Uniden's New Product Called Home Patrol

[Danny6569]

Home patrol

Does anyone know if this radio will pick up all the systems that the 396 xt will ? like the P-25 and the motorola systems, edacs systems, and the LT systems ? and conventional channels ? or does it just pick up P-25 digital systems ?

 

[h8tdigitalradio]

Yes. Any system the BCD396XT is capable of monitoring will work on the HP-1

73

Dave AKA The Tripzter

 

[FoeHammer]

K just thought of another one
Discriminator tap line out ?

 

[Viper43]

Line out, but even better for some things would be the serial port.... can't wait to see what some enterprising people will come up with for that.

 

[WX4JCW]

Nice gimmick scanner for the traveller. I can't see having one if you are serious about this hobby.

Now Joey, How in the world can You say that, i would certainly love to use it if it works, traveling across the country as i do, and i must say i am darn serious about the hobby.

 

[RadioDaze]

We can "wish list" this thing into something it was never meant to be. As presented here and on the youtube vids, it seems to be at once highly functional and elegantly simple, with a great amount of radio technology packed into it that should cover the vast majority of listeners' needs. I think it leapfrogs GRE's recent offering, by going with digital capability on the first iteration. I think the touch screen is novel, and it's the next logical progression in scanning.

As a "power user" like most of us, I have other things I want out of a scanner that aren't addressed in this offering, just as we all do. I personally need a mobile scanner with a true detachable faceplate, a la most dual-band ham rigs. But I would love to have this new scanner on my nightstand, and I hope I can afford it when it comes to market.

 

[kd7rto]

No scanner compares to Motorola RF performance, period.

Motorola RF performance? I’d be happy if today’s scanners just performed as well as scanners sold 15 years ago. The fact is, you can have a compact portable radio with very sophisticated trunk tracking capabilities, or you can have an older scanner which does not get clobbered with intermod when connected to a rooftop antenna, and does not constantly break up when sitting next to you on the passenger seat of the car, but you can’t have both.

If I were to find out that this thing performs as well as a Pro-2042, my name would be first on the list when the retailers start taking orders…but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Drafin]

My two cents..

That having been said, providing it isn't locked down and prevents you from doing your own programming, it's a really impressive looking device.

Loading data from the RRDB? Works in many cases, but people who know me know there's a number of reasons why I want to be able to input more than that. Besides what's already been discussed before, one of the big issues is that between admins' personal preferences and the short 12-character limit on alpha tags, things like "Smithville FD R1" become "SmithvlFSP". Besides that, configuring new frequencies not yet in the DB or not likely to be put in the DB is very necessary for some of us.

Has it been confirmed that it is or is not "locked down"? I read the entire thread but if it's in there for certain I missed it.

If it does not have the ability to add or delete items that would certainly exclude a large number of people from purchasing the unit, me for one.

Draf

 

[ausscan]

Uniden DOES think about the rest of the world, but Uniden *America* does not. They have a limited geographical area that they serve.

Joe, hate to break it to you but I beg to differ. I agree that there are limitations that Uniden US have but surely they influence other divisions of Uniden. Uniden Australia have not supported the Australian market. Not one firmware release since 1/2007, no sign of the XT range of radios and I daresay this one won't even get a look-in.

If Uniden Australia were to pick up this unit, it would be what we need. Trying to program the systems around here can be a nightmare even for experienced users.

 

[soupbones]

Line out, but even better for some things would be the serial port.... can't wait to see what some enterprising people will come up with for that.

Hahahaha I had to laugh at this. For years I have been reading about people complaining that Uniden should ditch the out dated serial port and start using USB, being that its a standard for computers now, with serial ports just about gone when you buy a PC. And here we have someone complaining that it should have a serial port! Amazing.

ever heard of a USB - Serial adaptor?

