Deleting Favorites List Permanently...

[werinshades]

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Have you seen these resources.....

For your scanner:

Easier to Read BCD436/536HP Digital Scanner Manual

For Sentinel:

BCDX36HP Sentinel Software Manual

Good source...I've used them more than a few times for questions.

 

[JoeBearcat]

"to then delete it from the scanner you have to write to the scanner and check the box: ERASE FAVORITES LISTS ON SCANNER."

I don't doubt that this sequence works based on the numerous testimonials from forum members, and I don't mean to offend anyone that believes this sequence in Sentinel is straight forward and logical. But, in my own opinion, it's one of the most counter intuitive sequences I have ever seen to accomplish the simple deletion of a favorites list. The sequence within the radio is straight forward and logical. These are consumer oriented products, all be they sophisticated in their capabilities. It is not a Raspberry Pi, where you naturally anticipate programming anomalies, and expect to encounter complicated programming protocols.

I was curious, and haven't been able to find a manual published by Uniden that describes how to use the Sentinel program, or how to delete favorites lists in Sentinel. The only reference to deleting favorites lists shows up in a very short sentence in the scanner's manual, and it refers only to managing favorites lists from the radio itself, with a vague reference that managing favorites lists can be accomplished within Sentinel, with no further explanation whatsoever, and absolutely nothing pertaining directly to erasing favorites lists.

I cited three ways to delete it in the software. I believe those are pretty standard. Writing it to the scanner is required since the scanner has no means to talk to the PC other than through the write.

That said, how would you have it work that would make it better?

 

[rbritton1201]

The problem is that to the uninitiated user, the software gives the impression that once you select the "remove" or "delete" button in Sentinel, and press it, that removal has been taken care of, and there is no message instructing the user must go back in and rewrite the remaining favorites list showing in Sentinel to the card. When I remove a favorites list by selecting removal within the radio itself, it's automatic, I don't have to go back into Sentinel and rewrite the favorites list that is still showing up within Sentinel.

But, I understand what you're saying, that the scanner can't talk to the PC. I suppose to make it easier, the scanner would have to communicate with the PC, which I understand would be a more complicated software development issue on your end. However, perhaps a message within Sentinel after pressing "remove" or "delete" would prompt the user to rewrite the remaining favorites list showing up in Sentinel to the card. That would be a much easier modification to the Sentinel software, and it would avoid confusion with respect to the user not realizing that the favorites list in Sentinel needs to be rewritten to the card.

Other than within the forum, there isn't any instruction within the radio's user manual that the favorites list has to be rewritten, and without a Sentinel manual, there is no way for the uninitiated user to follow the protocol needed, unless they engage is significant experimentation, or get answers from the experienced users within the forum.

I cited three ways to delete it in the software. I believe those are pretty standard. Writing it to the scanner is required since the scanner has no means to talk to the PC other than through the write.

That said, how would you have it work that would make it better?

 

[ProScan]

When I remove a favorites list by selecting removal within the radio itself, it's automatic, I don't have to go back into Sentinel and rewrite the favorites list that is still showing up within Sentinel.

Any time a change is made to the scanner then it's a good idea to use Sentinel afterward to read the scanner so the scanner and Sentinel are in sync. If you don't read from the scanner then the next time that you use Sentinel to program a system or add channels then write to the scanner, the favorites that were deleted in the scanner will show up again.

 

[rbritton1201]

Yes, I always read the card before making any changes...

Any time a change is made to the scanner then it's a good idea to use Sentinel afterward to read the scanner so the scanner and Sentinel are in sync. If you don't read from the scanner then the next time that you use Sentinel to program a system or add channels then write to the scanner, the favorites that were deleted in the scanner will show up again.

 

[MStep]

Yes, I always read the card before making any changes...

I always read from the scanner to the PC before making changes, but I make sure to give the file a new name. This way, my old file is still on my PC and preserved should some error occur in the new file, allowing me to restore the radio from the previous saved file.