Programming With SD Card

[WH6EAO]

Just to confirm, you can't program BCD436 & SDS100 with an SD card, correct? It is just for recording?

 

[hexagon_keyhole]

Yes, you can program the BCD436HP and SDS100 with Sentinel. The SD Card stores recording AND the programming information that you do with Sentinel. The Zipcode function which might seem like the end-all isn't the only method of getting frequencies/favorite lists/scan lists on the scanners.

 

[fxdscon]

Just to confirm, you can't program BCD436 & SDS100 with an SD card, correct? It is just for recording?

The master database, your favorites lists, and most all of your personalized settings for the scanner and your favorites lists (profile settings) are stored on the SD card as well as recordings.

Have you been updating your firmware and database through Sentinel?

 

[ofd8001]

Yeah, anything that your "put in to" or "take out of" your scanner is done via the SD card. In addition to the things mentioned above, it is also the media which can be used for updating firmware.

One of the biggest benefits of the SD card is for mobile scanners mounted in vehicles. In the old days, one would have to get a laptop to the vehicle and connect it to the scanner (most connections were awkward to get to). Nowadays, you can pop out the SD card, bring it to the computer used for programming and insert it into the computer card reader. A whole lot easier.

 

[WH6EAO]

The master database, your favorites lists, and most all of your personalized settings for the scanner and your favorites lists (profile settings) are stored on the SD card as well as recordings.

Have you been updating your firmware and database through Sentinel?

Affirmative on the updating my firmware and database via Sentinel. I was under the impression that you could only program the 436 or SDS100 via the USB cord that it comes with. I appreciate the feedback fxdscon.

 

[WH6EAO]

I brought it up because I normally program my HT's (FT3D, FT1D & FTM400xdr) with a sd card, I was afraid to make a terrible mistake on the scanners. I tried to review the manual as well as search on youtube but more than likely it was an oversight on my part. I greatly appreciate all of your responses. Take care and be safe.

 

[jonwienke]

The only catch is that the sd card slot on the handhelds has a delicate metal clip holding the card in place. It's easy to damage. For those models, programming via USB is probably wiser.