Just Ordered- Where do I start

[KC2GVX]

Forgive me for asking such a basic question, but I just ordered a 536 from Amazon. I already downloaded Sentinel and will start playing with it. My question is- is there an easy to read guide to start programming, and what is the latest firmware for this scanner. Amazon said it should be here next week.

Thanks, and I am looking forward to the arrival.

 

[sparklehorse]

Here you go:

BCDX36HP Sentinel Software Manual

Easier to Read BCD436/536HP Digital Scanner Manual

Uniden BCDx36HP Quick Keys and Number Tags - The RadioReference Wiki

Uniden BCD536HP Scanner

BCD536HP < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

BCD536HPFirmwareUpdate < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

.

 

[ofd8001]

Also go to Youtube and look for Uniden 536. Lot of good videos.

 

[darunimal]

the download Sentinel for BCD536HP, and append some systems to A faVorite list or 2 or 3 or 99, somethings force you to use the 'EDIT' to edit them after they are appended (right click and pick append to append or INSert).

http://info.uniden.com/twiki/pub/UnidenMan4/BCD536HP/BCDx36HP_Sentinel_Version_1_06_00.zip

Uniden BCD536HP Scanner

faVorites quick keys 01
system quick keys 02
department/site quick keys 03

01.02.03

in the departments you could use the 0's for Fire, 10's for EMS, 20's Local PD, 30's State Police, 40's Air Com's, 50s........... and 90's for sites 90 North, 91 East, 92 West, 93 South, 94 NE, 95, NW, 96 SE, 97 SW, 98ENE, 99WNW

If you assign a 'Department' and a 'Site" the same quick key, you block-out the 'Site & Department' and get a 'Nothing to Scan" message,

So, any digital system, will require a site, and for some reason that layer is under 'Department', and not under the 'System' layer.

There are 100 faVorite 0-99, 100 System 0-99, 100 Dept & Site 0-99 Quick Keys.

I just think of it as a 3 layer file system starting with V-Folders (faVorite), then system, and then department & site.

 

[Voyager]

One of the easiest and most rewarding things to do is to enter your zip code and start scanning your local systems. Then you can work on refinements such as custom programming. If you like the zip code channels, you can add them en masse to a Favorites List and modify from there - most of the work being done for you.

 

[darunimal]

Forgive me for asking such a basic question, but I just ordered a 536 from Amazon. I already downloaded Sentinel and will start playing with it. My question is- is there an easy to read guide to start programming, and what is the latest firmware for this scanner. Amazon said it should be here next week.

Thanks, and I am looking forward to the arrival.

okay i tried

http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-tech-support/326429-bcd436hp-screen-color-issue-2.html

 

[mikewazowski]

Off-topic messages deleted.

 

[kh6sz]

All I know, I got my BCD436HP back from repairs, and even with the display being a slightly different color, it's still very easy to read. And the provoice feature is a god-send. If not for that, I wouldn't have nothing to listen to because my whole county's public service is provoice, except for fire dispatch. As soon as I can scrape up some extra money, I'll be getting the BCD536HP also. There the only thing going that has provoice, except for unitrunker and DSD+ which most of the time sounds like donald duck.

If the BCDx36HP radios are junk, it's the best junk I've ever bought!

 

[R0am3r]

Off-topic messages deleted.

I must have hit this thread at the exact moment that you deleted the other messages. I clicked on Page 2 and landed on the top of Page 1 (with no more option for the second page).

And to the OP - I love my 536HP and have barely scratched the surface of understanding all of the subtle menu options. It takes time to learn this model, but you will not be disappointed!

Thanks for the support Mike!

 

[KC2GVX]

Thanks guys- I am going to start with all the links and ideas posted. I have been scanning for 25 years, and have been a GRE/Radio Shack man all my life (save for a BC 780 I still run). This is my first jump to Uniden's ship.

 

[ofd8001]

Not to be a "gloomster" but you should prepare yourself for things going wrong at first. Scanner programming has become more complex over the years and simple mistakes happen easy. I doubt very few people had everything go right in the beginning.

As you go along, you'll find things go much easier and less frustrating.

And remember this, you can't ruin the scanner with bad programming. You can always wipe it clean with a fresh start.

 

[Voyager]

One more bit of advice: Enable all the Service Types. Many times things are missed since the Service Types are disabled.

But, it's not easy to make mistakes when entering a zip code.

 

[KC2GVX]

This is for my radio room and I only need it to scan my county's 500 MHz system and the future 700 MHz system that is in testing phase as we speak. I will have a few conventional channels in there too, but that's all its' job will be.

 

[LakeErieLarry]

Mike:

Sorry for my involvement in off topic posts..