Talk groups ?

[KO4IPV]

Are they sending you a replacement since one they provided originally (if you paid for programming) was not correct?

I am paying for this they said it is a upgrade, believe me I will get a refund if they talked me into something I don’t need

 

[hiegtx]

I am paying for this they said it is a upgrade, believe me I will get a refund if they talked me into something I don’t need

You don't need it. What they are doing you could do yourself in 30 minutes or less (much less if you were already fully familiar with the systems). They are simply setting a location that matches your's, and then having Sentinel load the systems in range to a Favorites list. You can do that yourself either on Sentinel, or even the scanner itself, as long as you have updated the database that Sentinel uses and sent the update to the scanner as well.

See this thread on the same subject, about whether it is worthwhile to have Bearcat Warehouse, or another dealer, program the scanner for you.

Is it worth it to have someone like Bearcatwearhouse Program?

I was wondering if it is worth it to purchase a BCD436 from a place like BearcatWearHouse and have them Program a couple of counties? Or is it easy to program? (With Sentinel) I had a BCD396 and used Butel's software - OK as I recall.

forums.radioreference.com

 

[fxdscon]

I am paying for this they said it is a upgrade, believe me I will get a refund if they talked me into something I don’t need

.

Ask them for a very specific answer as to exactly what "upgrade" they are doing... Any and all upgrades that can be done to that scanner, you can do yourself at home very easily. You will need to use a Windows PC to run the Sentinel software. Whether it be "upgrading" your scanned frequencies, upgrading your firmware, or updating your main database (those 3 things can all done by you at home for free using the free Sentinel software). The only upgrades that cost money are the upgrades to monitor systems that use DMR, NXDN, or Provoice transmission formats. Those (if you even need those in your area) can also be added by you at home, at any time, purchased directly from Uniden for far less money than they would charge. And again, you can get your own new SD cards for around $10 and put what ever you want to monitor on them yourself.

.

 

[KO4IPV]

.

Ask them for a very specific answer as to exactly what "upgrade" they are doing... Any and all upgrades that can be done to that scanner, you can do yourself at home very easily. You will need to use a Windows PC to run the Sentinel software. Whether it be "upgrading" your scanned frequencies, upgrading your firmware, or updating your main database (those 3 things can all done by you at home for free using the free Sentinel software). The only upgrades that cost money are the upgrades to monitor systems that use DMR, NXDN, or Provoice transmission formats. Those (if you even need those in your area) can also be added by you at home, at any time, purchased directly from Uniden for far less money than they would charge. And again, you can get your own new SD cards for around $10 and put what ever you want to monitor on them yourself.

.

Ok I think I understand that this could be done at home, my issue is I presently do not have a PC to execute this download, my question is having the 436 Bearcat , is this info in the card already, I asked them to add 5 of my nearby county’s on this new card.

 

[KO4IPV]

Ok I think I understand that this could be done at home, my issue is I presently do not have a PC to execute this download, my question is having the 436 Bearcat , is this info in the card already, I asked them to add 5 of my nearby county’s on this new card.

Also , I just spoke to a representative from Bearcat, the quote is from them that this product sits on a shelf for a couple years at best and by renewing the card would bring this card up to date , being I don’t have a computer to do this myself.

 

[torontokris]

Also , I just spoke to a representative from Bearcat, the quote is from them that this product sits on a shelf for a couple years at best and by renewing the card would bring this card up to date , being I don’t have a computer to do this myself.

How old is your scanner? You can also go into the menu and main database - information to see the date of the database.

Everything (almost) in USA & Canada (that is available) is already included on the card you just enter your zip code to start. However in your situation if you do not have a PC and if local systems have changed since you last updated then they are giving you an option to help.
Also you could ask in your local state forums on here if anybody is close to you to update your card.

 

[KO4IPV]

How old is your scanner? You can also go into the menu and main database - information to see the date of the database.

Everything (almost) in USA & Canada (that is available) is already included on the card you just enter your zip code to start. However in your situation if you do not have a PC and if local systems have changed since you last updated then they are giving you an option to help.
Also you could ask in your local state forums on here if anybody is close to you to update your card.

Thankyou

 

[trentbob]

Bottom line poster if you don't have a PC you have to depend on someone else. There is a library in the radio but being that this is a older scanner you will need to have the database updated and you want to make sure you have the latest firmware update that's from over a year ago but it is an important one as it improves modulation on simulcast systems.

It's a great disadvantage not to have a computer with these radios. This is stuff that you would do yourself if you had a PC.

 

[torontokris]

Hopefully Uniden (for the future) is looking at a web-based option or Chrome extension for those who only have Chromebook etc.
Then you could update the SD card etc.... Although the host/computer/chromebook would still need a SD slot or USB->SD converter

Not that it will help the poster since he doesnt have a PC only and doing updates may not work on a phone etc.