New SDS200 Programming

[Unidener]

Hello All
I have been using my BCD396T with the ARC396 Software. This Sentinel software is a little cumbersome since I am new to it.
Does it always show the favorites list when adding to the favorites list? Just seems odd that I cannot just keep adding instead of trying to go back to add the next group.
I just learned about the Trunking with the 396 so that I only add the pertinent sites for my talk groups. How do I do it on the Sentinel? For example to add NC Viper do I just add NC Viper to my Favorites then remove each that is not needed?

Getting a little lazy but does someone have a Carteret NC file they could send me while I figure this out?

Should I purchase ARC536?

Thanks for any help

 

[n1chu]

Keeping in mind I am not familiar with the trunked system you refer to, assuming it’s like the APCO P25 systems I listen to, I offer the following; In a word, yes. You can remove those that are not needed. After determining what sites carry what you are interested in you can delete the remainder. But I would advise against it. Instead, simply “Avoid” them. I’m told it does not slow the scan speed and those other sites are always there for the future should the need arise.

 

[Unidener]

That makes sense.
Can you avoid a whole group VS just one channel?
Would that be better than Locking out?

Thanks for the reply!

 

[hiegtx]

Hello All
I have been using my BCD396T with the ARC396 Software. This Sentinel software is a little cumbersome since I am new to it.
Does it always show the favorites list when adding to the favorites list? Just seems odd that I cannot just keep adding instead of trying to go back to add the next group.
I just learned about the Trunking with the 396 so that I only add the pertinent sites for my talk groups. How do I do it on the Sentinel? For example to add NC Viper do I just add NC Viper to my Favorites then remove each that is not needed?

Getting a little lazy but does someone have a Carteret NC file they could send me while I figure this out?

Should I purchase ARC536?

Thanks for any help

You can append any system, trunked or conventional, to a Favorites list. You can then append additional systems to the same list; you do not have to create a separate Favorites list for each one.

When you append a statewide, or large regional, system such as VIPER, you can append only those agencies in your area. However, even if you only select one department or county for that system, it will also append all of the sites in the trunked system. You can either delete the unwanted sites, or set them to Avoid, if you may later travel to a different area of the state with your scanner. Some of the sites will have names familiar to you, such as the name of a city or county. Others, unfamiliar to you, might be a local landmark of some kind. When looking at the sites on VIPER, click on the County column header in the site listings.


That will re-sort them by the name of the county where the site is located, making it easier to determine which ones to either set as Avoid, or delete.

Sentinel is required to keep the main database up to date, and would also be needed if a firmware update was released. You can do all of your programming in Sentinel. However, some people prefer to use different software. Both ARC536 as well as ProScan can be used to program your scanner, and each offers more flexibility in editing than Sentinel. Both have a 30-day free trial, before you either would need to purchase the software, or discontinue use (it will no longer function after the trial expires, unless you purchase a license to use it).

I prefer ProScan since it can handle programming for a number of other Uniden scanners as well as the SDS series. The cost is $50, for use on up to two PCs, It has virtual control and logging, among other features. ARC536 has two versions, Basic ($39.95) & Pro ($69.95). The Basic version will handle programming and other functions, but if you want to log call history or use virtual control (control the scanner via your PC), then you'd need the 'Pro' version. ProScan includes logging and virtual control in it's features, for the same $50 cost.

That makes sense.
Can you avoid a whole group VS just one channel?
Would that be better than Locking out?

Thanks for the reply!

You can avid either a single channel, or a whole department (the SDS and x36HP series scanners call collections of talkgroups or conventional frequencies "Departments", which is basically the same thing that other, non-database, Uniden scanners call 'Groups'.

 

[n1chu]

That makes sense.
Can you avoid a whole group VS just one channel?
Would that be better than Locking out?

Thanks for the reply!

Yes. But try it yourself... experiment. No one has busted their scanner simply by pressing the buttons. You may lock it up but it can be reset. You won’t “brick” your radio. I use the Butel software where I have the option of avoiding a single channel or Talkgroup within a group or dept., or avoiding that group or dept. in its entirety or avoiding an entire system in my Favorites Lists. Sentinel can do the same thing. It’s a matter of becoming familiar with the programming software. Give it a try and you’ve answered your own questions. Anything that is confusing can be pushed to this group for help.

 

[Unidener]

You can append any system, trunked or conventional, to a Favorites list. You can then append additional systems to the same list; you do not have to create a separate Favorites list for each one.

