BCD436HP Firmware update

[wise871]

HOORAY! WE HAVE ANALYZE!!!!

Now.... what do I do with it? :lol: I'll have to see if UPMan has posted any updated manuals that explain what this thing does and how it works.

-AZ

Still doesn't have Activity Monitor. One of the main features we need to find control channels and associate voice channels.

 

[AA6IO]

I use the new analyze feature when trying to listen to distant p25 systems from ,my home location.
Using my yagi antenna I have outside I use the bar graphs to fine tune the signal for strongest signal and highest quality decode. Works real well for this use.
Tim

I use analyze feature for the exact same reason with my 450 and 800 MHz yagis here in LA.

 

[Haley]

Thanks UPman! I have noticed a great improvement on conventional scanning speed, local P25 is MUCH improved also. Guess I am in the minority, but I really like all the info on the screen. Mike

 

[pratzert]

Thanks UPman! I have noticed a great improvement on conventional scanning speed, local P25 is MUCH improved also. Guess I am in the minority, but I really like all the info on the screen. Mike

"local P25 is MUCH improved"

Now THAT made my eyes pop. I'll have to get the update loaded ASAP to see how P25 works for me afterwards.

 

[dubs0980]

Yep the Auto setting actually works and it does do better on my type ii simulcast system. So it seems like they did the same threshold tweaks they did on the 536 firmware. I'm still running it on fm and seeing under 5 errors rates while driving, That's awesome for my area. I've yet to try it back on narrow as these results are so good.

 

[pratzert]

dubs0980,

Thanks for the info !

 

[AZScanner]

Yep the Auto setting actually works and it does do better on my type ii simulcast system. So it seems like they did the same threshold tweaks they did on the 536 firmware. I'm still running it on fm and seeing under 5 errors rates while driving, That's awesome for my area. I've yet to try it back on narrow as these results are so good.

Aha, THAT explains the P25 improvements! I just put mine in error correction mode and watched it automatically adjust from 8 to 6 and errors went from over 100 to 0 in a matter of seconds on the Mesa AZ Simulcast D site. Mystery solved, thanks!

Edited to add: For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, hold on a P25 system of your choice. Then, push the volume knob once, then hold down Func and push it again. You will see the bottom of the screen change to something like this: Err 0 6 Auto, etc. If the auto mode is on, the scanner will adjust the threshold value automatically based on the number of errors it detects. Before the update, this feature wasn't working and thresholds had to be adjusted manually.

-AZ

 

[redburgundy]

Yep the Auto setting actually works and it does do better on my type ii simulcast system. So it seems like they did the same threshold tweaks they did on the 536 firmware. I'm still running it on fm and seeing under 5 errors rates while driving, That's awesome for my area. I've yet to try it back on narrow as these results are so good.

I agree that the P25 Threshold when set to Auto now seems to give ERR values that decrease to 0, where they used to be in the 15-20 range at best even when set to the best Manual value.

But I'm not sure I'm getting any better actual reception on my 436 than before the firmware update.

The next county over is an LSM Simulcast system that puts good strong signals into my area but reception and decoding is still iffy, no different than before.

Can you say "Placebo Effect"?

 

[pratzert]

I agree that the P25 Threshold when set to Auto now seems to give ERR values that decrease to 0, where they used to be in the 15-20 range at best even when set to the best Manual value.

But I'm not sure I'm getting any better actual reception on my 436 than before the firmware update.

The next county over is an LSM Simulcast system that puts good strong signals into my area but reception and decoding is still iffy, no different than before.

Can you say "Placebo Effect"?

I'll remain positive and say..... at least it's not worse...... :.)

 

[Bizzle]

Got the 436 yesterday. Listened last night on the previous firmware and the radio received non-stop. Uploaded new firmware tonight, and the radio seems to be picking up less. Known bug? Can I go back to the previous version?

 

[budevans]

Got the 436 yesterday. Listened last night on the previous firmware and the radio received non-stop. Uploaded new firmware tonight, and the radio seems to be picking up less. Known bug? Can I go back to the previous version?

Bizzle,

You can't use one nights monitoring to judge a scanners or firmware's performance. Especially if it's a brand new scanner.

Take some time to learn the scanner. How it works and what it can do. Then create some Favorites List's and go from there.

 

[AA6IO]

My conventional scanning speed has improved since the update, but I seem to be noticing quite a bit of decreased VHF/UHF sensitivity compared to before the update. Is this me, or have others noticed this? Signals that were 2 and 3 bars before are barely moving the RSSI meter, and LAPD stations that came in fine on 480 Mhz with fairly strong signals on my RH77CA antenna are now quite a bit weaker with poorer decoding. The P25 decoding has improved for signals, both conventional and trunked, when the signal strength is pretty decent, so this is not a decoding issue. The sensitivity seems greatly diminished in the last several days since I updated the firmware.
Anyone else noticing this particular problem? Thank you.

 

[Voyager]

Were you using custom decoding settings? Might want to try resetting them to default.

 

[mitbr]

My conventional scanning speed has improved since the update, but I seem to be noticing quite a bit of decreased VHF/UHF sensitivity compared to before the update. Is this me, or have others noticed this? Signals that were 2 and 3 bars before are barely moving the RSSI meter, and LAPD stations that came in fine on 480 Mhz with fairly strong signals on my RH77CA antenna are now quite a bit weaker with poorer decoding. The P25 decoding has improved for signals, both conventional and trunked, when the signal strength is pretty decent, so this is not a decoding issue. The sensitivity seems greatly diminished in the last several days since I updated the firmware.
Anyone else noticing this particular problem? Thank you.

Sitting in my single story stucco house using the rs800 MHz ant my 436 receives noaa wx radio about 40 mile away not full quieting but very listenable so for me vhf reception has not changed.
Tim

 

[sibbley]

Could it be something in the atmosphere causing the problem? In the last couple days I have noticed frequencies that came in quite strong are not so strong anymore. Maybe since Friday evening. This is not only on my 436. My Kenwoods are showing the same issue on the same frequencies. This would be both VHF and UHF analog. No change in 700/800 digital. I don't have much P25 in VHF, so I can't check on that.

A co-worker of mine was complaining this morning that his 346XTC is also exhibiting the same on VHF since late last week.

Just a thought...

 

[minasha]

No one has answered the question so far so I will ask again:
After updating the firmware on a BCD436hp can it be changed back to the original firmware?

 

[kd7eir]

Yes, it can. Go here: Index of /files/firmwares/436 download the firmware that you want, connect your scanner in mass storage mode, copy the firmware file into the firmware directory, and restart your scanner.

 

[rkh]

Good grief! With only one release in the past year, where did all of those come from?

 

[Voyager]

Someone hacked Uniden's website and copied them. They were never approved for release and likely will have bugs. Perhaps 'hacked' is too strong - let's just say they gained unauthorized access to it.

 

[stingray327]

In order to update 436 properly don't we just follow the Sentinel Program which will automatically update and check for latest updates? Why do we need to choose?