CONSTANTLY REPROGRAMMING

[jayzdarr74]

This is a dumb question but is it bad for the scanner to repeatedly reprogram it as you are learning, or can it be infinite?

 

[ofd8001]

It is perfectly fine to change your programming how ever often you want to. Few people ever have their scanners "just so".

Trying different things is really the only way to learn how to program and also see what works the best.

 

[jayzdarr74]

It is perfectly fine to change your programming how ever often you want to. Few people ever have their scanners "just so".

Trying different things is really the only way to learn how to program and also see what works the best.

I really appreciate your response and I understand. Yes, this has been quite a learning process!! Have a great day

 

[jtwalker]

The only risk is damage to the USB port on your scanner.

 

[jayzdarr74]

The only risk is damage to the USB port on your scanner.

Oh no.

 

[mass-man]

YEP...learned the hard way! Now, if the scanner uses a mini SD card, I remove it to program in the PC and then back into the scanner.
As much as I am always learning and changing my programming, I sure wish the BCD996P2 had a mini SD card.

 

[jayzdarr74]

YEP...learned the hard way! Now, if the scanner uses a mini SD card, I remove it to program in the PC and then back into the scanner.
As much as I am always learning and changing my programming, I sure wish the BCD996P2 had a mini SD card.

I see. Yes well I think I've put as much in it as I'm gonna hear. I live kinda in the boonies some so.... ya know.

 

[FKimble]

Just attach a USB cable to the scanner and leave it attached. Unplug the other end when not in use. I keep several USB cable plugged in to my PC to "save" those ports.

Frank

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

I was always reprogramming mine when I first got them. Now that I have them just right, I only adjust them 1-2 times a year.

 

[Randyk4661]

I've had my SDS100 for over two years now.
I'm always adding something new to it as I use it while driving for work.
I would think that if you aren't changing or updating the programming often, there isn't anything additional you can listen to in your area or you aren't listening as much as you use to.

 

[wtp]

not to worry,
some solid state memory does have somewhat of a lifetime.
it is something like 100,000 read/write cycles.
so you should have some time.

 

[KevinC]

not to worry,
some solid state memory does have somewhat of a lifetime.
it is something like 100,000 read/write cycles.
so you should have some time.

It used to usually be 65,535 (FFFF).

 

[wtp]

i thought you were trying to tell me something different, but i understand binary and a bit of hex...

 

[aaron1964]

YEP...learned the hard way! Now, if the scanner uses a mini SD card, I remove it to program in the PC and then back into the scanner.
As much as I am always learning and changing my programming, I sure wish the BCD996P2 had a mini SD card.

Hi, I am wanting to program my SD card separately from my SD 100 and 200. I travel to a couple cities often and just want to slip the SD card in for the city I'm going to. Doesn't it erase the programming on Sentinel each time you re program an SD?

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

Hi, I am wanting to program my SD card separately from my SD 100 and 200. I travel to a couple cities often and just want to slip the SD card in for the city I'm going to. Doesn't it erase the programming on Sentinel each time you re program an SD?

You should be able to save the configuration on your computer as a file and open it as needed.

 

[hiegtx]

Hi, I am wanting to program my SD card separately from my SD 100 and 200. I travel to a couple cities often and just want to slip the SD card in for the city I'm going to. Doesn't it erase the programming on Sentinel each time you re program an SD?

No, it does not erase anything on Sentinel when you re=program a card. Unless you intentionally delete a Favorites list in Sentinel, its still there, unchanged, unless you manually edit (or delete it). Of course, if you 'read the scanner' back into Sentinel, then Sentinel may give you the notice that the list in Sentinel differs from the one in the scanner. You then have the option to either copy the changed info into the Favorites list in Sentinel, ignore the changes or copy with a new name.

All the lists you've created are still available in Sentinel, unless you intentionally remove one or more of them. You can have multiple Favorites lists, but you can go into your Profile, & change which lists will be downloaded & scanned by default, or simply downloaded, but not being scanned unless you change that via the Set Scan Selection process in the scanner. When writing to the scanner, or to an extra card in an external card reader, you do have the option to delete all the lists in the scanner (or on the card) before Sentinel writes to the card.

I have multiple lists in Sentinel, by use the profile to select which ones to load at any specific time. I have my 'local area' lists, for systems in my home area, but also have several other lists for use when visiting a friend out of town.

 

[RichM]

The only risk is damage to the USB port on your scanner.

For minor tweaks and changes I just program manually. For small changes/additions it’s faster and a good skill to know how to do. By the time I fire up the computer, load the software, plug in the scanner, download the current database, type in the changes, upload the changes and then save the file I could have made multiple changes manually. I only use software for major programming changes and/or scanner back up which usually only happens a couple times a year.

 

[aaron1964]

No, it does not erase anything on Sentinel when you re=program a card. Unless you intentionally delete a Favorites list in Sentinel, its still there, unchanged, unless you manually edit (or delete it). Of course, if you 'read the scanner' back into Sentinel, then Sentinel may give you the notice that the list in Sentinel differs from the one in the scanner. You then have the option to either copy the changed info into the Favorites list in Sentinel, ignore the changes or copy with a new name.

All the lists you've created are still available in Sentinel, unless you intentionally remove one or more of them. You can have multiple Favorites lists, but you can go into your Profile, & change which lists will be downloaded & scanned by default, or simply downloaded, but not being scanned unless you change that via the Set Scan Selection process in the scanner. When writing to the scanner, or to an extra card in an external card reader, you do have the option to delete all the lists in the scanner (or on the card) before Sentinel writes to the card.

I have multiple lists in Sentinel, by use the profile to select which ones to load at any specific time. I have my 'local area' lists, for systems in my home area, but also have several other lists for use when visiting a friend out of town.

Thanks! I'll give it a try. I haven't really delved into Sentinel because I'm not very computer literate and I get frustrated.

 

[ecps92]

This is a dumb question but is it bad for the scanner to repeatedly reprogram it as you are learning, or can it be infinite?

Adding, changing, experimentation is part of the hobby, as new info (such as TG's) become available, I am always adding to my radio

 

[jayzdarr74]

Adding, changing, experimentation is part of the hobby, as new info (such as TG's) become available, I am always adding to my radio

Ok. Thank you very much.