 

[Voyager]

Does Uniden America have influence on other divisions? Well, let me answer that question with another: Name a model that was not developed under Uniden America. (IOW, name a model that is available in places other than the USA)

The other divisions, if you will excuse the term, leech off the products developed under the America division. Now, I don't know if they then pick up the tab for the R&D costs, or reimburse a percentage, but certainly they are not leaders in scanner development.

I agree that Uniden Australia and other divisions are not as responsive to theie respective markets, but it cannot be the responsibility of Uniden America to support the entire world unless Uniden changes their structure.

All this said, if Uniden America wants to develop a model that is not 'readily adaptable' to other markets, that is their right. It is not Uniden America's responsibility to provide products for other markets to sell. Other divisions can develop and market their own products, too.

Where is the Australian version of RadioReference? Has anyone in the scanner community started such a website? Who knows - maybe this product will either:

a) Encourage such a site to start, or

b) Encourage RR to expand to cover more of the world's areas.

If either case happened, the HP could be easily adaptable to other markets.

Of course, the Aussies could always join the states and start paying our taxes. Actually, that would be a terrible idea for reasons I won't get into.

Joe M.

Joe, hate to break it to you but I beg to differ. I agree that there are limitations that Uniden US have but surely they influence other divisions of Uniden. Uniden Australia have not supported the Australian market. Not one firmware release since 1/2007, no sign of the XT range of radios and I daresay this one won't even get a look-in.

If Uniden Australia were to pick up this unit, it would be what we need. Trying to program the systems around here can be a nightmare even for experienced users.

 

[Viper43]

Hahahaha I had to laugh at this. For years I have been reading about people complaining that Uniden should ditch the out dated serial port and start using USB, being that its a standard for computers now, with serial ports just about gone when you buy a PC. And here we have someone complaining that it should have a serial port! Amazing.

ever heard of a USB - Serial adaptor?

meant USB, but then I guess YOU never made a mistake have ya? And oh btw, the GPS port.... that is a serial port.......

V

 

[DaveIN]

It's interesting that the GPS port looks like the previous XT and T (classic) model serial port connector. At least the connector should be compatible with the known working Uniden serial cable and GPS models in use on the previous models. I'm also curious to see if the USB port will also work with other devices besides a PC.

 

[Voyager]

1) Adapters do not replace serial ports in all cases. I have a lot of radio programming SW that will not work using an adapter - it needs a real serial port.

2) It is ironic that the standard serial port works more universally than a "Universal" Serial Bus that requires drivers for each device and for each Operating System - including OSs that have not been released yet. So, with each new OS, you will need yet another driver, and how long will support to make these drivers be available? Hardware Serial ports just work - period. I have SW made in the 80s that still works on serial ports made today.

Not arguing for a serial port on the HP - just pointing out that USB is not the solution in all cases. Some day, people will be complaining that they cannot use their new OS on the HP because the driver is not available for it. Case in point: How many manufacturers still support Windows 3.1? 3.11? 95? 98? Even CE, ME, or NT? (combined, being CEMENT) :lol:

Joe M.

ever heard of a USB - Serial adaptor?

 

[Viper43]

Of course, the Aussies could always join the states and start paying our taxes. Actually, that would be a terrible idea for reasons I won't get into.

Joe M.

I don't know Joe, I'd rather have the Aussies than some of the other territories we have, and think, they even speak English...... of course the way things are going we'll either be Chinese or Mexican in 20 years...... then we won't need to worry about encryption......

V

 

[Voyager]

It's interesting that the GPS port looks like the previous XT and T (classic) model serial port connector. At least the connector should be compatible with the known working Uniden serial cable and GPS models in use on the previous models. I'm also curious to see if the USB port will also work with other devices besides a PC.

That would depend on the ability to load the HP with drivers for those devices.

With the HP being a Slave device and the PC a host, the drivers only need to be installed on the PC. But, if you would want to connect another slave decive to the HP, a GPS for example, you would need the HP to be the host and be loaded with the drivers.

Possible, but I don't know how likely that will be.

