ok. I sure don't need to be making things more difficult (had enough of that! ). So if I have fav lists that are used on more than one scanner but have different settings within the lists used on each scanner (such as quick keys) how can I manage that?
Sentinel: Multiple Uniden scanners - databases, favorites lists, profiles
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jtwalker
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Need more information about what you want to have different between scanners before I can give you a suggested path.
system and department/site quick keys are assigned and toggled in a FL, so it is true these would be common to any scanner to which you write a given FL.
Favorite list quick keys can be toggled in the profile.
I write all FLs to all scanners but default the FL QK on or off by using a unique profile for each scanner.
I’m just too lazy to repeat FLs for each scanner and then do the maintenance required going forward.
system and department/site quick keys are assigned and toggled in a FL, so it is true these would be common to any scanner to which you write a given FL.
Favorite list quick keys can be toggled in the profile.
I write all FLs to all scanners but default the FL QK on or off by using a unique profile for each scanner.
I’m just too lazy to repeat FLs for each scanner and then do the maintenance required going forward.
I presume you mean, perhaps, different Quick Key, or perhaps Number tag, settings.
You can always name a Favorites list, tailored for "Scanner 1" with the name of that scanner; make whatever customization settings for that scanner & save it.
If you use, basically, the same list, but with certain different settings (quick keys, or departments enabled , or disabled), for a different scanner, just give it a different name. All of the Favorites lists are going to be in Sentinel, and available for selection in the Profile Editor.
I have two similar, but slightly different, lists, for my SDS100 & SDS200. The default list for the SDS100 is named (you guessed it) SDS100. The one for the SDS200 is, of course, SDS200. I use a similar pattern for my two 436HPs, as well as my 536HP.
I have a separate profile saved for each scanner, using the scanner's model as the base. The main profile for the SDS100 has the SDS100 Favorites list set to be downloaded & monitored by default; this is set in the profile. All of the Favorites that I've created will be listed when I edit the profile. But only the specific list(s) for each scanner are set to be both downloaded & monitored by default. All the other lists, while they are present in the Profile editor, are not set to be downloaded to the scanner nor monitored. If I'm going to travel outside my metro area, I have other lists for those semi-regular trips. I can use the profile editor to have them downloaded to the scanner, but perhaps leave them as 'not monitored' until I get within range.
Just remember that while you may have multiple lists created, for multiple scanners or specific areas, only those that you choose, in the Profile editor, will be downloaded to the scanner, The rest stay available in Sentinel, even though not currently downloaded & in use on a specific radio.
I do this all the time too. On the top left of Sentinel, you can use the Copy Favorite List and set it up to the specific scanner. I rename specific Favorite Lists based on settings/sites/quick keys (Illinois State Police SDS200 with only 2 sites and SDS150 with many more sites I travel through while the scanner is in the vehicle for example). Then I go to Edit..Edit Profile turn the Download/Monitor to ON or OFF geared toawrds the specific scanner.
If you do this, when you first Write to Scanner, check the box to Erase all Favorite Lists in the scanner so you don't have duplicate Favorite Lists in the scanner. After that, only that specific Favorite List will be in the scanner so you won't have to repeat it.
Ubbe
Member
I think that if the installation process sees the default folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Uniden\BCDx36HP Sentinel\ then it will only allow for repair or remove.
Temporary rename the folder on your PC from "BCDx36HP Sentinel" to something else, maybe "old_BCDx36HP Sentinel" Rename back to the default name after any additional installations have been done.
Now when you do another Sentinel installation it cannot find that default BCDx36HP folder and makes a fresh install asking for the installation path. Then do not accept the default path but change to a new name for the BCDx36HP folder, like a SDS200 name or whatever you need except using the default name.
I did not run into this problem as I install everything I can into my D: drive, as my C: drive doesn't have enough space to install all programs into it, a small 128GB SSD, and if an installation allows its install files to be put somewhere else I always change the C into a D and choose to instead install to D:\Program Files (x86) that uses a 2TB drive.
/Ubbe
This also does not work. After renaming the default folder, a new install of Sentinel still only allows a repair or uninstall, not a fresh install.
Did you possibly change or remove something in the registry @Ubbe ?
I'd also renamed the x36HPsentinel folders under ProgramData also but a new install still sees Sentinel as installed.
I really just wanted to test this @Ubbe method but I had zero luck. @Ubbe you must have left out a step!
Don't make this complicated. Sentinel allows for multiple profiles, only one copy of the program is necessary. Once you have additional profiles, to access them go to...Sentinel...File...Open and highlight the profile you want to change. Use the K.I.S.S. method (Keep it simple stupid) 
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But wants to use the same basic settings location on or off for all no mix or match also same profile list.
Ubbe
Member
I tried making a new install using the latest Sentinel but failed, only get this repair/uninstall selection. I know that from Sentinel 3.0 that includes SDS150 some user rights changed so it might also have been some changes to the install process and makes it more difficult to install several Sentinel programs.
I will check what can be done and registry edits might be a way to go.
