Sentinel Write to Scanner Issue

[scnrfrq]

I was just updating a favorite list with Sentinel. When I chose write to scanner, I got a message for each of my favorite lists that what was on Sentinel was different on each of my 4 scanners. I expected this for the one favorite list I changed, but why would I get a similar message for each favorite list, most of which I haven't changed in months? I chose copy and replace on scanner, and all seems OK. Just never had this happen before. Any ideas why?

 

[W4EMS]

I get that a lot unless I check erase FL on scanner. Maybe Jon or others have a reason but much like you more a nuisance that functional.

 

[SChuck]

Anytime there is something different on the scanner than on sentinel it will trigger that message. That might only be a lockout or you choose to monitor a list not set in your profile.
My advise is if you know you haven't made any changes just choose skip.

 

[n1chu]

Doesn’t Sentenel have The option of choosing the correct scanner model? Would an incorrect choice cause your issue?

 

[jonwienke]

The target model setting has nothing to do with it. If there is any difference between the FL on the scanner and the one in Sentinel, whether a single avoid or one letter changed in a channel name, that message will be triggered. If you're writing to the scanner, you should generally check the "erase favorite lists on scanner" box to overwrite the scanner with Sentinel, without a bunch of popup messages to click. If there is something on the scanner you don't have in Sentinel, you should read the scanner first.

 

[n1chu]

The target model setting has nothing to do with it. If there is any difference between the FL on the scanner and the one in Sentinel, whether a single avoid or one letter changed in a channel name, that message will be triggered. If you're writing to the scanner, you should generally check the "erase favorite lists on scanner" box to overwrite the scanner with Sentinel, without a bunch of popup messages to click. If there is something on the scanner you don't have in Sentinel, you should read the scanner first.

You write... “The target model setting has nothing to do with it.”

That’s not entirely true. There are minor differences (due to form factor) between the desktop and portable versions of what is essentially the same scanner. Aren’t those differences picked up as changes also when you switch from the portable to the desktop? I only use Sentenel and Butel’s 536PRO and notice Butel doesn’t ask for a specific model between the 4 models (BCD436HP, BCD536HP, SDS100, SDS200)... one size fits all. If the target model has nothing to do with it why does Uniden’s Sentenel have the option of choosing a target model in the first place? When all Sentenel is doing is looking for what changes may have been made to the program resident on the computer after that program was installed?

 

[jonwienke]

Target Model mostly changes Sentinel's user interface. And additional data, like the screen layout profile, is written to the scanner if an SDS model is selected. But what triggers the "changed" dialog is the last modified timestamp on the scanner vs the one in the computer. If they're different, the "changed" dialog is raised. Occasionally that triggers a false positive, even when neither the target model nor the FL data have changed.

 

[n1chu]

Target Model mostly changes Sentinel's user interface. And additional data, like the screen layout profile, is written to the scanner if an SDS model is selected. But what triggers the "changed" dialog is the last modified timestamp on the scanner vs the one in the computer. If they're different, the "changed" dialog is raised. Occasionally that triggers a false positive, even when neither the target model nor the FL data have changed.
[/QUO

 

[n1chu]

Thanks. Can you comment on why the Butel ARC 536 PRO doesn’t offer the opportunity to select a model?

 

[jonwienke]

I've never used that software, so I don't know. My guess would be that they write everything for all models, even though some data will be ignored (e.g. screen customization profile going to a 536). IMO, if you have a 536 and the SDS screen profile editor doesn't get disabled, that's sloppy design, and potentially confusing to users.

 

[n1chu]

I've never used that software, so I don't know. My guess would be that they write everything for all models, even though some data will be ignored (e.g. screen customization profile going to a 536). IMO, if you have a 536 and the SDS screen profile editor doesn't get disabled, that's sloppy design, and potentially confusing to users.

Understood. Thanks.

 

[ProScan]

Sentinel Target Model doesn't need to be changed to work but it should. There are differences regarding the parameters between the BCDx36HP and SDSx00. If a parameter doesn't apply to a particular scanner type then it will be ignored after a scanner write.

The SDSx00 differences compared to BCDx36HP
Removed Analog AGC, Digital AGC, Digital Threshold Mode, Digital Threshold Level
Added Filter, Color Display Editor

 

[wizardofid]

Would it be safe to assume that by choosing the SDS200 mode allows one to program the scanner and modify the color & configuration on the display screen. Whereas, choosing the BCD586HP mode still programs the scanner in the same manner, but does not offer the option to change color and configuration of the display screen?

 

[jonwienke]

Your filters and other channel settings specific to the SDS models would probably not work as expected if you did that.

 

[6079smithw]

It's been my experience that if anything has been changed on the 536 since it was last written to, Sentinel picks up on it and throws the code.
This can be a simple as changing the display brightness or locking out a channel.

I'm in agreement with Mr. SChuck here: skip anything you haven't modified in your current session and you should be good to go.

(BTW, have you made a backup of your codeplug(s) and saved to cloud, flashdrive, etc. just in case? )

 

[scnrfrq]

Well, what are codeplugs?

 

[6079smithw]

Well, what are codeplugs?

Sorry 'bout that. In other words, make a copy of your 536s SD card and stash it somewhere.
Then by chance you happen to corrupt your working card you can install the backup
and not have to rewrite all your data such as favorites. Ask me how I learned that!

 

[rcool101]

How did you learn that? I couldn't resist.....

 

[scnrfrq]

Sorry 'bout that. In other words, make a copy of your 536s SD card and stash it somewhere.
Then by chance you happen to corrupt your working card you can install the backup
and not have to rewrite all your data such as favorites. Ask me how I learned that!

So when the drive comes up when you plug in the radio, you just make a copy of the files on it, right? If I use Sentinel, can't you just write your profile to a new card instead?

 

[jonwienke]

Sentinel is a backup copy. You can write from Sentinel to as many radios (or cards) as you want.