Ironic, but this goes right back to the driver issue I mentioned in my last post.

Joe M.

 

[ResQguy]

Allegedly overheard at an open house:
Customer: "Please give me more channels"
Manufacturer: "OK, but we need to use this thing called dynamic memory architechture to make it work properly"
Customer: "Please make the scanners easier for me to program I am not a rocket scientist"
Manufacturer: "Sure, check this new thing out- it almost programs itself"
Customer: "You made it too easy, now I can't look smart by programming it myself when my (perceived) friends can't do it without my help"
Manufacturer: "I'm confused"
Customer: "Can you please also paint it black so it looks like a two way radio instead of a scanner? That will make the chicks dig me."
Manufacturer: "WTF"

On a serious note, I'm buying at least one- maybe two for myself. I'm probably also buying a dozen for work since it costs me a great deal less than providing extra real radios just so officers can scan more than 15 channels.

Also; Uniden, please give some more thought to that side mounted antenna connection. Remember you went thru three different styles on the MR8100 before settling on a pigtail? At least move the connection to the rear this time.

 

[KC1UA]

Each year I spend hours upon hours compiling a scanlist for my road trip between Massachusetts and Florida. This scanner could be a Godsend in that regard.

That's great, but I'm also trying to justify owning it for home use. Being someone who enjoys DX'ing I can imagine using it for the reception of distant conventional and trunked radio systems during band openings. Would I use it for everyday scanning at home? Probably not.

I'll be watching with great interest, as we all are.

 

[N1SQB]

For What It's Worth!

Here is my take on all of this! First, it is WAY too early and not enough specs are known to really judge this new invention. I understand the target audience for this. It is a pretty good idea to target these folks who lack the "know-how" to program todays digital trunking / dynamic memory type scanners. What I am wondering though is this, given the current state of the economy, with people still out of work and unemployment benefits being almost non-existent for long term unemployed, who is going to pay $500-600 for a scanner? Again, those of us "Joe-Scanner" types that are avid scanner enthusiasts will find an excuse or a reason to get one. That's a no-brainer. But will it interest the target audience enough to shell out the big bucks? It's a pretty big and interesting gamble on Unidens' part. I hope it works out for them and for the sake of our hobby. I am happy right now where I am as far as scanners go. Would I like one? From what I know so far, yes! Would I or CAN I shell out another $500+ dollars right now? NO! This economy is not getting any better anytime soon. When it does, then maybe, just maybe people will start spending more on non-essential items such as this. Again, there is that fine line between "want" and "need". Yes, I want a new latest and greatest, but I don't NEED one. There are too many unanswered questions with this one anyway right now for me to decide for sure. Mainly on the spec side of things. (sensitivity, selectivity, audio, ect.). So, I do like the new Home Scanner overall and I will make my personal decision to buy or not, once the specs and price come out. I think Uniden did a great thing with the open house. I wish I could have attended. I look foward to the official realease.

 

[Viper43]

Very true Joe, a month after buying a laser printer I had to buy a new laptop, unfortunately Brother in all their wisdom decided not to make a printer driver for the laser printer that would allow it to work with VISTA. And USB was to be the answer for all things....

V

1) Adapters do not replace serial ports in all cases. I have a lot of radio programming SW that will not work using an adapter - it needs a real serial port.

2) It is ironic that the standard serial port works more universally than a "Universal" Serial Bus that requires drivers for each device and for each Operating System - including OSs that have not been released yet. So, with each new OS, you will need yet another driver, and how long will support to make these drivers be available? Hardware Serial ports just work - period. I have SW made in the 80s that still works on serial ports made today.

Not arguing for a serial port on the HP - just pointing out that USB is not the solution in all cases. Some day, people will be complaining that they cannot use their new OS on the HP because the driver is not available for it. Case in point: How many manufacturers still support Windows 3.1? 3.11? 95? 98? Even CE, ME, or NT? (combined, being CEMENT) :lol:

Joe M.