BCDx36HP Sentinel Software & Siren App Discussion

[OregonScanner]

I figured it out. I just imported a P25 Phase II system and Sentinel shows it as P25 standard. I then imported a X2-TDMA system and Sentinel shows it as X2-TDMA.

I would imagine so, X-2 TDMA was Motorola's TDMA protocol before final approval of Phase II and basically uses the same modulation as Phase I. I haven't tinkered with the new software much yet so I can't be certain but here's some info to help in case you haven't seen or read it yet:

 

[jpjohn]

Any idea if you will be able to control two scanners at once via the app?

Any way to have two sessions of app open at once?

 

[BigEvil]

+1 on Mac scanner development. I've had to use Parallels for years (which does work fine) instead of the native OSX environment for my scanner programming/controlling needs.

I'm definitely not looking to start a mac vs microsoft argument here since its moot, I'm just saying that I'd definitely be very interested in a Mac solution. (for broadcasting my LAPD feed I use NiceCast instead of one of the windows apps via Parallels because its just a cleaner interface, crashes WAY less and has more features available.).

 

[BigEvil]

Also, (and wanted to put this in a separate post) but as someone whose already pre-ordered three BCD536HPs and is a longtime uniden fan, my initial thoughts on the sentinel software are not favorable.

I think UPman and he team have done a incredible job making great products for years, listening to their customers, and participating in this community but their scanner programming options have fallen short majorly. (which is more than ok given how they've delivered for us on hardware).

I use Proscan for my 396XTs and my 996XT. Given the way LA County and its incredibly large number of agencies, cities, and various types of systems are its just worth using third party software that is pro level for creating a database for the scanner. I almost think it'd be worth Uniden developing a software API for it that third party developers could take and run with.

I understand that the memory management of the HP and new models is different than the XTs but the simple favorites list is too simple for my needs. I like creating a large number of custom sites, many based on location, or agency type, and being able to switch very quickly between them. Additionally, (in LA) the RR database sometimes breaks agencies up into a bunch of smaller groups, which you can't drag/drop into one group as you can in third party software.

It'd be great if we were able to get more control over what we see/how it works, groups, systems, agencies etc and I don't see sentinel delivering that presently. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I'd also love an easy way to export from a 996 or 396 programming app to the HP... seems like its not easy presently...

 

[UPMan]

I think the quick key structure will give you all the flexibility you need. Actually more than the XT series.

 

[ofd8001]

Is there a way for Sentinel to convert the channels names in the favorites list to all upper case letters (short of re-typing them all)?

I kinda like having them in that format. That way when I'm driving around I can quickly glance at the display to see what channel is active and get my eyes back on the road.

 

[rkm1215]

This is only a partial solution, but export the data to a spreadsheet (Excel or Calc) and use the =Upper() function and then import data back into Sentinel.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[smithken]

Within the next few months all of the agencies I listen to will be on one system, the Michigan Public Service Communications System (MPSCS). I currently have DMA scanners so the Home Patrol/Sentinael stuff is new to me. It looks like I would be monitoring 2 sites on one system so it seems line a system quick key would be useless but site quick keys would be useful. Can I have site quick keys without system quick keys?

 

[UPMan]

Technically you can, but doing so makes it hard to turn stuff back on if you disable all sites/departments on the system (the dreaded "Nothing to Scan" message). The format of using QK's is:
FF.SS.DD toggles the DD in system SS in FL FF
.SS.DD toggles the DD in system SS in the current FL
..DD toggles the DD in the current system.
FF.SS toggles system SS in FL FF
.SS toggles system SS in the current FF
FF toggles the FF

If you don't have an SS assigned, and disable all departments, then:
..DD or even FF..DD is ambiguous. Since in a "Nothing to Scan" state the current system is ambiguous (even if there is only one programmed, it is programmatically difficult to understand that), the command would fail.

 

[RF23]

What if you have a Software Mixup?

With two different Sentinel software packages what happens if you hook the wrong radio to the Sentinel software? Will it recognize this and keep you from mis-programming your radio?

