HP-1: Just bought a HP1

[SCPD]

I just bought a Home Patrol 1 .. and well I know a bit about them, but have never played with one before. I will not be getting the scanner for probably a couple weeks though.

So I am interested in any tips / advice that you may have with this model as I have not owned a Uniden since the 780XLT.

Thanks in advance ..

 

[W8RMH]

I bought an HP-2 when they first came out and love it. I wish I'd bought an HP-1 back when they were new but I was a little skeptical. Below is a manual you can read up on before you get it.

Easier to Read HomePatrol-1/HP-2 Digitall Scanner and Sentinel Manual

You can also download the Sentinel software and start playing with it and build some favorite lists. There are some nice Youtube videos out there too.

 

[SCPD]

Thanks .. that will help a lot.

 

[marksmith]

Getting the Sentinel software installed, getting used to it, getting the database updated and building some favorites lists is a very good preparation while you wait. You will be able to install drivers, update firmware, and then immediately have the database and favorites lists ready to load the scanner.

I have a 780xt and am now on my second HP-2 after owning an HP-1 since they came out. You made a great choice and are going to enjoy it. These radios are very under rated and I think perform better than their "flagship" radios with the same features of recording and database, favorites lists, etc. And the display is the best out there.

Your next decision will be whether to pop the extra $50 on myuniden.com for the extreme upgrade. It was $100 when I got my HP-1 and my thoughts were that for that kind of money they can keep it. Since it became $50 I have it in all 3 HP radios and recommend it.

Mark
WS1095/536/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT/325P2/396XT/PSR800/PRO668/PRO652

 

[SCPD]

Thanks Mark ..

A friend of mine just bought a HP2 and I played with it .. really liked it.

Because we have virtually no P25 here yet (coming next year .. and only P1), I thought no need to buy the HP2 so the HP1 fit the bill. Besides my 1095 will work when that day comes.

I have all my software / programming ready .. just need the radio. I am still learning about it. One of my other friends has a HP1 .. but I have never really played with it. He says it is 'kinda deaf' .. but I think that the newer production ones are better. I am not worried .. the systems I monitor are very strong here.

Do you have to use Favorites lists ? I am assuming no .. as I don't think my friend made any in his HP2.

I would say that 99% of my listening will be Edacs for now .. and it performs well there (listening to the HP2).

I will be able to play with it once my radio arrives (2 weeks probably) .. but I think I am all ready for that already.

This is the only Uniden model that at all interested me, considering that I did not like the 436HP.

I am not getting the extreme upgrade .. there is nothing there that I really need.

 

[marksmith]

You don't "have" to use favorites lists, but once you learn the radio, and only want to listen to what you want, you will find them easier than the full database.

Make sure to upgrade to the latest firmware if it is not there. Seems to decode digital comms better. My HP1 and both HP2 radios are reasonably sensitive when I compare to other radios. If you will be listening to 700-900 mz systems, go pick up a Radio Shack 800 mz antenna for it and an elbow BNC connector. Significant improvement over stock antenna.

I did not have the extreme upgrade until I got the first hp2. Use it for antenna testing, signal and quality resting to know where to place the radio for best reception. Also allows more direct entry and adjustments to radio and programming as opposed to always using Sentinel. Since got it for all 3 radios.

Mark
WS1095/536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[SCPD]

You don't "have" to use favorites lists, but once you learn the radio, and only want to listen to what you want, you will find them easier than the full database.

Make sure to upgrade to the latest firmware if it is not there. Seems to decode digital comms better. My HP1 and both HP2 radios are reasonably sensitive when I compare to other radios. If you will be listening to 700-900 mz systems, go pick up a Radio Shack 800 mz antenna for it and an elbow BNC connector. Significant improvement over stock antenna.

I did not have the extreme upgrade until I got the first hp2. Use it for antenna testing, signal and quality resting to know where to place the radio for best reception. Also allows more direct entry and adjustments to radio and programming as opposed to always using Sentinel. Since got it for all 3 radios.

Mark
WS1095/536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

Thanks Mark ..

I program all my scanners manually (never the RR database, it is very inaccurate here) .. and in fact have already programmed the software. Just need the radio.

We do not have Radio Shack here and have not for I think for well over a decade. I am just going to hook it up to my outside antenna. If that does not work well .. I have an inside one I will use. It will be sitting on my desk .. so I think it will work. And not too likely to travel around, so it should be simple.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will not be buying the extreme upgrade (at least not yet anyways, maybe someday).. as I do not need any of that. The system I will be using it on (99% of the time) .. is 19 years old, I know all there is to know about it.

I did see my friends HP2 this past week (with extreme upgrade) .. and liked it. Damn friends and their new toys.

There is little P25 here so I am good for a while yet, til our P25 system comes online maybe next year. It is almost all conventional, Edacs here .. which is very very nice. :wink:

I am learning the little things about the HomePatrol series .. but I think that there will be very few surprises or problems. I have a couple of friends here with them that I can call if needed.

 

[mass-man]

As said above, you will really like the HP1...I have had mine since it first came out and never a problem. I have never used a favorites list...just pick the zip code, the service and then start to drill down to a more specific system to monitor.

If the RR DB is not correct for your area, then submit the updates.

 

[marksmith]

I use the favorites lists because I like to reorganize the database, relabel some of the descriptions and to add some things that might not be there. If your area is not represented that well by the database, all the more reason for using favorites lists. (And submitting updates to the database).

An outside antenna (in the appropriate bands) trumps any on the radio antenna. I have a pile of radios and could not realistically hook them all up to an external without erecting a forest.

If you have a grasp of the Sentinel software, and an outside antenna you are going to do fine.

Enjoy the radio.