/Ubbe
With 6 536's, 2 SDS200s, an SDS100, SDS150 and a 436 (and spare SD Cards for each) I use Sentinel a lot. I have found that the easiest thing is to keep it all as simple as I can. I don't diddle with individual Profiles, all 11 radios and 20 SD cards are all the same. They all get the same Favorites Lists and Profile so that any radio can scan or search any System etc. I also do not need to run multiple copies of Sentinel this way.
I actually prefer programming in Sentinel vs. ProScan or ARC536. It is probably just because I have a system that I am used to. I am familiar with the quirks of Sentinel and am comfortable navigating my way around it.
This process also allows me to not have to worry about what radio gets what SD Card. I bought a couple dozen 16GB SanDisk Ultra's a year or two ago and all my radios have the identical SD card.
It has made my life a lot easier. Once a month or so I gather up the 4 cards from my car (for 2 536's and their spares) and pop out the SD Cards from my handhelds and shack radios all in a pile. I update the Database in Sentinel and do whatever Favorites Lists updates I need. Using an SD Card reader I then "Write to scanner" 20 times, swapping out SD cards each time.
The only time this process really varies is when there are firmware updates, I then need to know what card I am going to use for what radio, but that is easy. When I need to update the 536's I just grab the 6 cards from their radios, download the updated firmware and pop those cards into the scanners. I then do the same for the other radios. The spare cards are done generically.
The only downside is that I need to set the Scan Selection or function for each radio afterwords. It is simple enough.
I actually prefer programming in Sentinel vs. ProScan or ARC536. It is probably just because I have a system that I am used to. I am familiar with the quirks of Sentinel and am comfortable navigating my way around it.
This process also allows me to not have to worry about what radio gets what SD Card. I bought a couple dozen 16GB SanDisk Ultra's a year or two ago and all my radios have the identical SD card.
It has made my life a lot easier. Once a month or so I gather up the 4 cards from my car (for 2 536's and their spares) and pop out the SD Cards from my handhelds and shack radios all in a pile. I update the Database in Sentinel and do whatever Favorites Lists updates I need. Using an SD Card reader I then "Write to scanner" 20 times, swapping out SD cards each time.
The only time this process really varies is when there are firmware updates, I then need to know what card I am going to use for what radio, but that is easy. When I need to update the 536's I just grab the 6 cards from their radios, download the updated firmware and pop those cards into the scanners. I then do the same for the other radios. The spare cards are done generically.
The only downside is that I need to set the Scan Selection or function for each radio afterwords. It is simple enough.
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I run all 200's and 536's as base scanners they all have the same setup.
All 100's 436's are used in my car and service van right now I have more portable plus my 325's than I do GPS receivers that take care of turning on and off lists while I drive.
All 100's 436's are used in my car and service van right now I have more portable plus my 325's than I do GPS receivers that take care of turning on and off lists while I drive.
Ubbe
Member
On each SD card there's a text file called scanner.inf that holds the model type and serial number as well as the firmware version but next to that are a profile.cfg file that holds all of the scanners settings that where used at last power off.
Copy that file to your PC in a folder with that scanner name and copy back to its SD card after you have done updates. I assume all SD cards have a written text on them that says what model its for and a number or name that corresponds to a specific scanner.
/Ubbe
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Or you can just use PROSCAN and have each Scanner Configured how you want it.
How is that Multiple Sentinel install you talk about.
Remember not everybody needs to mess around in the Windows Registry.
How is that Multiple Sentinel install you talk about.
Remember not everybody needs to mess around in the Windows Registry.
Having duplicate Favorites Lists, with some differences (as in Quick Keys) complicates your life. Everything else is pretty straight forward. You can Save As with your Profiles for different scanners and configurations. Unfortunately there is no Save As when it comes to Favorites Lists in Sentinel.
You can accomplish duplicating Favorites Lists by exporting your Favorites List to an HPE file, then import it back, giving it a different name.
Should anything change with the systems you monitor in the Favorites Lists, you'll have to make the changes for every X number of iterations you have.
You can accomplish duplicating Favorites Lists by exporting your Favorites List to an HPE file, then import it back, giving it a different name.
Should anything change with the systems you monitor in the Favorites Lists, you'll have to make the changes for every X number of iterations you have.
That would make the most sense by my thinking. A separate ProScan instance (each in their own folder) for each scanner, You could point the storage of files for that scanner to a unique location. You would need to use corresponding ProScan instance to load or edit files for each scanner. You could not use Sentinel, since it would not (by default) see all those individual folders where you parked each individual scanners files.
Agreed. For someone not fully familiar with the intricacies of Windows & the registry files, ham-handed 'editing' pretty much guarantees a system crash.
Ubbe
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I tried Sentinel 2.05 and could do as many installations as I wanted in different folders but Sentinel 3.01 uses some other install method so it's now impossible to do several Sentinel installations just by using a different install folder.
Touching registry keys are dangerous so don't try that if you are not totally sure of what you are doing.
I will have a look to see if there's another more secure method.
/Ubbe
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But 2.05 will not download the RR Database. So old software that will not download firmware and the database is useless.
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Ok, so I have finally finished rebuilding my set-up. Thank you to all. I had thought of a number of different ways to approach it, but it was the realization of how Sentinel handled things and the confirmation of an idea I had in the post from HIETX that led me to my conclusions.
