turning on/off favorites as old school "banks" on BCD536

[Emoney250]

I am sure this has been covered. But I am going to put this is SIMPLE language. I really have no use for the "location"/GPS programming feature. I simply want to program my favorites (kind of like how I programmed my frequencies in "banks" on my PRO-197).
So, using the Sentinel software, program your "favorites" and assign them ALL a "quick key" number (make sure that QUICK KEY STATUS for SYSTEM/DEPARTMENT/SITE ARE ALL CHECKED). With the software, simply put the "monitor" and "download" option to ON, then write to scanner.
When you turn the scanner on, you will see ALL of your favorites scanning. To turn ON/OFF favorites while in SCAN mode, simply press the 1 or 2 digit quick key number and press the FUNCTION key.

This seems to be the easiest way for me.

 

[giant22000]

This is similar to how I set mine up as well. All of my local stuff that I listen to on a daily basis is setup so that I can turn things off via the quick keys. All other things I listen to while traveling in my region I manually turn on and off in my favorites. This way I don't have to memorize massive amounts of quick keys. Simple and works for me.

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

[lacadien72]

This is similar to how I configured and I am using my 536HP.

 

[W6KRU]

The flexibility is certainly there. One dept and one site(if required) under each system with a quick key for the system only would allow you to enable/disable each set of channels with 2 key presses.

 

[Emoney250]

Da, I have seen that you can do that, but I haven't figured it out yet (using quick keys to not only toggle systems, but departments as well). I wouldn't mind a quick "how to" on toggling departments......thanks

 

[W6KRU]

Da, I have seen that you can do that, but I haven't figured it out yet (using quick keys to not only toggle systems, but departments as well). I wouldn't mind a quick "how to" on toggling departments......thanks

If you don't assign quick keys to the depts/sites, they will default to enabled. Here is a good explanation of quick keys: Easier to Read BCD436/536HP Digital Scanner Manual

 

[ofd8001]

It's about like tying shoes - a little difficult in the beginning, but after a little practice it almost comes natural.

The scheme is FF.SS.DD E/yes (for enter).

FF is Favorites List Quick Key
SS is System Quick Key
DD is Department Quick Key, which could also be for sites in multi site trunking systems.

As an example:

Favorites List 1 has Quick Key 1.
​

Two systems, one has system quick key 1 and the other system quick key 2.
​

Three departments with quick keys 1, 2 and 3.
​

To toggle the whole Favorites List on or off, press 1 Eyes.

To toggle system 2 on or off, press 1.2 Eyes.

To toggle Department 3 on or off, press 1.2.3 Eyes.

 

[jonwienke]

When driving long distances, there is nothing better than connecting the GPS to the scanner and using Location Control and the Main Database to ensure your'e always listening to nearby traffic as you travel.

But for listening in a fixed location, it can be useful to think of Favorite Lists as "banks" that don't have a fixed limit to the number of channels, so you can organize them by subject matter, geographic area, or whatever else suits your fancy. If you assign them a Quick Key, it's easy to toggle them on and off without digging through the menus.

 

[ofd8001]

I agree completely with the above. When I'm at home or a travel destination, I scan only Favorites Lists with the full database off. While "on the road" it's the opposite - FLs off, full database on with only the desirable Service Types enabled.

If you look at a Favorites List as an "old school" bank, then a system is a "sub bank" within that bank. Departments are "sub sub banks".

 

[NWI_Scanner_Guy]

When driving long distances, there is nothing better than connecting the GPS to the scanner and using Location Control and the Main Database to ensure your'e always listening to nearby traffic as you travel.

But for listening in a fixed location, it can be useful to think of Favorite Lists as "banks" that don't have a fixed limit to the number of channels, so you can organize them by subject matter, geographic area, or whatever else suits your fancy. If you assign them a Quick Key, it's easy to toggle them on and off without digging through the menus.

+1

That's pretty much how I do it with my 536 here at home. I have my favorites named like "1 - Hammond PD/FD" and "2 - Local PD/FD" and so forth with the number corresponding to the system quick key, and then turn them on and off as needed just like I used to do with banks back in "the old days."

 

[Emoney250]

ofd8001. thanks. I was NOT pressing in the decimal. I will try that!!!

 

[conann9]

Hi quick key how

+1

That's pretty much how I do it with my 536 here at home. I have my favorites named like "1 - Hammond PD/FD" and "2 - Local PD/FD" and so forth with the number corresponding to the system quick key, and then turn them on and off as needed just like I used to do with banks back in "the old days."

Hi yes I like to know how as I only been used to older scanning just a few hints be great thanks

 

[eaf1956]

I still think it would be NICE if Dept QKs would be on the menu like Favorite and System are. Then with hundreds programmed a quick look at the menu and you could toggle DEPT like FAV and SYS. It's nice that they all get listed, at least FAV and SYS for now. To be clear I am referring to the Manage Quick Key Status menu item.