When you append a statewide, or large regional, system such as VIPER, you can append only those agencies in your area. However, even if you only select one department or county for that system, it will also append all of the sites in the trunked system. You can either delete the unwanted sites, or set them to Avoid, if you may later travel to a different area of the state with your scanner. Some of the sites will have names familiar to you, such as the name of a city or county. Others, unfamiliar to you, might be a local landmark of some kind. When looking at the sites on VIPER, click on the County column header in the site listings.
View attachment 96506

That will re-sort them by the name of the county where the site is located, making it easier to determine which ones to either set as Avoid, or delete.

Sentinel is required to keep the main database up to date, and would also be needed if a firmware update was released. You can do all of your programming in Sentinel. However, some people prefer to use different software. Both ARC536 as well as ProScan can be used to program your scanner, and each offers more flexibility in editing than Sentinel. Both have a 30-day free trial, before you either would need to purchase the software, or discontinue use (it will no longer function after the trial expires, unless you purchase a license to use it).

I prefer ProScan since it can handle programming for a number of other Uniden scanners as well as the SDS series. The cost is $50, for use on up to two PCs, It has virtual control and logging, among other features. ARC536 has two versions, Basic ($39.95) & Pro ($69.95). The Basic version will handle programming and other functions, but if you want to log call history or use virtual control (control the scanner via your PC), then you'd need the 'Pro' version. ProScan includes logging and virtual control in it's features, for the same $50 cost.


You can avid either a single channel, or a whole department (the SDS and x36HP series scanners call collections of talkgroups or conventional frequencies "Departments", which is basically the same thing that other, non-database, Uniden scanners call 'Groups'.

Great!! Thanks will work on that tomorrow!

 

[Unidener]

You can append any system, trunked or conventional, to a Favorites list. You can then append additional systems to the same list; you do not have to create a separate Favorites list for each one.

When you append a statewide, or large regional, system such as VIPER, you can append only those agencies in your area. However, even if you only select one department or county for that system, it will also append all of the sites in the trunked system. You can either delete the unwanted sites, or set them to Avoid, if you may later travel to a different area of the state with your scanner. Some of the sites will have names familiar to you, such as the name of a city or county. Others, unfamiliar to you, might be a local landmark of some kind. When looking at the sites on VIPER, click on the County column header in the site listings.
View attachment 96506

That will re-sort them by the name of the county where the site is located, making it easier to determine which ones to either set as Avoid, or delete.

Sentinel is required to keep the main database up to date, and would also be needed if a firmware update was released. You can do all of your programming in Sentinel. However, some people prefer to use different software. Both ARC536 as well as ProScan can be used to program your scanner, and each offers more flexibility in editing than Sentinel. Both have a 30-day free trial, before you either would need to purchase the software, or discontinue use (it will no longer function after the trial expires, unless you purchase a license to use it).

I prefer ProScan since it can handle programming for a number of other Uniden scanners as well as the SDS series. The cost is $50, for use on up to two PCs, It has virtual control and logging, among other features. ARC536 has two versions, Basic ($39.95) & Pro ($69.95). The Basic version will handle programming and other functions, but if you want to log call history or use virtual control (control the scanner via your PC), then you'd need the 'Pro' version. ProScan includes logging and virtual control in it's features, for the same $50 cost.


You can avid either a single channel, or a whole department (the SDS and x36HP series scanners call collections of talkgroups or conventional frequencies "Departments", which is basically the same thing that other, non-database, Uniden scanners call 'Groups'.

Also thanks on the scanning software.....I was going to ask that but you already answered it for me!!

 

[n1chu]

“Avoid” and “lockout” mean the same thing, generally speaking. Both prevent the scanner from listening to what has been chosen to be locked out or avoided. But those chosen are still part of what is programmed... as opposed to “Delete”, where whatever is chosen (channel, dept, Talkgroup, system) is removed from the programming that you have running on the scanner.

Remember to first save whatever you have for programming. That way you have a copy of what used to be in the scanner and you can return to it if you change your mind about what you may have deleted or avoided.

 

[ofd8001]

Another thought - rather than deleting sites that might be too far away, you many consider setting the Favorites List Location Control to On. That way the scanner does all the thinking about what sites should and should not be active. This way if you go elsewhere with your scanner, all you need to do is add the new location's zip code and the scanner turns the sites on for that new area.

 

[n1chu]

That works... I’ve done some testing with my SDS200 using location control GPS while driving from Ct. to Florida and back, and it seems to work nicely. I programmed only the public safety agencies generically, avoiding all but the police and fire depts. l