This is my configuration as well as a reason or two why I do it this way:
- While my needs for the scanners appear urgently, they do not happen that often. So, when I need to add frequencies, change FLs, it is within a short timeline, and I haven't yet found user friendly software manuals.
- I like clearly defined and documented processes, so I can perform tasks quickly and with a minimum of potential for error. I wrote a document with instructions for myself, 46 pages worth.
- For my own user discovered frequencies, I start in a database I built, where I can assign FL names and some settings to frequencies. This becomes my "sandbox" as well as my backup of all my frequencies and FLs. This also allows me to have someone else input frequencies if I need the help in a rush.
- I export any new or edited "FLs" to text, then open in Excel, then copy data to clipboard to be pasted into the respective version of ARC.
- When saving I name every FL with the prefix of the specific scanner e.g. HP1- or 536- or -150- etc. (as per HIETX) Now I have full flexibility to have specific settings for each scanner
- For HP1 I use ARC Patrol, paste data from clipboard into ARC Patrol, write to scanner (I have discovered that neither ARC Patrol nor ARC536 can export HPE files so I need to use this extra step to bring FLs into Sentinel)
- I use a unique directory for ARC Patrol FLs that I receive from my database, they remain there as a future reference/back-up if I need
- I use ARC 536 to receive FLs from my database, then send to the other scanner(s) in question
- Next I read from the scanners using the specific version of Sentinel for the HP1 or for the other scanners. Again the Home Patrol version of Sentinel writes to a different directory than the BCDx536 version
- If I have an FL that will be used on a second scanner, with only a tweak or two, I copy it in the respective version of Sentinel, name it for the scanner it will be used on
- I am a very heavy computer user, and I need to update/upgrade my hardware fairly often. I never use the software default directories for user data. The only default software directories I left as is are the Database copies for Sentinel and the small "configuration" files that the two versions of ARC use.
- Now the next time upgrade my hardware I won't "upset the apple cart" as I try to move the scanner stuff
- While this might appear as a lot of unnecessary steps it works for me and gives me peace of mind that when I suddenly need to utilize the scanners I can add any new frequencies as they occur, I have a procedure to follow, and that I have redundancy.
- I am always cautious about adopting any software that might go away. While I am a little nervous about that happening with ARC, if it does I can manage. ARC is fast and easy for editing FLs. I don't see Sentinel going away. As to PROSCAN, I'm sure it is very robust, and for users that are in the scanner world all the time it is the way to go,. I did look at the user manual and I don't have the available time to learn it.
Thank you tall all for your help.
This is my configuration as well as a reason or two why I do it this way:
- While my needs for the scanners appear urgently, they do not happen that often. So, when I need to add frequencies, change FLs, it is within a short timeline, and I haven't yet found user friendly software manuals.
- I like clearly defined and documented processes, so I can perform tasks quickly and with a minimum of potential for error. I wrote a document with instructions for myself, 46 pages worth.
- For my own user discovered frequencies, I start in a database I built, where I can assign FL names and some settings to frequencies. This becomes my "sandbox" as well as my backup of all my frequencies and FLs. This also allows me to have someone else input frequencies if I need the help in a rush.
- I export any new or edited "FLs" to text, then open in Excel, then copy data to clipboard to be pasted into the respective version of ARC.
- When saving I name every FL with the prefix of the specific scanner e.g. HP1- or 536- or -150- etc. (as per HIETX) Now I have full flexibility to have specific settings for each scanner
- For HP1 I use ARC Patrol, paste data from clipboard into ARC Patrol, write to scanner (I have discovered that neither ARC Patrol nor ARC536 can export HPE files so I need to use this extra step to bring FLs into Sentinel)
- I use a unique directory for ARC Patrol FLs that I receive from my database, they remain there as a future reference/back-up if I need
- I use ARC 536 to receive FLs from my database, then send to the other scanner(s) in question
- Next I read from the scanners using the specific version of Sentinel for the HP1 or for the other scanners. Again the Home Patrol version of Sentinel writes to a different directory than the BCDx536 version
- If I have an FL that will be used on a second scanner, with only a tweak or two, I copy it in the respective version of Sentinel, name it for the scanner it will be used on
- I am a very heavy computer user, and I need to update/upgrade my hardware fairly often. I never use the software default directories for user data. The only default software directories I left as is are the Database copies for Sentinel and the small "configuration" files that the two versions of ARC use.
- Now the next time upgrade my hardware I won't "upset the apple cart" as I try to move the scanner stuff
- While this might appear as a lot of unnecessary steps it works for me and gives me peace of mind that when I suddenly need to utilize the scanners I can add any new frequencies as they occur, I have a procedure to follow, and that I have redundancy.
- I am always cautious about adopting any software that might go away. While I am a little nervous about that happening with ARC, if it does I can manage. ARC is fast and easy for editing FLs. I don't see Sentinel going away. As to PROSCAN, I'm sure it is very robust, and for users that are in the scanner world all the time it is the way to go,. I did look at the user manual and I don't have the available time to learn it.
Thank you tall all for your help.
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