL is easy. Either select Edit->Edit Favorites List or hit the star/pencil icon pictured here

I'd really like to be able to edit all of the fields in the Sentinel software and load that on the card.

Entirely possible and quite easy.

I also don't really want to be tied to GPS based scanning. With the XT scanners I have the Start Up key option. Does that exist with the HP scanners?

It appears that the 436 & 536 will both have start up Keys. From page 35 of the new manual:

Startup Keys
You can program each of your Favorites Lists with a Startup Key (0-9) so that when you power
up the scanner and press the key number, just those Favorites List(s) assigned to the key will be
enabled for scan. Systems are not affected.

Marshall KE4ZNR