Help me help you

[GTR8000]

In addition to what @Ronaldski mentioned, perhaps have the software coders include an auto-update option in both versions of Sentinel that would check for a newer database version upon startup or once per week. If a new database version is detected, have it create a popup asking if you would like to update the database now. Should be fairly straightforward as that has been a feature of a lot of software for many years.

 

[ka3jjz]

I'm pretty sure the Twiki has the instructions for the DMR/MOTOTRBO and ProVoice upgrades for the 436/536, but nothing at all for NXDN. It isn't easy to find it, though. The whole TWiki really needs a serious reorganization - it's way too scattered and disorganized to be very useful

Mike

 

[JoeBearcat]

It's possible, but I would probably recommend that the nag window has a button to update and be done with it.
(with a reminder that the scanner's database is not updated until written)

Same for firmware when the scanner is connected.

It's funny you mention the how-to for NXDN. Another RR user contacted me via PM. He says he remembers a sister page to the DMR page explaining NXDN with resources and links. I cannot find that page anywhere. Does anyone remember it? Would anyone have saved a copy of it?

This is the DMR page which is still there:

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/DigitalMobileRadioUpgrade?

There is this page which is NLA, but it was really only an announcement with no resources:

NXDN Support Comes to the BCD436HP and BCD536HP - Uniden

The long-awaited upgrade to support scanning NXDN digital systems is now available for the SDS100, BCD436HP, and BCD536HP scanners from Uniden. This upgrade allows you to program these scanners to[...]

web.archive.org

 

[JoeBearcat]

I'm pretty sure the Twiki has the instructions for the DMR/MOTOTRBO and ProVoice upgrades for the 436/536, but nothing at all for NXDN. It isn't easy to find it, though. The whole TWiki really needs a serious reorganization - it's way too scattered and disorganized to be very useful

Mike

Can you PM me with details about the better organization scheme?

 

[ka3jjz]

PM sent, Joe...Mike

 

[JoeBearcat]

Got it. I will digest and reply later. Too late at night to concentrate on that.

 

[redbeard]

Can you PM me with details about the better organization scheme?

I'd start with the URL to the wiki...it's too long. Second, the wiki really isn't even set up right if everything has to be posted under 'UnidenMan4'

info.uniden.com shouldn't be a redirect to /bin/view/web/home/user/etc it should be the main page of the wiki. And should have probably just been wiki.uniden.com.

I'd just start over if I were you.

 

[ka3jjz]

That's part of what I PM'ed him about. Give it some time - JB is just starting to catch up on all of this. The URLs may be the result of how the TWiki was set up, though.

As incomplete as it is, there's a lot of reorganization to be done before anything new is added. Otherwise you're just adding more information that needs to be moved around.

Mike

 

[steelcty]

How about a option to keep close call hits and not lose them when you power cycle the radio.

Steve

 

[JoeBearcat]

I will ask the IT guy if it can be set up on a shorter URL. I do hate to wipe out all the pages Paul created, however.

On the CC hits, it will save them if you have them save to the memory. Which model are we talking about?

 

[ka3jjz]

If the TWiki is set up like Mediawiki, then there is a history for each page. It can be used to restore it, even if the current page is blanked out. It's a decent protection against dummies that have tried to trash our wiki, which thankfully doesn't happen very often

Mike

 

[kh11]

OK, here's an admittedly really trivial complaint, but for what it's worth: I'd like to see a space between the frequencies displayed and 'MHz'.

 

[gmclam]

OK, here's an admittedly really trivial complaint, but for what it's worth: I'd like to see a space between the frequencies displayed and 'MHz'.

I like it as it is. So few places for meaningful characters, we don't need spaces taking up the space.

 

[kh11]

I like it as it is. So few places for meaningful characters, we don't need spaces taking up the space.

I guess I could see that if you're using trunk detail mode, but on things like the search screen, there's no lack of space. Though they probably constrain the field the same way everywhere, so likely a non-starter and really trivial after all, like I said.

I'd really like to see more flexibility in general in the customization. For example, I'd like to be able to move the fields for system/dept/channel around - Put channel at the top if I want. And let me decide what fields flash or stay static. (Why do they think NAC and Slot need to flash when nothing else does?) It would be nice if there was a GUI tool that allowed you to format the display however you wanted - drag and drop to move fields anywhere, as long as they fit. Pipe dream, I guess.

