How often do you manually program channels?

[jeremyfuksa]

As I'm working to improve my app Bearpaw, I've come across a feature that could create a rare issue with the app if the user has manually programmed their scanner before plugging in and starting Bearpaw. So, I'm curious. Please let me know what you do in the poll.

 

[J-Wrock]

I've done it manually to learn more about the scanner and have a backup if Windows decides to break Sentinel or my MacOS decides to break Windows Generally, I use the computer as it is quicker and easier.

Edit to add the word "manually"

 

[pb_lonny]

I do it all the time, as I am often finding new frequencies when searching the bands or making other changes. I do read it in to the computer a few times a week.

 

[sideshowjim]

I've added in frequencies and related information that I've discovered, "spun" the knob many times to scroll through the numbers, characters, upper and lower case alphabet in order to spell out information on the display, but only for conventional systems on both my "996's" and SDS200... I manually programmed many "scanners" for decades prior to getting "996's" and now SDS200, it really wasn't too difficult to do. My "780" (still in daily operation!) was my first radio with a display capable of oodles of information, that was very time consuming entering the information manually!

 

[jeremyfuksa]

Thanks for the quick reply. I learned a lot, as I am a computer-only programmer. Kansas City airwaves are pretty silent overall.

 

[ladn]

With more than a half century of scanner programming under my fingers, I've done my share of manual programming (but the survey didn't have that option).

Now adays, channel data is a lot more complex, especially for digital channels, making it a certified PITA (not the bread) to hand punch.

I can still manually enter the information if really necessary, but I'd rather use the computer.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I still punch in frequencies regularly, my BC365CRS requires it. ProScan is definitely the preferred method for the others.

Most of the manual entry I do is adding in temporary air channels over fires and other events.

 

[RobDLG]

Relevant to the BC125AT: I've used bc125py to dump a whole CSV file straight into the scanner, under Linux even.