BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Beginner help with Uniden BCD436HP

[ryanm1]

Hello!

A less tech-savvy family member recently purchased a Uniden BCD436HP and asked me to set it up since I am better with technology. I am not familiar with scanners and I am having one hell of a time setting it up for the first time. I hate having to use AI, but I have been using ChatGPT to help me with the process (which I fear may have been a mistake.) Before I state the issues, here is a little background information on what is trying to be achieved with the scanner.

I am attempting to access Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) (Ottawa & Russell County) patrol channels on Bell FleetNet Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2. I am also attempting to locate Ottawa Paramedic Service and Rideau Centre channels. We are located in the Ottawa East area. I have updated the scanner using Sentinel (both the database and the scanner firmware). I know the Ottawa Paramedic and OPP channels are not encrypted as they are broadcasted on Broadcastify.

I am having a few issues with the following:

1. The unit will not allow me to enter a postal code when accessed through either the ZIP button or the menu. It only allows me to use 4&6 for the cursor and makes an error sound when any other button is pressed. The ZIP code option under United States still works.
2. The unit displays Ottawa (CARLSL) as a site. ChatGPT tells me it should be displaying Ottawa (Orleans) or Ottawa (Embrun) sites in order to listen to OPP. I am unable to locate this.
3. I located the Bell FleetNet Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2 in the system bar followed by OPP Combined (regular operations) in the DEPT/SITE bar. No radio chatter is playing despite being on these channels. Site lock is off.
4. ChatGPT says I do not have the right site to listen to OPP, Paramedic, or Rideau Centre. Is this true and if so how can I fix this?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[tvengr]

It needs to be programmed as a Motorola Type II system with this custom band plan:

Band Plan 1

Base Lower: 141.015

Base Upper: 143.985

Offset: 380

Spacing: 15.00

Band Plan 2

Base Lower: 151.730

Base Upper: 152.510

Offset: 579

Spacing: 15.00

Band Plan 3

Base Lower: 154.320

Base Upper: 156.225

Offset: 632

Spacing: 15.00

 

[ofd8001]

Have you looked at YouTube on how to create Favorites Lists? Upman (Paul Opitz) made some real good ones, as have others.

You can use Sentinel to import the desired systems and their settings. Minimal fussing that way.

 

[ka3jjz]

In addition we have many videos linked in our wiki, viz.

BCD436HP and BCD536HP Page 2 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[dave3825]

I hate having to use AI, but I have been using ChatGPT to help me with the process (which I fear may have been a mistake.)

Definitely a mistake. Plenty of stuff online as @ofd8001 & @ka3jjz mention.

1. The unit will not allow me to enter a postal code when accessed through either the ZIP button or the menu. It only allows me to use 4&6 for the cursor and makes an error sound when any other button is pressed. The ZIP code option under United States still works.

Canada does not use zip code. They use Postal Code which is 6 characters long, and a mix of letters and numbers. Sentinel only accepts 5 numeric values. You can go in Sentinel, and navigate to the system and append it to a either a new or existing favorites list.

2. The unit displays Ottawa (CARLSL) as a site. ChatGPT tells me it should be displaying Ottawa (Orleans) or Ottawa (Embrun) sites in order to listen to OPP. I am unable to locate this.

Not familiar with that area but my Sentinel is up to data and does not list Orleans or Embrun. Only shows the following for Ottawa

006 (6)	Ottawa (CARLSL)	Ottawa	141.405	141.690	141.870	142.095c	142.155	142.245	142.335
			142.515	142.680	142.830c	142.890
007 (7)	Kinburn (MARTHN)	Ottawa	141.375	141.525	141.735	142.005	142.215c	142.425	142.725c

3. I located the Bell FleetNet Ontario Provincial Government Zone 2 in the system bar followed by OPP Combined (regular operations) in the DEPT/SITE bar. No radio chatter is playing despite being on these channels. Site lock is off.

Do you receive any chatter on the system at all? What is showing for signal strengh?

 

[IdleMonitor]

Your help with the local systems, may be better answered in the appropriate Ontario forum. With that said, You will be able to listen to OPP/EMS in the Ottawa area on Fleetnet as they have not transitioned over to LMRN. Don't bother with ChatGPT you will get more truthful accurate help here in the forums. Especially in the Ontario forum.