Mark
WS1095/536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[W8RMH]

The HPs database is exactly what is in the RR database, so if it is inaccurate you will have to program favorites. The Sentinel software is very easy to use and also allows you to upgrade the firmware.

One advantage is you can easily set the maximum volume level for each channel, as one downfall with these units is they don't have much volume. Also the Extreme Upgrade allows you to program directly into the unit on the touch screen.

 

[SCPD]

Is it possible if one of you HomePatrol experts would be able to let me know how to "prepare a backup / second SD card" for use in the HomePatrol ?

EDIT ... I think I figured this one out. I will not know 100% til I get my scanner to see if it works, but it is looking good right now.

Also is all the programming for the HomePatrol saved in the one .hpe file ? (If I want to save a "last known good configuration" copy .. do I just need to save that one file ?)

I am using ArcPatrol .. but also have Sentinel installed.

I know I will have to program my HomePatrol when I get it from ArcPatrol then read into Sentinel.

 

[buddrousa]

The way I have done this in the past is to setup the scanner like I want take the card out copy to a usb harddrive then copy from the usb harddrive to a second SD card that way I can make as many copies of the original that I want.

 

[SCPD]

The way I have done this in the past is to setup the scanner like I want take the card out copy to a usb harddrive then copy from the usb harddrive to a second SD card that way I can make as many copies of the original that I want.

I am thinking I will do the same .. just keep a copy of my SD card in a safe place in case I need it. I am a huge fan of that.. as you never know what could happen.

I will not get the scanner for another week .. the wait is killing me.

 

[hiegtx]

Is it possible if one of you HomePatrol experts would be able to let me know how to "prepare a backup / second SD card" for use in the HomePatrol ?

EDIT ... I think I figured this one out. I will not know 100% til I get my scanner to see if it works, but it is looking good right now.

Also is all the programming for the HomePatrol saved in the one .hpe file ? (If I want to save a "last known good configuration" copy .. do I just need to save that one file ?)

I am using ArcPatrol .. but also have Sentinel installed.

I know I will have to program my HomePatrol when I get it from ArcPatrol then read into Sentinel.

Each *.HPE file is an export of a Favorites list, and there appears to be no way to export more than one into the same file. However, within the Favorites list, you can pick & choose which systems to include in the *.hpe. For example, my normal list that I use the most has systems from a number of cities & counties in my area. But I can selectively export, say, only the trunked systems, or only the systems from my home county, or any other combination I want, including, of course, the entire Favorites list. I'm speaking of Sentinel because I have not purchased the ARC software. I can do everything I need in it. ArcPatrol's options could be different.

For setting up a backup card, or a new, ready to install card to use when your scanner hits the door, use a card reader for the micro-SD.
Then, in Sentinel, select "clear user data" under the 'HomePatrol' drop down menu. That writes the database info to the new/replacement card.
Then, use ArcPatrol to write the lists you've already created to the card. (Sentinel recognizes the card after you do the 'clear user data', though you may have to check the 'show all drives' option. Again, not sure if ARC will, as I do not use it.)

For the data that IS correct in your area, you can easily 'point and shoot' those systems from the main database to a Favorites list, Then, for say a regional or province wide system, quickly weed out the agencies and sites not of interest, or out of range.

The HomePatrol benefits greatly from a better antenna than the stock. Connected to the same type antenna (rooftop or, say, a duck directly on the scanner), it has as good a range as the other scanners I own. If not using an external antenna, I often use an RH789, which is a telescoping whip, with a pivot. I also use an SMA-BNC adapter, and a 90 degree elbow. With those adapters added, the RH789 will basically fold down flat on top of the unit for easy carrying.

 

[SCPD]

Thanks for your advice, it helps a lot. I think I am ready for when my scanner arrives.

 

[marksmith]

Sounds like you are set to go.

It's a great radio. I own almost all of them out there and the HP-1 and HP-2 radios are my favorite.

They contain the full database like all the top hyped radios, as well as record capability. (PS - the free application Media Monkey is almost like it was built to handle HP audio folders of activity from the HP radios and is a good application to get on your pc if you end up doing any recording)

They are as sensitive and reject interference with the best.

They are infinitely programmable with the SD card and favorites lists.

On top of everything else, they have the most readable, clear screens of any scanner out there and at any price.

Nothing else even comes close.

Especially the flagship Uniden x36 radios which are terrible.

The touch screen operation by system/Department/channel works great in practice.

For my money, these two radios are the best scanners out there.

Mark
WS1095/536/996P2/HP1e/HP2e/996XT/325P2/396XT/PRO668/PSR800/PRO652

 

[SCPD]

My friend just got a HP2 .. and he has been playing with it, and I have been there at times for the ride. They are fun scanners and I honestly believe they are the best Uniden scanners, bar none.

Yes, even for experienced users. It is all in the programming and even though some people will never program these scanners .. just the fact that you can and the features you have at your disposal .. they are amazing. I am just sad that I never looked into them before.

Even though I manually program my scanners, I am happy that should the need arise, that I have the RR database there for me.

I use Audacity and it works well for me.

 

[Voyager]

I just copy the SD card contents to my hard drive, then copy to the new card after first formatting it for FAT32. Works fine.

 

[SCPD]

Can someone let me know .. the best way to GPS enable the Homepatrol 1 ?

What else do I need "hardware wise" to make the Home patrol track as the location changes. Please supply model numbers / links if possible .. so I can buy what I need.

Thanks ..

 

[SCPD]

Can someone let me know .. the best way to GPS enable the Homepatrol 1 ?

What else do I need "hardware wise" to make the Home patrol track as the location changes. Please supply model numbers / links if possible .. so I can buy what I need.

Thanks ..

This is all you would need:

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BC-GPSK-Receiver-Scanner-Products/dp/B005P99KRU/