 

[ausscan]

Has anyone mentioned a drop in charger? It's a pain to have to flick out a few AAs when ever the 436 goes flat especially mid drive, not to mention externally charging a second battery for the SDS100 is tricky when getting an external charger out this neck of the woods is near on impossible.

Drop in, with the option to cable charge. That way when I get home at night it can be dropped in the charger by the door and easily grabbed on the way out again.

 

[bravo14]

Has anyone mentioned a drop in charger? It's a pain to have to flick out a few AAs when ever the 436 goes flat especially mid drive, not to mention externally charging a second battery for the SDS100 is tricky when getting an external charger out this neck of the woods is near on impossible.

Drop in, with the option to cable charge. That way when I get home at night it can be dropped in the charger by the door and easily grabbed on the way out again.

I think at one time it was brought up before on this. Some of users don't charge batteries in the radio either they run too hot or battery swells up. I like charging with external with extra batteries in hand.

 

[MartyF81]

First, let me say I am glad to see someone from Uniden has returned to RR to talk to people... that gives me hope that things will look better. UPMan is hard to replace but I am sure you will do a wonderful job in your own right. The only thing that is superior to communication is actually fixing things... but communication is super important.

Couple of things:

1. Early in the thread there was some commentary about changes and paper manuals... etc... It is 2021, this is nonsense. Quite frankly they shouldn't have been shipped with paper manuals to being with. Including in the box a post it sized note with a URL to a page with continuously being updated PDF's is the modern method. If even 10% of owners of these devices even took the paper manual out of the bag... I would be stunned. Besides that, things change... and people expect it. The "customers" who might be upset about a feature change that is not in the manual originally shipped in the box are NOT the majority... and frankly... who cares what they think. They dont have to update the firmware if they don't like the changes. You will make far more people happy with improvements.

2. Referencing Pauls original plan for if something should be a certain way or not. He was a great man... however roadmaps change... and he changed his mind and opinion on things too. The decision on what direction to take should be about what is the RIGHT thing to do "now". If Pauls intent for the USB port was to plug in a thumb drive so the SDS 200 could play an MP3 of "Reveille" every morning at dawn... doesn't mean it still has to be. I say that example in jest of course.. but my intent is really just... things change.

I understand you are not management.... and I am not trying to be critical... I appreciate your support in being here. I am just hopeful that we can be more openminded.

 

[Ubbe]

And let me decide what fields flash or stay static. (Why do they think NAC and Slot need to flash when nothing else does?)

That's an indicator used throughout the display window that informs that the value have not been programmed in the scanner, it is a searched and found value. If you program the value it will stop to flash, as it then will not need your attention.

/Ubbe

 

[donc13]

First, let me say I am glad to see someone from Uniden has returned to RR to talk to people... that gives me hope that things will look better. UPMan is hard to replace but I am sure you will do a wonderful job in your own right. The only thing that is superior to communication is actually fixing things... but communication is super important.

Couple of things:

1. Early in the thread there was some commentary about changes and paper manuals... etc... It is 2021, this is nonsense. Quite frankly they shouldn't have been shipped with paper manuals to being with. Including in the box a post it sized note with a URL to a page with continuously being updated PDF's is the modern method. If even 10% of owners of these devices even took the paper manual out of the bag... I would be stunned. Besides that, things change... and people expect it. The "customers" who might be upset about a feature change that is not in the manual originally shipped in the box are NOT the majority... and frankly... who cares what they think. They dont have to update the firmware if they don't like the changes. You will make far more people happy with improvements.

2. Referencing Pauls original plan for if something should be a certain way or not. He was a great man... however roadmaps change... and he changed his mind and opinion on things too. The decision on what direction to take should be about what is the RIGHT thing to do "now". If Pauls intent for the USB port was to plug in a thumb drive so the SDS 200 could play an MP3 of "Reveille" every morning at dawn... doesn't mean it still has to be. I say that example in jest of course.. but my intent is really just... things change.

I understand you are not management.... and I am not trying to be critical... I appreciate your support in being here. I am just hopeful that we can be more openminded.

So...if they "aren't in the majority" no one should care what they think?

You said it, can you defend that position?

For example, my guess is the majority monitor public safety systems. So scanners should have no other kinds of systems available... Cuz no one cares what the minority of users think or want... Right?

 

[W5RGP]

LCN finder, as we know it can take a loooong time, have the capability if it found some, but not all, for us to interrupt it and give what it has found.

you can already stop it and save what it has found