BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Programming p25 bcd436hp

[Mike5959]

I apologize i have read many threads but I’m having difficulty figuring out if I’m misunderstanding something or just doing it wrong. I was previously a software and hardware engineer so I know my way around software but the terminology is throwing me. Unfortunately I suffered from a minor strok 5 years ago which doesn’t really affect my day to day but either my short term memory or complex task is making me struggle.

To put it simply I bought the bcd436hp because my local PD went to p25. I have the lost with all the control channels but when I attempt to follow the many forums and videos I feel like people are taking for granted that not everyone knows the jargon. I programmed it with the zip code as well as with the coordinates. The database is older and has the analog pd frequency. It can’t be that difficult. If I only needed on thing I’d consider mailing it out to have it done but I plan on travel tabs take pride in learning and doing things on my own

If someone could assist me I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[dave3825]

To put it simply I bought the bcd436hp because my local PD went to p25.

Who is your local pd?

 

[Mike5959]

Arlington Massachusetts

FCC Callsign WDD585 (ARLINGTON, TOWN OF)

FCC Callsign WDD585 (ARLINGTON, TOWN OF)

www.radioreference.com

471.1625	WDD585	RM	131.8 PL	Arlington PD	Police Operations	FM	Law Dispatch
471.1625	WDD585	RM	643 NAC	Arlington PD-D	Police Operations - Digital	P25	Law Dispatch

 

[Mike5959]

It seems like it should work I just can’t figure out which parts to enter or where. I had second thoughts on ordering the SDS100 in hopes the program might be better. As it’s newer. From what I read the database included in the bcd436hp was 2018 and I think they went digital after.

 

[Mike5959]

Additionally would the gps attachment help with this or is it the same

 

[GTR8000]

Forget about "control channel", as you're dealing with a conventional P25 channel there. It should be entered the same way the analog one is entered, as a conventional "system", except you want to select Digital for Audio Type, and then set the NAC of 643. Or you can simply program the frequency as a conventional channel and let it figure out the digital part on its own.

 

[ofd8001]

You might find this video helpful:

It appears this is a conventional system, though P25. (Some folks think that P25 means a trunked system, which is incorrect).

GPS is not needed if you are staying local and programming a limited set of frequencies.

SDS line of scanners is great if you monitor simulcast systems. I can't tell if this is one however. You could ask in the Massachusetts page.

 

[Mike5959]

Saying it’s conventional seems misleading because using conventional programming doesn’t produce any audio. Can you tell me where I should enter it. Should I use the zip code
And edit or add a new favorite

 

[hiegtx]

It seems like it should work I just can’t figure out which parts to enter or where. I had second thoughts on ordering the SDS100 in hopes the program might be better. As it’s newer. From what I read the database included in the bcd436hp was 2018 and I think they went digital after.

When the scanner is shipped (as well as when Sentinel is first installed), the database will be several years out of date.

Download Sentinel & install it.
Sentinel (Uniden software) - The RadioReference Wiki

Once you've installed it, update the database from Uniden's website. Updates come out weekly. The newest one should be posted by mid-day tomorrow. Updating the database is easy. Instructions can be found on the Easier to Read manual site.

BCDX36HP Sentinel Software Manual

Once you've updated the database in Sentinel, download that to the scanner.

Saying it’s conventional seems misleading because using conventional programming doesn’t produce any audio. Can you tell me where I should enter it. Should I use the zip code
And edit or add a new favorite

Once you've updated the database in the scanner, then you can use location, range, and your selected service types, to monitor via the main database via location control.

You, of course, can also create a Favorites list focused on just what you want.

 

[ofd8001]

If you do the Favorites List, be sure to set audio type to all.

 

[Mike5959]

I pretty much did this process as soon as I opened the box. On the link I posted with the list of different channels for the pd do I not need to enter every single one for it to work! I downloaded the updated db and sent it to the scanner. He may e I missed ssskmethung because i still couldn’t hear the pd I will try it again and see what Halle s thanks for the help. Worst case scenario is this something you could create a database file and send it to me to seeing it works. If I fail again. I really want to fully understand how to do it in my own so I’ll give it a **** in the morning thanks again

 

[Mike5959]

Watching the video again seems like it is depending on the actual correct freoarenin the database. If the correct one is t there this won’t help me correct?

 

[Mike5959]

my sd was corrupt the .cfg file was missing

 

[Firebuff66]

They are simulcast, but that said i was up a few months ago and was driving around Arlington looking at the old house, and places I used to go when I lived there, and had no issues listening with a 996P2 in the truck and no issues with the 325P2 walking around.
Out of the 30 odd scanners I have I only have 1 X36HP scanner, I hate how they program and how they are set operate with the favorites/systems/departments/////
But that's just me

 

[Mike5959]

Thanks for the help. I feel stupid now. I didn’t send the new db to the scanner. I hadn’t realized the ss card mounted as a usb drive. It was missing the file so I restored that cleared the mess out of the scanner and reconfigured the file now it works. I just need to spend time weeding out things I don’t want and figure out how to make the pd a priority but I should be able to do that. The software definitely isn’t intuitive