BCD436HP software options

[saboken]

I just received my BCD436HP Scanner ? ? It's definitely different from my 996p2! I just found out that freescan will not support the HP scanners and I tried the ARC trial but it is a little confusing compared to using FreeScan on the 996, are there any tutorials on using ARC with the 436HP? Since the way the 2 scanners are setup is so different from each other it's not clear to me how to use ARC to my benefit! I managed to program my 436 with some basic local agencys, I purchased it to take with me on a vacation I should be departing next week! I will be in some very Rual areas like Grand Canyon (north rim weather permitting) my route will take me from South Carolina to Southern California and then the north route through Oregon, Montana, Wyoming etc to Pennsylvania and back to South Carolina, I want to find a easy way to preprogram the areas to favorite lists for each of my Destinations! I did get the GPS Dongle for what it's worth? (Haven't played with it enough to figure out how to use it yet?) Should I just rely on the GPS (Any information on using it?) or should I preprogram the scanner ahead of time? I was debating on also taking my 996 with me. Any guidance on the Best was to cover that rual areas? Thanks.

 

[ofd8001]

Have you looked into the Sentinel software? It is free and you'll need it to update the full database and firmware for when those infrequent updates happen. There are several Youtube videos on using Sentinel.

When I'm preparing for a trip, about a week in advance I'll do a full database update. Then when I'm on the road, I'll scan the full database with a GPS device attached. The GPS device tells my scanner where it is and the scanner will turn the appropriate "things" on and off based on my location.

If I'll be at a destination for more than a day or two, I'm tempted to create a Favorites List for the location to further refine my listening. It might be "lilly gilding", but suits my fancy. One can create Favorites Lists with Sentinel. Once you get the hang of it, it is pretty simple.

Until you become comfortable with your 436, you might have your other scanner with you. Nothing like frustration on a trip.

 

[saboken]

Yeah I did the whole Sentinel thing I updated the DB but trying to figure it out! It reminds me of FreeScan but it's different somehow? I'm used to grabbing what I want from Radio Reference and loading only what I want into the 996 I guess I will figure it out while on the road when I have some down time? Uniden has made these things in a way that's not consistent between devices (I was hoping I could save the settings from the 996 and use FreeScan to upload them into the 436! But the formats are incompatible and FreeScan doesn't support the HP scanners)

 

[buddrousa]

Youtube has nice videos on Sentinel never used anything else to program but use PROSCAN for remote control of my 9 online scanners running at my house and use teamviewer when i am on my cellphone.

 

[SOFA_KING]

Although I do use Sentinel to do most of my x36 programming (very fast easy to use on large custom file creation when you learn some copy/paste/edit tricks), ProScan is a great way to cross-program the older Uniden scanners from the x36 scanner line. Because the structure is not quite the same, you lose the top "Favorite List" level, and Departments become the top level when importing x36 HPE files to the 325/396/996. Never tried doing it the other way, but I bet it could be done. It's not quite a perfect process, and will require some re-tweaking, but the majority of information and parameters do translate. Rectangle LAT/LON is not an option with the lower level scanners, so that won't translate. And the Scan Quick Key/Group Quick Key structure is a bit different, so you may have to redo those (depending on how many you import). Still, the amount of time saved making my 996P2/396P2 have the same programming as my 536/436 (on some Favorite Lists) was well worth the cost of the software and effort to clean up the imported Favorite List HPE files.

ProScan is great software for Uniden scanners for many reasons. And the support is second to none. Initially, I purchased it just for logging, but now I also program (mostly my 325P2/996P2), cross-model program, and even use it to remote monitor (like Budd). And I would imagine any new Uniden scanner model that might be released in the future would also be added (without charge)...just like in the past. I wish Bob made software for the Whistler scanners. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Phil