Updates are Coming

[garys]

I've always wished there was a way to make the BCD396 show the talk group ID in addition to the frequency. There's plenty of room on the screen to do it. They could even move the frequency over one digit to the left to make more room for the talk group ID.

Since the 396 came out, I've thought it a bit odd that for conventional systems the display shows mode "NFM" and PL/DPL, but not frequency. In trunk mode, it shows the frequency, but not the talk group number. I'm referring to the third line of the display. It would make more sense to me to show the frequency or talk group information on that line. That's if they didn't decide to alternate Alpha Tag and Frequency or TGID.

I don't know if they can fix that with a firmware upgrade, but it's something I'd like to see in the follow on product.

Gary

 

[Statevillian]

Nice thought

I've always wished there was a way to make the BCD396 show the talk group ID in addition to the frequency. There's plenty of room on the screen to do it. They could even move the frequency over one digit to the left to make more room for the talk group ID.

I kinda like this idea too. If you don't want it....screen mask like the uniden 250.

 

[Boomeranger]

I have an inside source who says the updates will be release by April.

Well, if not April, then definatly May.

Or by the end of the year.

Or 2009.

That reminded me of a spoof TV commercial for a Microsoft iPhone killer.

Very well done, imho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyaJCgFLP9U

Enjoy,

Andy
Scannist

 

[JHaislet]

That reminded me of a spoof TV commercial for a Microsoft iPhone killer.

Very well done, imho.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyaJCgFLP9U

Enjoy,

Andy
Scannist

Nice!

 

[beischel]

You don't buy electronics much do you?



PP

LOL - I think my house has more "stock" then a Best Buy.

 

[jambo]

Sooooo getting back on the topic. When exactly is this new and improved firmware going to be availiable? I noticed the ESN loader on the website last week , but has disappeared in the last couple days.

 

[JHaislet]

 

[garys]

Sooooo getting back on the topic. When exactly is this new and improved firmware going to be availiable? I noticed the ESN loader on the website last week , but has disappeared in the last couple days.

There is a post, maybe in this thread, from UpMan saying that the uploader was put on the site by accident. He also said that there was a slight problem discovered and they were pushing the release back a week or two. I think he said early April, which would be a little over a week.

Gary

 

[800crazy1]

im willing to wait , just get it right , and make it worth the wait .... fair enough !

 

[jambo]

Ok ty Gary for the info. Guess for now its hurry up and wait.

 

[organized_mayhem]

The updates will come soon enough. Can't believe that if someone has read this whole thread that they are still asking when?????

 

[dougjgray]

Denver is going to Edacs ESK I wonder if Uniden will do any updates to decode that. I saw that 1 of GRE scanner will track that. But It could be that if the esk works for denver they may go ahead and go provoice so it may not mater. but It sounds esk would be trackable with just adjusting the reading of the control channel.

 

[scosgt]

The only thing that would be worth paying for would be some totally new capability.
Paying to get "better" P25 decoding or tracking is nonsense - these are $500+ radios and were supposed to do that out of the box.
So lets see, I have:
780 (X2)
296
396
796
330
And a whole bunch of older Unidens I can't even remember the numbers anymore.
The day they charge for a firmware update is the day I have purchased my last Uniden ANYTHING.

 

[rdale]

Paying to get "better" P25 decoding or tracking is nonsense.

Why would you even bring that up again? Time after time after time after time it's been noted that if anything they would charge for FEATURES.

Wow.

 

[W4UVV]

ARC996 software opening message option

I don't recall seeing this previously posted but FYI if you use Butel's ARC996 software one of the software features allows you to create a power on screen display message of approximately 56 characters 4 lines maximum in your 996T.

To create a display message select "configuration editor"; select "general settings" and enter the desired text in the "opening message" window. Save the configuration and send it to the scanner. If no changes select "system editor" to continue. Power off and power on the 996T and your text message will be the first screen display as the scanner boots up.

I was able to enter "Property of" (my name, amateur radio callsign, phone number, city and state). I did it in the possible event the radio ever should be stolen and possibly pawned. It might alert the store owner and/or aid in tracing in addition to the ESN if the police ever should recover it.

The opening message with personal info is not for everyone and there are downsides to creating such a message but I prefer to look at the upside benefits. Before you post the reply, I know. The thief also could use Butel software to change the opening message to his name but he can't change the ESN.

 

[rescue161]

You can do this with the UASD software as well.

I have all of my scanners set to display:

THIS RADIO IS
***STOLEN***
MY NAME
(555) 555-5555

Sure, it says that it's stolen, but if they call the number listed, my cell will ring.

I don't recall seeing this previously posted but FYI if you use Butel's ARC996 software one of the software features allows you to create a power on screen display message of approximately 56 characters 4 lines maximum in your 996T.

To create a display message select "configuration editor"; select "general settings" and enter the desired text in the "opening message" window. Save the configuration and send it to the scanner. If no changes select "system editor" to continue. Power off and power on the 996T and your text message will be the first screen display as the scanner boots up.

I was able to enter "Property of" (my name, amateur radio callsign, phone number, city and state). I did it in the possible event the radio ever should be stolen and possibly pawned. It might alert the store owner and/or aid in tracing in addition to the ESN if the police ever should recover it.

The opening message with personal info is not for everyone and there are downsides to creating such a message but I prefer to look at the upside benefits. Before you post the reply, I know. The thief also could use Butel software to change the opening message to his name but he can't change the ESN.

 

[epilab]

This is a great Idea....... Sure would be a suprise when turned on by a thief

 

[800crazy1]

i have mine reading .. property of
my name here
my cell #
reward if found.

 

[yaesumofo]

Just because software or firmware is available as a torrent doesn't make it ok to steal it.
How stupid.
BTW. They never said they were charging for this update. Just future (maybe) updates which add new features or require new licensing fees to be paid.

People with your attitude hurt this hobby. If I were Uniden I would either scrap the whole thing or make sure that if you (or anybody) stole firmware and used it, that a time based software "BUG"would kill your radio. Hopefully when you need it most.
Good thing I am not Uniden I guess.

Yaesumofo

If Uniden really want to charge for this update, they should charge about $2 to $5 for the update. For me and a lot of other people under 50, thats the threshold price where its easier to get it from the official source for the sake of supporting future updates. At $49, its just a quick torrent search for me and thousands of others.

 

[ampulman]

You can do this with the UASD software as well.

I have all of my scanners set to display:

THIS RADIO IS
***STOLEN***
MY NAME
(555) 555-5555

Just curious. Does this use the limited memory available for firmware updates?

AM