Firmware clarification

[trentbob]

This is in regard to new firmware update announcement made today regarding firmware update released in June, 2021.

Uniden, please clarify who needs this firmware update and is it necessary, since it has no function but to accommodate new hardware. What radios require this update, what serial number sequence starts the necessity for this firmware?

I assume it'll make no difference if those with existing radios don't add the firmware update and again who needs it, what radios will it make a difference in? Thank you.

 

[gary123]

It is always best to have the current firmware in your hardware. Many FW updates fix known issues or address items like improper CC decoding etc. Some FW updates may be used to lay the foundations for new features in the units. If in doubt read the release notes that come or are posted with each update.

FYI many systems undergo changes or have new features added by the manufacturer. FW updates are used to add these to your hardware.

 

[900mhz]

It is always best to have the current firmware in your hardware. Many FW updates fix known issues or address items like improper CC decoding etc. Some FW updates may be used to lay the foundations for new features in the units. If in doubt read the release notes that come or are posted with each update.

FYI many systems undergo changes or have new features added by the manufacturer. FW updates are used to add these to your hardware.

agreed. READ THE RELEASE NOTES. Due to hardware changes related to some parts/chips no longer available, newer devices may need to update. Trying to update an older unit with newer firmware may result in a dead unit.

 

[belvdr]

It is always best to have the current firmware in your hardware. Many FW updates fix known issues or address items like improper CC decoding etc. Some FW updates may be used to lay the foundations for new features in the units. If in doubt read the release notes that come or are posted with each update.

FYI many systems undergo changes or have new features added by the manufacturer. FW updates are used to add these to your hardware.

agreed. READ THE RELEASE NOTES. Due to hardware changes related to some parts/chips no longer available, newer devices may need to update. Trying to update an older unit with newer firmware may result in a dead unit.

Reading the release notes doesn't answer the question. The release notes say:

ONLY use Sentinel to upgrade firmware. Some users have rendered their scanners non-functional using other update methods.

Housekeeping update to accommodate revised hardware - No functional change from 1.26.00.

 

[900mhz]

Reading the release notes doesn't answer the question. The release notes say:

ONLY use Sentinel to upgrade firmware. Some users have rendered their scanners non-functional using other update methods.

The above warning would quantify as a release note...

 

[belvdr]

ONLY use Sentinel to upgrade firmware. Some users have rendered their scanners non-functional using other update methods.

The above warning would quantify as a release note...

No kidding, but how does that answer @trentbob's question?

 

[wa8pyr]

No kidding, but how does that answer @trentbob's question?

Nope; that release note is amazingly uninformative and unhelpful. Kind of curious myself; do I need this update?

 

[900mhz]

@trentbob clearly states he requests a response from Uniden...and Uniden only...see quote below...

Uniden, please clarify who needs this firmware update and is it necessary, since it has no function but to accommodate new hardware. What radios require this update, what serial number sequence starts the necessity for this firmware?

Comments were added to hopefully prevent people from bricking their investments.

 

[iMONITOR]

It is always best to have the current firmware in your hardware. Many FW updates fix known issues or address items like improper CC decoding etc. Some FW updates may be used to lay the foundations for new features in the units. If in doubt read the release notes that come or are posted with each update.

FYI many systems undergo changes or have new features added by the manufacturer. FW updates are used to add these to your hardware.

Not necessarily. There have been some firmware updates in the past that caused problems when used on scanners that it wasn't intended for, even though Uniden's own update utility allow to proceed.

There was a recent firmware update for the BCD996P2 that Uniden actually pointed out should not be applied to scanners prior to a certain serial number range. Several months ago there was a firmware update that caused problem with the BCT15 & BCT15X scanners. Again Uniden's update utility allowed the update to be installed without the user's knowledge that it wasn't correct.

 

[iMONITOR]

ONLY use Sentinel to upgrade firmware. Some users have rendered their scanners non-functional using other update methods.

The above warning would quantify as a release note...

Sentinel only works with some of Uniden's newer scanners. It doesn't not work with earlier scanners, IE: 996, 325, 15 & 15X, ETC.

 

[iMONITOR]

Last night I updated my recently purchased BCT15X with firmware v 1.07.00 using Uniden's BC_VUP3 utility. All seems OK.

 

[iMONITOR]

Sentinel only works with some of Uniden's newer scanners. It doesn't not work with earlier scanners, IE: 996, 325, 15 & 15X, ETC.