For that matter what happens if I accidently stick an SD card from my HP-1 into my 436 HP?

 

[UPMan]

They won't recognize the incorrect model (or the SD card removed from the incorrect model).

 

[LZ56]

Are HP-1 & BCD536HP Sentinels COMPATIBLE?

Apologies if this has already been discussed elsewhere, guess I'm too lazy to read all the threads. Will I be able to load my current HP-1 favorite lists, from my current version of Sentinel, into my hypothetical new BCD536HP? Or will the BCD536HP version of Sentinel also work with the HP-1? Please don't tell me I will have to maintain 2 separate versions of Sentinel, and thus two separate versions of what are essentially the same favorite lists, to use both the HP-1 and BCD536HP.

 

[kd7eir]

Apologies if this has already been discussed elsewhere. Will I be able to load my current HP-1 favorite lists, from my current version of Sentinel, into my hypothetical new BCD536HP? Please don't tell me I will have to maintain 2 separate versions of Sentinel, and thus two separate versions of what are essentially the same favorite lists, to use both the HP-1 and BCD536HP.

The good news? You can load your HP-1 favorites lists into the BCD536HP.

The bad news? You will have to use two versions of Sentinel.

You will "Export to hpe file" from the Sentinel program that you use with your HP-1, and then you will "Import from hpe file" in the Sentinel program that you use with your BCD536HP.

The Sentinel program for the HP-1 is not compatible with the Sentinel program for the BCD536HP, and vice versa.

 

[RF23]

Yes you can.

All you have to do is export your HP-1 favorites as "hpe files" using the HP-1 Sentinel program and then import them into the new Sentinel program. Once you have them in the new Sentinel program just "write" them to your new scanner.

I have already done this and it worked great, of course I do not have the radio yet but the software is ready for it when it arrives!

Don't forget you will probably need to assign quick keys to them since the new scanners will not operate exactly like the HP-1.

 

[LZ56]

The good news? You can load your HP-1 favorites lists into the BCD536HP.

The bad news? You will have to use two versions of Sentinel.

You will "Export to hpe file" from the Sentinel program that you use with your HP-1, and then you will "Import from hpe file" in the Sentinel program that you use with your BCD536HP.

The Sentinel program for the HP-1 is not compatible with the Sentinel program for the BCD536HP, and vice versa.

Whiskey Tango Hotel? You mean to tell me that Uniden couldn't develop a version of Sentinel that supports BOTH the HP-1 and BCDx36HP scanners? IBM has had upward/downward compatible software for their hardware since the 1960's! Come on UPMAN, surely you guys can do better than this!

 

[KE4ZNR]

Whiskey Tango Hotel? You mean to tell me that Uniden couldn't develop a version of Sentinel that supports BOTH the HP-1 and BCDx36HP scanners? IBM has had upward/downward compatible software for their hardware since the 1960's! Come on UPMAN, surely you guys can do better than this!

The differences between the HP1 and the x36HP scanners required a separate Sentinel software package.
There are many differences between the 2 versions of Sentinel...not the least of which is additional radio system types and the addition of FLQK, SQK, DQK, etc.
As others have said doing a quick export-import from one to another is painless and easy.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[n2pqq]

When doing a database update and down loading to the scanner..........

Will the software update trunk groups in my favorites list ?

Will the software update my favorites list ?

The Gre Psr 800 EZ Digital software does this.

 

[NHdave]

Something I'd like to see with the 536 is the ability to do programming with Sentinel over the wi-fi connection instead of having to connect the USB cable.

 

[phask]

When doing a database update and down loading to the scanner..........

Will the software update trunk groups in my favorites list ?

Will the software update my favorites list ?

The Gre Psr 800 EZ Digital software does this.

No to both - as a HP user since day 1 this has been asked and answered 100's of times.

1 example why not - if one renamed data - would be overwritten.

 

[n2pqq]

No to both - as a HP user since day 1 this has been asked and answered 100's of times.

1 example why not - if one renamed data - would be overwritten.

I had hoped new software would have new features.