BCDx36HP Sentinel Software & Siren App Discussion

[mikev10]

Rebanded System Question

I was fooling with the Sentinel Software on a Smartnet Type 2 system that will be going P25 TDMA later this year and have a question. The Smartnet system was rebanded last year so it does have a "Custom" bandplan as a rebanded system. When this system is upgraded to a P25 it will be reutilizing the same 800 MHz rebanded frequencies. When I enter the new system as a new P25 system the software does not give me the "custom" bandplan option, only the Base & Spacing under the bandplan screen, no offset. Has the scanner already been modified somehow to already "know" these are rebanded systems?????

 

[Jay911]

P25 systems generally broadcast their bandplans in the control channel data stream so it's no longer necessary to explicitly state it in the programming in the scanner.

 

[mikev10]

Excellent, thanks for quick answer. I imagine its easier to cram more information on 9600 baud than it is 3600 baud! ; )

 

[spooney]

Export HP-1 files into BCDx36HP files

Today I exported all my Favorite Lists from Home Patrol Sentinel to BCDx36HP Sentinel. If anyone is interested in the details (steps) to do this I will post instructions here.

 

[psdavidson]

after reading this whole thread I see that fav list wont update when the main data base does. has this changed? because if you right click a fav list there is a download fav list on/off selection.
or is that just for download to radio?

 

[NHdave]

after reading this whole thread I see that fav list wont update when the main data base does. has this changed? because if you right click a fav list there is a download fav list on/off selection.
or is that just for download to radio?

That is for download to the radio. Favorites won't be updated automatically as many will do some customization to them and that would be lost, as has been explained.

 

[wise871]

Just a little tip when creating your Favorites. In order to be able to turn them on and off by just hitting 00, 01, 02 etc, you have to have them turned on. You will know this if you have F0:012*** etc. If you have F0:012--- you will not be able to turn on F03, F04, etc by using the quick keys. Other wise you will have to go into the MENU and turn them on and off.

 

[dispatcher812]

Just a little tip when creating your Favorites. In order to be able to turn them on and off by just hitting 00, 01, 02 etc, you have to have them turned on. You will know this if you have F0:012*** etc. If you have F0:012--- you will not be able to turn on F03, F04, etc by using the quick keys. Other wise you will have to go into the MENU and turn them on and off.

Do you have to assign any quick keys at all? I know it would make it easier to turn some things off.

 

[wise871]

No, then it scan everything.

 

[UPMan]

If you don't use a FQK, then you have to use the menus to turn FL's on and off.

 

[dispatcher812]

If you don't use a FQK, then you have to use the menus to turn FL's on and off.

Ok and the FQK is for each favorite LIST right? And SQK is for each SYSTEM in that list? I am still trying to figure that out. This will be my first scanner of this type.

 

[UPMan]

Correct. And DQK is for each DEPARTMENT or SITE within a SYSTEM.

 

[dispatcher812]

Correct. And DQK is for each DEPARTMENT or SITE within a SYSTEM.

Excellent, thank you, can't wait.

 

[wise871]

I'm getting the hang of operating the quick keys. The scanner will let you know if you goofed, LOL.

 

[shonc182]

Correct. And DQK is for each DEPARTMENT or SITE within a SYSTEM.

Forgive any ignorance, but I am trying to change my thinking from years of making banks and lists.

So there are 3 levels of Quick Keys? FQK, SQK & DQK? The owner's manual seemed to imply (at least to me) that there are only 2 and then everything else is number tags. Assuming this is correct, is it logical to program the following way:

FQK 0
--SQK 1
----DQK 1
------Ch 1-10
----DQK 2
------Ch 1-10
--SQK 2
----DQK 1
------Ch 1-10
----DQK 2
------Ch 1-10
FQK 1
--SQK 1
----DQK 1

...and so on.

Also - Does this correspond to an 'address' that can be manually entered in scanner FL.SL.DL.## ?

 

[mikev10]

Deleted Post

 

[tkenny53]

Maybe it is me, but I downloaded Sentinel, okay so there is so many dept, city info and a lot of data missing. Just Los Angeles County, no fire, LA City, no fire. I did an DB update and no changes. It is not like I dont have these, but, how can the Home Patrol work correctly if the data isnt there to support it? Did I miss it? this will be my first HP scanner, but...

 

[KE4ZNR]

Maybe it is me, but I downloaded Sentinel, okay so there is so many dept, city info and a lot of data missing. Just Los Angeles County, no fire, LA City, no fire. I did an DB update and no changes. It is not like I dont have these, but, how can the Home Patrol work correctly if the data isnt there to support it? Did I miss it? this will be my first HP scanner, but...

What's the date of your database in the bottom left hand corner of Sentinel?
Mine is 1/12/2014 and I see all of LA City no problem under:
Database->USA->California->Los Angeles County->County Systems->Then scroll down.

Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[tkenny53]

here is what mine has, dated 01-12-2014

 

[NHdave]

You're looking in the wrong place, it's under LA, county systems, LA, LA City