That vintage requires Uniden's update utility, BC_VUP3 instead of Sentinel.

 

[trentbob]

Thank you for everybody's comments but just to clarify my question regarding clarifying the firmware release. I've had several x36 radios starting in 2014. I'm very familiar with all the firmware updates and know all of the firmware update release notes from Paul.

None of these x36 radios I own ever had a hardware update from Uniden. Do I need the housekeeping required for new hardware? Exactly what serial number range radios have new hardware that needs this firmware update? Are there any, have those radios been released yet?

If there ever was another firmware release from Uniden addressing issues, bug fixes or additional options for the x36 then this firmware update will be automatically added with the new firmware update addressing real issues.

What I'm asking is a very rudimentary, basic question that someone at Uniden, probably the UPM should be able to answer very easily and quickly. This is a legitimate and reasonable question, I'm sure others are curious too. Thank you.

 

[iMONITOR]

I do recall a firmware update in particular for the BCD436P & BCD536HP series some time ago that made a significant improvement in their handling of simulcast issues that improved the clarity of the audio. I no longer have the radios and at 71 I can't even begin to recall the estimated date or version of that update. I would think Sentinel would apply them if required. Have you tried that or are you hesitating to do so?

 

[GTR8000]

Although the "release note" for the x36HP firmware is vague, I upgraded my 536 from 1.26.00 to 1.28.14 this morning, and it's fine.

These "to accommodate new hardware" firmware release so far have been backwards compatible with older scanners that have the original hardware, however the opposite is not true. If you try to put older firmware into a newer scanner that has the updated hardware, you'll likely brick it.

Uniden is not going to maintain two firmware versions for each model (original hardware vs updated hardware), so they code the latest firmware releases to work with both the original hardware and the updated hardware.

Bottom line is that these "new" firmware releases are much ado about nothing for owners of original hardware, which is probably the vast majority of the units out there already. Who knows if the updated hardware in existing models has even shipped yet, and if it has, it would already have the newer firmware in it.

And no, if you have a model that runs on the original hardware, you don't need to update firmware. These firmware releases are only to accommodate updated hardware going forward. Of course at some point in the future the bug fixes and feature additions to existing models may resume, at which point the firmware will matter again.

 

[trentbob]

I do recall a firmware update in particular for the BCD436P & BCD536HP series some time ago that made a significant improvement in their handling of simulcast issues that improved the clarity of the audio. I no longer have the radios and at 71 I can't even begin to recall the estimated date or version of that update. I would think Sentinel would apply them if required. Have you tried that or are you hesitating to do so?

I do remember that update and it did make some noticeable improvements on the radios with clearer p25 modulation. I installed it the day it was released and that is the firmware that is presently in all of our radios. Don't remember the exact date but it wasn't too long after the last SDS update in April 2019.

 

[trentbob]

Although the "release note" for the x36HP firmware is vague, I upgraded my 536 from 1.26.00 to 1.28.14 this morning, and it's fine.

These "to accommodate new hardware" firmware release so far have been backwards compatible with older scanners that have the original hardware, however the opposite is not true. If you try to put older firmware into a newer scanner that has the updated hardware, you'll likely brick it.

Uniden is not going to maintain two firmware versions for each model (original hardware vs updated hardware), so they code the latest firmware releases to work with both the original hardware and the updated hardware.

Bottom line is that these "new" firmware releases are much ado about nothing for owners of original hardware, which is probably the vast majority of the units out there already. Who knows if the updated hardware in existing models has even shipped yet, and if it has, it would already have the newer firmware in it.

And no, if you have a model that runs on the original hardware, you don't need to update firmware. These firmware releases are only to accommodate updated hardware going forward. Of course at some point in the future the bug fixes and feature additions to existing models may resume, at which point the firmware will matter again.

This is the same track that I have been thinking also, hence, my request for clarification.

 

[AK9R]

@trentbob clearly states he requests a response from Uniden...and Uniden only...see quote below...

In that case, then perhaps he should have asked them directly instead of posting in a public forum where no Uniden employee, as far as we know, participates.

 

[900mhz]

In that case, then perhaps he should have asked them directly instead of posting in a public forum where no Uniden employee, as far as we know, participates.

perhaps, but responses are inconsistent from the manufacturer. Users can provide better guidance. Manufacturer responses benefit all users.

 

[KevinC]

In that case, then perhaps he should have asked them directly instead of posting in a public forum where no Uniden employee, as far as we know, participates.

Ouch!